NEW YORK — NBA owners relaxed their insistence on non-guaranteed contracts in a new collective bargaining agreement Friday, but players cautioned that isn't enough because the league is still seeking a hard salary cap.

Even so, the proposal by the owners during a 4Z\x-hour meeting was perhaps their most significant movement yet as the sides try to agree to a new deal before the current one expires June 30.

The sides set up another meeting for Tuesday.

MINNEAPOLIS — Ricky Rubio officially announced in Barcelona on Friday that he would exercise a buyout of his contract and come to the NBA, joining the Minnesota Timberwolves, who chose him with the No. 5 pick in the 2009 draft.An enormous buyout clause with his first Spanish pro team forced Rubio to stay in Spain until now.

DALLAS — The Dallas Stars hired Glen Gulutzan to be their next coach on Friday, hoping his success with their top affiliate will continue in the NHL.Gulutzan is 39 and has never played or coached in the NHL. His record in the minors and his familiarity with the players he's groomed for the Stars helped him emerge from a group of better-known candidates.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Mike Yeo was introduced Friday as the Minnesota Wild's new head coach after one season in charge of Minnesota's top farm club in Houston. Yeo led the Aeros to the American Hockey League finals.Yeo, 37, never played in the NHL.

LOCK HAVEN — Slippery Rock University senior Chris Warning has received a PSAC Spring Top 10 Award.A student-athlete must achieve a minimum cumulative 3.50 grade point average and be a starter or key reserve with legitimate athletic credentials.Warning carries a 3.65 as a criminal justice major and was named Most Outstanding Field Athlete at the PSAC Outdoor Championships, along with PSAC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year. He was PSAC champion in the hammer throw, discus and shot put.