Jeremy Lin, others earn respect for NBA Development League

RENO — Taylor Griffin could have taken his talents to Europe, where there's more money to be had and — especially for him — less scrutiny to endure.

Yet the older brother of Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin still is chasing his dream in the NBA Development League, playing for relative pennies on the Santa Cruz Warriors with the hopes that it will eventually pay off. Like so many players in this 12-year-old, 16-team league that is looking more and more like Major League Baseball's farm system every year, he earns between $13,000 and $25,000 (plus benefits, free housing and a per diem) for an entire season.NBA jersey

"I'm trying to get back to the NBA," said Griffin, a second-round draft pick by the Phoenix Suns in 2009 out of Oklahoma who played for a season in Belgium before returning stateside. "That's the only reason I'm here. If it was coming down to money, I'd be overseas somewhere. I feel like I can develop better in the D-League. It's the NBA game, NBA style of play. And then besides that, every NBA team is watching every game pretty much. It's the best league in the world as far as NBA exposure." Wholesale jerseys

And it's only getting better.

From Jeremy Lin (Houston Rockets) to Gerald Green (Indiana Pacers), Danny Green (San Antonio Spurs), Ramon Sessions (Charlotte Bobcats), Patrick Patterson (Houston Rockets) and many more, the D-League success stories are many. jerseys outlet

Nearly 30% of the NBA's current players have had D-League experience.
Last season, the 44 players who were called up made a combined $11 million.
This season, 12 players have been called up a combined 14 times.
Franchise values that were once in the hundreds of thousands have grown as a result: The last team purchased, the Bismarck Wizards, went for about $2 million to the Golden State Warriors before they moved it to nearby Santa Cruz.
This minor league, it seems clear, has evolved in a major way since its inception in 2001.Cheapest NBA jersey

The Los Angeles Lakers became the first NBA team to buy their own D-League team (the Los Angeles D-Fenders) in 2006, but 11 of the 16 teams now are affiliated with only one NBA franchise. With front-office and coaching staffs handpicked and a consistency of philosophy and style from the top to the bottom, NBA teams have asserted control over how their prospects are handled after years without. The Washington Wizards may eventually become the 12th single-affiliate team, as they're considering the prospect of having one in nearby Baltimore.Wholesale jerseys&accessories

Rockets guard Jeremy Lin is the biggest name to go from the Development League to the NBA, but other recognizable players have made the trip, too. Flip through this gallery for more.  Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports

Clippers forward Matt Barnes used a D-League stint to carve the way for a long NBA career.  Mark J. Terrill, AP

Former NBA point guard Rafer Alston, shown in 2009, took an unusual route, from playground legend to the D-League in its early days to the NBA.  Bill Kostroun, AP

Pacers forward Gerald Green went through several countries and D-League stints before figuring out how to use his high-flying abilities at an NBA level.  Tony Dejak, AP

Danny Green began in the D-League but now starts for the Spurs.  Bahram Mark Sobhani, AP

Shannon Brown took his high-scoring ways from the D-League to the Suns.  Doug McSchooler, AP

Timberwolves guard JJ Barea went from the D-League to 2011 NBA Finals star.  Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports

Ramon Sessions graduated the D-League long enough ago that he's now a veteran for the Bobcats.  Tim Fuller, USA TODAY Sports

Timberwolves guard JJ Barea went from the D-League to 2011 NBA Finals star.  Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports

Players who have not signed NBA contracts are considered restricted free agents of sorts. They're free to sign with any NBA team but also are on the hook for as much as $50,000 should they try to play anywhere else before the stock one-year deal is up. The collective bargaining agreement that was born out of the 2011 lockout gave birth to a groundbreaking new rule, too: Whereas NBA teams could only assign their first and second-year players to the D-League previously and had a limit of three assignments per season, assignments are now unlimited and players of any age can be assigned. Players in their first three seasons can be assigned without consent, while older players must agree to go.

This season, a record 49 NBA players have been assigned a record 100 times to the D-League. Teams are more aware than ever of the need to monitor and develop their investments in the most productive way possible.

"There's the age-old saying, 'If you want something done right, do it yourself,' " said 24-year-old Kirk Lacob, the general manager of the Santa Cruz Warriors and son of Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob. "We've got to be in control of this if we want it done our way. We can't rely on somebody else to do it."

The synergy between the minor league and major league operations combined with the new rule allowing freedom of movement has taken the D-League to a whole new level. High-profile prospects no longer rot on the ends of their respective benches, with teams more comfortable than ever with the idea of developing talent outside the purview of the big club.

"Minor league baseball has about a 100-year head start on us, so we're still young, still developing, and not yet where we're going to be," D-League President Dan Reed said. "We have a slightly different model (than baseball), but the goals are the same.

"Forty percent of NBA draftees since 2005 have developed their games in the NBA Development League. That's a lot of players, and very soon it's going to be more the norm than the exception."

The stigma, in other words, is quickly evaporating. And the signs of increased legitimacy are everywhere.

Yi Jianlian, the sixth pick of the 2007 draft, played for the Texas Legends last January after signing with the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent. New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire practiced with the Erie Bayhawks in mid-December as part of his rehab from knee surgery — though the team flew to him in New York rather than the other way around.

San Antonio's starting small forward, Kawhi Leonard, practiced with the Austin Toros last month while recovering from knee tendinitis. When Miami Heat center Dexter Pittman was assigned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, a team shared by the Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves, he embraced the rare chance to play and tweeted a picture of him smiling while wearing a T-shirt that — in a reference to LeBron James' infamous Decision show — read, "I'm taking my talents to Sioux Falls."

The next step that D-League officials are sure will come soon is the star player on rehab assignment, the basketball equivalent of the baseball pitcher who throws with the minor league team before returning to the majors.

"Instead of trying Dirk Nowitzki (with the Dallas Mavericks in his recent return from knee surgery) and playing on a 15-minute limit ... why not do 15 minutes in the D-League?" Kirk Lacob said. "Then if you play well, then it's 25 minutes the next time, and they build you back up. Then come back, and you can start in your first game in the NBA, and you don't have to waste all that time."

There's a ripple effect for all involved, too, with coaches, general managers and staffers alike getting the sort of experience they would have lacked without the D-League. The NBA is chock-full of executives and coaches who had D-League duties earlier in their respective careers, among them general managers Danny Ferry of the Atlanta Hawks and Dell Demps of the New Orleans Hornets and assistant coaches Bryan Gates of the Hornets and Chris Finch of the Rockets.

For players like Griffin, the D-League environment around them has never been better.

"There's so much more interaction between the big team in the D-League team when it's one to one (affiliation) like we have now," Griffin said. "All around I think it's a lot better situation and it seems to me like more NBA teams are trying to get their own d-league team, which is huge.

"It's incredible. I've seen the D-League for like three years now, but I think it's leaps and bounds ahead of where it was."

Sports Online:Wizards add former NBA player Sichting as assistant coach

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Washington Wizards hired former NBA player and coach Jerry Sichting as an assistant coach Thursday.

The 55-year-old Sichting played 10 seasons for five teams in the NBA and worked as an assistant coach for Minnesota and Golden State. With the Timberwolves for 11 seasons, Sichting worked under Wizards head coach Randy Wittman for two campaigns when Wittman held the same role in Minnesota.

After his stint with the Warriors during the 2010-11 season, Sichting stepped in and served as the head coach for Martinsville (Ind.) High School, his alma mater.

In July,  the Wizards also hired former San Antonio Spurs assistant Don Newman.

Sports Online:Stotts introduced as new coach of Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Terry Stotts says there a lot of good coaches who don't have good records, and he hopes to show Portland Trail Blazers fans that he's one of them.

Stotts was 115-168 as coach of the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks before spending the past four seasons as an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks, where he won a championship. He was an assistant under George Karl before he got his first head coaching opportunity.

"George Karl, who I was with for over 10 years in the NBA, didn't have a winning record after his first four years and he's going to be a Hall of Fame coach," Stotts said at his introductory press conference Wednesday. "I think you got to keep learning,  you got to keep improving and - you do that - good things are going to happen."

General manager Neil Olshey said he's "absolutely confident" the team found the right coach. Stotts inherits a team that missed the playoffs with a 28-38 record last season and heads into the new campaign with a roster primarily rebuilt with rookies rather than veterans.

Olshey said he spoke with every general manager and head coach that Stotts has worked for,and also talked to players who have been coached by him - from stars such as Dirk Nowitzki to role players.

"Everybody kept talking about how Terry has a plan," he said. "He understands process. He has a long-term outlook for the franchise. He makes guys better."

Because the team will rely so heavily on unproven players, Olshey said it's impossible to set expectations for the coming season, other than the expectation the team gets better every day.

The 54-year-old Stotts replaces Kaleb Canales, who went 8-15 in an interim role after Nate McMillan was fired.

Stotts and Canales emerged as the finalists for the permanent job, and the men interviewed with owner Paul Allen on Friday at the London Olympics. Canales, a Trail Blazers employee since 2005, will remain with the club as an assistant. Olshey said it was not a prerequisite for Stotts to get the job.

Stotts said he hopes to make the playoffs, but his main objective is to make sure the young players are better in April than October.

Known as an innovator on offense, he plans to speed up the Trail Blazers' often-stagnant pace and emphasize the extra pass and the 3-point shot.

"Obviously, LaMarcus Aldridge is a stud," Stotts said about the All-Star forward. "Hopefully I'll be able to use him in a lot of similar ways that we used Dirk Nowitzki."

Rookie Damian Lillard, the sixth overall pick in the draft, is expected to start at point guard after his good showing in the Las Vegas summer league. Stotts said the rookie will provide the team with a pick-and-roll game it has lacked.

Other young players include 7-foot-1 Meyers Leonard, the 11th overall pick in the draft; guard Elliot Williams, who had flashes of brilliance before a shoulder injury ended his season; and a pair of new imports - forward Joel Freeland of Britain and swingman Victor Claver of Spain.

Stotts is known for an easygoing approach that will help him deal with the highs-and-lows of young players.

"I don't know about that," he said. "People say I'm easygoing, even-keeled or something like that. You know, I have my moments."

Stotts coached Atlanta to a 52-85 record after replacing Lon Kruger in December 2002. Stotts was an assistant with Golden State before getting his second chance as a head coach with Milwaukee in 2005. He led the Bucks to the playoffs in 2006, but was fired toward the end of the following season.

Before becoming a head coach, Stotts was an assistant under Karl for six years in Seattle and four with Milwaukee.

Sports Online:Lin to host basketball camp for youth in China

BEIJING (AP) -- NBA star Jeremy Lin says he hopes to boost young players' enthusiasm for basketball at a four-day camp he plans to host later this month in southern China.

Lin says "I want every kid to leave the camp feeling like they had really fun time" and "they can't wait to go back home and continue to play."

His visit to China is his first since emerging as an NBA star with the New York Knicks. He will move to Yao's former team next season on a three-year deal worth $25 million .

Sports Online:Ginobili unsure he'll keep playing for Argentina

LONDON (AP) -- Manu Ginobili is unsure if he will continue playing for Argentina after these Olympics.

Ginobili said Friday he doesn't know how he will feel in two years for the next World Cup of Basketball, or even if he will still be playing at all.

"A lot of things can happen. I'm 35. I know the chances are less every year, but I can't say I am retiring because I don't know," Ginobili said.

The U.S. men's basketball team beat Argentina 109-83 in the semifinals, ending the San Antonio Spurs guard's chance to win a second gold medal. But the Argentines can still add a second straight bronze if they beat Russia on Sunday.

"We won two medals. We got a chance now to get another one," Ginobili said after leading Argentina with 18 points.

Ginobili is one of the core members of Argentina's "Golden Generation," the veterans who stamped their country as an international power in the 2002 world championship when they became the first team to beat a U.S. squad with NBA players.

They beat the Americans again in the 2004 Olympic semifinals, and Ginobili, Luis Scola and the other veterans have kept Argentina near the top, ranked No. 3 in the world behind the U.S. and Spain.

"It's probably going to be one of the highlights of my career, this group," Ginobili said. "I'm very proud of representing my country with these guys. We are trying to make our legend even bigger by getting another medal. Once it's over and we go home with the bronze on our chests, we'll talk about it and see how it feels."

Sports Online:Howard dealt to Lakers in four-team trade

Dwight Howard averaged 20.6 points and 14.5 rebounds in 54 regular-season games for Orlando last season

At long last, Dwight Howard got what he wanted.

So did the Orlando Magic. A new beginning for both awaits.

It took four teams, 11 other players, five draft picks and countless rounds of talks over many months, but finally, the Magic decided the time was right to start over without the NBA's best center and end a saga that has dogged the franchise for what seems like an eternity.

Howard is off to play alongside Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, after a megadeal was worked out Thursday and completed Friday after the NBA reviewed and approved the particulars.

"It was just a very tough situation for everybody to let go," Howard said. "I'm finally glad that it's over with. Myself and the Magic organization, we can all start over and begin a new career. Today is a fresh new start for all of us."

As far as the other headliners involved, Andrew Bynum leaves the Lakers for Philadelphia and Andre Iguodala is heading to Denver.

"Are we taking a step back? Absolutely, we are," Magic general manager Rob Hennigan said. "But we're taking a step back with a vision."

Even while otherwise busy at the London Olympics, Bryant quickly proclaimed that the Lakers are "locked and loaded to bring back the title."

"I told him this is a great place for him," said Bryant, who talked to Howard on Friday morning. "You talk about all the great centers this team has had. Now he's the next in line."

Bryant said the Lakers should be poised to win now. The Magic,they might not be saying that for years.

After an offseason when the Magic fired coach Stan Van Gundy and general manager Otis Smith, they're now truly beginning anew. In 1996, the Magic watched Shaquille O'Neal sign as a free agent with the Lakers. At least this time, when they lost someone with the "Superman" nickname, they got something back.

"Next season, and really subsequent seasons, are going to be about getting better every day," Hennigan said.

Orlando got guard Arron Afflalo and forward Al Harrington from Denver, forward Moe Harkless and center Nikola Vucevic from Philadelphia, and forward Josh McRoberts and guard Christian Eyenga from the Lakers. The Lakers acquired Howard, guard Chris Duhon and forward Earl Clark from Orlando. The Magic also traded guard Jason Richardson to Philadelphia.

Orlando also gets five draft picks over five years.

"There will be no panic," Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said. "There will be no chaos."

The Lakers pulled off the deal and somehow kept Pau Gasol in the process - something many didn't expect when the Los Angeles first started getting mentioned in the Howard trade mix.

"It makes the NBA that much more exciting," Knicks forward and U.S. Olympian Carmelo Anthony said.

Not everyone shared that sentiment. "I really don't care," Thunder star Kevin Durant said.

The trade was announced during the Spain-Russia semifinal matchup at the Olympics. Gasol scored 16 points, helping the Spanish team reach the gold medal game with a 67-59 win.

Afterward, that seemed secondary. He was still with the Lakers, and now has the game's most dominant big man alongside him. For a moment, gold-medal talk was pushed aside for NBA title chatter.

"I think it's something that puts us in a position of being an extremely powerful team and a team with all the chances of going for the ring again," Gasol said.

The 76ers got involved in trade talks about a month ago, first reaching out to the Magic to inquire about landing Howard themselves. Not long after realizing that wouldn't happen, the talks grew.

And when Denver got involved, the pieces fell into place.

"One of the things we needed to do was we needed to get a post presence, a guy who can score on the low block, give us size, rebounding, defense," said 76ers coach Doug Collins, in London working with NBC as an analyst for Olympic basketball. "We think that Andrew is one of the top two NBA centers in the league, so we're thrilled about doing that. And we're sad to lose Andre. He helped us win a lot of games and in the two years that I've been with him."

Collins won't wait long to see Iguodala in another uniform: The Nuggets open the season in Philadelphia on Oct. 31.

Philadelphia believes it would have a chance to keep Bynum long-term, noting that he's a native of neighboring New Jersey.

"We've gotten bigger, we've gotten stronger and we've gotten more athletic than we were at this time last year," 76ers President Rod Thorn said. "Andrew is the best center in the East. Anytime you have the best center, it's a real plus. This is still a game that big men are very, very important in."

For the Lakers to get Howard, they needed to give up the All-Star center - Bynum - they've nurtured since he was a 17-year-old draft pick.

After two straight second-round exits from the playoffs, the Lakers tore apart a very good team this summer in an attempt to build a great one - a team that can give Bryant, a five-time NBA champion who turns 34 next week, the chance to match Michael Jordan's six rings next year.

The Lakers already made one splash in this offseason, getting Steve Nash from Phoenix. So they got better at point guard, and did the same at center. Owner Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak may have a roster that would rival the NBA champion Miami Heat, Western Conference champ Oklahoma City and the rest of the NBA's best.

"It's crazy. It hasn't really hit me yet," Howard said. "I'm just happy to be here and I'm going to make the best out of it."

The Lakers' starting lineup now includes five former All-Stars with three MVP awards and four defensive player-of-the-year awards.

"Unreal!" Bryant said.

Denver was thrilled to add Iguodala, who said in turn said he was excited for what's next.

"It's not often you get the opportunity to improve your team by adding an All-Star player like Andre Iguodala," Nuggets executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said. "He's an Olympian, a great defender and a great all-around player."

The Magic get a second-round draft pick from Denver next year, a first-round pick from either Denver or New York in 2014, a conditional first-round pick from Philadelphia and a conditional second-round pick from the Lakers in 2015, and a conditional first-round pick from the Lakers in 2017. Orlando also will have a $17.8 million trade exception to use over the next year.

Breaking Down the Dwight Howard Trade

Team Acquires Lakers Dwight Howard, Chris Duhon, Earl Clark Nuggets Andre Iguodala 76ers Andrew Bynum, Jason Richardson Magic* Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga * Magic also receive: Future first-round pick from Philadelphia (with some protection, likely through the Lottery) * 2014 first-round pick from Denver (the lower of the Nuggets' two first-rounders that year; Denver also has New York's first-round pick from the Carmelo Anthony deal) * 2017 first-round pick from the Lakers

Howard averaged 20.6 points and 14.5 rebounds in 54 regular-season games for Orlando last season. In eight seasons with the Magic, he averaged 18.4 points and 13.0 rebounds.

He entered last year as the subject of trade rumors, especially since he could have opted out of his deal at season's end and become a free agent. He decided that he would not exercise that option, then found himself in another mess in April when Van Gundy said team officials told him that Howard wanted him fired.

Howard denied it. Ultimately, it didn't matter.

Van Gundy's gone, Smith is gone, and now so is Howard.

He went to Los Angeles for back surgery in April, which might have been fitting. It's been Howard's home base ever since, and now it's where he'll work.

"Sometimes, things don't work out the way everyone hopes, and I think that was the case here," Hennigan said. "We tried to establish a relationship with Dwight that was built on interpersonal exchanges. We always felt like that may evolve in one direction or another."

Turns out, that direction was west.

Sports Online:Mavs sign guard Cunningham

DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Mavericks have signed first-round draft pick Jared Cunningham.

Terms were not disclosed.

Cunningham was the 24th overall selection in the NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was acquired by the Mavericks last month, along with the draft rights to Bernard James, the 33rd overall pick, and 34th overall pick Jae Crowder, in exchange for guard Kelenna Azubuike and the draft rights to the 17th overall pick in the draft, Tyler Zeller.

Cunningham is on the Mavericks' summer league team in Las Vegas, but has not played because of a strained hamstring.

Cunningham was selected first-team All-Pac 12 as a junior when he averaged 17.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game for Oregon State.

Sports Online:NBA Board of Governors approves expanded use of replay

LAS VEGAS -- The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved three additional uses of instant replay review for the upcoming 2012-13 season, the league announced today.

Instant replay may now be used:

• To review Flagrant 1 calls. Officials will now call a foul "Flagrant" on the floor and then use instant replay to make a determination as to the whether the foul is a Flagrant 1, Flagrant 2, or a common foul (if they decide after viewing replay that the foul was not Flagrant).

• To determine whether a defender was inside or outside the "restricted area" for purposes of block/charge calls during the last two minutes of regulation play or at any point during overtime.

•To determine the accuracy of goaltending calls made in the last two minutes of regulation play or at any point during overtime.

Each of these rules was recommended by the NBA's newly structured Competition Committee at its meeting on June 18.

The NBA first instituted instant replay prior to the 2002-03 season to review last second shots and fouls at the end of each period. With today's votes, the league will now use instant replay to review 14 different types of events.

Sports Online:Nets re-sign guard Bogans

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed guard Keith Bogans.

General manager Billy King announced the deal Thursday without disclosing contract terms.

Bogans was signed midway through the season and appeared in five games before breaking his left ankle in a game against Detroit on Feb. 8. The nine-year veteran played the previous season with the Chicago Bulls

Originally drafted by Milwaukee in 2003, Bogans began his career in Orlando, before moving on to Charlotte, Houston, Orlando again, Milwaukee, San Antonio and Chicago

Sports Online:Hall of Famer Rodman finally meets father

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Former NBA star Dennis Rodman has finally met his estranged father after 42 years of separation, following an exhibition game in the Philippines.

Philander Rodman Jr., who has acknowledged fathering 29 children by 16 mothers, says he was happy and surprised that his son agreed to meet him late Wednesday. He tried to meet the basketball Hall of Famer during another game in Manila in 2006.

"It was great," he said Thursday of the first time he held his son's hands since they last met in December 1969.

"I've been trying to meet him for years. And then last night, boom, I met him. I was really, really happy and very surprised," he told The Associated Press.

The NBA "Alumni" team, which also included Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, and Mitch Richmond, played against former top professional Philippine Basketball Association players in the All-Star Challenge. The Alumni won.

Philander, who has been living in the Philippines for nearly 50 years, said he wanted to explain to his son that he didn't abandon his family in the United States, but they only had time for greetings and handshakes.

He said he spent only about three minutes with his son, who was also busy signing autographs.

"I really, really felt good," he said. "It's the beginning of something new."

He gave his number to his son who promised to call.

He said his son did not even want to talk about him six years ago, but he was encouraged to try again to meet him after Tuesday's press conference where the former Pistons and Bulls star invited him to watch Wednesday's game.

"I don't hate the guy that brought me into this world," Dennis Rodman told reporters. "The fact is, if I saw him, I'll just tell him, 'You know, you're a friend of mine.'"

During a break, with seconds left to the end of the game, Dennis Rodman grabbed a microphone acknowledged his father's presence and pointed to him in the arena.

The crowd applauded as the elder Rodman stood up wearing a red baseball cap that said "Yes, Dennis Rodman is my son."

The 71-year-old Vietnam War veteran now operates the Rodman's Rainbow Obamaburger restaurant in northern Angeles City.

He said his restaurant menu includes burgers with red, yellow and green colored buns and fries, colors associated with his flmaboyant son.

Summer League Heat bloodbath Lakers

July 17, 2012, the NBA summer league in Las Vegas to continue the Heat 106-56 bloodbath Lakers. According to local media after the game in Miami reported, a 50-point deficit to refresh the summer league history.

Clippers' Griffin undergoes left knee surgery

Clippers forward Blake Griffin had arthroscopic surgery on Monday to repair the medial meniscus tear of his left knee that he injured during practice with the U.S. national team in Las Vegas.

The Los Angeles Clippers say Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic performed the surgery.

Griffin returned to Los Angeles last Thursday after experiencing discomfort in the same knee that bothered him during the playoffs. He will miss the London Olympics, but the Clippers say he should be ready for the start of the NBA season.

Mayo tweets that he's signing with Mavericks

DALLAS (AP) -- Free agent shooting guard O.J. Mayo tweeted that he "will be signing" with the Dallas Mavericks.

Soon after Mayo posted his note on Twitter late Monday night, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban sent out his own tweet that read, "Welcome to the family OJ. We are fired up !! MFFL Mavs/Mayo Fan For Life!"

In 301 games over the past four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, the 6-foot-4 Mayo has averaged 15.2 points a game. Mayo was the third overall pick in the 2008 draft by Minnesota, who then traded him to Memphis in a seven-player deal.

Mayo started all 164 games his first two seasons in Memphis, but has since played off the bench. He started only 17 of 71 games played in 2010-11 and played in all 66 games without starting last season, when he still averaged 12.6 points and 2.6 assists per game.

There were no details of the contract or official confirmation from the team Monday night. ESPN, citing an unnamed source, said Mayo was getting a multiyear deal.

Dallas has restocked its roster after being unable to get Deron Williams to join his hometown team this offseason. Guards Jason Kidd and Jason Terry left in free agency a year after the Mavericks won their only NBA title, and 7-foot center Brendan Haywood was designated as their amnesty player.

The Mavs won the bid to claim two-time All-Star forward Elton Brand off amnesty waivers by Philadelphia on Friday and reached a one-year deal with 7-foot center Chris Kaman. Last week they also acquired point guard Darren Collison and wing player Dahntay Jones from Indiana in a trade for center Ian Mahinmi.

Knicks, Blazers complete deal for Felton

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers have completed a sign-and-trade deal that sends Raymond Felton back to New York as a potential replacement for Jeremy Lin.

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Kurt Thomas, also a former Knick, also returns to New York in Monday's deal. The Knicks signed and traded forward Jared Jeffries, along with center Dan Gadzuric, the draft rights to Kostas Papanikolaou and Giorgos Printezis, and a protected future second-round pick to Portland.


Felton and the Knicks agreed to a multiyear deal Saturday, providing them another option if they decline to match the offer sheet Lin signed with Houston. Felton averaged 17.1 points in 54 games with the Knicks before they sent him to Denver as part of the package for Carmelo Anthony in February 2011.

Nets sign veteran Stackhouse to one-year deal

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Brooklyn Nets signed veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse to a one-year, $1.4 million deal on Monday.

Stackhouse provided the terms after general manager Billy King announced the deal.

Stackhouse appeared in 30 games with the Hawks last season, averaging 3.6 points and 9.1 minutes. The 17-year NBA veteran did not appear in any of Atlanta's six playoff games.

Selected third overall by Philadelphia in 1995, the North Carolina product has career averages of 17.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 31.8 minutes.

Suns win bidding for Scola, use amnesty to cut Childress

PHOENIX (AP) -- The Phoenix Suns beefed up their frontline Sunday, winning the bidding for rugged forward Luis Scola.

The Suns parted ways with longtime point guard Steve Nash last month and lost out on a bid for Eric Gordon when New Orleans matched their $58 million, four-year offer to the dynamic scorer. But they got their man this time, adding the 6-foot-9 Scola a couple days after Houston used the amnesty clause to cut him loose.

"We are excited to have won the bid for Luis Scola and to add a player of his caliber to our roster," Lon Babby, the Suns' president of basketball operations, said in a release. "We greatly value the production he will bring and the leadership he will provide to our younger players."

Phoenix made room for the 32-year-old Scola by using the amnesty option to cut forward Josh Childress, who was acquired by the Suns in a sign-and-trade deal with Atlanta two years ago. He played in 34 games last season, averaging 2.9 points.

A fan favorite in Houston, Scola averaged 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds in five seasons with the Rockets. He grabbed 2,984 rebounds to rank ninth on Houston's career list.

But the Rockets waived Scola on Friday. Scola, who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is due about $21 million over the next three seasons, and the amnesty provision means his remaining contract will not count against Houston's salary cap or luxury tax.

Scola will play for Argentina in the London Olympics.

Knicks land Felton in sign-and-trade; Lin out?

Raymond Felton is returning to New York, calling into question whether the Knicks plan to re-sign fellow point guard Jeremy Lin.

Felton's agent confirmed a Yahoo Sports report Saturday that Felton would be signed and traded by Portland to New York.

Lin has signed an offer sheet with the Houston Rockets, and the Knicks have repeatedly said they would match any offer for their breakout star. But with the third year of the contract worth about $15 million, they can certainly pass now after signing Jason Kidd and getting Felton back.

Felton played well in half a season in New York, averaging 17.1 points before the Knicks sent him to Denver as part of the package for Carmelo Anthony in February 2011. He struggled this season with the Trail Blazers, scoring 11.4 points per game on 40.7 percent shooting and briefly losing his starting job.

Still, he was considered an option as a veteran backup to Lin if the Knicks didn't get Steve Nash or Kidd. They signed Kidd, and still pursued Felton.

Now the question is where will Lin play next season.

Coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that Lin would not only be back but would enter next season as the Knicks' starting point guard. He then signed his offer sheet worth about $25 million for three years Friday and the Knicks have until 11:59 p.m. EDT Tuesday to match the offer, according to a person with knowledge of the process. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been announced.

The Knicks already lost one guard Saturday when they elected not to match the offer Landry Fields signed with Toronto, worth around $20 million over three years. The second-round pick from Stanford had been a starter during his two seasons with New York.

"I want to thank ALL the Knick fans out there for their support over the past two years!" he wrote on Twitter. "Much love and respect, you will be missed."

It would be more surprising if the Knicks passed on matching Lin's offer. The undrafted guard from Harvard emerged as the starter in February and averaged 17.9 points in 27 games before needing surgery to repair torn knee cartilage. The league's first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese decent became one of the team's most popular players and helped the Knicks draw huge TV ratings locally and in Asia. His merchandise sold heavily, making it unlikely the Knicks would want him to leave.

But with Kidd and Felton, they have two veterans who would be respected by the Knicks' frontcourt trio of Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemire. Stoudemire and Felton had good chemistry in the pick-and-roll offense and neither has been as good since without the other.

Garnett signs new deal with Celtics

WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) -- The Boston Celtics made it official: Kevin Garnett is coming back as part of the team's efforts to keep key pieces after losing Ray Allen to the Miami Heat.

More than a week after Garnett reportedly agreed to a three-year contract, the team announced Saturday that he, forward Brandon Bass and center-forward Chris Wilcox had re-signed.

Backup forward Jeff Green, who missed all last season with an aortic aneurysm that required surgery, and free agent guard Jason Terry still haven't signed but were at a news conference with Bass, Wilcox and Celtics president Danny Ainge.

The deals for Green and Terry could be signed next week, but the delays are the result of the team's maneuvering under the new collective bargaining agreement.

"We hope to resolve those sometime in the near future," Ainge said. "Things are moving forward."

Garnett, the Celtics' emotional leader, is the most important player returning, especially after Allen's decision to leave as a free agent broke up the Big Three of him, Garnett and Paul Pierce that won one championship in five seasons together. Last season, the Celtics reached the Eastern Conference finals where they lost to eventual champion Miami in seven games.

"I don't feel like we lost Ray," Ainge said. "I feel like Ray left us to go to Miami."

His primary target, though, was Garnett, who was offered a three-year contract while Allen reportedly was given a two-year proposal.

"That was a priority for us this summer, to get KG back," Ainge said. "That was a great relief to get him back. He's such a big part of who we are and going forward we think he has a lot of basketball left in him."

Garnett is the most important part of the team's future after having an outstanding season, especially down the stretch and in the playoffs. He averaged 15.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

Next season he could help with the development of rookie draft choices Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo and Kris Joseph.

Green said he always intended to stay with the Celtics.

"With the stuff I went through the past couple of months, this organization was there for me," he said. "They did everything possible to make sure I was comfortable with my procedure and the road I was headed down. I owe it all to them. It was a no-brainer."

Wilcox had surgery for an enlarged aorta after playing 28 games, averaging 5.4 points and 4.4 rebounds.

"It means a lot just to come back and be able to play," he said.

Bass averaged 12.5 points and 6.2 rebounds while starting 39 of his 59 games after being obtained from Orlando.

"I knew where I wanted to be," he said. "That was back in a green jersey."

Terry spent the last eight seasons with Dallas, averaging 15.1 points in 2011-12. In 13 seasons, he is averaging 16.1 points and figures to replace Allen as the team's primary three-point shooter.

"If they need me to wash the uniforms or sweep the floors, whatever role (coach) Doc (Rivers) wants me to play I'm here to do it at 100 percent and give my all," Terry said.

Pistons sign Ukrainian big man Kravtsov

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- The Detroit Pistons have added Vyacheslav Kravtsov with a multiyear contract.

The team announced the signing Saturday after saying this month that it planned to sign the 24-year-old Ukrainian center.

Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars says Kravtsov has good rebounding and shot-blocking ability.

The 6-foot-11 Kravtsov has played for the Ukrainian national team since 2006. He averaged 10.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in the Ukrainian Superleague last season.

Detroit has gotten post player Greg Monroe some help this offseason by also drafting Connecticut center Andre Drummond with No. 9 pick overall.

Bobcats awarded center Haywood off waivers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The Charlotte Bobcats have been awarded center Brendan Haywood off waivers from Dallas.

Haywood, who grew up in Greensboro and played collegiately at North Carolina -- the same alma mater as owner Michael Jordan -- was cut loose by the Mavericks using the amnesty clause.

An 11-year NBA veteran, the 7-foot Haywood helps fills a void at center.

Haywood has played in 733 career games for the Wizards and Mavericks with 531 starts, averaging 7.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 23.7 minutes. His career field-goal percentage of .534 ranks seventh among active players and 28th in NBA history.

Haywood was a member of Dallas' 2011 NBA championship team, and has appeared in 53 career playoff games.

Charlotte announced the move on Saturday.