Matthews to Blazers nears completion

NBA: The Trail Blazers have reached an agreement with restricted free agent Wesley Matthews, a deal that was solidified when the Utah Jazz did not match Portland’s offer for the shooting guard.

A source close to the negotiations who did not want to be identified told the Associated Press that Matthews was expected to formally sign either Tuesday night or this morning.

• Bynum puts off surgery: Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum has postponed his knee surgery to correct a meniscus tear in his right knee to July 28.

• T-wolves to introduce Ridnour today: The Minnesota Timberwolves will introduce former University of Oregon guard Luke Ridnour at a press conference today. Ridnour and the Timberwolves agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth $16 million last week.

• Nowitzki, Stoudemire to skip worlds: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki will not play for Germany at next month’s world championship in Turkey to concentrate on the upcoming NBA season.

The German basketball federation said that the nine-time All-Star would be back for the 2011 European Championship that will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2012 Olympics in London.

The New York Knicks’ Amare Stoudemire will not play for the United States in next month’s world championships because of problems insuring his contract, a damaging blow to the Americans on the day training camp opened. Stoudemire played for the Americans in the 2007 Olympic qualifying tournament.

• Miller signs with Rockets: Brad Miller has signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the Houston Rockets, reuniting the 7-foot center with coach Rick Adelman.

• Howard to Heat finished: Juwan Howard joined the Miami Heat, becoming the 12th player under contract for the Heat for the 2010-11 season.

• Bulls, Watson finalize deal: A person familiar with the situation tells the Associated Press that the Chicago Bulls are finalizing a sign-and-trade deal with the Golden State Warriors for guard C.J. Watson.

Thompson takes top spot at U.S. Junior

Golf: Curtis Thompson birdied his final hole for a 6-under 66 to win medalist honors by one stroke at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship in Ada, Mich.

Peter Gullickson of Spokane shot a 77 for a two-round score of 154 and failed to qualify for match play.

Tyler Carlson of Clarkston shot a 74-78-152 and also failed to qualify for match play.

• Kang medalist at U.S. Junior girls: Danielle Kang shot a 74 and earned medalist honors for the U.S. Girls Junior Championship at The Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst, N.C.

Ljungberg exploring summer transfer

Soccer: Seattle Sounders FC designated player Freddie Ljungberg could be heading out of Seattle soon after less than two seasons of mixed results.

Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said after practice that Ljungberg and his agent are “exploring options” with the current international transfer window. Ljungberg’s contract is up in November.

• Clubs banning vuvuzelas: Tottenham and Arsenal are two of eight English Premier League clubs to ban fans hoping to bring the distinctive drone of the vuvuzela into stadiums from the World Cup.

Kovalchuk-to-Devils deal rejected by NHL

Hockey: The NHL rejected Ilya Kovalchuk’s landmark 17-year, $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils after it was deemed to circumvent the league’s salary cap.

Just one day after Kovalchuk and the Devils came to an agreement on the longest contract in NHL history, the league determined that it was illegal, a person familiar with the issues raised told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The contract was rejected because years of low salary at the end of the contract were added for the sole purpose of lowering the cap hit. Kovalchuk’s contract would have topped the 15-year deal goalie Rick DiPietro got from the New York Islanders, and Alex Ovechkin’s 13-year pact with Washington.

Davydenko takes German opener

Tennis: Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko of Russia opened the defense of his German Open title at Hamburg, Germany, by beating Florent Serra of France 6-3, 6-1.

Davydenko had a bye in the first round and has advanced to the third round.

Potito Starace of Italy outlasted 11th-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain 7-6 (10), 5-7, 6-1.

• Jankovic into 2nd round: Top-seeded Jelena Jankovic beat Bojana Jovanovski 6-3, 6-3 in an all-Serbian match in the first round at the Slovenia Open in Portoroz, Slovenia.

Jankovic will face Belarus qualifier Anastasiya Yakimova.