NEW YORK (AP) — Kyrie Irving doesn't have to worry about free agency until next summer, though he's got plenty to keep him busy for now.There's a movie to promote and a knee to mend. He hopes he's good on screen, but wants to be better than ever on the court."Now becomes the real climb to Mount Everest, back to the top," Irving said Monday. "So I'm just taking my time."The Boston Celtics All-Star is hoping he can start playing again in a couple weeks. But he's staying patient in his rehab from late-season surgery because of an infection in his knee, figuring the extra time can only help after he played deep into June the previous two years with the Cleveland Cavaliers.He was traded to the Celtics last summer while filming "Uncle Drew." The movie, in which he plays an old playground basketball legend who started as a character in Pepsi commercials, premieres in New York on Tuesday and opens nationwide Friday.The Cavaliers gave Irving's former jersey number to Collin Sexton, drafted last... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyrie Irving doesn't have to worry about free agency until next summer, though he's got plenty to keep him busy for now.There's a movie to promote and a knee to mend. He hopes he's good on screen, but wants to be better than ever on the court."Now becomes the real climb to Mount Everest, back to the top," Irving said Monday. "So I'm just taking my time."The Boston Celtics All-Star is hoping he can start playing again in a couple weeks. But he's staying patient in his rehab from late-season surgery because of an infection in his knee, figuring the extra time can only help after he played deep into June the previous two years with the Cleveland Cavaliers.He was traded to the Celtics last summer while filming "Uncle Drew." The movie, in which he plays an old playground basketball legend who started as a character in Pepsi commercials, premieres in New York on Tuesday and opens nationwide Friday.The Cavaliers gave Irving's former jersey number to Collin Sexton, drafted last... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson were introduced in Los Angeles on Monday as the newest Clippers guards. The duo, selected in the NBA draft last week, won't be under the bright spotlight just yet.That's reserved for center DeAndre Jordan.This is the final week before the NBA's free agency period begins Sunday, and the biggest question mark for the Clippers is whether center Jordan will opt in or out of his contract."I talk to him," coach Doc Rivers said. "We pretty much stay away from the subject for the most part. But I talk to him. We stay in touch."Lawrence Frank, executive vice president of basketball operations, wasn't sure what Jordan would decide about his $24.1 million player option."No new updates. We continue to have dialogue with his agent, Jeff Schwartz," Frank said. "We'll see how everything plays out."Guard Milos Teodosic has exercised his $6.3 million option with the Clippers. Frank visited him in Belgrade, Serbia, last month."We'll see how everything... [More]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Pacers are parting ways with guard Lance Stephenson, the gritty veteran who brought energy off the bench in last season's surprising run to the playoffs.The team will not pick up the team option next season, Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard said Monday."This was a very difficult decision, but as free agency begins on July 1, we want to have flexibility so that we can prepare for all of our available options," he said.A year ago, Pritchard decided to trade star Paul George before almost surely losing him in free agency and got Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis from Oklahoma City in a deal that turned out remarkably well for Indiana.Oladipo emerged as a leader, earned his first All-Star trip and won the league's steals title. Sabonis, a lottery pick in 2016, became a key contributor off the bench. Point guard Darren Collison was the NBA's most accurate 3-point shooter, and Thaddeus Young and Bojan Bogdanovic thrived in their roles,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson were introduced in Los Angeles on Monday as the newest Clippers guards. The duo, selected in the NBA draft last week, won't be under the bright spotlight just yet.That's reserved for center DeAndre Jordan.This is the final week before the NBA's free agency period begins Sunday, and the biggest question mark for the Clippers is whether center Jordan will opt in or out of his contract."I talk to him," coach Doc Rivers said. "We pretty much stay away from the subject for the most part. But I talk to him. We stay in touch."Lawrence Frank, executive vice president of basketball operations, wasn't sure what Jordan would decide about his $24.1 million player option."No new updates. We continue to have dialogue with his agent, Jeff Schwartz," Frank said. "We'll see how everything plays out."Guard Milos Teodosic has exercised his $6.3 million option with the Clippers. Frank visited him in Belgrade, Serbia, last month."We'll see how everything... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls like to think they are one of the NBA's up-and-coming teams, one that could challenge for a playoff berth next season.They also admit there are many more boxes to check off first.Led by forward Lauri Markkanen, the Bulls return a slew of young talent but the team lacks depth and key playmakers. Much will depend on Markkanen's development along with that of swingman Zach LaVine, guards Kris Dunn, Cameron Payne and Denzel Valentine, and big men Cristiano Felicio and Bobby Portis. Like center Wendell Carter Jr. and forward Chandler Hutchison, the team's first-round draft picks, all are 25 or younger.Although the Bulls are nearly $40 million below the salary cap, executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson said a significant move was "unlikely" this offseason. Free agency begins this weekend."We have loads of (salary) cap space," Paxson said Monday, when Carter and Hutchison were introduced at a news conference. "What we don't have are many... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks expect to enter NBA free agency next week with about $20 million in salary cap space and three open spots on their roster.General manager Travis Schlenk says the team will be in no rush to spend that money."We will not be quickly out of the gate looking to sign guys," Schlenk said Monday, when the Hawks introduced their three first-round draft picks, guards Trae Young and Kevin Huerter and forward Omari Spellman."We'll kind of sit back and see what the market dictates. ... We'll kind of play a waiting game and see how the market plays out."The market is expected to generate stiff competition for top free agents LeBron James, Paul George and Chris Paul. The Hawks are expected to be observers in those bidding wars.The Hawks may have had more interest in bargain shopping for affordable help on their front line before veterans Dewayne Dedmon and Mike Muscala exercised their contract options to return next season.Guards Malcolm Delaney and Damion Lee are eligible... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Donte DiVincenzo's dad can dust off the old Milwaukee Bucks jerseys he used wear as a fan while he was growing up.DiVincenzo will be able to hook his father up with some new gear soon, too.The Villanova guard was formally introduced Monday in Milwaukee at the Bucks' downtown training facility. The team drafted him last week in the first round with the 17th overall pick.The 6-foot-5 DiVincenzo gives the Bucks another 3-point shooter with size and toughness in the backcourt, skills that should fit well with All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo's game.The No. 9 Bucks jersey with DiVincenzo's name on the back will soon become the prized piece in the jersey collection belonging to his father, John. An old Ricky Pierce jersey was a favorite."I was seen in a Bucks jersey in Philly in my later years. I had mustard all over me. I don't know if you're familiar with how they roll there," the elder DiVincenzo said with smile at the Bucks' downtown training facility.His son gets a... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony plans to opt in and take the $28 million he is due next season.The New York Times first reported the 34-year-old Anthony's decision to bypass the chance to become a free agent. A person with knowledge of details confirmed Anthony's choice to The Associated Press on Friday night. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.The Thunder traded for Anthony and Paul George to join Russell Westbrook before last season, moves that gave them high hopes of challenging Golden State in the West. It didn't work out as planned.The 34-year-old Anthony had been the headliner his entire career — he's 19th in NBA history with 25,417 points — but he was more of a catch-and-shoot scorer last season instead of the isolation specialist he had always been. He averaged 16.2 points per game, but struggled at times in his new role. His playing time dwindled in the playoffs and he... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony plans to opt in and take the $28 million he is due next season.The New York Times first reported the 34-year-old Anthony's decision to bypass the chance to become a free agent. A person with knowledge of details confirmed Anthony's choice to The Associated Press on Friday night. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.The Thunder traded for Anthony and Paul George to join Russell Westbrook before last season, moves that gave them high hopes of challenging Golden State in the West. It didn't work out as planned.The 34-year-old Anthony had been the headliner his entire career — he's 19th in NBA history with 25,417 points — but he was more of a catch-and-shoot scorer last season instead of the isolation specialist he had always been. He averaged 16.2 points per game, but struggled at times in his new role. His playing time dwindled in the playoffs and he... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic didn't get compared to Larry Bird when he was introduced a day after the Dallas Mavericks traded up to get the third overall pick in the NBA draft.For president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson, that's progress based on his last experience of getting a tender-aged European in hopes of lifting the Mavericks out of the doldrums.Twenty years later, Dirk Nowitzki is the highest-scoring foreign-born player in league history. Back then, the big German wasn't remotely comparable to Larry Legend — and his rough first two years proved it.So ask Nelson about a player the Mavericks clearly coveted heading into the draft in Doncic, and he'll choose his words carefully regarding the 19-year-old from Slovenia. Doncic won't turn 20 until after the All-Star break of his rookie season, which is expected to be Nowitzki's record 21st with one franchise."Dirk and I had a long talk coming in," Nelson said about the player Dallas drafted days after his 20th birthday in 1998."We're... [More]

GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — Kevin Knox took a call from someone who knew exactly what he experienced on draft night.New Yorkers didn't welcome Kristaps Porzingis with open arms, either."He asked me how the fans reacted and I told him I got the same amount of boos as he got," Knox said Friday. "He just laughed and he said it's all motivation and fuel to the fire, and he said just work and he said sooner or later they'll be cheering for you."That's what happened with Porzingis, who quickly won over those who loudly booed his selection in 2015 with his talent, competitiveness and work ethic.The Knicks see the same traits in Knox, convincing them that the Kentucky freshman was not only the player to take with the No. 9 pick but that he's ready to start and match up with the NBA's best small forwards next season.That's why they decided a day before the draft they were taking Knox if he was available and didn't waver from that even when Michael Porter Jr. was still on the board — disappointing some... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Now that the Denver Nuggets have a player they coveted in the NBA draft, their focus shifts to the start of free agency next week.Michael Porter Jr. went to the Nuggets at No. 14 Thursday night, giving them a potential impact player. Now the priority this offseason is keeping their own free agents and locking down the face of the franchise.Center and budding superstar Nikola Jokic is the top priority, and president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has said the Nuggets want to sign him to a long-term contract before he hits the market next summer."Nikola's going to be here for a long, long time," Connelly said. "Whatever we do, we're going to ensure that he's here as long as possible. We'll talk to Nikola, his brothers and his representation and he'll be in Denver for a long, long time. He'll be buying here."Will Barton is an unrestricted free agent and forward Wilson Chandler can opt out of the last year of his deal. Connelly said the Nuggets want to retain both."Will... [More]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — General manager Mitch Kupchak wants point guard Kemba Walker to end his NBA career right where it started — with the Charlotte Hornets.Kupchak said Friday that Walker is "revered" in the Charlotte community, and that he and owner Michael Jordan look at the two-time All-Star as "the focal point of this franchise going forward."The 28-year-old Walker has been the subject of possible NBA trade talks as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract with the Hornets. That speculation has amped up recently because it is a practical impossibility for Charlotte to sign Walker to an extension before he becomes a free agent in July of 2019 since the Hornets are so tight under the salary cap."I think everybody is aware of the situation, if you follow basketball a little bit, it is unique that he is on an extension that may make it a challenge going forward to figure out before he becomes a free agent," Kupchak said.At $12 million per year, Walker well underpaid when compared... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Collin Sexton endeared himself to the Cavaliers with his competitive streak, speed and attitude long before they picked him in the NBA draft.His jersey number showed them something else: He's fearless.Sexton made quite a first impression by deciding to take No. 2, his college number but also the one previously worn in Cleveland by All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving. After showing off his jersey at a news conference Friday, Sexton said he doesn't feel pressure to live up to Irving's high standards."Not at all," he said. "Coming in, I'm going to set goals for myself and then as well there's going to be team goals set. But I feel like I'm not going to have to live up to anybody's shoes, but I'm going to come in and learn and be the best player I can be on the court as well as off the court."Some Cleveland fans feel No. 2 should be retired. After all, Irving made the biggest shot in franchise history in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals before asking to be traded last summer... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown had an A-list comparison for 1-B first-round pick Zhaire Smith: Disgruntled San Antonio forward Kawhi Leonard."I think that when you look at just where I believe Zhaire can be, there are some common denominators that Kawhi had when we first brought him to San Antonio," Brown said.High praise for the Texas Tech guard.But why settle for a rookie who may never develop into a franchise player when the Sixers can try and aquire the real deal?The 76ers are open for business this summer and an organization that has long preached patience is now in the market for marquee talent to team with blossoming stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons."We are star hunting or star developing," Brown said Friday. "You're not going to win a championship any other way."Brown hit on the "star hunter" phrase at Thursday's draft and again when he introduced Smith, acquired from Phoenix in a swap of first-rounders, and Wichita State guard Landry Shamet at the team's... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — With one deadline looming on his future in Cleveland, LeBron James has been in contact with the Cavaliers through his representatives.Following the NBA draft on Thursday night, Cavs general manager Koby Altman said he has had positive discussions with the three-time champion's group. James has until June 29 to tell the team if he will pick up his $35.6 million option for next season or become a free agent."We continue to have good dialogue with his management team," Altman said. "I think LeBron has more than earned the right to approach his contracts the way he does. He's done that before, so this is nothing new for us. We want to respect his space during this process and I continue to have really good dialogue with his management team as he goes through that process."That's probably all I can say at this point regarding him, but we don't take him for granted. We love him, this city loves him. He means the world to us and this franchise."James led the Cavs to their... [More]

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — General manager R.C. Buford acknowledges star forward Kawhi Leonard is unhappy with the Spurs.He remains optimistic the relationship can be salvaged.Leonard has requested a trade from San Antonio because he is unhappy after missing most of last season with a right quadriceps injury. Buford would not comment on "speculation" of a trade demand, but agreed there is a fractured relationship between Leonard and the only franchise he has played for."Kawhi and his family mean a lot to the organization and to the community and while none of wish we are where we are, we're going to do what we can to build the best relationship we can with him," Buford said Thursday night as the Spurs made two late picks in the NBA Draft. "We'll explore all of our options, but the first one would be to do what we can to keep Kawhi as part of our group."Leonard missed the first 27 games of the season but returned to play in nine games. He complained of discomfort and pain in the leg in his final... [More]

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — General manager R.C. Buford acknowledges star forward Kawhi Leonard is unhappy with the Spurs.He remains optimistic the relationship can be salvaged.Leonard has requested a trade from San Antonio because he is unhappy after missing most of last season with a right quadriceps injury. Buford would not comment on "speculation" of a trade demand, but agreed there is a fractured relationship between Leonard and the only franchise he has played for."Kawhi and his family mean a lot to the organization and to the community and while none of wish we are where we are, we're going to do what we can to build the best relationship we can with him," Buford said Thursday night as the Spurs made two late picks in the NBA Draft. "We'll explore all of our options, but the first one would be to do what we can to keep Kawhi as part of our group."Leonard missed the first 27 games of the season but returned to play in nine games. He complained of discomfort and pain in the leg in his final... [More]

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — General manager R.C. Buford is acknowledging star Kawhi Leonard is unhappy with the San Antonio Spurs.He says the team remains optimistic it can salvage the relationship.Leonard has reportedly requested a trade from San Antonio because he is unhappy with how the team handled a right quadriceps injury that kept him out for all but nine games last season. Buford would not comment on "speculation" of a trade demand, but did acknowledge a fractured relationship between Leonard and the only franchise he has played for.Leonard has one year remaining on his contract and is eligible to sign a $220 million extension with San Antonio as part of the league's supermax contract. He is reportedly willing to walk away from that to play elsewhere, possibly in Los Angeles.