Newsmakers
Sentenced A judge sentenced Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith to 90 days in jail Tuesday night for causing an auto accident that killed his friend, though Smith will likely end up serving only 30. Municipal Judge Debra J. Gelson suspended 60 days of the sentence providing Smith performs 500 hours of community service consisting of visiting sick children at hospitals. A grand jury declined to indict Smith, but he faced five motor vehicle violations and pleaded guilty to reckless driving Tuesday.
Signed The Calgary Flames have signed star defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to a multiyear agreement. The Flames acquired the rights to Bouwmeester on June 27 from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jordan Leopold and the 67th pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft.
• The New Jersey Devils are keeping Johnny Oduya away from the free-agent market, agreeing to terms with the defenseman on a new multiyear contract. The 27-year-old defenseman had career highs with seven goals, 22 assists and 29 points last season – his third in the NHL.
•The Dallas Stars have re-signed right wing Jere Lehtinen to a one-year deal. The Stars gave the 36-year-old Lehtinen, who has spent his entire career with Dallas, a contract with a base salary of $1.5 million and the possibility of as much as $1 million in incentives.
Staying Utah Jazz will keep Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur next season. About two hours after Boozer let the Jazz know he decided against opting out of the final year of his contract – which he once said he intended to do – Okur joined him. The moves keep the Jazz lineup intact, but at a hefty price, as Boozer is scheduled to make $12.7 million next season and Okur $9 million.
Traded The Jacksonville Jaguars have traded receiver Dennis Northcutt to the Detroit Lions for safety Gerald Alexander. Northcutt, who has 364 receptions for 4,584 yards and 17 touchdowns, has been projected to start this season. Northcutt gives rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford, the top pick in April’s NFL draft who could replace Daunte Culpeppe r in the starting lineup, a veteran receiver opposite Calvin Johnson.