Hawks CEO apologizes for racially charged comments

Hawks CEO Steve Koonin released an open letter to employees, fans, and the city of Atlanta Saturday, saying the organization "didn't do the right thing" in dealing with racially insensitive comments made by general manger Danny Ferry and majority owner Bruce Levenson.

The apology comes one day after Ferry said he would take a leave of absence despite calls for him to step down. In a conference call last June, Ferry describe free agent small forward Luol Deng as someone who has "a little African in him," and is "like a guy who would have a nice store out front and sell you counterfeit stuff out of the back."

Levenson said he would sell his interest in the team after self-reporting to the NBA that he sent a racist e-mail in August 2012. He made assumptions about fans' beliefs, such as that white fans might be afraid of black fans.

"We are very sorry, Koonin said in the letter. "Our shortcomings have been broadly shared- including how we have failed to operate well internally and externally. It has been humbling and, while we have read, seen and come to know many things about ourselves, our learnings have just begun."

The ordeal is an embarrassment to the NBA, which only last month forced Donald Sterling to sell the Los Angeles Clippers after secretly recorded conversations revealed he didn't want African-Americans attending games.

Shawn Marion, Cavs agree to one-year deal

After months of speculation, Shawn Marion made his move to Cleveland official via his Instagram account.

At 36-years-old, Marion brings stanch defense to an offensive-minded Cavs team. He'll come off the bench for the first time in his career, spelling LeBron James and Mike Miller when need be. The 17-year veteran averaged 30 minutes in starting 76 games with Dallas last season, although his 10.4 points per game were the lowest since his rookie season.

Multiple teams coveted Marion, but playing alongside James and Kevin Love likely played a key role. It may take Marion time to adjust to a reserve role, but once he does Cleveland's bench could be just as potent as their starting five.

Greg Monroe suspended, DUI arrest details emerge

Days after accepting Detroit's one-year qualifying offer, Greg Monroe was suspended for two games following a February arrest and subsequent guilty plea for DUI.

More surprising than even his conversation with an officer in which Monroe says "I'm just trying not to be in the newspaper" is the Huntington Woods police department's account of what happened. According to the police report, Monroe urinated on himself during the booking process. A breath test at the scene put his BAC at .089. Two tests at the station registered .09 and 1 readings.

"I take full responsibility for my actions and made a regrettable mistake," Monroe said in a prepared statement released by the Pistons. "I apologize to my family, the Pistons organization, my teammates and fans. I will learn from this and continue by work to be a positive influence in the community.

Monroe is set to become a free agents next summer after failing to attract viable offers from other teams. He started in every game last year but saw significant drop offs in field goal attempts. Either way you spin it, Monroe's last season in Detroit is getting off on the wrong foot.

Warriors sign Leandro Barbosa

Longtime guard Leandro Barbosa is heading to the Bay Area after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Warriors.

Barbosa played 20 games with Phoenix last year after stints in Boston, Indiana, and Toronto. He didn't start a game and reached career lows in minutes played, field goal attempts, and points per game. At 32-years-old, Golden State can't expect much other than veteran leadership.

With Shaun Livingston and Aaron Craft backing up Stephen Curry, and Brandon Rush behind Klay Thompson, Barbosa likely opens up as the team's fifth guard.