January 2012 – Page 4 – NBA Blog

No Pacers contract extensions for Roy Hibbert, George Hill

Indiana Pacers guard George Hill and center Roy Hibbert will have to wait until the summer to get their next contracts and find out where they’ll be playing next season.

The deadline for contract extensions passed Wednesday night with neither player agreeing to a new deal.

They will be restricted free agents, meaning the Pacers can match any offer made to them, this summer.

“We’ll just wait until this summer and see what we can do,” Pacers President Larry Bird said.

It’s not surprising that Hibbert didn’t agree to an extension. He and agent David Falk said last week that they would prefer to wait until this summer to work on a new contract.

Hill’s status, on the other hand, is somewhat surprising.

— Reported by Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star

Trail Blazers and Nicolas Batum fail to reach extension agreement

The 9 p.m. Wednesday deadline for the Trail Blazers and Nicolas Batum to agree on a contract extension came and went without a deal, raising questions about the small forward’s future with the organization and rankling his agent.

After weeks of negotiations that included talks throughout the day Wednesday, the Blazers and Batum’s agent, Bouna Ndiaye, could not find middle ground, guaranteeing that Batum will become a free agent after this season. And Ndiaye says Batum will explore every available opportunity on the market.

“They say they love him but they didn’t offer him something fair, so that’s it,” Ndiaye said. “We tried and there’s no deal. On July 1 we’re going to look at the market first before we come back to the Blazers. That’s for sure.”

Wednesday’s development does not necessarily signal an end to Batum’s tenure with the Blazers, even if Ndiaye lands an offer from another team, but it does create uncertainty. Assuming the Blazers tender Batum a qualifying offer after the season — a virtual lock — he will become a restricted free agent on July 1. At that point, the Blazers would have the right to match any offer from another team.

— Reported by Joe Freeman of the Oregonian

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Injury: Andrew Bogut suffers ankle sprain

Andrew Bogut was healthy and Bucks coach Scott Skiles was talking earlier Wednesday about ways to increase the big man’s scoring production a few points a game.

Then it happened, without warning late in the first quarter of the Bucks’ game against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

Bogut went up to try to block a shot by Rockets guard Kyle Lowry and came down on Lowry’s foot. The 7-foot center twisted his left ankle and limped off the court with the help of Bucks trainer Marc Boff.

After the game, Bogut sat in front of his locker with a grimace on his face and a large black boot on his left foot.

“It wasn’t good,” Bogut said.

— Reported by Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Blog

Report: Eric Gordon rejects Hornets extension

Guard Eric Gordon has turned down a four-year extension offer from the New Orleans Hornets, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The person, who spoke to The Associated Press late Wednesday night on condition of anonymity because negotiations had not been discussed publicly, didn’t disclose the financial terms of New Orleans’ offer.

Gordon, who turned 23 last month, came to New Orleans as a key component of a multiplayer trade shortly before the regular season that sent four-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers. Under NBA rules, the Hornets had until midnight Wednesday to come to terms with Gordon on an extension in order to prevent him from becoming a restricted free agent after this season.

— Reported by the Associated Press

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Denver Nuggets sign center Kosta Koufos to contract extension

The Denver Nuggets have signed center Kosta Koufos to a multi-year contract extension, Nuggets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today. According to the Denver Post, the deal is for three years and $9 million.

Koufos, 7-0, 265, is averaging 3.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in 11 games (five starts) this season. In 145 career games with the Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz, he has averaged 3.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 8.9 minutes per game.

In 27 NBA games in which he has played at least 17 minutes, Koufos is averaging 9.2 points, 6.1 rebounds 1.22 blocked shots. He recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 4.

The Nuggets acquired the 22-year-old Koufos from Minnesota as part of a 13-player, three-team trade on Feb. 22, 2011.

Koufos was drafted 23rd overall by the Jazz in 2008 after playing one season at Ohio State. In his only college season, he averaged 14.4 points while helping the Buckeyes to the 2008 NIT championship.

Eric Gordon out at least 3 more weeks

New Orleans guard Eric Gordon will miss at least another three weeks as he recovers from a bruised right knee.

“Eric is going to probably be out for another three weeks,” New Orleans coach Monty Williams said Wednesday night before the Hornets faced the Thunder. “We will re-evaluate after that time. Doctors think he needs more time. It’s prudent for us as an organization is to make sure he’s right before he comes back.”

Gordon came to New Orleans as part of a multiplayer trade shortly before the regular season that sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Denver Nuggets sign Danilo Gallinari to contract extension

The Denver Nuggets have signed forward Danilo Gallinari to a multi-year contract extension, Nuggets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today. According to the Denver Post, the deal is for four years and $42 million.

Gallinari, 6-10, 225, has appeared in 17 games this season (all starts) and is averaging career-highs in points (17.4), rebounds (5.2), assists (2.8), steals (1.71), field-goal percentage (.462) and minutes (34.2). He ranks 22nd in the NBA in scoring, 13th in free-throw percentage (.892) and 13th in steals.

Gallinari, 23, was drafted sixth overall by the New York Knicks in 2008. He was acquired by Denver as part of a 13-player, three-team deal on Feb. 22, 2011.

“Gallo has been excellent and done everything we have asked since we made the trade last February,” Ujiri said. “Everybody is seeing how talented he is, and he’s only 23 years old. He is only going to get better.”

Gallinari recently put together one of the best games of his young career, scoring a career-high 37 points (18-of-20 FTs, both career-highs) and grabbing 11 rebounds in a double-overtime victory over the Knicks on Jan. 21. So far this season, he has scored 20-plus points seven times (30-plus twice), registered two double-doubles and attempted 10-or-more free throws four times.

In 2010-11, the native of Italy appeared in 62 games (60 starts), averaging 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 33.9 minutes per game. He scored at least 20 points 28 times, including two 30-plus performances.

Kevin Love signs Timberwolves extension

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that the team has signed forward Kevin Love to a four-year contract extension. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the deal is worth $62 million and gives Love the option to opt-out after the third season.

“We are pleased to have signed Kevin to a contract extension,” said Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn. “Kevin has improved every year that he’s been in the league, to the point where he’s now one of the top players in the NBA. In Kevin, we have a core player that we can build around as we continue to improve our team.”

“I’m excited to be staying with the Timberwolves and playing in front of our fans. They have been great to me and my teammates during my years here and I thank them for their support,” Love said. “I like the direction our team is going, and I feel that big things are ahead of us. I look forward to being a part of this team as we continue to develop and grow.”

Love was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player last season after averaging 20.2 points and a league-leading 15.2 rebounds per game. He became the first NBA player since Moses Malone in 1982-83 to average 20+ points and 15+ rebounds. This season, Love is averaging 24.9 points and 13.9 rebounds. Love leads the NBA with 16 double-doubles and also ranks fourth in scoring, second in rebounding, second in free throws made (122) and first in minutes per game (39.4).

Love was selected with the 5th overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft out of UCLA by the Memphis Grizzlies and traded to the Wolves later that night. He averaged 11.1 points and 9.1 rebounds during his rookie season in 2008-09. In 2009-10, the 6-10 forward upped those averages to 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds. Last season, Love recorded 64 point/rebound double-doubles, including a franchise record 53 consecutive double-doubles. For his career, the 23-year-old is averaging 15.8 ppg and 11.9 rpg.

Robin Lopez suspended for improper conduct towards ref

Robin Lopez of the Phoenix Suns has been suspended one game without pay for improper conduct towards a game official, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

The incident, in which Lopez made contact with an official, occurred with 8:14 remaining in the second quarter of the Suns’ 99-96 loss to the Toronto Raptors at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Ariz. on Jan. 24.

According to the Arizona Republic Suns blog, “Lopez’s temper was stoked when he missed a post-up attempt against Toronto’s Andrea Bargnani and felt he was fouled on the play. Lopez raced back on defense and needlessly reach in to foul big man Linas Kleiza about 40 feet from the basket before turning his ire and glare toward Mott. A time out whistle stopped play. As Lopez walked toward the Suns bench, he brushed Mott with his left shoulder as Mott backed away. Lopez did not appear to make an attempt to avoid Mott, who then ejected Lopez. The three game officials had a brief conference and the decision stood.”

Lopez will serve his suspension Friday when the Suns visit the Portland Trail Blazers.

Lakers assign Derrick Caracter to D-League

The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned forward Derrick Caracter to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Caracter, who underwent surgery on December 14th to remove part of a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, originally sustained the injury two days prior during Lakers training camp.

Selected by the Lakers in the second round (58th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft, Caracter appeared in 41 games last season, averaging 2.1 points and 1.0 rebounds in 5.2 minutes.

The D-League assignment is the third of Caracter’s career, having twice been assigned to the Bakersfield Jam last season. In three regular season games with Bakersfield a year ago, Caracter averaged 8.7 points and 6.0 rebounds in 19.7 minutes. In two playoff games with the Jam, he averaged 7.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.50 blocks in 21.5 minutes.

The 6’9” forward out of UTEP will be available to play tomorrow night when the D-Fenders go on the road to face the Bakersfield Jam.

This is the first Lakers’ player assignment of the season for the D-Fenders, who at 17-8, currently have the third best record in the D-League despite having three players (Jamaal Tinsley (Utah Jazz), Malcolm Thomas (San Antonio Spurs) and Courtney Fortson (Los Angeles Clippers)) called up to NBA teams.