NBA

AP Sports WriterJazz point guard scenario to influence Hayward decisionBy KAREEM COPELANDSALT LAKE CITY (AP) Teams are lining up to offer Gordon Hayward a max contract when free agency begins Saturday morning. How the Utah Jazz address their point guard situation could affect the All-Star's decision as much...

AP Sports WriterWith Butler in fold, Wolves ready to shop for free agentsBy DAVE CAMPBELLBLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) Jimmy Butler's formal introduction to Minnesota was held at the Mall of America, an appropriate location for the Timberwolves and their prized new player.They'll be shopping for sidekicks starting this weekend,...

Pistons hire Walters as assistant coachAUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) The Detroit Pistons have hired Rex Walters as an assistant coach.The team announced the move Thursday. The Pistons also named Rob Werdann coach of the Grand Rapids Drive, and agreed to a two-year extension with the Drive as their...

AP Sports WriterAP Source: Hayward declines player option, now a free agentBy KAREEM COPELANDSALT LAKE CITY (AP) Gordon Hayward is officially a free agent.The Utah Jazz forward has declined the player-option final year on his contract as expected and will now test the market as an unrestricted free...

AP Sports WriterAP Source: Pelicans, Holiday, to meet when free agency opensBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) Guard Jrue Holiday and the New Orleans Pelicans have scheduled a meeting for midnight Friday when NBA free-agency begins, a person familiar with the situation said.The person spoke to The Associated Press...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Kevin Durant declines to opt into contractBy JANIE McCAULEYOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) A person with direct knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press that Kevin Durant has declined to opt in for the second year of his contract with Golden State and will become...

AP Sports WriterWith Butler in fold, Wolves ready to shop for free agentsBy DAVE CAMPBELLBLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) Jimmy Butler has a new team with the Timberwolves. He's had his warm welcome to Minnesota.Now he has work to do, when free agency begins: Persuade some of his peers around...

Associated PressNBA gets high grades again for race, gender hiringBy TERRANCE HARRISORLANDO, Fla. (AP) A diversity report shows the NBA ''significantly ahead'' again in professional sports in racial and gender hiring practices.The league received an A for racial hiring and a B for gender hiring practices for the...

AP Sports WriterRockets acquire Chris Paul from Clippers in 8-player dealBy KRISTIE RIEKENHOUSTON (AP) Chris Paul is heading to Houston to join James Harden, and the Rockets will soon have two All-Stars in the backcourt to lead their chase for a championship.The Rockets acquired Paul from the Clippers...

Lakers exercise David Nwaba's $1.3 million contract optionEL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Lakers have exercised their $1.3 million contract option on guard David Nwaba for the upcoming season.The Lakers announced the move Wednesday.Nwaba earned a job with the Lakers after they called him up from their...

Ex-financial adviser gets 4 years for defrauding Tim DuncanSAN ANTONIO (AP) An ex-financial adviser to retired San Antonio Spurs player Tim Duncan has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for defrauding the former NBA star of millions of dollars.Federal prosecutors say 49-year-old Charles Banks of Atlanta...

Pistons deal Hilliard to Rockets for cashAUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) The Detroit Pistons have traded swingman Darrun Hilliard to the Houston Rockets in exchange for cash considerations.Hilliard appeared in a career-high 39 games last season, averaging 3.3 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 9.8 minutes. The 6-foot-6...