Raja Bell has officially retired from the NBA. Bell was a two-time All-Defensive team member and he finishes his career with averages of 9.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. The 37-year-old father of three is ready to focus on his family and prepare for his post-NBA life, and he's already begun doing color commentary for ESPN. His defensive tenacity and clutch 3-point shooting will be fondly remembered by fans of the six teams he played for during his 12-year career.

Raja Bell reportedly worked out with the Knicks on Monday and "could receive consideration for a roster spot." According to RealGM.com, the 36-year-old Bell "shot well and outplayed New York's incoming rookies." He hasn't played in an NBA game since March 2012, and he won't have fantasy value even if he latches onto a team's bench. The Bulls have also been in contact with Bell.

The Jazz waived Raja Bell on Sunday. Thus ends a months-long stalemate between Bell and the Jazz, who had no intention of playing him but also didn't want to pay him his annual salary only to see him sign with the Lakers or another team competing for the playoffs. For the record, Bell was bought out too late to be eligible for the playoffs this year.

Raja Bell will not be bought out by the Utah Jazz. His agent said all along that Bell would not be bought out, which was really a telling sign considering he'd want to appear to be available to other teams. Bell reportedly opted not to take the buyout because he couldn't find another team to pick him up. He has no fantasy value.

The buyout talks between Raja Bell and the Jazz are expected to go right up to Friday's 11:59 p.m. ET deadline, reports ESPN's Marc Stein. Bell hasn't played all season, but would reportedly be a top target for the Lakers if he were bought out. Unfortunately, Jazz VP Kevin O'Connor said recently he might not buy Bell simply to prevent the 36-year-old defensive stopped from signing with L.A. The Jazz are only interested in a minimum buyout, but that's not something Bell's been willing to accept up to this point.

Jazz VP Kevin O'Connor said he might not buy out Raja Bell in order to prevent the defensive stopper from signing with the Lakers. Bell is 36 years old and hasn't played all season, but O'Connor doesn't want to do the Lakers any favors. He's only willing to do a minimum buyout, something that Bell hasn't shown interest in yet. "He can't get all the money from us and then go make more with the Lakers. Oh, thank you. I'd get fired for that. I'd fire me for that," O'Connor said.

Raja Bell is reportedly telling friends that he's going to join the Lakers, according to Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld. With the trade deadline now over, fans will start salivating over potential buyout candidates and how they might be able to help their favorite teams. For Bell, the reality is he hasn't played all season, is 36 years old and will need time to get into game shape if and when he signs. The Lakers could use help off the bench, but if Bell does eventually wind up in L.A., expectations should be kept in check.

The Jazz and Raja Bell are reportedly close to agreeing on a contract buyout. We've heard this one before. The reported agreement apparently hinges on Bell finding a contract offer from another team, but thus far, there have been no teams interested. The Lakers have been rumored to be sniffing around Bell's services since before the season began.

If Raja Bell is bought out of his contract, the Lakers are expected to pursue him as a free agent. This is the umpteenth time that we've heard of the Lakers' interest in Bell, but unless Utah decides to buy him out, it's a moot discussion. So far, Bell and the Jazz have been unable to negotiate a buy out and the veteran has not played all year.

Mike D'Antoni is reportedly "intrigued" by the idea of bring Raja Bell to the Lakers. It looks like the old Lakers are looking to bring in some young legs, joked Jazz beat writer Jody Genessy. Bell is in a stalemate with the Jazz on a number of levels, but he could be dealt at the deadline in a minor deal.