Hello and welcome to the Evening News.
As the offseason continues, we’ll keep you updated every night.
What’s happening today?
Wizards close to deal with Al Harrington
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Washington Wizards are nearing an agreement with veteran forward Al Harrington.
Hearing: Newly minted free agent Al Harrington is leaning toward signing with Wizards. More to come shortly
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 12, 2013
The Wizards have one guaranteed roster spot remaining and have been recruiting Harrington since he was released by the Magic earlier in the month.
Although Harrington was sidelined for most of last season with right knee problems, he has been working out extensively for several months.
“It’s been hard work,” Harrington told USA Today. “I started on April 26. That’s the day I got in the gym, and I’ve been in here ever since. I really had no time off, just been grinding and trying to lose the weight. I feel like the lighter I am, the more pressure I take off my knee, you know what I mean? So that was the focus behind losing the weight, and then just being strong.”
Harrington has served as both a star and as a role player in the NBA.
In 2008-2009, Harrington averaged 20.7 points per game with the Knicks. Even more recently with Denver, Harrington finished fourth in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2011-2012.
If Harrington is as healthy and in as great shape as he claims to be, he can surely serve as an effective weapon on a Washington bench starved for offense.
“I’ve lost 27 pounds,” revealed Harrington. “I’m on my way down. I had to do it, and I’m focused. I’ve got a lot left in the tank. I’m only 33 years old, and people act like I’m 40. I’m just excited about getting back out there on the court and showing everybody. For me, this year I’m going to have a chip on my shoulder, so if I play like that I’m going to be tough to deal with.”
Pistons unlikely to sign Jason Collins
Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News reports that the Detroit Pistons are unlikely to sign Jason Collins. 
Collins, who became an international star in April after he announced he was gay, was named as a possible free agent target for the Pistons over the weekend.
While Detroit is in need of a backup center, the team is looking at younger options than the 34-year-old big man.
The Pistons were the first team to be publicly linked to Collins this offseason. Insiders, however, insist that the lack of interest is more a reflection on Collins’ talents than on his sexual orientation.
“The reality,” an Western Conference executive told ESPN.com, “is that he’s been an end-of-the-roster kind of player for the last couple years.”
