Kaman Signs With Clippers

As expected, the Clippers on Saturday signed 7-foot center Chris Kaman to a three-year contract, plus a one-year option, worth about $6 million.

Kaman was the sixth overall pick in last month’s NBA draft after averaging 22.4 points and 12 rebounds during his junior season at Central Michigan.

If the Clippers do not re-sign unrestricted free agent Michael Olowokandi, Kaman could battle for the starting center position during training camp in October.

Olowokandi is eligible to sign with a new team or rejoin the Clippers on Wednesday. The Denver Nuggets, who have $18 million to spend on free agents, are his first choice.

Meanwhile, the agent for guard Corey Maggette told the Denver Post that an Internet report that the Nuggets have agreed with his client on a six-season contract worth $42 million was untrue. Maggette had a two-hour meeting with Denver executives two weeks ago.

In another development, Kim Hughes, a former Nugget assistant and scout, told a Denver reporter he would join the staff of new Clipper Coach Mike Dunleavy next week.

Dunleavy was hired Friday and indicated he would not retain all the members of former coach Alvin Gentry’s staff.

Elliott Teaford

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Free-agent forward P.J. Brown agreed to a four-year contract to stay with the New Orleans Hornets, his agent said.

Brown, a 10-year veteran who led the Hornets in rebounding and ranked fourth in the league in field-goal shooting percentage last season, visited several teams, including defending champion San Antonio, before deciding to stay with New Orleans.

Orlando, Miami and Utah also expressed interest in Brown, who averaged 9.0 rebounds, 10.7 points and shot a career-high 53% from the field last season.

A source close to Brown, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the deal would be worth a little more than $8 million per season.

The league’s rules on free agency prevent team officials from commenting.

Brown earned just over $7 million last season.

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A day after Jason Kidd agreed to a six-year, $99-million contract to stay with the two-time Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets, Coach Byron Scott said he hopes to talk with the All-Star point guard as soon as possible.

The main topic probably will be a published report that Kidd wanted Scott fired as a condition for his returning to New Jersey.

“I was shocked when I first heard it,” Scott said after the Nets’ rookies and free agents finished a summer league practice.

“But again, I didn’t have any comments about it or any reaction.”

Scott said Kidd never approached him during the season about problems with his coaching. He added that the two spoke daily and that they had a good working relationship.

“Unless I hear from Jason, it holds no water as far as I am concerned,” said Scott, who added he got 20 calls from friends and family offering support after the Kidd report surfaced Thursday.