Brief Sports News
NBA
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Kevin Durant decided his best chance for “growth” means leaving his beloved Oklahoma City behind for a big move out West to join the star-studded, record-setting Golden State Warriors and play alongside Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
In the most anticipated move of the NBA offseason, Durant announced his decision on The Players’ Tribune. His contract is for $54 million over two years and includes a player option, a person with knowledge of the deal said Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity because details weren’t made public. Durant’s move will become official as soon as Thursday, when free agents can sign their new contracts. And the 2015 champion Warriors, who squandered a 3-1 NBA Finals lead to lose to LeBron James and the Cavaliers last month, know how tough Durant is in any lineup: They rallied from down 3-1 to beat Durant and the Thunder in a seven-game Western Conference Finals.
DALLAS (AP) – Andrew Bogut is headed to the Dallas Mavericks from Golden State thanks to the Warriors’ successful pursuit of Kevin Durant.
A person with knowledge of the deal said the Mavericks have agreed to acquire Bogut with the Warriors trying to clear salary cap space.
Other details of the trade are still being worked out, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been finalized and can’t be official until league business resumes Thursday.
The person also said the Mavericks are set to sign Harrison Barnes, who will become an unrestricted free agent after Golden State renounces his rights to clear enough cap room to sign Durant.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) – The San Antonio Spurs agreed to a two-year deal with veteran forward Pau Gasol, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
The deal is worth more than $30 million and final terms will be completed after the Spurs make a move or two to create the necessary cap space.
NEW YORK (AP) – Brandon Jennings will finally play for the Knicks, seven years after they passed over him in the draft.
Jennings agreed to a contract, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press, confirming reports of the point guard’s one-year, $5 million deal on condition of anonymity because it can’t be signed until Thursday.
MIAMI (AP) – Dwyane Wade has an offer to consider.
Wade has been extended a two-year, $40 million contract offer to stay with the Miami Heat, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday.
The second year would be at Wade’s option. The contract, if accepted, would essentially match the career-best $20 million salary Wade made this past season.
TENNIS
LONDON (AP) – Cruising into the quarterfinals without the loss of a set, Roger Federer is making it look easy as he chases a record eighth Wimbledon title. Serena Williams, meanwhile, is picking up momentum as she goes for a seventh championship at the All England Club.
Federer swept to a 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 win over 29th-ranked American Steve Johnson on Centre Court, equaling Jimmy Connors’ Open-era record by reaching his 14th quarterfinal at the All England Club. Federer broke Johnson five times and was in control throughout a match that lasted just over 90 minutes.
Williams’ match swung in her favor once the roof was shut over Centre Court, as she reeled off the last nine games to beat No. 13 Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-5, 6-0 and reach the quarterfinals for the 12th time.
No. 2-seeded Andy Murray reached to the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the ninth straight year, and No. 6 Milos Raonic, No. 9 Marin Cilic, No. 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, No. 32 Lucas Pouille and Sam Querrey also advanced.
In the women’s draw, No. 3-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska was eliminated by No. 19 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 6-3, 5-7, 9-7. Venus Williams, No. 4-seeded Angelique Kerber, No. 5 Simona Halep, No. 21 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Yaroslava Shvedova also advanced.
TRACK & FIELD
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Boris Berian completed his journey from a burger flipper to Olympian, finishing second in the men’s 800-meter final at track trials to book his trip to Brazil.
Alysia Montano had no such luck. The runner who was cheated out of a medal by dopers at the last Olympics got tripped up on the second lap of the women’s 800 final and did not finish.
Kate Grace, Ajee Wilson and Chrishuna Williams made the 800 team for the women; Clayton Murphy and Charles Jock join Berian on the men’s side.
Sam Kendricks won the pole vault to make his first Olympics, four years after coming to trials, but getting bumped off the start list at the last minute by higher qualifiers.
BASEBALL
NEW YORK (AP) – Jose Reyes is set to rejoin the New York Mets for Tuesday night’s game against the Miami Marlins, his return to the major leagues following a domestic violence suspension.
After Monday’s 8-6 comeback win over Miami, the Mets said Reyes was headed to New York following a minor league assignment with Double-A Binghamton. The 33-year-old infielder, a four-time All-Star shortstop who played for the Mets from 2003-11, hit .176 (6 for 34) during 11 games in the minors that began with two for Class A Brooklyn.
Reyes has shifted to third base in the minors and is likely to play there with New York. Wilmer Flores has been playing third in the absence of captain David Wright, who is probably out for the season following neck surgery.
