News from July 13.

The NBA suspended Ruben Patterson (Sea) for the first 5 games of the 
season for his conviction of a sexual offense.  Patterson entered a
modified guilty plea to a charge of attempted rape and was sentence to 1
year in prison with all but 15 days suspended and 2 years probation.

Chicago announced that July 18 (the date teams can start making trades and
signing free agents) they will trade Brian Skinner to Toronto for Charles
Oakley and a 2002 2nd round draft pick.

Washington signed 1st round draft pick (#1) Kwame Brown to a 3 year,
$11,924,280 contract with a 4th year worth $5,361,873 at the team's
option.

New Jersey signed 1st round draft pick (#13) Richard Jefferson to a 3
year, $4,448,520 contract with a 4th year worth $2,266,794 at the team's
option.

New Jersey signed 1st round draft pick (#18) Jason Collins to a 3 year, 
$3,442,320 contract with a 4th year worth $1,887,864 at the team's 
option.

New Jersey signed 1st round draft pick (#23) Brandon Armstrong to a 3
year, $2,792,160 contract with a 4th year worth $1,689,601 at the team's
option.

Samuel Dalembert (Phi 1st round draft pick) suffered a displaced laryngeal
fracture of his thyroid cartilage in his throat and will undergo surgery.
He will be out 4 to 6 weeks.

Glenn Robinson (Mil) underwent surgery on his left ankle to remove bone
spurs.