NBA

AP Sports WriterAP sources: Noel taking $4.1M qualifying offer from MavsBy SCHUYLER DIXONDALLAS (AP) Dallas Mavericks center Nerlens Noel has decided to wait a year to try to cash in as a free agent.Two people with knowledge of the agreement said Saturday that Noel accepted a $4.1 million...

AP Sports WriterBoston bound: Cavs trade Irving to Celtics for Thomas, moreBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Kyrie Irving was tired of being teammates with LeBron James.Now he has to figure out how to beat him.Cleveland's All-Star guard, who asked owner Dan Gilbert to trade him earlier this summer, was...

Charles Oakley sues Knicks owners, claiming defamationNEW YORK (AP) Former New York Knicks star Charles Oakley has sued the team's owners, saying he was defamed when they claimed he committed assault and was an alcoholic.The lawsuit details how Oakley was treated before and after he was forcefully removed...

Clippers, city of Inglewood negotiate on proposed new arenaINGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) The Inglewood City Council unanimously approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday that could lead to the construction of an arena for the NBA team across the street from the future home...

AP Sports WriterHurricane puts Hall induction in perspective for McGradyBy PAT EATON-ROBBSPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) Tracy McGrady says the celebration of his induction in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has been muted by the impact of Hurricane Harvey on his family and neighbors in Texas.The seven-time NBA...

Mavs sign former Utah center Jeff WitheyDALLAS (AP) The Dallas Mavericks have signed free-agent center Jeff Withey, who spent the past two seasons with the Utah Jazz.The 7-foot Withey averaged 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 51 games last season. He made one start. He has career averages...

Neil Olshey agrees to multi-year extension with BlazersPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey.The team did not disclose terms of the deal, which runs through the 2020-21 season.Olshey was named general manager in 2012...

Pau Gasol becomes career scoring leader in EuroBasketCLUJ-NAPOCA, Romania (AP) Pau Gasol has become the career scoring leader in the EuroBasket tournament.The San Antonio Spurs center made a 3-pointer in the second quarter of Spain's victory over Hungary on Thursday to give him 1,105 points. He passed Spurs...

Celtics to retire Paul Pierce's No. 34BOSTON (AP) The Boston Celtics will retire Paul Pierce's No. 34 during their Feb. 11 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.The longtime Celtics forward will be the 22nd player so honored - the first since 2003.Pierce was drafted by Boston in 1998 and...

Spurs sign undrafted former Virginia guard London PerrantesSAN ANTONIO (AP) The San Antonio Spurs have signed guard London Perrantes.Terms of the deal weren't disclosed WednesdayThe 22-year-old Perrantes wasn't drafted out of Virginia this year but made summer league appearances for the Miami Heat in Las Vegas and Orlando.The...

AP Sports WriterBurks scores 16, Jazz roll to 117-78 win over Maccabi HaifaBy KAREEM COPELANDSALT LAKE CITY (AP) Alec Burks is just happy to be healthy after missing 146 games the last three seasons due to ankle, knee, leg and shoulder issues. He's finally feeling like the versatile,...

AP Sports WriterPacers change directions, making Turner, Oladipo new leadersBy MICHAEL MAROTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) Myles Turner embraces his new role with the Indiana Pacers. This is now his team.The veterans around him believe the 21-year-old Turner is ready, willing and more than capable of becoming the long-term face of...