Rockets and Nene reach agreement a second time

Lowry stays with Raptors

NEW YORK, July 3, (Agencies): The Houston Rockets and Nene have a contract — again.

A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that the Rockets agreed to terms with Nene on a three-year deal worth $11 million. It comes one day after an initial agreement fell apart because it violated rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The person requested anonymity Sunday because a contract cannot be signed until Thursday.

Nene initially agreed to a four-year, $15 million deal. But the deal violated a rule for players who will be 38 during the contract and so Nene became a free agent again.

But Nene’s interior presence was critical for the Rockets, who have also agreed to terms with P.J. Tucker to add some toughness to a high-scoring roster.

Nene

Kyle Lowry is staying home, saying he wants to finish what he started in Toronto.

Lowry announced on The Players’ Tribune site Sunday that he will re-sign with the Raptors, adding that it was an easy decision. Lowry will sign a three-year deal worth $100 million, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because terms were not

revealed publicly.

Free agent forward P.J. Tucker agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal with the Houston Rockets, according to multiple reports.

Tucker met with the Toronto Raptors once free agency started at 12:01 a.m. ET Saturday, but he talked to members of the Rockets, including All-Star James Harden, The Vertical reported. The fourth year of the deal is a partial guarantee, sources told ESPN. The Raptors reportedly offered three years and $33 million.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and free-agent forward Taj Gibson agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal, according to multiple reports.

The agreement reunites the 32-year-old Gibson and head coach Tom Thibodeau after they were both together from 2010 to 2015 with the Chicago Bulls. Gibson also joins former Bulls teammate Jimmy Butler, who was traded to the Timberwolves last month to reunite with Thibodeau.

Free-agent forward Serge Ibaka agreed to a three-year, $65 million contract to stay with the Toronto Raptors, according to reports.

ESPN first reported that Ibaka will return to the Raptors and the Toronto Star later confirmed the news. Ibaka, who was acquired from the Orlando Magic in a trade for Terrence Ross and a first-round draft pick, averaged 14.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in 23 games after the All-Star break deal.