Rockets officially sign C Nene, F Tucker

The Houston Rockets signed free agent forward P.J. Tucker and re-signed center Nene, the team announced Thursday.

Both deals had been reported a few days ago, but the Rockets made them official.

Nene agreed to a new three-year, $11 million contract, according to ESPN. Their original four-year contract agreement was nullified Saturday based on the NBA's over-38 rule that limits long-term deals.

In his first season as a Rocket, Nene appeared in 67 games with eight starts, while averaging 9.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game. Dating back to 1979-80, he was one of three players with at least 40 games played to have averaged at least 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in fewer than 18.0 minutes per game in a single season.

"Nene was a big part of our success last season, especially in the playoffs," said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. "He is a true professional and we are fortunate to have him remain a Rocket."

Nene has the seventh-highest field goal percentage (54.8) among active players and would have ranked fifth in the NBA in 2016-17 had he qualified (61.7). During the playoffs, he shot 70.6 percent.

"The Rockets bring out the best in me," said Nene. "I love the entire organization from my teammates and coaches, to management and ownership. We have great leader in James Harden and will continue to work hard to bring another championship to Houston."

Terms of Tucker's deal were not disclosed, but multiple reports indicated it is a four-year, $32 million deal.

Tucker met with the Toronto Raptors once free agency started, but he talked to members of the Rockets, including All-Star guard James Harden.

The Raptors reportedly offered three years and $33 million.

New Rockets point guard Chris Paul also helped recruit Tucker to Houston, according to ESPN. The two players have been close since growing up in North Carolina.

Tucker averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds 1.4 steals in 81 games for the Suns and Raptors last season.

Clippers on verge of adding Serbian PG Teodosic

The Los Angeles Clippers have reached agreement with Serbian guard Milos Teodosic on to a two-year, $12.3 million deal, ESPN.com reported Thursday.

The flamboyant 30-year-old Teodosic is considered a creative playmaker.

He had to pay an expensive contract buyout with CSKA Russia to move to the NBA this season. It suggests the Clippers have big plans for the 6-foot-5 Teodosic, who will try to fill the void left by the departure of Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets.

Teodosic was named to the all-EuroLeague first-team three times and was the EuroLeague MVP in 2010.

Teodosic averaged 16.3 points and 6.5 assists while shooting 54.2 percent from the field and 38.6 percent on 3-pointers while playing for Moscow last season.

Teodosic gained exposure when he faced Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the finals of the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

"As good a player, as good a guard, as there is in Europe," Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said of Teodosic, according to ESPN.

F-C Felicio re-signs with Bulls

The Chicago Bulls re-signed forward-center Cristiano Felicio, the team announced Thursday.

The move had been reported several days ago, but the team has now made it official.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but multiple media outlets reported the deal is for four years and worth $32 million.

In his two seasons in Chicago, Felicio averaged 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 14.0 minutes per game while shooting 57.3 percent from the field.

Last season, he averaged 4.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game with a field goal percentage of .57.9.

The Brazilian played in all six of the Bulls' postseason games against the Celtics, and averaged 3.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 13.7 minutes.

Mavericks close to deal with Nowitzki

The Dallas Mavericks are in the process of finalizing a two-year, $10 million deal with Dirk Nowitzki, ESPN reported Thursday.

The Mavericks declined Nowitzki's $25 million team option on his existing contract, but there was never a doubt that the Mavs would re-sign Nowitzki, considered the greatest player in the team's history.

Dallas reportedly plans to re-sign restricted free-agent Nerlens Noel, and the team's moves suggest the Mavericks may not be pursuing any high-salary free agents.

The 39-year-old Nowitzki, who was the NBA MVP in 2007, played in 54 games last season, all as a starter, and averaged 14.2 points, his lowest since his rookie season in 1998-99.

Pistons sign G Galloway

The Detroit Pistons signed free agent guard Langston Galloway, the team announced on Thursday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the club for Galloway, but ESPN reported the contract was for three years and $21 million.

Galloway averaged 7.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 74 games last season with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings.

The 25-year-old Galloway averaged 8.6 points with the Pelicans last season before being traded to the Kings on Feb. 20 as part of the DeMarcus Cousins deal. He averaged 6.0 points in 19 contests with Sacramento.

Galloway has recorded career averages of 8.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 201 career games with New York, New Orleans and Sacramento.

Nuggets sign rookie F Lydon

The Denver Nuggets signed rookie forward Tyler Lydon to a multi-year contract, the team announced Thursday.

Denver selected Lydon with the 24th overall pick after trading down in the first round of last month's draft. The 21-year-old Lydon joined third-year forward Trey Lyles in the draft-night trade with the Utah Jazz for the rights to the 13th overall pick, which was Donovan Mitchell.

Lydon averaged 11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 blocks in 71 career games with the Orange.

Grizzlies will retire Randolph's No. 50

The Memphis Grizzlies showed their appreciation to Zach Randolph on Thursday by announcing that the veteran forward/center will be the first player in franchise history to have his No. 50 jersey retired.

The Grizzlies announced the move in an open letter to Randolph, two days removed from the two-time All-Star ending his eight-year tenure with the club by agreeing to a two-year, $24 million deal with the Sacramento Kings.

"Thank you for all the joy and magical moments too numerous to count," the letter read in part. "Thank you for the energy and excitement you brought each and every night to FedExForum. Thank you for your leadership and service. Thank you for your larger than life impact and for keeping all Memphians warm. Thank you."

The open letter was signed by general manager Chris Wallace and president of business operations Jason Wexler.

Majority owner Robert Pera stated on the team's official Twitter account that No. 50 "will never be worn by another member of the Memphis Grizzlies." He also thanked Randolph for helping "turn a lottery team into a perennial playoff contender" and helping "make a basketball team a model of community service."

Randolph ranks first in franchise history in rebounds (5,612) and is second behind Mike Conley in points (9,261). The 35-year-old excelled in a reserve role last season, averaging 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds.

With Sacramento, Randolph reunites with Dave Joerger, his former coach with the Grizzlies.