December 2011 – Page 14 – NBA Blog

Nets sign forward Ime Udoka

The New Jersey Nets have signed free agent forward Ime Udoka, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. According to the New York Post, it’s a non-guaranteed contract.

Udoka (6’6”/215), a seven-year veteran who has played for five teams, holds career averages of 5.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 316 games. The undrafted Portland State product began his career with the Lakers in 2003-04, appearing in four contests. He then appeared in eight games with the Knicks during the 2005-06 campaign. In 2006-07 he played in 75 games with the Trail Blazers. After a full season in Portland, Udoka signed with the Spurs where he spent two seasons, 2007-08 and 2008-09. For the 2009-10 campaign he signed with Sacramento and appeared in 69 games. Last season, Udoka played in 20 games with the Spurs, totaling 14 points and 19 rebounds in 130 minutes.

Lakers unhappy that Clippers got Chris Paul

The Lakers were hit with a two-by-four of bad news Wednesday, Chris Paul heading to the Clippers and Dwight Howard heading nowhere.

The Lakers were privately fuming Wednesday, according to a person with knowledge of their front office, when Paul, the New Orleans point guard, ended up in Los Angeles six days after the NBA vetoed the Lakers’ trade for him.

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak declined to comment through a spokesman but earlier this week said the NBA’s blockade was “completely unexpected.”

“We did the best we can to express our displeasure,” Kupchak said Monday.

— Reported by Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times

Chicago Bulls sign guard Richard Hamilton

The Chicago Bulls announced this evening the team has signed free agent guard Richard Hamilton. According to the Chicago Tribune, “As reported since Sunday, the deal is guaranteed for two years and $10 million. According to sources, the Bulls hold a team option of $5.15 million for a third season. If the option is not exercised, Hamilton receives an unknown buyout.”

“We are excited to welcome a player, and person, with the credentials of Richard Hamilton to our organization,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “Rip has been a winner at every level. His resume speaks for itself, and we are confident that he will be an excellent fit with our team, both on and off the floor.”

Hamilton (6-7, 193) is a 12-year veteran of the NBA who comes to Chicago after spending the previous nine seasons with the Detroit Pistons. For his career, he has appeared in 843 regular season contests (710 starts), and has posted averages of 17.7 ppg, 3.5 apg and 3.2 rpg in 33.0 mpg. He also owns career shooting averages of .450 from the field, .347 from behind the arc and .852 from the line. Last season with the Pistons, he played in 55 games (39 starts) and averaged 14.1 ppg, 3.1 apg and 2.3 rpg in 27.2 mpg. He also shot .429 from the field, .382 from downtown and .849 from the free throw line.

A three-time All-Star selection (2006-08) while in Detroit, Hamilton helped lead the Pistons to the Eastern Conference Finals six straight times (2003-08), including two trips to the NBA Finals (2004, 2005), which culminated with Detroit winning its third NBA Championship in 2004. During his nine years with the Pistons (2002-11), he led the team in scoring eight times.

Hamilton’s teams have advanced to the playoffs seven times, where he has appeared in 120 playoff games (all starts). He owns career playoff averages of 20.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.00 spg, 40.0 mpg, .441 shooting from the floor, .337 three-point shooting and .862 shooting from the stripe.

The 33-year old native of Coatesville, Pa., was originally selected by the Washington Wizards in the first round (seventh overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft. Prior to his time in the NBA, he was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 1999 NCAA Final Four, when he led UConn to the 1999 NCAA Championship.

Read NBA fan opinion or share your views in this basketball forum topic.

Hornets trade Chris Paul to Clippers for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman and more

The Los Angeles Clippers today acquired four-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu and the 2012 first round draft selection the Clippers acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2005. The Clippers will also receive two future second round draft picks to complete the trade.

The 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year brings career averages of 18.7 points, 9.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 steals in 37.1 minutes over his six-year NBA career. A career 47.1 percent shooter from the field, Paul, 26, is also a 35.9 percent 3-point shooter and has made 85.3 percent of his free throws.

The North Carolina native appeared in 80 games for New Orleans during the 2010-11 season, averaging 15.9 points, 9.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds and a league-high 2.4 steals per game. It was the fourth time in his NBA career that Paul has led the league in steals.

A member of the All-NBA Third Team in 2011, Paul was selected to the All-NBA Second Team in 2009 and the First Team in 2008 and appeared in the NBA All-Star Game in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. The 6-foot, 175 pound point guard enjoyed his best NBA season during the 2008-09 season when he averaged 22.8 points, 11.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 steals. Paul led the NBA in assists two times from 2007-09 and was selected as a member of the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team in 2009 and All-Defensive Second Team in 2008 and 2011.

In his career, Paul has appeared in 23 total playoff games, averaging 21.9 points, 11.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds in the post-season.

A stand-out at Wake Forest University that saw him earn NCAA First Team All-American honors as a sophomore, Paul was drafted by the Hornets with the fourth overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft.

“We wanted to make sure that we got the best possible deal for a player of Chris’ caliber, and we feel great about the outcome,” Hornets Chairman and Governor Jac Sperling said. “We feel our future looks very bright and we look forward to continue to create an organization that New Orleans will be proud of. We want to thank Chris Paul, an extraordinary person who contributed so greatly to our basketball team and our community. We wish him the best of luck.”

“With this trade, we now have three additional players who were among the top eight draft picks in their respective drafts as well as our own first round pick and Minnesota’s first round pick,” said Hornets General Manager Dell Demps. “Aminu is a young talent with a bright future, Gordon is a big time scorer and one of the best two guards in the league and Kaman is a proven center and former All-Star. Combined with our other players, we will field a competitive team and our future looks great.”

Gordon (6-3, 220), was drafted with the 7th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Clippers, averaged career-highs of 22.3 points, 4.4 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 56 games last season (all starts). He scored 30+ points eight times last season, put together a streak of 20 or more points in 12 consecutive games and had 36 20+ point games overall. The Indianapolis native holds career averages of 18.1 points, 3.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game over 196 games (181 starts). Gordon was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2009 and was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month in January of his rookie season. He went to Indiana University for one season before declaring for the draft, where he averaged 20.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32 games. Gordon played for Team USA in the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey helping team to a perfect 9-0 record en route to winning the gold medal averaging 8.6 points.

Kaman (7-0, 265), who was the 6TH overall of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Clippers, averaged 12.4 points and 7.0 rebounds in 32 games (15 starts) last season. He holds career averages of 11.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in 493 games (425 starts). Since the 2003-04 season, Kaman is one of 31 players with 4,000+ rebounds and is just one of six players who grabbed all of those rebounds with just one team – joining Dwight Howard (Orlando), Tim Duncan (San Antonio), Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas), Udonis Haslem (Miami) and Josh Smith (Atlanta). Kaman had his best season of his NBA career en route to being named an NBA All-Star for first time during the 2009-10 season, averaging a team-high 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists in 34.3 minutes. The Central Michigan University product participated in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing as a member of the German National Team due to his great- grandparents German heritage, averaging 10.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in 19.8 minutes.

Aminu (6-9, 215), who was drafted 8th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2010 NBA Draft, averaged 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game over 81 games (14 starts) last season for the Clippers. The 22-year old averaged 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 22.1 minutes over his 14 starts last season with the team. The former Wake Forest standout averaged 15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds and accumulated 44 blocks in 31 games while shooting 44.7 percent from the field during his sophomore season for the Demon Deacons before declaring early for the NBA Draft. Aminu descends from a line of Nigerian kings.

Read NBA fan reaction to the trade in this basketball forum topic.

Cleveland Cavaliers waive Baron Davis, via NBA amnesty clause

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard Baron Davis and designated him as the team’s amnesty player, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“We would like to thank Baron for his contributions to the team during his time in Cleveland,” said General Manager Chris Grant. “He has been an absolute professional since the day he joined the Cavs and we now wish him the best in the future.”

Davis, 32, was acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 24th along with a first round pick in exchange for guard Mo Williams and forward Jamario Moon.

Charlotte Bobcats sign Melvin Ely

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has signed forward/center Melvin Ely. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

An eight-year NBA veteran, Ely has played in 373 games for the Clippers, Bobcats, Spurs, Hornets and Nuggets. He holds career averages of 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds, while shooting .460 from the field (780-1696). Last season, Ely averaged 2.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 12.2 minutes in 30 games played for the Nuggets.

Ely previously played for the Bobcats from 2004-07, joining the team in a trade with the Clippers. He averaged 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in 160 games played for the Bobcats before being traded to the Spurs in February 2007. Ely had his best statistical season in 2005-06, when he averaged career highs of 9.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 23.6 minutes in 57 games played for the Bobcats.

Golden State Warriors sign Kwame Brown

The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent center Kwame Brown, the team announced today. The deal is reportedly for one year and $7 million.

Brown, 29, played with the Charlotte Bobcats last season, appearing in 66 games (50 starts) and averaging 7.9 points and 6.8 rebounds in 26.0 minutes per contest, while shooting 51.7% (194-375 FG) from the field. In 50 starting assignments, the 6’11” center averaged 8.8 points and 7.6 rebounds. Highlights of his lone season with the Bobcats included a season-high 23 points and 10 rebounds at Miami on April 8, as well as 13 points and a season-high 18 rebounds at Sacramento on January 25. Overall, he grabbed 10-or-more rebounds 13 times and posted eight (8) double-doubles.

Originally selected by the Washington Wizards as the #1 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft out of Glynn Academy (GA), Brown owns career averages of 7.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 22.5 minutes in 576 regular-season games over 10 seasons with the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Bobcats. For his career, the Charleston, SC, native has shot 49.0% (1480-3011 FG) from the field and has topped 50.0% in each of the past six seasons.

Brown will wear uniform #54.

Timberwolves sign Jose Juan Barea

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed free-agent guard José Juan Barea. The deal is reportedly for four years, $19 million.

“We are excited to add J.J. Barea to our team,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “His experience, leadership capabilities and all-around play should help us immensely this coming season and beyond.”

Barea, 27, played in 81 games for Dallas in 2010-11, averaging 9.5 points and 3.9 assists in 20.5 minutes per contest. The 6-0 guard also appeared in 21 playoff games for the World Champion Mavericks, averaging 8.9 points and 3.4 assists in 18.6 minutes. Barea tallied 22 points and eight assists in the Mavs’ 2011 Western Conference Semifinals-clinching win over the Los Angeles Lakers. He started the final three games of the 2011 NBA Finals vs. Miami, scoring 17 points in Game 4 and 15 points (on 7-for-12 shooting) in the deciding Game 5.

Barea has played five seasons in the NBA, all with Dallas, and owns career averages of 7.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 315 games.

A native of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Barea attended Northeastern University from 2002-06, averaging 20.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists over his four-year collegiate career. He was not drafted by an NBA team and signed as a free agent with Dallas in August of 2006. He also spent time with the NBA D-League Fort Worth Flyers in 2006-07.

Denver Nuggets re-sign center Nene

The Denver Nuggets have re-signed free-agent C Nene, Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri announced today. The deal is reportedly for five years and $67 million.

Nene, 6-11, 250, has been a model of consistency in the paint over the past three seasons, averaging at least 13.8 points and 7.6 rebounds each year. Most recently, he averaged 14.5 points and 7.6 rebounds while leading the NBA in field-goal percentage in 2010-11.

“We’ve always said that Nene is a Nugget, and we are happy to welcome him back to Denver,” Ujiri said. “Quality big men are hard to find, but we feel we have one of the best. Not only is he a great player, but he is a great person who will be part of our roster for years to come.”

The Nuggets scheduled a 4 p.m. press conference to discuss the signing. The conference will be televised live by Altitude Sports & Entertainment.

Nene, 29, has overcome major obstacles in his career to become a dominant big man in the NBA. He missed 81 games after tearing the ACL in his right knee in the first game of the 2005-06 season, and he was diagnosed with testicular cancer midway through the 2007-08 season.

In the three seasons since beating cancer, Nene has played in 234 of 246 games, and he soon will join Byron Beck, Alex English and Dan Issel as the only players in franchise history to wear a Nuggets uniform for 10-plus seasons.

Originally selected seventh overall by the New York Knicks in 2002, Nene was acquired by the Nuggets in a draft-night trade, and he offered a preview of things to come when he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

He has averaged at least 10 points in all six of the seasons in which he has played at least 60 games, while his .563 career field-goal percentage ranks second in franchise history. In addition to his scoring and rebounding, Nene consistently ranks among the top centers in steals and assists.

A native of Brazil, Nene has represented his country at the 2001 Goodwill Games in Australia and the 2007 FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament.

Wolves waive training camp invitees Will Conroy, Devean George

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has waived training camp invitees Will Conroy and Devean George.

Conroy, a 6-2 guard, was undrafted in 2005 after a four-year career at the University of Washington where he became the school’s all-time assist leader with 515 assists. He has played parts of two seasons in the NBA, most recently appearing in five games for the Houston Rockets in 2009-10, averaging 1.2 points and 1.4 assists. Conroy played for the Memphis Grizzlies (3 games) and Los Angeles Clippers (4 games) during the 2006-07 season. He has played in the NBA D-League for the Tulsa 66ers (2006-07), Albuquerque Thunderbirds (2007-09) and Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2010-11). Conroy has also played overseas for Virtus Bologna (2007), Olimpia Milano (2007-08) and Oyak Renault (2011).

George, a 6-8 guard-forward from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn., was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft. He spent eight seasons with the Lakers, winning NBA Championships his first three seasons. He was signed as a free agent by Dallas in 2006 and spent three seasons with the Mavericks. George played with Golden State in 2009-10. His best season was 2003-04 when he appeared in 82 games for the Lakers, including a career-high 48 starts, averaging 7.4 points and 4.0 rebounds. George has career averages of 5.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in 630 games. He has appeared in 86 playoff games, compiling averages of 5.0 ppg and 2.7 rpg.