AROUND THE NBA

Corliss Williamson finally joined the Toronto Raptors with NBA approval of a trade that sends Doug Christie to the Sacramento Kings.

The deal was made Aug. 11, but wasn’t finalized until the NBA considered the salary-cap ramifications involving Williamson’s contract.

Williamson, 26, entering the final season of a two-year, $7.5-million contract, averaged 10.3 points last season.

Christie, 30, averaged 12.4 points, 4.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds last season.

*

The Clippers signed five free agents Friday to full out their roster for training camp, which will begin Tuesday at College of the Desert.

Point guard Earl Boykins, forward Zendon Hamilton, guard Ryan Lorthridge, center Joe Vogel and forward Rocky Walls are the players signed by the Clippers.

The 5-foot-5 Boykins is entering his third NBA season and is the Clippers’ most experienced free agent. Boykins, who has played for Cleveland, New Jersey and Orlando, has averaged 4.2 points and 1.7 assists in his career.

Hamilton (6-10), who graduated from St. John’s University in 1998, has spent the last two seasons playing professionally in Spain and Greece. Lorthridge (6-4) averaged 16.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in 57 games with the Trenton Stars (International Basketball League) during the 1999-2000 season.

Vogel (6-11), selected by Seattle in the second round of the 1996 NBA Draft, has spent the last four seasons playing overseas. Walls (6-8) led the IBL in rebounding with a 12.3 average playing for Las Vegas.