ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski noted 76ers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo has "rejected discussions on a contract buyout" that would allow C Jahlil Okafor to become a free agent. Sources said that Colangelo is "holding out the possibility" that Okafor's $5M salary "could be packaged as part of a bigger deal before the Feb. 9 trade deadline." In the end, the "question becomes" at what price does Colangelo "cost himself and the franchise by failing to make the goodwill gesture of letting Okafor go for nothing?" BDA Sports Founder & Chair Bill Duffy, who represents Okafor, is one of the NBA's "most prominent agents and has a strong working history with Colangelo" (ESPN.com, 11/27).
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY: The Golden Knights are leading the Western Conference's Pacific Division, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said when the league decided to expand, it wanted to give the Golden Knights "a competitive team." Bettman: "We wanted them to be able to play meaningful games throughout the season." He noted the Golden Knights have been "incredible at home," as they have "won all except one of their games." Bettman: "It's just been an unbelievable story." He said it is "a testament" to Owner Bill Foley and GM George McPhee ("Squawk Box," CNBC, 11/27).
LIGHT IT UP: In Ft. Lauderdale, Chris Perkins notes the Dolphins, along with power management company Eaton, are "offering high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties a chance at a free Ephesus state-of-the-art LED lighting system valued at more than $100,000." The community initiative -- "Light Like The Pros" -- requires applicants to "submit an essay on the limitations, problems and issues with their current lighting system, and how an LED lighting system can benefit the school, its students and the community." The deadline to enter is Dec. 23 and the winner "will be announced" sometime around Jan. 8 (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 11/28).
