In the lane

BUT CAN HE PLAY?: The annual Masters Basketball Association National Championships are back in South Florida starting Monday at the Coral Springs Gymnasium, with age groups all the way to the 75-and-older division. Among those organizers say have registered are former NBA players Reggie Theus, Wali Jones and Greg Kite, former NFL receiver Cris Carter, former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tony Brizzolara and Louisville coach Rick Pitino, 64, who is listed as a teammate of Theus in the 55-and-over division with Red Birds, who open play Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Pitino's team also includes former Milwaukee Bucks draft pick Hugo Cabrera and former University of Virginia quarterback Wayne Schuchts, the college roommate of Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. Pitino will be a featured speaker at Monday's welcome banquet. There is no admission, with the gym located at 2501 Coral Springs Drive. Details on the event can be found at: mastersbasketballassociation.org/index. SIMILAR STORY: Fifteen years after the fact, former Heat forward Rasual Butler found himself a second-round pick once again last week, when he was selected by the Ball Hogs of the offseason 3-on-3 halfcourt Big 3 league. Butler, 37, has been out of basketball since being cut by the Minnesota Timberwolves in October after five preseason appearances. Among other former Heat players drafted into the Big 3, which opens on June 25, were Marcus Banks (taken one pick ahead of Butler at the start of the second round) and Mike James (third round). Former Heat players assigned to teams ahead of the draft were Jason Williams, Rashard Lewis, Ricky Davis, Mike Bibby and Jermaine O’Neal, with former Heat guard Gary Payton to coach. Former Heat guard Smush Parker, now 36, made himself available for the draft but was not selected. COST OF BUSINESS: While the crux of the difference is in the fifth season that only the incumbent team can offer, it is worth noting the differences in the amounts that Chris Paul and Blake Griffin could receive from the Los Angeles Clippers as opposed to their free agency taking them elsewhere. With Paul, who has a June 29 player-option deadline, his maximum can be $205 million with the Clippers over five seasons or $152 million elsewhere over four. With Griffin, who has a June 28 option deadline, the split is approximately $175 million with the Clippers over five seasons or $130 elsewhere over four. With the injury histories of both, that extra season, particularly as a player option, is no small matter, particularly for Paul, who turned 31 Saturday. Griffin turned 28 in March.