Vanessa Bryant awarded $16 million over Kobe crash photos, Lakers to acquire Patrick Beverly from Jazz, Celtics' Tacko Fall signs with Chinese Basketball Association, Nets and Durant agree to "move forward" together, and more basketball news.
Vanessa Bryant awarded $16 million over Kobe crash photos
A federal jury has awarded Vanessa Bryant, widow of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, $16 million in damages over leaked photographs of the site of the helicopter crash that killed her husband and daughter.
First responders, sheriff's deputies, and firefighters had snapped photos of the scene and shared them publicly. Some of the images showed the remains of Kobe Bryant and thirteen-year-old Gianna Bryant.
The jury deliberated for four and half hours before reaching the unanimous verdict, which agreed with Vanessa Bryant and her attorneys that the photographs had invaded her privacy and caused her emotional distress, NBC reported.
Co-plaintiff Chris Chester also sued for photographs showing his wife and daughter; he was awarded $15 million in damages.
Lakers to acquire Patrick Beverly from Jazz
The Los Angeles Lakers are finalizing a trade that will send guard Talen Horton-Tucker and forward Stanley Johnson to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Patrick Beverly, ESPN reported.
Beverly, 34, came to the Jazz from the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this summer via a trade for Rudy Golbert, CBSSports reported. The move marks a return to Los Angeles for Beverly, having previously played for the Clippers 2017-2021. Beverly is a three-time NBA all-defensive team member.
Celtics' Tacko Fall signs with Chinese Basketball Association
Former Boston Celtics fan favorite Tacko Fall is reportedly signing a one-year contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association, NBC Sports reported. The seven-foot-six center, who was born and raised in Dakar, Senegal, and played college ball for the University of Central Florida, last played with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played 37 NBA games with Boston and Cleveland, averaging 2.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 6.2 minutes.
Nets and Durant agree to "move forward" together
Trade talks no more! The Brooklyn Nets announced that the team and Kevin Durant won't be separating. After meeting with Durant and his representative, the Nets said Durant and the team have "agreed to move forward with our partnership."
"We are focusing on basketball, with one collective goal in mind: build a lasting franchise to bring a championship to Brooklyn," said Nets general manager Sean Marks," NBA.com reported.