In brief: Dirk Nowitzki signs 3-year deal with Dallas
NBA: Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks have agreed on what could be the final contract for the big German.
A person with knowledge of the deal told the AP on Thursday that Nowitzki would get a three-year contract worth roughly $30 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.
New contracts can’t be signed until next Thursday.
The 36-year-old Nowitzki is taking a big pay cut with a contract similar in value and structure to the one Tim Duncan signed with San Antonio two years ago.
Nowitzki just completed a four-year deal worth $80 million.
• Cavaliers courting James: Four years after their messy breakup, the Cavaliers and LeBron James are at least talking about a reunion.
Cavs officials met with James’ agent, Rich Paul, this week about the free agent superstar’s possible return.
James recently opted out of the final two years of his contract in Miami.
• Kings sign Collison: The Sacramento Kings got some much-needed depth at point guard and a possible backup plan if they lose starter Isaiah Thomas in free agency.
The Kings and Darren Collison agreed to a three-year contract worth about $16 million Thursday, a person familiar with the deal said. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because teams can’t sign free agents until the NBA’s moratorium on moves is lifted July 10.
Collison opted out of the final year of his contract with the Clippers that would have paid him $1.9 million next season.
Detroit referee’s death ruled homicide
Soccer: The death of a referee who was punched at a Detroit-area soccer match has been ruled a homicide, according to an autopsy.
John Bieniewicz died of blunt force trauma to the neck, said Mary Mazur, a spokeswoman for the Wayne County medical examiner’s office. Bieniewicz, 44, died Tuesday, two days after Livonia police say he was attacked during an adult-league game.
Prosecutors have charged Baseel Abdul-Amir Saad with assault with intent to do great bodily harm. But they say the charges against the 36-year-old Dearborn man could be amended.
Sooners welcome Green-Beckham
Football: Oklahoma has added Dorial Green-Beckham, the standout receiver who was dismissed by Missouri in April.
Coach Bob Stoops announced that Green-Beckham was added to the Sooners’ roster after signing a financial aid agreement. He can immediately enroll in classes and begin team activities. He would be eligible to play beginning in 2015.
Green-Beckham caught 59 passes for 12 touchdowns as a sophomore last season at Missouri and was one of the top prospects in the nation when he signed with the Tigers. He was dismissed after being charged in October 2012 with marijuana possession in Columbia, Missouri, and later pleading guilty to trespassing.
• Two players suspended: Dion Jordan of the Miami Dolphins has been suspended for the first four games of the season after testing positive for a stimulant prohibited under the NFL’s PED policy.
Also, the NFL suspended Chiefs backup offensive lineman Rokevious Watkins for four games for violating its substance-abuse policy.
Boise State settles exit fee lawsuit
Miscellany: Boise State has settled a lawsuit with the American Athletic Conference that was first filed a year ago claiming the university owed $5 million in exit fees.
The university announced that all claims have been dismissed and it has agreed to pay $2.3 million.
The lawsuit was first filed after Boise State backed out of joining the Big East Conference in 2012.
Boise State officials say that the conference has already been paid $1.6 million and will get $140,000 a year over the next five years.
• Blixt leads Greenbrier: Defending champion Jonas Blixt shot a 6-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Greenbrier Classic in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Six of Blixt’s eight birdies came on putts of 10 feet or less on the Old White TPC. The Swede also chipped in from the rough for birdie on No. 16.
Eight players are one stroke back.
• Hurricanes keep Gleason: The Carolina Hurricanes are bringing back defenseman Tim Gleason, 31, after he agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.