Dikembe brings his finger-wagging D back to Houston; More comebacks as Houston and Christie eye returns; Varejao & Pavlovic are still unsigned and a Eurobasket update... 

 STOCK Watch 

HE'S NOT REALLY a fantasy force anymore, but Dikembe Mutombo (picture, top) can still be a factor with boards and blocks. This summer the 41-year-old former Defensive Player of the Year has been debating whether to return for one more season, and the Houston Chronicle reports that Mutombo will indeed be back with the Rockets. Expect him to once again back up Yao Ming, and possibly see substantial minutes again if Yao gets injured.

THE COMEBACK WATCH continues in Allan Houston's case. The veteran shooting guard hasn't played in the Association since retiring in 2005, but his agent recently told ESPN 1050 Radio that Houston's left knee (which led to the retirement) is finally pain-free. Now 36, Houston will reportedly hold a private workout soon for prospective suitors and is "90 to 95 percentä certain to return. In his prime, the sweet-shooting Houston regularly averaged around 20 points per game and was a major source of three-pointers.

IT LOOKS LIKE Doug Christie is going to give his comeback bid another shot. According to the Sacramento Bee, the veteran shooting guard has been chatting with several teams about a return to the NBA. Now 37, Christie made a brief return to the league last season with the Clippers, but things didn't work out and he left after just seven games. If he does return, don't expect much from Christie fantasy-wise; at this point he's likely an off-the-bench role player.

IT'S ALREADY September, and the Cavaliers still haven't re-signed Anderson Varejao or Aleksandar Pavlovic. Then again, it's not looking like the two will sign anywhere else at this point, and the Akron Beacon-Journal reports both forwards are likely to re-up with Cleveland. Varejao is one of the NBA's more promising and athletic big men and Pavlovic enjoyed a near-breakout season in 2006-07, so both are key pieces for the improving Cavs going forward. With LeBron James in desperate need of someone to step up and provide complementary scoring, look for at least one of the two to be given a chance at more minutes soon.

 SLEEPING Giant 

Sarunas Jasikevicius, PG, Warriors
For years he was considered the most clutch point guard in Europe. So two years ago, Jasikevicius made the move to the NBA, where he was a backup with the Pacers before being moved to the Warriors last season. Now 31, the well-rounded Lithuanian playmaker hasn't really caught on in the NBA like many expected he might, and as a result there have been ongoing rumors that Jasikevicius will return to Europe. The Contra Costa Times reports he has not asked out of Golden State, but he does want to play more. If Jasikevicius can wind up with an NBA team that gives him regular minutes, he can be a fine source of assists and three-pointers.

 INJURY Update 

ONE OF THE top sleepers for the upcoming NBA season is Denver forward-center Nene Hilario, who is coming off a solid and healthy 2006-07 season. That said, he might get off to a slow-ish start after suffering a calf injury playing for Brazil at the recent FIBA Tournament of the Americas. For now it looks like it's just a strain, but there's no word yet on whether Nene will be ready for training camp. Soon to be 25 years old, Hilario showed a lot of potential last season, especially in April when he averaged almost 16 points and eight rebounds per game.
 

TOP 5    Leaders in Free-Throw Shooting from 2006-07 1. Kyle Korver, G/F, 76ers (91.4) 2. Matt Carroll, G/F, Bobcats (90.4) 3. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Mavericks (90.4) 4. Ray Allen, SG, Celtics (90.3)                                                      5. Steve Nash, PG, Suns (89.9)