NBA

Chauncey Billups might wanna put his consideration for the Cleveland Cavaliers front office job on hold ... 'cause he is KILLIN' it in Ice Cube's BIG3 League.

Chauncey played a game Sunday night at the Spectrum Center in North Carolina, and he looked like his old self ... draining 3's and setting up his teammates to score.

As we reported ... the ex-NBA baller was offered a front office job with the Cavs, and he's reportedly still mulling that over. He told reporters Sunday after his game that a decision should come in the next few days.

The only potential snag ... if Chauncey takes the job, he might have to ditch Cube's league mid-season. And as Cube said, he's got a contract with the guy. Problem?

9:25 AM PT -- Multiple reports Monday allege Billups has turned down the Cleveland job.

Tony Hawk is ready to toss his balls at White Goodman and the rest of his Globo Gym cronies ... and tells TMZ Sports he has a wish list of Average Joe's he wants with him -- starting with LEBRON JAMES.

You already know Hawk and some of the biggest stars in the world like LeBron, The Rock, and Justin Bieber were called out by Ben Stiller (White) to compete in a dodgeball death match for Stiller's charity.

Tony already said he's in ... and basically told us he's more Team LeBron than Team Joe's.

"LeBron, I want him on my team ... even if he's going to the other team," Hawk said. "I want him by my side throwing balls."

No word from the King yet, but chances seem good ... dodging balls from Stiller sounds a lot safer than dodging nut shots from Draymond Green.

Here's video of Klay Thompson pelvic thrustin' like a champ next to a couple Chinese women ... trying (and failing) to follow them in a b-ball-themed dance.

Klay was at a shoe store in China to promote his new Anta brand kicks -- and had to bust a move for the culture. We think it was a kinda goofy routine ... but the Splash Bro liked it. A LOT.

#ChinaKlay was feelin' himself so hard ... he kept it flowing even after the track cut out.

FYI, this ain't the first time KT went HAM on his shoe tour.

LeBron James decided to take his wife out on a fancy Hollywood dinner date Thursday -- and cruised up to the hottest restaurant in town in a sick $340k Rolls-Royce!!

Bron and Savannah hit up Catch in West Hollywood -- where every major star goes to eat and be seen (Sofia Richie, Shaun White and Brittany Snow were also in the restaurant last night).

The James' didn't do much talkin' ... but they made a helluva statement with their car! Our car experts tell us Bron was behind the wheel of a 2017 Rolls-Royce Dawn Drophead Coupe.

Starting price ... $342k -- and that's the basic factory model. You know LeBron doesn't do basic anything.

Some car fun facts: it goes 0 to 60 in 4.3 seconds and gets a whopping 12 miles per gallon in the city.

The craziest part ... it's a fantasy car for most normal people. It's just another ride for LeBron.

Enes Kanter says he'd probably be DEAD if he had been shipped back to Turkey after his passport was canceled last month ... claiming the Turkish govt. is out to kill him.

The OKC Thunder star (and outspoken critic of the Turkish govt.) was detained by police in Romania on May 20 -- and has now told Vice News the consequences would have been deadly if he had been sent back to his homeland.

"I would be in a jail and probably the second day you'll hear from the news, 'Oh, he just got poisoned and he just died. He got food poisoning.' Or, 'He was depression and hanged himself.'"

Kanter has referred to Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as the "Hitler of our generation" -- and in turn, the govt. has labeled Kanter a terrorist and issued a warrant for his arrest.

NBA star Zach LaVine has high ambitions in Chicago ... but can the high-flyin' dunk master jump over the Jumpman and pass Michael Jordan as the best Bulls dunker of all time??

That's exactly what we asked LaVine -- who was just recently traded from Minnesota to the Windy City -- and while the 2-time dunk contest champ has some serious hops, he doesn't think he'd ever match His Airness' classic moves.

It's a pretty humble response from LaVine, who's only 22 years old and has already put on a dunking clinic in just 3 years in the league ... but we get it. It's M.J. we're talking about.

We also asked about getting traded away from the T-Wolves ... and it's nothing but love for his old squad.

Ex-NBA star Baron Davis' wife is subbing out of their marriage ... filing for divorce from the former All-Star, TMZ Sports has learned.

Davis has been married to Isabella Brewster-Davis -- sister of "Fast And Furious" star, Jordana Brewster -- since January 2014.

According to court docs filed in L.A. and obtained by TMZ Sports, Brewster-Davis filed legal docs last week to end the marriage citing irreconcilable differences. The date of separation was not listed.

The couple has two young kids together, a 2-year-old and a 1-year-old. Isabella has asked for primary physical custody but joint legal custody.

She's seeking an unspecified amount of spousal support. She also wants Baron to cover her legal costs.

Fun Fact: Isabella reportedly dated Bradley Cooper before getting hitched to Baron.

Phoenix Suns star Tyson Chandler says he ain't gonna trash his old boss, Phil Jackson -- telling TMZ Sports the Zen Master "helped me out" by trading him from the Knicks to the Mavs back in 2014.

People trashed the trade back then (and now, too) -- when Phil dealt Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Mavs in exchange for Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington and two 2nd round picks.

But Chandler ain't bitter about it -- saying, "He got me in a good situation!"

Fat Joe is calling for MORE Knicks heads to roll ... saying Jimmy Dolan needs to put head coach Jeff Hornacek in the crosshairs after pulling the trigger on Phil Jackson.

"[Hornacek's] gotta go. Phil's gotta go ... they gotta get rid of everybody down with that regime," Joe tells TMZ Sports.

FYI, Fat Joe is diehard Knicks superfan -- LOVES 'EM -- and says he truly believes the man who can save his squad is ex-Golden State Warriors coach (and Knicks player) Mark Jackson.

"I'd hire Mark Jackson as coach," Joe says ... "That's the first move. And then it's a whole revamping situation."

Even President Donald Trump wants to know what's going on with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers ... so, he went right to the owner and asked him.

Dan Gilbert happened to be at the White House Wednesday -- along with the Chicago Cubs (who are in town to play the Nationals) and Trump brought them all together for a high level introduction.

While introducing Gilbert to guys like Joe Maddon, Kris Bryant, Jon Lester and others ... he turned to Gilbert and asked how he's doing with LeBron James.

It appeared Gilbert responded, "Good, yeah."

Interesting situation for two reasons -- First, Bron isn't a Trump fan. Second, there's talk LeBron could leave Cleveland after next season.

Gilbert didn't drop any bombshells ... it was just interesting watching him handle that situation.

6:41 AM PT -- It's official ... but Knicks owner Jimmy Dolan isn't calling it a "firing" -- he's saying both sides have "mutually agreed to part company."

Yeah, right.

"After careful thought and consideration, we mutually agreed that the Knicks will be going in a different direction," Dolan said in a statement.

"Phil Jackson is one of the most celebrated and successful individuals in the history of the NBA. His legacy in the game of basketball is unmatched. We wish him the best and thank him for his service to the Knicks as both a player and an executive."

Dolan says he will not be personally involved in the search for Phil's replacement.

Phil also put out a statement saying, "The New York Knicks will always hold a special place in my heart."

"I had hoped, of course, to bring another NBA championship to the Garden. As someone who treasures winning, I am deeply disappointed that we weren’t able to do that. New York fans deserve nothing less. I wish them and the Knicks organization all the best -- today and always."

The NY Knicks are done with Phil Jackson -- the team is expected to announce he's leaving the organization as early as Wednesday morning.

71-year-old Jackson is the President of Basketball Operations for the Knicks -- and people HATE him right now ... after another terrible season and personality clashes with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis.

Multiple stars have called for the Knicks to fire his ass -- including Kenyon Martin and Fat Joe.

Now, it seems the Knicks are taking their advice ... with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reporting he'll be out before the day's over.

The Zen.

Spike Lee has already weighed in ... he's happy.

LaVar Ball is already making the right impression on his son's new boss -- with Jeanie Buss telling TMZ Sports the Big Baller did a "terrific job" on WWE's 'Monday Night Raw.'

The Lakers owner was leaving Craig's in West Hollywood when she dished out praise for Lonzo Ball and his dad ... and credited Magic Johnson for bringing the family on board.

"I have complete confidence that Magic Johnson has put together the pieces that we need."

She added, "Him and Rob Pelinka, our general manager, have really REALLY re-energized the roster."

The praise continued ... "Our coach, Luke Walton, is a coach that understands the modern NBA and I'm just looking forward to summer league which starts next Monday in Las Vegas!"

We also asked about her ex-boyfriend, Phil Jackson, and his situation in NY -- but Jeanie wasn't havin' it.

Jerry West says his new role with the L.A. Clippers DOES NOT require him to get involved in the efforts to resign Blake Griffin and Chris Paul ... telling TMZ Sports, "It's not my responsibility."

West was playing coy when we saw him leaving Caffe Roma in Bev Hills on Tuesday -- saying it's up to other key members of the organization to bring in the players ... "I'm just an adviser."

He added, "Hopefully, everyone will make the right decision."

Meanwhile, we also spotted Clippers' assistant coach Mike Woodson out -- he was WAY stronger on the issue ... telling us locking up the two free agents is definitely a priority.

Stay tuned ...

Matt Barnes ain't going to jail for his role in a Dec. nightclub brawl in NYC -- but he will spend some time helping out the community per a plea deal in the case ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The Golden State Warriors star appeared in court Tuesday morning where he formally pled guilty to disorderly conduct and in exchange he was sentenced to 10 days of community service.

We broke the story ... Barnes and DeMarcus Cousins were in the middle of a violent altercation inside Avenue nightclub on Dec. 5 after he allegedly "butt bumped" a woman near his VIP booth.

The woman claimed Barnes choked her. Barnes claimed he was merely defending himself.

The NBA star was eventually arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault -- but he cut a deal with prosecutors to get a lighter sentence.

Barnes is due back in court in August for an update on the community service.

Of course, Barnes is also being sued by the victims in civil court -- they want Barnes and DeMarcus to pay up big-time for injuries they claim the players caused.

Zach Randolph doesn't want to leave Memphis for a super team ... he wants to bring the super team to Memphis!!

Z-Bo is entering free agency after 8 seasons with the Grizzlies and everyone wants to know what his next move is gonna be.

With "super teams" being the hot topic, we asked Randolph if he would consider pulling a Durant and joining a loaded squad like Golden State or Cleveland.

"Memphis," Randolph replied ... "We're gonna build a super team there!"

With Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Gordon Hayward available, it's not completely out of the question ... though even Zach seems to acknowledge it's unlikely they'll end up in the BBQ capital of the world.

We also talked about his teammate, Vince Carter, who's 40 years old -- and Randolph told us he thinks Vinsanity can ball in the NBA for at least another 4 years!!!

Zach says they don't call him "Half man, half amazing" for nothing.

This is weird and fun ...

Taylor Swift just made a congratulations video for newly crowned NBA MVP Russell Westbrook joking with the guy like they've been buddies for years -- even though they've never met.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star got the award Monday night -- and hours later, Taylor released the video saying, "Russell, it’s Taylor. Remember? I was the one who taught you how to play basketball?"

She jokes that she taught him everything he knows about basketball ... he gave her the idea for "Shake It Off" ... and that they go back 20 years.

She then admits they've actually never hung out together once.

Kinda funny. Kinda weird. Kinda sweet.

What's interesting ... Taylor really hasn't done any public interviews or appearances since February -- so this is sorta like her reintroduction to the spotlight. Who'da thunk she woulda used the NBA as a way in?