Johnny Ludden of the San Antonio Express News reports that Bruce Bowen has officially signed with the Spurs.  The contract will pay him about $716,000 this year and has a player's option that will pay $825,000 next year, though he will probably opt out to be paid with San Antonio's midlevel exception.  His signing and the expected signing of Danny Ferry means that there is likely no place on the Spurs roster for Sean Elliott.

Already overflowing with frontcourt players, the Detroit Pistons are expected to add one more forward to the mix today.

Brian Cardinal, a 2000 second-round draft pick of the Pistons, is expected to agree to a two-year contract with the team today.

Nunyo Demasio of the Seattle Times reports: Ruben Patterson ? who turned 26 today ? signed a contract yesterday with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers used their $4.5 million exception to sign Patterson to a six-year deal worth about $34 million. Because the 6-foot-5 small forward was a restricted free agent, the Sonics have 14 days to match the contract and force his return. But Rick Sund, the Sonics' general manager, said the team won't match the offer.

The Sonics passed largely because of owner Howard Schultz's reluctance to re-sign Patterson after the conviction.

Patterson must miss the first five games next season for the modified guilty plea to the attempted rape charge.

In other Sonics news, The Sonics waived Wolkowyski one day before the contract of the 6-foot-10 center would have been guaranteed for next season.

NBA.com reports that Rafer Alston, who has spent the last two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, has signed a contract to remain with the team, General Manager Ernie Grunfeld announced today. "Rafer has improved steadily throughout the last two seasons," Grunfeld said. "He works hard in practice and has learned a lot from watching our veteran players. This season, he will have an opportunity to earn more minutes."

"I'm excited to be back," Alston said. "It's a good opportunity to stay with a winning team, and continue to improve my game. I'll keep working hard this summer, and then come to training camp ready to earn minutes and help this team any way I can."

NBA.com reports the the Hawks have come to terms with Utah free agent Jacque Vaughn. Vaughn's addition solidifies the Hawks' backcourt, and more importantly the point guard position, as the club recently acquired the services of free agent guard Emanual Davis (formerly with Seattle) on July 27.

"We're very happy to have an opportunity to sign Jacque," said Hawks Vice President and General Manager Pete Babcock. "With Emanual Davis and Jacque, it gives us two completely different types of point guards and really improves our versatility in how we will play. Jacque possesses tremendous speed and quickness, along with great character and work ethic. It really gives us a nice combination of players to run the point. We can turn to Jacque to push the ball, and when we need more size on the court, Emanual adds that element."

Ethan J. Skolnick of the Miami Herald reports: LaPhonso Ellis is known as an unfailing optimist, and that was evident as the new Heat forward spoke by phone Saturday after taking a physical and signing a three-year contract.

Ellis, whose contract is believed to start at $3 million and total about $10 million, spoke excitedly about playing with Alonzo Mourning, Brian Grant and Anthony Mason, and then -- when presented with the strong possibility Mason won't return -- spoke excitedly about the opportunity to fill Mason's void with his own assorted skills.

Ellis choose Miami over New York, Cleveland, Minnesota, and Dallas.

Journeyman Emanual Davis turned his back on a starting job in Seattle on Friday and agreed to be the Hawks' No. 1 point guard for next season.

"Looking at the players they have and the opportunity coach (Lon Kruger) is giving me to run my own team, it was something I couldn't turn down," Davis said after signing for the veteran's minimum of $715,000.

"We're very comfortable with Emanual at the point," general manager Pete Babcock said. "We like his intelligence, his ability to shoot the ball and the decisions he makes on the court. He's also a guy with strong character."

The Star Tribune reports that Loren Woods has decided to play for Minnesota rather than accept offers from Europe.

While the Tribune reports that Woods will receive "about $350,000", the most Minnesota could offer is $332,817.