HOUSTON ROCKETS

John Wall and the Houston Rockets have agreed that his contract will be bought out, a move that will free him to sign with any team of his choosing, two people with knowledge of the situation said Monday night.

A source with direct knowledge of the agreement said the Houston Rockets are trading center Christian Wood, their leading scorer and rebounder this season, to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for four players and a draft pick.

The New Orleans Pelicans are the lone playoff team among the clubs who can get a boost from lotto luck when the NBA draft lottery is conducted Tuesday night in Chicago.

The Charlotte Hornets have begun their search for a head coach, asking permission to speak with several candidates, said a person familiar with the situation.

Devin Booker scored 36 points, including 15 in the third, Mikal Bridges added 26 and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Houston Rockets 129-112 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory.

Kobe Bryant set Chandler Parsons and the Rockets up at a nightclub in LA, then surprised Parsons by picking up the bar tab.

33 NBA players will make more than $30 million in the 2021-22 NBA season, led by one player's $46 million.

Devin Booker scored 24 points, Deandre Ayton added 23 and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns extended their winning streak to seven games, rallying after Chris Paul was ejected to beat the Houston Rockets 124-121 on Wednesday night.

The Portland Trail Blazers traded Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, rookie Keon Johnson and a second-round pick in 2025.

Stephen Curry hit a game-winning 20-foot jumper from the top of the key to beat the final buzzer, scoring 22 points and sending the Golden State Warriors past the Houston Rockets 105-103.

The Denver Nuggets have acquired veteran wing player Bryn Forbes from San Antonio as part of a three-team trade that also included Boston.

LeBron James and Russell Westbrook both had triple-doubles as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a season-high,five-game skid with a 132-123 win over the Houston Rockets.

After a loss Saturday afteroon, the Detroit Pistons look to avoid setting a historical record in futility when they take on the Miami Heat at home on Sunday evening. On Sautrday against the Rockets, Detroit trailed 62-49 after the first half, but railled to make it close. Now the Pistons get set to take on the Heat for the second time in less than a month. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Miami Heat (18-12) vs. Detroit Pistons (4-24)When: Sunday, December 19Time: 6:00 p.m. ETWhere: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, Mich.)Channel: Bally Sports DetroitStream: DirecTV StreamCheck out the NBA standings and results on NBA.com

Christian Wood led a balanced attack with 21 points and eight rebounds as the Houston Rockets defeated the Detroit Pistons 116-107, handing the Pistons their 14th straight loss.

DETROIT -- In their return for their two-game homestand, the Detroit Pistons fell to the Houston Rockets 116-107 on Saturday afternoon. Garza scored 9 points with 5:05 left in the fourth quarter to bring the Pistons within 10 points of the Rockets. He scored 21 points and dished out a career-high 11 assists. In his first game at Little Caesars Arena since he signed with the Rockets last offseason, Wood scored 21 points and had eight rebounds. It was the second time in the quarter the Pistons cut into the Rockets’ lead but they could not get over the hump.

As the losing streak continues, the Detroit Pistons will try and use an early start on Saturday to turn the tide in their favor when they host another team struggling out west, as the Houston Rockets come to town. The Pistons put together another solid offensive performance in their Thursday night meeting with the Indiana Pacers. The Pistons’ second win of the season back in early November came on the road against the Rockets. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Houston Rockets (9-20) vs. Detroit Pistons (4-23)When: Saturday, December 18Time: 12:00 p.m. ETWhere: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, Mich.)Channel: Bally Sports DetroitStream: DirecTV StreamCheck out the NBA standings and results on NBA.com

Four Charlotte Hornets players, including last year’s Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball, have been placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols on Saturday, an indicator they have tested positive of the coronavirus.

Detroit’s Kelly Olynyk will miss at least six weeks with a sprained left knee.

The matchup will feature the top two picks in the 2021 NBA Draft in Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green. This will be the second time that Cunningham and Green face each other since their respective teams drafted them. Through four games, he’s averaging 10.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 27 minutes. Like Cunningham, Green hasn’t had the strongest start either. Through 10 games, he’s put up 13.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and three assists while shooting 35.3 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three.

Once again, the Detroit Pistons will look to snap another four-game losing streak. This time, they are going up against a team like them, desparate for their second win of the season, as they go on the road to take on the Houston Rockets. Now the Pistons have a good chance to break this schneid they find themselves on against the 1-9 Rockets. Check out more stories about the Detroit Pistons here on MLiveWhat: NBA BasketballWho: Detroit Pistons (1-8) vs. Houston Rockets (1-9)When: Wednesday, November 10Time: 7:30 p.m. ETWhere: Toyota Center (Houston, Texas)Channel: ESPN, Bally Sports DetroitStream: DirecTV StreamCheck out the NBA standings and results on NBA.com

After a tough opening stretch against some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons’ schedule eases up just slightly. Many of the teams in the NBA have improved, so the Pistons still have plenty of challenging matchups ahead. Over the next few days, the Pistons will face teams that fell to the bottom of the league last season. Like The Pistons and Houston, the Cavaliers added a dynamic player to their roster in Evan Mobley. Mobley has paired well with Cleveland center Jarrett Allen, who has also had a solid start to the year.

HOUSE OF THE WEEK | The five-time NBA all-star purchased the seven-bedroom, 12-bathroom, 16,479-square-foot house in Kentsdale Estates in 2013.

Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter waded into an especially sensitive subject for the NBA with his comments advocating for a free Tibet, as China is by far the league's largest foreign market.

Will this year's Detroit Pistons be a pleasant surprise like the Tigers, a hopeless disaster like the Lions, or somewhere in between?

Eighteen former NBA players have been arrested and charged with defrauding the NBA's Health and Welfare Benefit Plan out of $4 million, officials familiar with the matter said.

The 2021 NBA Summer League season is over for the Pistons, leaving us with much to talk about heading into the fall.

New Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green may be unhappy he didn’t end up as the top pick in this year’s NBA Draft. Sports, Green was pretty clear that he was happy he did not have to call Detroit home. 1 pick, but as for the location, I didn’t want to be in Detroit,” Green told Chris Haynes. “I want to live in Detroit,” Green said. Green and the Rockets got the better of the Pistons, with Green scoring 25 points in Houston’s 111-91 win.

It did not help that Detroit’s shooting from distance went virtually cold after the first quarter, while the Houston Rockets kept heating up. Ultimately the Rockets and their 43.8 percent shooting from three downed the Pistons 111-91. Cade Cunningham finding his rhythm: The Pistons rookie looked noticeably more comfortable in game two. Over five minutes into the game, Cunningham closed in on the passing lane of the Rockets, knocked the ball away from Jalen Green then raced down to the basket. Not only was Cunningham more comfortable offensively, but his defense also continued to shine as he pestered Christopher and Green all night.

The Detroit Pistons’ top pick Cade Cunningham faced off against the Houston Rockets’ second overall pick Jalen Green in the Summer League. Green came out with a vengeance, looking to prove plenty and led his team in scoring with 25 points as the Rockets defeated the Pistons 111-91. Offensively, Cunningham looked more comfortable, especially when he had the opportunity to take matters into his hands. Green and the Rockets, though, carved the Pistons up from the 3-point line, sinking 14 of their 32 attempts from distance. The Pistons looked more in sync and more in control of the ball, committing far fewer turnovers in the first half.

Detroit Pistons fans get another chance to look at the fresh new faces of their franchise in NBA Summer League action, as they get set to take on the Houston Rockets, where the top two draft picks in this year’s draft go head-to-head. 1 pick on the floor for the second time this summer, as Cade Cunningham looks to improve on his debut in a Detroit uniform last week. Watch the NBA on FuboTV (7-day free trial)On the other side, the Rockets are going to have their first round, no. The former Ignite star comes in with a lot of potential, and showed that in Houston’s Summer League debut against Cleveland. What: NBA Summer League BasketballWho: Detroit Pistons vs. Houston RocketsWhen: Tuesday, August 10Time: 9:00 p.m.

Not long into 2021 NBA free agency and the Detroit Pistons have added a big man to the team. The Pistons signed a veteran center Kelly Olynyk to a three-year, $37 million deal, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Toronto native joins the Pistons shortly after the team dealt center Mason Plumlee to the Charlotte Hornets and waived three players over the weekend. At the trade deadline, Miami dealt him to the Houston Rockets, where his role expanded. The 30-year-old joins the Pistons young core of Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey and Saben Lee as well as this year’s draft pick Cade Cunningham.

The team will also provide tickets for some of the first responders from Friday's massacre at Santa Fe High School.

Keep track of all the players who have committed to Team USA for the Tokyo Olympics.

Evan Mobley, Jalen Green or someone else for the Detroit Pistons in the 2021 NBA draft?

Kyle Kuzma’s driving layup with 6.9 seconds remaining gave the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers a 124-122 victory over the Houston Rockets and kept the defending NBA champions' slim hopes of avoiding the play-in tournament alive.

With about 4,000 fans in attendance, LeBron James helped the Los Angeles Lakers unveil their 2019-20 NBA championship banner at Staples Center.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 28 points and Anthony Edwards added 22 as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the undermanned Detroit Pistons 119-100 on Tuesday night in a game with significant lottery implications.

Fanatics now has e-commerce deals with 13 National Basketball Association clubs.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored a career-high 50 points, and the NBA-worst Houston Rockets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 143-136 on Thursday night after Giannis Antetokounmpo left less than a minute into the game with an apparent ankle injury.

Hackers say they've seized computer records from the Washington, D.C., police and are demanding ransom. As ransomware groups keep getting more sophisticated, law enforcement is struggling to keep up.

The Houston Rockets say that guard Sterling Brown was assaulted by unknown individuals after the team arrived in Miami late Sunday night, suffering cuts to his face.

Houston Rockets' Kevin Porter Jr. (3) and Jae'Sean Tate (8) defend against Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)NEW YORK – Kyrie Irving had 31 points and a season-high 12 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets overcame the loss of James Harden to beat the Houston Rockets 120-108 on Wednesday night and move into first place in the Eastern Conference. Harden sat out the fourth quarter against his former team with right hamstring tightness, finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Rockets jumped to a 24-6 lead, with an 8-for-9 start that included makes on all five 3-point attempts. The Rockets listed the injury as a left knee effusion and it's unknown whether it will keep him out longer.

Detroit Pistons guard Delon Wright (55) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets guard John Wall (1) defends during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 19, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taromina/Pool Photo via AP)DETROIT – The Detroit Pistons have agreed to trade guard Delon Wright to the Sacramento Kings for guard Cory Joseph and two second-round draft picks, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoketo The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the trade had not been announced. The 6-foot-5 Wright has averaged 10.4 points a game this season for the rebuilding Pistons. He has spent the past season and a half with the Kings.

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) celebrates a three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)Kyle Lowry stayed with the Toronto Raptors, and the Miami Heat got Victor Oladipo instead. And on a trade deadline day where moves were getting made right up until the last possible moment, the Denver Nuggets took a big swing at getting better for a playoff run while the Orlando Magic began a rebuild. Lowry — considered perhaps the biggest prize who was on the market — did not get traded, the Raptors apparently unable to find enough assets to their liking. Questions swirled around Lowry all the way to the 3 p.m. EST deadline, and there were signs that the Raptors were positioning themselves to make the move. “Everything will be fine," Lowry said on Wednesday, when asked about the looming deadline and incessant reports about his trade prospects.

Houston Rockets' John Wall (1) drives on Toronto Raptors' Fred VanVleet (23) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 22, 2021, in Houston. (Bob Levey/Pool Photo via AP)HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets ended their 20-game losing streak Monday night, as John Wall had his first triple-double in five years in a 117-99 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Houston’s skid was tied for the ninth-worst in NBA history and the longest since Philadelphia’s record-setting, 28-game losing streak across the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. But Wall had 19 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds, his first triple-double since Feb. 5, 2016. In their losing streak, Houston led after the first quarter only three times, including on Feb. 26 when they led the Raptors 31-30.

(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)HOUSTON – Mired in a long losing streak, the Houston Rockets twice put the ball in John Wall's hands in the waning moments. The Rockets lost their team-record 20th straight game, falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder 114-112 Sunday when Wall missed two shots in the final 10 seconds. This one hurts.”Dort scored 23 points and Isaiah Roby had 18 for the Thunder, who led by as many as 13 points. They shot a sizzling 14 of 21 on 3s in the second quarter, however, and Oklahoma City led 66-62 at halftime. The Rockets hit a franchise-record 28 3s in a win against the Thunder on Feb. 1, just three days before their last win.

For the second time this season, the Pistons have a two-game win streak. He was 6-for-6 at the free-throw line and ended the night with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. He is now 5-of-10 on the season and ended the night with 13 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Josh Jackson continues as the second unit’s leader: The Detroit native has carved out a role leading the Pistons bench. He led the Pistons’ reserves in scoring as they outscored the Rockets bench 40-20 and continues to lead the league in bench scoring.

HOUSTON (AP) — Frank Jackson had a season-high 23 points and the Detroit Pistons handed the Houston Rockets their franchise-record 19th straight loss, 113-100 on Friday night. The injury-plagued Rockets were playing just their fourth game of the season where Christian Wood, Victor Oladipo and John Wall were all available. Wall had 21 points and seven assists, Oladipo had 19 points, and Wood 18 points and 11 rebounds. Wood averaged 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in 62 games and 12 starts with Detroit last season before signing with Houston in the offseason. Rockets: Wall was charged with a flagrant foul on a second-quarter collision with Frank Jackson and later received a technical foul for arguing with officials in the third quarter.

Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo (7) shoots as Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) defends during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 19, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taromina/Pool Photo via AP)HOUSTON – Frank Jackson had a season-high 23 points and the Detroit Pistons handed the Houston Rockets their franchise-record 19th straight loss, 113-100 on Friday night. The injury-plagued Rockets were playing just their fourth game of the season where Christian Wood, Victor Oladipo and John Wall were all available. Wall had 21 points and seven assists, Oladipo had 19 points, and Wood 18 points and 11 rebounds. Rockets: Wall was charged with a flagrant foul on a second-quarter collision with Frank Jackson and later received a technical foul for arguing with officials in the third quarter.

File-This March 1, 2021, file photo shows Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) passing the ball as Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker practiced with his new team Friday, March 19, 2021, after the Bucks officially announced they had acquired the 6-foot-5 forward along with guard Rodions Kurucs from the Houston Rockets. Tucker practiced with his new team Friday after the Bucks officially announced they had acquired the 6-foot-5 forward along with guard Rodions Kurucs from the Houston Rockets The Bucks sent guard D.J. As part of the trade, the Bucks gave up their 2021 and 2023 first-round picks and got back their own 2022 first-round pick and the Rockets’ 2021 second-round selection. Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement that Tucker “checks all the boxes” with his versatility and all-around game.

The NAACP has given him its Jackie Robinson Sports Award. And, for the first time, the nation's oldest civil rights organization is recognizing more than one person by honoring the WNBA Players Association. Ad“I am so proud of the WNBA players for this well-deserved recognition of their continued activism and advocacy for social justice and equality," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement provided to the AP. Warriors coach Steve Kerr, outspoken on many issues himself, admires the WNBA players for their activism. “I love what the WNBA players have done.

Morey hasn't had to make any major moves in his first season running the Philadelphia 76ers. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)PHILADELPHIA – Like any top NBA executive this time of the season, Daryl Morey is trying to better his roster. “I just grabbed all the Sixers,” Morey said. “Younger fans want to feel like they’re part of something,” Morey told The Associated Press in an interview this week. “Well, we happen to have the best inside players in the NBA,” Morey said.

(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)The Toronto Raptors’ issues with the coronavirus have worsened, prompting the NBA to call off their game scheduled for Sunday night against the Chicago Bulls. Toronto played Friday without head coach Nick Nurse, several other assistants and staffers and starting forward Pascal Siakam because of virus-related issues. The Raptors-Bulls game is the 30th to be postponed so far this season because of COVID-19 testing or contact tracing. All NBA players and coaches are tested daily. During the season's second half, which runs from March 10 through May 16, the Raptors and Bulls share 19 days without a game on their schedules.

(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)TAMPA, Fla. – Norman Powell scored 30 points, Kyle Lowry had a triple-double and the depleted Toronto Raptors beat the Houston Rockets 122-111 on Friday night. AdLowry had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to help the Raptors hand the Rockets their 10th straight loss. Victor Oladipo led the Rockets with 27 points, and John Wall had 21 points and 12 assists. TIP-INSRockets: The last time the Rockets lost 10 straight games was Nov. 23-Dec. 20, 2001 during a 15-game losing streak. Raptors: The Raptors have not been involved in any of the NBA's 29 coronavirus postponements so far this season.

The cryptocurrency world is abuzz with talk of digital collectibles, unique virtual tokens that can represent anything from art to sports memorabilia. People have been paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for these NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. Even Mark Cuban and other celebrities are cashing in on the NFT craze. It's reminded some investors of the initial coin offering, or ICO, bubble in 2017, when multiple start-ups issued new digital tokens to raise money. There are some parallels with the ICO frenzy — for example, celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Mark Cuban have recently sold NFTs.

Houston Rockets' DeMarcus Cousins, left, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, in Philadelphia. All rights reservedHOUSTON – The Houston Rockets have released DeMarcus Cousins after just 25 games. Cousins was waived this week after signing a $2.3 million contract with Houston in the offseason. The 30-year-old Cousins was averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds this season playing in a reserve role. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Nancy Wilson sits on her porch after returning from a water distribution site Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in Houston. The city remains under a boil water notice and many residents lack water at home due to frozen or broken pipes. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)HOUSTON – The game between the Houston Rockets and the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night was postponed because of continued utility shortages in the area from this week’s winter storm. The team said the decision was made after discussions with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and the NBA. No makeup date for either game has been set.

Players, coaches and staff kneel during the national anthem before the game between the Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 04, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. For the first time this season, the Dallas Mavericks will play the national anthem ahead of a home game. The Mavericks had not played the national anthem before any home games during the preseason or regular season at Cuban's direction, a team spokesperson confirmed to NBC News. "With NBA teams now in the process of welcoming fans back into their arenas, all teams will play the national anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy," Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass said in a statement Wednesday. Though league policy requires players to stand for the national anthem, according to NBC Sports, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hasn't strictly enforced the rule, allowing players to kneel during the anthem in the NBA bubble last season.

Washington Wizards' Russell Westbrook reacts to a call during the fourth quarter of the team's NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in Houston. Portland will now visit Washington on Tuesday, a game that was originally set for the second half. And that means the Blazers, who were scheduled to visit the Hornets that day, will now go to Charlotte in the second half of the schedule. Boston and Phoenix have had three games postponed apiece so far, and it’s not yet known if their first-half schedules will be adjusted. Teams also began arriving Wednesday at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, to begin quarantine and prepping for the G League season, which — like the NBA did last season — will utilize a bubble.

Houston Rockets' John Wall reacts during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in Houston. Wall scored 24 points to help Houston to a 107-88 victory over Russell Westbrook and the Washington Wizards. Houston was leading by six when Wall re-entered the game. “I was itching to get back in in the fourth quarter," he said. “The fourth quarter was good," Silas said.

The Detroit Pistons’ return to Little Caesars Arena after a three-game road trip ended with another close loss. Pistons coach Dwane Casey said the Pistons had time to execute and that perhaps the whistle should have been blown sooner. On top of that, the Pistons were cold offensively, making just seven of their 21 shot attempts in the opening quarter. Stewart injects energy coming off the bench: Casey has often praised rookie Isaiah Stewart for his energy and on Friday he showed plenty of it. The Pistons shot 46.9 percent from long range, sinking 15 of their 32 3-point shot attempts.

Blake Griffin struggled (seven points on 2 for 8 shooting, 10 rebounds in 29 minutes). He wasn’t on the floor during a five-minute stretch late in the fourth quarter, returning only after Josh Jackson fouled out with 2:05 to play. Starting guards Wayne Ellington (6 for 10 3-pointers) and Delon Wright scored 18 points each for the Pistons (3-12). After trailing all night, the Pistons took their first lead on Grant’s 3-pointer with 3:21 remaining in the third quarter. Jackson finished with 12 points and Stewart with seven points and 10 rebounds.

Christian Wood was one of the NBA’s most improved players with the Detroit Pistons in 2019-20 and is putting up All-Star caliber numbers with the Houston Rockets this year. Wood parlayed his breakout season with the Pistons into a three-year, $41 million free-agent deal with the Rockets. “He’s now become a go-to guy for Houston,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. In 13 games following the Andre Drummond trade, Wood averaged 22.8 points and 9.9 rebounds. I think good things for him and wish him well.”More: Pistons get off to start start but fade near the end

Houston Rockets guard James Harden dribbles against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taormina/Pool Photo via AP)NEW YORK – James Harden will start Saturday night in his Brooklyn Nets debut against the Orlando Magic. Nets coach Steve Nash immediately put Harden into the starting lineup. Harden had been listed as questionable to play before the Nets upgraded him to available about two hours before the game. That will require another adjustment for Harden, especially because the team is practicing so infrequently in this season's condensed schedule.

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) passes the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taormina/Pool Photo via AP)NEW YORK – James Harden used his final interview in Houston to say that his team wasn't good enough. “You just add that all together, and it’s like, that’s a legit chance right there,” Harden said. General manager Daryl Morey and coach Mike D'Antoni weren't going to return and Harden didn't believe in the roster left behind. That seems OK with Harden — as long as the Nets are winning.

James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the second half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 05, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. If the Brooklyn Nets knew for sure they'd land James Harden, perhaps the club might've held off on a deal with Motorola and driven a harder bargain. And Harden is sure to give the Nets more brand appeal once he arrives on the New York City basketball scene, while the James Dolan-owned Knicks can only watch. The Nets also won in the deal as their brand increases with Harden's stardom and his massive audience he brings with to him. The Nets were already in a good position with Durant's return, paring with Irving, which helped land the Motorola patch deal.

Houston Rockets' James Harden leaves the court following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Houston. The Nets acquired the three-time scoring champion from the Houston Rockets in a deal that became official on Thursday, a move Harden has sought for weeks. Harden is the centerpiece of a deal that also involved Cleveland and grew to a fourth team when Indiana, made a separate deal with Houston. All are under contract through 2022-23, with Harden and Durant both set to earn more than $40 million in each of the next two seasons. Brooklyn expects Harden to leave all that behind him and that his transition to the Nets will be smooth.

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and coach Stephen Silas, right, react after a play during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2021, in Houston. (Troy Taormina/Pool Photo via AP)HOUSTON – James Harden publicly acknowledged his discord with the Houston Rockets for the first time Tuesday night following back-to-back blowout losses to the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s averaged at least 25 points per game in each of his eight full seasons with the Rockets. The Rockets are 3-6 and looked completely overmatched in their last two games against the reigning champions. Wall was asked how he and Harden have worked together on the court so far after Tuesday's game.

Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes gets a hand on Houston Rockets guard James Harden during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday Dec. 31, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Richard Carson)HOUSTON – Houston star James Harden was scratched from the Rockets' game Saturday game against the Sacramento Kings less than an hour before tipoff because of a sprained right ankle. Harden was not listed on the injury report and coach Stephen Silas did not mention his injury in his pregame availability. The team announced that he wouldn't play about 38 minutes before the game was scheduled to begin. He has started each of Houston's games this season and is averaging a league-leading 37 points with 11 assists a game.

Houston Rockets guard James Harden shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Robert Covington during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)NEW YORK – The NBA fined Philadelphia president of basketball operations Daryl Morey $50,000 on Monday for a since-deleted tweet about Houston’s James Harden that violated the league’s anti-tampering rule. Typically, teams are prohibited from discussing players under contract to other teams and the NBA has warned clubs that it can be considered tampering. A tweet by Morey in 2019 led to major problems for the NBA and its relationship with China. NBA games were not shown on CCTV, China's state broadcaster, for one year after that since-deleted tweet.

(AP Photo/Steve Dykes)PORTLAND, Ore. – CJ McCollum scored 44 points, including a 3-pointer with 6.3 seconds left that gave the Portland Trail Blazers a 128-126 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night. Lillard's layup pushed the Blazers ahead 125-123 with 30 seconds left in overtime, but Harden made a 3 to push the Rockets ahead with 15.3 seconds left. Then with 6.3 seconds left, the ball found McCollum again and the Blazers' guard hit another long range shot putting Portland ahead 128-126. After Wood cut the Blazers lead to 123-120 with a layup, Harden tied the game again at 123 with 38.6 seconds left. After a missed 3-pointer by Lillard, Houston’s PJ Tucker was called for a loose ball foul on the rebound with 32 seconds left.

Houston Rockets' James Harden looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against tha San Antonio Spurs in Houston, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. (Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo via AP)The Houston Rockets are preparing to have only nine available players, James Harden among them, for their first two games of the season because of ongoing quarantine issues related to the coronavirus pandemic. The Rockets play their opener in Portland on Saturday and visit Denver on Monday. Harden being ineligible to play meant the Rockets did not have the eight available players needed to start a game, so what was to have been their opener on Wednesday against Oklahoma City was postponed. Ben McLemore and Kenyon Martin Jr. are not with the Rockets on the trip and are self-isolating, the team said.

The Trojans will host Santa Clara instead of Long Beach State, which had to cancel because of ongoing COVID-19 issues in its program. ___UCLA’s women’s basketball game at Oregon State on New Year’s Day has been postponed indefinitely. The Beavers announced a confirmed case of COVID-19 on Dec. 20. The team issued a statement Saturday announcing the positive test and saying it had closed its facility for tracing. The day's other suspended games include league leader Portsmouth against Swindon Town.

Wednesday's season opener between the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder has been postponed after the Rockets revealed their team did not have enough eligible players due to COVID-19 restrictions. Three Rockets players either tested positive or received inconclusive test results, the NBA said in a statement. Rockets players John Wall and Demarcus Cousins were both sent home, ineligible to play in Wednesday's game, according to CBS Sports. While neither of the players tested positive for COVID-19, contact tracing put them in close contact with another positive player. To aid with the inevitable COVID-19 re-scheduling, the NBA has only scheduled 72 regular season games, instead of the usual 82.

Houston Rockets' James Harden reacts during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in Houston, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. The drama began when reports surfaced that Harden and Russell Westbrook both wanted out of Houston. While the rest of the Rockets were preparing for the season, Harden was photographed partying in Atlanta at a rapper's birthday party and at a nightclub in Las Vegas. That would have left eight eligible players, which is the league minimum to start a game. Harden, according to the protocols, may now be ordered into quarantine and could lose more than $500,000 for each game missed because of protocol violations.

HOUSTON – James Harden practiced with the Houston Rockets on Monday for the first time this season after missing the early part of camp while talk swirls that he wants out. Coach Stephen Silas said he spoke with the superstar Monday, but they talked strictly basketball and neither addressed a possible trade. He’s bringing up good points.”So far asking Harden anything hasn’t been an option — the Beard hasn’t spoken to reporters since reporting to camp. Silas said that Harden will make his preseason debut Tuesday night when the Rockets host the Spurs. Silas, in his first year in Houston after taking over for Mike D’Antoni, has said he expects Harden to be “all in” this season.

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Duke won’t play any more nonconference men’s basketball games in the regular season. The club says the decision came in collaboration with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell because current data suggests a recent surge in local positive tests. Preseason games across the NBA begin Friday and the regular season is scheduled to begin with two games on Dec. 22. ___South Carolina has called off its men’s basketball game at George Washington on Monday because of a positive COVID-19 test. ___Georgia has canceled its women’s basketball game against Radford because of a positive COVID-19 test within the Highlanders’ program.

HOUSTON – James Harden hasn’t reported to Houston Rockets camp and coach Stephen Silas said Monday that he didn’t know when the All-Star guard would arrive. The Rockets had their second workout of training camp on Monday and afterward the new coach addressed the absence of the disgruntled star who reportedly wants to be traded. “As far as timetable, there’s no timetable as far as I know,” Silas told reporters when asked when Harden would arrive. We’re just trying to work piece by piece.”The Rockets are intent on keeping Harden as the centerpiece of their team. Silas isn’t sure why the eight-time All-Star and 2018 MVP is not at camp and wouldn’t speculate about the motivation for his absence.

HOUSTON – Russell Westbrook is headed to the Washington Wizards and John Wall is moving to the Houston Rockets in a significant swap of point guards — one an MVP, the other a No. The Wizards shipped a future lottery-protected first round pick to the Rockets on Wednesday night. “With that said, the decision to part ways with John, one of the greatest players in franchise history, was extremely difficult. After a report surfaced that Wall wanted out of Washington, Sheppard said on Nov. 23 that Wall “didn’t request” to be moved when they spoke that morning. “There’s no plans to trade John,” Sheppard said during a video conference with reporters that day.

Troy Weaver has made a flurry of trades, draft picks and free agent signings in his first offseason as Detroit Pistons general manager. Nov. 18: Houston draft pick tradeBefore the start of the draft, the Pistons acquired the No. 16 overall pick and guaranteed the return draft pick will either be worse than No. Nov. 18: Sold 2021 second-round pickWeaver sold a second-round pick to the Rockets for $4.6 million. 19 overall pick, Dzanan Musa, Jaylen Hands, Rodney McGruder, Toronto’s 2021 second-round pick, cash considerations8.

Christian Wood had a breakout season with the Detroit Pistons, and now he has cashed in elsewhere. Wood will sign a three-year, $41 million contract with the Houston Rockets in a sign-and-trade deal with the Pistons, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday during the first day of free agency. Wood reportedly will be part of the draft night deal between Detroit and Houston in which the Pistons received the No. 16 pick (they selected Isaiah Stewart), veteran forward Trevor Ariza and $4.6 million for a heavily protected future first-round pick and the Lakers’ 2021 second-round selection. Wood was particularly good in 13 games after Andre Drummond was dealt to Cleveland, averaging 22.8 points and 9.9 rebounds.

The Warriors said Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, that Thompson has suffered a torn right Achilles tendon and is expected to miss the upcoming season. Thompson was injured during a pickup game in Southern California the day before. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)SAN FRANCISCO – Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson has suffered a torn right Achilles tendon and is expected to miss the upcoming season, the team said Thursday. General manager Bob Myers had said athletic trainers would head to Southern California to accompany Thompson as he got his test. Thompson didn’t play at all during the coronavirus-shortened season as he worked back from surgery for a torn ACL in his left knee.

16 pick in tonight’s draft and veteran forward Trevor Ariza from the Houston Rockets in exchange for a future first-round selection, a league source confirmed to MLive. The 6-8 Ariza, 35, appeared in 53 games last season between Sacramento (32 games off the bench) and Portland (21 starts). Ariza is set to earn $12.8 million this season but only $1.8 million is guaranteed, if he is waived, according to HoopsHype.comThis would be Ariza’s 10th team in 16 NBA seasons. The Rockets also purchased Detroit’s second-round pick in 2021 for $4.6 million, per Wojnarowski. That pick originally belonged to the Los Angeles Lakers, who dealt it to Detroit along with Svi Mykhailiuk for Reggie Bullock on Feb. 6, 2019.

The Houston Rockets agreed to trade Trevor Ariza and the 16th pick in Wednesday night's NBA draft to the Detroit Pistons for a future first-round pick, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced. The Philadelphia 76ers sent Al Horford and a protected future first-round pick to Oklahoma City, and the Minnesota Timberwolves reacquired point guard Ricky Rubio in a separate trade with the Thunder. The person confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not yet been announced. The Timberwolves obtained the 17th pick, which originally belonged to Brooklyn, from Atlanta in a four-team, 12-player, three-pick trade in February.

Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta told CNBC on Friday the idea of playing games without fans in attendance is "never gonna work," as fears of the coronavirus outbreak continues to plague markets worldwide. "I don't think you ever want to play games in front of no audiences," Fertitta said, adding he would instead prefer to suspend play for a week. "But you don't want to play games with no fans." Appearing on CNBC's "Power Lunch," Fertitta commented on the coronavirus, urging fans to remain calm and not panic. Hence, as of now, the annual NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament will be played as scheduled.

At the same time, some will look to offload money, hoping to avoid a luxury tax bill. According to league sources who spoke to CNBC, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is seeking to shed additional salary off the team's nearly $140 million payroll hoping to avoid a luxury tax. The way the tax system works is the NBA penalizes a team when its payroll rises above $132 million for the 2019-20 season. From there, the tax will increase 50 cents for each additional $5 million a team is over, according to the NBA-NBPA collective bargaining agreement. If a team pays the luxury tax in at least four out of five seasons, the fee is then increased by $1.00.

FILE PHOTO: Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant celebrates a shot by Steve Blake against the Houston Rockets during the second half of their NBA game in Los Angeles, California October 26, 2010. With the untimely and unexpected passing of the great Kobe Bryant please sign this petition in an attempt to immortalize him forever as the new NBA Logo, reads the petition, which was created by 16-year-old Bryant fan Nick Moghtader of Vancouver. The current NBA logo, which was introduced in 1969, features the silhouette of Lakers great and Basketball Hall of Famer Jerry West dribbling a ball with his left hand. The NBA did not immediately respond when asked to comment on the petition, which had 1.9 million signatures as of 12:05 p.m. Bryant, who retired from professional basketball in 2016, played all 20 of his NBA seasons with the Lakers and won five NBA championships.

Tucker, the NBA's Sneaker King, is close to signing his next endorsement deal since his contract with Nike expired Oct. 1, he told CNBC in an interview. Tucker, 34, has been with Nike throughout his career and has been in negotiations with the company since his deal ended last month. The 34-year-old player is expected to command a multiyear, six-figure sneaker deal that would be the largest endorsement deal of his career. Part of the intrigue of signing Tucker is the North Carolina native's massive shoe collection, labeling Tucker the "Sneaker King." Off the court, Tucker favors the Air Max 1 line, owning multiple versions and colors of the Nike product.

Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday accused the NBA of "acting like a wholly owned subsidiary" of China's ruling Communist Party after a top Houston Rockets executive enraged that country's authoritarian leaders with his support of anti-government protestors in Hong Kong. An NBA spokesman said after the tweet that Morey's views "have deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China, which is regrettable." On the heels of Morey's tweet, nearly all of the NBA's Chinese partners ended or suspended their relationships with the league. "In siding with the Chinese Communist Party and silencing free speech, the NBA is acting like a wholly owned subsidiary of the authoritarian regime," the vice president said. The NBA and Nike had no immediate comment when contacted by CNBC.

Basketball Hall of Fame player Shaquille O'Neal lent his support to Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, who ignited an international clash with China earlier this month when he tweeted support for anti-government protests in Hong Kong. O'Neal, who didn't say whether he agreed with Morey, said he was right to speak out. Whenever you see something wrong going on anywhere in the world, you should have the right to say, 'That's not right.' "They understand our values, we understand their values. Stand With Hong Kong" has caused a rift between China and the NBA as executives publicly support Morey's protected right to free speech in America.

Daryl Morey was right, ONeal said on TNTs Inside the NBA program in Los Angeles on the opening night of the National Basketball Association (NBA) season. Whenever you see something wrong going on anywhere in the world, you should have the right to say Thats not right and thats what he did, he added. ONeal said that even if the values in the two countries differ, they need to show each other respect. We as American people, we do a lot of business in China and they know and understand our values and we understand their values, he said. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Thursday said the fallout had caused the league substantial financial losses in China.

Businessman Mark Cuban listens as he is introduced at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Film Interactive Festival 2017 in Austin, Texas, March 12, 2017. Mark Cuban, billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks, says pressure from China to silence NBA players and managers hasn't changed anything at the basketball league"What influence? Cuban's comments come after Daryl Morey, general manager of the Houston Rockets, tweeted support for anti Chinese government protests in Hong Kong earlier in October. Nearly all the NBA's Chinese partners suspended their ties with the league following initial backlash from China. The NBA has grown to become China's most popular sports league, where more than more than 300 million people in China play basketball, according to the NBA.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Chinese officials wanted Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to be fired for his tweet supporting anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, and the league emphatically dismissed the request. Silver also said that the league is already feeling "substantial" financial losses because of the Chinese reaction to Morey's deleted tweet. "I felt we had made enormous progress in terms of building cultural exchanges with the Chinese people," Silver said. Morey has not been rebuked publicly by the league, and Silver has said that the league will support his freedom of expression. Tencent, which has a $1.5 billion deal to stream NBA games in China over the next five years, has also stopped showing Rockets games but has not totally dropped all NBA content.

Sen. Ted Cruz told CNBC on Wednesday that the National Basketball Association should not bow to pressure from China, following the fallout over a tweet by the general manager of the Houston Rockets supporting the Hong Kong protests. The NBA and NBA teams make a whole lot money; broadcasting in China, having [online] subscriptions in China, having fans there," he said. Morey's tweet supporting the anti-government protests in Hong Kong was perfectly reasonable, Cruz said Wednesday on CNBC. "The protesters in Hong Kong are standing up for democracy. The communist government in China is particularly sensitive about the months of protests in Hong Kong, as it embarks on high-level trade talks with the U.S.

The NBA , embroiled in a rift caused by a tweet expressing support for pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong, has avoided going that route for now. "And that's exactly what Americans and NBA fans don't want to see their commissioner say," Dees added. But the only true apology so far came from Rockets star James Harden, the 2017-18 NBA MVP who tried to fix things by insisting, "We love China." If China does not broadcast games, this is a major financial problem for the NBA. "As to what the NBA should say and do next, I believe it knows better than anyone else," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

A Tencent reporter is seen with the Houston Rockets mascot, Clutch, before Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 11, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Nearly all of the National Basketball Association's Chinese partners have publicly announced that they are ending or suspending their relationships with the league. Out of the 25 official partners listed on the NBA China website, 13 are Chinese businesses. So far, 11 of those companies have distanced themselves from the league amid escalating tensions between China and the NBA. The remaining two Chinese partners are joint venture brands that have not issued any statements yet.

Searches in Chinese for "Houston Rockets" and "Rockets" on Alibaba-owned Taobao and Tmall and its rival JD.com yielded no results, highlighting the potential financial fallout the Rockets could face. Still, it drew sharp criticism from the Chinese Consulate-General in Houston and the Chinese Basketball Association. CBA also canceled four games scheduled for 19-20 October in Suzhou, China, which included some Rockets matches. Alibaba co-founder weighs inJoseph Tsai, the owner of the Brooklyn Nets NBA team as well as a co-founder at e-commerce giant Alibaba, also slammed Morey. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV also said it would stop showing Houston Rockets games.

Chinese state-run television network CCTV said it was suspending the current broadcast arrangements for the NBA's preseason games in China. Tencent, which owns the digital streaming rights for NBA in China, said it would also "temporarily suspend" the preseason broadcast arrangements. It follows a tweet made by Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey in which he showed support for the anti-government protests in Hong Kong. The tweet, which was later deleted, drew strong criticism in the world's second-largest economy. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver defended Morey.

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tried Sunday to defuse the rapidly growing international fallout over his deleted tweet that showed support for Hong Kong anti-government protesters, saying he did not intend to offend any of the team's Chinese fans or sponsors. Morey apologized on Twitter over a now-deleted tweet that spoke in support of the Hong Kong protests, after his remarks were attacked by the Chinese Consulate-General in Houston and the Chinese Basketball Association. "I did not intend my tweet to cause any offense to Rockets fans and friends of mine in China," he added. Stand with Hong Kong." His apology had drawn more than a thousand replies as of 10 a.m. Monday Hong Kong time (10 p.m. Sunday ET), most of them urging him not to apologize.