Boston forward Xavier Tillman, center, stepped up for the Celtics after being acquired from Memphis on Feb. 7. Stacy Revere/Pool Photo via AP

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics re-signed big men Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman Sr. on Tuesday, bringing back two bench players who helped them win the NBA championship.

Kornet played in 63 games this season, his third in Boston, and Tillman played in 20 after coming to the Celtics at the trade deadline. Kornet averaged 5.3 points, a career-high 4.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and one block in 15.6 minutes during the regular season and also played in 13 playoff games.

“Luke has been an integral part of our team over the past few years,” President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens said. “He is the ultimate teammate and his attitude and spirit have a contagious effect on our team. On the court, Luke had his best season as a Celtic and played a big role in helping us win. We are excited about the impact he’ll have moving forward.”

Tillman was acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 7. In 54 total games this season, he averaged 5.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 18 minutes.

“When we got Xavier at the trade deadline, he came with the reputation of a winner and great teammate,” Stevens said. “Xavier is a hard worker who brings grit, toughness, and a team-first mentality that we appreciate. We are excited that Xavier has chosen to come back to the Celtics.”

Since winning an unprecedented 18th NBA title, the Celtics have given Jayson Tatum the richest contract in NBA history – a five-year, $314 supermax extension – and signed guard Derrick White to a four-year extension worth around $125 million.

LAKERS: LeBron James is making it official: He’s coming back for a record-tying 22nd season in the NBA, one where the league’s all-time scoring leader could share the floor with his son, Bronny, as teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers.

James has agreed to a two-year contract to remain with the Lakers, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Wednesday. The second year of the deal is at James’ option and means he could become a free agent again next summer, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced publicly.

ESPN reported the Lakers and James’ agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, may agree on a salary slightly less than the max that James could have gotten – a move that could keep the team from reaching the second apron and preserve some roster flexibility going forward.

Either way, the expectation is that James will make around $50 million – give or take a little bit – this coming season, pushing his career on-court earnings to around $530 million and making him the first player in NBA history to eclipse the $500 million mark.

It will be James’ 22nd season in the NBA, tying Vince Carter for the league record.

The Lakers selected Bronny James last week in the second round of the draft, putting them in position to have the first on-court father-son duo in NBA history.

• The Lakers are hiring Scott Brooks and Nate McMillan to the front of JJ Redick’s bench, a source with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to The Los Angeles Times.

TIMBERWOLVES: Minnesota agreed to a one-year deal with Joe Ingles, 36, who spent the first nine of his 11 seasons with the Jazz playing alongside Wolves starters Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley. The 6-foot-9 native of Australia also played under Wolves front office executive Dell Demps.

HORNETS: Kemba Walker is returning to the Charlotte Hornets – as a player enhancement coach after announcing his retirement from the NBA on Tuesday.

JONTAY PORTER, a former Toronto Raptors player, will be charged with a federal felony connected to the sports betting scandal that spurred the NBA to ban him for life, court papers indicate.

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn filed what’s known as a criminal information sheet on Tuesday. The document doesn’t specify a court date or the charge or charges, but it does show the case is related to an existing prosecution of four men charged with scheming to cash in on tips from a player about his plans to exit two games early.

The Associated Press sent voice and email messages Wednesday to Porter’s St. Louis-based lawyer, Jeff Jensen. He said last month that Porter had been “in over his head due to a gambling addiction” but was getting treatment and cooperating with law enforcement.