National Basketball Association roundup

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[February 18, 2015]  Feb 17 (The Sports Xchange) - The Sacramento Kings officially hired George Karl as their head coach on Tuesday.

Karl is well-traveled as an NBA coach, making stops in Cleveland (1984-86), Golden State (1986-88), Seattle (1991-98), Milwaukee (1998-2003) and Denver (2004-2013). He most recently worked as a television analyst.

The 63-year-old Karl, who has survived two battles with cancer, is among a select group of NBA coaches with 1,000 career wins.

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The Orlando Magic hired Igor Kokoskov as an assistant coach on Tuesday and will stay with interim head coach James Borrego for the remainder of the season.

Borrego, who replaced Jacque Vaughn after he was fired earlier this month, will guide the team for the final 26 regular-season games while the Magic search for a permanent replacement, ESPN reported.

Kokoskov, 43, was an assistant for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season and also has served as an assistant for the Phoenix Suns (2008-13) and the Detroit Pistons (2003-08).

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Forward Amar'e Stoudemire, whose contract was bought out by the New York Knicks on Monday, is prepared to join the Dallas Mavericks.

Stoudemire was in the last season of a five-year, $99.7 million deal before the Knicks cut him loose at his request. Assuming no team claims him and takes on his $23.4 million salary, he would clear waivers on Wednesday afternoon, making him a free agent.

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With two months of the regular season left, the Golden State Warriors are favored by the majority of Las Vegas sportsbooks to win the NBA title.

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The Warriors are listed as a 12-5 favorite at William Hill's Sportsbook.

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With the NBA trade deadline approaching Thursday, one of the more prominent players being shopped around is Utah Jazz big man Enes Kanter.

Kanter, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, has expressed some frustration as his role has diminished with the emergence of center Rudy Gobert. The 6-foot-11 Kanter is averaging 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in only 15.4 minutes per game. (Editing by Andrew Both)

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