NBA Notes: Four-team trade sends Odom to Clips

On Thursday night, the 76ers completed one of two important tasks this off-season: the NBA draft. With the 15th overall pick, the Sixers selected Maurice Harkless, a 6-foot-8 small forward from St. John's.

They also acquired Mississippi State big man Arnett Moultrie from the Miami Heat, who drafted the 6-foot-11 talent with pick No. 27.

With that finished, the Sixers still have work to do. Next up: free agency (see story).

Odom back in LA; Williams to Utah
SALT LAKE CITY -- Mo Williams will be reunited with the Utah Jazz as part of a four-team deal that will send Lamar Odom back to Los Angeles for a second chance with the Clippers.

William's agent, Mark Bartelstein, initially told The Associated Press the deal was finalized about 3:45 p.m. MDT Friday, and the Jazz and Clippers officially announced it in releases three hours later.

The deal initially was believed to involve only three teams, but a fourth, the Houston Rockets, got involved after Thursday's draft. The Rockets received the rights to the Clippers' 53rd overall pick, Furkan Aldemir, and the Jazz sent the team's trade exception to Dallas. The Mavs also received cash considerations from Houston.

Williams must pass a physical but is expected to hold a news conference in Salt Lake City on Monday or Tuesday.

The Jazz drafted Williams in 2003 but allowed him to leave after one season, a decision that general manager Kevin O'Connor said was the worst he ever made (see full story).

Timberwolves pursuing Gasol
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves are trying hard to land Pau Gasol.

If they have to part with the highest draft choice in franchise history after just one season, the Wolves appear ready to do it.

That much became clear leading up to the NBA draft on Thursday, when Minnesota offered Derrick Williams in hopes of landing the second pick from the Charlotte Bobcats to help get Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press.

The people requested anonymity because the talks were meant to remain private. The deal never came together before the draft began, and the Bobcats stayed at No. 2 and took Kentucky forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (see full story).

Bosh no-go for Olympics
MIAMI -- Chris Bosh is still hurting, and his Olympic plans are being pushed aside so he can heal.

The Miami Heat forward told USA Basketball on Friday that he is withdrawing from consideration for the London Games so he can continue recovering from the strained abdominal muscle that sidelined him for a portion of his team's run to the NBA championship. Bosh announced the decision through agent Henry Thomas one day after Heat teammate Dwyane Wade pulled out of the Olympic mix because of looming left knee surgery (see full story).

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