Morning News Links - Pirates target Upton, Quentin
NBA
The Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic are confident that the Cleveland Cavaliers will help them complete a three-team trade that would see centre Dwight Howard land with the Nets. Kris Humphries would be the key piece headed to Cleveland in the proposed deal. [ESPN]
The Philadelphia 76ers are also considering pursuing Kris Humphries via a three-team trade with the Nets and Magic. [Hoops World]
Team USA Olympic basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski says that this team could be better than the 2008 USA team that won the gold medal. [ESPN]
The Magic are worried that if they accept centre Andrew Bynum from the Lakers via trade for Dwight Howard, that Bynum will not sign a long-term deal in Orlando when his contract expires. [Yahoo! Sports]
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat could sign guard Raja Bell, who agreed to a contract buyout with the Utah Jazz. [Yahoo! Sports]
The Boston Celtics are still interested in acquiring Memphis Grizzlies guard OJ Mayo. [CSN New England]
MLB
The Pittsburgh Pirates have had preliminary trade discussions regarding outfielders Justin Upton of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Carlos Quentin of the San Diego Padres. [Fox Sports]
Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander will start for the American League at Tuesday's All-Star Game. He has a 9-5 record and 2.58 ERA in 18 starts. [ESPN]
National League manager Tony La Russa has named San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain the starter for the All-Star Game. Many had believed that New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey would get the start. [NY Daily News]
Los Angeles Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson has been scratched from Tuesday's All-Star Game due to a blister on his pitching hand. Chicago White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy will replace him. [AP]
The Miami Marlins are expected to be without outfielder Giancarlo Stanton for at least a month, after he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee on Sunday. [CSN Philly]
NHL
Detroit Red Wings defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom will remain with the organization as a scout for Europe. [NHL.com]
Should the Ottawa Senators make an offer to free agent forward Alexander Semin? He recorded 21 goals and 33 assists last season, while earning $6.7 million. [Ottawa Sun]
The Detroit Red Wings plan to make an offer to free agent forward Shane Doan, who said he would begin accepting offers this week. [Detroit Free Press]
The NHL and NHLPA will resume negotiations on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement this week in Toronto. [CSN Philly]
Nashville Predators general manager David Poile is confident that defenceman Shea Weber will re-sign with the team. [The Tennessean]
NFL
The New England Patriots and wide receiver Wes Welker are reportedly $6 million in guaranteed money apart in their long-term contract talks. [Boston Globe]
