Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird wants owner Herb Simon to plan for his departure after the season and has told several friends in the NBA that he's decided to leave, two people familiar with the situation told CBSSports.com Thursday. ...more

Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov joked Tuesday that if Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban signs Deron Williams this summer, he'll "crush him" in a "kickboxing throwdown." In the Russian billionaire's first U.S. media appearance in more than a year, he weighed in on the Nets' future and chances of bringing Williams with them to Brooklyn next season. ...more

The defending champion Dallas Mavericks got nothing from Lamar Odom, but it was a low-risk move that didn't eat up cap space needed to pursue free-agent point guard Deron Williams this summer. ...more

The Knicks have given former team president Donnie Walsh, 71, permission to speak with other teams about executive openings prior to the expiration of his contract June 30, his agent told CBSSports.com, ...more

Knicks star Amar'e Stoudemire will not require season-ending back surgery, the team announced Wednesday. Stoudemire will undergo 2-4 weeks of treatment and rehab. ...more

Dwight Howard signed an amendment to his contract waiving his right to opt out after the season, committing in writing to stay in Orlando for the 2012-13 season, a league source confirmed to CBSSports.com. ...more

Dwight Howard and agent Dan Fegan told top Magic officials Wednesday night that he will not sign away his ability to opt out of his contract after the season, pressuring Orlando to decide whether to keep him past the trade deadline without a commitment. ...more

There are conflicting accounts of what Dwight Howard said during a players' meeting in San Antonio Wednesday, but a person with knowledge of the conversation told CBSSports.com that the All-Star center told a Magic official outside of that meeting he will not opt out of his contract for next season. ...more

Warriors owner Joe Lacob has no interest in sending Monta Ellis to Orlando to help the Magic keep Dwight Howard, wanting instead to preserve his own slim chances of landing the All-Star center. ...more

Latest trade deadline news from around the NBA ...more