The saga is over.When this trade is done, everybody can say they won.The Lakers, the Pelicans, Rich Paul, LeBron James, they all can take a victory lap. The trade that will be official in the coming weeks sending Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Los Angeles Lakers for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and three first-round draft picks — first reported by ESPN, later confirmed to The Associated Press by several people with knowledge of the matter — is perfect for both sides.James gets the superstar teammate he wanted. Paul, the agent James and Davis share, pulls off a power move. The Lakers instantly become major players in a suddenly open Western Conference. Davis finally gets his wish to leave New Orleans. The Pelicans don't begin Zion Williamson's era with a disgruntled superstar in the locker room. They load up on young players and have tons of draft chips to play around with.For the Pelicans, it's a new beginning.For the Lakers, it's about winning now.Draft picks,... [More]

The saga is over.When this trade is done, everybody can say they won.The Lakers, the Pelicans, Rich Paul, LeBron James, they all can take a victory lap. The trade that will be official in the coming weeks sending Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Los Angeles Lakers for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and three first-round draft picks — first reported by ESPN, later confirmed to The Associated Press by several people with knowledge of the matter — is perfect for both sides.James gets the superstar teammate he wanted. Paul, the agent James and Davis share, pulls off a power move. The Lakers instantly become major players in a suddenly open Western Conference. Davis finally gets his wish to leave New Orleans. The Pelicans don't begin Zion Williamson's era with a disgruntled superstar in the locker room. They load up on young players and have tons of draft chips to play around with.For the Pelicans, it's a new beginning.For the Lakers, it's about winning now.Draft picks,... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Anthony Davis will wind up with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers after all.The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to trade the disgruntled Davis to the Lakers for point guard Lonzo Ball, forward Brandon Ingram, shooting guard Josh Hart and three first-round draft choices, several people familiar with the situation said Saturday.The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade cannot become official until the new league year begins July 6. ESPN first reported the trade.The deal ends a nearly five-month saga that became an awkward NBA sideshow, arguably derailed the Lakers' push to make the playoffs and even cost people jobs after Davis requested a trade in late January through his agent, Rich Paul, who also represents James.Now the 26-year-old Davis, a six-time All-Star, will bring his dynamic, up-tempo, above-the-rim play to Hollywood alongside the 34-year-old James, a three-time NBA champion and Finals regular.In return, the Pelicans... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Several people familiar with the situation say the New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to trade disgruntled six-time All-Star Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for point guard Lonzo Ball, forward Brandon Ingram, shooting guard Josh Hart and three first-round draft choices.The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade cannot become official until the new league year begins July 6. ESPN first reported the trade.The trade pairs the 26-year-old Davis, who is among the game's biggest stars and requested a trade in late January, with 34-year-old superstar LeBron James. It also gives the Pelicans promising young players and the opportunity to acquire more.New Orleans already had the first pick overall in Thursday's draft and will have the Lakers' fourth overall choice, giving new basketball operations chief David Griffin to add another top-tier prospect to his presumed first pick of Duke star Zion Williamson.It remains to be seen, however,... [More]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Two people familiar with the situation say the New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to trade six-time All-Star Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for point guard Lonzo Ball, forward Brandon Ingram, shooting guard Josh Hart and three first-round draft choices.The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade cannot become official until the new league year begins July 6. ESPN first reported the trade.The deal pairs the 26-year-old Davis, who is among the game's biggest stars, with 34-year-old superstar LeBron James. It also gives the Pelicans promising young players and the opportunity to acquire more.New Orleans has the first pick overall in Thursday's draft and will have the Lakers' fourth overall choice.It remains to be seen, however, how well Ingram will recover from a blood clot that sidelined him for part of last season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Prosecutors will decide whether to charge Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri with misdemeanor battery after he was accused of shoving and hitting a sheriff's deputy in the face while trying to join his team on the court to celebrate their first NBA championship.Alameda County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said Friday that investigators are reviewing footage from body cameras worn by the deputy and other officers, the stadium's surveillance video and cellphone video. He said a report will be forwarded prosecutors.After the game Thursday night in Oakland against the Golden State Warriors, Ujiri tried to walk past the deputy who was checking court-access credentials, Kelly said. When the deputy stopped him, Ujiri shoved him back several feet and yelled obscenities, Kelly said."That's when our deputy goes hands-on and moves Mr. Ujiri back from the court. Mr. Ujiri made a second, more significant shove and during that shove his arm struck our deputy in the side of... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Prosecutors will decide whether to charge Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri with misdemeanor battery after he was accused of shoving and hitting a sheriff's deputy in the face while trying to join his team on the court to celebrate their first NBA championship.Alameda County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said Friday that investigators are reviewing footage from body cameras worn by the deputy and other officers, the stadium's surveillance video and cellphone video. He said a report will be forwarded prosecutors.After the game Thursday night in Oakland against the Golden State Warriors, Ujiri tried to walk past the deputy who was checking court-access credentials, Kelly said. When the deputy stopped him, Ujiri shoved him back several feet and yelled obscenities, Kelly said."That's when our deputy goes hands-on and moves Mr. Ujiri back from the court. Mr. Ujiri made a second, more significant shove and during that shove his arm struck our deputy in the side of... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A California police agency will pursue a misdemeanor battery charge against Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri after the executive was accused of shoving and hitting a sheriff's deputy in the face and shouting obscenities as he tried to join his team on the court to celebrate their NBA championship.After the game Thursday in Oakland against the Golden State Warriors, Ujiri tried to walk past the deputy who was checking court-access credentials, Alameda County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said.When the deputy stopped him, Ujiri shoved him back several feet, Kelly said."That's when our deputy goes hands-on and moves Mr. Ujiri back from the court. Mr. Ujiri made a second, more significant shove and during that shove his arm struck our deputy in the side of the head," Kelly said.Ujiri was also accused of shouting obscenities at the deputy.Several bystanders intervened and Ujiri got onto the court without displaying any credentials, Kelly said.The deputy complained... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Steve Kerr still considers Golden State an ideal fit for Kevin Durant.Whether Durant sees it that way going into free agency next month, Kerr isn't about to guess. Especially now that the two-time NBA Finals MVP is headed for what could be a yearlong recovery from surgery for a ruptured right Achilles tendon."Well, the injury kind of throws everything for a loop, so I have no idea what Kevin's going to do," Kerr said Friday. "I know that we all want him back, and we think this is a great situation for him and vice versa. So, hopefully we get him back and keep this thing going with the understanding that he's a free agent and we want what's best for him, and he's free to make any choice he wants. Hopefully he's back, and we will all give him any advice, any counsel that he needs. And ultimately he's going to make his own decision. He's earned that."A day after losing Game 6 of the Finals to the champion Toronto Raptors, Kerr and general manager Bob Myers braced for... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Whenever Toronto coach Nick Nurse needed inspiration this season, he merely needed to look at his office wall.Hanging there is a big photo, a finish-line shot of the 2015 Travers Stakes at historic Saratoga Race Course. There are two horses in the frame; one is Triple Crown winner and overwhelming favorite American Pharoah, the other is Keen Ice — who wasn't getting much attention from bettors and had never won on such a big stage.Keen Ice ran a perfect race that day, and knocked off the champion."I just really like the picture," Nurse said.Yes, and there's symmetry now. His Raptors ran a perfect race — and knocked off the team that had won the 2017 and 2018 NBA titles.Nurse, a 51-year-old basketball journeyman who has been a coach for 13 different teams in four countries over the last 30 years, is now the coach of the best team in the world. Unknown no more and someone who never will be anonymous again, Nurse guided the Raptors to their first NBA championship in... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Authorities will push for a battery charge against Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri after the executive was accused of pushing and hitting a sheriff's deputy in the face as he tried to get onto the court when his team won the NBA title in Oakland, a police spokesman said Friday.After the game Thursday against the Golden State Warriors, Ujiri was denied access to the court by the deputy because he didn't show a proper credential, Alameda County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly told the San Francisco Chronicle ."That's when he tried to push past our deputy, and our deputy pushed him back, and there was another push that kind of moved up and struck our deputy in the face," Kelly said.Several bystanders intervened and Ujiri got onto the court without displaying any credentials, Kelly said.Deputies later took witness statements and obtained video of the incident, he said."We'll be submitting a report to the Alameda County district attorney for complaint of battery... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Authorities will push for a battery charge against Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri after the executive was accused of pushing and hitting a sheriff's deputy in the face as he tried to get onto the court when his team won the NBA title in Oakland, a police spokesman said Friday.After the game Thursday against the Golden State Warriors, Ujiri was denied access to the court by the deputy because he didn't show a proper credential, Alameda County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly told the San Francisco Chronicle ."That's when he tried to push past our deputy, and our deputy pushed him back, and there was another push that kind of moved up and struck our deputy in the face," Kelly said.Several bystanders intervened and Ujiri got onto the court without displaying any credentials, Kelly said.Deputies later took witness statements and obtained video of the incident, he said."We'll be submitting a report to the Alameda County district attorney for complaint of battery... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Authorities will push for a battery charge against Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri after the executive was accused of pushing and hitting a sheriff's deputy in the face as he tried to get onto the court when his team won the NBA title in Oakland, an official said Friday.After the game Thursday against the Golden State Warriors, Ujiri was denied access to the court by the deputy because he didn't have a proper credential, Alameda County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly told the San Francisco Chronicle ."That's when he tried to push past our deputy, and our deputy pushed him back, and there was another push that kind of moved up and struck our deputy in the face," Kelly said.Several bystanders intervened and Ujiri got onto the court without displaying any credentials, Kelly said.Deputies later took witness statements and obtained video of the incident, he said."We'll be submitting a report to the Alameda County district attorney for complaint of battery on an... [More]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Authorities will push for a battery charge against Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri after the executive was accused of pushing and hitting a sheriff's deputy in the face as he tried to get onto the court when his team won the NBA title in Oakland, an official said Friday.After the game Thursday against the Golden State Warriors, Ujiri was denied access to the court by the deputy because he didn't have a proper credential, Alameda County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly told the San Francisco Chronicle ."That's when he tried to push past our deputy, and our deputy pushed him back, and there was another push that kind of moved up and struck our deputy in the face," Kelly said.Several bystanders intervened and Ujiri got onto the court without displaying any credentials, Kelly said.Deputies later took witness statements and obtained video of the incident, he said."We'll be submitting a report to the Alameda County district attorney for complaint of battery on an... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Whenever Toronto coach Nick Nurse needed inspiration this season, he merely needed to look at his office wall.Hanging there is a big photo, a finish-line shot of the 2015 Travers Stakes at historic Saratoga Race Course. There are two horses in the frame; one is Triple Crown winner and overwhelming favorite American Pharoah, the other is Keen Ice — who wasn't getting much attention from bettors and had never won on such a big stage.Keen Ice ran a perfect race that day, and knocked off the champion."I just really like the picture," Nurse said.Yes, and there's symmetry now. His Raptors ran a perfect race — and knocked off the two-time NBA champions.Nurse, a 51-year-old basketball journeyman who has been a coach for 13 different teams in four countries over the last 30 years, is now the coach of the best team in the world. Unknown no more and someone who never will be anonymous again, Nurse guided the Raptors to their first NBA championship in a six-game defeat of the... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Authorities will push for a battery charge against Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri after the executive was accused of pushing and hitting a sheriff's deputy in the face as he tried to get onto the court after his team won the NBA title in Oakland, an official said Friday.After the game Thursday against the Golden State Warriors, Ujiri was denied access to the court by the deputy because he didn't have a proper credential, Alameda County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly told the San Francisco Chronicle ."That's when he tried to push past our deputy, and our deputy pushed him back, and there was another push that kind of moved up and struck our deputy in the face," Kelly said.Several bystanders intervened and Ujiri got onto the court without displaying any credentials, Kelly said.Deputies later took witness statements and obtained video of the incident, he said."We'll be submitting a report to the Alameda County district attorney for complaint of battery on... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Whenever Toronto coach Nick Nurse needed inspiration this season, he merely needed to look at his office wall.Hanging there is a big photo, a finish-line shot of the 2015 Travers Stakes at historic Saratoga Race Course. There are two horses in the frame; one is Triple Crown winner and overwhelming favorite American Pharoah, the other is Keen Ice — who wasn't getting much attention from bettors and had never won on such a big stage.Keen Ice ran a perfect race that day, and knocked off the champion."I just really like the picture," Nurse said.Yes, and there's symmetry now. His Raptors ran a perfect race — and knocked off the two-time NBA champions.Nurse, a 51-year-old basketball journeyman who has been a coach for 13 different teams in four countries over the last 30 years, is now the coach of the best team in the world. Unknown no more and someone who never will be anonymous again, Nurse guided the Raptors to their first NBA championship in a six-game defeat of the... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Canadian flag, soaked in beer and champagne, was waved in the Toronto locker room. Pascal Siakam wore the flag of Cameroon around his shoulders. Marc Gasol was yelling some happy phrase in Spanish.Every team that wins an NBA title calls itself "world champions."These Toronto Raptors might actually be worthy of the moniker.The new kings of the NBA are the first outside the U.S. to wear the crown. And they come from all corners of the globe.Team President Masai Ujiri was born in England and raised in Nigeria. Serge Ibaka is from the Congo. Gasol will play again for his native Spain this summer in the FIBA World Cup. Coach Nick Nurse won his first championship in Britain, where reserve OG Anunoby comes from. Even the team's superfan, Nav Bhatia, comes from India.It's a global game.It's a global team.They're the global champions."It meant a lot, just having guys from different countries and speaking different languages," Siakam said. "I think it kind of got us closer... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Canadian flag, soaked in beer and champagne, was waved in the Toronto locker room. Pascal Siakam wore the flag of Cameroon around his shoulders. Marc Gasol was yelling some happy phrase in Spanish.Every team that wins an NBA title calls itself "world champions."These Toronto Raptors might actually be worthy of such a moniker.The new kings of NBA basketball are the first outside the U.S. to wear the crown. And they come from all corners of the globe.Team President Masai Ujiri was born in England and raised in Nigeria. Serge Ibaka is from the Congo. Gasol will play again for his native Spain this summer in the FIBA World Cup. Coach Nick Nurse won his first championship in Britain, where reserve OG Anunoby comes from. Even the team's superfan, Nav Bhatia, comes from India.It's a global game.It's a global team.They're the global champions."It meant a lot, just having guys from different countries and speaking different languages," Siakam said. "I think it kind of... [More]

TORONTO (AP) — Fans poured onto the streets and honked horns in Toronto and celebrated throughout Canada after the Toronto Raptors won their first NBA championship on Thursday night."And that's how we do it in the North," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted above a photo of him, two of his children and a dog watching the game.Thousands of spectators who jammed Jurassic Park, the fan zone outside the team's empty downtown arena, to watch Game 6 of the NBA Finals on big screens screamed in gleeful pandemonium as the final buzzer sounded on the Raptors' 114-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors.Rapper and Raptors global ambassador Drake said the team played with heart."We did this off of love," Drake said after the game. "We willed this into existence."The crowd sang Queen's "We Are the Champions" as they streamed into clogged streets. Some climbed poles and waved shirts. Car horns blared in a triumphant cacophony."What a night! I can't believe it, I can't believe it!" said Elias Edraki,... [More]