July 13, 2010 – Page 2 – NBA Blog

Clippers sign second-round rookie Willie Warren

The Los Angeles Clippers have signed guard Willie Warren, their second round selection (54th overall) in the 2010 NBA Draft.

The University of Oklahoma product was an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 selection as a sophomore in 2009-10, averaging a team-high 16.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 32.3 minutes per game while appearing in 21 contests.

A former teammate of current Clipper forward Blake Griffin at Oklahoma in 2008-09, Warren enjoyed a stellar freshman campaign that saw the Dallas, Texas native win the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award and average 14.6 points and 3.1 assists in 32.3 minutes per game while playing in 36 games.

An explosive, creative scorer with exceptional speed, the 6-foot-4, 203 pound Warren was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection in 2008-09 and was a First Team Freshman All-American while setting Oklahoma freshman records for games started (34) and three-pointers made (67).

Warren, along with fellow Clipper rookies Al-Farouq Aminu and Eric Bledsoe, is a member of the Clippers’ entry in the 2010 NBA Summer League, currently taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Celtics re-sign Ray Allen

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have re-signed guard Ray Allen. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Re-signing Ray has been a priority of ours this offseason and this move will allow us to stay at a championship level,” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations.

Allen, a 6’5” guard, set an NBA Finals record during Game 2 of the 2010 Finals when he connected on eight three pointers (including seven in a row). The former UConn Husky has added two All-Star appearances in his three seasons in Boston for a total of nine career All-Star appearances. Allen has shot 39.2% from beyond the arc (524-for-1,337) since he joined the Celtics prior to the 2007-08 season when he helped the Celtics to their 17th championship. Allen became the sixth Celtic to record his 20,000th career point while wearing the Celtic green when he netted a three-pointer against Washington on December 10, 2009.

“I am ecstatic to be back in Boston,” said Allen. “I cannot wait to get onto the court and get back to work with the rest of the team in pursuit of Banner 18.”

Allen is currently ranked second all-time in three pointers made and attempted in NBA history. He also is currently ranked 28th in NBA history in total points scored with 20,965.

“Ray Allen represents class and excellence both on and off the court. We are thrilled he will help lead the team’s quest for Banner 18,” said Steve Pagiluca, Celtics Co-Owner.

Warriors trade Anthony Morrow to Nets

The New Jersey Nets have acquired guard Anthony Morrow from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for the Nets 2011 second round draft pick (protected 31-55), Nets President Rod Thorn announced today.

“We felt that outside shooting was a primary concern during this offseason,” said Thorn. “Anthony is one of the premier young shooters in the league and we are very pleased to add him to our roster.”

Morrow, 6’5”/210, is a two-year NBA veteran with career averages of 11.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 26.0 minutes over 54 career games with the Golden State Warriors.

The four-year senior out of Georgia Tech, was not selected in the 2008 NBA Draft and later signed with the Warriors as a free agent. Morrow led the NBA in three-point field goal percentage in 2008-09, becoming the first Warrior and first rookie to lead the NBA in the category.

Last season, he appeared in 69 games, including 37 starts for Golden State, posting averages of 13.0 points on 46.8% shooting, including a 45.6% mark from downtown (fifth-best in the NBA) and 3.8 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game.

Shooting .460 (226-491) from downtown in his two seasons, Morrow holds the highest three-point field goal percentage in the NBA among players with at least 200 three-pointers made.

Magic sign Quentin Richardson

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard/forward Quentin Richardson, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

“Quentin (Richardson) is a solid perimeter defender and brings an element of toughness,” said Smith. “At the same time, he also is a tremendous shooter from long range, which fits our style of play very well. We’re excited to add him to our team.”

Richardson (#5, 6’6”, 228, 4/13/80) played in 76 games (75 starts) last season with Miami, averaging 8.9 ppg., 4.9 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 27.4 minpg. He also appeared in five postseason contests, averaging 9.8 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.60 stlpg. in 29.8 minpg. Richardson shot a team-best .397 (142-358) from three-point range, which tied for 21st in the NBA. He scored in double figures 28 times and had seven 20-point outings, including a season-high 25 points on Mar. 4 vs. the L.A. Lakers. Richardson led (or tied) the team in scoring once, in rebounding 12 times and in assists once.

Originally selected in the first round (18th overall) by the L.A. Clippers in the 2000 NBA Draft, Richardson has appeared in 677 career NBA regular season games with the L.A. Clippers, Phoenix, New York and Miami, averaging 11.2 ppg., 5.0 rpg. and 1.6 apg. in 28.0 minpg. He has shot .359 (1,082-3,017) from three-point range during his career. Richardson has also played in 20 career playoff outings, averaging 11.4 ppg., 4.8 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.35 stlpg. in 35.6 minpg., while shooting .394 (41-104) from three-point range.