Two weeks ago, Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver nodded toward his new general manager at a predraft workout in Phoenix and praised Steve Kerr as "methodical" and "conservative."

Since purchasing the Suns three years ago with Kerr as a minority partner, Sarver had pushed for Kerr to leave the media to run the club. Finally, Kerr made the move this month and is at a crossroads with a franchise for whom there could be no time for methodical and conservative.

The most dramatic of the predraft trade proposals rest at this rookie executive's desk. Phoenix is on the cusp of a championship with this team, and one move could get the Suns over the top - or tumble them backwards. In a lot of ways, it might have been easier to take over a bad team.

After a whirlwind of telephone calls and trade proposals late Thursday night, Kerr laughed and said, "I love this."

Whatever he does, he understands that it's going to create a furor with Suns fans, who are still seething over the suspensions of Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw in the Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio. "You're going to take some (flak) regardless," Kerr said. "That's the nature of the job."

Most notably, there are conversations with the Minnesota Timberwolves about Kevin Garnett, which would be the league's biggest trade since Shaquille O'Neal moved from Los Angeles to Miami in 2003.

Phoenix will likely continue swapping proposals around Shawn Marion and draft picks until Thursday's draft, but league sources say that Stoudemire isn't untouchable when it comes to Garnett. Nevertheless, it would take some financial wizardry in the Suns' front office to spare K.G.'s 15 percent trade kicker from compounding their luxury tax problems. Kerr's mandate isn't to take on more payroll, but thin it.

Stoudemire (24) is seven years younger than Garnett and fresh off a first-team All-NBA season. It would take an overwhelming offer to part with him, but that probably isn't as true with Marion. His name has popped up in several scenarios, including the Celtics. It's improbable that the Suns would move Marion, but it's a far less painful scenario than dealing Stoudemire. Marion will make $16.4 million and $17.1 million in the final two years of his contract but, like Garnett, can opt out in the summer of 2008.

Here's something else to consider, too: Phoenix isn't the Spurs, whose Big Three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili come without petty jealousies and egos. Sometimes, it seems like Marion, in particular, struggles to realize how good he has it with Steve Nash. That'll never be an issue with Garnett, who blends like no superstar in the sport.

To trade Marion for a package that included, say, expiring contracts and draft picks, the Suns have to decide if a Diaw-Stoudemire front line would be better in the postseason than Marion-Stoudemire. Marion has proven to be a spectacular defender in the playoffs, capable of guarding forwards and guards, but the offensive possibilities of pairing Diaw and Stoudemire are intriguing. Still, it will be difficult to move Marion to Atlanta or Boston for the No. 3 or No. 5 draft picks, considering that he'll threaten to never re-sign with those teams.

For now, Kerr is left with those immense questions and an inadequate bench, including last summer's $21 million free-agent bust Marcus Banks. When emailed about his willingness to make moves that might jeopardize the short-term championship hopes for tax relief, Sarver responded, "Talk to Steve. He is getting the big bucks to make those decisions."

For now, Kerr is in the middle of everything to start this long, hot NBA summer. Who knows? Maybe he won't turn out to be as methodical and conservative as his boss believed.

Alonzo Mourning is close to deciding if he'll play for the Miami Heat next season, saying Saturday that the choice hinges somewhat on other unresolved matters that will affect the franchise's immediate future.

Foremost on that list? Mourning wants to know if Heat coach Pat Riley will be back on the sidelines.

"That's definitely a factor," Mourning said. "Stay tuned."

Mourning did not specifically say he'll be back only if Riley returns, or that he'd definitely retire if Riley steps aside. At a promotional appearance for his upcoming Zo's Summer Groove fundraiser, Mourning told fans -- some of whom spent more than two hours waiting outside a supermarket a few miles north of downtown Miami -- he's still simply weighing options.

"My thought would be, that since he hasn't expressed anything to this point, we're hopeful he plans to give it another run," Heat general manager Randy Pfund said.

Riley's timetable for his own decision isn't known, but many Heat players, including Shaquille O'Neal, have said in recent weeks they expect him to coach at least one more year.

On April 30, after the 2006 NBA champions were swept from this year's playoffs by the Chicago Bulls, Mourning said he planned to quickly decide about next season. He has a player option worth $2.75 million. Mourning has said his family would be supportive if he chose to play.

Now, nearly two months have passed, and his plans are still undetermined.

"I really haven't decided," Mourning said to one man while taking a quick break from carefully signing basketballs, shirts, hats and photos. "I'm going to make a decision soon. Very soon."

The uncertainty over Mourning's future may complicate matters for the Heat, who are preparing for Thursday's draft and the July 1 start of free agency.

If the 37-year-old Mourning doesn't come back for what would be his 15th season -- not including a year he missed because of kidney disease that necessitated a transplant in December 2003 -- the Heat almost certainly must seek another big man for added depth behind O'Neal. Michael Doleac, who played behind O'Neal and Mourning for much of last season, is already under contract for 2007-08.

"It's all in Zo's hands," Pfund said. "I know there's been conversations, but I don't think anybody really is making a big, blanket statement. There's been nothing finalized. It's on Zo. We have great respect for Zo and what he's gone through and what he means to the organization, and we respect the fact he probably wants to take some time before he totally commits. So there's been no pressure. We're waiting for him to hopefully announce he wants to be back."

Mourning started 43 of Miami's 82 regular season games, averaging 8.2 points and blocking 178 shots. His 5.44 blocks per 48 minutes gave him the highest average in the NBA, nearly a full block ahead of Denver's Marcus Camby and nearly two blocks better than anyone else in the league.

E-mails arrive for Portland Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard reading simply "honk" or "honk, honk."

They come from fans weighing in on whom the Trail Blazers should take with the first pick of this week's NBA draft. Franchise officials have embraced the alluring but agonizing choice, putting up billboards around the city that ask drivers to beep their horns once for Ohio State center Greg Oden and twice for Texas forward Kevin Durant.

The Blazers did not indicate which way they were leaning heading into Thursday's draft in New York. "There is no consensus" among the team's brass, Pritchard said.

"We're not ready to make a choice right now," he said. "We owe it to this organization to make the best choice, not the immediate choice."

These teenagers who turned pro after one year in college are widely viewed as future stars who can make an immediate impact on a franchise. Each worked out for the team last week.

Portland's good fortune of landing the No. 1 pick in a year when the top of the draft is so strong has turned fans giddy after several down years led many to lose enthusiasm. An unscientific poll on the Blazers.com Web site showed Oden with 75 percent of the vote as of Sunday.

Oden would be the top pick of many teams because franchise centers are rare. The Blazers, who already have 6-foot-9 Zach Randolph and 6-foot-11 LaMarcus Aldridge, could be one of the few in a position to favor Durant.

After getting a late start his freshman year because of a wrist injury, the 7-foot Oden led the Buckeyes in scoring (15.7) and rebounding (9.6) and topped the Big Ten in shooting percentage (.616).

Ohio State went 35-4 and won the conference's regular season and tournament titles before advancing to its first NCAA final since 1962, where the Buckeyes lost to two-time champion Florida. In the title game, Oden had 25 points and 12 rebounds.

The 6-9 Durant, The Associated Press Player of the Year, was the only player in the country to average more than 25 points and 10 rebounds.

He shot 47 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 82 percent from the foul line. He led the Longhorns in steals and blocked shots and scored at least 30 points a Big 12-record 11 times.

Each player downplayed the significance of going No. 1.

"It would be an honor for me," Durant said. "But I'm just blessed to be in this position. I'm not going to be picky."

After his workout with Portland, Oden was asked whether he likened himself more to Shaquille O'Neal or Bill Russell. Without hesitation, he answered, "Russell."

"Ten fingers, 11 rings," he explained.

Durant said he tries to emulate Dirk Nowitzki.

"But I know I'm nowhere as near as good as Dirk," he said.

Oden displayed his quick wit when asked what would happen if Portland doesn't select him.

"I'd cry," he responded.

Kidding aside, he added: "I would be a little disappointed because it's starting to grow on me. The trees. I love it out here."

Then again, it's all but certain both players will wind up in the Pacific Northwest, with Seattle picking second. Oden would get his trees, either way.

"You never know. Kevin's working out, he's working hard, too. Everybody else is working hard," Oden said. "You never know -- they might throw a curveball and draft somebody from Germany."

The Lakers are aggressively pursuing trades -- and their main target reportedly is Kevin Garnett in what would be a clear attempt to placate a disgruntled Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers' proposal, according to the Los Angeles Times, includes forward Lamar Odom and center Andrew Bynum. But that might not be enough to acquire the 31-year-old Garnett, one of the NBA's most talented and versatile big men.

It was first reported the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics were involved in four-team negotiations with the Lakers and Timberwolves, but those talks broke down, leaving Los Angeles and Minnesota alone in the discussions.

Pacers president Larry Bird said Bryant's talent and star power are undeniable, and he understands the Lakers' hesitance to trade him.

"I always thought Kobe, when Shaq started going down a little bit, was the best player in the league," Bird said. "It's hard to trade the best player in the league. I'm sure the Lakers are doing everything they can to try and mend fences.

"He's such a talent. It's just unfortunate. It's a little discouraging seeing him trying to get out of there," he said.

Considering the Lakers are all the way down at No. 19 in the first round of Thursday's draft, they might not have what it takes to acquire Garnett. The 10-time All-Star averaged 22.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.7 blocked shots for a team that went 32-50 last season.

Lakers spokesman John Black declined comment Tuesday, and Timberwolves general manager Kevin McHale has done the same through team spokesman Mike Cristaldi.

"We felt the team underachieved last year," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said last week. "We could stick with the group as it is today, or we can look to be aggressive and try to get to that next level. Either way, we think we'll be a talented team next year."

Bryant, the NBA's leading scorer the past two seasons, complained about a lack of talent around him at season's end, and later said he wanted to be traded, adding nothing could change his mind.

Despite that request, the Lakers have made clear that trading Bryant isn't in their plans. Bryant is owed $88.6 million over the next four seasons, but could terminate his contract in two years.

Garnett is under contract for two more years at $22 million next season and $23 million the following year, but he could opt out next summer -- a development that could spur the Timberwolves to action.

The 27-year-old Odom will earn $13.5 million next season and $14.6 million in 2008-09 -- the final year of his contract. The 19-year-old Bynum, taken with the 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft, is due $2.2 million next season.

Lakers center Kwame Brown, owed $9.1 next season in the final year of his contract, also could be involved, as could Minnesota guards Troy Hudson and/or Marko Jaric. Hudson has three years left on his contract and Jaric four.

Kupchak has said the Lakers are looking for a veteran ball-handling guard.

Odom and Brown both underwent surgery last month, but Kupchak believes both will be ready to go when training camp begins in October.

McHale said last week he has always listened to trade proposals involving Garnett, adding: "Nothing has changed. You always listen. You listen, and it doesn't go very far and it hasn't gone very far now."

That was last week. Perhaps that's changed.

Bird said it might be time for Garnett to go.

"Kevin Garnett's been with Minnesota for years," he said. "There comes a time where both parties might want to just separate."

Bird said it would be hard for him to part with Jermaine O'Neal, the Pacers player most often mentioned in trade rumors, but he would do so if it would improve the team.

"He's an awful good player," Bird said, "and anytime you've got a player of his caliber, you've got to be careful. If you do trade him, you have to get something back. It's all speculation. Hopefully we can do something that makes our team better, whether it's Jermaine or whoever, I just hate to give up on a guy with that much talent."

The Lakers and Timberwolves were Western Conference finalists following the 2003-04 season, but neither has been close in the last three years.

The Lakers traded Shaquille O'Neal to Miami after that season, and after missing the playoffs in 2005, they were eliminated in the first round by Phoenix each of the last two years. The Timberwolves haven't made the playoffs since 2004.

While he's expressed the hope of improving the Lakers, Kupchak knows how difficult making a major trade can be for several reasons.

"I can't say that until a deal is made," he said. "They change on a hairpin."

Bird said several factors make a major trade difficult.

"What's happening in the last few years is a lot of these so-called superstars, highly paid players get these extensions, and once they get their extensions, if they're not going to have a good team, they always want out," he said.

"It's hard to trade a player that makes a third of your cap because other teams can't take on the salaries. But they demand to be traded, and it puts a lot of pressure on the franchise," he said.

AP Sports Writers Cliff Brunt in Indianapolis and Jon Krawczynski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.

LeBron James will wear the red, white and blue this summer after all.

Cleveland's All-Star forward ended uncertainty about his status with the U.S. national team on Tuesday night by saying he will play in next month's FIBA America's Tournament, where the Americans will try to qualify for the 2008 Olympics.

"I'm going to play," James told The Associated Press. "I've had enough time off, and knowing my body more than anybody, I'm ready to play. I don't know how much I'm going to play or how extensively, but I'll be ready."

For several months, James had said he was "50-50" about playing for Team USA this summer. He and his girlfriend recently had their second son, and with the Cavaliers making it to the NBA finals, James may have wanted some extra time off after playing more than 100 games since last October.

However, the 22-year-old, who played on the U.S. Olympic team at the 2004 Athens Games and for the U.S. squad that won a bronze medal at last summer's world championships, intends to honor his three-year commitment with USA Basketball.

"It was a long and tough year," James said. "But for me, if I make a commitment, I want to keep it. I'm a loyal guy. I committed to three years and I'm going to hold up my end of the bargain."

James' decision was welcomed news for U.S. Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski, who toasted James before a kickoff dinner preceding a three-day summit involving James' corporate business partners.

"I know people don't realize the commitment that these guys are making," the Duke University coach said. "Literally, with the playoffs, you play well over 100 games in a season, so they give up a lot and when they give up parts of three summers, I ultimately respect their commitment. It's a big-time thing and I need to run things in a way that's respectful of that commitment."

The U.S. team will have a three-day minicamp from July 20-22 in Las Vegas. Three weeks later, the Americans will resume practice in preparation for the 10-team tournament that begins on Aug. 22.

Two teams from that tournament will qualify for the Beijing Games.

So far, USA Basketball has commitments from Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Carlos Boozer, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams, Mike Miller, Tayshaun Prince, Tyson Chandler, Amare Stoudemire, Michael Redd, Greg Oden and Kevin Durant.

Miami's Dwyane Wade will not play in the summer tournaments following shoulder surgery, but the Heat star told Krzyzewski on Monday that he will report to the mini-camp and wants to help out during practices in August.

"Dwyane called me and said, 'Coach I'm one of the captains, and it means a lot,"' Krzyzewski said. "That's a heck of a thing."

James' waffling a few months back was met with a stern response from Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo, who said James could be jeopardizing his status as a core member of the team for Beijing.

Playing in China is vitally important to James' business interests as well. He has become one of that nation's most popular players and some of his endorsement sponsors -- Nike, Coca-Cola and Upper Deck to name a few -- would like to tap deeper into that overseas market.

James has been studying some Mandarin in preparation for the Olympics.

The U.S. team finished third in Japan last summer, another humbling result for the Americans who can no longer claim to be the world's best at basketball. James, though, is confident the new additions to the team will help restore U.S pride in a sport it once dominated.

"Kobe's back. We got J. Kidd, Chauncey," James said excitedly. "We've definitely got a group that knows how to win. We'll be ready to play."

And Krzyzewski is ready to coach them to a gold medal.

"Chauncey, Jason, Kobe, Amare, those are huge pluses for our team and also because their egos are at a place where it doesn't have to be about them," he said.

While watching the Cavaliers' first run to the NBA finals -- which ended with them being swept by San Antonio -- Krzyzewski was impressed with James' improvement throughout the playoffs.

"There are certain things that you can only learn from experiencing them," he said. "I thought the Detroit series for him was huge in that he took so much crap for the first two games.

"But instead of putting his head between his legs, he responded with four unbelievable games."

Chris Webber is as unsure about his future in the NBA now as he was when the Detroit Pistons were eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals earlier this month.

"It's only been a few weeks, so honestly I'm just resting and letting things happen," the five-time All-Star said in a telephone interview. "I just don't know what I want to do yet and I have to be fair to everyone possibly involved."

Webber provided a boost to Detroit's starting lineup when he was signed in midseason following his release by the Philadelphia 76ers. Then, his uneven play in the playoffs seemed to frustrate him.

"I don't want to be in a situation where I'm just going through the motions, letting everything be said about me," the 34-year-old center said earlier this month after Detroit was knocked out by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Webber, who can become a free agent Sunday, is involved with a pair of off-the-court projects to keep his mind occupied while he delays a decision about his career.

He hosted a news conference Tuesday at the Charles W. Wright Museum of African American History, where his collection of artifacts and documents will be on display from Thursday through Sept. 28.

The exhibit "Celebrating Heritage" includes Phillis Wheately's first edition "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" that was published in 1773, and a postcard Malcolm X sent to author Alex Haley.

"Those are my personal favorites," Webber said. "It's really a treat when eyes light up, especially little girls, when they see the second novel by a woman and the first by an African American woman. Hopefully, the entire collection that has been in a few other cities will help inspire some children in my hometown at the largest African American museum."

Webber is also planning a July 20-22 fundraiser for his foundation, "C-Webb's Bada Bling Celebrity Weekend," in Las Vegas.

"Bada Bling is all about having a good time for a good cause," he said. "There's going to a lot people listening to music, playing golf, getting involved in a poker tournament, all to help keep my foundation going strong."

Three-way Garnett deal destined to die
After several promising hours, the proposed three-team trade that would've delivered Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett to the Phoenix Suns appears destined to die, a league source said Wednesday night.

The Timberwolves had hoped to use the Atlanta Hawks as a partner in the deal, but the dysfunctional dynamic between the Hawks' ownership and front office caused the organization to forgo further discussion over the trade that would've brought Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire to Atlanta. The Hawks would've sent a package of players and the third and 11th picks in Thursday's draft to Minnesota.

A league source said on Wednesday morning that Wolves owner Glen Taylor had urged his vice president of basketball operations, Kevin McHale, to find a suitable deal for Garnett, who could opt of his contract after next season. After direct negotiations with the Los Angeles Lakers had fallen apart, the Hawks were the next hope to find a circumstance to make the trade possible. Deals with the Boston Celtics fell through earlier in the week when Garnett made it clear that he didn't want to play for Boston.

It remains unclear whether the doomed trade would spare Atlanta of an internal showdown about whom to draft with the No. 3 overall pick. The front office and coaching staff had settled on Florida's Al Horford, but a faction of the team's ownership group, with business interests in China, has been pushing for 7-foot Chinese forward Yi Jianlian.

There had been contact between Hawks guard Joe Johnson and Stoudemire on Wednesday, two sources close to the players said. Reportedly, Stoudemire had been accepting of the possible deal.

Adrian Wojnarowski is the national NBA columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Send Adrian a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

One thought sprang into Corey Brewer's mind after being chosen by Minnesota in the first round of Thursday night's NBA draft.

"Hopefully KG's still there," Brewer said.

You're in luck, Corey. Kevin Garnett is still a member of the Timberwolves. And on Thursday night, Garnett got some much-needed defensive help.

The Timberwolves drafted the 6-foot-9 swingman with the seventh overall selection. He averaged 13.2 points as a junior last season, helping the Gators to their second straight NCAA championship.

Brewer was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four and the SEC co-defensive player of the year last season and will bring some defensive intensity on the perimeter to a Timberwolves team that had little of it last season.

"He was MVP of the Final Four," vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said. "The guy won two championships. Those things don't grow on trees."

When Brewer came to Minneapolis for a workout last week, he said he would like to play in Minnesota with Garnett and Randy Foye. Now it looks like he will get that chance.

Speculation -- mostly through unsubstantiated internet reports -- swirled around Garnett's status with the team, with the destination and teams involved changing nearly by the hour.

"I've got nothing to say on that," McHale said. "I actually got a charge out of most of that stuff. I'd say, 'Man, I tell you what, there's a lot more stuff going on in this league that I'm doing that I didn't know I was, that's for sure."'

In the end, McHale did not pull the trigger, and said he expects Garnett to return to Minnesota for a 13th season.

"Kevin's a member of this team right now," McHale said. "I assume he'll be a member of the team this fall."

That's great news for Brewer, who has been a big fan of Garnett since he was a kid growing up in Portland, Tenn.

"I had the KGs when he was with Nike, the first KGs that came out," said Brewer, referring to the shoes. "The blue and they were faded -- that was my favorite shoe ever."

Garnett will have a little more help in his quest to return to the playoffs for the first time in four years, with Juwan Howard, who was acquired in a trade with Houston, and now the defensive wizard Brewer.

"I bring a lot of defensive intensity," said Brewer, who first played in front of McHale at the NCAA regionals in 2006, when the Gators defeated Georgetown and Villanova at the Metrodome en route to their first title. "And I feel like I know how to get the ball to the big men. I played with two of the best big men in the college game and you can see they both went in the top 10, so I feel like I can get KG the ball."

He was one of three Gators taken in the first nine picks, along with forward Al Horford (No. 3 to Atlanta) and forward/center Joakim Noah (No. 9 to Chicago).

"We made history. That's never been done," Brewer said proudly. "We're all about setting records and making history, being Gators."

Brewer has the size to guard small forwards, but is still quick enough to take on shooting guards, which will be an asset for Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman, who is looking for more consistent defense.

McHale said he coveted three players in the draft -- Georgetown's Jeff Green, Brewer and Florida State forward Al Thornton.

Coming into the draft, there were doubts whether Brewer would be available when the Timberwolves came on the clock. But Boston took Green at No. 5 and Chinese forward Yi Jianlian went to Milwaukee at No. 6.

"I've liked him for two years," McHale said of Brewer. "He just gets up into you. He's a winner. He does a lot of little things."