SEATTLE — The SuperSonics will move to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season as part of a settlement with the city of Seattle, ending a contentious relationship that resulted in a trial in which the judge was due to issue her ruling Wednesday.
During his career, the Dallas Mavericks’ Jason Kidd has been accused of being a “coach killer,” a label he has disputed. But he’s aware of the talk, so when coach Avery Johnson was fired by the Mavericks, Kidd told a friend: “They can’t blame that one on me. When I got there, the players all thought he was crazy. And he was.”
By Sam Amick
- SACRAMENTO BEE Updated: 06/29/08 6:41 AM
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Kings’ draft night began Thursday with the hopes that their major problems would be solved for them, specifically the hope that a top-tier point guard would fall their way. There is, after all, no incumbent to run the team.
By COLIN FLY
- AP Sports Writer
Updated: 06/27/08 5:47 PM
The New Jersey Nets decided to part ways with the second-leading scorer in franchise history, dealing Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee hours before the draft Thursday for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons.
By BRIAN MAHONEY
- AP Basketball Writer
Updated: 06/27/08 9:07 PM
Minutes after the NBA draft started, Derrick Rose learned he was headed home. Long after it ended, O.J. Mayo and Kevin Love were on the move. A night that began with the expected pick ended with a stunning trade, which had two top-five selections changing teams as part of an eight-player deal between Minnesota and Memphis. The Timberwolves dealt the rights to Mayo, the No. 3 pick, to the Grizzlies for Love, taken two spots later, in a trade that wasn't completed until past 2 a.m. EDT, some two hours after Boston made the 60th and final pick of the draft.
The Toronto Raptors have agreed in principle to acquire forward JermaineO’Neal from Indiana for point guard T. J. Ford, center Rasho Nesterovic, the 17th pick in the draft and a player to be named, the Canadian Press reported.
