NBA notes: Rockets trade for Trevor Ariza
Houston’s attempts at landing a third offensive threat this NBA offseason finally paid off in the return of forward Trevor Ariza.
The Rockets acquired Ariza as part of a three-team trade that was announced by Washington on Tuesday, bringing the 6-foot-8 forward back to where he averaged a career-high 14.9 points during the 2009-10 season.
Ariza will join Houston in a sign-and-trade in a deal also involving New Orleans and the Wizards.
The Rockets will send center Omer Asik, forward Omri Casspi and cash considerations to New Orleans, while Houston will also get forward Alonzo Gee, guard Scotty Hopson and a 2015 first-round draft pick from the Pelicans.
Washington will receive center Melvin Ely and a trade exception as part of the deal.
The 29-year-old Ariza spent the last two seasons with the Wizards, averaging 14.4 points and hitting 40.7 percent of his 3-point shots last season.
Miller re-unites with LeBron
A person familiar with the negotiations says free agent Mike Miller has agreed to a 2-year, $5.5 million contract with the Cavaliers, re-uniting him with superstar LeBron James.
Miller was teammates for three seasons with James in Miami. Last season, Miller played in 82 games for Memphis. He shot 46 percent (107 of 233) on 3-pointers.
The 34-year-old gives the Cavs another outside weapon and a piece to help James, who signed a two-year, $42 million contract on Saturday.
Around the league
The Bulls have used the amnesty clause to cut forward Carlos Boozer after four seasons with the team. The Bulls also waived forward Lou Amundson and guards Ronnie Brewer and Mike James. … Recent free agent Pau Gasol says signing with the Bulls over NBA champion San Antonio or Oklahoma City came down to a gut decision. … Luol Deng has signed a $20 million, two-year contract with the Heat. He finished the season with the Cavaliers last season. … Avery Bradley has signed a four-year contract that keeps the guard with the Celtics. … The Grizzlies have signed guard Beno Udrih to a multiyear contract. Udrih, 31, averaged 4.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 15.7 minutes in 41 games with the Knicks and Grizzlies last season. … The Associated Press is reporting that the Timberwolves and Warriors have restarted trade talks for All-Star forward Kevin Love. … The Spurs completed their signing of veteran forward Boris Diaw. He had agreed to terms July 6 on a three-year, $22-million deal. … The Thunder signed free agent point guard Sebastian Telfair. He joins the Thunder after spending last season with Tianjin Ronggang in China, where he averaged 26.1 points, 6.0 assists and 2.0 steals.