All the momentum the Sacramento Kings had when the NBA season shut down in March disappeared when they arrived in the bubble.The disappointing performance in Florida has left the Kings on the outside of the playoffs for the 14th straight season. That's the longest active drought in the NBA and led to change in the front office with Vlade Divac stepping down as general manager.“I feel like you’re always trying to play your best basketball late into March and April and I thought we were on our way to doing that,” first-year coach Luke Walton said. “So that part of it, I thought it was a success. We hit a bunch of lows this year too. Some came from injuries, some came from the way we were playing and that, we don’t want to see.”Those lows were evident in the bubble when the Kings lost five of their first six games to get eliminated from postseason contention. The team was hampered by Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield, Jabari Parker and Alex Len all positive for COVID-19 and missing practice time... [More]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Luke Walton was trying to find the right words to motivate his players to finish the season strong.The Sacramento Kings had been eliminated from playoff contention, which was nothing new for the team with the NBA’s longest streak of missing the postseason.Yet, even players who’d spent their whole careers with the organization had never heard the type of speech their coach made this week. This wasn’t the normal talk of playing for pride, of trying to make an impression for next season. “He said something like, ‘We don’t know when the basketball is going to come back after this time,’” guard Bogdan Bogdanovic said. The 22 teams who qualified for the NBA’s restart will be down to 16 by the end of the weekend, when the playoff bracket is set. The other six clubs exit World Disney World the same way as tourists who normally pack the place.Their fun is over. Now it’s back to the real world, and the real world in 2020 is an unsettling place. “The unknown, none of... [More]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings became the latest NBA player to reveal that he has the coronavirus, making the announcement Tuesday and saying he has hopes to join his team for the league’s restart later this summer.Barnes is the only player who has started all 64 of the Kings’ games this season. To extend that streak, he’ll need to be cleared and arrive at Walt Disney World before Sacramento’s season resumes with the first of its eight seeding games on July 31 against San Antonio.“Prior to the team leaving last week, I tested positive for Covid-19,” Barnes wrote on social media. “I’ve been primarily asymptomatic and am doing well. I’m quarantined and am abiding by the safety protocol until I’m cleared for action. I hope to join my team in Orlando when it is safe to do so! Stay safe out there.”Barnes is averaging 14.7 points this season for the Kings.The league said Monday that 19 players tested positive during in-market testing after July 1, those... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says Miami forward Derrick Jones Jr. has tested positive for the coronavirus, a result that came in shortly after the Heat and other NBA teams began mandatory testing in preparation for next month's resumption of the season.Jones, the reigning NBA slam dunk contest champion, still plans to play when the Heat get back on the floor at the Disney complex near Orlando next month, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because neither the Heat nor the player revealed the result publicly.League officials have expected that positive tests would be inevitable, and believed that starting a testing regimen now — roughly five weeks before games begin at Disney — will give players with positive results time to recover and get back with their teams before those contests start July 30.A small number of NBA players publicly revealed Wednesday that they had tested positive, including Sacramento teammates Jabari Parker and Alex Len and Indiana's Malcolm Brogdon. All-Star Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has also tested positive, a person with knowledge of that situation told AP on Tuesday.Jones will be a free agent when this season ends. He's averaging a career-best 8.9 points this season for the Heat, who have clinched a postseason berth.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says Miami forward Derrick Jones Jr. has tested positive for the coronavirus, a result that came in shortly after the Heat and other NBA teams began mandatory testing in preparation for next month's resumption of the season.Jones, the reigning NBA slam dunk contest champion, still plans to play when the Heat get back on the floor at the Disney complex near Orlando next month, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because neither the Heat nor the player revealed the result publicly.League officials have expected that positive tests would be inevitable, and believed that starting a testing regimen now — roughly five weeks before games begin at Disney — will give players with positive results time to recover and get back with their teams before those contests start July 30.A small number of NBA players publicly revealed Wednesday that they had tested positive, including Sacramento teammates Jabari Parker and Alex Len and Indiana's Malcolm Brogdon. All-Star Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has also tested positive, a person with knowledge of that situation told AP on Tuesday.Jones will be a free agent when this season ends. He's averaging a career-best 8.9 points this season for the Heat, who have clinched a postseason berth.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NBA expected positive coronavirus results to happen once players began undergoing mandatory tests, and three players revealed Wednesday they are dealing with COVID-19.Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon and Sacramento Kings players Jabari Parker and Alex Len all said they have tested positive for the coronavirus.Brogdon and Parker made announcements in the form of statements released by their teams. Len announced his status in an Instagram post. All three said they expect to be with their teams when the NBA season resumes at the Disney complex near Orlando, Florida, next month.“I recently tested positive for the COVID virus and am currently in quarantine," Brogdon said in his statement. “I’m doing well, feeling well and progressing well. I plan to join my teammates in Orlando for the resumption of the NBA season and playoffs.”All 22 NBA teams that will be part of the resumed season began mandated testing Tuesday. League officials have expected that positive tests... [More]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon and Sacramento Kings forward Jabari Parker both revealed Wednesday that they have tested positive for the coronavirus.Both made announcements in the forms of statements released by their teams. And Brogdon and Parker both believe they will be with their teams when the NBA season resumes at the Disney complex near Orlando, Florida, next month.“I recently tested positive for the COVID virus and am currently in quarantine," Brogdon said in his statement. “I’m doing well, feeling well and progressing well. I plan to join my teammates in Orlando for the resumption of the NBA season and playoffs.”All 22 NBA teams that will be part of the resumed season began mandated testing Tuesday. League officials have expected that positive tests would be inevitable, and believed that starting a testing regimen now — roughly five weeks before games begin at Disney — will give players with positive results time to recover and get back with their teams... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks completed their dramatic overhaul of their center position on Thursday by reacquiring Dewayne Dedmon from the Sacramento Kings and Skal Labissiere from the Portland Trail Blazers.The trades came one day after Atlanta acquired center Clint Capela from Houston.The Hawks didn't stop with Dedmon and Capela. The team added more help inside by acquiring Labissiere and cash from Portland in exchange for a conditional 2024 second-round pick.The Hawks had roster spots to fill after requesting waivers on center Nenê, who was acquired with Capela, and forward Chandler Parsons. Dedmon is returning to Atlanta, where he enjoyed his two most productive seasons, from 2017-19. The trade sent center Alex Len and forward Jabari Parker to Sacramento. The Kings also are giving the Hawks two second-round picks.“We are happy to welcome Dewayne back to Atlanta,” said Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk. “In his time with us, he developed into a reliable outside shooter and strong... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says center Dewayne Dedmon is returning to the Atlanta Hawks in a trade that sends center Alex Len and forward Jabari Parker to the Sacramento Kings. The Kings also are giving the Hawks two second-round picks.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade has not been announced by the teams. The deal comes hours before the NBA trade deadline.Dedmon is returning to Atlanta, where he enjoyed his two most productive seasons, from 2017-19. The trade also satisfies his wish to leave Sacramento. Dedmon was fined $50,000 on Jan. 2 for making public his desire to be traded by the Kings."I haven’t been playing, so I would like to go somewhere where my talents are appreciated,” Dedmon told the Sacramento Bee Dedmon has averaged 5.1 points and 4.9 rebounds while starting in only 10 games for the Kings this season. He averaged a career-best 10.8 points with 7.5 rebounds for Atlanta in the 2018-19 season.According... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks have signed Paul Watson to a 10-day contract to add needed depth at forward.The Hawks were without forwards John Collins (back contusion), Jabari Parker (throat infection) and F Cam Reddish (right wrist sprain) in Saturday night's win over Indiana. The 6-foot-6 Watson, from Fresno State, has started 13 games for the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. He has averaged 18.4 points and 7.4 rebounds. He played for the G League Westchester Knicks the last two seasons.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Even when producing the most first-half points of his career, Trae Young didn't carry the load alone for the Atlanta Hawks.Young's backcourt partner, Kevin Huerter, also enjoyed a memorable night.Young scored 30 of his 41 points in the first half, Huerter added a season-high 26 points and the Hawks recovered after blowing a 22-point lead to beat the Indiana Pacers 116-111 on Saturday night.Huerter scored 12 points in the third quarter, helping Atlanta keep pace in a game with 14 lead changes.“We had a couple guys out again tonight and a couple guys just weren't shooting very well,” Huerter said. “I was just trying to stay aggressive. I knew I made a couple shots and was feeling pretty good. We ran a lot of sets for me.”Young and Huerter combined to make nine 3-point shots. The Hawks, who have the NBA's worst record, improved to only 4-12 in home games.The Hawks started strong offensively, scoring 43 points in the first quarter. Defensive problems have helped keep Atlanta... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young scored 30 of his 41 points in the first half, Kevin Huerter added a season-high 26 points and the Atlanta Hawks recovered after blowing a 22-point lead to beat the Indiana Pacers 116-111 on Saturday night.Young and Huerter combined to make nine 3-point shots. The Hawks, who have the NBA's worst record, improved to only 4-12 in home games.Atlanta led by just two points before Young's drive and layup pushed the lead to 113-109. Young, defended by T.J. Warren, lost possession of his dribble out of bounds with 24.8 seconds remaining. A review confirmed the officials' call that possession belonged to the Hawks, but Vince Carter's air ball with the shot clock on the verge of expiring gave the Pacers another chance.Warren made only one of two free throws after he was fouled with 4.5 seconds remaining. Young made just the second of his two free throws for a 114-111 lead, but was fouled again and this time sank both attempts to clinch the win.Domantas Sabonis had 25 points... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said the team will support forward John Collins following his suspension for a positive drug test.Pierce insisted his first concern is helping Collins "get through this, not as a player but as a person," but the coach likewise acknowledged that Collins let the team down."Of course it's disturbing, that this is something you hope you can prevent, and we hope we can educate him on that, but he made a decision, or someone made a decision and somehow we got to this point," Pierce said. "It's our job to get to the information, to keep all our guys from making this decision or being in this position again, but it hurts our team."Collins, Atlanta's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, was suspended for 25 games without pay on Tuesday for a violation of the NBA's anti-drug program after testing positive for a growth hormone.The NBA announced that the 22-year-old Collins tested positive for Peptide-2. Collins apologized in a statement, saying he was... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Vince Carter is on the cusp of a revered NBA career record, the most seasons ever played.He promises season No. 22 will be his last."I wouldn't let you guys say this is the last one if that wasn't the case," Carter said Monday at the Atlanta Hawks' media day. "I don't want to do that. Even if I change my mind now, for me I feel like it's too late, but no, this is it."When Carter checks into his first game — likely the Oct. 24 opener at Detroit — he will break a tie with Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki, all of whom played 21 years.Carter, who turns 43 in January, still can't quite comprehend what the record encompasses, but he's glad to have all of training camp and the preseason to sort out what's next."Stepping on the court to make it official is going to be kind of crazy," he said. "When you see that list and you see that cluster of guys and you see the next number is 22 and to see me passing guys like that — I've been asked that all summer... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — As the Atlanta Hawks head into the third year of a massive overhaul, there are definite signs of hope.They might even have a shot at the playoffs in the wide-open Eastern Conference.But, as the team prepares to open training camp with an intriguing core of young players, those in charge aren't in any hurry to rush the process."We haven't done anything," coach Lloyd Pierce said Friday. "I don't want any our guys thinking we've accomplished anything just yet."Indeed, the Hawks won just 29 games a season ago, so this is still very much a long-term project.But general manager Travis Schlenk has taken major strides in constructing a totally new roster, one that follows the blueprint laid out by his former employer, the three-time champion Golden State Warriors.Trae Young and John Collins have already established themselves as two of the NBA's brightest young prospects. Kevin Huerter made big strides during his rookie season. De'Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish and Bruno Fernando were... [More]

Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan agreed to deals with Brooklyn to start one of the wildest days in NBA free agent history.Al Horford went from Boston to the rival 76ers. Kemba Walker is a Celtic after eight seasons with the Charlotte Hornets in a sign-and-trade for Terry Rozier. Khris Middleton (Milwaukee) and Tobias Harris (Philadelphia) agreed to big extensions.The Knicks missed out on the biggest targets before adding Julius Randle and Bobby Portis among their agreements with five players.All totaled, there were more than $3 billion in contracts in the first full day. The show goes on, with plenty more players available who could help change the complexion of the league for years to come.The list of remaining players includes:— SF Kawhi Leonard (unrestricted free agent, played with Toronto last season)Leonard is the premier free agent remaining. The two-time NBA Finals MVP led the Raptors to their first championship, averaging 30.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in 24 playoff games.—... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jabari Parker is focused on helping the Washington Wizards.His rocky stint with his hometown Chicago Bulls is over.Parker returned to Chicago on Saturday night just three days after he was traded to Washington in a multiplayer deal. The Wizards also got Bobby Portis and a protected 2023 second-round pick in exchange for Otto Porter Jr.Parker scored 20 points to help the Wizards to a 134-125 victory against his former team, and Portis had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Porter scored 17 for the Bulls."I'm looking forward. That's all I can do right now," Parker said before the game. "That's how I've been doing. Looking forward and keep improving. That's where I'm at."Parker made his Washington debut in a 119-106 victory over Cleveland on Friday night, finishing with seven points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in 23 1/2 minutes. He then traveled with the Wizards to Chicago for the opener of a four-game trip."He does a lot of good things for us," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. "We're... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jabari Parker is focused on helping the Washington Wizards.His rocky stint with his hometown Chicago Bulls is over.Parker returned to Chicago on Saturday night just three days after he was traded to Washington in a multiplayer deal. The Wizards also got Bobby Portis and a protected 2023 second-round pick in exchange for Otto Porter Jr.Parker made his Washington debut in a 119-106 victory over Cleveland on Friday night, finishing with seven points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in 23 1/2 minutes. He then traveled with the Wizards to Chicago for the opener of a four-game trip."I'm looking forward. That's all I can do right now," Parker said before the matchup with the Bulls. "That's how I've been doing. Looking forward and keep improving. That's where I'm at."It was a quick reunion for Parker, Portis and Porter with their old teams. Portis, who scored 30 points against the Cavs, was drafted by Chicago and spent his first three-plus seasons with the Bulls.Porter had been with... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Jabari Parker is focused on helping the Washington Wizards.His rocky stint with his hometown Chicago Bulls is over.Parker returned to Chicago on Saturday night just three days after he was traded to Washington in a multiplayer deal. The Wizards also got Bobby Portis and a protected 2023 second-round pick in exchange for Otto Porter Jr.Parker made his Washington debut in a 119-106 victory over Cleveland on Friday night, finishing with seven points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in 23 1/2 minutes. He then traveled with the Wizards to Chicago for the opener of a four-game trip."I'm looking forward. That's all I can do right now," Parker said before the matchup with the Bulls. "That's how I've been doing. Looking forward and keep improving. That's where I'm at."It was a quick reunion for Parker, Portis and Porter with their old teams. Portis, who scored 30 points against the Cavs, was drafted by Chicago and spent his first three-plus seasons with the Bulls.Porter had been with... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls insist they remain committed to keeping coach Jim Boylen beyond this season and that he is delivering the way they anticipated despite their poor record.Executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson said the Bulls "absolutely" plan to retain him. He said Boylen is "doing the right things" and is "promoting the right message to our players."The front office also took the blame Thursday for signing Jabari Parker last summer in a failed experiment. He was traded along with Bobby Portis and a protected 2023 second-round draft pick to Washington for Otto Porter Jr. on Wednesday."We thought at the time it was worth the roll of the dice given where we were at," Paxson said. "It didn't work out for either party."The Bulls have lost 16 of 18 games and own one of the worst records in the NBA at 12-42.There have been few signs of progress in a season where they hoped to show some. They were hit hard by injuries and have been stumbling all season.That... [More]