CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Bobcats agreed on Thursday to a three-year, $40.5 million contract with free agent centre Al Jefferson from the Utah Jazz, said people familiar with the situation. Jefferson will make $13.5 million in each year of the deal, with the third season being a player option. The people spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because the deal hasnt become official. The contract cannot be signed until July 10 when the NBAs moratorium on signing new deals is lifted. Jefferson, 28, gives the Bobcats a much-needed scoring threat in the low post, where they struggled last season. He should also help on the boards, where the Bobcats were repeatedly outrebounded the last two seasons. The 6-foot-10, 289-pound Jefferson has averaged 18.8 points and 10 rebounds per game over the last seven seasons. Last season, his third with the Jazz, he averaged 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists. The Boston Celtics selected Jefferson out of high school in Mississippi with the No. 15 pick in the 2004 draft. During a nine-year NBA career, Jefferson also played two seasons for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has career averages of 16.4 points, 9 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Jefferson was among four high-profile free agents who played last season with the Jazz, along with Paul Millsap, Mo Williams and Randy Foye. Utah went 43-39 and missed the playoffs for the second time in three years. Acquired by the Jazz in a July 2010 trade, Jefferson earned $15 million last season and led the team in both scoring and rebounding. After the 2012-13 season ended, Jefferson told reporters he believed he improved his overall game while in Utah. "I have showed Im not just the black hole reputation I had years ago," Jefferson said in April of never passing the ball back out of the post. "I showed people that I can do other things." In April, Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin praised Jefferson for his contributions in Utah. "I think hes done a great job, coming in, being known as an offensive player, getting numbers," Corbin said. "And hes gotten numbers here, but theyve helped us win a lot of games. Hes been healthy. Hes always ready and willing to play and likes to be on the floor and I think hes been a great guy with this team of guys." Jefferson, who was given credit for helping develop young players Derrick Favours and Enes Kanter, said then that it was emotional to say goodbye to his Jazz teammates at the abrupt end of the season. The Jazz finished just out of the playoffs in ninth place in the Western Conference. "Theres no way in the world every one of these guys will be here next year, all together," Jefferson said. Jefferson becomes the best low post scoring threat the Bobcats have had in nine years in the NBA. Last year, the Bobcats started a combination of Brendan Haywood, Byron Mullens, Bismack Biyombo and Josh McRoberts at centre. Gana Diop, their other big man, rarely played. Jefferson was ranked as the third-best centre on the free agent market by CBSSports.com behind Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum. He joins a Bobcats team in dire need of star players. The Bobcats are just 28-120 over the past two seasons, and their biggest high-profile player is second-year point guard Kemba Walker. Marek Hrivik Jersey . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Brett Kulak Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. 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Discount Flames Jerseys Online . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action.Spanish rookie Nuria Iturrios produced a stunning final round to win the Lalla Meryem Cup in just her third Ladies European Tour event. Final leaderboard -11 Nuria Iturrios (Esp)-5 Florentyna Parker (Eng)-4 Angel Yin (USA)-2 Noora Tamminen (Fin) -1 Albane Valenzuela (Swi)-1 Emily Kristine Pedersen (Dmk)-1 Isabelle Boineau (Fra) Florentyna Parker began Sundays play looking to secure a wire-to-wire victory in Morocco but was ultimately frustrated by Iturrios victory charge. 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I was very relaxed until the 15th and on the 18th I was really nervous but the putt went in so I am really happy.I hope this is the start of a long career for me, I hope a lot of tournaments are coming to enjoy.Parker, born in Germany to British parents, had led since an opening 67 on Thursday, but she carded a closing 73 which featured 17 straight pars before a bogey at the final hole. Also See: Opinion Golf on Sky Sports 4 Schedule Free HD Golf Game Get Sky Sports Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Black Jerseys Wholesale NFL Gear Cheap Stitched Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2018 Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys White NFL Jerseys Cheap ' ' '