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Oklahoma City • NBA MVP Kevin Durant has added action sports accessory brand Neff to his rapidly growing list of endorsement deals.
Neff founder Shaun Neff told The Associated Press that his company, best known for its snow and skate headwear, will launch the Thunder star's signature underwear collection in time for next year's back-to-school crowd. Durant will be a brand ambassador, help design the products and have equity in Neff's underwear division.
Durant and Roc Nation have been rolling since he won the MVP award. Durant has re-signed with Nike, Sprint and BBVA Compass, added deals with Sparkling Ice, Orange Leaf and Neff, and is the subject of and an executive producer for an HBO Sports documentary. He already had deals with Panini, KIND Healthy Snacks and Skullcandy.
Around the league
Bulls • The Chicago Bulls say guard Jimmy Butler will miss their final preseason game with a sprained left thumb. Butler was injured when he deflected a pass in the first quarter of Sunday night's 101-96 victory over Charlotte.
The Bulls announced on Tuesday that an MRI and subsequent examinations had confirmed the diagnosis of sprained thumb ligaments. Butler will miss practice this week and will be re-evaluated after Chicago plays Minnesota in St. Louis on Friday night.
Butler averaged a career-high 13.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in 67 games last season. He also is regarded as a strong perimeter defender.
Chicago opens the regular season on Oct. 29 at the New York Knicks.
Grizzlies • Marc Gasol is fully recovered from the sprained left knee that cost him 23 games last season, and the Memphis Grizzlies center worked hard this summer to be in even better shape for the final year of his contract. The Grizzlies see signing Gasol to a new contract as the top priority, but they can't start talking to him until mid-December.
Nuggets • Danilo Gallinari is back on the court for the first time since blowing out his left knee against Dallas on April 4, 2013. Nate Robinson and J.J. Hickson are also on the comeback trail from knee injuries. Hickson will miss the first five games on an NBA suspension for violating terms of the anti-drug program
In the offseason, the Nuggets traded for Arron Afflalo, just to add more veteran experience.