Scott accepts Cavaliers' coaching job

With LeBron or without him, Byron Scott has decided to get back on an NBA sideline.

Scott accepted Cleveland's coaching job just as LeBron James officially became a free agent and no longer property of the Cavaliers, who hope that landing the best coach available will convince the two-time MVP to stay home and try to win a title.

Scott's agent, Brian McInerney, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that he and the Cavs are working through some final details but that he doesn't expect any problems and that Scott has agreed to become Cleveland's next coach. As of last night, the team still was hoping to officially announce Scott's hiring by the end of the day - a day James listened to offers from the Nets and Knicks.

Scott, who previously coached New Jersey and New Orleans, might not know for some time if he'll have James on his roster. But after working as a TV analyst, the 49-year-old has decided it's time to get back to doing what he loves most.

The Cavs have been looking for a coach since Mike Brown was fired May 24, ending a five-year run with the club. Brown guided James and his teammates through the most successful run in franchise history but fell short of winning a championship.

Nuggets try to keep 'Melo

The Nuggets have a three-year, $65-million offer on the table to extend Carmelo Anthony's contract through 2015. He's due to make about $17 million next season, after which he can opt out and become courted and coveted like this year's superstar class that includes James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

"We're doing everything we can to make 'Melo the basketball version of John Elway, who plays with one team his entire career and becomes The Guy," Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien told The Associated Press during a brief break from business calls.

T-wolves, Milicic agree

The Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to a four-year deal to make Darko Milicic their starting center. The deal includes about $16 million in guaranteed money, with the final year of the contract only partially guaranteed.

Milicic, who was on the Knicks for part of the 2000-10 season, once was considered one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history, having been selected by the Pistons ahead of Anthony, Bosh and Wade.

Gooden agrees with BucksThe Milwaukee Bucks have agreed in principle to a five-year, $32-million deal with free-agent forward Drew Gooden.

At 6-10 and 250 pounds, Gooden fills a major need at power forward for the Bucks.

- AP