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C Greg Ostertag made one of the greatest sacrifices, donating one of his kidneys
in a transplant with his ailing sister. He was a perfect match and both family
members are said to be doing fine. Ostertag will become the second player in NBA
history to play following a kidney transplant, joining former Spurs F Sean
Elliott, who received a kidney from his brother. One thing is for sure --
Ostertag has more heart than anyone watching the NBA has even given him credit
for. ... Expect G John Stockton to come back for yet another season, during
which he will turn 41. Stockton has one year left on his deal and contract
problems with G Raul Lopez, one of Utah's 2001 first-round picks who is playing
in Spain, make it almost certain that Stockton will return. ... The Jazz have
some free agent questions to answer. Fs Donyell Marshall and Bryon Russell are
both on the market and were important parts of the team over the last several
years. Marshall said he expects a raise from his $6.5 million salary; that may
be a tough number for Utah to meet without letting Russell walk. Also free is C
Jarron Collins, who played well for a second-round pick in his rookie season.
The Jazz may have covered themselves there by acquiring C Curtis Borchardt from
Orlando in a draft-day deal.
The Timberwolves have a dilemma at point guard. Veteran G Terrell Brandon is
coming off an injury-ending season, is 32 years old and has a contract that
makes him virtually untradable. G Chauncey Billups is coming off the best season
of his career and is a free agent who already has met with more than a dozen
teams. F Kevin Garnett's huge salary of $20 million-plus and the lack of a
first-round pick the last two years due to the Joe Smith mess have made
restocking the roster a difficult proposition. Minnesota took Michigan G Marcus
Taylor with its second-round pick, but Taylor and unproven G Will Avery are not
the answer behind the injury-prone Brandon. Ironically, it was Billups who said
after the season that the Wolves need to keep their core together, then opted
out of his contract to test free agency. ... Other free agents worth keeping are
G Anthony Peeler, F Gary Trent and C Rasho Nesterovic. Say what you will about
Nesterovic, but he has shown development in Minnesota and it would be a shame if
he blossomed elsewhere.
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