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Tony Parker went to San Antonio as a teenager nearly two decades ago [url=http://www.falconscheapstore.com/justin-bethel-jersey-cheap]Justin Bethel Jersey[/url] , quickly became part of the Spurs’ legendary Big Three and celebrated four championships while wearing silver and black.

He’s not done playing.

He’s just done in San Antonio.

Parker agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, ending a 17-year run with the Spurs. And he’s not the only veteran on the move, with Oklahoma City and Carmelo Anthony having mutually agreed they will part ways and Dwight Howard set to sign with the Washington Wizards once he clears waivers.

All of those deals were confirmed Friday to The Associated Press by people involved in the negotiations. Each of the people spoke on condition of anonymity because none of the moves were finalized – but the Parker move was confirmed by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who thanked his now-former point guard in a statement released by the team.

”It’s difficult to put into words how important Tony Parker has been to the Spurs franchise over the past two decades,” Popovich said. ”From his first game in 2001 at age 19, TP has impressed and inspired us – day-after-day, game-after-game, season-after-season – with his passion, dedication and desire. We are grateful to Tony for 17 years of truly amazing memories.”

The move reunites Parker with new Charlotte coach James Borrego, who most recently was an assistant in San Antonio. And Parker is close friends with Charlotte’s Nicolas Batum, who predictably was thrilled by the news.

”Number 9 [url=http://www.patriotscheapstore.com/adrian-clayborn-jersey-cheap]Adrian Clayborn Jersey[/url] , I see you soon in Buzz City my big bro,” Batum wrote on Twitter.

Parker averaged career lows of 7.7 points and 19.5 minutes last season, when he lost his starting job. He was part of 137 playoff wins with Popovich, the second most by any coach and player in NBA history. Popovich and Spurs star Tim Duncan combined for 157 playoff wins.

Parker told ESPN that it was a difficult decision, ”but I had to move on.”

Parker was part of the Spurs’ Big Three with Duncan and Manu Ginobili. Duncan has retired, Parker is now gone and Ginobili’s status for next season is unknown.

”The biggest joy for me has been to have the pleasure of watching TP grow up before our eyes,” Popovich said. ”All of us in the Spurs organization will miss having Tony in our program and wish him and his family the best as he continues his remarkable career in Charlotte.”

Parker has also appeared in 17 consecutive postseasons; only Karl Malone and John Stockton’s run of 19 straight playoff trips are longer.

He has his rings.

Anthony and Howard will be on the move, seeking theirs.

Anthony has likely played his last game for the Oklahoma City Thunder – with the sides having mutually decided that he will not be on the team next season. It remains unclear how that departure will actually happen, as in whether it will be through a buyout, the Thunder waiving him or a trade.

Anthony is due to make $28 million this season, his last in a five-year, $125 million contract he signed with New York before getting moved to Oklahoma City. He has said he will not accept a reserve role [url=http://www.49erscheapstore.com/dwight-clark-jersey-cheap]Dwight Clark Jersey[/url] , and by parting with him – somehow – the Thunder could save more than $90 million in luxury tax payments.

Anthony averaged 16.2 points on 40 percent shooting last season, both career lows. But there will be suitors for him, with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Miami Heat all believed to have interest.

Howard started Friday on Charlotte’s roster, then was traded to Brooklyn – a deal agreed to days ago, but one that couldn’t be completed until Friday when the league’s offseason moratorium on player movement ended. The Nets will buy him out, which will pave the way for Howard to eventually sign with the Wizards.

A person familiar with the terms told AP that Howard would play on a one-year, $5.3 million deal. Later Friday, ESPN reported that Howard will actually be signing a two-year deal in Washington – with the second year at his option.

Buyout terms with Howard, who was due to make $24 million this season, were progressing Friday and Nets general manager Sean Marks said they should be wrapped up quickly.

”This is something that we mutually want,” Marks said. ”Neither one of us is trying to have this drawn out. I think we’re going to leave on good terms. It’ll hopefully work out for both sides.”

The lifting of the moratorium meant a slew of moves that have been agreed to in recent days could be finalized [url=http://www.billscheapstore.com/nathan-peterman-jersey-cheap]Nathan Peterman Jersey[/url] , such as Paul George’s four-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Rajon Rondo’s signing to play with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rondo agreed to join the Lakers earlier in the week, but couldn’t sign until Friday.

”I love shake-ups in the summertime, as far guys switching teams or the NBA looking a little bit different,” Rondo said not long after putting his signature on his one-year, $9 million deal to join the Lakers – a team he faced twice in the NBA Finals when he played for Boston. ”It’s going to be very interesting this year and I look forward to a lot of exciting basketball.”

—


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Derek Carr showed enough in one drive of what used to be the dress rehearsal game in the preseason for coach Jon Gruden to shut him down until Oakland’s season opener.

Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy didn’t need to see anything at all from Aaron Rodgers.

Carr led a scoring drive on his only possession of a shorter-than-expected preseason appearance, and the Raiders beat the Green Bay Packers 13-6 on Friday night.

“‘I had seen enough,” Gruden said. “There was not much more to see. The battle for us is who’s behind Derek. … I was very pleased with Derek and how he started the game.”

Gruden had said earlier in the week that Carr and the offensive starters would likely play into the second quarter. But he pulled him after an opening drive that ended when Reggie Gilbert bull-rushed right tackle Donald Penn into Carr, leading to a sack and fumble that Carr recovered.

The Packers rested Rodgers and the rest of the offensive starters. They were held to two field goals and 228 yards of offense behind backups Brett Hundley and DeShone Kizer.

“We wanted to get some things done offensively. Didn’t accomplish that,” McCarthy said. “The obvious is the penalties kind of were the theme for the evening. It was a sloppy football game.”

The Raiders won when Chris Warren III scored on a 1-yard run with 5:07 to play.

Carr went deep on the opening play, completing a 49-yard pass to Amari Cooper following a play-action fake. The Raiders moved to the 4 before the sack ended the drive and led to a field goal.

Carr then went to the bench after playing just two series the entire preseason. He’s expected to sit out next week at Seattle and not play again until the season opener against the Rams on Sept. 10.

“If we practice at the speed that we do, I feel you can go out in the preseason and play a couple of plays here and there and be ready for the regular season [url=http://www.giantscheapstore.com/ray-ray-armstrong-jersey-cheap]Ray-Ray Armstrong Jersey[/url] ,” Carr said.

Backup Connor Cook struggled, going 6 for 15 for 72 yards and throwing a pass that was intercepted by Green Bay rookie Jaire Alexander . Cook threw another interception that rookie Josh Jackson returned for a TD, but that got overturned by a defensive hold on the other side of the field.

E.J. Manuel also turned the ball over in the second half and Gruden said he wasn’t sure his backup quarterback was currently on the roster.

Hundley wasn’t much better, going 8 for 14 for 78 yards and leading one field goal drive in the first half. Kizer was 11 for 23 for 120 yards and also led one field goal drive as the Raiders took advantage of Green Bay’s backup offensive line.

“They were getting around our edges a little bit,” Kizer said. “It required me to step up here and there. I was trying to avoid some sacks, trying to keep the ball in play and have some positive plays. That’s part of the game, being able to fight adversity.”

TRADING TEAMS

In warmups, Carr and Rodgers took the opportunity to throw to old teammates who are now on the opposite team. Carr threw to his former Fresno State teammate Davante Adams and Rodgers warmed up with former Packers receiver Jordy Nelson.

“Derek threw Davante one and Aaron threw me one,” Nelson said. “It’s pretty rare to have that setup. It was fun to see those guys.”

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch once again sat during the national anthem. Lynch also sat for the anthem all of last season but never gave a reason for his decision. No other players on either team demonstrated during the anthem.

HELMET RULE

There was one penalty under the new rule prohibiting players from leading with their helmets. Oakland S Marcus Gilchrist was called for the infraction on a tackle against Lance Kendricks in the second quarter.

“I’m not sure I understand that call tonight,” Gruden said. “I do understand the rule.”

DEBUT

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie made his debut for the Raiders before even taking part in a practice. Rodgers-Cromartie was signed Thursday and came into the game in the third quarter at cornerback.

INJURIES

Packers: LB Oren Burks got hurt during warmups and didn’t play. … RB Ty Montgomery left in the first quarter with a foot injury.

Raiders: DE Bruce Irvin was excused from the game for a personal matter.

NEXT UP

Packers: Visit Kansas City on Aug. 30.

Raiders: Visit Seattle on Aug. 30.

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