"I'm definitely going to L.A. - to sign, yeah," Artest said in a telephone interview. "Lakers, Lakers, Lakers. I'm in L.A. right now."

Artest told the Web site he met with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and coach Phil Jackson, and was completing details on his deal.

The 6-foot-7 Artest averaged 15.6 points per game for the Rockets last season.

Rockets land Ariza. Houston immediately replaced Artest by agreeing to a multiyear deal with free agent Trevor Ariza.

The Rockets offered Ariza, who played for the Lakers last season, the full mid-level exception for the first year, about $5.6 million.

Gordon's exit. A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a radio station that Chicago never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was the Bulls' No. 1 priority.

"I mean, they didn't pursue me at all," Gordon told ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago. "They didn't even make an offer so it was pretty much a one-man race."

The shooting guard agreed to a five-year deal worth more than $50 million with the Pistons on Wednesday.

Miami calls A.I. Allen Iverson was among a group of veteran free agents been contacted by Heat president Pat Riley, the Miami Herald said.

According to the newspaper, the Heat likely would be interested in Iverson only if he is willing to accept less than the mid-level exception.

Johnson tops Pistons' list. Former Dallas Mavericks' coach Avery Johnson is the front-runner for the Pistons job, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Former Pistons coach Doug Collins withdrew his name from consideration Wednesday night, saying he wants to remain a television analyst.

Michael Curry was fired Tuesday after one year as head coach.