NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets have agreed in principle on a three-way trade that will send Nets swingman Terrence Williams to Houston, Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday.
Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic and a 2012 first-round pick from Houston will go to New Jersey. Nets forward Joe Smith will join the Lakers, who also will send their 2011 first-round pick to New Jersey.
For the Nets, this was a deal to strengthen their hand with the Nuggets on a play for all-star forward Carmelo Anthony. The Nets have already offered the Nuggets their most attractive package so far — including rookie Derrick Favors, the expiring contract of Troy Murphy and two first-round picks.
The deal can’t be finalized until today, the first day Smith and other free agents who signed in the summer can be traded.
Devils place Rolston on waivers
NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils placed veteran left wing Brian Rolston on waivers.
If Rolston is not claimed by 10 a.m. today, the Devils can assign him to their American Hockey League affiliate or keep him on the roster for a game against the Phoenix Coyotes tonight.
• St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo is day to day because of an unspecified upper-body injury.
• The Anaheim Ducks extended coach Randy Carlyle‘s contract through the 2011-12 season.
Martin agrees to deal with Yanks
LOS ANGELES — Two-time all-star catcher Russell Martin agreed to a contract with the New York Yankees, who also finalized a $30 million, two-year contract with closer Mariano Rivera and signed right- hander Mark Prior to a minor- league deal.
With the Yankees planning to make Jorge Posada a full-time designated hitter and the other catchers on their roster short on major- league experience, Martin could receive the bulk of the playing time behind the plate.
• The Cincinnati Reds and outfielder Jay Bruce reached agreement on a six-year, $51 million contract through the 2016 season with a club option for 2017.
• Hideki Matsui and the Oakland Athletics finalized a $4.25 million, one-year contract after the slugger passed a physical.
• Catcher Gerald Laird and the St. Louis Cardinals reached agreement on a $1 million, one-year deal.
• First baseman Lyle Overbay reached a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Puerto Rico courting Pitino
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The president of the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation said the national team is in “very advanced talks” with Louisville’s Rick Pitino about coaching the club in a pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Argentina in August.
“We are very close,” Federation president Carlos J. Beltran said of the talks. “There are just a few details we are completing.”
• Connecticut added Enosch Wolf, a 7-foot-1 center from Germany, to its men’s basketball roster. He is eligible to begin playing Monday.
The Associated Press
