Silver: No guarantee Clippers officially sold by season start

LAS VEGAS – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he is hopeful that the proposed $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers will be completed before next season begins. But he could not guarantee that will happen because the deal is currently held up in the courts.

Silver spoke Tuesday evening after a meeting of the NBA’s Board of Governors. He says he cannot guarantee Donald Sterling will be out as owner of the Clippers because he is fighting the sale.

Sterling’s wife Shelly has agreed to sell the team to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. But Donald Sterling is challenging Shelly’s right to make that deal, and delays have pushed closing arguments back to July 28.

Silver says the process is on hold until that case has been resolved.

Miller takes his talents to Cleveland to join with LeBron

CLEVELAND – A person familiar with the negotiations says free agent Mike Miller has agreed to a 2-year, $5.5 million contract with the Cavaliers, re-uniting him with superstar LeBron James.

Miller reached the agreement with the Cavs on Tuesday, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not commented on the deal. Miller’s contract includes a player option in the second year.

He’ll make $2.7 million next season, and the option is worth $2.8 million.

Miller was teammates for three seasons with James in Miami. Last season, Miller played in 82 games for Memphis. He shot 46 percent (107-of-233) on 3-pointers.

Bulls waive goodbye to Boozer to make more room for Gasol

CHICAGO – The Chicago Bulls said goodbye to forward Carlos Boozer on Tuesday, using the amnesty clause to cut the veteran forward after four seasons with the team.

Boozer came to Chicago in a sign-and-trade deal with Utah in July 2010. The two-time All-Star averaged 15.5 points and nine rebounds in 280 games with the Bulls.

He had one season left on a five-year deal worth roughly $75 million. The amnesty clause allows a team to waive one player during the current labor deal and have 100 percent of his salary taken off the cap and the tax. The 6-foot-9 power forward is still owed the money.

NFL

Saints pay Graham more like a receiver than a tight end

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Saints have confirmed a multiyear contract with star tight end Jimmy Graham.

Details have not been released in the deal that ends a protracted holdout. Graham skipped all of the Saints’ voluntary and mandatory practices and workouts – and challenged the NFL’s franchise tag process through arbitration.

The odds of Graham leaving the Saints were slim since the club in late February placed its franchise tag on the player.

The NFL Players Association filed a grievance, contending Graham was used as a wide receiver often enough to qualify for the more lucrative receiver tag, worth about $5 million a year more than the $7 million tag for a tight end.

Soccer

Juventus coach Conte leaves by mutual consent; Italy next?

TURIN, Italy – Antonio Conte has terminated his contract with Serie A champion Juventus by mutual consent in a shocking move just as the club begins preparations for next season.

Conte led Juventus to three Serie A titles in a row. There had been speculation toward the end of last season that Conte wanted to leave, but then he had appeared to change his mind. He had one year remaining on his contract.

Conte wouldn’t give any clues Tuesday to his next move. The job of Italy’s national team coach is open after Cesare Prandelli resigned following the Azzurri’s first-round exit from the World Cup.

Associated Press