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.

The Los Angeles Lakers re-signed forward Metta World Peace, the team announced Friday.Terms of the contract were not released, but World Peace said earlier that he agreed to a one-year deal.After playing in China in the 2014-15 season, World Peace returned to the NBA last year with Los Angeles. He played in 35 games and averaged 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds for the Lakers.Prior to that, World Peace played 29 games for the New York Knicks in 2013-14. He spent five seasons with the Lakers from 2009 until 2013, winning a championship in 2009-10.The 36-year-old World Peace is one-time All-Star (2004) with career averages of 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals over 966 games in 16 seasons.World Peace is expected to provide leadership for a young Lakers squad. He is a former teammate of first-year Lakers head coach Luke Walton.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are working on a buyout for Kevin Garnett that would end the forward's second stint with the team.Minnesota opens training camp on Tuesday and would like to have a solution before it starts, preferably with the 40-year-old Garnett electing to retire.Garnett is entering the final season of his contract and hasn't given the Timberwolves an answer on which direction he is leaning. He has spent 13 1/2 of his 21 NBA seasons with Minnesota.The 15-time All-Star ranks 17th in NBA history with 26,071 career points, ninth in career rebounds with 14,662 and 17th in career blocked shots with 2,037.Garnett played in just 38 games last season due to knee and leg injuries and averaged just 3.2 points and 3.9 rebounds. His current value lies more in terms of being a mentor for young stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins than for his production.The Timberwolves hired Tom Thibodeau as coach and president in the offseason as well as a new general manager in Scott Layden. The... [More]

The Sacramento Kings signed free agent journeyman guard Jordan Farmar to a contract Wednesday.The team did not disclose terms of the deal for Farmar, who averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 12 games with coach Dave Joerger and the Memphis Grizzlies last season. Joerger is now with the Kings and the 29-year-old Farmer's value could rise as anointed starter Darren Collison pled guilty to a domestic violence charge. Collison is likely to face a lengthy suspension to begin the season. Ty Lawson and Isaiah Cousins can also play the point on Sacramento's roster.Farmar has averaged 7.7 points, 2.9 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game since being selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 26th overall pick of the 2006 draft. The 6-foot-2 Farmar is a two-time NBA champion with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010.

Paul Pierce is undecided on the invitation to return to the Los Angeles Clippers for his 19th NBA season.Clippers coach Doc Rivers disclosed during a fundraiser at TD Garden in Boston that Pierce was on the fence about playing in 2016-17."Paul has had the summer, he's gone back and forth," Rivers said. "I think he has a right to do that. I really do. Paul didn't have the best year last year. I don't think he wants to go out that way. So I think that's why he's working to try to come back. But he still may change his mind next week. So we just have to wait. I told him if I see him at training camp, I'm assuming he's playing."Pierce spent most of his career in Boston, including winning the NBA championship in 2007, before he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He reunited last season with Rivers in his home state, but Pierce did not have a major impact off the bench as expected. Rivers said there is no question Pierce can still be effective if he wants to play."If I don't think they can play,... [More]

C Kevin Seraphin has agreed to a two-year, $3.6 million deal with the Indiana Pacers that includes a team option in the second year, according to The Vertical. Despite having 15 players with guaranteed contracts, the Pacers decided to sign Seraphin following a workout. The 6-foot-9 Seraphin is known for his physical defensive presence despite being undersized. The six-year veteran averaged 3.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 11.0 minutes in 48 games for the New York Knicks last season after spending his first five NBA seasons with the Washington Wizards.Seraphin was a first-round pick by the Chicago Bulls in 2010.

Chris Bosh intensified on-court workouts and plans to return to the court this season.The Miami Heat forward shared the workout videos via social media and said he is ready to rejoin the team after each of the past two seasons ended with Bosh sidelined to treat blood clots."I know I've been gone for a moment, but now I'm back," Bosh said in a video. "Everybody is always asking me, 'Am I hooping?' Yes, I'm hooping. I'm a hooper."The 11-time All-Star was at odds with the Heat and publicly questioned why team trainers weren't obliging his request to return to the roster in the postseason. The two sides agreed to issue a joint statement that focused on Bosh's future and return to full health. Heat owner Micky Arison replied to one of Bosh's videos this week and said "Looking good CB look forward to seeing in camp."There has been no detailed update on Bosh's health and in particular whether medical professionals believe his recent issues with blood clots are considered a chronic concern. Team... [More]

Forward Carl Landry was waived by Philadelphia. Landry appeared in 36 games with 12 starts for the 76ers last season, averaging 10 points and 4.0 rebounds in 16 minutes per game. The nine-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 11 points and 5.0 rebounds in 513 games.

PG Ty Lawson signed a free-agent contract with the Kings. Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the team, but multiple outlets reported the pact was for one season. The 28-year-old Lawson averaged 5.8 points and 3.4 assists in 53 games last season with Houston before playing his final 13 contests with Indiana.

The Sacramento Kings signed free agent guard Ty Lawson to a contract on Wednesday.Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the team, but multiple outlets reported the pact was for one season.Lawson likely will serve as the backup to Darren Collison at the point for Sacramento.The 28-year-old Lawson averaged 5.8 points and 3.4 assists in 53 games last season with Houston before playing his final 13 contests with Indiana.Lawson has averaged 13.1 points, 6.2 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game in 482 career contests with the Denver Nuggets, Rockets and Pacers since being selected with the 18th overall pick of the 2009 draft.

Free agent point guard Ty Lawson and the Sacramento Kings reportedly agreed Sunday night on a one-year contract.The Vertical first reported the deal, and multiple media outlets confirmed the report. Financial terms weren't announced. According to The Vertical, Lawson chose Sacramento over the New Orleans Pelicans.Lawson changed his Twitter profile to read, in part, "sac-town PG," and tweeted, "Wassup Sac-town"Lawson, 28, will be joining his third team in a matter of months. He had his contract bought out by the Houston Rockets in early March, then signed with the Indiana Pacers.The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Lawson is entering his eighth NBA season. He played his first six years with the Denver Nuggets before Houston acquired him in the summer of 2015. He averaged 5.8 points per game and 3.4 assists with the Rockets in 53 games (12 starts) last season, then 4.9 points and 4.4 assists in 13 games (one start) with the Pacers.He was a bit player for Indiana in the postseason, averaging 2.3 points and 1.4 assists in seven games.In 482 career games (320 starts), Lawson has averaged 13.1 points and 6.2 assists.Off the court, Lawson has been charged with driving under the influence four times in his NBA career. He received a two-game suspension from the NBA in December.

A cousin of Chicago Bulls star Dwyane Wade was shot and killed while she was pushing her baby in a stroller Friday afternoon in Chicago, multiple media outlets reported.Nykea Aldridge, 32, and a man were walking when someone began firing at the man, according to the Chicago Tribune report.Aldridge was hit in the head and the arm and taken to Stroger Hospital, where she died, police said. The baby was not hurt.Aldridge had just finished registering her children at Dulles School of Excellence when the shooting occurred.Aldridge is the daughter of Wade's mother's sister.Wade issued a statement on Twitter late Friday:"My cousin was killed today in Chicago. Another act of senseless gun violence. 4 kids lost their mom for NO REASON. Unreal.#EnoughIsEnough"The Bulls also issued a statement: "The entire Chicago Bulls organization is deeply saddened by the news of Dwyane Wade's cousin, Nykea Aldridge. We send our deepest condolences to the entire Wade family during this difficult time."Chicago Police Department Deputy Chief James Jones said in a news conference that Aldridge was "an innocent party to this senseless shooting."

The Miami Heat re-signed guard Beno Udrih on Wednesday, adding depth to their backcourt.Terms were not disclosed but the Miami Herald reported the deal is for one year at the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million.Udrih, 34, has appeared in 792 NBA regular-season games (272 starts) during his 12-year career, averaging 8.5 points, 3.4 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 22.3 minutes while shooting 46.3 percent from the floor, 34.9 percent from 3-point range and 83 percent from the foul line.Udrih averaged 4.4 points and 2.5 assists and 16.3 minutes in 36 games for the Heat last season after a November trade from the Memphis Grizzlies.The two-time NBA champion has appeared in 53 postseason games and averaged 4.5 points, 1.2 assists, 1.0 rebounds and 11.3 minutes while shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 80.4 percent from the free-throw line.Last season as a member of both the Heat and Grizzlies, Udrih appeared in 44 games (five starts) and averaged 4.7 points, 2.6 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 16.1 minutes while shooting 43.4 percent from the floor, 34.1 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the line.