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Maloofs agree to sell Kings to Seattle group

The only thing stopping the Sacramento Kings from a sale and move to Seattle is approval by NBA owners.

The Maloof family has agreed to sell the Kings to a Seattle group led by investor Chris Hansen, the league confirmed in a statement Monday morning. The deal is still pending a vote by the NBA Board of Governors.

A person familiar with the decision said that Hansen’s group will buy 65 percent of the franchise for $525 million, move the team to Seattle and restore the SuperSonics name. The Maloofs will have no stake in the team.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was waiting approval.

The sale figure is a total valuation of the franchise, which includes relocation fees. Hansen’s group also is hoping to buy out other minority investors.

The Maloofs will get a $30 million non-refundable down payment by Feb. 1, according to the deal, the person said. They will still be allowed to receive other offers until the league approves the sale.

The plan by Hansen’s group is to have the team play at least the next two seasons in KeyArena before moving into a new facility in downtown Seattle. The deadline for teams to apply for a move for next season is March 1.

— Reported by Antonio Gonzalez of the Associated Press

Bucks recall Doron Lamb from D-League

The Milwaukee Bucks have recalled rookie guard Doron Lamb from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Indiana) of the NBA Development League (D-League), General Manager John Hammond announced today. Lamb appeared in two games for the Mad Ants during his assignment, averaging 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 24.5 minutes per game.

Drafted by the Bucks with the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NBA draft, Lamb has appeared in 23 contests for Milwaukee this season and has averaged 3.4 points in 12.2 minutes per game. He has tallied a career-high eight points in four different games, most recently against the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec. 19.

In two seasons at Kentucky, Lamb, 21, finished his career with 1,018 points while helping the Wildcats to a National Championship in 2012. Averaging 13.1 points per game, Lamb also hit 47.5 percent of his shots from behind the arc to become the top three-point shooter in Kentucky school history.

Anderson Varejao has blood clot, will not play again this season

Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao recently developed a blood clot (small right lower lung pulmonary embolism) and was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic last Thursday (January 17th). He is being treated with blood thinners (anticoagulants) and is expected to stay at the Clinic for several days, while undergoing treatment and observation. He will need to remain on blood thinning medication for approximately three months. While Varejao is expected to fully recover, he will miss the remainder of the current Cavaliers season.

Quote from Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant: “Clearly our players’ health is our top concern and we are disappointed for Anderson, and his family. We know what a competitor he is and how much he wants to be on the court helping his teammates. In the meantime, he has our full support and we look forward to welcoming him back as he recovers.”

Hawks sign Jannero Pargo to 10-day contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed veteran guard Jannero Pargo to a 10-day contract, Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry announced today.

In his ninth NBA season, Pargo played in seven games earlier this year with the Washington Wizards, putting in 3.0 points and 2.0 assists in 14.6 minutes per contest (.250 FG%, 1.000 FT%). In 50 games last season with the Hawks, he averaged 5.6 points, 1.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 13.4 minutes (.415 FG%, .384 3FG%, .950 FT%).

In 436 career games (18 starts) with the LA Lakers, Chicago, Toronto, New Orleans, Atlanta and Washington, the 6-foot-1 University of Arkansas product is averaging 6.4 points, 2.0 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 15.4 minutes (.389 FG%, .350 3FG%, .867 FT%). He has also seen action in Russia (Dynamo Moscow) and Greece (Olympiacos Piraeus).

Pargo will wear uniform number 7, and will be available for today’s 2 p.m. contest at Philips Arena vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Warriors re-assign Jeremy Tyler to D-League

The Golden State Warriors have re-assigned forward/center Jeremy Tyler to the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League, the team announced today. He is slated to join Golden State’s D-League affiliate in time for the team’s home game this evening in Santa Cruz against the Erie BayHawks at Kaiser Permanente Arena (5:00 p.m. tipoff).

Tyler, 21, has appeared in 16 games for Golden State this season, averaging 1.1 points in 3.1 minutes per contest. He has previously been assigned to Santa Cruz four times this season, averaging 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 30.5 minutes in four games.

Heat re-sign forward Jarvis Varnado to second 10-day contract

The Miami Heat announced today that they have re-signed forward Jarvis Varnado to a second 10-day contract.

Varnado, who was signed to a 10-day contract by the Heat on January 9, appeared in two games with Miami, both victories, totaling two points and two blocks in 12 minutes of action while shooting 1-of-2 from the field.

Varnado was signed earlier this season by Boston on December 14 and appeared in five games with the Celtics totaling six points, three rebounds, one assist and a steal in 18 minutes while shooting 2-of-4 from the field before being waived on January 6. He previously played in eight games (all starts) earlier this season for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League and averaged 14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.38 blocks and 30.4 minutes while shooting 57.5 percent from the field.

Varnado was originally signed by Miami on September 7 and waived on October 26 after appearing in two games (one start) on the HEAT’s 2012 Summer League team tallying four points, seven rebounds, one steal and a block in 30:07 minutes of action.

Miami Heat sign Chris Andersen to 10-day contract

The Birdman is back in the NBA. Temporarily, at least.

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed forward/center Chris Andersen to a 10-day contract.

Andersen, a 10-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 482 career games (10 starts) and averaged 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.60 blocks and 17.8 minutes while shooting 50.8 percent from the field. Additionally, he has appeared in 31 career postseason games and averaged 5.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.52 blocks and 17.8 minutes while shooting 58.2 percent from the field.

Last season, Andersen appeared in 32 games (one start) with Denver and averaged 5.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.44 blocks and 15.2 minutes while shooting 54.6 percent from the field.

According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “because of the moves, center Josh Harrellson was not retained after his 10-day contract expired. Also, the Heat announced that center Dexter Pittman again has been recalled from the NBA Development League. The focus Sunday, though, was on Andersen. “It’s a great fit for me,” Andersen said of being called in to provide rebounding and defense. “It’s what I do.” Andersen, known for his colorful tattoos, Mohawk haircut and headband summed up his personality after Sunday’s workout.”

Phoenix Suns name Lindsey Hunter interim head coach

The Phoenix Suns have named former NBA player and Suns Player Development Coordinator Lindsey Hunter the club’s interim head coach, the team announced today.

What this means is, for now, Hunter will act as the team’s head coach. The Suns could wind up keeping Hunter in charge if things go well, but otherwise, they will hire someone else to take the head coach position in a full-time, more long-term capacity.

A 17-year NBA veteran as a player, Hunter retired following the 2009-10 season after a successful career with Detroit (1993-00, 2003-08), Milwaukee (2000-01), the LA Lakers (2001-02), Toronto (2002-03) and Chicago (2008-10). A two-time NBA champion with the Lakers (2001-02) and Pistons (2003-04), Hunter’s teams made 12 playoff appearances in 17 seasons overall. Originally selected with the 10th overall pick of 1993 NBA Draft, the 6-2, 195-pound former guard averaged 8.5 points, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 937 career games (438 starts).

Hunter joined the Suns’ scouting department in 2012 and this season served as the coordinator of the organization’s newly-formed player development department. He served in a similar post with the Chicago Bulls following his retirement.

According to Bob Baum of the Associated Press, “The Suns, with nine new players on their roster this season, have lost 13 of 15, including four straight at home, and at 13-28 have the worst record in the Western Conference. They don’t play again until Wednesday, when they face the Kings in Sacramento. Hunter’s home debut will come Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, who have the West’s second-best record at 32-9.”

Also from the Associated Press: “Gentry was Phoenix’s coach since Terry Porter was fired at the 2009 All-Star break. His time included a run to the 2010 Western Conference finals in 2010, his first full season as coach. But the team failed to make the playoffs the last two seasons. Then Steve Nash departed to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Suns, under the direction of team president Lon Babby and general manager Lance Blanks, overhauled the roster.”

NBA fines Shawn Marion for public criticism of officiating

Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of officiating, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

Marion’s comments were made after Dallas’ 117-114 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 18 at American Airlines Center.

More info will be added to this page this evening.

Lou Williams suffers torn ACL in right knee, out for season

Lou Williams out for season with torn ACL in right knee

The Atlanta Hawks just received some most unfortunate news.

Hawks guard Lou Williams experienced a right knee sprain during Atlanta’s game last night at Brooklyn. X-rays taken during the game at the Barclays Center were negative. An MRI and examination today by Dr. Michael Bernot at Peachtree Orthopedics in Atlanta revealed a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

“We are extremely disappointed for Lou and our thoughts and support will be with him during his recovery,” said President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Danny Ferry. “He has been a complete professional in every sense of the word and know that approach, along with his work ethic, will serve him well in his rehabilitation.”

Williams will now undergo a period of rest before having surgery to repair the injury at a date to be determined. He will miss the remainder of the season and a timetable for his recovery will be announced following surgery.

The 6-foot-1 guard from Snellville ranks third on the team in scoring (14.1), assists (3.6) and steals (1.1). He is shooting .422 from the field, including career-bests of .367 from three-point range and .868 from the free throw line, in 28.7 minutes per game in 39 games (nine starts).

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