AROUND THE NBA

The father of Philadelphia 76er Nazr Mohammed was killed in his auto parts store, and a suspect was charged with murder in an apparent argument over money. Alhaji Mohammed was found dead Monday night on Chicago’s South Side. Police said the 55-year-old man died of blunt force trauma to the head. . . . A final autopsy report on the son of Julius Erving has been delayed at the request of the sheriff. “It’s still part of an ongoing criminal investigation,” said Steve Olson, a spokesman for the Seminole County sheriff’s office in Florida. Cory Erving was found July 6 in his car, submerged in 8 feet of water in a pond less than a mile from the Erving’s home.

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Patrick Ewing wants to play three more seasons, even if the New York Knicks don’t want him back after his contract expires next June.

“I’d probably like to play two more years after next year. If it’s New York, it’s New York. If not, it’s somewhere else,” Ewing said, breaking a long silence over his plans for the future.

Ewing has one year remaining on the four-year, $60-million contract extension he signed three years ago.

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Veteran forward Danny Manning met with the Utah Jazz after reaching an agreement to buy out the final year of his contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. Manning’s agent, Mark Bartlestein, said the 6-foot-10, 235-pound forward will be available to sign with other teams beginning Tuesday. . . . The Atlanta Hawks signed second-round draft pick Hanno Mottola to a two-year contract. Mottola, the 40th overall selection, was a four-year starter at Utah and averaged 12.4 points a game during his career.

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NBA referee Bennett Salvatore pleaded guilty in federal court to tax fraud in connection with an airline ticket scam.

Salvatore, 50, faces up to three years in prison and could be fined up to $250,000.

He was one of about a dozen NBA referees accused of not reporting income when they were reimbursed for first-class airline tickets after buying less-expensive tickets.

At least 11 other NBA officials have pleaded guilty to similar charges.