MIAMI (AP) — All-Star forward Jimmy Butler is now a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, after they and the Minnesota Timberwolves received approval from the league office Monday on the terms of the trade that was agreed to over the weekend.Butler and Justin Patton were traded for Philadelphia, in exchange for Robert Covington, Dario Saric and Jerryd Bayless along with a 2022 second-round draft pick.Butler will be introduced by the 76ers on Tuesday and is expected to debut with his new club Wednesday at Orlando. Philadelphia is playing at Miami on Monday.The deal gives Philadelphia a legitimate "Big Three" with Butler joining All-Star forward Joel Embiid and reigning rookie of the year Ben Simmons on a team that already was expected to be a major Eastern Conference contender this season."We have a championship window that's centered around the continued progression of our talented young core, as well as our ability to add elite players who elevate our program," 76ers general manager Elton... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — All-Star forward Jimmy Butler is now a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, after they and the Minnesota Timberwolves received approval from the league office Monday on the terms of the trade that was agreed to over the weekend.Butler and Justin Patton were traded for Philadelphia, in exchange for Robert Covington, Dario Saric and Jerryd Bayless along with a 2022 second-round draft pick.Butler will be introduced by the 76ers on Tuesday and is expected to debut with his new club Wednesday at Orlando. Philadelphia is visiting Miami on Monday.The deal gives Philadelphia a legitimate "Big Three" with Butler joining All-Star forward Joel Embiid and reigning rookie of the year Ben Simmons on a team that already was expected to be a major Eastern Conference contender this season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Leroy Richardson got caught up in a bit of basketball politics when he was in the U.S. Navy. He had just transferred from the USS Yellowstone to a shore facility in Virginia, was looking to play for one of the intramural teams there and eventually got told that all the available spots had been taken by members of another command.So he decided to start refereeing.Almost 30 years later, he's still in the NBA.Veterans Day — which was observed Sunday in the U.S. though federal agencies were closed Monday — carries obvious additional significance for people like Richardson and fellow NBA refs Rodney Mott and Matt Boland. All three served their country in the military; Richardson was a Navy man for 12 years, Mott for three years and Boland was in the Connecticut National Guard from 1987 through 1995.Richardson knows how lucky he is. If he was picked for that intramural team, he probably wouldn't have started officiating. If he hadn't started, he wouldn't be in the NBA."Everything was sort of... [More]

Leroy Richardson got caught up in a bit of basketball politics when he was in the U.S. Navy. He had just transferred off the USS Yellowstone to a shore facility in Virginia, was looking to play for one of the intramural teams there and eventually got told that all the available spots had been taken by members of another command.So he decided to start refereeing.Almost 30 years later, he's still in the NBA.Veterans Day — which was observed Sunday in the U.S. though federal agencies will be closed Monday — carries obvious additional significance for people like Richardson and fellow NBA refs Rodney Mott and Matt Boland. All three served their country in the military; Richardson was a Navy man for 12 years, Mott for three years and Boland was in the Connecticut National Guard from 1987 through 1995.Richardson knows how lucky he is. If he was picked for that intramural team, he probably wouldn't have started officiating. If he hadn't started, he wouldn't be in the NBA."Everything was sort of... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey denied a report Sunday that said Carmelo Anthony's time with the team will soon come to an end.Anthony, who was out for the second straight game Sunday night with an illness, is in his first season with the Rockets after one year in Oklahoma City.The New York Times had a sourced report Sunday saying Anthony has been notified that he will soon be waived. When asked about that report before Sunday night's game, Morey said: "that's inaccurate."The Rockets, who reached the Western Conference finals last season, are off to a disappointing 4-7 start, with many outsiders blaming Anthony for the struggles.Morey went on to say that he wanted to speak to reporters in large part to defend Anthony."It's unfair that there's all this speculation on just one person," Morey said. "I understand it he's obviously a Hall of Famer. But it's unfair."Anthony, who is in his 16th season, has averaged 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in 10 games with two starts... [More]

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is denying a report that says Carmelo Anthony's time with the team with end soon.Anthony, who was out for the second straight game on Sunday night with an illness, is in his first season with the Rockets after one year in Oklahoma City.The New York Times had a sourced report on Sunday saying that Anthony has been notified that he will soon be waived. When asked about that report before Sunday night's game, Morey said: "that's inaccurate."The Rockets, who reached the Western Conference finals last season, are off to a disappointing 4-7 start, with many outsiders blaming Anthony for the struggles.Morey went on to say that he wanted to speak to reporters in large part to defend Anthony.Morey says: "it's unfair that there's all this speculation on just one person. I understand it, he's obviously a Hall of Famer. But it's unfair."___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade is putting family over basketball right now.Wade will miss at least another week before resuming his final Heat season, telling The Associated Press in an interview Sunday that he needs time to continue bonding with and caring for his daughter. Wade and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union-Wade, had the baby via a surrogate last week.The couple and their baby are now at their Los Angeles home, and Wade said all are doing well. The baby's name has not been publicly released."With my daughter coming a couple weeks early, she's a little tiny right now, so we're making sure health-wise that she's OK," Wade said. "And for me, once I leave and go back to the season, not really being able to be with me everywhere I go, this time right now, this bonding moment with my daughter is the most important thing in my life at this time."Wade will miss, at minimum, upcoming Heat games against Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Indiana and the Los Angeles Lakers. He has also missed Miami's last... [More]

Jimmy Butler has his wish: He's out of Minnesota.And just like that, Philadelphia has a new Big Three — one that could make serious noise in the Eastern Conference.A person with knowledge of the situation said Saturday that Butler is being traded to the 76ers in a package that will send Dario Saric and Robert Covington to the Timberwolves. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced by either team and was still pending NBA approval, which is not expected until Monday.Justin Patton will also be sent to Philadelphia, and Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick are also going to Minnesota, the person said.The Athletic first reported the agreement.Because the trade was not official, Sixers coach Brett Brown had little comment."I can't speak much about it. I'm sorry," he said before the Sixers played Memphis.Sixers guard T.J. McConnell said he learned of the deal through social media."I didn't think it was true until more... [More]

Jimmy Butler has his wish: He's out of Minnesota.And just like that, Philadelphia has a new Big Three — one that could make serious noise in the Eastern Conference.A person with knowledge of the situation said Saturday that Butler is being traded to the 76ers in a package that will send Dario Saric and Robert Covington to the Timberwolves. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced by either team and was still pending NBA approval, which is not expected until Monday.Justin Patton will also be sent to Philadelphia, and Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick are also going to Minnesota, the person said.The Athletic first reported the agreement.Because the trade was not official, Sixers coach Brett Brown had little comment."I can't speak much about it. I'm sorry," he said before the Sixers played Memphis.Sixers guard T.J. McConnell said he learned of the deal through social media."I didn't think it was true until more... [More]

Jimmy Butler has his wish: He's out of Minnesota.And just like that, Philadelphia has a new Big Three — one that could make serious noise in the Eastern Conference.A person with knowledge of the situation said Saturday that Butler is being traded to the 76ers in a package that will send Dario Saric and Robert Covington to the Timberwolves. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced by either team and was still pending NBA approval, which is not expected until Monday.Justin Patton will also be sent to Philadelphia, and Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick are also going to Minnesota, the person said.The Athletic first reported the agreement.Philadelphia's "Process" led it to the second round of the playoffs last season behind two of the game's youngest, brightest stars in big man Joel Embiid and point guard Ben Simmons. Butler, an elite wing and outstanding defender, will join them in a quest to rule the Eastern... [More]

Jimmy Butler has his wish: He's out of Minnesota.And just like that, Philadelphia has a new Big Three — one that could make serious noise in the Eastern Conference.A person with knowledge of the situation said Saturday that Butler is being traded to the 76ers in a package that will send Dario Saric and Robert Covington to the Timberwolves. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced by either team and was still pending NBA approval, which might not come until Monday.Justin Patton will also be sent to Philadelphia, and Jarryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick are also going to Minnesota, the person said.The Athletic first reported the agreement.Philadelphia's "Process" led it to the second round of the playoffs last season behind two of the game's youngest, brightest stars in big man Joel Embiid and point guard Ben Simmons. Butler, an elite wing and outstanding defender, will join them in a quest to rule the Eastern Conference... [More]

Jimmy Butler is headed to Philadelphia, ending the weeks-long saga of him wanting out of Minnesota.A person with knowledge of the situation says Butler is being traded to the 76ers in a package that will send Dario Saric and Robert Covington to the Timberwolves. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because the trade had not yet been announced by either team and was still pending NBA approval.The Athletic first reported the agreement.The trade will give Philadelphia a star trio, with Butler joining Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.Butler told the Timberwolves in September he wanted to be traded, and it took weeks for the team to find a deal it would accept. Butler averaged 21.3 points in 10 games for Minnesota this season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — Nuggets forward Will Barton is starting to take a few shots as he recovers from surgery to fix core and hip muscle injuries.There is no timetable for his return. Barton said Friday he's "getting stronger every day."The 27-year-old Barton was carted off the floor on Oct. 20 against Phoenix after he said he felt something pop when he took off for the basket. He had surgery days later.Barton's rehab work has focused on strengthening his core. He said he's been working out near the Nuggets to feel like a part of the team. He said there are "tough days for me so sometimes I need to be around them laughing and joking and taking my mind off the exact injury."___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry has a mild to moderate left groin strain and will miss Golden State's home game against Brooklyn on Saturday night.Curry underwent an MRI exam Friday but the Warriors will wait a few days to fully determine the severity of the injury. Coach Steve Kerr said it doesn't appear to be significant."This doesn't look like it's going to be a long-term injury. He's disappointed but it could have been a lot worse," Kerr said. "We'll just monitor his progress over the next several days."The two-time NBA MVP was hurt midway through the third quarter of Thursday night's 134-111 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Curry grabbed at his inner thigh after trying to contest Eric Bledsoe's shot in transition at the 6:50 mark of the third.The 30-year-old Curry has been averaging 29.5 points, 6.1 assists and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 49.2 percent from 3-point range.Curry scored 10 points Thursday in his second straight game below 20 after getting at least 23 in every game previously... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — This painful season isn't subsiding for the Cavaliers. If anything, it's getting worse.Cleveland, which already has the worst record in the NBA at 1-10, will be without yet another starter on Saturday night in Chicago after forward Cedi Osman was ruled out with back spasms.He's the latest Cavs player to join an injury list that includes All-Star forward Kevin Love, point guard George Hill and Sam Dekker, who began the season as a reserve but moved into the starting lineup because of all the injuries.Throw in a coaching change, some off-court drama and this Cleveland season is sinking fast.Osman was forced to leave Wednesday's loss to Oklahoma City in the first quarter, and the Cavs were hoping rest would allow him to face the Bulls. However, coach Larry Drew said Osman will sit out against the Bulls "and we'll see how he is after the game tomorrow."The rash of injuries has put even greater stress on Drew, who took over after Tyronn Lue was fired following a 0-6 start. Drew... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry has a mild to moderate left groin strain and will miss Golden State's home game against Brooklyn on Saturday night.Curry underwent an MRI exam Friday but the Warriors will wait a few days to fully determine the severity of the injury. Coach Steve Kerr said it doesn't look like it's going to be a long-term injury.The two-time NBA MVP was hurt midway through the third quarter of Thursday night's 134-111 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Curry grabbed at his inner thigh after trying to contest Eric Bledsoe's shot in transition at the 6:50 mark of the third.Quinn Cook, who filled in last season when Curry was hurt for a long stretch, will start against the Nets.Fellow All-Star Draymond Green also will miss Saturday's game, the second straight game that he'll be sidelined by a sprained right foot and toe.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers' injury list continues to grow with starting forward Cedi Osman the latest addition.Osman will miss Saturday's game at Chicago with back spasms that forced him to leave Wednesday's loss to Orlando. The Cavs, who are 1-10 and missing three other starters, had hoped rest would help Osman, but he's not ready to play.Cleveland is already without All-Star forward Kevin Love, point guard George Hill and backup forward Sam Dekker, who moved into the starting lineup before Love underwent foot surgery.Coach Larry Drew said Friday that Osman will miss one game and be reassessed.Drew, who recently signed a new contract after taking over following Tyronn Lue's firing, said the Cavs aren't "snakebit." He acknowledged the team needs its reserves to step up while the team is short-handed.Because of the injuries, Drew will shuffle his lineup again.The Cavs signed guard Andrew Harrison to a two-way contract.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers are losing games and players at an alarming rate.Starting point guard George Hill could miss two weeks with a sprained right shoulder, the latest setback for the Cavs, who have won just one game and are expected to be without All-Star forward Kevin Love for at least another five weeks following foot surgery.Cleveland is also missing forward Sam Dekker, who sprained his ankle and is out for a month.Hill was a late scratch before Wednesday night's loss to Oklahoma City. The 32-year-old, who hurt his shoulder on the final possession of Monday's loss in Orlando, went through his usual pregame workout, but was experiencing pain in his shoulder and couldn't play against the Thunder. Further medical tests performed Thursday revealed the sprain.Hill's setback is yet another obstacle for the Cavs, who are an NBA-worst 1-10 and recently fired coach Tyronn Lue. Cleveland's had other issues in its first season since LeBron James bolted as a free agent after leading the... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says Cavaliers starting point guard George Hill will miss at least two weeks with a shoulder injury.Hill has a sprained shoulder, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Cleveland has not yet provided an update on the veteran guard's condition. Hill was kept out of Wednesday's loss to Oklahoma City because of soreness.ESPN was first to report Hill's injury.Hill's setback is another shot to the Cavs, who are an NBA-worst 1-10 and will be without All-Star forward Kevin Love for another five weeks — and possibly longer.While Hill is out, rookie Collin Sexton will likely stay in the starting lineup. The No. 8 overall pick made his first start against the Thunder and finished with a season-high 15 points, two rebounds and an assist in 42 minutes.Cleveland coach Larry Drew has urged his veterans to be patient with Sexton while he develops.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Russell Westbrook will miss the Oklahoma City Thunder's game Thursday night against the Houston Rockets because of a sprained left ankle.Thunder coach Billy Donovan made the announcement during his pregame media session.Westbrook was hurt Monday night against New Orleans. After coming down hard on the side of his foot, he pounded the ground in frustration before limping off the court.Westbrook missed the Thunder's victory Wednesday night over Cleveland. He was spotted walking into Chesapeake Energy Arena on Thursday without a limp.Westbrook had a procedure on his right knee that cost him the preseason and the first two games of the regular season. The Thunder are 5-2 with him in the lineup and 1-2 without him. The former league MVP is averaging 24.1 points, 8.9 assists and 8.3 rebounds.___Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports