NBA: Magic extend Howard
Dwight Howard, a former No. 1 overall pick of the Magic, yesterday signed a five-year contract extension worth approximately $80 million.
It was Orlando’s second multimillion dollar move in two days. The Magic officially pulled free agent All-Star Rashard Lewis from Seattle on Wednesday, agreeing to a six-year contract worth more than $110 million in a sign-and-trade deal.
* Jacque Vaughn and Matt Bonner each re-signed multiyear deals yesterday with the Spurs. San Antonio also acquired guard Vassilis Spanoulis from the Rockets for center Jackie Butler and the draft rights to Luis Scola. The Spurs will also get the Rockets’ second-round pick in 2009.
* The Lakers re-signed Luke Walton to a multiyear contract yesterday. Reportedly, he received a six-year deal, reportedly worth $30 million . . . The Pistons and Amir Johnson agreed to an $11 million, three-year contract, keeping the restricted free agent with the team that drafted him out of high school.
BASEBALL: Wells suspended 7 games
Padres pitcher David Wells was suspended for seven games yesterday by the commissioner’s office for his animated argument with an umpire last weekend. Bob Watson, baseball’s VP in charge of discipline, suspended Wells for “inappropriate actions” and also fined him.
Wells, who filed an appeal, was ejected by umpire Ed Hickox for questioning calls in the fourth inning of Saturday’s 8-5 win over Atlanta after Jeff Francoeur hit a two-run homer. The portly lefty had to be restrained by San Diego manager Bud Black, two coaches and catcher Josh Bard, and Wells fired a ball against the screen as he walked off the field.
STEROIDS: McGlone to plead guilty
Daniel McGlone, the New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company owner accused of illegally marketing and distributing steroids, then paying doctors to write medically unnecessary prescriptions, will plead guilty to 50 counts, including conspiracy, health-care fraud and money laundering, his attorney said yesterday in Providence.
McGlone is accused of illegally distributing human growth hormone and steroids to body builders in several states, and allegedly got some of the drugs from a Florida-based pharmaceutical company charged by New York authorities in a larger steroid case.
NHL: Johnson signs with Isles
The Islanders yesterday signed defenseman Aaron Johnson, 24, a free agent from Columbus. Johnson, who played 61 games (3-10-13) for the Blue Jackets last season, is regarded as a depth acquisition who could spend time in Bridgeport. The Isles also announced the signing of defenseman Matthew Spiller, a 6-5, 233-pounder who accumulated 187 penalty minutes last season in the AHL. – Mark Everson