NBA roundup: League plans to oust Sterling’s wife, too

The NBA believes it can legally prevent Shelly Sterling, the wife of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, from keeping her ownership portion of the franchise, ESPNLosAngeles.com reported.

According to the report, the NBA is claiming that it can stop Shelly Sterling from taking over the team because she was never approved as majority owner by its Board of Governors.

Even though commissioner Adam Silver specifically banned Donald Sterling, the NBA believes it can also legally oust Shelly Sterling.

Shelly Sterling has made it known that she intends to keep her 50 percent ownership interest in the Clippers. However, she has been cooperative with the NBA in actions taken to bar her husband for life and in the process of forcing him to give up the team.

The NBA has assumed operation of the Clippers since banning Sterling for making racist comments recorded on tape two weeks ago. Team president Andy Roesner was removed by the NBA and replaced by new CEO Dick Parsons on Friday.

Shelly Sterling has to be approved by the NBA’s Board of Governors to be controlling owner of the team, but that is unlikely because of her association with her long-time husband.

Former Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson said Friday that players would refuse to play for the Clippers if Shelly Sterling assumes ownership of the team because of her association with her husband and her past involvement in housing discrimination claims.

—TNT analyst Steve Kerr is seeking a five-year, $30 million contract to coach the New York Knicks, according to the New York Post.

Kerr, a former NBA guard and Phoenix Suns general manager, has been pursued by the Knicks to replaced fired coach Mike Woodson.

Knicks president Phil Jackson, who coached Kerr when he played for the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, has targeted Kerr for several weeks.

—The Golden State Warriors plan to interview Lionel Hollins for the coaching job next week, according to Yahoo Sports.

Hollins, the former Memphis Grizzlies coach, is expected to meet with the Warriors during the NBA pre-draft camp in Chicago.

The Warriors are looking to replace Mark Jackson, whom they fired on Tuesday. They also plan to contact Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and former Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. They already contacted former Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy.

—Washington Wizards point guard John Wall is expected to play Sunday against the Indiana Pacers after getting treatment for a scratched right eye.

Wall was poked in the eye on a drive to the basket early in the second half of Friday’s loss to the Pacers. Wall said Saturday he “could barely see” in the third quarter of the Wizards’ loss.

Wall wore a contact lens during practice Saturday with a solution on it to help the eye. Coach Randy Wittman said he believes Wall will be fine on Sunday.

—Portland Trail Blazers guard Mo Williams will not play Saturday night’s playoff game against the visiting San Antonio Spurs because of a groin injury, according to Comcast SportsNet Northwest.

Williams, the Blazers’ backup point guard, played just nine minutes in Game 2 and scored four points. Earl Watson will likely take Williams’ spot in the rotation off the bench.

The Spurs lead the Western Conference semifinals series 2-0.

—Former No. 1 overall draft pick Greg Oden acknowledged that he may go down as one of the biggest disappointments in NBA history.

Oden, who was selected first by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2007, has been mired by knee injuries that have limited him to just 105 games since he was drafted. Oden played in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons before his career was cut short. Following nearly four years of rehab, he signed with the Miami Heat this season and averaged just 9.2 minutes over 23 games.

Oden told Grantland.com, “I know I’m one of the biggest busts in NBA history and I know that it’ll only get worse as Kevin Durant continues doing big things. … It’s frustrating that my body can’t do what my mind wants it to do sometimes. But worrying or complaining about it isn’t going to fix anything. … I wish the circumstances would let me play more, but I certainly don’t regret coming back, and I don’t regret signing with the Heat.”

—The city of Sacramento finalized an agreement to build a downtown arena for the Kings, according to the Associated Press.

Sacramento released the 35-year lease agreement Friday night. City Council is expected to vote on the deal May 20.

Cost for the arena is estimated at $477 million. The city is financing $223 million and the Kings will pay $254 million. The Kings hope the arena opens in time for the 2016-17 season.