National Basketball Association roundup

The 60-year-old basketball legend is expected to continue on as a consultant with the Pacers, The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reported. General manager Kevin Pritchard will take over the team's basketball operations, reports said.

No reason for Bird's departure was given, but sources told ESPN that the plan always had been for Bird to suggest to owner Herb Simon that Pritchard take over as president when Bird eventually stepped down. Bird's preference over the years has been to have year-to-year contracts.

The Pacers declined comment, noting that Bird has a scheduled news conference on Monday, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Pritchard served as general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers from 2008-2010. He joined the Pacers in 2011 as director of player personnel and was promoted to general manager in 2012.

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Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas plans to travel home to Washington state after Friday night's Game 6 against the Chicago Bulls to attend his sister's funeral.

Thomas is scheduled to fly from Chicago to Tacoma to attend his sister's funeral at noon on Saturday, according to the Boston Globe.

His younger sister, 22-year-old Chyna Thomas, died following a single-vehicle accident in Federal Way, Wash., on April 15.

This will be Thomas' second trip home since his sister's death. He traveled to Tacoma for two days after Game 2 to be with his family and friends.

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The top three shoe and apparel companies are passing on an endorsement deal with former UCLA point guard and future NBA lottery pick Lonzo Ball.

Ball's father, LaVar, confirmed that Nike, Under Armour and Adidas each informed him that they were not interested in completing a deal with his son.

Lonzo Ball declared for the draft after one season at UCLA following the Bruins' loss to Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 last month.

He averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and an NCAA-best 7.6 assists per game, earning first-team All-American honors. ))