As tipped on Friday by the Toronto Star’s Doug Smith, Sixers G John Salmons has put the kibbosh on a proposed sign and trade pact with the Raptors. From the Philadelphia Daily News’ Phil Jasner :

John Salmons is not going to Toronto. Not even for $23 million. The 76ers restricted free agent made that clear through agent Joel Bell.

Salmons, a 4-year veteran, was to have gone to the Raptors in a sign-and-trade deal in which the Sixers were to receive a second-round draft choice and the creation of a $2 million trade exception that would have been good for 1 calendar year.

Salmons had opted for the Raptors rather than the Phoenix Suns, who were prepared to pay him $22 million. Both arrangements would have been for five seasons.

“Upon reviewing the basketball situation in Toronto, John decided it’s not the best basketball fit for him,” said Bell, who also represents the Sixers’ Shavlik Randolph and rookie Bobby Jones. “In a very stressful and tough decision, he decide he could not accept the opportunity to play for the Raptors, even though he was excited about the prospect of being in Toronto and looking forward to it.”

The Suns are no longer an option for him, since they signed free agent Marcus Banks to a 5-year, $21 million contract. The Sixers have rescinded their qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.

George Karl describes Bologna’s Yakhouba Diawara as “a cocky worker,” writes the Rocky Mountain News’ Aaron J. Lopez.

After one season overseas, Diawara is on the verge of signing a two-year, $1.1 million guaranteed contract with the Nuggets. He said Dallas offered him about $700,000 more, but he had already given Denver a verbal agreement.

“I told George I had given my word to him,” Diawara said. “I think Denver is a good fit for me. . . . The money is not important. I’m young. I just want to learn. I think if you’re good enough, the money will come to you.”

Lil’ Dice might think she’s all super cool just ‘cuz she partied the other night with Mike James, but I’ve got that beat : I once rode in an elevator with Robert Parish. And I’ve still got the contact high to prove it.