Hooped Up

Like a “trainwreck” or as the kids say an “Amy Winehouse” the camera lad held on for as long as possible on this one.

The Celtics appear to be close to adding free agent forward P.J. Brown to their roster. Brown’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, acknowledged it is “possible” that Brown could be a Celtic soon.

Boston Globe

TNT has announced that they have signed Charles Barkley to a multi-year agreement to continue working exclusively on their network, according to a report on nba.com.

Barkley works closely with Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith for the network’s popular pre and post-game shows.

“Charles is one of the most engaging personalities in sports and entertainment today, and we are proud to that he will continue to call TNT his television home for a number of years to come,” said David Levy, president of Turner Broadcasting Sales, Inc. and Turner Sports. “As we embark on exciting new challenges next season with NBA TV, we look forward to relaunching the network next season featuring numerous appearances by one of our signature announcers.”

NBA

The struggling Los Angeles Clippers waived injury-prone point guard Sam Cassell on Thursday, paving the way for a move to the Boston Celtics. Cassell, 38, has missed four successive games because of a sprained right wrist after being sidelined for 12 games due to a strained left calf. He has averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 25.7 minutes in 38 games in the 2007-08 campaign.

Reuters/Boston Globe

Brent Barry will not be playing for Phoenix. Suns General Manager Steve Kerr said the 36-year-old guard told him tonight that he chose San Antonio over Phoenix, as well as suitors like Boston, Dallas and Houston. Barry cleared waivers Tuesday after being traded by San Antonio last week to Seattle, which released him Friday to set off a week of recruiting.

Arizona Republic

The Minnesota Timberwolves placed veteran center Theo Ratliff on waivers Thursday night and have agreed to buy out the remainder of his $11.6 million contract. If Ratliff clears waivers in the next 48 hours — which is almost a given with his salary — he will sign with the Pistons for the prorated amount of the veteran’s minimum ($1.3 million).

Detroit News

According to a report in the New York Daily News, the Knicks have spoken with Kiki Vandeweghe about taking over for Isiah Thomas in the front office.

However, James Dolan would like Vandeweghe to allow Thomas to continue coaching the team, according to someone close to the discussions in New York.

“Anybody who knows Isiah knows that he’s not going to quit,” one Knicks’ official told the Daily News. “But he never should have been given both jobs. One job he can handle but not both.”

 The New York Daily News

A murder suspect was arrested after leaving the home of Indiana Pacers forward Shawne Williams on Wednesday night, according to the Associated Press.

Gary Bohannon, 22, of Tennessee was being held without bond in Marion County Jail. Police arrested home around 6 p.m. after he left the house in a truck registered to Williams.

Pacers spokesman David Benner listed Bohannon as a friend of Williams’ cousin and said that Shawne wasn’t aware of the warrant for Bohannon’s arrest.

“The authorities told us he wasn’t staying at Shawne’s house,” Benner said.

Police say Bohannon was arrested in September on a drug charge while in a car with Williams.

Williams left the team’s game against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday during halftime.