SEATTLE -- The SuperSonics will move to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season as part of a settlement with the city of Seattle, ending a contentious relationship that resulted in a trial in which the judge was due to issue her ruling Wednesday.
The settlement calls for Sonics owner Clay Bennett and the Professional Basketball Club LLC to pay up to $75 million to the city in exchange for the immediate termination of the KeyArena lease between the NBA team and the city.
The team's name and colors will be staying in Seattle.
"We made it," Bennett said after stepping to an Oklahoma City podium featuring the NBA logo and the letters OKC. "The NBA will be in Oklahoma City next season."
Heat's Beasley exits practice
Michael Beasley's first official practice with the Miami Heat ended quickly.
Beasley was struck in the chest by an inadvertent elbow during a defensive drill about 45 minutes into Miami's first summer-league workout session yesterday, and the No. 2 overall pick in last week's NBA Draft was taken to a doctor for observation.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the move was strictly precautionary and should not affect Beasley's availability for Miami's five-games-in-five-days run through the Orlando summer league, which opens Monday.
Davis nears deal with Clippers
Baron Davis is on his way home.
A day after Davis shocked the Golden State Warriors by opting out of the final season of his contract to become a free agent, the big-game point guard is on the verge of signing a long-term deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Though Davis refused to directly confirm his agent's declaration to The Los Angeles Times that they have agreed to sign a five-year, $65 million deal with Golden State's Pacific Division rivals, he left no doubt about his upcoming move back to his native Southern California.
Davis can't sign with the Clippers until July 9, but he already was speaking about the Warriors in the past tense Tuesday night before attending the Bay Area premiere of "Made in America," a documentary he produced about gang life in Los Angeles. He grew up in a tough neighborhood before attending a ritzy high school in Santa Monica and later starring at UCLA.
No deal yet for Paul
Chris Paul left the New Orleans Hornets training center yesterday afternoon without a new contract extension in place, but his agent remained optimistic the deal would be completed without much trouble -- even if it took longer than anticipated.
"We felt like it went well ... and we'll get it wrapped up sometime soon," said Lance Young, senior director of the sports management and marketing company Octagon, which represents Paul.
Young flew into New Orleans yesterday morning and spent the day with Paul and Hornets general manager Jeff Bower. Paul left abruptly yesterday afternoon without making any comment.
Paul is trying to decide between a four-year deal worth $68 million or a five-year extension worth $87 million, Young said.
Josh Smith visits Philly
Josh Smith wasted no time taking advantage of his restricted free-agent status, spending yesterday visiting the Philadelphia 76ers-- a franchise with plenty of cap room to make a big offer.
The 22-year-old Smith toured the city and visited the Wachovia Center with Sixers officials, who would like to woo the forward away from Atlanta with an offer sheet too expensive for the Hawks to match. As he's a restricted free agent, the Hawks can match any offer made to the 6-foot-9, 235 pound Smith.
Smith averaged 17.2 points and 8.2 rebounds last year and helped the Hawks make the playoffs.
