Mike Brown a candidate for Cavaliers coaching job

The Cleveland Cavaliers intend to speak with former Lakers coach Mike Brown as the team begins its search for a candidate to replace fired coach Byron Scott.

Brown’s return as the Cavaliers coach, once thought too farfetched, is a distinct possibility.

“It should be,� said James after the Miami Heat practice Friday.

James played for Brown when the Cavaliers reached their greatest heights before the coach was fired three years ago. Brown is a close friend of Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant, who would not answer a direct question about Brown during a news conference to announce Scott’s dismissal on Thursday but made it clear the Cavaliers would bring in a coach “who is strong defensively with proven systems.�

Maloofs’ letter leans against Sacramento

A recommendation on the Kings’ sale and possible move to Seattle could be issued as soon as next week and a final decision made early next month, ending a process NBA Commissioner David Stern called the most “wrenching� of his career.

Stern also said the Sacramento bid is “in the ballpark� financially with the deal from a Seattle group headed by Chris Hansen, though the Maloof family disputed that in a letter to the advisory and finance committee.

Obtained by the Associated Press, the Maloofs’ letter, dated April 17, said the Sacramento group originally matched the $525-million valuation for the franchise agreed to by Hansen, whose group includes Microsoft Chairman Steve Ballmer. Then last week, Hansen increased the valuation offer to $550 million.

The Maloofs said the Sacramento group has asked not to enter into a binding agreement until the Seattle deal is terminated. The Maloofs said that would be a breach of contract and cost them the “leverage to aggressively renegotiate terms in the event the existing agreement is terminated.�

“Based on these factors … we and our advisors see no reason to continue any dialogue with the Sacramento group or to give any further consideration to negotiating backup offers based on its latest nonbinding proposal,� the letter said.

Bulls’ Joakim Noah may sit out

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah might be sit out the team’s playoff opener because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Noah said there’s a tear in his foot, meaning he might be limited or could be forced to sit out the series altogether.

Pistons win draft tiebreaker with Wizards

The Detroit Pistons won a tiebreaker with the Washington Wizards, giving them slightly better odds to finish with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

NBA TV rating rise

ABC and ESPN had their most viewers ever for NBA coverage this season, helped by the interest in the Miami Heat and their 27-game winning streak. The Heat’s Christmas Day victory over Oklahoma City in a finals rematch was ABC’s most-watched NBA regular-season game, with 9.6 million viewers. Overall, ABC averaged 4.7 million viewers for its 15 broadcasts and ESPN averaged 1.8 million viewers for its 77 telecasts.