Adrian Wojnarowski reports that free-agent power forward J.J. Hickson has signed a one-year contract to remain with the Portland Trail Blazers, who resurrected his career late last season.

J.J. Hickson has agreed to a one-year contract with Portland, league source tells Y!—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 12, 2012

The 19th overall pick in the 2008 draft, Hickson was traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Sacramento Kings before the 2011-12 season. Following just 35 games in Sacramento (18.4 minutes per game), Hickson was waived. After signing with the Trail Blazers, he averaged 15.1 points and 8.3 rebounds in 19 games, numbers that evidently the Portland front office wanted to see if he could duplicate over a full season.

Jason Quick of The Oregonian weighed in with his thoughts:

Surprised at Hickson signing. Must have signed him at good number. That brings Blazers roster to 13 (with Nic). Two spots left for PG, C—
Jason Quick (@jwquick) July 12, 2012

UPDATE: Sam Amick of SI.com with the terms of the deal:

Source says JJ Hickson's one-year deal with Portland is worth approximately $4 million.—
Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 12, 2012

The Charlotte Bobcats surprised some by choosing Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist over Kansas’ Thomas Robinson with the second pick in last week’s NBA Draft. Now, the reason behind that decision is becoming clear – The Charlotte Observer‘s Rick Bonnell reports that the Bobcats have interest in a free agent that plays Robinson’s power forward position.

#Bobcats have expressed interest in former N.C. State big man J.J. Hickson, agent Andy Miller confirms to Observer.—
Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) July 02, 2012

Hickson, 23, started last year with the Sacramento Kings, but was waived and played the rest of the season with the Portland Trail Blazers. Hickson averaged a career-high 15 points per game in 19 appearances with Portland, 10 of which came as a starter. The 2011-2012 season was Hickson’s last under his rookie contract.

The Portland Oregonian reported last week that the Blazers would not extend a qualifying offer to Hickson, meaning the Blazers do not have the right to match any other team’s contract offer.

The NBA announced on Friday that it will appeal an arbitrator’s decision approving of Jeremy Lin’s free agent status under the Early Bird Rights. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

An arbitrator ruled on Friday that Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin has been approved under the Early Bird Rights and can remain with the team, but now the league will appeal the decision, according to a tweet from Sean Deveney of Sporting News.

With free agency set to begin July 1, the appeal could mean that the Knicks won’t know what the future holds for Lin as it prepares for next season.

Arbitrator Kenneth Dam had ruled Friday afternoon that even though the Knicks had picked up Lin off the waivers last season shortly after the Rockets announced they would part ways with the then-unknown point guard, New York would be able to retain him and sign him to a long-term contract. The NBA followed up on Friday afternoon, issuing a press release that said “The NBA will appeal the ruling.”

Lin’s teammate Steve Novak, along with Clippers point guard Chauncey Billups and J.J. Hickson of the Portland Trail Blazers were also approved under the Early Bird Rights, but will have to wait for the appeals process to run its course before they can sign with a team.

NBA's statement on the Lin-Novak-Hickson-Billups Bird rights ruling closes with: "The NBA will appeal the ruling." Not gonna be done on 7-1.—
Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) June 22, 2012

J.J. Hickson was just waived a few hours ago by the Sacramento Kings, but teams are already lining up to acquire the free-agent big man. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports that the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns have emerged as the frontrunners for Hickson.

Hickson and the Kings agreed to a buyout today on the $2.3 he had left on his contract. Once the 23-year-old power forward clears waivers, he’ll be free to sign with a new team, and he wants to find a new club that will give him playing time and a chance to showcase himself for free agency this summer.

Hickson, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft, was promising last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per contest. The Cavs traded him to Sacramento for Omri Casspi before last year’s draft.