NEW YORK (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets have agreed to trade guard Allen Crabbe, the first step into what they hope can be a big summer.The Nets will deal him along with two first-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks in a deal that will clear additional salary cap space, possibly putting themselves in position to afford two top free agents.The Nets will get forward Taurean Prince and a 2021 second-round pick in the deal, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade cannot become official until July 6.Brooklyn will hope to have secured at least one high-profile commitment in free agency by then. The Nets were already in position to be able to afford a max player and by moving Crabbe's $18.5 million salary for 2019-20, more money will become available to them.Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving are among the headline names in the class, and the Nets also have to decide if they want to re-sign point... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — A person with knowledge of the details says the Brooklyn Nets have traded guard Allen Crabbe and two first-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks in a deal that will clear additional salary cap space.The Nets will get forward Taurean Prince and a 2021 second-round pick in the deal, the person told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade cannot become official until July 6.Brooklyn will hope to have secured at least one high-profile commitment in free agency by then. The Nets were already in position to be able to afford a max player and by moving Crabbe's $18.5 million salary for 2019-20, more money will become available to them.The trade was first reported by ESPN.com.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Toronto coach Nick Nurse plays to the beats to his own drum.And that's not even one of the instruments that he's messing around with these days.Nurse's office in Toronto has a guitar stand on one side of his desk and a piano on the other. He's trying to master both; the guitar travels with him on the road and he's been known to strum it while studying film. The piano doesn't exactly fit in the overhead storage bin of the plane so it stays behind.Nurse says he's not any good yet.His team, however, is making plenty of beautiful music so far in these NBA Finals.The moment has not been too big for Nurse or the Raptors. They lead the title series 2-1 after a 123-109 win over injury-depleted Golden State on Wednesday night, an outcome that puts the two-time defending NBA champions in trouble. The maestro of the best season in Toronto history is a 51-year-old NBA coaching rookie, one who's making plenty of right moves."He looks young," Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said. "But... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Kyrie Irving can opt out of his Celtics contract and become a free agent. Gordon Hayward might never play like he did before his injury. It's possible Brad Stevens won't figure out a way to deploy all of the team's talent.There's one thing, though, that Boston boss Danny Ainge was able to rule out as he returned to work following his second heart attack: "My role's not going to change."A 60-year-old former All-Star and NBA executive of the year, Ainge was in Milwaukee for the Celtics' second-round series against the Bucks last month when he suffered what the team described as a "mild" heart attack. Doctors said at the time he was expected to make a full recovery.Speaking to reporters for the first time since he fell ill, Ainge said Wednesday that he had complete faith in assistant general manager Mike Zarren, scouting director David Lewin and player personnel director Austin Ainge."I know our organization is in great hands," he said at the team's practice facility.But he's... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Toronto star Kawhi Leonard filed a federal lawsuit against Nike on Monday, saying the footwear and apparel giant is blocking him from using a logo that he believes he owns.The suit was filed on a travel day for the NBA Finals; Leonard and the Raptors flew to Oakland, California on Monday to begin preparing for Game 3 of the title series against the Golden State Warriors, a game that will be played Wednesday night.It was filed in California because Leonard maintains a home in San Diego, the suit said.Leonard was a Nike endorser until 2018. He now endorses New Balance. A Nike spokesman declined comment Monday, saying the company does not discuss pending litigation. Leonard is scheduled to speak with reporters on Tuesday when practice resumes at the NBA Finals.In the lawsuit, Leonard said Nike filed a copyright application for a logo that he designed and did so "unbeknownst to Leonard and without his consent." Nike told Leonard earlier this year to stop using the logo,... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — The mantra for Golden State during Steve Kerr's five seasons with the Warriors has been "Strength in Numbers."It's more than a marketing slogan.It's a catchy phrase on shirts, for sure, and it's emblazoned plenty of places for all to see — even on one shoulder of Stephen Curry's gray sweat suit, with the NBA Finals logo on the other side. But it's hard to imagine a time where it means more to the Warriors than right now, when the only thing being tested more than their mettle is their depth.The champions are heading home off a win ailing, but not trailing. Whether it was DeMarcus Cousins playing 28 minutes, or Quinn Cook tying a playoff career-high with three 3-pointers, or all 13 Warriors getting into the game — some of them for only four seconds, but in nonetheless — the two-time defending NBA champions found a way.Game 2 is in the books. Golden State 109, Toronto 104. Series tied at 1-1.Off to Oracle Arena in Oakland, California for Game 3 on Wednesday night."When you... [More]

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Retired NBA star Dwyane Wade was a surprise guest speaker Sunday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School's graduation ceremony, leading cheers and recalling how nervous he was to meet students following the on-campus shootings last year that claimed 17 lives.Wade called himself "part of this MSD family" and told graduates that it was understandable if they feel unsure about their futures — because in some ways, after 16 years in the NBA, he also is unsure exactly what his future entails."I'm so proud to say the words 'MSD Strong,'" Wade said. "Today, you will close a chapter in your lives and embark on new experiences and journeys and memories. And it's a time to celebrate and be proud of everything you've done to make it to this moment. As you know, I, too, recently closed a pretty significant chapter in my life. So in a way I feel like I can relate to what's going on in your minds right now."Wade's appearance was not publicly disclosed before it happened; such was... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee police officers have testified under oath in a lawsuit from Bucks player Sterling Brown that they violated his civil rights when they used a stun gun to arrest him over a parking violation last year, Brown's attorney said Friday.The comments from attorney Mark Thomsen came in response to a report from The Journal Sentinel saying the city's attorneys want to offer Brown $400,000 to settle the lawsuit he filed accusing police of using excessive force and targeting him because he's black.The Common Council had scheduled a vote on the proposed settlement on June 10.Talking to reporters in front of City Hall, Thomsen appeared irked at the offer and the fact that he found out about it while deposing a police sergeant "who admitted under oath that he failed to protect Mr. Brown's safety.""Several officers have admitted to violating Mr. Brown's constitutional rights," he said, referring to the depositions he's taken for the lawsuit.Thomsen said Brown has not seen the... [More]

Obnoxious sideline celebrities are as much a part of the NBA as slam dunks and getting away with an extra step or two.From Jack Nicholson to Spike Lee to Jimmy Buffett, we've grown accustomed to boorish, entitled superstars doing their best to make themselves part of the game.Welcome to the club, Drake.The Toronto rapper-slash-superfan has gotten as much air time as anyone on the court with his antics during the playoffs. He mocked Philadelphia's Joel Embiid. He rubbed the shoulders of Raptors coach Nick Nurse during a game. And, after the opener of the NBA Finals, he exchanged some heated words with Golden State's Draymond Green.Here's an idea: Let's ignore Drake for the rest of what could be a memorable series between the Raptors and Warriors.That goes for the TV cameras that can't seem to turn away from him. That goes for those of us in the media who can't seem to quit writing about him (I promise, this will be my one and only Drake column). And it most certainly goes for the Warriors,... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers are paying a price, because Doc Rivers paid Toronto star Kawhi Leonard a compliment.The NBA fined the Clippers $50,000 on Friday for violating the league's anti-tampering rule. The league did not specifically say what comments were determined to be fine-worthy, other than saying it was in response to what Rivers — the Clippers' coach — said about Leonard "in a recent television appearance."Rivers appeared on an NBA Finals preview show on ESPN earlier in the week and compared Leonard to Michael Jordan. The NBA has regularly warned teams about the perils of saying anything that could be construed as lobbying for a player who is under contract to one team to join another."I would just say Doc has been at this a long time," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Friday at an NBA Cares event in Toronto, not long after the fine was announced. "It's not a fun part of my job ever fining anyone. And I understand the competing interest of the media in hearing a... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The attorney for Milwaukee Bucks guard Sterling Brown says police officers have testified under oath in a lawsuit that they violated his civil rights when they used a stun gun to arrest him over a parking violation.The comments Friday from attorney Mark Thomsen came in response to a report from The Journal Sentinel saying the city's attorneys want to offer Brown $400,000 to settle the lawsuit he filed last year. Thomsen says he has not discussed the offer with Brown.Brown illegally parked in a disabled spot outside a Walgreens on Jan. 26, 2018, and was talking with a group of officers while waiting for his citation when the situation escalated. Officers took him down and used a stun gun because he didn't immediately remove his hands from his pockets, as ordered.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The city of Milwaukee wants to offer Bucks guard Sterling Brown $400,000 to settle his lawsuit alleging that police used excessive force when they used a stun gun to arrest him over a parking violation.The Journal Sentinel reports that the city's Common Council has scheduled a June 10 vote on whether to extend the offer. City attorneys are asking officials to authorize it.Brown filed a federal lawsuit last year that also accuses police of targeting him because he's black. There's no indication that Brown would accept such an offer.Brown illegally parked in a disabled spot outside a Walgreens on Jan. 26, 2018, and was talking with a group of officers while waiting for his citation when the situation escalated. Officers took him down and used a stun gun because he didn't immediately remove his hands from his pockets, as ordered.

TORONTO (AP) — Kyle Lowry had never been to an NBA Finals game.This was the deal he made with himself: He wasn't going to see the NBA's biggest stage until he earned the right to be there as a player. So he never made a trip to see his peers play for the title that he has coveted for 13 years. That's why on Thursday night, the Toronto point guard took a little look around at what he's been missing."It was pretty cool," Lowry said. "It was pretty good."And it was most definitely worth the wait.Lowry has now been to the NBA Finals — and knows what winning a game in the title series is like, too. The longest-tenured Raptors player had a solid stat line — seven points, six rebounds and nine assists — as Toronto topped Golden State 118-109 in Game 1 of the title series, ending the Warriors' streak of 12 straight opening-game-of-a-series victories."I think that one of the best things about this team is that you don't have to put a burden of 20 to 25 points on him," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Kyle Lowry had never been to an NBA Finals game.This was the deal he made with himself: He wasn't going to see the NBA's biggest stage until he earned the right to be there as a player. So he never made a trip to see his peers play for the title that he has coveted for 13 years. That's why on Thursday night, the Toronto point guard took a little look around at what he's been missing."It was pretty cool," Lowry said. "It was pretty good."And it was most definitely worth the wait.Lowry has now been to the NBA Finals — and knows what winning a game in the title series is like, too. The longest-tenured Raptors player had a solid stat line — seven points, six rebounds and nine assists — as Toronto topped Golden State 118-109 in Game 1 of the title series, ending the Warriors' streak of 12 straight opening-game-of-a-series victories."I think that one of the best things about this team is that you don't have to put a burden of 20 to 25 points on him," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Amadou Gallo Fall is the first president of the Basketball Africa League, and Anibal Manave has been tabbed as the inaugural president of the board for the new league.The NBA and FIBA made the announcements Tuesday. Fall has been with the NBA since 2010, most recently as its vice president and managing director for Africa. Manave has been a member of FIBA's Central Board.The NBA announced in February that it was collaborating with FIBA to start a league in Africa. The 12-team league is scheduled to begin play next year.Fall is a native of Senegal and has helped oversee the NBA's growth in Africa, such as the execution of three sold-out Africa Games, the Basketball Without Borders programs there and The NBA Academy Africa — which opened in 2017. Manave is a native of Mozambique and is a former player, coach and commissioner in his homeland."It's definitely great for the continent, and every African player being able to have that," Toronto forward Pascal Siakam, a native of Cameroon, said Tuesday. "They have the NBA Academy and things like that, just growing the game in Africa. We can all just be proud of that."___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers owner and billionaire businessman Dan Gilbert is recovering after suffering symptoms of a stroke and seeking hospital care.Officials with Detroit-based Quicken Loans said in a statement that Gilbert "received immediate medical attention and is currently recovering comfortably" after going to a Detroit-area hospital early Sunday with "stroke-like symptoms." Gilbert is the company's founder and chairman.No other details were provided on Gilbert's condition, a diagnosis or prognosis. The company said Gilbert's family requests privacy at this time.Gilbert has owned the Cavs since 2005.The 57-year-old introduced new Cavs coach John Beilein at a press conference Tuesday at the team's training facility in Independence, Ohio.His hospitalization comes a month before his Rocket Mortgage is to host Detroit's first PGA Tour event. It also follows his launch of a ballot drive just days earlier to push auto insurance reform in Michigan. The state Legislature passed a landmark... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry hears the dynasty discussion about his Golden State Warriors during another postseason run.Draymond Green realizes special teams only stay together for so long before something breaks them apart.That's why the Warriors decided from Day 1 of training camp to cherish this season.Golden State is a franchise in its prime — five straight trips to the NBA Finals and seeking a third consecutive title. But the clock is ticking and the Warriors are well aware of the possible ramifications of free agency and how things could change in a hurry this summer."Basketball careers aren't that long. If you can get 10 out of it, you're lucky," Green explained. "To be to five straight finals, I don't even know what to say about it. This is what you play for. This is our goal every year and to get here five straight times is special."The Warriors started this run with three All-Stars in Curry, Green and Klay Thompson. They added two more in Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins.... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Curry hears the dynasty discussion about his Golden State Warriors during another postseason run.Draymond Green realizes special teams only stay together for so long before something breaks them apart.That's why the Warriors decided from Day 1 of training camp to cherish this season.Golden State is a franchise in its prime — five straight trips to the NBA Finals and seeking a third consecutive title. But the clock is ticking and the Warriors are well aware of the possible ramifications of free agency and how things could change in a hurry this summer."Basketball careers aren't that long. If you can get 10 out of it, you're lucky," Green explained. "To be to five straight finals, I don't even know what to say about it. This is what you play for. This is our goal every year and to get here five straight times is special."The Warriors started this run with three All-Stars in Curry, Green and Klay Thompson. They added two more in Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins.... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Mired in their worst skid of the season at the worst possible time, the Milwaukee Bucks need an answer in the Eastern Conference finals.A lineup change didn't provide one, so the Bucks have to come up with something else in Toronto.The Bucks returned to the starting five they used most of the season in Game 5, the lineup that helped them to the NBA's best record. But they were left with the same result as the third and fourth games and now face elimination when the series resumes Saturday.Guard Malcolm Brogdon finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and six assists Thursday in his first start since returning from a foot injury in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics. But his first career postseason double-double wasn't enough as Milwaukee lost 105-99 to the Raptors.The top-seeded Bucks need a win in Toronto after falling there twice already in the series."You know, we've been a resilient group all year," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden got the most votes, and Damian Lillard and Kemba Walker also were big winners when the All-NBA teams were announced.Those guards can cash in with supermax contracts based on their selections to one of the three All-NBA teams that were announced Thursday.LeBron James also was voted to the third team, tying the NBA record with his 15th All-NBA selection.Rounding out the first team were Stephen Curry, Paul George and Nikola Jokic, who was Denver's first All-NBA selection since Carmelo Anthony in 2010.Antetokounmpo and Harden were unanimous selections, receiving all 100 votes from a panel of writers and broadcasters who had to choose two guards, two forwards and one center for each of the three teams.Walker was the final selection but all that matters is that he made it. By doing so, he became eligible to receive a five-year contract extension worth about $221 million from the Hornets if he opts to stay in Charlotte, a reward the NBA put... [More]