NBA Notes

Sep 25, 2013 7:33 AM

>>Report: Pacers Give George Max Deal

(Indianapolis, IN) -- Forward Paul George is staying in Indiana long term. ESPN reports George has agreed to a five-year maximum contract extension that runs through 2018-19. The Pacers have scheduled a press conference for a "major announcement" on Wednesday. Financial terms can't be finalized until the extension starts next season, but George is expected to be guaranteed around 80-million-dollars. The Fresno State product is entering his fourth year in the NBA. He averaged career-highs of 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 79 games last season, helping the Pacers reach the Eastern Conference finals.

>>Kings Ownership Introduces Shaquille O'Neal As New Investor

(Sacramento, CA) -- A man who was once the bane of the Sacramento Kings' existence is now a minority investor in the team. Former Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal was officially introduced Tuesday as a part owner of the Kings, which famously battled the Lakers in the late 90s and early 2000s in several heated playoff matchups. O'Neal says the city's new name is "Shaqramento" and promised to help make the city a "global brand." New majority owner Vivek Ranadive also [[ rah-nah-DEE-vay ]] discussed plans for the design of the Kings' proposed new arena, saying it would be an "indoor-outdoor" facility but declined to release further details.