NBA | Shawn Marion is likely bound for Dallas

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks are close to acquiring forward Shawn Marion from the Toronto Raptors.

The trade is not official, but a person told The Associated Press on Wednesday it should be completed. The person was granted anonymity because the deal was still being worked on.

The Raptors couldn't afford to re-sign Marion because they need to clear salary-cap space for Hedo Turkoglu. They are close to an agreement with the Orlando Magic free agent.

The trade is expected to include at least one other team to make the salaries work. Oklahoma City and Memphis are likely candidates because they are far enough under the salary cap to facilitate a deal.

Deals official

Ron Artest is finally a Laker, while Rasheed Wallace joined the Celtics and Antonio McDyess agreed to a deal with the Spurs on the first day free-agent deals could be signed. Most deals were reported last week.

• The Houston Rockets applied for a disabled-player exception, betting that Yao Ming will miss next season as he recovers from a broken foot. The NBA approved the request, freeing up $5.7 million the Rockets used to sign free agent Trevor Ariza from the Lakers.

• The Detroit Pistons added Ben Gordon ($55 million, five years) and Charlie Villanueva ($35 million, five years).

• Toronto re-signed former No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani to a $50 million, five-year extension.

• Chris "Birdman" Andersen reached a five-year deal that could be worth up to $26 million to keep his high-flying act with the Denver Nuggets.

• The Lakers also signed guard Shannon Brown to a two-year contract for $4.2 million. They are still trying to retain free-agent forward Lamar Odom.

• The Atlanta Hawks and center Zaza Pachulia agreed to a four-year contract.

Notes

• Stephen Curry, the seventh overall pick in last month's NBA draft, has signed with the Golden State Warriors.

• The Sacramento Kings have signed guard Tyreke Evans, the No. 4 overall pick.

• The Indiana Pacers have signed Tyler Hansbrough, the 13th overall pick.