Raptors, Hawks swing 3-player trade
TORONTO (AP) — The Raptors have traded forward John Salmons to Atlanta for guard Lou Williams and the draft rights to center Lucas Nogueira.
The Hawks also get a 2015 second-round draft pick in the deal, which was announced on Monday.
The move clears more than $15 million in salary cap space for Atlanta. Salmons has a $1 million buyout of his $7 million salary, creating even more financial flexibility for the Hawks.
Nogueira, the 16th overall pick last year, spent last season in Spain. Williams, who is under contract for almost $5.5 million next season, averaged 10.4 points in 60 games for Atlanta last season.
Nogueira, a defensive-minded 7-footer who had some knee issues last season, has one year left on his Spanish contract.
Pistons not renewing Billups’ contract
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Pistons say they won’t pick up the team option on Chauncey Billups’ contract for the 2014-15 season.
Coach Stan van Gundy says Monday’s announcement was a hard one. He says the 37-year-old guard “will always be a valued member of the Detroit Pistons’ family.”
Owner Tom Gores says Billups has shown “leadership, dedication and excellence both on and off the court” and says he’s confident Billups will have “a long and bright future” in the league after his playing days are over.
Boston drafted Billups out of Colorado in 1997. He played for Detroit from 2002-2008 and again in 2013.
Billups also has played for Denver, Orlando, Toronto, Minnesota, New York and the Los Angeles Clippers.
AP Source: Eagles’ Johnson failed drug test
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson faces a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because the league hasn’t announced the suspension, says Johnson violated the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Johnson played all but one snap last season after being the fourth overall selection in the draft.
It’s not known if Johnson will appeal the suspension. He’s allowed to play in preseason games.
Johnson was part of an offensive line unit that started every game last season, helped the Eagles set several offensive team records and win the NFC East. Allen Barbre or Dennis Kelly could replace him the first month of the season. Kelly started seven games at right tackle in 2012.
The Philadelphia Daily News first reported the suspension.
Montreal trades Briere to Avalanche
MONTREAL (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens have traded veteran forward Daniel Briere to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau and a fifth-round pick in 2015 draft on Monday.
The 36-year-old Briere, who is heading into the final year of his contract, had 13 goals and 12 assists in 69 games with the Canadiens last season.
Parenteau had 14 goals and 19 assists with Colorado. He was selected 264th overall by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2001 NHL draft. Prior to joining the Avalanche, Parenteau suited up for the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and New York Islanders.
Briere, who has also played for Phoenix, Buffalo, and Philadelphia, joined the Canadiens as a free agent on July 4, 2013.
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