Humphries: ‘I always wanted to be back’

After going through NBA free agency for a second straight year and hearing offers from a handful of different teams, Kris Humphries only wanted one thing — to be a member of the Brooklyn Nets. He received his wish, and on Friday, as Brooklyn continued its offseason deluge of news conferences, Humphries was re-introduced to the media.

“It’s a nature of the business, but I always wanted to be back,” said Humphries, a forward who signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the Nets this week. “There were a lot of things floated out there and I had to explore other things. But this is where I wanted to be. A lot of things went through my mind, but I wasn’t close to making a decision.

Del Negro Happy with Clippers Chemistry

(Grant) Hill, who will turn 40 in October, recently had the same platelet-enrichment procedure done on his knee in Germany that Kobe Bryant had, and he said he felt re-energized. Hill started 46 of 49 games last season and averaged a career-low 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 28.1 minutes.

“I feel good,” Hill said. “I felt good before I went over there (for the procedure.) Bottom line is you want to play and you want to give yourself every opportunity to be right. It was really good. I feel good. It was worth the trip.”

Hill’s signing, combined with the offseason acquisitions of Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford and Ryan Hollins, round out the Clippers’ efforts this offseason to revamp their bench and give them some much-needed depth, especially on the front line.

“There hasn’t been one guy that wasn’t our first choice that we haven’t gotten,” (Vinny) Del Negro said. “It’s been great. We just feel very good about the people we’re bringing in, the players, the talent and the chemistry of the team. We’re building it the right way.”

Council to Vote on Seattle Arena Proposal

The plans for a new arena that could bring the NBA back to Seattle has taken another step forward with the King County Council possibly taking a vote on the proposal as early as next week.

The council announced Monday it was moving the memorandum of understanding between investor Chris Hansen and the county out of committee and for a possible full council vote on July 30.

Hansen has proposed a $490 million facility with $290 million in private investment, and the remaining $200 million bonded by the city and county and paid off through arena-generated taxes and revenues over the next 30 years.

Hornets to Acquire Robin Lopez?

The New Orleans Hornets have worked hard on executing a sign-and-trade for Suns RFA center Robin Lopez, but the deal hasn’t come together. The Phoenix Suns want to keep Lopez, but sides are still unable to come to terms. As a restricted free agent, the Suns can match an offer sheet.

Ronnie Brewer Signs With Knicks

The New York Knicks agreed to terms Tuesday morning with free agent guard Ronnie Brewer on a one-year deal, according to a league source.

Brewer became available when his former team, the Chicago Bulls, opted to not pick up his $4.3 million option for the 2012-13 season.

The 27-year-old Brewer appeared in all 66 games last season for Chicago, averaging 6.9 points per game. He’ll join a Knicks guard corps that will include Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd, Argentinian guard Pablo Prigioni and J.R. Smith. Brewer will likely compete with Smith for the starting two guard spot.

The Knicks declined to match the $25.1 million offer sheet for guard Jeremy Lin last week, allowing him to go to the Rockets.

MSG Stock Falling Since Lin Left Knicks

Everyone kept saying it: Jeremy Lin’s value to the Knicks extended past the basketball court.

Want proof though? Since he signed his offer sheet with the Rockets, MSG’s stock has dropped $93 million, via Darren Rovell.

When Lin made his first start for the Knicks Feb. 6, MSG shares were trading at $29.49. On July 5, the stock had risen more than 30 percent up to $38.80. Since Lin signed the “poison pill” offer sheet than might make it tough to retain him, shares have dropped to $35.50, an 8.5 percent fall.

Lakers, Jordan Hill Agree to Deal

Free-agent forward Jordan Hill has reached agreement on a two-year, nearly $8 million contract to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent Kevin Bradbury told Yahoo! Sports.

Hill turned down a more aggressive offer from the Minnesota Timberwolves to remain with the Lakers, who traded for him in March. Hill played an increasingly vital role for the Lakers during the Western Conference semifinals.