Spurs star forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge insists he is happy in San Antonio despite reports of friction between him and 25-year-old franchise cornerstone forward Kawhi Leonard."I'm winning. Of course I'm happy," Aldridge told ESPN on Thursday. "That's why I don't buy into the rumors. I feel like I do my job here and I feel like I've done everything that they've asked."The San Antonio Express-News reported Wednesday that the Spurs are "open to trading the former (University of Texas star) should the right package surface.""Those close to the situation suggest Aldridge may not be happy at the moment," the Express-News report reads. "The belief is the Spurs pitched him on becoming the center of their offense when they recruited him in 2015, and that hasn't occurred with the rise of Kawhi Leonard."A team source also told the Express-News that "there are currently no problems with Aldridge, adding he is a part of the Spurs' future."Aldridge signed with the Spurs before the 2015-16 season... [More]

The Cleveland Cavaliers officially re-signed guard J.R. Smith on Saturday after a contract stalemate lasted for most of training camp.The deal is for four years and worth $57 million, ESPN reported Friday night, with $45 million guaranteed over the next three seasons. The fourth season of the contract is not fully guaranteed, sources told ESPN.Many in the organization were getting worried that Smith might consider moving on from the defending NBA champions. LeBron James was outspoken, saying a deal with Smith needed to get done."Bringing J.R. back as part of our core group was a priority for us," Cavs general manager David Griffin said in a statement. "He's a special part of this family and we are very pleased to have reached an agreement that we all can feel good about. We know he can't wait to get back on the court with his brothers and we are certain that everyone in this organization and city feels the same way."On Friday night, Smith posted a video on Uninterrupted about the deal."We... [More]

The Washington Wizards announced Saturday that backup center Ian Mahinmi suffered a partially torn medial meniscus in his left knee and is expected to miss approximately four to six weeks.The injury occurred in Thursday's preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers. An MRI performed on Friday revealed the partial tear and Mahinmi underwent successful surgery Friday evening, the team announced.The 29-year-old Mahinmi signed a four-year, $64 million contract in July."It's unfortunate when any guy gets hurt, but that's part of the game," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. "That's the tough part of the game that I don't like. He was really starting to play well with his defensive rim protection."The 6-foot-11 Mahinmi recorded career-highs in points (9.3) and rebounds (7.1) and starts (71) last season with the Indiana Pacers. Those numbers were considerably better than the 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds he averaged in his previous eight seasons with San Antonio, Dallas and the Pacers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and J.R. Smith have reached agreement on a new four-year contract worth up to $57 million, according to an ESPN report on Friday.The 31-year-old sharpshooter is the final remaining piece to rejoin last year's NBA-title winning team. He had been seeking a deal worth $14 million a year; the Cavs had offered $11 million a season. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the deal which has not been signed, and is not 100 percent guaranteed.Smith made 204 3-point shots last season. In 21 postseason games, he made 43.6 percent of his 3-pointers.Many in the organization were getting worried that Smith might consider moving on. A handful of other teams showed interest, most notably the Boston Celtics.LeBron James also was publically critical, saying a deal with Smith needed to get done.Now that the two sides have agreed on a contract, Smith has one exhibition game to play in before the Cavaliers open their season on Oct 25 against the New York Knicks.

Carmelo Anthony took offense to SLAM Magazine's ranking of the New York Knicks star as the 15th-best player in the NBA entering the 2016-17 season."I just looked at it, and it was disrespectful," Anthony said after practice Thursday. "I feel like I have something to prove, regardless of what's going on."Anthony, 32, averaged just 21.8 points last year -- his lowest per-game mark since his second season in the league with the Denver Nuggets in 2004-05 -- as the Knicks limped to a disappointing 32-50 campaign.Anthony said that he won't use the perceived slight as motivation."I don't really need something like that to motivate me," he said. "Probably somebody sitting at their desk over at SLAM coming up and doing their job."The nine-time All-Star and former league scoring champion also reacted to the ranking on Instagram, commenting "don't play yaself" and "all credibility lost in my (eyes)" on SLAM's account Wednesday.The magazine is unveiling its list of the top 50 players in the league day by day leading up to the Oct. 25 opening night, when the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers host the Knicks.SLAM released two more rankings Thursday, pegging Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin as the 13th and 14th best players, respectively.

The Cleveland Cavaliers signed veteran point guard Toney Douglas to a contract Monday, adding depth at the position.Douglas' deal includes no guaranteed money, according to ESPN. He will compete in camp to earn a spot on the team as a backup behind Kyrie Irving.The defending NBA champions were looking for another point guard after Mo Williams retired last week.The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Douglas appeared in 61 games for the New Orleans Pelicans last season, averaging 8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 20.7 minutes per game. Douglas, 30, also has played with New York, Houston, Sacramento, Golden State and Miami in his seven-year NBA career, with averages of 7.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 19.2 minutes per game.Douglas, who was a teammate of LeBron James in Miami in 2013-14, was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 29th overall pick in the 2009 draft.In a related move, the Cavs waived forward/center Eric Moreland. He signed a training camp deal last month.

LeBron James, in a continued pledge to take a leading role in social activism, on Monday wrote a column explaining why he's with Hillary in 2016. Though Donald Trump has a vocal endorsement from fiery former basketball coach Bobby Knight and retired boxer Mike Tyson, James wrote in a guest column for the Akron Beacon-Journal that his vote for president in the 2016 election would be cast for Hillary Clinton."Only one person running truly understands the struggles of an Akron child born into poverty. And when I think about the kinds of policies and ideas the kids in my foundation need from our government, the choice is clear: That candidate is Hillary Clinton."James, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA title last season, has become outspoken on social issues in the past year, including opening remarks at the ESPYs Awards show in July regarding the Black Lives Matter movement. He has called for fellow athletes to be more active and stand together, saying "we all have to do better."Alongside... [More]

Chris Bosh fired back at the Miami Heat and president Pat Riley, who said earlier this week that he believes the star power forward has played his final game for the team.Bosh claims the Heat did not inform him that he failed the team's physical last week before putting out a news release."I didn't see my career in Miami ending like this," Bosh said Friday in his ongoing video series on the Uninterrupted digital network. "I didn't get a call or a text or anything like that. I mean, it's a business. We understand that. We always say those things. But if you say certain things to the person and you win championships and you have these moments, you don't want to find things out through the media."It's kind of tough. We say all these things, the commitment, brotherhood and all these things. And then, for whatever reason, you find out, or I find out like this. So, it hurts."A Heat spokesman told ESPN that the team was unable to reach Bosh after calling, emailing and texting him before putting... [More]

Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said that recently retired Kevin Garnett is "back and forth" about accepting his offer to join the Cleveland coaching staff."I talked to him about it," Lue said, via ESPN, after Cavs practice Thursday. "I know his wife is pushing for it a lot. Brandi is pushing for it, trying to get him to come and coach. He says he's not ready yet. He goes back -- 'I might do it' -- but he's back and forth. We'll see. But I'd definitely make a spot for him if he wanted to come back and coach."Lue was an assistant coach on the Boston Celtics when the 40-year-old Garnett played there. Garnett called it quits last week after 21 NBA seasons."Didn't want to see him do it," Lue said of Garnett's retirement. "I thought he would've been the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He just turned 40 in May. I just thought that would've been great for him."Garnett was a 15-time All-Star, was named league MVP in 2004 and won a championship with the Celtics in... [More]

LeBron James averaged 35.6 minutes per game last season, a career-low, and if Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue gets his way, James could play even less this season.James, 31, played 39.1 minutes per game in the playoffs. Lue said effectiveness is not the concern, rather longevity and stamina into the summer months when the NBA Finals wrap. To be in position to defend the NBA title, Cleveland is carving a detailed plan for James to get plenty of rest."I've looked at the schedule," Lue said. "Just seeing what makes sense and what's smart when playing four-in-five type of nights. Can't run our guys into the ground. We have to be smart, understand we have to take care of our bodies and take care of our key guys. Make sure that when we get to the playoffs we're ready to go."Cleveland's training staff applies biometrics to gauge the fuel in every player's tank all season, and Lue will apply those results to the entire roster, not just James. But going to the Finals six consecutive seasons means James... [More]

LeBron James averaged 35.6 minutes per game last season, a career-low, and if Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue gets his way, James could play even less this season.James, 31, played 39.1 minutes per game in the playoffs. Lue said effectiveness is not the concern, rather longevity and stamina into the summer months when the NBA Finals wrap up. To be in position to defend the NBA title, Cleveland is carving a detailed plan for James to get plenty of rest."I've looked at the schedule," Lue said. "Just seeing what makes sense and what's smart when playing four-in-five type of nights. Can't run our guys into the ground. We have to be smart, understand we have to take care of our bodies and take care of our key guys. Make sure that when we get to the playoffs we're ready to go."The Cavaliers don't actually play four games in five nights at any juncture of their 82-game schedule. However, they do play five games in seven nights twice this season, including Dec. 20-26. Whether James will sit for the... [More]

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cameron Payne sustained an acute fracture in his right foot in the team's open scrimmage, the team announced on Thursday.Payne is expected to visit his physician and additional specialists to determine his next course of action. Payne, 22, underwent surgery in late July on his right foot to repair a Jones fracture and was cleared to return for training camp.The 14th overall selection of the 2015 NBA draft, Payne averaged 5.0 points, 1.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 57 games during his rookie season.With Payne on the mend, veteran Ronnie Price is expected to serve as the primary backup to superstar Russell Westbrook.

NBA superstars LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors support Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel in protest, but they plan to stand during the national anthem before games.Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers' backup quarterback, said last week he has received death threats for kneeling during the national anthem prior to NFL games in his protest of what he calls racial inequalities and injustices taking place in America, including fatal police shootings.James, who has been outspoken on social issues, said Monday he intends to stand while "The Star-Spangled Banner" is played."I'm all in favor of anyone athlete or non-athlete being able to express what they believe in in a peaceful manner and that's exactly what Colin Kaepernick is doing and I respect that," James said during Cavs' media day as the defending champions get ready to open training for the 2016-17 season."I think you guys know when I'm passionate about something I'll speak up on... [More]

The Brooklyn Nets signed free agent forward Chase Budinger and guard Jorge Gutierrez on Monday.The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Budinger has appeared in 407 career NBA games (50 starts) with Phoenix (2015-16), Indiana (2015-16), Minnesota (2012-15) and Houston (2009-12). He holds averages of 7.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 19.7 minutes per game.Budinger, 28, was selected 44th overall out of the University of Arizona in the second round of the 2009 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons before being traded on draft night to the Rockets.The 6-3, 195-pound Gutierrez most recently played for the Charlotte Hornets during the 2015-16 season after NBA stints with Milwaukee (2014-15) and the Nets (2013-15). In 47 career NBA games, he holds averages of 2.9 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 10.3 minutes per contest.The 27-year-old Gutierrez, who began his professional career playing for Pioneros de Quintana Roo in Mexico (2012-13), has had four stints in the NBA Development League over the past four seasons, all with the Canton Charge. In 2014 he was named to the All-NBA D-League Second Team and was twice named to the league's all-defensive team (2013, 2014).

The Los Angeles Police Department continues a criminal rape investigation against New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose, who is scheduled to go to court next week in a civil case.In a letter obtained by ThinkProgress.org, the LAPD detective in charge of the case wrote a letter to the unnamed accuser's attorney attempting to clear up reports that Rose was not under investigation.The civil trial against Rose and two friends is scheduled to begin on Oct. 4. In July, a federal judge denied Rose's motion to dismiss the case. Rose, who turns 28 on the day of the civil trial, is being sued for $21.5 million.A woman filed a civil sexual assault case against Rose on Aug. 26, 2015, alleging Rose and two friends raped her. The suit accuses Rose and his friends of slipping a drug into her drink, and the accuser says she was incapacitated and did not give consent.Rose, who has not been criminally charged in the case, has denied those claims and said that the sex was consensual.Rose, in his first public... [More]

Miami Heat president Pat Riley said Monday he believes star forward Chris Bosh has played his final game for the team.Riley told reporters the team is no longer working toward Bosh's return."We are not," Riley said in his office at AmericanAirlines Arena. "I think Chris is still open-minded. But we are not working toward his return. We feel that, based on the last exam, that his Heat career is probably over."The Heat announced Friday that the 11-time All-Star would not be allowed to participate in their preseason training camp after failing a physical and remaining unable to return to basketball activities.The Heat declined to explain why Bosh failed the physical and cited a clause in the collective bargaining agreement that prohibits the team from releasing certain medical information without a player's consent.Asked whether he felt Bosh's NBA career is over, Riley said, "That's up to him."The 32-year-old Bosh wants to resume playing even though each of his last two seasons was cut short... [More]

Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce announced Monday he will retire at the end of the 2016-17 season, his 19th in the NBA.The 38-year-old Pierce made the announcement in a post published by The Players' Tribune. Pierce said he is eager to win a championship with the Clippers."This is it, my final season," Pierce wrote. "It's time to move on from the game of basketball. Just like any difficult decision, I think you've got to be at peace with yourself. I'm at peace with retiring, but I've got one more ride left. One more season. One more opportunity."With the Clippers, in the city where I grew up, I feel like I have that opportunity on a great team. We're hungry. We want to win a championship."After 18 NBA years, it's hard to believe I'll be playing in each arena for the last time. So I'm going to enjoy every practice, every bus ride, every team dinner, every time running out through the tunnel. I'm going to do my part to give us a shot at the ultimate goal."Pierce was selected in the... [More]

F Paul Pierce of the Clippers announced he will retire at the end of the 2016-17 season, his 19th in the NBA.The 38-year-old Pierce made the announcement Monday in a post published by The Players' Tribune. Pierce said he is eager to win a championship with the Clippers.

F Chris Bosh likely has played his final game for the Heat, team president Pat Riley believes.The Heat announced last week that the 11-time All-Star would not be allowed to participate in their preseason training camp after failing a physical and remaining unable to return to basketball activities. Riley told reporters the team is no longer working toward Bosh's return."We are not," Riley said Monday in his office at AmericanAirlines Arena. "I think Chris is still open-minded. But we are not working toward his return. We feel that, based on the last exam, that his Heat career is probably over."

G Derrick Rose, who is scheduled to go to court next week in a civil case, is still being investigated in a criminal rape investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.The civil trial against Rose, traded to the Knicks in the offseason, and two friends is scheduled to begin on Oct. 4. In July, a federal judge denied Rose's motion to dismiss the case. Rose turns 28 on the day of the civil trial.A woman filed a civil sexual assault case against Rose on Aug. 26, 2015, alleging Rose and two friends raped her. The suit accuses Rose and his friends of slipping a drug into her drink, and the accuser says she was incapacitated and did not give consent.