LOS ANGELES — Baron Davis flashed his sparkling sense of humor often on his return to Los Angeles. He'll probably need it since he's going to be playing for the Clippers.

Arriving on the heels of the departure of Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, Davis will be involved in a rebuilding period for the perennially woeful Clippers.

General manager Elgin Baylor introduced Davis at news conference yesterday by saying he would make his remarks brief so Davis could say hello.

Davis stepped to the podium and said, "Hello." Then he paused for a few moments, as if that was all he was going to say, before chuckling and breaking into a broad grin.

Later, he talked about his friend Brand and their phone conversations after Davis decided to leave the Golden State Warriors to play for his hometown team. Brand finally bolted to Philadelphia, signing with the 76ers on Wednesday.

Asked when he last spoke to Brand, Davis said it was yesterday, laughing and adding, "I can't tell you what I said to him."

Brand, who has averaged around 20 points and 10 rebounds a game, was expected to remain with Los Angeles, but he took a five-year deal for a reported $82 million in Philadelphia. Maggette, Los Angeles' leading scorer last season, essentially swapped places with Davis, signing a five-year deal with the Warriors for approximately $50 million.

When Davis decided last week that he was going to join the Clippers, he believed Brand was going to be his teammate, but Davis insists he's gotten over any disappointment that they won't be playing together.

"I'm signed, sealed and delivered, so I'm not disappointed at all," he said. "And he's signed and he's committed."

Davis said he didn't consider backing out of his five-year, $65 million deal with the Clippers because Brand wasn't going to be around.

KINGS

MILLER IN DRUG VIOLATION

Sacramento center Brad Miller was suspended for five games by the NBA yesterday because he violated the league's drug program.

Miller's ban will begin with the first game of the 2008-09 season.

"I want to apologize to my family, teammates, fans and the entire Kings organization," Miller said in a statement released by the Kings. "I made a mistake. It was an error in judgment, and I'm very sorry. I regret it deeply. It's something I won't and can't take lightly."

ELSEWHERE

Bulls: Chicago's JamesOn Curry was suspended for one game by the NBA yesterday after the Bulls guard pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors in Idaho. Curry was arrested in January and pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and urinating in public. A second-round draft pick in 2007, Curry spent most of last season in the Developmental League.

Cavaliers: Cleveland signed first-round draft pick J.J. Hickson, a 6-foot-9 forward who played just one season at North Carolina State before turning pro. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Cleveland selected Hickson, 19, with the 19th pick.

Jazz: Utah signed first-round pick Kosta Koufos yesterday to a contract that will pay him around $1 million a year. Utah drafted the 19-year-old center from Ohio State with the 23rd pick last month. Koufos played one season with the Buckeyes, then decided to leave school for the NBA.

Rockets: Houston signed free agent Brent Barry, who played in 31 games with San Antonio last season, to a two-year contract, making him the third member of the family to join the franchise. Barry's father, Rick, spent two seasons with the Rockets (1978-80) and his older brother, Jon, played for the team from 2004-06.

Spurs: San Antonio and unrestricted free agent Roger Mason have agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth more than $7 million, Mason's agent said yesterday. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged a career-high 9.1 points and 1.7 assists in 80 games last season with the Washington Wizards.

Wizards: Dee Brown was signed to an offer sheet yesterday by Washington after spending last season in Turkey. The Utah Jazz, who retained Brown's NBA rights while he was overseas, have seven days to match the offer. Brown averaged 12.3 points with the Turkish club Galatasaray.