BASKETBALL

PORTLAND BUYS OUT REMAINDER OF STEVE FRANCIS’S CONTRACT

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed on a buyout with guard Steve Francis, who was acquired in a draft-night deal with the Knicks.

Francis, who was due $34 million over the final two years of his contract, was expected to clear waivers and become an unrestricted free agent.

The terms of the buyout with the Trail Blazers were not released. The deal was confirmed yesterday by the Washington office of Francis’s longtime agent, Jeff Fried. The Blazers acquired Francis and Channing Frye from the Knicks in exchange for Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau and Fred Jones on June 28.

BILLUPS SIGNS $60 MILLION, 5-YEAR CONTRACT WITH PISTONS

The Detroit Pistons retained the face and point guard of their franchise, one year after losing a leader in free agency.

Chauncey Billups signed a $60 million, five-year contract yesterday with the Pistons, returning to the team he helped reach five straight conference finals. The contract is worth $46 million guaranteed over four years and includes a team option for the fifth year.

Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said he was “very pleased” to have Billups back. “We said from the beginning that re-signing Chauncey was our top priority, and now we can move forward knowing that Chauncey will continue to lead this team,” Dumars told the Associated Press yesterday.

HOCKEY

DUCKS, KINGS IN LONDON HIGHLIGHT NHL SCHEDULE

The Anaheim Ducks will take the Stanley Cup back to its birthplace when they open the NHL’s 90th season and begin defense of their first championship in London against the rival Los Angeles Kings.

The two-game series highlights the 2007-08 schedule, released by the league yesterday.

Anaheim, which became the NHL’s first West Coast champion by beating Ottawa in the finals in June, will show off the Cup in England on September 29–30. The oldest trophy in North American sports was purchased at the Regent Street shop of silversmith G. R. Collis & Co. 115 years ago.

Also in the schedule, New Jersey will have to endure a nine-game road trip before opening the still under construction Prudential Center in Newark on October 27 against Eastern Conference champion Ottawa.