News from October 25. The NBA voided Joe Smith's current contract and his past two contracts, fined Minnesota $3.5 million, and removed Minnesota's next 5 1st round draft picks as a result of Smith and Minnesota's secret agreement for a future multi-year, multi-million contract which was a blatant violation of the collective bargaining agreement. The NBA is still determining possible suspensions for team personnel for their involvement in the illegal agreement. Voiding Smith's past contracts removed his Larry Bird rights with the team [ability to re-sign regardless of Minnesota's salary cap after he has played with the team for 3 seasons] and Minnesota's opportunity to re-sign him at 120% of last season's salary (Minnesota has already used their $2.25 million exception) [voiding the past contracts does not involve Smith having to give back any money]. Smith is now a free agent and can sign with any team (restricted by the amount a team has available under the salary cap or any exceptions available), including re-signing with Minnesota. Smith is planning on appealing the voiding of the past contracts. Lorenzen Wright (Atl) will be out 2 to 3 weeks with partially torn cartilage in his right knee. Atlanta signed Stephen Howard. Boston released Rodney Elliott and Jason Miskiri. Denver released Anthony Goldwire and Andre Woolridge. The LA Lakers released Emanual Davis. New Jersey released Chris Robinson. Orlando released Eddie Gill. Phoenix released Tim Kempton, Justin Love, and DeJuan Wheat. Toronto signed Vladimir Stepania. Utah released Ira Bowman. Pre-season games Tor 94, Cha 88 - at Cha Vince Carter (Tor) had 22 points and 7 rebounds. Kevin Willis (Tor) had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Kornell David (Tor) had 16 points including 7-9 FG and 8 rebounds. Jamal Mashburn (Cha) had 28 points including 10-15 FG and 4-4 3-pointers. Eldridge Recasner (Cha) had 14 points including 3-4 3-pointers. Was 87, NY 86 - at Uniondale, New York. Jahidi White (Was) had 16 points including 5-7 FG and 12 rebounds. Mitch Richmond (Was) had 17 points. Juwan Howard (Was) had 13 points and 7 rebounds. Latrell Sprewell (NY) had 23 points. Larry Johnson (NY) had 10 points and 7 rebounds. Mil 100, Chi 90 - at Chi Glenn Robinson (Mil) had 18 points and 5 assists. Ray Allen (Mil) had 22 points. Sam Cassell (Mil) had 20 points and 7 assists. Elton Brand (Chi) had 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 turnovers. Ron Mercer (Chi) had 14 points including 6-18 FG and 3 steals. SA 109, Phi 86 - at SA Tim Duncan (SA) had 13 points and 10 rebounds. Antonio Daniels (SA) had 14 points and 6 assists. Shandon Anderson (SA) had 14 points. Todd MacCulloch (Phi) had 13 points including 5-6 FG. Theo Ratliff (Phi) had 12 points and 3 blocks. GS 101, Van 91 - at GS Antawn Jamison (GS) had 25 points including 9-15 FG. Larry Hughes (GS) had 24 points including 9-15 FG. Vonteego Cummings (GS) had 14 points including 5-7 FG and 5 assists. Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Van) had 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 turnovers. Mike Bibby (Van) had 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists. Sea 113, Sac 109 - at Sea Ruben Patterson (Sea) had 24 points including 7-11 FG, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Gary Payton (Sea) had 29 points on 10-16 FG and 8-12 FT, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists. Brent Barry (Sea) had 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Chris Webber (Sac) had 22 points including 9-13 FG, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Predrag Stojakovic (Sac) had 13 points.