Webber accepts buyout from 76ers

PHILADELPHIA -- Chris Webber followed Allen Iverson out the door in Philadelphia.

Two disgruntled All-Stars are gone and can't be blamed anymore for the 76ers' woeful season.

Philadelphia completed the paperwork to buy out the remaining 11/2 seasons on Webber's contract Wednesday, ending two disappointing years for the former All-Star who did not want to be part of the franchise's rebuilding process.

Webber missed 11 of the last 14 games, officially with foot and ankle injuries, but the 33-year-old forward had become frustrated with his reduced role and the fact that the Sixers are mired in last place in the Eastern Conference.

The Sixers waived Webber on Thursday. After 48 business hours, teams will be eligible to sign him.

Webber was due nearly $21 million this season and $22 million next season.

The buyout was the Sixers' first big move since Larry Brown joined them as an executive vice president, returning to the NBA for the first time since he was fired in June after going 23-59 in his one season as New York's coach.

Bucks acquire Boykins

The Milwaukee Bucks, missing four starters because of injuries, acquired point guard Earl Boykins in a three-player trade with Denver on Thursday, sending backup guard Steve Blake and second-year guard/foward Julius Hodge to the Nuggets.

Boykins is the second-shortest player in NBA history at 5-foot-5.

-- AP

-- The Associated Press