The Los Angeles Clippers have claimed Chauncey Billups off waivers and re-signed restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan, the NBA team announced on Monday.

The Clippers' pursuit of a point guard had led to reports of them being interested in New Orleans' Chris Paul but the deal failed to materialise.

Billups, a five-times All Star and former NBA Finals MVP, was released from the New York Knicks in a cost-cutting move last week. The 35-year-old had said he was only interesting in playing for a title contender.

The Clippers will pay a little more than $12 million for the guard this season, according to local reports.

He averaged 16.8 points and 5.4 assists last season for the Denver Nuggets and the Knicks, where he was traded last February.

The Clippers retained Jordan by matching his offer from the Golden State Warriors for a reported $43.2 million over four years.

Jordan averaged 7.1 points and 7.2 rebounds last season and forms an athletic tandem alongside Blake Griffin.

Nets sign free agent forward Shelden Williams

The New Jersey Nets moved to firm up their frontline by signing free agent forward Shelden Williams, the National Basketball Association (NBA) team said on Tuesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 2.06-meter Williams, taken fifth overall by Atlanta in the 2006 NBA Draft, has played for six teams in his NBA career, never living up to his lofty draft selection.

Over his career with Atlanta, Sacramento, Minnesota, Boston, Denver and New York, the 28-year-old Williams has averaged 4.5 points and four rebounds per game.

He spent last season playing for Denver and New York.