Magic Said to Be Keeping Grant

As the Orlando Magic continues negotiations to re-sign center Shaquille O’Neal to one of the richest contracts in history, the team has reportedly re-signed power forward Horace Grant to a five-year, $50-million deal.

The Tampa Tribune reported Wednesday morning that the deal is done, according to Grant’s agent, Jimmy Sexton. It was supposed to be announced at an afternoon news conference, but a team spokesperson said that nothing was scheduled.

Grant left the Chicago Bulls for the Magic as a free agent following the 1993-94 season. He averaged 12.8 points and 9.7 rebounds in his first season with the club, leading them to the NBA finals for the first time.

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The Dallas Mavericks will sport much more muscle than last year’s model.

The club announced the addition of free-agent power forward Chris Gatling to a refurbished frontcourt that includes Eric Montross and first-round draft pick Samaki Walker.

“I feel a lot better than six weeks ago,” said Keith Grant, the team’s vice president for basketball operations. “I think we’ve really improved our frontcourt. It was a goal.”

Gatling, 6 feet 10 and 230 pounds, averaged 11.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in part-time roles for Golden State and Miami last season.

His contract reportedly is for five years at $21.4 million.

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The Portland Trail Blazers said nothing Wednesday about the reported acquisition of all-star point guard Kenny Anderson.

But a secretary for David Falk, Anderson’s agent, said Falk is leaving the country today and will be gone a month, indicating a deal is imminent.

Anderson, a five-year NBA veteran, left Georgia Tech after his sophomore season and was taken by New Jersey as the No. 2 pick in the 1991 draft.

ESPN reported Tuesday night that Anderson had agreed to a seven-year, $50-million contract with the Trail Blazers.

The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, citing sources in Falk’s office, also reported the Anderson deal as done.

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An NBA doctor has confirmed that Brad Daugherty’s lingering back problems won’t improve enough for him to resume his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Daugherty has been out for two years because of back pain. Wayne Embry, the team’s general manager, said the NBA informed the Cavaliers that its doctor had confirmed Daugherty’s prognosis.

The confirmation should clear the way for the team to remove Daugherty’s $5-million salary from the salary cap and make the money available for other players.