OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder All-Star guard Russell Westbrook underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee on Wednesday, putting his availability for the season opener against the Golden State Warriors in doubt.The team says Westbrook decided after suffering from inflammation in the knee this past weekend that he'd have the procedure. He'll be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks, close to the season opener at Golden State on Oct. 16.Westbrook was the league MVP in 2016-17 and averaged a triple-double last season for a second straight season. He averaged 25.4 points, a league-leading 10.3 assists and 10.1 rebounds last season.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder All-Star guard Russell Westbrook underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee on Wednesday, putting his availability for the season opener against the Golden State Warriors in doubt.The team says Westbrook decided after suffering from inflammation in the knee this past weekend that he'd have the procedure. He'll be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks, close to the season opener at Golden State on Oct. 16.Westbrook was the league MVP in 2016-17 and averaged a triple-double last season for a second straight season. He averaged 25.4 points, a league-leading 10.3 assists and 10.1 rebounds last season.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed free agent forward Luol Deng, the latest former Chicago Bulls player to reunite with coach Tom Thibodeau.Deng's one-year deal is for the minimum salary of $2.4 million for a player with his experience, according to a person with knowledge of the contract who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team does not release terms.Deng will join former Bulls teammates Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Derrick Rose in Minnesota. They all played for Thibodeau with Chicago, too.Just two seasons into a four-year, $72 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, Deng was waived on Sept. 1 in a buyout move that allowed them to spread the final season of that albatross deal over a three-year span of the salary cap limit.The contract was a remnant of the administration of former Lakers basketball boss Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak, the duo that was dismissed seven months after handing out hefty deals to Deng... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Udonis Haslem arrived at the Miami Heat facility for a workout one day last week, and was told he needed to sign a waiver before he took the court.The reason: Technically, he wasn't on the team."That was a little weird, having to do that," Haslem said.It won't be a problem for the next year. Haslem officially signed his one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Heat on Monday, a deal that was struck last week and finally became official when he put pen to paper. Haslem will enter his 16th NBA season, all with the Heat, and that means the Miami native will be with his hometown franchise for more than half of its 31-year history."For the hometown kid in me, that means the world," Haslem said. "I wish I understood how big that is right now, because I really don't, but I know it's big."Haslem was the seventh-oldest player in the NBA last season — and will rise at least one spot on that list this season, with the retirement of San Antonio's Manu Ginobili. Vince Carter is 41 and will... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker has undergone surgery on his right (shooting) hand and is expected to be sidelined for six weeks.That would cause him to miss not only all of training camp but probably the first couple of games of the regular season.The Suns said in a brief statement that the surgery was performed in Los Angeles on Monday by Dr. Steven Shin to repair the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint.It's the same hand that bothered him late last season. Booker, last season's NBA 3-point champion, signed a maximum five-year, $158 million contract in the offseason.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed free agent forward Luol Deng, the latest former Chicago Bulls player to reunite with coach Tom Thibodeau.Deng's one-year deal is for $2.4 million, according to a person with knowledge of the contract speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the team does not release terms. Deng will join former Bulls teammates Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Derrick Rose in Minnesota. They all played for Thibodeau with Chicago, too.Deng debuted with the Bulls as a 19-year-old in 2004, when the native of South Sudan was the seventh overall pick in the draft out of Duke. Deng played 10 seasons for Chicago, but Minnesota will be his fifth team in six years. He was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers on Sept. 1.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Restricted free agent forward Rodney Hood has re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Hood joined the Cavaliers at the trade deadline last season, coming over from Utah. The 6-foot-8 Hood was offered a $3.4 million qualifying offer from Cleveland in June and agreed to sign it over the weekend.He'll be an unrestricted free agent next summer.Hood made 11 starts and played in 21 regular-season games for Cleveland, averaging 10.8 points and 2.6 rebounds. In 17 playoff games, he averaged 5.4 points and 1.8 rebounds as the Cavaliers made it to the Finals for the fourth year in a row.He began the postseason in coach Tyronn Lue's starting lineup but lost playing time and then caused some drama when he refused to enter a blowout win.Hood could have a larger role this season following LeBron James' departure as a free agent.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers made another move in their post-LeBron James makeover, signing free-agent guard David Nwaba to a one-year contract.The deal is for the veteran's minimum of $1.5 million.The 25-year-old Nwaba played for Chicago last season, averaging 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 70 games. The 6-foot-4 guard made 21 starts.A solid defender, he'll give the Cavs backcourt depth and provide coach Tyronn Lue with more help as the team rebuilds following James' departure this summer as a free agent.Nwaba will be reunited in Cleveland with former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson, who came to the Cavs in a trade last season.Nwaba agreed to sign with the Cavs last month, but the sides needed time to complete the deal.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers made another move in their post-LeBron James makeover, signing free-agent guard David Nwaba to a one-year contract.The deal is for the veteran's minimum of $1.5 million.The 25-year-old Nwaba played for Chicago last season, averaging 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 70 games. The 6-foot-4 guard made 21 starts.A solid defender, he'll give the Cavs backcourt depth and provide coach Tyronn Lue with more help as the team rebuilds following James' departure this summer as a free agent.Nwaba will be reunited in Cleveland with former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson, who came to the Cavs in a trade last season.Nwaba agreed to sign with the Cavs last month, but the sides needed time to complete the deal.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

MIAMI (AP) — Udonis Haslem is barely given the chance to play anymore, and the Miami Heat wanted him back anyway.That's how much they value his presence.A person with knowledge of the negotiations said Haslem and the Heat have agreed on a one-year, $2.4 million contract that will keep him with his hometown team for a 16th season. The person spoke to The Associated Press Thursday on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been signed, though that last detail is now merely a formality."When players come in and we talk to them about what it means to be a Miami Heat player, we point them at Udonis Haslem," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said earlier this offseason.Haslem is one of the team's captains, and he and Dwyane Wade are the only two players to appear on all three of Miami's NBA champion teams. Haslem becomes the 19th player under contract going into training camp, one shy of the preseason maximum — and the Heat are waiting to see if Wade will take that last available spot.Haslem's... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers have matched an offer sheet by the New Orleans Pelicans and will retain guard Tyrone Wallace.He played in 30 games for the Clippers last season on a two-way contract, averaging 9.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Wallace spent the early part of last season with the team's G League affiliate in Ontario, California, averaging 22.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 26 games.The Clippers had until Wednesday night to match the offer.Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations, says Wallace is a "versatile, competitive and tough-minded" player who has shown a commitment to improving.Wallace was selected 60th overall by Utah in the 2016 NBA draft out of California.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers waived forward Luol Deng on Saturday, just over two years after signing him to a four-year, $72 million free-agent contract.The Lakers didn't disclose the details of a probable buyout with Deng, but they announced the move on the first day in which the final season of Deng's mammoth deal could be stretched over a three-season span of the Lakers' cap limit."We made this move to further our future salary cap and roster flexibility as we continue to build this Lakers team according to our current overall vision," Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement.The 33-year-old Deng's deal is a remnant of the administration of former Lakers basketball boss Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak. The duo handed a pair of generous free-agent deals in 2016 to Deng and center Timofey Mozgov, who got a four-year, $64 million contract.Buss and Kupchak were dismissed seven months later, and Magic Johnson's administration went to work ridding... [More]

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have waived forward Luol Deng two years after signing him to a four-year, $72 million free-agent contract.The Lakers announced the move Saturday, the first day in which the final season of Deng's mammoth deal could be stretched over a three-season span of the Lakers' salary cap limit.The 33-year-old Deng appeared in 56 games during his first year with the Lakers, but he played just one game last season with Magic Johnson in charge of the Lakers' front office.Deng's deal is a remnant of the administration of former Lakers basketball boss Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak, who signed Deng in 2016 along with fellow high-priced veteran Timofey Mozgov.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns have completed a four-player trade that sends guard Brandon Knight and forward Marquese Chriss to the Houston Rockets for forward Ryan Anderson and guard De'Anthony Melton.Knight had been considered in line to start at point guard for the Suns after missing last season while recovering from knee surgery but now will see time as a backup to Chris Paul for what is expected to be an NBA contender in Houston.The 6-foot-10 Anderson, who two years ago signed a four-year, $80 million free agent deal with Houston, figures to start at power forward alongside this year's No. 1 overall draft pick, center Deandre Ayton.Chriss was the eighth overall pick out of Washington two years ago who has not progressed the way the Suns had hoped. Still, he's just 21.Melton, 19, is a second-round draft pick out of USC who showed dynamic, if raw, talent in the Las Vegas Summer League.To make the trade work financially, Anderson agreed to reduce the guaranteed portion of his contract... [More]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder waived forward Kyle Singler on Friday.ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the Thunder's plan.The 6-foot-8, 228-pound Singler started in 22 games and appeared in a total of 138 over four years with the Thunder. He averaged 3.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 13.6 minutes.Singler played at Duke and entered the NBA in 2012.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies have waived center Dakari Johnson after acquiring him from Orlando last month.The Grizzlies announced the move Friday.The 7-foot Johnson started six of 31 games as a rookie last season with Oklahoma City. The Thunder drafted him 48th overall in the 2015 draft out of Kentucky, and the 22-year-old played three seasons in the G League for Oklahoma City.The Grizzlies acquired Johnson from Orlando in a trade July 23.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHOENIX (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says Phoenix and Houston are close to finalizing a trade that would send forward Ryan Anderson to the Suns and point guard Brandon Knight to the Rockets.Phoenix also would send former first-round pick forward Marquese Chriss to Houston and the Suns would get guard De'Anthony Melton from the Rockets.The person asked for anonymity Thursday night because the deal had not been completed.If the trade goes through as expected, Anderson could be the starting power forward for Phoenix. He averaged 9.3 points last season and has two years left on a four-year, $80 million contract he signed with the Rockets in 2016.Knight, who appeared to be in line to start at point guard for the Suns after missing last season with a knee injury, figures to see time as a backup to Chris Paul in Houston.The trade would leave Phoenix searching for a starter at the point guard position with no one on the roster ready to assume that responsibility.The 6-foot-10 Chriss, the eighth overall pick out of Washington in 2016, had not shown the improvement the Suns had hoped to see. His averaged dropped from 9.2 points as a rookie to 7.7 points last season. But he is just 21 years old.Melton was a second-round pick out of USC this year who had some good moments in Summer League play.The deal was first reported by ESPN.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — David West, a key big man and snazzy passer who had a knack for providing a timely lift off the bench during the Golden State Warriors' past two championship seasons, retired Thursday.West's Twitter announcement — one day after his 38th birthday — wasn't a surprise as he made it clear he would take some time after the team's latest title run to contemplate calling it a career."I am humbled and thankful for the support of my family, friends, coaches, teammates, organizations, and fans throughout this experience," said West, the 18th overall draft pick by the Hornets in 2003 out of Xavier.He left the Spurs following the 2015-16 season for a chance to chase a championship with the Warriors, and wound up winning his first career title and then a second one this past June."David was a consummate professional throughout his entire career and was a huge presence in our locker room the last two years," Golden State coach Steve Kerr said in a statement. "The respect that he... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — David West, a key big man off the bench for the Golden State Warriors' past two championship seasons, has retired.West's Twitter announcement Thursday — one day after his 38th birthday — wasn't a surprise as he made it clear he would take some time after the team's latest title run to contemplate calling it a career. He left the Spurs following the 2015-16 season for a chance to chase a championship with the Warriors, and wound up winning his first career title and then a second one this past June.He averaged 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists over a 15-year career with New Orleans, Indiana, San Antonio and the Warriors.West said he is "grateful" and thanked everyone for the support while saying: "I have been fortunate enough to live out my childhood dream of playing in the NBA."___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies have waived guard Kobi Simmons, who started 12 games last season.The Grizzlies announced the move Tuesday.The 6-foot-4, 170-pound Simmons played 32 games for Memphis last season, and he averaged 6.1 points and 20.1 minutes as a rookie. He also started 26 games for the Grizzlies' G League affiliate, the Hustle.Simmons, who played one season at the University of Arizona, had signed a two-way contract with the Grizzlies after not being selected in the 2017 draft.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports