Timberwolves host Batum, Hill

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves hosted restricted free agent swingman Nicolas Batum and unrestricted free agent forward Jordan Hill for visits on Monday.

Batum flew in from his native France to meet with Timberwolves officials and tour the team’s facility. The 23-year-old averaged 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in his fourth year with the Trail Blazers last season. He would fill a hole with the Wolves by giving them some size in the backcourt. But Portland would be able to match any offer the Timberwolves would make, beginning July 11.

Hill is a 6-foot-10 forward who averaged 5.0 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Rockets and Lakers last season. The Lakers have expressed interest in retaining him.

The Wolves have also shown interest in guards Brandon Roy and Jamal Crawford.

Reports: Hawks send Joe Johnson to Brooklyn Nets

Multiple media outlets are reporting the Hawks and Nets have agreed to a trade that would send All-Star guard Joe Johnson from Atlanta to Brooklyn.

ESPN was first to report the teams had agreed to the deal. All the reports cited unidentified sources.

The Nets would send guards Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar and DeShawn Stevenson and forwards Jordan Williams and Johan Petro to the Hawks, along with a draft pick Brooklyn received from Houston. The selection only belongs to the Nets if it is not a lottery pick.

Johnson has four years and $90 million left on his contract.

The Nets are also trying to re-sign free agent point guard Deron Williams.

The franchise is set to play its first season in a newly built arena in New York after moving from New Jersey.

Olympic hopeful Davis sprains ankle, awaits eval.

NEW ORLEANS — Anthony Davis has a left ankle sprain that must be evaluated later this week before he can be cleared to practice with the U.S. team.

Davis hurt his ankle at the team's training center in Westwego on Saturday, and Hornets spokesman Harold Kaufman said on Monday that the club considers Davis status for resuming training as day to day.

The 6-foot-11Davis, who led the nation with 4.65 blocks per game while leading Kentucky to a national title, is among the players being considered for the American squad at the London Olympics.

Davis was drafted by the Hornets first overall last Thursday night and arrived in New Orleans on Friday.

He was slated to train for several days at Hornets facilities, along with fellow New Orleans first-round draft pick Austin Rivers, before departing for U.S. practices that begin this Thursday in Las Vegas.

USA Basketball is scheduled to announce its 12-man Olympic roster on Saturday.

Odom thrilled about his return to LA with Clippers

LOS ANGELES — Lamar Odom is back in Hollywood and back with his original NBA team.

Odom formally joined the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday following a four-team trade last week. The veteran big man intends to put a nightmare season in Dallas behind him with a fresh new start in his adopted hometown.

Odom was thrilled when the Mavericks engineered a deal to send him back to the Clippers, who drafted him with the fourth overall pick in 1999. The longtime Lakers big man was miserable off the court last season in Dallas, but feels he can return to top form back on the West Coast.

The Clippers gave up guard Mo Williams in the deal, but they're confident the 32-year-old Odom can regain his form alongside Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.

Celtics president Ainge determined to keep Big 3

BOSTON — Celtics president Danny Ainge is determined to keep the team's Big Three in Boston next season.

Ainge said Monday he is hoping to keep intact the aging trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, who brought the Celtics their first NBA championship in 22 years in 2008.

Pierce is already under contract and Garnett has reportedly agreed to a new three-year deal that can't be finalized until July 11 — the first day free agents can officially sign.

What's left for Ainge is to convince Allen, a free agent, to stay. The veteran shooting guard, who just had ankle surgery, is reportedly being courted by Miami and Memphis, but the Celtics are in position to offer Allen more money than either the Heat or Grizzlies.

Magic GM: Howard has reissued trade request

ORLANDO, Fla. — Magic general manager Rob Hennigan says that Dwight Howard told him in a face-to-face meeting last week that he would like to be traded, and that his preference is to be dealt to the Brooklyn Nets.

Hennigan said Monday that Howard singling out one team complicates any potential trade scenarios, but he has not committed to honoring that demand and said he will keep communication lines open between both the All-Star and his agent.

The new Magic GM says Howard never claimed in the meeting in California the Magic blackmailed him to give up the early termination clause in his current deal. Howard asked to be traded last season, then opted-in for 2012-2013 — forgoing becoming a free agent this summer.

Hennigan says Howard is “progressing well” after back surgery.

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