The NBA is moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte because of its objections to a North Carolina law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people.
The league had expressed its opposition to the law known as HB2 since it was enacted in March, and its decision Thursday came shortly after stage legislators revisited the law and chose to leave it largely unchanged.
"While we recognize that the NBA cannot choose the law in every city, state, and country in which we do business, we do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2," the league said in a statement.
The league added that it hoped to announce a new location for next February's events shortly. It hopes to reschedule the 2019 game for Charlotte if there is a resolution to the matter.
"We understand the NBA's decision and the challenges around holding the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte this season. There was an exhaustive effort from all parties to keep the event in Charlotte, and we are disappointed we were unable to do so," Hornets chairman and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan said. "With that said, we are pleased that the NBA opened the door for Charlotte to host All-Star weekend again as soon as an opportunity was available in 2019."
Warriors: Resolution in Draymond Green case could come after Olympics
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- An attorney for Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green says a misdemeanor assault and battery charge from a confrontation near the Michigan State campus may be resolved after the U.S. basketball team competes in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The attorney, James Heos, tells the Lansing State Journal that Green appeared during a closed-door pretrial conference Thursday in East Lansing District Court via FaceTime. The U.S. team starts play in Rio on Aug. 6.
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Heos said a plea agreement is a possibility and that he's "still accumulating witness' statements" and "trying to get to the bottom of this."
Green is a former Michigan State standout. He's accused of striking ex-Spartan football player Jermaine Edmondson on July 10 near campus.
Edmondson received a release to transfer from the school.
Pacers: Veteran PG Aaron Brooks signs one-year deal
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers have signed veteran point guard Aaron Brooks to a one-year deal.
The Pacers announced the signing on Thursday. Brooks is entering his ninth season in the league, having previously played for Houston, Phoenix, Sacramento, Denver and Chicago. He has averaged 10.7 points and 3.2 assists in his career and gives the Pacers another experienced ball-handler behind Jeff Teague, who was acquired in a trade with the Hawks earlier this summer.
The 31-year-old averaged 7.1 points in 16.1 minutes per game for the Bulls last season.
Pacers President Larry Bird says Brooks will give new coach Nate McMillan another scorer off the bench who can create off the dribble and hit 3-pointers. Brooks is a 37 percent shooter from three in his career.
Pelicans: Alonzo Gee agrees to one-year contract
NEW ORLEANS -- A person familiar with negotiations says the New Orleans Pelicans and veteran small forward Alonzo Gee have agreed on a one-year, $1.4 million contract.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract is not expected to be signed until Friday and the deal not been announced.
The 6-foot-6 Gee played in 73 games for New Orleans last season, starting 38. He averaged 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game.
The 29-year-old also has played for Washington, Sacramento, Cleveland, Denver and Portland during his seven-year NBA career.
Solomon Hill is likely to start at small forward for New Orleans next season.
Gee's reacquisition provides depth in case Quincy Pondexter struggles to return from knee surgery that sidelined him all of last season.
