DALLAS (AP) — The Mavericks and New York Knicks agreed Wednesday to a six-player trade that returns center Tyson Chandler to Dallas three years after he helped win a championship only to leave right away in free agency.

The Mavericks sent guards Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin and Wayne Ellington and center Samuel Dalembert to the Knicks for Chandler and point guard Raymond Felton.

The Knicks also get both of Dallas’ draft picks Thursday night, a pair of second-round selections at Nos. 34 and 51. New York didn’t have a draft pick before the first major personnel move since Phil Jackson took over as team president.

“The journey to build this team for the upcoming season and beyond continues,” Jackson said. “We have added players with this move that will fit right in to our system while maintaining future flexibility.”

New York is hoping to keep Carmelo Anthony despite the star forward planning to opt out of his contract and become a free agent on July 1. The Mavericks are reportedly on a short list of new destinations Anthony will also consider.

Chandler was the emotional catalyst for the Dirk Nowitzki-led Mavericks when they beat the Miami Heat in six games to win the franchise’s first title in 2011.



Gay exercises option
to stay with Kings

SACRAMENTO (AP) — Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay has exercised his $19.3 million player option for next season.

The Kings also announced Wednesday that they have extended a qualifying offer to point guard Isaiah Thomas to make him a restricted free agent.

Gay averaged 20.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 55 games for Sacramento after being acquired in a trade from Toronto. Gay’s agent, Jeff Austin, says the sides plan to discuss a potential long-term deal before Gay will be an unrestriced free agent next summer.

Thomas averaged 20.3 points and 6.3 assists in 72 games last season. Thomas is eligible to sign an offer sheet with another team next month but the Kings have the right to match any contract.



Cavs introduce new
coach David Blatt

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — The Cavaliers have introduced new coach David Blatt one day before they pick first in the NBA draft.

Blatt spent the past two decades coaching in Israel, where he built a reputation as one of the international game’s top coaches. He led Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Euroleague championship this season and guided Russia to a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.

The 55-year-old Blatt, who was born in Massachusetts and played at Princeton, is the first coach to make the move from Europe to the NBA.