Ken Berger

Things keep buzzing along. Here's the latest gathered from executives, agents, and others in the know:

* The Shawn Marion-to-Dallas trade being discussed with Toronto went dormant for about 24 hours, but picked up steam Wednesday. The Raptors are making inroads in their efforts to recruit a third team to facilitate the deal, thus satisfying Toronto's requirement to clear cap space for its signing of Hedo Turkoglu. The pieces Dallas would want to move include Jerry Stackhouse, whose $7 million contract for next season is only guaranteed for $2 million. Toronto's efforts to include Marcus Banks and his $9.3 million due over the next two seasons are being met with resistance, one NBA front office source said. The third team, likely to be Memphis, would have little incentive to get involved unless it was getting cash and/or a draft pick.

UPDATE: The Marion deal was consummated early Thursday, pending league approval. It's a four-team, sign-and-trade blockbuster that sends Marion to Dallas with a new five-year contract; Jerry Stackhouse to Memphis to be bought out with $2 million provided by the Mavs; and Turkoglu from Orlando to Toronto in a sign-and-trade that lands the Magic a sizeable trade exception. Other players/pieces involved. All the details here.

* Antonio McDyess has agreed to sign with the Spurs, a three-year deal believed to be in the $15-million range.

* Mike Bibby agreed to a three-year, approximately $18 million deal to stay with the Hawks.

* The Raptors agreed to a five-year, $50 million extension with Andrea Bargnani, adding to the $6.5 million Bargnani is due next season. There is as an opt-out after the fourth year, according to a source.

* The Cavs appear close to re-signing forward Anderson Varejao.

UPDATE: Varejao has agreed to a six-year, approximately $50 million deal with the Cavs, his agent, Dan Fegan, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

* The Pistons made their agreements with Ben Gordon (five years, $55 million) and Charlie Villanueva (five years, $35 million) official on Wednesday. Ron Artest signed his five-year, $34.3 million deal with the Lakers and was introduced in L.A. The contract for the full mid-level exception includes an early termination option after the fourth year, according to a source.

* The Heat and Grizzlies appear willing to offer Allen Iverson a one-year deal at or close to the mid-level exception after Iverson had first hoped that a sign-and-trade could be worked out sending him from Detroit to Chicago.

UPDATE: The Nuggets have re-signed Chris "Birdman" Anderson to a five-year deal. The Denver Post reports that it could be worth as much as $26 million.

* The Cavaliers have agreed to the framework of a deal with free agent swingman Anthony Parker, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Parker was one of the players Toronto couldn't keep in order to make room for Turkoglu.

UPDATE: The Pacers landed their first free agent of the summer, agreeing to a four-year, $11 million deal with Nuggets guard Dahntay Jones, agent Mark Bartelstein told the Indianapolis Star.

* Free agent forward Zaza Pachulia is staying in Atlanta, agreeing to a four-year deal with the Hawks.