Hibbert, Hill Officially Re-Sign with Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have re-signed free agents Roy Hibbert and George Hill, two key members of their rebuilding project.

Indiana Pacers’ incoming president Donnie Walsh had said he didn’t want to disrupt the nucleus of a team that went 42-24 and reached the second round of the playoffs last season. On Friday, he announced that the Pacers have re-signed free agents Roy Hibbert and George Hill.

“Before the free agent period started, I met with the press and basically said the biggest priority we have is to keep our own guys, and we are here today to announce that George and Roy signed contracts to be with the Pacers for quite a while,” Walsh said to a cheering crowd at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Hibbert, a fourth-year pro, is coming off an All-Star season, averaging 12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game and giving the Pacers a dominant presence at center. He says he’s happy to be back because the Pacers have “unfinished business” after losing to eventual champion Miami in the playoffs.

“I was pretty surprised I made the All-Star team,” he said. “If it happens again, that’s great, but I’m more focused on winning, rebounding, blocking shots and being a defensive presence.”

Sloan, Jackson Turn Down Blazers Offer

The Portland Trail Blazers attempted to snag former Utah Jazz coach, Jerry Sloan, out of retirement this week by formally offering him their head coach position in Salt Lake City.

Sloan later turned down the offer, but that wasn’t the Trail Blazers first big swing.

For the last few months, the Trail Blazers have been in back-and-forth discussions with Phil Jackson in an attempt to persuade him to take their head coaching vacancy, a close source said.

Last week, Jackson’s agent, Todd Musburger, informed the Trail Blazers that Jackson was flattered, but has decided he would not coach this upcoming season.

New York Knicks Reacquire Ray Felton

The deal to reacquire (Ray) Felton — who played 54 games for the Knicks in 2010-11 — was taken by many as an indication that the Knicks would let (Jeremy) Lin depart, despite his wild success on the court last season and his global marketability.

Felton will receive a three-year, $10 million contract in a sign-and-trade deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to a person briefed on the details. The Knicks will also receive Kurt Thomas, another former Knick, in the deal. In exchange, Portland will receive Jared Jeffries (in a sign-and-trade arrangement), plus the nonguaranteed contract of Dan Gadzuric, the Knicks’ second-round draft pick in 2016 and the rights to two overseas players.

Cavs Could Land Bynum in Deal

The Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers have discussed a three-team deal that would send disgruntled superstar Dwight Howard to Los Angeles, according to sources close to the situation. The three teams have discussed a number of scenarios. While no trade is imminent, the talks are ongoing.

One scenario would send Howard to Los Angeles, Andrew Bynum to Cleveland and a package of picks and prospects to Orlando, according to sources.

The Lakers would land Howard, who they have been aggressively pursuing for quite some time.

The Cavaliers would acquire a second star to put alongside Kyrie Irving, one that they should be able to keep long-term since Cleveland has been mentioned as a team that Bynum will consider signing an extension with.

Suns Acquire Luis Scola

The Phoenix Suns have won the amnesty auction for former Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola, according to sources with knowledge of the auction outcome.

The NBA’s 30 teams were notified shortly after 5 p.m. ET on Sunday that the Suns won the blind bidding for Scola, which requires interested teams under the salary cap to bid no less than $3 million for this season and $10-plus million for the next three seasons.

NASH A LAKER

Sometimes when you hear things. You think that just works and will work. Nash in LA is a perfect fit. That is all they needed. All they needed was a point guard. Everyone knew it. Ramon Session was a back up in Cleveland. Came to LA and they were partying. And Derek Fisher? I don't get that guy! I do not think there is a better point to have running the Lake show. There are better point guards out there, but I think he is the best fit for that team.That being said. I am glad as heck that he is off the Suns. I live in the Phoenix area and he was not a good fit here. Very happy to see him leave. The Suns need to blow it up, go young and develop younger guys. Nash is perfect as a third or fourth option. He cannot be a number one option. But there is no other guard I would want if I had a Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum. Steve is gona help Pau Gasol and Bynum the most. He is gona help Kobe too but in a different way. Kobe is just gona have a lot less stress. He is gone be more relaxed and not feel pressure to carry the team and lead the team. I think now he can just play. And Gasol is gona love him. The whole team will. Whoever is open will love him. Even if they don't think they are open. I would make them the favorite to win it all next year. I know Vegas does not agree with that. And I would not trade Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard. I am not a big Howard fan. Plus if you bring in Howard you might get a different Kobe.

Agent: Celtics Want Green to Return

He’s been largely out of sight, but Jeff Green hasn’t been out of the Celtics’ mind — and the affection has been returned.

So tomorrow, the two sides will officially begin the task of getting Green back in green.

The key acquisition in the 2011 Kendrick Perkins trade played 26 games that season. He was set to return this past year, but during a physical after agreeing to a new contract, Green was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm and had surgery in January. The contract was voided and he was allowed to become an unrestricted free agent.

Now Green is again working out and he wants to get things worked out here.

“He’s doing great,” said his agent, David Falk. “He’s been cleared 100 percent and he’s healthy.

“Obviously the Celtics want him back, and we’ll talk about that on July 1,” he added, referring to the date on which clubs can begin negotiating with free agents.

via Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald