NBA

NBA Commissioner David Stern answered questions on a wide array of topics in an interview this week, addressing the possibility of a shakeup in the NBA playoff system, the chances of the league expanding into Europe and the future of the Seattle SuperSonics, among other things.

Multiple sources told ESPN.com on Sunday night that former teammates Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge revived discussions of a deal that would end Garnett's 12-season association with Minnesota by sending him to Ainge's Celtics, with the Wolves believed to be getting back two of the assets McHale coveted most last month -- Al Jefferson and Theo Ratliff's expiring contract. It's believed that the latest incarnation of the deal also would have Minnesota acquiring youngsters Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair and Ryan Gomes. The salary-cap math involved would require both teams to account for Garnett's $6.75 million trade kicker. The Wolves would also receive a future first-round pick from Boston and take back the future first-round pick it sent to the Celtics in the Wally Szczerbiak-Ricky Davis trade in January 2006. (Minnesota still owes the Los Angeles Clippers one first-rounder as part of the Sam Cassell-Marko Jaric deal in the summer of 2005.)

Eddie Jones is heading back to the Miami Heat, ESPN.com has learned. Jones agreed Monday on a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies, giving up about $300,000 of his $15.7 million salary to gain his freedom from the team with the NBA's worst record. The money lost through the buyout will be made up when he signs for a prorated portion of the NBA minimum. Jones will clear waivers Thursday morning, after which he can sign with any NBA team. However, a source close to the situation said Jones has already decided he'll sign with Miami, meaning it is possible he will be in uniform for the defending champs when they play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night. The 12-year veteran spent five seasons with the Heat before being dealt to the Grizzlies in the five-team trade in the summer of 2005 that sent James Posey, Jason Williams and Antoine Walker to the Heat. Jones was averaging just 5.6 points in 29 games for the Grizzlies after being a 16.0 scorer over the first dozen years of his career. Chris Sheridan covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.

"I'm just thankful for the opportunity to go to a winning environment," said Jones, who is in his 13th season. "I don't have anything bad to say about the Grizzlies. I thank them for the year and a half I played for them. I gave them my all and the organization and the fans gave me their all. I'm just moving on." Jones' buyout with the Grizzlies will pay him the rest of his $15.7 million salary. He agreed to refund the Griz the prorated salary -- nearly $600,000 -- he'll receive from the new contract. Jones gained his freedom. The Griz maintained their salary cap flexibility for the offseason when Jones' team-high salary comes off the books.