Brooklyn Nets star James Harden apologized for how his Houston Rockets tenure ended, telling ESPN's Rachel Nichols he felt as though the lead up to last month's blockbuster trade could have gone smoother.

"I don't like it at all because that's not who I am," Harden said when asked to reflect on the weeks leading up to the trade. "The drama, the extra whatever you want to call it, the negativity for me. I don't really like negative energy. That's draining. So I don't like how it necessarily happened.

"I feel like it could have happened a lot smoother, a lot easier, but it is what it is."

Harden's desire to leave Houston after eight years for a title contender was an open secret in the weeks leading up to the season. He began the year with a $50,000 fine for violating COVID-19 protocols after the league reviewed video of him socializing maskless at a club.

Things came to a head after a Jan. 12 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, when Harden proclaimed that the Rockets were "just not good enough" and that it was a situation that "can't be fixed."

Harden was traded to the Nets the following day.

The former MVP told Nichols he wasn't trying to be selfish and that the "front office knew where I stood and what I wanted."

"Apologize for how it went down, but I guess I had to do what I had to do in order to get to where I wanted to go," Harden said. "And credit to Houston, they didn't necessarily have to trade me to Brooklyn. They could have traded me anywhere, but those are some stand-up guys over there. And it ended up the right way, but just didn't like how that month or two played out."

NEW YORK -- Kevin Durant practiced with the Brooklyn Nets on Friday after missing six days in the league's coronavirus contact tracing protocols and is slated to play on Saturday against his former team, the Golden State Warriors.

Friday was the first time Durant has been with the Nets since he was pulled off the court in the third quarter of a Feb. 5 game against the Toronto Raptors.

"I was a little upset during and after the game, but I'm cool now," Durant said. "I'm ready to play."

In a bizarre turn of events at Barclays Center on Feb. 5, Durant was unable to start the game because he had been in close contact with a team employee who had returned an inconclusive coronavirus test. He checked into the game midway through the first quarter and played 19 minutes before the employee returned a positive test, prompting Durant to be ruled out in the third quarter.

"It was just an unfortunate situation," Durant said, speaking about the incident with reporters for the first time. "I was looking forward to that game that night and being told right before tipoff that I had to wait a second for a test. You know, it just threw off the rhythm, my rhythm a bit because I wanted to go out there and play, but I'm back out there now. It is what it is."

Although Durant missed a week, Nets coach Steve Nash said he will not be on a minutes restriction against the Warriors.

"Even if I wanted to limit him," Nash said, smiling, "I don't think he'd allow me to. So, I think he's a full go."

Durant added that while it was frustrating to be yo-yoed in and out of the game against the Raptors and subsequently be placed in contact tracing protocols for the second time this season, it didn't take a sizable mental toll on him.

"It's not that bad," Durant said. "We're getting paid millions of dollars to hoop and do something we love every day. We'll figure the rest out."

Durant is making his return to Golden State for the first time since leaving for Brooklyn two years ago.

The Warriors said Thursday that they would play a tribute video in Durant's honor during Saturday's game and then next season when Durant and the Nets return to Chase Center, they will have a more formal celebration, in the hopes that fans will be in attendance.

"I remember a level of basketball that I don't think has ever been reached before," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Friday, when asked to reflect on Durant's years with the Warriors. "Probably my strongest memory is the closing game of the '17 Finals, Game 5 at Oracle. ... I remember walking away from that game just thinking there's never been a level of offensive force in a basketball game ever than what we just saw."

The Nets will be without center DeAndre Jordan against Golden State. Nash said that the plan is for Jordan -- who is out for personal reasons that are unrelated to COVID-19 -- to continue to test for the coronavirus daily while he is away from the team and join the group at some point on its West Coast swing.

The Nets' five-game road trip, which kicks off Saturday, will be their longest of the season thus far.

ESPN's Nick Friedell contributed to this report.

DETROIT -- Outfielder Nomar Mazara and the Detroit Tigers finalized a one-year, $1.75 million contract on Friday.

Mazara, who turns 26 in April, hit .228 with one home run in 42 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. That was his first season with the Chicago White Sox after he spent four with the Texas Rangers.

"After a frustrating 2020 season, I'm looking forward to a fresh start and getting to work with the coaching staff, especially AJ Hinch, who I always enjoyed competing against during his time in Houston," Mazara said. "I've come to really appreciate coming to Detroit as a visiting player and can't wait to join their baseball community this season."

Hinch took over as Detroit's manager this offseason.

Mazara hit 20 home runs in each of his first three years with the Rangers, then 19 in 2019. He tied for fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2016, the year Detroit pitcher Michael Fulmer won the award.

"Heading through the offseason we were looking to add a left-handed-hitting outfielder to provide AJ with more options for the lineup, and bringing Nomar on board does exactly that," Tigers general manager Al Avila said.

Mazara's deal includes $500,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $100,000 each for 350, 400, 450, 500 and 550.

To make room for Mazara, the Tigers designated right-hander John Schreiber for assignment.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs are bringing back one of their World Series heroes, reaching agreement on a one-year, $6 million deal with starter Jake Arrieta, a source confirmed with ESPN on Friday.

The deal, pending a physical, could include some incentives, according to the source.

Arrieta, 34, starred for the Cubs from 2013 to 2017, winning a Cy Young Award in the 2015 season and helping the team to three playoff appearances and a World Series championship in 2016. In the 2015 and 2016 seasons, he threw two no-hitters and won 40 games.

Arrieta signed a three-year deal with Philadelphia before the 2018 season, but injuries marred his tenure there.

Arrieta joins a revamped rotation that includes World Series holdover Kyle Hendricks along with Zach Davies and Alec Mills. The Cubs showed early interest in Arrieta this offseason and began closing in on a deal after seeing him throw in Texas recently.

MLB Network was first to report news of the agreement.

As part of its restructuring of the minor leagues, Major League Baseball formally announced the 120 teams who will fill each franchise's four affiliated slots beginning with the 2021 season.

MLB released a plan for two Triple-A divisions, and three divisions each for Double-A, High-A and Low-A with each franchise now having one team at each level. The restructuring reduces the number of affiliated teams from 160 to 120.

Here are the four affiliates now officially matched with all 30 MLB teams.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Triple-A: Reno
Double-A: Amarillo
High-A: Hillsboro
Low-A: Visalia

Atlanta Braves
Triple-A: Gwinnett
Double-A: Mississippi
High-A: Rome
Low-A: Augusta

Baltimore Orioles
Triple-A: Norfolk
Double-A: Bowie
High-A: Aberdeen
Low-A: Delmarva

Boston Red Sox
Triple-A: Worcester
Double-A: Portland
High-A: Greenville
Low-A: Salem

Chicago Cubs
Triple-A: Iowa
Double-A: Tennessee
High-A: South Bend
Low-A: Myrtle Beach

Chicago White Sox
Triple-A: Charlotte
Double-A: Birmingham
High-A: Winston-Salem
Low-A: Kassapolis

Cincinnati Reds
Triple-A: Louisville
Double-A: Chattanooga
High-A: Dayton
Low-A: Daytona

Cleveland Indians
Triple-A: Columbus
Double-A: Akron
High-A: Lake County
Low-A: Lynchburg

Colorado Rockies
Triple-A: Albuquerque
Double-A: Hartford
High-A: Spokane
Low-A: Fresno

Detroit Tigers
Triple-A: Toledo
Double-A: Erie
High-A: West Michigan
Low-A: Lakeland

Houston Astros
Triple-A: Sugar Land
Double-A: Corpus Christi
High-A: Asheville
Low-A: Fayetteville

Kansas City Royals
Triple-A: Omaha
Double-A: Northwest Arkansas
High-A: Quad Cities
Low-A: Columbia

Los Angeles Angels
Triple-A: Salt Lake
Double-A: Rocket City
High-A: Tri-City
Low-A: Inland Empire

Los Angeles Dodgers
Triple-A: Oklahoma City
Double-A: Tulsa
High-A: Great Lakes
Low-A: Rancho Cucamonga

Miami Marlins
Triple-A: Jacksonville
Double-A: Pensacola
High-A: Beloit
Low-A: Jupiter

Milwaukee Brewers
Triple-A: Nashville
Double-A: Biloxi
High-A: Wisconsin
Low-A: Carolina

Minnesota Twins
Triple-A: St. Paul
Double-A: Wichita
High-A: Cedar Rapids
Low-A: Fort Myers

New York Mets
Triple-A: Syracuse
Double-A: Binghamton
High-A: Brooklyn
Low-A: St. Lucie

New York Yankees
Triple-A: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Double-A: Somerset
High-A: Hudson Valley
Low-A: Tampa

Oakland Athletics
Triple-A: Las Vegas
Double-A: Midland
High-A: Lansing
Low-A: Stockton

Philadelphia Phillies
Triple-A: Lehigh Valley
Double-A: Reading
High-A: Jersey Shore
Low-A: Clearwater

Pittsburgh Pirates
Triple-A: Indianapolis
Double-A: Altoona
High-A: Greensboro
Low-A: Bradenton

San Diego Padres
Triple-A: El Paso
Double-A: San Antonio
High-A: Fort Wayne
Low-A: Lake Elsinore

San Francisco Giants
Triple-A: Sacramento
Double-A: Richmond
High-A: Eugene
Low-A: San Jose

Seattle Mariners
Triple-A: Tacoma
Double-A: Arkansas
High-A: Everett
Low-A: Modesto

St. Louis Cardinals
Triple-A: Memphis
Double-A: Springfield
High-A: Peoria
Low-A: Palm Beach

Tampa Bay Rays
Triple-A: Durham
Double-A: Montgomery
High-A: Bowling Green
Low-A: Charleston, S.C.

Texas Rangers
Triple-A: Round Rock
Double-A: Frisco
High-A: Hickory
Low-A: Down East

Toronto Blue Jays
Triple-A: Buffalo
Double-A: Manchester, N.H.
High-A: Vancouver
Low-A: Dunedin

Washington Nationals
Triple-A: Rochester
Double-A: Harrisburg
High-A: Wilmington
Low-A: Fredericksburg

Earlier in the offseason, MLB announced the formation of the MLB Draft League, which will feature top prospects who are eligible for the MLB draft and will include teams that lost their major league affiliation in the restructuring. The teams in the inaugural season of the MLB Draft League will be Mahoning Valley (Ohio), State College (Pennsylvania), Trenton (New Jersey), West Virginia, Williamsport (Pennsylvania) and Frederick (Maryland).

Anna Gordon, Kate Seary and Mhairi Maclennan have written an open letter to UK Athletics regarding the sanctions handed to coaches found to have broken the conditions of their licence in abuse-related cases

British athletes are calling for zero-tolerance lifetime bans for coaches who are found to have broken the conditions of their coaching licence in cases relating to physical or sexual misconduct, harassment or abuse.

An open letter sent from former pole vaulter Anna Gordon, Welsh international runner Kate Seary and GB international Mhairi Maclennan to UK Athletics (UKA) CEO Joanna Coates on Friday (February 12) has already been signed in support by more than 200 names, including athlete turned coach Helen Clitheroe, world 4x400m medallist Lina Nielsen, Olympian Ross Millington and world 50km record-holder Aly Dixon.

It has also received support from athletes over in the USA, with multiple Olympic and world gold medallist Tianna Bartoletta having taken the campaign to her social media channels.

Addressed to Coates, the letter begins: “We are writing to you on behalf of the athletics community across the UK who deserve to be safe and protected whilst enjoying the sport that they love.

“Recent events have highlighted that some coaches who have broken the conditions of their coaching license – specifically in the context of physical or sexual misconduct, harassment or abuse – will be eligible for reinstatement after temporary bans. The potential risks of this policy are obvious, and to protect the safety of all athletes we feel that these cases cannot be resolved using arbitrary decisions that consider any professional future for these coaches.”

It continues: “It is positive that UK Athletics is entitled to withdraw a coaching licence at any time for any breach of condition 6.1 of the Coach Licence Terms and Conditions. However, it is concerning that some coaches are still only being given temporary or restricted bans. We feel that anything less than a full and permanent ban is unacceptable in cases of physical or sexual misconduct, harassment or abuse.

“We therefore call for a zero-tolerance policy regarding any physical or sexual misconduct towards athletes in our sport. If any coach is found to have broken the Coach Licence Terms and Conditions regarding abuse of this nature, we believe their license should be permanently revoked. We want an end to short-term or restricted bans and a move to consistent, transparent rulings with the welfare of athletes at the heart of decisions.”

In a statement sent to AW, Gordon said: “We have written this letter to ensure athletes now and in the future are safe doing their sport. We believe that athlete welfare should be the priority of UK Athletics and a zero-tolerance policy would be a step towards this. We are incredibly humbled by the support we have had so far and thank those who have reached out with their kind words from the athletics community. We hope this can make a difference to the lives of all athletes.”

Issuing their own statement, UKA said: “Physical or sexual abuse is obviously very serious, contrary to our regulations and codes, and we would investigate anything raised with us fully and ultimately take it to a hearing. These are also likely to involve criminal law offences and we raise with and work with police and other relevant agencies.

“However, the application of permanent sanctions such as lifetime bans can be susceptible to strong and robust legal challenge. Whilst time specific bans mean in theory an individual can reapply for a license at a future date, the sport then can review whether or not to permit them to re-enter the sport.

“We understand the concerns highlighted with the petition, we are committed to making our sport safe and we urge anyone to come forward to us with any issues on [email protected].”

The full letter sent from Gordon, Seary and Maclennan to UKA with additional signed names is here.

Noah Lyles, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Michael Norman, Sydney McLaughlin and Jake Wightman in action as the World Indoor Tour heads to Staten Island

Following the fast times set at the last World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Liévin, further history could be made on Saturday (February 13) as the series moves on to Staten Island for the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix.

Among those racing at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex, which is hosting the event while Boston’s Reggie Lewis Center is used as a vaccination site, are Michael Norman and Rai Benjamin, who both line up in the 400m.

It is Norman’s first indoor race since 2018 when he ran the fastest ever indoor 400m, but his 44.52 was never ratified as an official world indoor record.

The men’s 60m is also highly anticipated, with 2016 world indoor champion Trayvon Bromell and world 200m champion Noah Lyles among the entries, while Lyles is also set to line up for the 200m alongside world indoor 400m bronze medallist Deon Lendore a short while later.

Olympic 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo is back in action after setting a Bahamian indoor record of 22.40 over 200m at the American Track League in January and she races over two laps against Phyllis Francis and Wadeline Jonathas.

World 400m hurdles silver medallist Sydney McLaughlin contests the 60m hurdles, where she will line up alongside world indoor champion Kendra Harrison and British record-holder Tiffany Porter.

Another British athlete in action is Jake Wightman as the European and Commonwealth medallist races the 1500m against compatriot Thomas Keen and Nick Willis, who extended his run of sub-four-minute miles to 19 years at the most recent American Track League meeting.

European indoor silver medallist Jamie Webb contests the 800m, where world champion Donavan Brazier opens his season, while Charlie Grice goes in the 1000m alongside Bryce Hoppel and Olympic medallist Hagos Gebrhiwet races the two miles.

The women’s two miles features 2017 world steeplechase champion Emma Coburn and Amy-Eloise Markovc, while the 800m includes Natoya Goule, Adelle Tracey, Isabelle Boffey and 15-year-old Sophia Gorriaran, who ran 2:02.44 recently at the American Track League meeting.

World indoor champion Sandi Morris, the world leader with 4.88m, competes in the pole vault and the men’s high jump features Olympic silver medallist Erik Kynard.

The meeting starts at 2pm local time, with fans in the UK able to tune in to the BBC Red Button to watch the action live from 9pm GMT. A live World Athletics stream will also be available in some territories, with more information available here.

A timetable and entry lists are available here.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic survived an injury scare and battled past American Taylor Fritz to move into the last 16 of the Australian Open.

Djokovic is set to meet 14th seed Milos Raonic in the next round, but said: "I know it's a tear and I don't know if I will recover from that in two days. I don't know if I will step on court."

The Serb, who is chasing a record-extending ninth men's singles title in Melbourne and a third in a row, added: "This is one of the most special wins in my life.

"It doesn't matter who I was up against or at what round, to pull this through is something I will remember for ever.

"In the third and fourth set I just served and couldn't do much with the returns. I was just putting in two first serves.

"I just tried to stay in there. I was hoping that whatever is happening is going to feel better and towards the end of the fourth it started to feel better."

Djokovic hobbled between points, clutched his side and received medical treatment, but 23-year-old Fritz, the 27th seed, could not take advantage.

Canadian Raonic moved into the fourth round with a win over Hungary's Marton Fucsovics.

More to follow.

The RFU council has scrapped relegation from the Premiership this season.

There will then be engagement with the league's broadcaster, BT Sport, along with clubs, sponsors, players and fans on what happens for future seasons.

Concerns had been raised by BT Sport that the jeopardy of relegation added to the excitement of the season.

But those worries are understood to have been allayed by the assurance that putting a hold on relegation would apply only to this season.

The Covid-19 crisis has brought severe financial challenges to the clubs, while a points-based system has been used for deciding five matches that have been cancelled this season because of coronavirus outbreaks, which some argue makes relegating a club unfair.

More to follow.

GIBSONTON, Fla. – Danny Martin Jr. opened the King of the 360s with a victory on Thursday night at East Bay Raceway Park.

At the start of the 25-lap feature, Dale Howard took the early lead from the outside of the front row. Brett Wright held second while Martin was battling Terry McCarl for third in the early laps.

The man of the move was Tim Shaffer, who started 14th, but sat in the top-five after four laps. The leaders caught slower traffic on the fifth lap, with Howard keeping the car on the low side to work through the back markers.

This allowed Martin, who had bypassed Wright on lap five, to narrow the gap on the leader. By lap seven, Martin was able to sweep past Howard and began to find racing room. Howard soon fell victim to Shaffer, who now set his sights on hunting down Martin.

With both drivers using the same groove, catching was easier than passing and Shaffer couldn’t find a place to sweep by. Martin kept putting cars between himself and Shaffer, playing a game of hide and seek among the cars going a lap down to the leaders.

The caution flag waved on lap 21 for a stalled car in turn one shortly after Austin McCarl left the race in a hurry with smoke from the engine compartment. The remaining laps saw no additional challenge as Martin was able to cruise to victory during the opening round of the King of the 360s.

The finish:

Danny Martin Jr., Tim Shaffer, Dale Howard, Mark Smith, Eric Riggins Jr., Terry McCarl, Brett Wright, Tyler Gunn, Max Stambaugh, Cale Conley, Connor Leoffler, Terry Gray, Jacob Karklin, Davie Franek, Conner Morrell, Todd Gracey, Ben Brown, Phil Gressman, Mark Ruel Jr., Paul Colagiovanni Jr., Ryan Ruhl, Dustin Gates, Austin McCarl, Slater Helt, Garet Williamson.