DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons have signed 38-year-old swingman Joe Johnson.Detroit announced the move Thursday.The 17-year NBA veteran did not play in the league last season. He was recently named MVP of the BIG3 3-on-3 basketball league.Johnson averaged 6.8 points in 55 games for Houston and Utah during two seasons ago. The seven-time All-Star has also played for Boston, Phoenix, Atlanta, Brooklyn and Miami, averaging 16 points over his career with 15 double-digit scoring seasons.The Pistons previously signed 30-year-old guard Derrick Rose, a former NBA MVP, and 30-year-old forward Markieff Morris this offseason. They are shooting to make the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since earning a spot in eight straight postseasons from 2002 to 2009.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets have a new owner and a new CEO.Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai completed his purchase of the team and Barclays Center on Wednesday, then announced that he had hired former Turner Broadcasting President David Levy to oversee both.Tsai's purchase of the Nets was unanimously approved Wednesday by the NBA's board of governors. He spent nearly $3.5 billion for the team and the arena, a record sale for a U.S. sports franchise.The native of Taiwan already had purchased 49% of the team from Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov in 2018, with the option to become controlling owner in 2021, but pushed up that timeline for full ownership of the team."In addition to being a passionate basketball fan, Joe is one of China's pre-eminent internet, media and e-commerce pioneers and his expertise will be invaluable in the league's efforts to grow the game in China and other global markets," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.The Nets will travel to China next month... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wizards guard Isaiah Thomas underwent thumb surgery and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.The team says Thomas ruptured the radial collateral ligament in his left thumb during routine workouts Monday and had surgery Wednesday. General manager Tommy Sheppard says it is "an unfortunate setback" for Thomas but expects the 30-year-old to make a full recovery.Thomas signed with Washington as a free agent July 6 after spending last season with the Denver Nuggets. He has averaged 18.6 points and 5.1 assists a game during his eight-year NBA career.This injury is another blow to the Wizards, who are expected to be without guard John Wall for at least the first half of the season and perhaps all of it because of a ruptured Achilles tendon.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets have a new owner and a new CEO.Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai completed his purchase of the team and Barclays Center on Wednesday, then announced that he had hired former Turner Broadcasting President David Levy to oversee both.Tsai's purchase of the Nets was unanimously approved Wednesday by the NBA's board of governors. He spent nearly $3.5 billion for the team and the arena, a record sale for a U.S. sports franchise.The native of Taiwan already had purchased 49% of the team from Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov in 2018, with the option to become controlling owner in 2021, but pushed up that timeline for full ownership of the team."In addition to being a passionate basketball fan, Joe is one of China's pre-eminent internet, media and e-commerce pioneers and his expertise will be invaluable in the league's efforts to grow the game in China and other global markets," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.The Nets will travel to China next month... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Shaun Livingston's career nearly ended far ahead of his schedule because of a gruesome knee injury. Now, he gets to retire on his own terms — and with three championships after playing a key role during the Golden State Warriors' recent title runs.The 34-year-old Livingston announced his retirement Friday following 15 NBA seasons, an anticipated move. He reached the NBA Finals in each of his five seasons with Golden State, his ninth NBA team.In a social media post, Livingston said: "After 15 years in the NBA, I'm excited, sad, fortunate and grateful all in one breath. Hard to put into a caption all of the emotions it takes to try and accomplish your dreams. I wasn't supposed to be here. Anybody that has beat the odds understands the mental and emotional strain it takes to inspire yourself on an uphill war, let alone inspire others."With the Clippers on Feb. 26, 2007, Livingston's left leg buckled when he fell to the court in a freak accident. Doctors thought it might have to be amputated.Livingston tore three major ligaments in his knee — the anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate and medial collateral — as well as his lateral meniscus, then required extensive surgery performed by renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.Livingston, who also dislocated his knee cap and tibiofemoral joint, overcame long medical odds just to get back on the court.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Shaun Livingston's career nearly ended far ahead of his schedule because of a gruesome knee injury. Now, he gets to retire on his own terms — and with three championships after playing a key role during the Golden State Warriors' recent title runs.The 34-year-old Livingston announced his retirement Friday following 15 NBA seasons, an anticipated move. He reached the NBA Finals in each of his five seasons with Golden State, his ninth NBA team.With the Clippers on Feb. 26, 2007, Livingston's left leg buckled when he fell to the court in a freak accident. Doctors thought it might have to be amputated.Livingston tore three major ligaments in his knee, as well as his lateral meniscus, then required extensive surgery.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A relative of NBA star Kawhi Leonard has confirmed his sister is one of two women accused of robbing and killing an elderly woman at a Southern California casino.The Riverside Press-Enterprise reports the aunt of 35-year-old Kimesha Williams confirmed Saturday that Williams is the sister of the Los Angeles Clippers forward.Authorities say Williams and an accomplice followed an 84-year-old woman into a bathroom at Pechanga Resort Casino on Aug. 31, broke her skull and stole her purse. The victim died Wednesday.A Riverside County sheriff's investigator is asking a judge to keep Williams held without bail, saying she may flee and "has family that are well-off and could post her bail."Leonard attended high school in the area. He led the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship during the 2018-19 season before signing with the LA Clippers.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A relative of NBA star Kawhi Leonard has confirmed his sister is one of two women accused of robbing and killing an elderly woman at a Southern California casino.The Riverside Press-Enterprise reports the aunt of 35-year-old Kimesha Williams confirmed Saturday that Williams is the sister of the Los Angeles Clippers forward.Authorities say Williams and an accomplice followed an 84-year-old woman into a bathroom at Pechanga Resort Casino on Aug. 31, broke her skull and stole her purse. The victim died Wednesday.A Riverside County sheriff's investigator is asking a judge to keep Williams held without bail, saying she may flee and "has family that are well-off and could post her bail."Leonard attended high school in the area. He led the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship during the 2018-19 season before signing with the Clippers.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dwight Howard says he is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers with a new outlook on basketball and his place in it.The veteran center hopes the Lakers fans— and a couple of retired Lakers superstars — who learned to loathe the old Dwight over the past six years will give him another chance.Howard called it "a very big blessing" Wednesday to re-sign with the Lakers , who chose him as the improbable replacement for injured center DeMarcus Cousins.The 33-year-old Howard spent the eventful 2012-13 season with the Lakers before abruptly leaving as a free agent. After six up-and-down seasons away from LA and a self-described difficult offseason in his personal life, Howard is energized by the chance to team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in a familiar jersey."Not too often in life do you get second chances," Howard said on a conference call in his first public comments about the reunion. "This is an awesome experience. I'm just looking forward to being the best teammate,... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — An attorney for Bucks guard Sterling Brown says Milwaukee's $400,000 offer to settle Brown's lawsuit against the city over his arrest last year is insufficient because it doesn't include an admission of guilt.Attorney Mark Thomsen said Wednesday that any settlement would have to include such an admission.The city's Common Council has given Brown 14 days to accept or decline the settlement offer.Brown contends in his lawsuit that police used excessive force and targeted him because he is black when they confronted him for parking illegally in a handicapped-accessible spot in January 2018. He was talking with 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) — Milwaukee city officials are offering Bucks guard Sterling Brown $400,000 to settle his lawsuit accusing police of using excessive force and targeting him because he's black when they confronted him over a parking violation.The city's Common Council authorized the offer Wednesday during a closed session. Brown has 14 days to accept or decline it.Brown's attorney didn't immediately comment, but he planned to address it at a news conference later Wednesday morning.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.___This story has been corrected to reflect that Brown's attorney's news conference was planned for Wednesday, not Monday.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee city officials are offering Bucks guard Sterling Brown $400,000 to settle his lawsuit accusing police of using excessive force and targeting him because he's black when they confronted him over a parking violation.The city's Common Council authorized the offer Wednesday during a closed session. Brown has 14 days to accept or decline it.Brown's attorney didn't immediately comment, but he planned to address it at a news conference later Monday morning.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.

SHANGHAI (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says the Houston Rockets and veteran guard Eric Gordon have agreed on a contract extension that could keep him with the team for another five seasons in all.Gordon and the Rockets agreed on a three-year extension, which begins with the 2020-21 season, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side has publicly announced the agreement. There is an option for a fourth year to be added, which could push the total value of the new deal to just under $76 million.The Houston Chronicle first reported the agreement and ESPN first reported certain terms including how the final year is not yet guaranteed unless Gordon is selected as an All-Star or the Rockets win a championship. Gordon will make $14 million this season and then average about $18 million in salary over the following three years.Gordon has been remarkably consistent in his three seasons with the Rockets, averaging 16.8... [More]

SHANGHAI (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says the Houston Rockets and veteran guard Eric Gordon have agreed on a contract extension that could keep him with the team for another five seasons in all.Gordon and the Rockets agreed on a three-year extension, which begins with the 2020-21 season, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side has publicly announced the agreement. There is an option for a fourth year to be added, which could push the total value of the new deal to just under $76 million.The Houston Chronicle first reported the agreement and ESPN first reported certain terms including how the final year is not yet guaranteed unless Gordon is selected as an All-Star or the Rockets win a championship. Gordon will make $14 million this season and then average about $18 million in salary over the following three years.Gordon has been remarkably consistent in his three seasons with the Rockets, averaging 16.8... [More]

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Alabama police have issued an arrest warrant for Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge for harassing communications. .The Mobile municipal court website indicates a warrant was issued for harassing communications, but does not list other detailsTMZ released an audio recording Tuesday in which it says Cousins threatens to shoot Christy West, the mother of their 7-year-old child.Lakers spokesperson Alison Bogli said Thursday the team had no immediate comment beyond a statement issued Tuesday after learning of the recording .The Lakers say they "take this claim seriously" and are gathering information and looking into the allegations.The 6-foot-11, 270-pound Cousins signed with the Lakers last month as a free agent, but the 29-year-old veteran center then tore a knee ligament during a workout earlier this month.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Former Golden State center Zaza Pachulia has re-joined the Warriors, no longer as a player but working as a consultant.The team announced Pachulia's hiring Thursday along with naming Steve Kerr's entire coaching staff and the promotion of ex-forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. to assistant general manager.Pachulia played for the back-to-back champion Warriors teams of 2017 and '18 before spending the final season of his 16-year playing career with Detroit.He is eager to be part of a new era beginning this season at San Francisco's Chase Center, which the Warriors have been showing off this week as opening nears next month."I'm super excited and looking forward to it," Pachulia said in a text message. "It's going to be a fun process."While Pachulia only appeared in seven games during the 2018 run with no starts after starting 15 postseason games the previous year, his veteran presence and team-first mindset meant so much to Kerr and the Warriors. He will be used as a consultant... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Former Golden State center Zaza Pachulia has re-joined the Warriors, no longer as a player but working as a consultant.The team announced Pachulia's hiring Thursday along with naming Steve Kerr's entire coaching staff and the promotion of ex-forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. to assistant general manager.Pachulia played for the back-to-back champion Warriors teams of 2017 and '18 before spending the final season of his 16-year playing career with Detroit.He is eager to be part of a new era beginning this season at San Francisco's Chase Center, which the Warriors have been showing off this week as opening nears next month."I'm super excited and looking forward to it," Pachulia said in a text message. "It's going to be a fun process."While Pachulia only appeared in seven games during the 2018 run with no starts after starting 15 postseason games the previous year, his veteran presence and team-first mindset meant so much to Kerr and the Warriors. He will be used as a consultant... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Brooklyn Nets forward Wilson Chandler has been suspended 25 games without pay by the NBA for testing positive for Ipamorelin, a drug that increases the release of growth hormone.The league says Thursday that Chandler's suspension will begin with the first regular-season game in which he is healthy and eligible to play.The Nets signed the veteran forward during their busy offseason. He could play a valuable role in the absence of Kevin Durant, who is still recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon.Chandler, a first-round pick of the New York Knicks in 2007, has averaged 12.9 points in 11 seasons.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA say they're investigating a claim that center DeMarcus Cousins threatened violence against a former girlfriend.TMZ released an audio recording Tuesday in which it says Cousins threatens to shoot Christy West, the mother of their 7-year-old child.The Lakers issued a statement saying they "take this claim seriously." The team and the NBA both say they're gathering information and looking into the allegations.Cousins got married to another woman last weekend in Atlanta.Cousins signed with the Lakers last month as a free agent, but the veteran center then tore a knee ligament during a workout earlier this month. He could miss the entire season with his new team after knee surgery.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA say they're investigating a claim that center DeMarcus Cousins threatened violence against a former girlfriend.TMZ released an audio recording Tuesday in which it says Cousins threatens to shoot Christy West, the mother of their 7-year-old child.The Lakers issued a statement saying they "take this claim seriously." The team and the NBA both say they're gathering information and looking into the allegations.Cousins got married last weekend in Atlanta.Cousins signed with the Lakers last month as a free agent, but the veteran center then tore a knee ligament during a workout earlier this month. He could miss the entire season with his new team after knee surgery.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports