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.

Kidd-Gilchrist Setting the Tone for Bobcats

However, his defender’s outpouring of raw emotion breathed life back into the downtrodden team. That is, after shaking off some pregame nerves, according to his coach.

“He (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) sets the tone for everybody else,” (Mike) Dunlap said. “He’s a locker room guy in that he doesn’t use a lot of words. But he has an impact with his voice and he also backs it up with his energy.”

Playing with the enthusiasm of a kid hopped-up on sweets, Kidd-Gilchrist flew around the court for the better part of his 12 first-half minutes, in which he totaled 15 of his 18 points and three of his seven rebounds. He even tweaked his ankle a bit in the early going by attacking the rim with such energy.

He ran the break, finding fellow rookie Jeffrey Taylor for a crisp alley-oop pass with 3:59 to go in the first. He ran a stolen pass back to the rim and, almost in slow motion, his intent known from the moment he got his hands on the ball, rose up over Rob Kurz for a highlight slam.

He ran everywhere. That’s his only setting.

Charlotte Bobcats Claim Brendan Haywood

Former North Carolina center Brendan Haywood has been claimed by the Charlotte Bobcats, the team announced Saturday.

NBA teams were notified at 5 p.m. Saturday the Bobcats had lodged the winning bid in a blind auction to claim Haywood, who was released Thursday by the Dallas Mavericks via the one-time amnesty clause.

Sources: Surgery Expected for Irving

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving is expected to have surgery Thursday to repair a broken right hand he suffered in summer league practice, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Irving, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, injured his hand during Saturday morning’s practice at a local high school after slapping the padding on the wall in the gymnasium. He was held out of the remainder of practice and had ice on his hand, but afterward said he didn’t think his hand was hurt badly.

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.”