NBA news roundup: Larry Sanders signs 4-year extension with Bucks, Lakers add sleeves to alternate jerseys

The Milwaukee Bucks signed Larry Sanders to a reported $44 million extension on Tuesday, a deal that could pay him as much as $48 million after factoring in bonuses.

Via the Bucks' official release:

"By combining his God-given ability with hard work and determination, Larry has developed into one of the top young defensive players in the league," Bucks general manager John Hammond said in a release. "He is a very important part of what we are doing in Milwaukee, and we're excited to announce his contract extension."

Sanders is the Bucks' best defender and can change the complexion of a game with his ability to stifle opponents on the interior. He has a knack for being in position to challenge shots and the athleticism to rotate to the ball and be a prolific shot blocker.

In 2012-13, his best season as a professional, Sanders averaged 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. Only Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder averaged more blocks per game a season ago.

Lakers will wear sleeves on 'several' occasions in 2013-14

The Los Angeles Lakers will be among at least five teams that will wear short-sleeved jerseys next season, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.

The white jerseys, which will be manufactured by adidas, will be released to the public at some point in the near future, according to Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News. Last season, only the Golden State Warriors wore uniforms that included sleeves. Twenty teams reportedly will wear the alternate jerseys at least once this season.

Do the Nets have a 'Three-Headed Monster' in Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson and Andrei Kirilenko?

The good folks over at NetsDaily are expecting big things from their versatile wing players, who can all perform at a high level at various wing positions and give the Nets some different looks on both ends of the floor.

NetsDaily's Reed Wallach:

The Nets have a bevy of options on the wing. They have the 'Three Headed Monster' along with several bench players who have proven they can contribute when called upon. The wings are where the Nets showcase the depth they put together over the off-season. Is it enough to win? We shall see.

It all comes down to wins and losses, and if the Nets can be as potent with this three-man combo as the folks who cover the team think they can, then Prokhorov's boys should be right in the mix for Eastern Conference supremacy.

All three are former All-Stars and have the potential to give opponents fits offensively, but health will play a big factor in their effectiveness long-term.

Cavs make it official, sign Anthony Bennett

The Cleveland Cavaliers signed No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett on Tuesday, according to an official team press release via Fear The Sword.

Other draftees Carrick Felix and Sergey Karasev also signed their rookie deals alongside Bennett, meaning that Cleveland now has all of their rookies under contract for 2013-14. The terms of the contracts were not disclosed per NBA and team policy, but the rookie wage scale would dictate that Bennett should earn approximately $4.4 million in his first season.

The Canadian native was the shock of the 2013 NBA Draft when the Cavs selected him No. 1 overall out of UNLV. A 6'8, 240-pound forward, Bennett has international playing experience with the Canadian junior national team and will be looked upon to contribute immediately.

Roy Hibbert spurns 'scrubs' to presumably work out with Tim Duncan

This is outstanding.

As the rest of his peers are spending their summers playing in meaningless pro-am games, Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert is going to work with one of the best the NBA's ever seen down in San Antonio.

His Twitter feed tells the story:

I seek out the best 2work out w/. No pro ams. In Texas 2work w/ a HOFer. How u gonna get better paying against scrubs pic.twitter.com/gQo2ElvzfU
— Roy Hibbert (@Hoya2aPacer) August 19, 2013

Wanna thank the @spurs for letting me use their facility n workout with their players. Great big man workout today. Learned a lot.
— Roy Hibbert (@Hoya2aPacer) August 19, 2013

No specific mention of Tim Duncan here, but c'mon.

Hibbert made amazing strides throughout the playoffs in 2013, and if he can parlay that into even more success next season, then he could be one of the best bigs in the game and certainly the best in the Eastern Conference.

It appears that he already has his sights set on that distinction, and the Pacers have got to be happy about that.