Vujacic signs three-year contract with Lakers

The 24-year-old Vujacic, who agreed to contract terms last Friday (25-7-08), averaged a career-high 8.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 72 games this season, and 8.1 points 2.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists while playing in all 21 playoff games.

The Lakers made Vujacic a $2.6 million qualifying offer earlier this month, but negotiations weren't progressing very quickly and agent Rob Pelinka spoke with European teams, as well. Pelinka said Vujacic could have earned more by accepting a three-year contract offer to play abroad.

Vujacic, a restricted free agent, could have signed an offer sheet with another NBA team and the Lakers would have had the right to match it. Had he signed with a European team, the Lakers would have had no such option.

PCB Banned Mohammad Asif

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) banned Mohammad Asif, after he tested positive for a banned substance in an Indian Premier League (IPL) game. He played for Delhi Daredevils

According to PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi "In line with our anti-doping policy, we have suspended Mohammad Asif with immediate effect". In an statement by Shahid Karim, lawyer of Mohammad Asif, "We believe that our client has not taken any drug".


PCB has dropped the bowler from the list of expected ones for the Champions Trophy and, if the positive result is upheld, the 25-year-old could face a ban from future IPL seasons.

Earlier in 2006, both Asif and fellow Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar were found to have taken the banned steroid Nandrolone after failing internal Pakistani Cricket Board drug tests.The pair were banned for one and two years respectively, before the ruling was overturned on appeal. In 2007 Asif was involved in a dressing-room altercation, during which he was struck with a bat by Shoaib, who was later sent home from the World Twenty20 tournament.