The Survivor, Leon Powe, Looking To Thrive With Memphis; signing expected today

Leon Powe has been a key reserve on a playoff team before.

And with his decision to sign with Memphis that a league source told me yesterday should be formalized today, he’s hoping to play that role again.

Powe, the fifth-year pro out of Cal who has played just 34 games in the past two seasons mostly because of knee injuries, was bought out by Cleveland recently and is expected to sign through the end of the season. He joins a frontcourt that is already plenty-formidable, with starters Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph among the league’s best and third-year forward Darrell Arthur playing well of late.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, Maloofs Finally Meet to Discuss Kings’ Possible Relocation

A much talked-about meeting between Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and the Maloof brothers who own the Kings finally took place Wednesday evening, a source told NBA Confidential.

Both Joe and Gavin Maloof were present at the meeting, which took place before the Kings game against Portland at the Maloofs’ offices on the Power Balance Pavilion grounds. Johnson – who also spoke with NBA Commissioner David Stern on Wednesday – later confirmed the meeting with the Maloofs through an e-mailed statement to the media.

Source: Corey Brewer Agrees to Sign with Dallas

Swingman Corey Brewer has agreed to sign with Dallas after he clears waivers, according to a source close to the situation.

The fourth-year pro who was taken seventh overall out of Florida in the 2007 draft was traded from Minnesota to New York as part of the three-team, 13-player deal that sent Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks. But he didn’t last long there, reaching a buyout agreement with New York on Monday after it was made clear by coach Mike D’Antoni that he would not be seeing substantial playing time.

Brewer was pursued by “12 or 13 teams” after becoming a free agent, according to a source, including the Mavericks, San Antonio, Cleveland and New Orleans. Brewer was known to be demanding a multi-year deal. ESPN.com’s Marc Stein first reported the story.

E-mail me at amick.sam@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter at @sam_amick and Facebook.

Source: Al Thornton Headed to Golden State

As the buyout season continues in the NBA, a source with knowledge of the situation has confirmed that Al Thornton is expected to sign with Golden State once he clears waivers.

The fifth-year pro who was taken 14th by the Clippers in 2007 reached a buyout agreement with Washington on Tuesday afternoon and is expected to contribute as a reserve for the Warriors. He was averaging eight points and 3.2 rebounds while playing an average of 21.3 minutes for the Wizards this season. Thornton’s best season was his second, when he averaged 16.8 points and 5.2 rebounds for a Clippers team that was 19-63.

E-mail me at amick.sam@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter at @sam_amick and Facebook.

A Fond Farewell? All Signs Point to Anaheim Move as Kings Fans Beg Maloofs to Stay

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – There were enough conspiracy theories in the building long before the saddest of Monday nights finally arrived.

And then the Maloofs wore black.

Black sports coat for George Maloof. Black shirt for Gavin Maloof. Black jacket for Joe Maloof. The funeral references didn’t take long.

Yes, the Sacramento Kings look primed to expire, with a move to Anaheim still looking likely no matter how strongly the soldout crowd opposed such a heart-wrenching move. A rare soldout crowd at Arco Arena rocked during a win over the Clippers, the Kings besting a team that might be be a regional rival by the time next season rolls around.

 

The (Admirable) Decision: Mike Bibby Accepts Wizards Buyout, Expected to Join Miami

When LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh decided to head for South Beach back in July, the most under-reported aspect of their Decision was the money they passed up in doing so.

But it’s one thing to shave a bit of salary off the top of your check when you’re in the prime of your career. It’s another altogether to be a 32-year-old in his 13th season who gives back a season’s worth of wages for the chance to compete again. Kudos to you, Mike Bibby. You’re on the verge of making the Miami Heat a little easier to stomach.