George commits to stay with Thunder
Paul George agreed to a four- year, $ 137 million max contract to stay with the Thunder. The deal includes a player option on the fourth year. With George re- signed and
Carmelo Anthony under contract for next season, the Thunder are headed for a monumental payroll and luxury- tax bill, something ownership is prepared to pay.
Also, Jerami Grant agreed to a three- year, $ 27 million contract to return to the team.
Other reported deals as NBA free agency began Saturday night:
◆ Kevin Durant decided to sign a two- year deal to return to the Warriors. The contract is for $ 30 million for next year and $ 31.5 million for the option year.
◆ Chris Paul will stay with the Rockets, agreeing to sign a four- year, $ 160 million maximum contract.
◆ The Timberwolves plan to offer
Jimmy Butler a maximum contract extension valued in the four- year, $ 110 million range. Also, Derrick
Rose is finalizing a one- year deal to return to the Timberwolves.
◆ Nikola Jokic is poised to accept a five- year, $ 148 million maximum contract to stay with the Nuggets.
◆ DeAndre Jordan agreed to a one- year, $ 24.1 million deal with the Mavericks.
◆ Doug McDermott agreed to a three- year, $ 22 million contract with the Pacers.
◆ Ersan Ilyasova agreed to a three- year year, $ 21 million deal with the Bucks.
◆ Trevor Ariza agreed to a oneyear, $ 15 million deal with the Suns.
◆ The Spurs agreed to re- sign forward Rudy Gay to a one- year, $ 10 million contract. Also, Marco Belinelli agreed to a two- year, $ 12 million deal.
◆ The Suns waived former Marian Catholic point guard Tyler Ulis.
MLS Katai leads Fire to victory
Aleksandar Katai scored twice early in the second half to help the Fire beat New York City FC 3- 2 at Toyota Park.
Katai’s first goal came in the 47th minute to make it 2- 2. Five minutes later, he slipped through a pair of defenders and beat goalkeeper Sean Johnson. The Fire ( 6- 7- 5) took the early lead in the sixth minute when Nemanja Nikolic finished Dax McCarty’s through ball.
MLB Sale too much for Yankees again
Chris Sale allowed only Giancarlo Stanton’s single in seven innings, striking out 11, Rafael Devers went 5- for- 5 with a first- inning grand slam and the Red Sox held the Yankees to two hits in an 11- 0 rout to take back baseball’s best record.
Sale ( 8- 4) has a 1.73 career ERA against the Yankees, best among pitchers with at least 10 starts against them since 1920.
◆ Reliever Michael Lorenzen hit the second grand slam by a Reds pitcher in a week in a 12- 3 victory against the Brewers. Lorenzen’s grand slam in the seventh completed an eight- run rally and ended the Reds’ seven- game losing streak.
GOLF Tiger six shots back at National
Tiger Woods, who shot a 2- under- 68, is six shots behind Abraham Ancer and Francesco Molinari after the third round of the Quicken Loans National in Potomac, Maryland.