New Orleans deals Chandler for Okafor

NBA: The New Orleans Hornets finally found a taker for Tyson Chandler. It took a deal with tinkering Charlotte coach Larry Brown, who was willing to jettison the Bobcats’ first draft pick.

Emeka Okafor was sent to the Hornets on Tuesday for Chandler, another former No. 2 overall pick. The trade involving 26-year-old centers brought financial relief to both teams and confidence they’ll each thrive with a new man in the middle.

The Hornets have been trying to unload the 7-foot-1 Chandler for several months. A trade last season to Oklahoma City was rescinded after Chandler failed a physical amid concerns over a lingering toe injury.

Brown was willing to gamble on the injury-prone, athletic big man who can also play power forward and is 3 inches taller than Okafor.

•Bucks sign first-rounder: The Milwaukee Bucks signed first-round draft pick Brandon Jennings to a two-year contract worth almost $4.5 million.

•Pacers pick up Watson: The Indiana Pacers signed free-agent guard Earl Watson to a multiyear contract.

The 6-foot-1 veteran was waived earlier this month by Oklahoma City. He also has played with Seattle, Memphis and Denver.

•Thomas selects Mavericks: The Dallas Mavericks signed free-agent forward Tim Thomas.

Thomas, a 12-year veteran, played for the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Chicago last season.

Eagles defensive whiz Johnson dies

NFL: Jim Johnson, whose attacking defenses helped the Philadelphia Eagles to one Super Bowl appearance and five NFC title games, has died. He was 68.

Johnson had taken a leave of absence from the team in May as he continued to battle a cancerous tumor on his spine. The Eagles announced his death Tuesday afternoon.

A veteran of 22 years as an NFL assistant, Johnson was considered one of the top defensive minds in the league, known for complex schemes that confused opponents and pressured the quarterback from every angle. His defenses consistently ranked among the best in the league.

•Browns’ Edwards sidelined: The Cleveland Browns placed wide receiver Braylon Edwards on the non-football injury list with an unspecified injury.

The team did not give any details in making the announcement about their top offensive playmaker.

Mickelson will play at Bridgestone

Golf: Phil Mickelson is returning to the PGA Tour, deciding to play the Bridgestone Invitational next week, his first tournament since the U.S. Open.

Mickelson has been out of action for nearly two months, tending to his wife, who is battling breast cancer. He tied for second at the U.S. Open in June and his wife had surgery two weeks later.

•GM ends Buick Open deal: General Motors Co. will end its half-century run as sponsor of the Buick Open golf tournament as it tries to focus scarce marketing dollars on its cars and trucks, a person briefed on the decision said.

•Illness puts Watson off course: Tom Watson skipped his first practice round for the U.S. Senior Open at Indianapolis because he was ill.

He’s still hoping to make it onto the course today.

Two hurdlers blaze at Monaco meet

Miscellany: L.J. van Zyl of South Africa and Lashinda Demus of the United States both set this year’s world-best times in the 400-meter hurdles at the Herculis Super Grand Prix at Monaco.

Van Zyl’s late burst over the final 10 meters took him past Bershawn Jackson – the 2005 world champion and Olympic bronze medalist last year in Beijing – who looked to be coasting to victory.Van Zyl won in 47.94 seconds, beating Jackson’s mark of 48.03 set at the U.S. Championships last month.

Three days after breaking her 2009 world-best time at the Crystal Palace meet, Demus improved with 53.63.

•No Breeders’ Cup for Preakness champ: Horse racing fans eager to see filly Rachel Alexandra run in the Breeders’ Cup will have to wait until next year.

Owner Jess Jackson said during a conference call he’s “firm” in his decision to keep the Preakness winner from this fall’s Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, Calif.

•Kuznetsova backs out: French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has pulled out of next week’s L.A. Women’s Tennis Championships with a foot injury.

•U.S. men win in quarterfinals: Merrill Moses stopped 10 of 15 shots and eight players scored for the United States, which defeated Germany 8-5 in the quarterfinals of men’s water polo at the world championships in Rome.