Chicago
The team said Mirotic will likely need surgery and is out indefinitely. They said they are “evaluating disciplinary action” after Tuesday’s incident.
Mirotic averaged 10.8 points over his first three seasons with Chicago. A restricted free agent, he signed a two-year contract that could pay as much as $27 million in September. The club holds an option on the second season.
A 2015 first-round pick, Portis has averaged 6.9 points and 5 rebounds.
The Bulls open at Toronto on Thursday. Chicago is rebuilding after trading Jimmy Butler and parting with Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo.
Jerseys Will RaiseHurricane Relief Funds
New York
The NBA and Turner Sports, which televised the Cleveland-Boston and Golden State-Houston doubleheader on TNT, will use the auction to benefit the One America Appeal.
Besides the jerseys, the auction will include items such as game-worn sneakers and autographed items donated by Turner commentators.
The One America Appeal was launched by the five living former U.S. presidents to support the recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey and was later expanded to include areas most affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The auction began on Tuesday night and continues through the first two weeks of the season.
Source: Nuggets Sign Jefferson
Denver
A person with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed the one-year agreement to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday because Jefferson’s deal hasn’t been disclosed by the team.
ESPN first reported the deal, which it said is worth $2.3 million.
The Nuggets open the season tonight in Utah.
Jefferson was recently waived by Atlanta after being dealt to the Hawks from Cleveland. He became a free agent on Monday, with Denver quickly jumping to the top of the list.
The 37-year-old Jefferson spent two seasons with the Cavaliers and played a big role off the bench during the team’s 2016 championship season. He appeared in 79 games last season, averaging 5.7 points in 20.4 minutes.
Jefferson also has played for the Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, Jazz, Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks over his 16-year career.
In Denver, he figures to back up Wilson Chandler at small forward and provide leadership on a Nuggets squad that many predict to be in the playoff race after narrowly missing a spot a year ago. The team hasn’t been to the postseason since 2012-13.
Heading into the season opener, Denver’s starting lineup looks like this: Paul Millsap at power forward, Chandler, Nikola Jokic in the middle and Gary Harris at shooting guard.
The point guard situation remains up in the air. ESPN reported that Denver plans to waive veteran Jameer Nelson. That leaves youngsters Jamal Murray and Emmanuel Mudiay to play the position.
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AP Basketball Writer Jon Krawczynski contributed to this report.
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More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball
