LA Lakers To Sign Antawn Jamison

The Los Angeles Lakers are close to a deal with free agent forward Antawn Jamison, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. Jamison was also considering signing with the Charlotte Bobcats because it would have meant he could close out his career close to home.

Jacque Vaughn in Lead for Magic Coach?

The new front-runner for the Magic job now might be San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Jacque Vaughn a former Magic player who played for the Spurs when Hennigan worked in the Spurs’ front office.

Hennigan also interviewed three others over the last week: Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Michael Curry, assistant coach Jeff Hornacek and Phoenix Suns player development coach Lindsey Hunter.

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.