unrestricted free agent

Kobe Bryant chose not to terminate the final two years of his contract and will remain with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Team spokesman John Black on Wednesday confirmed Bryant's decision. The MVP of the NBA finals had until Tuesday to become an unrestricted free agent.

Now the Lakers and Bryant's agent will negotiate a contract extension.

The Indiana Pacers will not exercise their team option on guard Marquis Daniels. Daniels' agent, Glenn Schwartzman, told The Associated Press in an e-mail on Monday that the Pacers have indicated that they will not pay the final year of the deal.

Daniels would have made $7.3 million next season, but now he's an unrestricted free agent.

The Calgary Flames have acquired smooth-skating defenseman Jay Bouwmeester just four days before he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.

The Flames sent defenseman Jordan Leopold and a third-round pick in Saturday's NHL entry draft to the Florida Panthers to complete the deal.

The trade gives Calgary a window of exclusivity in negotiating a new contract with Bouwmeester and his...