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.

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.