Veterans Williams, Green, Sanders prosper

As the NFL opened its business year March 17, veterans Trent Williams, A.J. Green and Emmanuel Sanders prospered.

Some teams officially announced deals that consistently leaked during the “legal tampering” period that began March 15, and others stayed pretty silent. That trio of players with a total of 31 pro seasons made out very well despite not getting big offers immediately.

The 49ers held onto the best tackle who could have become a free agent by giving Williams the richest contract ever for an offensive lineman. Williams is a particularly intriguing case. His agents at Elite Loyalty Sports said the deal agreed to early March 17 will pay Williams $138.1 million over the next six years, surpassing the $138 million deal David Bakhtiari got from Green Bay a year ago. Williams also will get the biggest signing bonus ever for an offensive lineman at $30.1 million, as well as $55.1 million guaranteed.

Green joins the Cardinals and ends a decade in Cincinnati, though he has been plagued by injuries recently and sat out 2019.

Sanders, joining his fourth franchise, didn’t make out quite so well as Green as he heads to Buffalo.

NBA

HEAT, THUNDER DEAL >> The Miami Heat have agreed to trade Meyers Leonard and a future second-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Trevor Ariza, two people with knowledge of the situation said. EX-MAV BRADLEY PARALYZED >> Former NBA player Shawn Bradley disclosed Wednesday that he was paralyzed two months ago when he was struck from behind by a vehicle while riding a bike near his Utah home. The statement issued through the Dallas Mavericks on behalf of the 48-year-old Bradley was the first public acknowledgement of the incident involving the second overall pick in the 1993 draft by Philadelphia.

MLB

METS, LINDOR TALK >> Just over two weeks before opening day, Francisco Lindor and the Mets have begun talking about keeping him in town beyond this season. The newly acquired All-Star shortstop and the team have started discussing a long-term contract, he said. “I will not renegotiate during the season,” Lindor said.