Houston trades unhappy Harden to Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Nets have agreed to acquire threetime scoring champion James Harden from the Houston Rockets, a deal that reunites him with Kevin Durant and gives him the move that he has sought for weeks, said a person with knowledge of the situation.
Harden is going to the Nets as part of a four-team deal that also involves Indiana and Cleveland, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the trade call with the NBA — which signs off on all deals — has not been completed.
At least four draft picks and additional pick swaps are also part of the deal, the person said. Other key players: Victor Oladipo goes from Indiana to Houston, and Caris Levert goes from Brooklyn to Indiana, the person said, adding that Cleveland was also part of the massive trade. HAWKS-SUNS GAME LATEST TO BE CALLED OFF >> The Phoenix Suns are now the latest NBA team to deal with contact tracing issues related to the coronavirus pandemic, and their game Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks was called off by the league after it was learned they wouldn’t have enough players cleared to participate.
That was the third game on Wednesday’s schedule to be called, joining Utah at Washington and Orlando at Boston.
College football
STANFORD BEGINS 2021 SEASON AGAINST K-STATE >> Stanford and Kansas State have been chosen to kick off the 2021 season on Sept. 4 in the 2021 Allstate Kickoff Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which annually hosts the premier season-opening contest in college football.
Kickoff time, broadcast network and ticket information will be released at a later date.
The Cardinal is 1-0 alltime against the Wildcats, defeating K-State 26-13 to open the 2016 season on Sept. 2 at Stanford Stadium.
Next season’s non-conference slate will now feature Kansas State, a Sept. 18 game at Vanderbilt and a home game against Notre Dame on Nov. 27.
Pro football
COACH, DEFENSIVE PLAYERS SET TO RETURN FOR BROWNS >> Browns rookie coach Kevin Stefanski said he’s on track to return to the team for playoff preparations after missing Sunday’s wild-card win in Pittsburgh with COVID-19.
Cleveland activated cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson from the COVID-19 list on Wednesday. Also, offensive line coach Bill Callahan returned to the team after being one of four assistants sidelined by the virus. Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio remains in isolation, and the Browns are hoping to get him back in the next day or two. BRONCOS HIRE EX-VIKINGS EXEC PATON AS ELWAY’S GM SUCCESSOR >> John Elway’s replacement as Broncos general manager will be Vikings executive George Paton.
Paton spent the last 14 seasons with Minnesota, including the last six as vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager. He’s been one of the hottest names on the GM circuit in recent years.
Denver hasn’t reached the playoffs since winning Super Bowl 50 five years ago.