Month: October 2010

Cavaliers exercise fourth-year option on J.J. Hickson

The Cleveland Cavaliers have exercised the fourth-year contract option on forward J.J. Hickson, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Hickson’s extension keeps him under contract with the Cavaliers through the 2011-12 season.  During the 2009-10 season, he more than doubled his scoring average from 4.0 points per game as a rookie to 8.5 points and increased his field goal percentage from .515 to .554 in 81 games played (73 starts). The 22-year old forward also averaged 4.9 rebounds in 20.9 minutes per game.  In eight games (seven starts) this preseason, Hickson averaged 14.3 points on .475 shooting, a team-leading 8.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 block in 24.5 minutes per game.

The 6-foot-9 forward was selected with the 19th overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft by Cleveland. He played one season at North Carolina State, earning ACC All-Freshmen Team honors after averaging 14.8 points on a conference-best .591 shooting and 8.5 rebounds in 28.7 minutes per game in 31 games.

Blazers trade Jerryd Bayless to Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired guard Jerryd Bayless from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for a conditional future first-round pick.

“We have always been very high on Jerryd as a basketball player and person,” said General Manager Dell Demps. “He is an explosive, young guard who will be able to come in and help us right away. He has the ability to do a variety of things and has stepped up many times for the Blazers when called upon. We are very excited about adding him to our team.”

Bayless (6-3, 204)  was drafted in the first round (11th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. His rights were traded along with Ike Diogu to Portland for the rights to Brandon Rush (13th pick in 2008 NBA Draft), Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts on draft night. Bayless played under current Hornets Head Coach Monty Williams in Portland for his first two seasons in the NBA.

Last season, Bayless averaged 8.5 points, 2.3 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 17.6 minutes of play over 74 games (11 starts). In those 11 games as a starter, Bayless averaged 12.6 points, 3.3 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 24.4 minutes of action. During his rookie season, Bayless appeared in 53 games,averaging 4.3 points, 1.6 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 12.4 minutes of play. The Phoenix native was named the 2008 NBA Summer League MVP after leading the league in scoring at 29.8 points per game.

Bayless spent one season at the University of Arizona before declaring for the NBA Draft. In his lone season for the Wildcats, Bayless averaged a team-high 19.7 points to go along with 4.0 assists and 2.7 rebounds. He was named second-team All-Pac-10 for his efforts. The 23-year old guard was a McDonald’s High School All-American coming out of St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix.

Heat sign Jerry Stackhouse

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed free agent guard Jerry Stackhouse. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Stackhouse, who was originally drafted with the third pick in the 1995 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, has appeared in 896 career games (563 starts) with five teams over 15 NBA seasons. During his career, he has averaged 18.0 points, 3.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 32.8 minutes while shooting 40.9 percent from the field, 30.7 percent from three-point range and 82.1 percent from the foul line. During the 2009-10 season, Stackhouse averaged 8.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 20.4 minutes while shooting 40.8 percent from the field, 34.6 percent from three-point range and 79.7 percent from the foul line in 42 games after signing on January 19, 2010 with the Milwaukee Bucks. He scored in double-figures 15 times, including two 20-point games.

The two-time NBA All-Star has appeared in 71 postseason games (16 starts) and has averaged 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 30.1 minutes while shooting 37.2 percent from the field, 34.2 percent from three-point range and 83.0 percent from the foul line. Last season, he appeared in seven postseason games for the Milwaukee Bucks averaging 7.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20.6 minutes while shooting 32.6 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three-point range and 90.0 percent from the foul line including a 16-point effort in a 107-93 Opening Round Game 3 win against the Atlanta Hawks.

Mike Miller out until January

The AP reports:

mike_miller

Miami Heat swingman Mike Miller will be sidelined until January after undergoing surgery to repair a broken right thumb as well as ligament damage.

Miller was injured in a freak accident at practice on Wednesday…

Miller will be in a cast for four weeks, then in a brace for additional recovery time.

InsideHoops.com editor says: This hurts, but the Heat will be fine, partially because of those LeBron, Wade and Bosh guys, but also because Miller’s role will be pretty clear and easy to adjust to: Stand outside and hit open shots. It isn’t a role that requires lots of time to fit into. Miami does need Miller and will be a bit worse without him, though.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor re-elected Chairman of NBA Board of Governors

Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor has been unanimously re-elected as Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors during NBA league meetings held yesterday in New York.  Taylor was originally elected as Chairman on Oct. 23, 2008.

“Glen has been steadfast in his support of all league initiatives, bringing the owners together on important issues and lending to us his wisdom, his judgment and his enormous business expertise at the league office,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “We’re delighted that he has been unanimously re-elected.”

“I am honored to have been re-elected Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors,” said Taylor. “I look forward to continue to work with Commissioner Stern, his staff and my fellow owners in the growth of the NBA and the game of basketball both in the United States and around the world.”

Along with being Chairman and his membership on the Board of Governors, Taylor previously served as the Chairman of the NBA’s Audit Committee and has been a member of the Advisory/Finance, Planning and Labor Relations Committees.

Taylor, a former Minnesota state senator, has served as the majority owner of the Timberwolves since March 23, 1995. During his ownership, Taylor has overseen eight playoff teams including the 2004 edition of the Wolves who advanced to the Western Conference Finals. Today Taylor Corporation, based in North Mankato, Minn. includes more than 70 subsidiaries providing business and personal communications products, technologies and marketing services. Other enterprises owned by Taylor are in securities, agricultural, and medical fields.

Through personal involvement, Taylor has remained active in many community, civic and charitable causes. He has also has served on his church’s board of deacons and board of trustees and on the Mankato State University Foundation board of directors. Taylor and his family have provided financial assistance and participated in missions to Africa, Turkey, Egypt and Central America to support the Starkey Hearing Foundation and Common Hope.

Nuggets exercise Ty Lawson option

Nuggets exercise Ty Lawson option

The Denver Nuggets have exercised the third-year option on point guard Ty Lawson for 2011-12, team Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today.

Lawson established himself as one of the NBA’s top rookies in 2009-10, averaging 8.3 points and 3.1 assists in 65 games while serving as the primary backup to veteran Chauncey Billups. He was one of only five rookies to average at least 20 minutes for a playoff team.

Acquired from Minnesota in a draft-night trade on June 25, 2009, Lawson also flourished in eight starts in place of the injured Billups. He averaged 17.0 points, 5.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.13 steals in those games.

Lawson, 25, is averaging 13.0 points and 5.3 assists in six preseason games.

The Nuggets open the 2010-11 regular season at home Wednesday against Utah.

Wizards waive Sean Marks and Adam Morrison

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived center Sean Marks and forward Adam Morrison.

Morrison averaged 5.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in five preseason contests for Washington, while Marks did not appear in a preseason game. Both players originally signed with Washington on September 24.

The Wizards roster now stands at 15.

Spurs waive Marcus Cousin

The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have waived center Marcus Cousin.  Cousin was signed by San Antonio on September 27 and appeared in five preseason games, averaging 5.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 15.8 minutes.

At the same time the Spurs have placed guard Kevin Palmer on waivers.  Palmer was signed by San Antonio on October 20.

The Spurs roster now stands at 14.