Judge blocks Sonics from taking KeyArena dispute to arbitration

The Seattle SuperSonics may not try to escape their lease at KeyArena through arbitration, a federal judge said Monday. Judge Ricardo S. Martinez called the team’s interpretation of the contract “as errant as a typical Shaquille O’Neal free throw.”The decision was a victory for the city and means officials may continue to seek a court [...]

Cavaliers explore possibility of signing veteran forward Juwan Howard

Dejected over not getting to play in Minnesota with Kevin Garnett, Juwan Howard could end up a teammate of another superstar: LeBron James.Howard, a 13-year veteran forward whose contract was bought out by the Timberwolves on Monday, would fit nicely with James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are desperate for experienced frontline help.
With restricted free [...]

Jazz waive forward Kevin Lyde

The Utah Jazz waived forward Kevin Lyde on Monday, setting their opening-day roster.Lyde, who played at Temple, was invited to training camp as a free agent after spending four seasons in the NBA Development League. He played in three preseason games for the Jazz, averaging 1.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 6.7 minutes.
Four players on [...]

Pistons waive F Sammy Mejia

The Detroit Pistons waived rookie forward Sammy Mejia on Monday, reaching the 15-player roster limit ahead of Thursday’s season opener at Miami.The Pistons drafted Mejia in the second round, No. 57 overall, out of DePaul, where he averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game last season.
The 6-foot-6 Mejia played in six preseason [...]

Wolves buy out Howard, make trade with Spurs to reach roster limit

The Minnesota Timberwolves did some wheeling and dealing on Monday, reaching a buyout with veteran Juwan Howard and making a trade with San Antonio to get to the 15-man roster limit before the deadline.The Timberwolves sent a protected 2008 second-round pick to the Spurs for cash considerations and guard Beno Udrih, whom the Wolves immediately [...]

Cavaliers sign rookie Demetris Nichols

The Cleveland Cavaliers signed rookie Demetris Nichols to a contract Monday as they finalized their opening-day roster for the 2007-08 season.The club did not disclose contract terms on Nichols, who averaged 4.8 points in five exhibition games with the New York Knicks, who waived him last week.
His addition will give coach Mike Brown more bench [...]

Howard cleared to practice, but remains suspended

Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard was cleared to practice Monday, six days after he sprained his left wrist in a preseason game against the Chicago Bulls.Doctors removed the cast from his wrist. He now wears a removable splint.
Howard will travel with the Mavericks on their upcoming road trip. Their season opener is Wednesday at Cleveland [...]

Uncertainty reigns as Bryant, Lakers begin new season

Kobe Bryant remains a Laker – for now.Because of the difficulty involved in trading an NBA superstar, Bryant could play in a Los Angeles uniform for days, weeks or months, no matter how much he wants out or those in charge wish to move him.
Bryant professes to be very close to his coach and quite [...]

Durant appears a better bet than Green for being ready to debut in Sonics’ opener

At least one of the SuperSonics’ top-five draft picks appears ready to debut on time.Kevin Durant, Seattle’s second overall choice, moved fluidly while completing practice Monday, two days before the season opener at Denver. It was the first extensive basketball work for last season’s national college player of the year since he sprained his left [...]

Spurs trade Udrih to Timberwolves for protected second-round pick

The San Antonio Spurs traded Beno Udrih to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a protected second-round draft pick in 2008 on Monday.The 6-foot-3 guard broke his left index finger earlier this month during Spurs training camp.
Udrih’s role on the team decreased last season as veteran Jacque Vaughn took over as backup point guard to Tony Parker.
During [...]