Associated Press
The NBA notebook …
OKLAHOMA CITY ó All-Star point guard Chris Paul could knife his way into the lane, lob the ball up in the air and, almost without fail, Tyson Chandler would be there to slam it down with two hands.
It was the signature move of New Orleans’ thrilling young inside-outside tandem, with the two teaming up for more than 100 alley-oops last season during the Hornets’ surprising run to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and a spot in the conference semifinals.
Now, the Hornets will have to find a new crowd-pleasing calling card.
Chandler was dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday in a trade that brings veterans Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox to the Hornets and could give New Orleans some cap room next season heading into the first year of Paul’s new four-year, $68 million contract.
BARKLEY RETURNS
ATLANTA ó Charles Barkley will return from his leave of absence and be back on the air tonight during TNT’s NBA coverage.
Barkley was arrested Dec. 31 in Scottsdale, Ariz., and his leave began Jan. 9. Police said the 45-year-old NBA Hall of Famer had a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit in Arizona.
Barkley, a TNT studio analyst, was forced to miss the network’s coverage of All-Star weekend in Phoenix.
CASSELL TO KINGS
SACRAMENTO, Calif. ó The Sacramento Kings have acquired veteran guard Sam Cassell from the Boston Celtics for a conditional second-round draft pick in 2015.
The 39-year-old Cassell hasn’t played this season.