NBA
Cavaliers clear cap room for the Return of the King
CLEVELAND – The Cavaliers created salary cap space to make sure they have enough to offer superstar free agent LeBron James a maximum contract.
A person familiar with the deals said the Cavs agreed to trade guard Jarrett Jack, swingman Sergey Karasev and center Tyler Zeller in a three-team deal. The moves are designed to open room under the salary cap so they can land James, the four-time league MVP and most sought after player on the market.
The Cavs have agreements with Boston and Brooklyn, the person told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because teams are not permitted to discuss trades until the league’s moratorium ends Thursday.
The person said Cleveland will receive guard Marcus Thornton from the Nets, then will send him, Zeller and a future first-round pick to the Celtics. Also, the Cavs are trading Jack and Karasev to the Nets.
In trading those salaries, the Cavs have enough to give James a maximum, $20.7-million contract – if he decides to sign with Cleveland, where he played his first seven seasons with Cleveland before leaving as a free agent in 2010.
LAS VEGAS – Pat Riley made his pitch. And now, LeBron James wants time to think.
The Miami Heat president met with the four-time NBA MVP on Wednesday afternoon in Las Vegas, but no details were released from the meeting other than that James has not made a decision and will not make any announcements before Thursday, an anonymous source said, adding, “He wants to meet with his family.”
NFL
Four players made eligible for supplemental draft
NEW YORK – Four players will be available during the NFL’s supplemental draft Thursday: League spokesman Michael Signora said in an email that New Mexico receiver Chase Clayton, North Carolina linebacker Darius Lipford, Virginia-Lynchburg defensive tackle Lakendrick Ross and Southern Methodist running back Traylon Shead were eligible for the draft.
The supplemental draft allows qualified underclassmen who did not request early entry into the regular draft to have a chance at entering the NFL. Teams submit picks and are awarded players if their bid – for which round they would take that player – is highest. Teams then lose the corresponding pick in next year’s draft.
Players that are not picked become free agents.
NHL
Ducks bring Heatley back West for a one-year deal
ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks signed left wing Dany Heatley to a one-year deal, returning the 33-year-old unrestricted free agent to the Pacific Division.
Heatley spent last season with Minnesota. He played for San Jose from 2009 to 2011, compiling 65 goals and 81 assists in 162 games for the Sharks. Heatley also has played for Atlanta and Ottawa in his career, notching 372 goals and 419 assists in 863 career games.
Heatley is a four-time All Star and a two-time 50-goal scorer. He ranks second among NHL players with 143 power-play goals.
Kane and Toews reach 8-year extensions in Chicago
CHICAGO – This was a no-brainer from start to finish. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews wanted to stay in Chicago, and the Blackhawks wanted to keep the high-scoring forwards in the only NHL uniform they ever have known. All that was left was crunching the numbers on two of the biggest contracts in franchise history.
The Blackhawks announced Wednesday they reached eight-year extensions with two of their top performers in a long run of success that includes Stanley Cup titles in 2010 and 2013.
Each contract is worth $84 million for an average annual value of $10.5 million, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce the contract numbers.
Associated Press
