Paul, Lowry agree to deals as free agency gets quick start
Kyle Lowry, Chris Paul move quickly in NBA free agency
Point guards were the immediate focus when the NBA’s free agency window opened Monday night, with Kyle Lowry headed to the Miami Heat, Lonzo Ball on his way to the Chicago Bulls while Chris Paul and Mike Conley landed lucrative deals to remain with their current teams.
Lowry and the agency that represents him, Priority Sports, said he was headed to the Heat. A person with knowledge of the deal said he would be signing a three-year contract worth nearly $30 million annually in what will become a sign-andtrade that sends Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa from Miami to Toronto. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because nothing had yet been approved by the league.
“Miami Heat X Kyle Lowry Let’s Goo!!” Lowry wrote on Twitter, followed by five fire emojis.
Paul agreed to a contract to remain with the Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns, another person with knowledge of that deal said. It would be worth nearly $120 million if all four years are completed. He turned down a $44.2 million option for this coming season to negotiate a longer deal.
Conley agreed to a $73 million, four-year deal to remain with the Utah Jazz.
The NBA’s window for talks opened at 3 p.m. PST, and as has become tradition, it did not take long for handshake deals to commence. No new contracts can be signed until noon Eastern on Friday. The league set the salary cap for this coming season at $112.414 million, with the tax level at $136.606 million.
Miami made the biggest early splash, not just landing Lowry but agreeing to terms with 3-point specialist Duncan Robinson on a deal that would be worth nearly $90 million if all five years are completed.
And Miami isn’t done: the Heat plan to finalize an extension that would be worth an average of roughly $45 million annually with Jimmy Butler this week.
Ball will be acquired by the Bulls from New Orleans in a sign-andtrade deal worth $85 million, Klutch Sports announced. The deal, according to ESPN, also included sending Tomas Satoransky and Garrett Temple from Chicago to the Pelicans.
Chicago is also reportedly in agreement on a four-year, $37 million deal with former Lakers combo guard Alex Caruso.
Other deals struck Monday include:
• The NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks keeping Bobby Portis for next season.
• The Denver Nuggets reaching two-year agreements to keep guard Will Barton and forward JaMychal Green. Barton’s deal is for $32 million and Green’s for $17 million.
• The Dallas Mavericks agreeing to a four-year, $74 million deal to retain Tim Hardaway Jr.
• The Indiana Pacers agreeing to a four-year deal to keep point guard T.J. McConnell, reportedly worth roughly $9.5 million annually.
• Jarrett Allen agreeing to a fiveyear deal worth $100 million to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
• Center Dwight Howard and swingman Trevor Ariza agreeing to terms with the Lakers, who also landed shooting guard Wayne Ellington.
• The Suns also planning to add free agent center JaVale McGee on a one-year deal.
• The San Antonio Spurs reportedly agreeing to contracts with forwards Doug McDermott and Zach Collins.
NFL
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Mayock, who turns 63 later this month, told ESPN he feels “very good” and is fortunate he was vaccinated.
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He was to have surgery Monday to remove a piece of bone, Reich said. Doctors determined Wentz had broken the foot years ago, probably in high school. Part of the bone came loose during practice last Thursday.
For now, Indy plans to use Jacob Eason as the starter. Eason was a fourth-round draft pick in 2020 and has not appeared in an NFL game. The Colts also signed veteran quarterback Brett Hundley on Saturday. CHUBB SIGNS 3-YEAR EXTENSION WITH BROWNS >> Nick Chubb signed a threeyear, $36.6 million contract extension with the Cleveland Browns.
In three three seasons, Chubb has rushed for 3,557 yards and 28 touchdowns.
College football
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Ellis was the Spartans quarterback when they upset Stanford in 1971, 1312, for the program’s first win over a Top 10 team. He later transitioned to the broadcasting booth, where his broadcast partners included familiar Bay Area announcers Ken Korach, Hal Ramey and John Shrader. TOP RECRUIT SKIPS SENIOR YEAR, JOINS OHIO STATE >> Quinn Ewers, considered the top quarterback prospect in the class of 2022, said he is skipping his senior year of high school in Texas and plans to enroll at Ohio State for the upcoming semester.
In a Twitter post, Ewers explained he would soon be completing the course necessary to graduate from Southlake Carroll High School outside Dallas.
The five-star recruit said his decision was influenced by Texas rules which prohibit high school athletes from earning money from endorsement and sponsorship deals. Last month, the NCAA lifted its longtime ban on athletes being compensated for their names, images and likenesses.
Tennis
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Soccer
U.S. JUNIOR VARSITY LINEUP UPSETS MEXICO TO WIN GOLD CUP >> Miles Robinson scored on a header in the 117th minute, and a United States junior varsity lineup upset a mostly frontline Mexico team 1-0 on Sunday night to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Las Vegas.