Cavaliers meet with agent for James
CLEVELAND — A person familiar with the discussion said the Cavaliers met with the agent for LeBron James about the superstar’s possible return to the team he left four years ago.
Cavs officials and Rich Paul visited this week as James continued his family vacation, said the person who spoke Thursday night to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks. It was not immediately clear if owner Dan Gilbert was at the meeting.
James recently opted out of the final two years of his contract in Miami. The two-time NBA champion has gone to four straight finals with the Heat. However, after the team was throttled by San Antonio in this year’s finals, James said he would weigh his options this summer.
ESPN has reported that Paul met with several teams.
Knicks talking with Anthony in LA
NEW YORK — The Knicks went coast to coast to let Carmelo Anthony know they want him to stay in New York.
Team officials traveled to Los Angeles on Thursday night to meet with the free agent, a person with knowledge of the plans said.
Team President Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills were expected to be part of the meeting but not Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because details of the meeting were to remain private.
The meeting was first reported by ESPN.
Anthony was in Los Angeles to meet with the Lakers, who are among the teams hoping to convince the All-Star forward to leave New York. Anthony already visited Chicago, Houston and Dallas this week.
Mavs, Nowitzki reportedly agree on 3-year deal
Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks have agreed on what could be the final contract for the future Hall of Famer.
A person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday that Nowitzki would get a three-year contract worth roughly $30 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.
New contracts can’t be signed until July 10.
The 36-year-old Nowitzki is taking a big pay cut with a contract similar in value and structure to the one Tim Duncan signed with San Antonio two years ago.
Duncan, who also took a much lower salary, is exercising a player option to return for the final season of his deal after helping the Spurs win their fifth title since 1999.
Kings, Collison reach 3-year, $16M deal
A person familiar with the deal says the Sacramento Kings and guard Darren Collison have agreed to a three-year contract worth about $16 million.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because teams can’t officially sign free agents until the NBA’s moratorium on deals is lifted July 10. The Los Angeles Times first reported the agreement.
Collison opted out of the final year of his contract with the Clippers that would have paid him $1.9 million next season. He gives the Kings a true point guard and much-needed depth at the position, especially if they lose starter Isaiah Thomas, who is a restricted free agent in line for a big pay raise this summer.
Collison averaged 11.4 points and 3.7 assists in 25.9 minutes last season, primarily as Chris Paul’s backup.
Sterling’s lawyers seek to make case federal
LOS ANGELES — Shortly before the start of a trial to determine whether Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is mentally incapacitated, his lawyers have filed a motion to move the case to federal court, alleging his medical privacy has been violated.
A probate court trial is scheduled for Monday to determine whether the 80-year-old Sterling should be declared incapacitated so estranged wife Shelly Sterling can sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion.
But on Thursday, Donald Sterling’s attorneys filed a notice of removal to federal court, saying the airing of his medical information in the probate case violates federal privacy laws.
Attorneys for Ballmer and Shelly Sterling say the move is a “desperate” attempt at delay.
Sterling’s attorneys deny that, saying it’s important to address the privacy issue.
Warriors announce coach Steve Kerr’s staff
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Golden State Warriors have hired Alvin Gentry, Ron Adams, Luke Walton, Jarron Collins and Bruce Fraser to join new coach Steve Kerr’s staff.
The Warriors announced Thursday night that Gentry will be Kerr’s lead assistant. Gentry is a former coach of the Phoenix Suns, where Kerr was the general manager, and most recently was the top assistant on Doc Rivers’ staff with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Adams has been an NBA assistant for 20 seasons after coaching at Fresno State and Fresno Pacific. Walton spent 10 seasons in the NBA after being drafted out of Arizona, where Kerr also played.
Collins was a Stanford standout alongside twin brother Jason Collins and played 10 years in the NBA, including one season with Phoenix. Fraser played with Kerr at Arizona and also worked for him as a Suns scout.
By wire sources