Month: December 2011

Kings re-sign guard Marcus Thornton

Marcus Thornton

The Sacramento Kings today re-signed restricted free agent guard Marcus Thornton to a multi-year contract, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re really excited that we were able to re-sign Marcus Thornton and have him come back and build off of the great contribution that he made to the team last season,” said Petrie. “He’s a young and exciting player who has a lot of competitive drive. He’ll team with Tyreke (Evans) and Jimmer (Fredette) and be part of a terrific, young backcourt. We’re very upbeat about the future potential for improvement and the opportunity to watch him play for the Kings again.”

Thornton, who was acquired by the Kings from New Orleans at the NBA trade deadline last season in exchange for Carl Landry, is entering his third NBA season. He averaged 21.3 points (.450 FGs, .361 3FGs, .805 FTs), 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.67 steals per game in 27 contests last year for Sacramento, of which he started 23. Thornton averaged 21.3 points (.441 FGs, .354 3FGs, .810 FTs), 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.65 steals per game in 23 outings as a starter for the Kings. He has recorded career averages of 13.6 points (.443 FGs, .371 3FGs, .801 FTs), 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game over 146 contests with New Orleans and Sacramento, of which he started 40. Thornton has posted career highs of 42 points versus Golden State (3/14/11), 11 rebounds (twice), nine assists at Minnesota (3/20/11) and six steals versus Oklahoma City (4/11/11).  He tallied 29 points (9-16 FGs, 1-4 3FGs, 10-12 FTs) in his first game at ARCO Arena as a King, scoring the most points off the bench in a home debut for the Kings in the Sacramento era.

“I’m very excited to be back with Sacramento,” said Thornton. “I’m really ready to get this season going and pick up where we left off. This is a good fit for me with my teammates and coaching staff. I enjoy the city of Sacramento and the fans are great.”

Selected by New Orleans with the 43rd overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, Thornton was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 14.5 points (.451 FGs, .374 3FGs, .814 FTs), 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in 73 outings, of which he started 17. Among rookies, he ranked fourth in scoring and sixth in free throw percentage. Thornton set a rookie record with 117 three-pointers made in a season. He tied the Hornets’ franchise record for the most points scored by a rookie when he scored 37 points at Cleveland (2/23/10), while also setting a franchise record for the most points scored in a quarter with 23 (2nd quarter).

“Marcus impressed us greatly last year and we just couldn’t wait to re-sign him,” explained Kings’ head coach Paul Westphal. “We made that a high priority and never felt it was in doubt. We’re really pleased to have one of the fine, young shooting guards in the league to be on our team for several years to come. It’s a great fit for him and us and was a high priority on our behalf.”

Thornton was named SEC Player of the Year following his senior season at Louisiana State University, capping an impressive two-year career for the Tigers. He spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Kilgore Community College.

Wizards sign guard Roger Mason

Roger Mason

The Washington Wizards announced today that they have signed free agent guard Roger Mason.

“Roger is a solid veteran presence who can give us quality production and shooting on the court and valuable leadership in the locker room and in the community,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld.  “We are obviously very familiar with him from his previous two seasons here and are thrilled to have him return to his hometown.”

Mason has appeared in 372 games over seven NBA seasons in stints with Chicago, Toronto, Washington, San Antonio and New York, compiling career averages of 6.9 points and 1.8 rebounds while shooting .380 from the three-point line.  The D.C. native averaged 6.3 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 142 games for the Wizards during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.  Mason, originally a second round (31st overall) draft selection by the Chicago Bulls in 2002, averaged career highs of 11.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists while posting a career-high .421 mark from three-point range with the Spurs during the 2008-09 season.

Pistons re-sign forward Tayshaun Prince

Tayshaun Prince

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team has re-signed free agent forward Tayshaun Prince.  Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased to have Tayshaun Prince returning to our organization,” said Dumars. “Tayshaun has proved himself as one of the most talented and consistent small forwards in the NBA.  His knowledge of the game and defensive presence is an asset for our team.”

Prince appeared in 78 games (all starts) last season averaging 14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 32.8 minutes per game.  He recorded his sixth 1,000-point season and played in 75-plus games for the seventh time in his nine-year career.  Prince scored a season-high 31 points versus the New York Knicks (11/18/10) including a career-high-tying 13 field goals made.  He also scored in double figures a team-leading 66 times, scored 20-plus points 12 times and recorded two 30-plus point outings.

Prince, 31, holds career averages of 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 33.4 minutes in 661 NBA games.  He’s played in 75-plus games in seven of his nine seasons, including six seasons where he played all 82 games.  The 6-foot-9 forward had the franchise’s third-longest consecutive games played streak snapped during the 2009-10 season (497 games) and has played in 661 of a possible 738 games over his career.    Drafted by Detroit with the 23rd pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, Prince ranks sixth in his draft class in career points per game average behind only Amar′e Stoudemire (21.9), Yao Ming (19.0), Carlos Boozer (17.3), Caron Butler (16.6) and Luis Scola (14.3).  He has also been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team four times (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008).  A key member of the Pistons’ 2004 NBA Championship team, Prince was a member of the USA Senior National Team that recorded a 10-0 record and won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in 2007 and went 8-0 to win the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Clippers sign Caron Butler, renounce rights to Ike Diogu, Jamario Moon and Craig Smith

Caron Butler

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed two-time NBA All-Star Caron Butler as a free agent. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

“Caron completes what we believe to be a playoff caliber starting lineup,” stated Vice President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey. “His professionalism, leadership abilities and basketball skills are an excellent addition to our existing roster composition and another step in building the culture necessary to create a model of sustainable success.”

Butler, 30, averaged 15.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 29 games last season for the Dallas Mavericks, starting the first 29 games of 2010 before suffering a ruptured right patellar tendon, which forced him to miss the remainder of the season.

Originally drafted by the Miami Heat with the 10th overall pick of the 2002 NBA Draft, Butler has appeared in 589 career games with Miami, the Lakers, Washington and Dallas and brings to the Clippers career averages of 16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 36.3 minutes per game.

The six-foot-seven, 228 pound Butler appeared in the All-Star Game in 2007 when he led Washington with 19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. A year later, Butler was again named an NBA All-Star, finishing the 2007-08 season as the only player in the NBA to average at least 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals.

A member of the 2002-03 NBA All-Rookie Team, Butler has appeared in 31 career playoff contests, averaging 16.4 points and 7.8 rebounds in the postseason.

Now entering his ninth NBA season, the Racine, Wisconsin native played two years at the University of Connecticut, averaging 18.0 points and 7.6 rebounds in 63 career games while leading the Huskies to the Elite 8 in 2002 and earning Co-Big East Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-American honors.

In a related move the Clippers renounced their rights to free agents Ike Diogu, Jamario Moon and Craig Smith.

Hornets add nine players to training camp

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed nine free agents (Brian Butch, Justin Dentmon, Jerome Dyson, Moses Ehambe, Carldell Johnson, Trey Johnson, DaJuan Summers, Lance Thomas and Terrico White).  Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not released. The addition of the players puts the training camp roster at 15 thus far.

Butch (6-11, 240) sat out the 2010-11 season with a knee injury sustained last summer as a member of the Denver Nuggets. Butch has NBA experience with the Memphis Grizzlies summer league team and the Boston Celtics veteran minicamp, but has never appeared in a game. The Wisconsin product has played professionally in Greece, Spain, China and Germany during his career. During the 2009 season, he played for the Bakersfield Jam averaging 17.7 points and 11.9 rebounds earning a spot on the D-League Western Conference All-Star Team where he was named MVP.

Dentmon (5-11, 185) played in 50 games (35 starts) for the Texas Legends of the NBA D-League last season averaging 19.1 points, 4.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds. The University of Washington product was selected as a member of the 2011 USA Men’s Basketball team that took home a Bronze medal in the Pan American Games this fall.

Dyson (6-3, 180) has appeared in six games (all starts) for the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA D-League this season averaging 19.7 points, 3.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds. During the 2010-11 season with the 66ers, the UCONN product played in 47 games (10 starts) averaging 15.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Ehamber (6-6, 215) has played in 125 career games in the NBA D-League over four seasons with Tulsa, Iowa and Austin. This season, the Oral Roberts product has averaged 21.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in six games (all starts). Ehamber finished last season with the Toros, averaging 10.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 10 games.

Trey Johnson (6-5, 218) has played in 12 games over three seasons in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and the Los Angeles Lakers with averages of 3.2 points and 0.9 assists. He appeared in three playoff games for the Lakers in the 2011 NBA Playoffs, averaging 1.0 points and 1.3 rebounds. In 10 preseason games with the Hornets and Lakers, the Jackson State product averaged 3.4 points and 1.5 rebounds. He has spent the majority of his professional career with the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA D-League. In 114 career games (92 starts) with the Jam, Johnson has averaged 20.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

Carldell Johnson (5-10, 180) has appeared in 195 career games (102 starts) with the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League since 2007, averaging 8.0 points and 4.4 assists. In four games this season with Austin, he is averaging 14.8 points and 4.8 assists. The New Orleans native appeared in 46 games (all starts) for the Toros last season, averaging 12.3 points and a career-high 6.0 assists.

Summers (6-8, 240) was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft (35th overall) by the Detroit Pistons. In 66 career games (one start) he has averages of 3.2 points and 1.0 rebounds in 9.2 minutes with Detroit. The Georgetown product signed with Montepaschi Siena in Italy in July of 2011, but parted ways with the team in October after averaging 4.0 points in four games with the team.

Thomas (6-8, 225) played for the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League the last two seasons. The Duke product averaged 17.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in four games this season for Austin. In the 2010-11 season, he averaged 12.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 46 games.

White (6-5, 213) was drafted in the second round (36th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. In his first preseason appearance, White fractured his right foot and missed the remainder of his rookie season. The Ole Miss product averaged 15.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 35 games (34 starts) his sophomore season in Oxford before declaring for the NBA Draft.

76ers will re-sign forward Thaddeus Young

Thaddeus Young

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that the team has reached a tentative agreement with free agent forward Thaddeus Young.  Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.  The 23-year-old Young is entering his fifth NBA season.

“We are very happy to have reached a tentative agreement with Thaddeus, who we consider to be an integral part of our long-term plans,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said. “Thad has thrived in his role under Coach Collins and we are happy to have him back with the Sixers.”

Young (6-8, 220) was the 12th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Sixers.  In 298 career games with 139 starts, he is averaging 12.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.15 steals in 28.2 minutes per game while shooting 50.8% from the floor, 33.8% from 3-point range and 71.6% from the line.

This past season, Young appeared in all 82 games, averaging 12.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 23.3 minutes per game.  He ranked ninth in the NBA in field goal percentage (54.1% FGs) and 16th in steals per turnover (0.91).  For his career, Young has 344 steals to just 407 turnovers.

Young also finished third in voting for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award last season and had the highest point/rebound/assist total of any reserve.  The Sixers were 12-3 when he scored 20-plus points in 2010-11.

Pistons re-sign forward Jonas Jerebko

Jonas Jerebko

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team has re-signed forward Jonas Jerebko.  Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to announce the re-signing of Jonas Jerebko,” said Dumars. “Jonas has worked extremely hard over the last two years and has shown his commitment to this organization.  He is an important part of our young core group of players and we’re excited to have him as part of our roster going forward.”

Jerebko missed all of the 2010-11 season with a partially ruptured right Achilles tendon suffered in the first preseason game at Miami (10/5).  He played in 80 games (73 starts) in 2009-10, averaging 9.3 points (.481 FG, .313 3FG), 6.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.99 steals and 27.9 minutes.   Among NBA rookie leaders, Jerebko ranked 10th in scoring, third in rebounds, eighth in steals and fifth in minutes on his way to earning NBA All-Rookie-Second-Team honors.  He was also selected as a member of the Rookie Team as part of the 2010 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam at NBA All-Star 2010.

A second-round pick (39th overall in 2009) from Kinna, Sweden, Jerebko was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February 2010 after averaging 10.2 points (.564 FG), 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 13 games.  He became the fifth rookie in franchise history, and the first Pistons’ second-round pick, to win the award joining Isiah Thomas, Kelly Tripucka, Grant Hill and Zeljko Rebraca.  He tallied a team-high-tying seven double-doubles and led the Pistons in rebounding 14 times.

Lakers sign Jason Kapono

Jason Kapono

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent guard/forward Jason Kapono, it was announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Kapono, an eight-year NBA veteran, comes to the Lakers with the sixth highest career three-point field goal percentage (.437) in NBA history.  A two-time winner of the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout during All-Star Weekend in 2007 and 2008, Kapono was also a member of the NBA Champion Miami Heat in 2006-07, leading the NBA with a .514 three-point field goal percentage that currently ranks as the sixth-highest single season total in NBA history.

Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round (31st overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft after concluding his four-year college career at UCLA ranked third on the Bruins’ all-time scoring list, Kapono has played in 482 career NBA games with Cleveland, Charlotte, Miami, Toronto and Philadelphia, averaging 6.9 points (.443 FG%, .437 3FG%), 1.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 18.3 minutes.

Orlando Magic sign rookies Justin Harper and DeAndre Liggins

 The Orlando Magic have signed rookie forward Justin Harper and rookie guard DeAndre Liggins, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.  Both players will participate in training camp, which begins later this evening.

Harper (6’10”, 225, 8/30/89) was selected in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft by Cleveland.  He was acquired on Draft night (June 23) by Orlando in exchange for two future second round draft picks.  Harper appeared in 137 career games at the University of Richmond, averaging 10.6 ppg. and 4.8 rpg. in 22.9 minpg. during his collegiate career.  He also shot .382 (179-468) from three-point range.  As a senior (2010-11), Harper played in 37 games, averaging 17.9 ppg., 6.9 rpg., 1.2 apg. and 1.2 blkpg. in 31.8 minpg.  He was named First Team All-Atlantic 10, leading the Spiders in both scoring and rebounding.  Harper scored 20-plus points 14 times, including a career-high 30 points against George Washington.

Harper left Richmond ranked fifth all-time in school history with 179 three-pointers made.  He also ranks seventh all-time with 113 blocked shots and 11th all-time with 1,457 points.

Liggins (6’6”, 209, 3/31/88) was selected in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft by Orlando.  He appeared in 100 career games at the University of Kentucky, averaging 5.8 ppg., 3.0 rpg. and 2.1 rpg. in 21.9 minpg. during his collegiate career.  As a junior (2010-11), Liggins played in 38 games, averaging 8.6 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 2.5 apg. and 1.2 stlpg. in 31.6 minpg.  He also shot .391 (36-92) from three-point range.

Liggins was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team in 2010-11, and was also named to the NCAA East Region All-Tournament Team, helping the Wildcats reach the 2011 NCAA Final Four.  Kentucky also reached the Elite Eight during Liggins’ sophomore season (2009-10).