Pistons cut ties with Hamilton

The Detroit Pistons have finalized what has been a formality, cutting ties with three-time all-star Richard Hamilton.

Detroit made the move Monday after both sides agreed to terms of a buyout.

Hamilton was due to make $19 million guaranteed over the final two years of his contract in Detroit. He was bought out for $11 million, saving the rebuilding team $4 million in cap space this year and $4 million more next season.

The 33-year-old Coatesville grad, known as "Rip," is expected to land with the Chicago Bulls. Hamilton would have to clear waivers and pass a physical, but the Bulls appear to be a fit for him and his game.

"I think Rip's a hell of a player," Chicago center Joakim Noah said Saturday. "I have confidence they are doing the right things."

Hamilton posted messages on his Twitter account about cleaning out his locker and parting ways with the Pistons.

"Thank u to all my Detroit fans," a message read on Hamilton's Twitter account. "Love all of u. U will always have a special place in my heart. Yessssssirrrrr."

Hamilton and some of his teammates clashed with former Pistons coach John Kuester last season and he scored just 14.1 points per game, his lowest average since his rookie season. He has averaged 17.7 points in a career that started in 1999 with Washington and flourished in Detroit.

Chris Paul isn't coming to Los Angeles, at least not now.

The Clippers on Monday rejected a proposed deal by the New Orleans Hornets for the all-star guard because the team felt "the cost was just too high," general manager Neil Olshey said.

Olshey declined to identify who the Clippers had offered in exchange for Paul but their package reportedly included center Chris Kaman, reserve guard Eric Bledsoe, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and their No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA draft. Reports suggested the Hornets also wanted guard Eric Gordon included.

U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz in Minneapolis officially ended the NBA legal battle, dismissing the players' antitrust lawsuit at the request of players and owners now that the two sides have approved a new collective bargaining agreement.

The locked-out players also filed a class-action antitrust suit in California, but that was later withdrawn.

New Jersey Nets coach Avery Johnson on owner Mikhail Prokhorov, who plans to challenge Vladimir Putin for Russia's presidency in the March election: "It wouldn't surprise me [if he wins]. He just wants us to stay focused on basketball. Whatever is happening in Russia will take care of itself in March sometime."

- Inquirer wire services