Missed calls may see the light this summer.The NBA will experiment with a coaches' challenge for summer league games, one where teams will have the ability to seek a review of certain calls in the final 2 minutes of regulation and overtime. Coaches will have to call a time-out before live play resumes, and then trigger a blinking light on the scorer's table to initiate the challenge."We're going to try it in limited form," NBA executive vice president for basketball operations Kiki Vandeweghe said.The plan is consistent with what's long been the league's thinking when it comes to summer league, turning it into a testing laboratory of sorts for the NBA. The G League already has a challenge rule in place.Another new twist this summer is a rule that will see the shot clock reset to 14 seconds instead of 24 after offensive rebounds, similar to what's used in the G League and the WNBA.It's all part of a continued evolution of summer league, which will see a record 94 games played between the... [More]

DeAndre Jordan has committed to the Mavericks again, and the center offered an emoji to prove it three years after he backed out on a deal to join Dallas.The Mavericks and Jordan agreed quickly after free agency opened Sunday on a one-year contract at roughly the $24.1 million he was set to make with the Clippers next season, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because contracts can't be signed until Friday. Jordan opted out of the final year of the deal he signed with Los Angeles when he jilted the Mavericks in 2015.The one-year deal gives both sides flexibility beyond next season, but is a sign the Mavericks are tired of rebuilding after consecutive losing seasons for the first time in nearly 20 years. Dallas (24-58) is coming off its first 50-loss season since the last of seven in eight years in 1997-98.If Jordan follows through on this agreement, he will leave the team that drafted him 10 years ago so he... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns have waived point guard Tyler Ulis.The Suns made the move Saturday, a day before his contract would have become guaranteed. He had a non-guaranteed $1.5 million deal for the upcoming season with a $1.6 million team option for 2019-20.The 5-foot-9 former Kentucky player averaged 7.8 points, 4.4 assists and 23.4 minutes in 71 games last season. As a rookie in 2016-17, he averaged 7.3 points, 3.7 assists and 18.4 minutes in 61 games.The Suns drafted French point guard Elie Okobo with the No. 31 pick and also have Brandon Knight returning from a knee injury.Ulis had minor surgery on his right ankle in May.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have waived center Thomas Bryant.The Lakers made the roster move Saturday as the start of free agency neared.Bryant was a second-round pick in last year's draft. The Indiana University product excelled for the Lakers' G League affiliate but averaged 1.5 points and 1.1 rebounds in 15 appearances for Los Angeles.Bryant's $1.38 million contract for next season would have become fully guaranteed next week.The Lakers have spent the past year clearing salary cap room for their pursuit of elite free agents including LeBron James. Los Angeles currently has just six players under contract for next season for a total of roughly $36.1 million, along with a $5.5 million qualifying offer out to Julius Randle.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks have requested waivers on reserve guard Isaiah Taylor.Taylor, signed to a two-year contract last October, started nine of his 67 games last season. He averaged 6.6 points and 3.1 assists in 17.4 minutes.Taylor appeared to be in the Hawks' rebuilding plans. He sat alongside teammates Kent Bazemore, DeAndre Bembry and Mike Muscala at a news conference last month to announce the hiring of new coach Lloyd Pierce.But the Hawks decided Taylor was too expensive to keep. He was due $300,000 of his $1.5 million salary if still on the roster after Saturday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The deadline for Kevin Durant to opt into his contract with the Warriors for next season passed Friday night without him doing so, making the two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP a free agent — yet his intention has always been to stay put and re-sign with Golden State.Much like a year ago, Durant declined to opt in for the second year of his deal, allowing him to work on a more lucrative contract once the signing period begins Saturday night.Durant only had to inform the Warriors if he planned to opt in, and the team had long been prepared for this move — merely a procedural decision — knowing his plans for months.The 29-year-old Durant could sign for as many as four years and about $160 million. He has made clear all along his commitment to the Warriors, especially after winning a pair of championships in his first two seasons with Golden State.A year ago, Durant declined to opt in for the second year of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent. That also was... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks are making another run at DeAndre Jordan, three years after the center jilted them in free agency to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers.Jordan has opted out of the final year of that contract he signed with LA in 2015, and the Mavericks intend to pursue him as an unrestricted free agent, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Friday.Dallas also intends to decline the $5 million club option on Dirk Nowitzki's contract and re-sign him once its salary structure is more settled, the person told the AP on condition of anonymity because the sides are not publicly commenting on moves ahead of free agency opening Sunday.The move on Nowitzki is designed to create more room under the salary cap, as were the decisions to rescind qualifying offers to shooting guard Doug McDermott and center Salah Mejri, making both unrestricted free agents.Jordan was set to make $24.1 million under the four-year, $87.6 million contract he signed to stay... [More]

DALLAS (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says the Dallas Mavericks are making another run at DeAndre Jordan, three years after the center jilted them in free agency to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers.Jordan has opted out of the final year of that contract he signed with the Clippers in 2015, and the Mavericks intend to pursue him as an unrestricted free agent, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the sides are not publicly commenting on moves ahead of free agency opening Sunday.The Mavericks had an agreement from Jordan to sign with them as a free agent three years ago. The Houston native changed his mind, and the saga played out on social media the day before Jordan could sign. Former teammates Chris Paul and Blake Griffin and coach Doc Rivers went to his house and stayed with him until the deal was official.The reversal was a stunning setback for Dallas, which is coming off consecutive losing seasons for the first time in nearly 20 years.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves made major strides this season in ending their 13-year absence from the NBA playoffs after a franchise-altering trade for All-Star Jimmy Butler.With cornerstones Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins in their early 20s and veterans Taj Gibson and Jeff Teague coming off productive debuts in Minnesota, there is a sturdy starting lineup in place around Butler to ideally take the Timberwolves deeper in the next postseason.Advancement is easier stated than consummated.The Wolves, even with coach Tom Thibodeau's preference to give his first-teamers heavy minutes, need to add depth this summer with defense and 3-point shooting atop the skill-set wish list. There is no clear way to acquire more of it, though, after making the logical first moves by drafting versatile wing players Josh Okogie and Keita Bates-Diop last week .Wiggins will begin playing on his maximum contract in 2018-19, with a $25 million-plus salary that will account for more than 20... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Between the LeBron James guessing games and the Kawhi Leonard trade talk, it seems NBA shopping season is well underway.It's actually just about to start.Terms like salary caps and contract options have been in the news for weeks, so fans might have an understanding of what they all mean. For those who don't, here's an attempt to explain how this all works.Q: When does free agency start?A: It begins at 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 1. So that's early Sunday morning for teams in the East, but Magic Johnson and the Lakers can actually start their recruiting on Saturday night.Q: When can deals start happening?A: Players and teams can agree to contracts immediately, but except for some limited exceptions, such as rookies inking their initial contracts, nothing can be signed until after the free agency moratorium period ends, which is noon EDT on July 6.Q: How is the salary cap determined?A: It's basically a formula based on basketball revenues. Last season's was $99.1 million, and... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Celtics boss Danny Ainge was puzzled by all the talk about how Texas A&M forward Robert Williams didn't work hard enough to make it in the NBA."It's hard to have a 'low motor' and be the defensive player of the year two years in a row in a tough conference," Ainge said Friday after the news conference to introduce Williams.Williams was named the Southeastern Conference's co-defensive player of the year in 2018 after winning the award outright in 2017."That's pretty hard to do if you don't have the motor," Ainge said. "But if the motor can get better, that's an even bigger upside."A 6-foot-10, 237-pound native of Oil City, Louisiana, Williams had been considered a lottery pick after his freshman year but he returned to play another season in college. He was projected as an early first-rounder in this year's draft, but he fell to the Celtics at No. 27 overall.Williams said his mother believed he needed another year to mature in college. Asked if he regretted not coming... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Enes Kanter is sticking with the New York Knicks.Kanter informed the Knicks on Friday he was opting into his contract for next season, rather than becoming a free agent. He teased his decision on Twitter with a picture of himself speaking at a podium that read "Make Knicks Great Again."The center from Turkey will make $18.6 million in 2018-19.Kanter was acquired in September from Oklahoma City as part of the trade for Carmelo Anthony. He averaged 14.1 points and 11 rebounds in 71 games, all starts, and shot a career-best 59 percent from the field.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have released veteran guard Tyler Ennis.The Lakers made the move Thursday night.Ennis joined the Lakers in a trade in February 2017 and appeared in 76 games for the club, including 22 starts last season. The Canadian point guard averaged 4.1 points and 1.9 assists in 54 games last year.Ennis also has played for Houston, Milwaukee and Phoenix in his four-year NBA career.The Lakers had a team option on Ennis for next season at roughly $1.65 million, but they released him instead.Los Angeles has spent the past year clearing salary cap space in hopes of signing two elite free agents to maximum contracts next month.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball

PHOENIX (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says the Phoenix Suns have decided not to re-sign center Alex Len and point guard Elfrid Payton, clearing some $10 million in salary cap space as the team prepares to make a run at free agents.The person asked to remain anonymous because those intentions have not been made public. Free agency begins in the NBA on Sunday.The moves were expected.The 7-foot-1 Len, who comes from the Ukraine, was the fifth overall pick in the 2013 draft after one season at Maryland. He played in 335 games over four seasons with Phoenix, averaging 7.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, never becoming the dominant big man the Suns had hoped he would be. Last season, Len appeared in 69 games, averaging 8.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.Acquired from Orlando for a second-round pick at last season's trade deadline, Payton averaged 11.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 19 games with Phoenix but shot 44 percent from the field, 20 percent from 3-point range.The Suns' decision not to re-sign the players first was reported by azcentral (The Arizona Republic).

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers have some clarity with one of their free agent forwards.No, not that one.While waiting to see if they're in LeBron James' plans, the Cavaliers intend to extend a $3.4 million qualifying offer to Rodney Hood, making him a restricted free agent and protecting the club if he receives any offers.The team will make the offer to Hood before Friday's deadline, said a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the club is not publicly discussing its plans ahead of free agency starting Sunday.Cleveland.com first reported the Cavaliers' intentions with Hood.Also, the Cavs intend to pick up center Kendrick Perkins' $2.5 million non-guaranteed contract for next season, the person said. The move with Perkins, who signed at the end of the regular season but did not appear in any playoff games, is so the team can potentially use his salary slot in a trade.Perkins has had two stints with Cleveland.Meanwhile, James has until 11:59... [More]

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Ongoing roster turnover from one season to the next forced Grayson Allen to become a basketball chameleon at Duke. He adapted to changes as they occurred and took on a new role each season.Those experiences helped Allen get ready for whatever role is required of him as he embarks on his rookie season with the Utah Jazz."I've never been just a single focal point of an offense since I've been in college," Allen said during his introductory news conference Wednesday. "I know how to play with other talented guys. I know how to play with other really good guys and that's what you're going to have to do in the NBA, especially coming in as a rookie and coming into a team who's already a playoff team."Allen had to adapt his game over four seasons with the Blue Devils as he adjusted to the influx of one-and-done prospects. Nine different teammates were first round NBA draft picks and four others were second-rounders.The turnover opened the door for Allen to go from being a... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers have some clarity with one of their free agent forwards.No, not that one.While waiting to see if they're in LeBron James' plans, the Cavaliers intend to extend a $3.4 million qualifying offer to Rodney Hood, making him a restricted free agent and protecting the club if he receives any offers.The team will make the offer to Hood before Friday's deadline, said a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the club is not publicly discussing its plans ahead of free agency starting Sunday.Cleveland.com first reported the Cavaliers' intentions with Hood.Meanwhile, James has until 11:59 p.m. Friday to pick up his $35.6 million contract option for next season or he will become a free agent. The 33-year-old is expected to decline the option, but it's also possible he could exercise it and be traded if Cleveland works out a deal in order to acquire assets for the three-time champion.At this point, days away from free agency... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the decision says the Cleveland Cavaliers will extend a $3.4 million qualifying offer to restricted free agent forward Rodney Hood.The person says the team will make the offer ahead of Friday's midnight deadline. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team is not discussing publicly discussing its plans ahead of free agency starting.Cleveland.com first reported the team's plans.The 25-year-old Hood came to Cleveland from Utah in that flurry of trades executed at the Feb. 8 deadline by general manager Koby Altman. Hood struggled to blend into Cleveland's rotation, but he's young, inexpensive and the team believes he can get better.Hood started Cleveland's first playoff game before losing coach Tyronn Lue's trust. He re-emerged in the Finals and scored 15 points in the Game 3 loss to Golden State.He averaged 10.8 points in 21 regular-season games with the Cavs.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have extended a $5.6 million qualifying offer to forward Julius Randle, making him a restricted free agent.The Lakers made the move Wednesday, ensuring they can match any offer sheet from another team signed by Randle starting on July 8.The 23-year-old Randle is coming off his best season with the Lakers, who chose him with the seventh overall pick in 2014. He averaged a career-high 16.1 points with 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists while playing in all 82 games.But the Lakers hope to be a major player in free agency next month, so it's unclear whether they will retain Randle. They might need to renounce Randle's rights or otherwise move him to clear salary cap space for two superstars.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball

An NBA free-agent class with a little something for everyone hits the market on July 1. The group includes an array of superstars, big men, glue guys and sharp-shooters.Here's a look at some of the players to follow when the action begins:THE SUPERSTARS— Kevin Durant (player option): Has expressed his desire to remain with the Warriors. He's in the middle of his prime as one of the game's premier players.— Paul George (player option): He has one of the best all-around games in the league and is still fairly young at 28.— LeBron James (player option): Still the free-agent grand prize at age 33, James has shown few signs of wear and tear despite 15 stellar seasons in the league.— Chris Paul (unrestricted): Among the league's best point guards even at 33, but he's struggled some with injuries over the years, including a hamstring issue in last year's playoffs.BIG MEN— Clint Capela (restricted): He's emerged as one of the league's top young big men after averaging 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds... [More]