Digest

BASKETBALL

Suns land Paul from OKC in six-player deal

The Phoenix Suns acquired star guard Chris Paul from Oklahoma City in a six-player trade, the Thunder announced Monday.

Paul and forward Abdel Nader are headed to the Suns in exchange for forward Kelly Oubre Jr., guards Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome and Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first-round pick.

The deal pairs Paul with Suns phenom Devin Booker in the Phoenix backcourt. Paul is a 10-time All Star, nine-time All-NBA selection and the 2005-06 Rookie of the Year. The 35-year-old veteran brings his career averages of 18.5 points per game and 9.5 assists per game to Phoenix after one season in Oklahoma City.

Paul led the Thunder (44-28) to the postseason this year before they lost a first-round playoff series to the Houston Rockets in seven games. The Wake Forest product averaged 21.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.6 steals in the series.

Harden maneuvering for Brooklyn switch

Coach Mike D'Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey departed the Houston Rockets after last season. Star guard James Harden might be the next one out the door.

Harden declined Houston's offer of a contract that would pay him an NBA-record $50 million per season, and instead is looking to engineer a trade that would send him to the Brooklyn Nets, ESPN reported Monday.

Per the report, Harden turned down an extension for two years and $103 million beyond the existing three years and $133 million on his contract. He is reportedly in contact with Nets forward Kevin Durant and guard Kyrie Irving in hopes of forming a Big Three in Brooklyn.

However, there has been no "meaningful dialogue" between the Nets and the Rockets about a Harden deal, according to ESPN.

Harden, 31, is an eight-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA performer who has led the NBA in scoring each of the past three seasons.

Davis to thrash out new deal with Lakers

Anthony Davis is opting out of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers but reportedly intends to return to the NBA champions in a new deal that aligns with LeBron James' plans.

Davis, 27, was due $28.7 million next season but a clause in his contract allowed him to opt out of the 2020-21 season in favor of free agency.

Davis' future is not in doubt－he plans to be back with the Lakers, according to multiple reports.

ESPN reported the Lakers "will present several options to Davis and his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, in order to work with the superstar on the deal that makes him feel the most comfortable being part of the franchise moving forward".

The Lakers were 52-19 in the regular season and Davis played a starring role alongside James in the playoffs, leading the team with 27.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. He also averaged 3.5 assists and 1.4 blocks in the postseason as LA captured its first title since the 2009-10 campaign.

DOPING

Australian swimmer banned for two years

Australian swimmer Shayna Jack was banned for two years on Monday for accidental doping, with her sanction expiring days before the start of the Tokyo Olympics.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said its judge decided "Jack did not intentionally ingest ligandrol and considered that she had discharged her onus of proving that the anti-doping rule violation was not intentional".

Jack tested positive for the anabolic agent ahead of the 2019 world championships. An Australian sports tribunal previously recommended a four-year ban before CAS took on the case.

An appeal is now possible to a separate CAS panel. The World Anti-Doping Agency can choose to file a case seeking a longer ban.

The 22-year-old, a four-time medalist in relays at the 2017 world championships, cannot compete through July 11, 2021. The Tokyo Olympics open less than two weeks later.

NFL

Saints reeling from Brees injury update

Drew Brees has been diagnosed with multiple rib fractures and a collapsed right lung, a person with knowledge of the situation said Monday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Saints have not announced specifics about Brees' injury, which the 41-year-old quarterback said occurred on a heavy hit by San Francisco defensive lineman Kentavius Street in the second quarter of New Orleans' 27-13 victory over the 49ers on Sunday.

Brees' injuries, which were first reported by ESPN, are expected to sideline the quarterback for multiple weeks. Two of the Saints' next three games are against the Falcons, first on Sunday in the Superdome and then in Atlanta on Dec 6.In between, New Orleans visits Denver on Nov 29.

TENNIS

Melbourne could host Open tuneup tourneys

The Australian Open and all the regular regional buildup tournaments will be staged in Melbourne in January as organizers aim to minimize health risks for players in the coronavirus pandemic.

Tennis Australia plans to transfer tournaments usually held in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart to Melbourne, where a quarantine and practice and playing hub will be set up. However, these plans have yet to be rubber-stamped.

Australia's international borders are mostly closed, and there is still differing domestic travel restrictions between states.

Tennis Australia on Monday told Associated Press that logistics, including draw sizes and scheduling, were being worked through for the weeks ahead of the Australian Open, which is due to start on Jan 18. The ATP Cup is scheduled to begin around Australia on Jan 1.

But Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews told a news conference the plan to host all tournaments in Melbourne was "far from a done deal".

Xinhua - Agencies