CLEVELAND (AP) — Channing Frye was a dependable player, locker-room presence and fan favorite for parts of three seasons with the Cavaliers.He can be again.Frye has agreed to re-sign for next season with Cleveland, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Saturday, adding that the 35-year-old will get the $2.4 million veteran's minimum contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been signed.Yahoo Sports first reported the move.Frye won a championship in his first season with Cleveland, but the club traded him in February to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a massive roster overhaul that helped the Cavs get back to the Finals.Frye posted a photo of himself on his Instagram account wearing a Cavs uniform with the caption: "Well I guess this is hello again."Frye is the Cavs' first offseason signing since superstar LeBron James left as a free agent for the Lakers. But Cleveland may make some other moves as the four-time defending Eastern Conference champions begin to rebuild without James.The 13-year veteran has averaged 9.0 points and 4.6 rebounds in a career that began with the New York Knicks in 2005.

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the decision says forward Channing Frye will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers next season. Frye was traded by the Cavs in February to the Los Angeles Lakers.The person spoke with The Associated Press on Saturday, adding that the 35-year-old Frye will get the $2.4 million veteran's minimum contract.The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been signed. Yahoo Sports and other outlets reported the move.Frye spent parts of three seasons with the Cavaliers, winning the NBA championship with them in 2016. He was dealt at the trading deadline last season along with guard Isaiah Thomas for guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance.Frye was a fan favorite and dependable role player in Cleveland for coach Tyronn Lue. The Cavs acquired him at the trade deadline in 2016.Frye is the Cavs' first offseason signing since LeBron James left as a free agent for the Lakers.

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the decision says the Cleveland Cavaliers will re-sign forward Channing Frye for next season.Frye, who was traded by the Cavs in February to the Los Angeles Lakers, will get the $2.4 million veteran's minimum contract, said the person who spoke Saturday to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been signed.Yahoo Sports and other outlets previously reported Frye's return.The 35-year-old spent parts of three seasons with Cleveland, winning the NBA championship with the Cavs in 2016. He was dealt at the trading deadline last season along with guard Isaiah Thomas for guard Jordan Clarkson and forward Larry Nance.Frye was a fan favorite and dependable role player in Cleveland for coach Tyronn Lue. The Cavs acquired him at the trade deadline in 2016.Frye is the first offseason signing for the Cavs since LeBron James left as a free agent for the Lakers.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Rob Pelinka says the Los Angeles Lakers aren't trying to beat the Golden State Warriors at their own game.Instead, they're building a team around LeBron James to do something different.Pelinka spoke publicly Wednesday for the first time since the Lakers' remarkable offseason overhaul began, and the irrepressibly optimistic former agent radiated excitement about the future for a team that hasn't made the playoffs in five seasons."To get the commitment from LeBron James to come to the Lakers for four years was really the culmination of everything we've been working towards," Pelinka said. "When LeBron chose to come here, it was the ultimate validation for the moves we've made and what we've been building since we started."The longest postseason drought in franchise history could be finished after James chose the Lakers in free agency. The club also added veterans Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee and Lance Stephenson alongside their young core while parting ways with Julius... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is certain that changes are coming to the league.Some are easy.Others, not so much.Speaking after the NBA's Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday night, Silver said he thinks the league is ready to scrap the rule requiring players to be out of high school for a year before becoming eligible to enter the draft. That one should be relatively simple to move forward now, while notions such as how to find more competitive balance are still a puzzler to the league and its commissioner."I'm not here to say we have a problem," Silver said. "And I love where the league is right now. But I think we can create a better system."Part of that better system, he thinks, will be reverting back to the policy that will allow players to go into the league right out of high school — something that should be in place in time for the 2021 NBA Draft, though that timeline has not been formally announced. Silver was a proponent of making the eligibility age older, up... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — It's official. LeBron is a Laker.The Los Angeles Lakers announced the signing of LeBron James as a free agent Monday night, confirming the seismic shift created by the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player's decision to leave Cleveland for the 16-time champion franchise on the West Coast.James' representatives at Klutch Sports Group tweeted a photo of James signing his contract with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka. James' agency already announced last week that the superstar had agreed to a four-year deal worth $153.3 million with Los Angeles.The Lakers have missed the playoffs in a franchise-record five consecutive seasons, while James has played in the past eight NBA Finals with the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning three titles.The 33-year-old budding entertainment mogul immediately becomes the focus of the Lakers franchise and a possible foundation for the NBA's next superteam, depending on whether James and the Lakers can persuade more superstars to... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James has officially joined the Los Angeles Lakers.The Lakers announced the signing of the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player as a free agent Monday night.James' representatives at Klutch Sports Group tweeted a photo of James signing his contract with general manager Rob Pelinka. James' agency announced last week that the superstar had agreed to a four-year deal worth $153.3 million with the Lakers, who have missed the playoffs in a franchise-record five consecutive seasons.James has played in the past eight NBA Finals with the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning three titles.Magic Johnson, the Lakers' president of basketball operations, called James "the best player in the world" in a news release.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — Collin Sexton badly wanted to play with LeBron James. His first season will be much different than he hoped.Sexton signed his rookie contract on Wednesday with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are taking their first steps since James announced he's leaving to sign a four-year, $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.When the Cavs drafted Sexton with the No. 8 pick last month, the Alabama guard instantly pleaded with James to re-sign with the Cavs."LeBron, let's do it," Sexton said in a TV interview moments after he was picked. "I've seen you needed a few extra pieces this past season, and let's do it. Let's go back to the Finals."For now, Sexton will have to settle for a four-year contract that could be worth $20.2 million over its length. Per NBA rules, Sexton can make a maximum of $4.1 million next season. The value is based on where he was selected. His contract is guaranteed for two years, with the Cavs holding options for the last two years.Cleveland made the... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers signed guard Collin Sexton to a rookie contract. Financial terms were not immediately available.Cleveland made the announcement on Wednesday, a holiday treat for the team's fans still grappling with their emotions after superstar LeBron James announced he's leaving the Cavs for the second time to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.The Cavs selected Sexton with the No. 8 overall pick in last month's NBA draft. He averaged 19.2 points as a freshman at Alabama and played his best in big games while leading the Crimson Tide to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012.Now that he's under contract, the 19-year-old can't be traded for 30 days. However, the Cavs are likely to hang on to Sexton and help them rebuild without James, who led Cleveland to four straight NBA Finals and a championship in 2016.Sexton is on Cleveland's summer league roster for games in Las Vegas.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA estimates an increase of 40,000 miles of travel in the postseason if it scrapped its current conference format and took the top 16 teams.Calls to change the system were renewed this week when LeBron James left Cleveland for the Los Angeles Lakers, which could create another strong Western Conference team, where both Houston and Golden State finished above .700. The only team in the Eastern Conference with a similar record was Toronto. Houston and Golden State met in a thrilling West final before the Warriors swept the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.Commissioner Adam Silver has said ideally there would be a format allowing the two best teams to meet for the title, but he has repeatedly expressed concern about the additional travel that would be created if teams were seeded 1 to 16 in the postseason, instead of the current format in which it's the top eight teams in each conference."I think, as I've said in the past, the obstacle is travel, and it's not tradition in my... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA estimates an increase of about 40,000 miles of travel in the postseason if it scrapped its current conference format and took the top 16 teams.Calls to change the system were renewed this week when LeBron James left Cleveland for the Los Angeles Lakers, which could create another strong Western Conference team after Houston and Golden State had the league's top two records last season. They met in a thrilling West final before the Warriors swept the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.Commissioner Adam Silver has said ideally there would be a format allowing the two best teams to meet for the title, but has repeatedly expressed concern about the additional travel that would be created if teams were seeded 1 to 16 in the postseason, instead of the current format in which it's the top eight teams in each conference."I think, as I've said in the past, the obstacle is travel, and it's not tradition in my mind, at least," Silver said at the All-Star break. "It's that as we've... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA estimates an increase of about 40,000 miles of travel in the postseason if it scrapped its current conference format and took the top 16 teams.Calls to change the system were renewed this week when LeBron James left Cleveland for the Los Angeles Lakers, which could create another strong Western Conference team after Houston and Golden State had the league's top two records last season. They met in a thrilling West final before the Warriors swept the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.Commissioner Adam Silver has said ideally there would be a format allowing the two best teams to meet for the title, but has repeatedly expressed concern about the additional travel that would be created if teams were seeded 1 to 16 in the postseason, instead of the current format in which it's the top eight teams in each conference."I think, as I've said in the past, the obstacle is travel, and it's not tradition in my mind, at least," Silver said at the All-Star break. "It's that as we've... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — As he has long desired, DeMarcus Cousins will finally get a chance to play for a winner once he's healthy from a torn left Achilles tendon.When Boogie returns to the court this season, the volatile big man will give the Golden State Warriors five 2018 All-Stars in their starting lineup to chase another title — with Cousins trying for his first after never appearing in the playoffs. The center, who has had his problems with technical fouls, will sign with the two-time defending champions after the moratorium period is lifted Friday, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract is yet to be completed.Cousins is set to join a starting lineup of two-time MVP Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, who is fresh off his second straight NBA Finals MVP, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green."The 3rd splash Brother," Curry posted on Twitter with a series of happy crying emojis. "Let's... [More]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — As he has long desired, DeMarcus Cousins will finally get a chance to play for a winner once he's healthy from a torn left Achilles tendon.When Boogie returns to the court this season, the volatile big man will give the Golden State Warriors five 2018 All-Stars in their starting lineup to chase another title — with Cousins trying for his first after never appearing in the playoffs. The center, who has had his problems with technical fouls, will sign with the two-time defending champions after the moratorium period is lifted Friday, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Monday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract is yet to be completed.Cousins is set to join a starting lineup of two-time MVP Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, fresh off his second straight NBA Finals MVP, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green."The 3rd splash Brother," Curry posted on Twitter with a series of happy crying emojis. "Let's go @boogiecousins."Cousins'... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — From George Mikan to Kobe Bryant, superstars have been the Lakers' lifeblood for decades.LeBron James is already the biggest star of his generation, and he followed a familiar path to Los Angeles' bright lights when he decided to sign with the Lakers as a free agent.It's no coincidence that this glamorous, 16-time champion franchise has consistently attracted already great players with outsized ambition. The 33-year-old James has taken on the challenge that Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal all accepted near the primes of their careers.Becoming a basketball superstar is one thing, and nobody is bigger than James after 15 prolific NBA seasons and three championships. Succeeding with the Lakers is something different, according to many of the men who have worn this gold jersey.Just ask Bryant, who won two Olympic gold medals as James' teammate while spending his entire 20-year career with the Lakers."The NBA does better when the Lakers are at their... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James jerseys in assorted colors hung inside the Cavaliers team shop, their retail price slashed by 40 percent.Eight years ago, some of them were still smoldering in the streets.The day after James announced he is leaving Cleveland as a free agent for the second time since 2010, anger gave way to acceptance. There was still deep disappointment that the world's best player — Akron, Ohio, born and raised — is leaving again, this time for the brighter lights of Los Angeles and a chance to play with the storied Lakers.The pain is real. Cleveland is just handling it a lot better."It hurts at first, but we'll be OK," said Dave Howes, who manages Harry Buffalo, a sports bar and restaurant directly across the street from Quicken Loans Arena. "We'll rebound from it."If any city knows how to mount a comeback, it's this one. Once a national punchline for jokes, Cleveland is thriving with new hotels, shops, condominiums and trendy microbreweries popping up on both sides of the... [More]

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Upon hearing that power forward Derrick Favors was returning to Utah, his Jazz teammates Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert reacted by quickly making similar requests.They want him to buy dinner.Favors surely can do that now.With the NBA still processing the ramifications of LeBron James going to the Los Angeles Lakers and more than $1 billion in new deals getting struck on the first full day of free agency, deals continued Monday — and Favors was one of the day's big winners. He agreed to a two-year, $36 million deal to return to the Jazz, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press."Let's get it!!!" Favors wrote on Twitter, not long after news of the deal broke.The Jazz went to Atlanta over the weekend to sit down with Favors, and Utah general manager Dennis Lindsey had said going into the negotiating period that the team felt good about retaining all three of their free agents — Favors, Dante Exum and Raul Neto.The biggest domino in that trio... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — There were LeBron James jerseys in assorted colors hanging inside the Cavaliers team shop, their retail price slashed by 40 percent.Eight years ago, some of them were still smoldering in the streets.The day after James announced he's leaving the Cavaliers as a free agent for the second time since 2010, anger gave way to acceptance. There was still deep disappointment that the world's best player — Akron, Ohio, born and raised — is leaving again, this time for the brighter lights of Los Angeles and a chance to play with the storied Lakers.The pain is real. Cleveland is just handling it a lot better."It hurts at first, but we'll be OK," said Dave Howes, who manages Harry Buffalo, a sports bar and restaurant directly across the street from Quicken Loans Arena. "We'll rebound from it."If any city knows how to mount a comeback, it's this one. Once a national punchline for jokes, Cleveland is thriving with new hotels, shops, condominiums and trendy microbreweries popping up on... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The massive LeBron James banner hanging downtown is being removed again following the superstar's announcement he's leaving Cleveland.The 10-story billboard, which shows James wearing his No. 23 jersey with his arms spread wide has become a city landmark. It was also removed in 2010 when he decided to join the Miami Heat. On Sunday, James agreed to sign a four-year, $153 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.A spokesman for Sherwin-Williams, which owns the building where the banner hangs, said Nike is taking the banner down later this week. Sherwin-Williams is evaluating what to do with the wall on its global headquarters.After learning the billboard was coming down, some people headed over to take photos in front of it.Cleveland fans are recovering from losing James for the second time. His jerseys have been reduced by 40 percent in the Cavs' team shop at Quicken Loans Arena.___More AP NBA: www.apnews.com/tags/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James is leaving home for Hollywood and an iconic team.The Los Angeles Lakers have a new superstar — L.A.-Bron.The four-time NBA MVP announced Sunday night that he has agreed to a four-year, $154 million contract with the Lakers, joining one of the league's most storied franchises and switching conferences to try and dethrone the Golden State Warriors and grow his own legacy.For the second time in his career, James is saying goodbye to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who drafted the teenage sensation from Akron in 2003 and have to be satisfied with winning just one title in the 11 years they had him.Unlike his two previous forays in free agency, James did not drag out his decision and made the announcement less than 24 hours after NBA free agency opened.This Summer of LeBron was barely a fling.His management agency, Klutch Sports Group, announced his agreement with the Lakers with a simple, short release. It was a stark contrast from eight years ago, when a poorly conceived... [More]