Webber decides to end his career

Chris Webber is ending his comeback attempt with the Golden State Warriors and will retire after 15 seasons in the NBA.

Warriors spokesman Raymond Ridder said Webber, 35, will make the announcement at a news conference today. The forward played only nine games with the Warriors before being sidelined by a bum left knee that has hampered him since microfracture surgery in 2003.

Webber was the most prominent member of the Fab Five at Michigan and played for Golden State, Washington, Sacramento, Philadelphia and Detroit in his NBA career.

Slowed by the knee injury, Webber averaged only 3.9 points and 3.6 rebounds after being signed Jan. 29 by the Warriors. He had not played since March 2.

Webber was a five-time All-Star who averaged 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists.

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The Indiana Pacers insist Donnie Walsh has not agreed to oversee basketball operations for the New York Knicks when he leaves as chief executive and president in Indianapolis after this season.

“Donnie said this morning there’s nothing clear about his future,” Pacers spokesman David Benner said. “He hasn’t agreed to anything with anybody.”

ESPN.com, citing an unidentified source, said Walsh, 67, is expected to sign a three-year, $15-million contract with the Knicks after the season. What would happen to Isiah Thomas, the Knicks’ embattled coach and president, was not known.

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After a tour of the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Commissioner David Stern said a subcommittee of three NBA owners would suggest approval of the Seattle SuperSonics’ move by the rest of the league.

All 30 owners will vote on the SuperSonics’ relocation request during an April 18 meeting, with a majority needed for approval. The SuperSonics also have a federal court case scheduled for June to determine whether they can break their lease with Seattle that runs through 2010.

Meanwhile, SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett said he wants to negotiate a settlement in which he would leave the team’s name, colors and 41-year-history behind for another franchise to adopt, the Seattle Times reported.

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Cleveland Cavaliers center Ben Wallace will probably sit out tonight’s game against the New Orleans Hornets because of back spasms that have cost him two games and part of another.