Ernie Grunfeld continues to field offers for guard Juan Carlos Navarro, who recently negotiated out of his contract with FC Barcelona of the Spanish pro league. Barcelona informed Grunfeld that he has until the end of the week to trade Navarro. If a trade is not worked out, Barcelona will retain Navarro and his buyout with the team will go from $2 million to $14 million.

Miami is one of at least eight teams to express interest in Navarro but will likely drop out of negotiations after signing guard Smush Parker on Friday. According to a report, Parker's former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, could have interest in Navarro.

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld continues to negotiate with the agent representing restricted free agent forward Andray Blatche. A team source refuted a published report that said Grunfeld has offered Blatche a three-year contract worth $11 million.

Blatche, who appeared in 85 games during his first two seasons, could be looking for a deal similar to the three-year, $11 million contract recently signed by Detroit Pistons forward Amir Johnson. Both players were taken in the second round of the 2005 draft.

According to two league sources, the Washington Wizards last night offered restricted free agent forward Andray Blatche a three-year deal worth about $11 million.

Blatche was said to be mulling over the offer last night, one source said.

The offer is substantially smaller than the one Blatche and his agent, Eric Fleisher, are said to be looking for. Blatche, who turns 21 next month, has had his name mentioned as a player who might possibly receive the mid-level exception, which has a starting salary of $5.35 million in the first season.

Eight teams have contacted the Wizards with interest in acquiring Juan Carlos Navarro, including the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies, but so far, no offers have been to the liking of Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld.

The team has never seriously considered signing Navarro, who is seeking a contract that would pay him around $3.5 million, according to a league source.

Negotiations between the Wizards and Andray Blatche have continued, according to a team source. Because Blatche is a restricted free agent, the Wizards would have the option of matching any offer made to him by another team.

Agent Alex Saratsis tells Henry Abbot of TrueHoop that this morning, Barcelona officials declared they would only let Juan Carlos Navarro out of his contract with a reasonable buyout if a trade is completed by August 3. As in, the end of next week.

Grunfeld has only a short time to accept a deal, or else, according to Saratsis, Barcelona officials will take Navarro back, and give him a new contract with a buyout so massive it will essentially guarantee that he will never play in the NBA. Saratsis says he is certain the Barcelona officials are not bluffing.

Washington has shown little interest in accepting a Heat draft pick for FC Barcelona combo guard Juan Carlos Navarro.

The Heat is focusing on trades to find a point guard, and talks continue with Houston regarding Rafer Alston (due $14.7 million during the next three years). Though Miami would move Michael Doleac, the Rockets are exploring what other teams would offer.

Talks with Sacramento about Mike Bibby have not materialized -- the Kings aren't eager to take back ex-King Jason Williams.

The Washington Wizards announced today the hiring of Randy Ayers as an assistant coach on Head Coach Eddie Jordan?s staff. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

?We are pleased to have Randy join our coaching staff,? Jordan said. ?As an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers, he implemented the defensive schemes for a team that advanced to the NBA Finals, and he has been on staffs that have made numerous postseason appearances. He will fit in nicely with our coaching staff.?

Ayers spent the last two NBA seasons as an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic, where he helped Orlando reach the NBA Playoffs last season with the league?s seventh ranked defensive unit.

The Wizards reportedly had been holding out for a team that also would take on one of the bloated contracts belonging to center Brendan Haywood (three years/$16.5 million), guard Antonio Daniels (three/$18.6 million) or forward Etan Thomas (three/$20.6 million) along with Juan Carlos Navarro.

To execute such a deal, the Heat would have to send a player or players due similar salaries for at least next season, such as Jason Williams, Antoine Walker or Udonis Haslem. It's unclear if the Wizards are interested in either Williams or Walker, and the Heat has been reluctant to offer Haslem in the deal.

Navarro, 27, emerged the past two seasons as one of the best European players yet to land in the NBA.