Warriors' sale very close
by David Murphy, Wednesday, July 14, 2010

All indications out of the Bay Area are that the Golden State Warriors may have a new owner as soon as Wednesday evening.

The sale process is in the final stage, when prospective ownership groups must submit binding bids. Larry Ellison has long been the frontrunner, especially considering his recent partnership with Golden State's 20% minority owners.

The only current wrinkle is that a new competitor has emerged; Joseph Lacob, a Bay Area entrepreneur and part-owner of the Boston Celtics, is said to still be in the mix.

Bay Area media has been all over this story for last 48 hours, so instead of speculating about something I don't know, here's some links to fill you in:

Marcus Thompson II spent most of Tuesday at a Bay Area Starbucks, chasing sources via email, Twitter, text and phone.

Friend-of-the-site Matt Steinmetz at CSN Bay Area has a video update on the sale process.

Mercury News' Tim Kawakami thinks Lacob's presence in the bidding war is just a tactic to hike up Ellison's offer.

Free agency update

Random news from the free-agent frenzy...

-After missing on Jermaine O'Neal and Brad Miller, the Denver Nuggets are close to signing Al Harrington to the full mid-level.

-Rockets' guard Kyle Lowry has signed an offer sheet with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

-Zydrunas Ilgauskas' agent says the center will be joining the Miami Heat.

-Minnesota is sending center Al Jefferson to Utah in exchange for Kosta Koufos and two future first-round picks.