NBA Roundup: Pacers' George set to sign max deal
The Indiana Pacers signed rising star Paul George to a five-year maximum contract extension that will take him through the 2018-2019 season, ESPN.com reported Tuesday.
The team is expected to make a formal announcement on Wednesday.
Precise contract terms will not be determined until the extension take effect next year, but George is expected to earn about $80 million in guaranteed money over the course of the contract, according to the report. George, a forward, can earn an additional $10,000 if he makes an All-NBA team or wins an MVP award after this upcoming season.
George, 23, was named to the All-Star team this past season, when he also won the NBA's Most Improved Player Award. The third-year pro averaged 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 2012-2013 and was also named to the league's all-defensive team.
---Rookie first-round draft picks Nerlens Noel and Michael Carter-Williams signed contracts with the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, the team announced.
The team did not disclose terms of the deals for either player.
The 6-foot-6 Carter-Williams was the No. 11 overall selection in the June draft. He left Syracuse after his sophomore season, averaging 12 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals per game. With the Sixers' Summer League team in Orlando, he averaged 14 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals per game.
The 6-foot-11 Noel went to the New Orleans Pelicans with the sixth overall pick before the 76ers traded for his rights and a first-round draft pick in 2014 for Jrue Holiday and a second-round choice in the 2013 draft. Noel played one season at Kentucky, averaging 11 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and an NCAA-leading four-plus blocks per game. Despite sustaining a knee injury during the season, Noel still was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-SEC.
The NBA is taking the 2016 All-Star Game across the border to Canada, according to a report.
The 2016 edition of the league's annual midseason get-together will be played in Toronto, the Toronto Sun reported on Tuesday. An official announcement is expected within a week, according to the Sun's sources.
The Raptors will be celebrating their 20th anniversary season in 2016.
Cleveland was the other serious bidder for the 2016 game, the Sun reported. The 2014 game will be played in February in New Orleans.
---Point guard Rajon Rondo will be expected to contribute during training camp with the Boston Celtics when players report to Newport, but general manager Danny Ainge said Rondo's role would be that of an assistant coach, with a greater focus on his rehab from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Rondo underwent surgery in February.
The Celtics didn't rule out Rondo returning for the start of the regular season next month, but are keeping the timing of his return subject to change based on how Rondo recovers.
---The Truth matters, at least it does to NBA marketing. Paul Pierce's well-known nickname could be stitched to the back of his Brooklyn Nets uniform this season for one game against the Miami Heat rather than the customary last name as the NBA ponders allowing some players to individualize team uniforms.
Pierce, who has The Truth emblazoned on his custom Nike shoes, and other players were informed of the NBA considering the use of nicknames on uniforms in August.
LeBron James could opt to have "King James" on his jersey. Teammate Dwyane Wade, who wears No. 3 and has three NBA titles, is leaning toward having "Three" on his back.
