BIG DEALS UNDERWAY
Paul George among early moves
The Indiana Pacers agreed to trade four-time all-star forward Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne on Friday night.
As part of the deal, the Pacers will acquire guard Victor Oladipo and second-year big man Domantas Sabonis, sources said.
The trade ends weeks of speculation regarding George, a 27-year-old forward who had committed to playing with the Pacers through the 201718 season but said he would become a free agent next offseason and preferred to join the Los Angeles Lakers. George is from Southern California.
• Two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry agreed to a five-year, $201 million extension — the richest contract in league history — with the Golden State Warriors, his agent Jeff Austin told ESPN.
• The Golden State Warriors agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with guard Shaun Livingston.
• Blake Griffin agreed to a five-year deal worth approximately $175 million to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers.
• The Minnesota Timberwolves reached an agreement with Utah to send point guard Ricky Rubio to the Jazz to clear salary cap space for a big run in free agency.
• The Chicago Bulls waived veteran point guard Rajon Rondo.
The Bulls bought out Rondo for $3 million rather than exercise a $13.4 million option for next season. He signed a two-year deal to come to Chicago last summer.
• Patty Mills is returning to the San Antonio Spurs on a four-year deal worth $50 million.
• Tony Snell agreed to a four-year, $46 million contract — with $44 million guaranteed — to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks.
• The Washington Wizards offered John Wall a four-year contract extension for roughly $170 million, but the All-Star point guard will take some time to consider the offer.
Harrison helps end Stars’ slide.
SAN ANTONIO» Isabelle Harrison had 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to help the San Antonio Stars snap a 14-game losing streak to open the season with an 89-82 victory over the Chicago Sky.
Vickie Johnson won her first WNBA game as a head coach to end the worst start in franchise history. The Stars were three losses short of Atlanta’s record to start the season of 17 consecutive defeats.
Daily fantasy tax bill passed.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.» The New Jersey legislature passed a bill to regulate and tax daily fantasy sports and sent it to Republican Gov. Chris Christie for his signature.
The bill, passed by the state Senate on a 29-6 vote, would impose a 10.5 percent tax on the winnings of companies that offer daily fantasy sports. It was approved by the Assembly in May.
Earnhardt wins 1st pole in 4 years.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.» Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his first pole in nearly four years and will lead the field to the green flag in what could be his NASCAR Cup finale at Daytona International Speedway.
Earnhardt turned a lap at 190.973 mph to put his No. 88 Chevrolet in the top spot for the Saturday night race. He was the final driver to qualify and bumped Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott to second.
Furniture Row Racing’s Erik Jones and Martin Truex Jr. qualified 17th and 25th, respectively.
• Rain postponed the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway after 11 laps.
Pacquiao, Horn make weight.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA» The last of the formalities is over, and Manny Pacquiao is ready for his WBO welterweight world title defense against Jeff Horn on Saturday night.
Each boxer easily made the weight, with Pacquiao tipping the scales at 146 pounds and Horn weighing in at 147 pounds.