Hornets agree to trade Howard to Nets for Mozgov

The Charlotte Hornets have agreed to trade eight-time AllStar center Dwight Howard to the Brooklyn Nets for center Timofey Mozgov and two second-round draft picks, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The Hornets will get the Nets’ secondround pick Thursday night (45th overall) and a second-round pick in 2021, the person said. The league cannot approve the deal until the trade moratorium ends on July 6.

The 32-year-old Howard played only one season for Charlotte, averaging 16.6 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. He is due to make $23.8 million this season, the final year of his contract.

Brooklyn will be Howard’s fourth team in as many seasons.

After spending three seasons with the Houston Rockets, Howard was acquired by his hometown Atlanta Hawks in 2016 as a free agent and signed a three-year contract.

This is a reunion of sorts for Mozgov. Recently hired Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak signed Mozgov to a four-year, $64 million deal in 2016 when both were with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mozgov’s played in only 31 games last season for the Nets, averaging 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds.

The 7-foot-1 Mozgov has not played a full 82-game season since 2013 and has averaged in double figures only once during his eightyear NBA career. By contrast, Howard has averaged 17.4 points, 12.7 rebound and two blocks per game since joining the league in 2004.

Soccer

NEYMAR RETURNS TO PRACTICE » Neymar has returned to practice two days before Brazil’s next World Cup game against Costa Rica.

The Brazil striker joined the rest of the squad in a training session in Sochi on Wednesday, a day after he limped out of practice because of pain in his right ankle.

The federation says Neymar had been in pain since the team’s 1-1 draw against Switzerland on Sunday, when he was consistently fouled. It had downplayed the seriousness of the injury, saying he was confirmed to play against Costa Rica on Friday in St. Petersburg.

Neymar was sidelined for about three months earlier this year because of an unrelated rightfoot injury.

Brazil and Switzerland are two points behind group leader Serbia, which defeated Costa Rica in its opener.

Golf

MICKELSON APOLOGIZES FOR RULES VIOLATION » Phil Mickelson has apologized four days after intentionally violating golf rules by hitting a moving ball on the green at the U.S. Open.

In a statement released Wednesday by his representatives, Mickelson admits he should have apologized sooner. He says: “My anger and frustration got the best of me last weekend. I’m embarrassed and disappointed by my actions. It was clearly not my finest moment and I’m sorry.”

Mickelson was struggling in the third round when he reached the 13th green. His putt slid past the hole when he ran toward the ball and hit it back and off the hole. He cited strategy for his actions, saying he knew there was a twostroke penalty but it was better than having to play from off the green.