NBA

AP Sports WriterHornets' Clifford: Howard can return to All-Star levelBy STEVE REEDCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Charlotte coach Steve Clifford is confident he can help newly acquired Hornets center Dwight Howard become a dominant force and an NBA All-Star again.Clifford is familiar with Howard, having coached him for six seasons...

Wizards' G League team to play in Washington in 2018-19WASHINGTON (AP) The Wizards will have their own team in the developmental NBA G League that will be based in Washington and begin playing in the 2018-19 season.The Wizards announced the acquisition of the team Wednesday that will play...

AP Sports WriterMarkelle Fultz set for the stage of being No. 1 pickBy TIM BOOTHIn the often unpredictable world of the NBA, there is some symmetry in Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons likely becoming teammates as pros.Barring an unforeseen change, Fultz will be the No. 1 pick in the...

AP Sports WriterTrade rumors swirl, as usual; Suns prepare for No. 4 pickBy BOB BAUMPHOENIX (AP) ''Tanking'' the season didn't quite get the desired results for the Phoenix Suns.They entered the draft lottery with the second-best odds to land the No. 1 pick. Instead, they are back at...

AP Sports WriterHawks send center Dwight Howard to HornetsBy CHARLES ODUMATLANTA (AP) Dwight Howard's Atlanta homecoming was short-lived.The Hawks sent Howard and the No. 31 overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft to Charlotte for center Miles Plumlee, shooting guard Marco Belinelli and the 41st pick, getting the deal...

AP Basketball WriterDraft is next up during NBA's dizzying days of dealsBy BRIAN MAHONEYNEW YORK (AP) Markelle Fultz is ready for the NBA draft. He's already learned about life at the trade deadline.During a dizzying few days of deals around the NBA, the presumed No. 1 pick had...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Cavaliers owner, Billups meeting for 2nd timeBy TOM WITHERSCLEVELAND (AP) Chauncey Billups once competed against the Cleveland Cavaliers as a player. He could be joining them.Billups met with team owner Dan Gilbert on Wednesday for the second straight day to discuss an executive position...

AP Basketball WriterAP Source: Pau Gasol opts out, will re-sign with SpursBy JON KRAWCZYNSKIA person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that Pau Gasol will not exercise the player option on his contract for next year, but intends to sign a new deal with the San...

Timberwolves waive oft-injured center Nikola PekovicMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived center Nikola Pekovic, whose troublesome right foot limited a once-promising career to 271 games with the team over seven seasons.The move was made Tuesday, with one season remaining on the five-year, $60 million contract Pekovic signed...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Hawks send center Dwight Howard to HornetsBy CHARLES ODUMATLANTA (AP) Dwight Howard's Atlanta homecoming was short-lived.The Charlotte Hornets have reached an agreement to acquire Howard from the Hawks.The Hawks are sending Howard and the No. 31 overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft to Charlotte...

2-year, $192 million renovation begins for Hawks' home arenaATLANTA (AP) A $192.5 million renovation of Philips Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, has begun a day after funding was approved by the Atlanta City Council.About $110 million for the renovation will be generated from the car rental tax...

AP Sports WriterAP source: Hawks send center Dwight Howard to HornetsBy CHARLES ODUMATLANTA (AP) A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte Hornets have reached an agreement to acquire center Dwight Howard from the Atlanta Hawks.The Hawks are sending Howard and the No. 31 overall pick in...