NEW YORK — Grant Hill is staying with the Suns.
Hill decided Friday to remain in Phoenix, rather than join a title contender in Boston or a rebuilding team in New York.
Lon Babby, Hill’s agent, said the deal is for two years, the second at Hill’s option, and he will be paid $3 million in the first year. He could have earned more next season in New York, where Babby said the Knicks offered the full midlevel exception, about $5.8 million, for one year or $10 million for three.
Hill has played the last two years for the Suns and averaged 12 points in 2008-09 while playing in all 82 games for the first time in his 14-year career.
Meanwhile, forward Amar’e Stoudemire underwent outpatient surgery on his right eye in Phoenix.
The Suns said the procedure was part of the recovery process from a Feb. 20 operation to repair a partially detached retina.
Team ophthalmologist Dr. Jay Schwartz said in a statement that a small amount of residual fluid was removed and called the surgery “routine.”
Utah’s Okur gets extension
SALT LAKE CITY — The Jazz and center Mehmet Okur agreed on a two-year contract extension that runs through 2012. Okur started 72 games last season, averaging 17 points and almost eight rebounds.
Bass headed to Magic
DALLAS — Brandon Bass is going from backing up Dirk No- witzki in Dallas to likely starting next to Dwight Howard in Orlando, Fla.
, which first reported the signing, said Bass received a four-year contract worth about $18 million with an escape clause after three years.
Bass is expected to start at power forward in Orlando, with Rashard Lewis and newcomer Vince Carter taking over the two wing spots with Howard at center and Jameer Nelson at point guard.
Bass, 23, averaged 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds last season.
Grizzlies waive Stackhouse
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Grizzlies waived Jerry Stackhouse just a day after acquiring the swingman in a four-team, eight-player trade.
Stackhouse, 34, was due more than $7 million with the Mavericks next season, but his contract could be bought out for $2 million — likely the amount of cash Memphis received in Thursday’s trade.
Footnotes.
Trail Blazers draft pick Patty Mills, a guard out of Saint Mary’s, broke his right foot during practice and won’t play in the NBA’s summer league. A timetable for his return has not been determined.
• The Kings signed Israeli forward Omri Casspi, their second first-round pick last month behind Tyreke Evans.
• The Timberwolves signed first-round draft picks Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington.
The Associated Press
