Durant, Warriors agree on contract
One day shy of a year after announcing his decision to join the powerhouse Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant took far less money than he could have to help make sure they stay winners and chase more titles.
Durant agreed to terms Monday on a contract worth about $53 million over the next two years.
Still exhilarated from his first career title, Durant has made it clear he hopes to build a dynasty alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.
Durant’s new contract calls for about $25 million in the first year with a player option for the second season, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because it won’t become official until the end of the free-agency moratorium period Thursday.
As he planned all along to provide the Warriors with financial flexibility, Durant waited as Golden State general manager Bob Myers signed the other free agents, including Curry for a record $201 million over five years.
The team also re-signed Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and David West.
Last Thursday, Durant declined to opt in for the $27.7-million second year of his previous deal with the Warriors and became an unrestricted free agent.
As NBA free agency passed its third full day, the Lakers finally made a few transactions. Just formalities, though.
Lonzo Ball, the second overall pick in last month’s draft, Kyle Kuzma, the 27th pick, and Josh Hart, the 30th pick, signed their contracts. They did so amid summer league two-a-days, which began in advance of the Las Vegas Summer League. The Lakers’ first game will be Friday against the Clippers.
Ball is being paid about $30 million for four years.
Lakers executives met with veteran guard George Hill to discuss a short-term contract, according to people who weren’t authorized to speak publicly.
Hill spent last season with the Utah Jazz, and before that played for five seasons with the Indiana Pacers. — Tania Ganguli
Former NBA player Chauncey Billups withdrew his name from the Cleveland Cavaliers’ search for a general manager. Billups released a statement to ESPN saying that “the timing isn’t right” to take the job in Cleveland.
ETC. Woods checks out of clinic
Golfer Tiger Woods said he has checked out of the clinic where he went to get help dealing with pain medications, adding he would “continue to tackle this going forward.”
The treatment follows his arrest on a DUI charge after he was found asleep at the wheel in Jupiter, Fla., around 2 a.m. on May 29. Woods told police he was taking various prescriptions. No alcohol was found in his system. Woods said in a statement last month that he was receiving professional help to manage his medications and how he deals with pain and a sleep disorder.
His agent confirmed that the 14-time major champion, who had back surgery in April, was seeking in-patient treatment.
The Dallas Stars signed right winger Alexander Radulov to a $31.25-million, five-year deal. Radulov, 30, had 18 goals and 36 assists last season with the Montreal Canadiens.
Shaking off an equipment glitch in the furious finishing sprint, Peter Sagan earned his eighth career Tour de France stage victory with an impressive display of power and quick thinking on a short, sharp final uphill dash. Geraint Thomas of Team Sky retained the yellow jersey he has held since the opening stage in Germany, as the race swung into France, to the former steel town of Longwy. But he is not planning to hold onto it for ever: The team’s goal is for three-time champion Chris Froome to be wearing the jersey when the Tour rolls into Paris on July 23.
Run Away, the 3-5 favorite, won the $100,000 Santa Anita Juvenile by 11⁄2 lengths over Argosy Fleet. Big Boy Candy finished third in the 51⁄2-furlong race. It was the second win in two races for the 2-year-old Run Away, the son of Run Away And Hide. Run Away was ridden by Flavien Prat, who has fallen behind apprentice Elvin Roman in the jockey standings with one racing day left Tuesday. — Eric Sondheimer