March 2012 – Page 14 – NBA Blog

Lakers almost traded for Michael Beasley

The Lakers were seven minutes from acquiring Minnesota forward Michael Beasley, but Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor blocked an agreed-upon three-team trade right before the deadline that would have sent Fisher to Minnesota, not Houston, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The trade also would have involved Portland.

“It was whisker-close,” said the person, who did not want to be identified.

The Lakers responded by quickly sending Fisher to the Rockets, barely beating the noon deadline. They are not expected to re-sign Fisher if he takes a buyout with the Rockets.

Sessions, 25, is a quick penetrator with an unremarkable outside shot. He lost playing time to rookie Kyrie Irving, the top pick in last year’s draft, and was averaging 10.5 points and 5.2 assists but shooting only 39.8%.

— Reported by Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times

Cavs sign Donald Sloan for rest of season

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Donald Sloan from the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League for the remainder of the 2011-12 season, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today. The signing of Sloan marks the 34th GATORADE Call-Up of the 2011-12 season.

In eight games (all starts), Sloan has averaged 22.8 points on .496 shooting, 5.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 38.6 minutes per game with the BayHawks. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound guard from Texas A&M has appeared in eight NBA games this season, playing five games for the Atlanta Hawks and three games for the New Orleans Hornets. In eight NBA games, Sloan averaged 2.3 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.6 assists in 7.4 minutes per game.

The 24-year-old spent the 2010-11 season with the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League, playing in 49 games (33 starts) and posting averages of 10.7 points on .483 shooting, 3.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 27.7 minutes per game.

Spurs sign Eric Dawson to second 10-day contract

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed Eric Dawson from the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League to a second 10-day contract. Dawson signed his first 10-day contract with the Silver and Black on Feb. 20.

Dawson saw action in two games in his first stint with the Spurs, averaging 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 17.0 minutes.

A 6-9 forward, Dawson has appeared in 24 games with the Toros this season, averaging 16.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.71 blocks and 1.29 steals in 29.1 minutes while shooting .556 (165-297) from the field and .779 (74-95) from the foul line. Since returning to the Toros on March 1, Dawson has averaged 19.8 points and 11.3 rebounds in six games. In his most recent game he finished with 25 points (10-19 FG, 5-7 FT), a season-high 17 rebounds and 4 steals in 35 minutes vs. Rio Grande on March 14. Dawson has posted 18 double doubles (second in the D-League) and has scored 20-or-more six times.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Dawson attended Sam Houston High School and attended Midwestern State University. Dawson was named a Division II Second Team All-American in 2007 and earned Lone Star Conference First Team honors in 2006 and 2007. He is the Mustangs all-time leader in blocked shots with 170.

Jeremy Lin may have limited role under coach Mike Woodson

Jeremy Lin may be a global phenomenon, but he is no longer a Knicks phenomenon. Linsanity was the flavor of February, but he appears not to be new interim coach Mike Woodson’s favorite dish.

Woodson, calling Lin “in a learning stage,’’ said yesterday he is turning the focus of his new deliberate offense to his bread and butter: Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, the Knicks’ two stars who combine to make $37 million this season.

Lin is expected to remain the starting point guard for now, but Woodson indicated he’s all about veterans. That could mean backup point guard Baron Davis or even his former Hawks favorite Mike Bibby, who has been out of the rotation, could supplant Lin eventually as the starter.

In fact, the de-emphasis of Mike D’Antoni’s speedball system that relies heavily on a penetrating point guard could affect whether the Knicks want to spend all or part of their $5 million mid-level exception on keeping their cash cow, Lin, next season.

— Reported by Marc Berman of the New York Post

Nets sign Jerry Smith to 10-day contract

The New Jersey Nets have signed free agent guard Jerry Smith from the D-League’s Springfield Armor to a 10-day contract, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

Smith, who is the Nets’ fifth D-League call-up to sign with the team this season, has played 32 games with the Armor in 2011-12. He is averaging 19.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 35 minutes per game.

The 6-2 point guard from Louisville was signed to the Nets’ 2011-12 training camp roster, and he participated in one of the team’s two preseason games, scoring one point in three minutes against the Knicks. Smith took part in the 2012 D-League All-Star Game, where he scored 14 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out six assists in 23 minutes.

He was named D-League Player of the Month for February, leading the Armor to a perfect 8-0 record while averaging 22.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 35.4 minutes. Smith scored in double figures in all eight games, recording back-to-back double-doubles on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 and finished with more than 20 points in five contests. In 78 career D-League games, Smith holds averages of 15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

Blazers trade Marcus Camby to Rockets for Thabeet, Flynn

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Jonny Flynn, center Hasheem Thabeet and a second round pick from Houston in exchange for center Marcus Camby, it was announced today.

The second round pick is Minnesota’s selection, acquired by the Rockets in a trade last season.

“We’re looking forward to what Jonny and Thabeet can bring to our team at two positions we can use help at and we’ve added an additional asset with the second-round draft pick,” said Blazers Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan . “We appreciate Marcus’s contributions over the past three seasons and we wish him the best for the future.”

Flynn, 23, has career averages of 9.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists in three seasons with Minnesota and Houston. The sixth overall selection out of Syracuse in the 2009 NBA Draft, Flynn was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2010.

In 120 games over three seasons with Memphis and Houston, Thabeet, 25, has career averages of 2.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 10.7 minutes. A native of Tanzania, Thabeet was selected by Memphis with the second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. At 7-3, he is the tallest player in theNBA.

Camby, 37, is averaging 3.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.40 blocks in 40 games with the Trail Blazers this season. Acquired by the Trail Blazers in a 2010 trade deadline move, Camby holds career averages of 9.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2.46 blocked shots in 16 seasons with Toronto, New York, Denver, the L.A. Clippers and Portland.

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3-team trade sends Nene to Wizards, JaVale McGee to Nuggets, Nick Young to Clippers

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has acquired Nene (neh-NAY), forward Brian Cook and a 2015 second-round pick (from the Los Angeles Clippers via the New Orleans Hornets) in a three-team trade with the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Wizards traded centers JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf to the Nuggets and guard Nick Young to the Clippers.

In his 10th NBA season, Nene has averaged 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 555 career games (451 starts) with Denver. The 29-year-old Brazilian is averaging 13.4 points,7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals this season. His best season came in 2008-2009 after returning from a bout with testicular cancer. During that year, he averaged career highs of 14.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.31 blocks.

The 6-11, 250-pound forward/center has posted 79 double-doubles in his career. He holds the second-highest career field goal percentage (.560) in Nuggets’ history and led the NBA in field goal percentage shooting (.615) in 2010-2011. Nene has appeared in the postseason with the Nuggets six times, averaging 10.8 points and 6.6 rebounds in 44 games (36 starts). In 2009, Nene helped lead Denver to the Western Conference Finals while averaging 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 16 postseason games.

“Nene is a versatile player who will bring experience and a physical presence to our frontcourt,” said Grunfeld. “He is a strong rebounder, tough defender and a fierce competitor. His veteran leadership and postseason experience will be a positive influence in our locker room.”

Nene originally entered the NBA in 2002 as a first round draft pick (7 th overall) of the New York Knicks and was traded on draft night to the Denver Nuggets. In his first year,Nene earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors while averaging 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. In addition, Nene played for the Brazilian National Team in the 2007 FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament and helped Brazil secure a Bronze medal in the 2001 Goodwill Games.

In his ninth NBA season, Cook has averaged 5.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in 405 career games (74 starts). Cook has played with five NBA teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers (2003-08), Orlando (2007-09), Houston (2009-10) and the Los Angeles Clippers (2010-2012). He was originally selected by the Lakers in the first round (24 th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft.

McGee, 7-0, 252, has appeared in 41 games (40 starts) this season, averaging career-highs with 11.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg and 2.46 bpg in 27.4 minutes. The big man’s 2.46 blocks ranks 2nd in the NBA, while his .535 field goal percentage ranks 9th in the league.

The 24-year-old McGee has appeared in 255 career games (148 starts) over four seasons with Washington, averaging 8.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 1.84 bpg. The University of Nevada-Reno product was drafted by the Washington Wizards with the 18th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Young has tallied 16.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 30.3 minutes in 40 games played so far this season, connecting on 41% of his field goal attempts, 37% of his three-point field goal attempts and 86% of his attempts from the free throw line.

In his 5th NBA season, Young returns to Los Angeles where he starred for the University of Southern California from 2004-2007. He carries career averages of 11.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 22.9 minutes per game.

The Wizards made Young the 16th overall selection in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft after he led USC to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2007 NCAA Tournament and was named First Team All-Pac Ten in both 2006 and 2007.

Turiaf, acquired by Washington via trade from the New York Knicks on December 10,2011, appeared in just four games before fracturing his hand against Boston on January 1, 2012. He has averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 362 career games (90 starts).

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Blazers trade Gerald Wallace to Nets, and waive Greg Oden

The New Jersey Nets have acquired forward Gerald Wallace from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for center Mehmet Okur, forward Shawne Williams and the Nets’ 2012 protected first round draft pick, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

“We are excited to add Gerald’s experience and toughness at the small forward position,” said King. “His leadership and defensive prowess will be assets to our team going forward.”

Portland also requested waivers on centers Greg Oden and Chris Johnson today.

“This trade was very compelling to us because not only does it give us more flexibility in free agency, but we also acquire a very attractive first-round draft pick,” said Trail Blazers’ Acting General Manager Chad Buchanan. “I’d like to thank Gerald, Greg and Chris for all they’ve done for the franchise and hope for nothing but the best for them and their futures.”

The draft pick is top-three protected, meaning the Trail Blazers will own the pick in 2012 as long as it is not in the top three of the NBA Draft.

Okur, 32, has averages of 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 29.1 minutes in 10 NBA seasons with Detroit, Utah and New Jersey. An NBA All-Star in 2007 and a native of Turkey, Okur has appeared in 17 games for the Nets this season, averaging 7.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

Williams, 26, has posted career averages of 5.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists in parts of five seasons with Indiana, Dallas, New York and New Jersey. He has played in 25 games for New Jersey this season, averaging 4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds.

Wallace, a 2010 NBA All-Star, comes to the Nets after making 42 starts for the Blazers this season and posting averages of 13.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. The 6-7 forward was selected by Sacramento in the first round (25th overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft out of the University of Alabama and spent his first three NBA seasons with the Kings. He then began a seven-year stint with Charlotte after being selected by the Bobcats in the NBA Expansion Draft in 2004. Wallace enjoyed his best seasons in Charlotte in 2007-08, when he averaged a career- high 19.4 points per game and in 2009-10, with averages of 18.2 points and a career-best 10.0 rebounds, earning him NBA All-Star honors as well as a place on the NBA’s All Defensive First Team. Midway through the 2010-11 season, Wallace was traded to Portland, where he played parts of three seasons. Currently in his 11th NBA season, Wallace has played in a total of 657 games and holds career averages of 13.4 points on .475 shooting and 6.3 rebounds per game. Wallace has helped his teams reach the playoffs on five occasions and lists postseason averages of 7.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 25 games.

Okur, who was acquired from Utah on December 22, 2011, played in 17 games for the Nets this season, with averages of 7.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game. He missed a total of 27 games this season with a sore lower back. The 10-year NBA veteran from Turkey holds career averages of 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in 634 NBA games with Detroit, Utah and New Jersey.

Williams, who signed with the Nets as a free agent on December 15, 2011, played in 25 games for the Nets this season, with averages of 4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per game. He has missed a total of 19 games due to injury and underwent season ending left foot surgery on February 22. The five-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 5.7 points and 2.8 rebounds over 215 games with Indiana, Dallas, New York and New Jersey.

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Lakers trade Derek Fisher to Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Jordan Hill from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Derek Fisher, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. In addition, Houston will receive the Dallas Mavericks’ protected first round selection in the 2012 NBA Draft that was acquired by the Lakers earlier this season in exchange for Lamar Odom.

A 6-10 forward/center in his third year out of the University Arizona, Hill was originally selected by the New York Knicks with the eighth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Acquired by Houston as part of a three-team, nine-player trade midway through his rookie campaign, Hill has appeared in 151 career NBA games (18 starts) with the Knicks and Rockets, averaging 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 14.7 minutes.

Following a junior season at Arizona in which he averaged 18.3 points and 11.0 rebounds and was named Third Team All-America by the Sporting News, Hill declared for the NBA Draft, leaving the Wildcats ranked among the school’s career leaders in points (27th/1,208), rebounds (10th/763), blocks (6th/140) and field goal percentage (.578).

In 32 games (7 starts) with the Rockets this season, Hill is averaging 5.0 points on 50.4 percent shooting from the field and 4.8 rebounds in 14.7 minutes.

Fisher, a five-time NBA champion with the Lakers, ranks among franchise leaders in games played (5th/915), steals (7th/968), three-point field goals made (2nd/846) and three-point field goal percentage (2nd/.375). Becoming just the 308th player in NBA history to score 10,000 career points on March 13 at Memphis, Fisher has played in 538 consecutive NBA games including 416 consecutive starts, both tops among all active players.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Derek for everything he has meant to this organization over the years,” said Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss. “Few who have worn the Lakers uniform have done so with as much class as Derek, both on the court and in the community. From his famous 0.4 shot in San Antonio to his clutch performances in the Finals against Orlando and Boston when it mattered most, Derek will always hold a special place not only in my heart, but in the heart of Lakers fans everywhere.”

Warriors trade Stephen Jackson to Spurs for Richard Jefferson

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have obtained forward Stephen Jackson from the Golden State Warriors. In exchange, San Antonio sent Richard Jefferson, T.J. Ford and a protected 2012 first round draft pick to the Warriors.

The 6-8, 220-pound Jackson spent two seasons (2001-03) in San Antonio and was a part of the 2003 NBA Championship team. In his two seasons with the Silver and Black, Jackson averaged 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.36 steals in 24.1 minutes. During the Spurs 2003 championship run, Jackson started all 24 games, averaging 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.38 steals in 33.8 minutes.

Jackson, 33, started the 2011-12 season with the Milwaukee Bucks, before being traded to Golden State on March 13. In 26 games with the Bucks, Jackson averaged 10.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 27.4 minutes.

An 11-year NBA veteran, Jackson has appeared in 773 career games, averaging 16.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 33.3 minutes. He has seen action in 58 playoff games, averaging 15.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.53 steals in 36.5 minutes.

“We’ve been aggressive in the last 48 hours and feel this is another transaction that will benefit our team, both now and in the future,” said General Manager Larry Riley. “Richard Jefferson has played a key role and has been a solid contributor on some very successful basketball teams during his career. He has won a lot of games and will certainly provide our team with some veteran leadership and perimeter shooting skills. Additionally, as has been well-documented, we are in an unknown position in regards to our first round draft pick this season and are quite pleased to, potentially, acquire a pick in what is expected to be a pretty deep draft.”

Jefferson, 31, has appeared in 41 games (all starts) with the Spurs this season, averaging 9.2 points and 3.5 rebounds in 28.5 minutes. The 6’7” forward has played for three NBA teams (New Jersey, Milwaukee and San Antonio) during his 10-year NBA career, including the last three-plus years in San Antonio. Originally drafted by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft (#13 overall), Jefferson finished second in NBA Rookie of the Year balloting in 2002 and was a member of the 2004 USA Olympic Team (Athens, Greece). He has averaged double figures in scoring in each of his 10 NBA seasons with the exception of his rookie campaign (9.4), highlighted by a career-high 22.6 points per game during the 2007-08 season. Last season, the Los Angeles native started 81 games for the Spurs (11.0 points and 3.8 rebounds) and ranked fourth in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.440). Overall, Jefferson has appeared in 774 career NBA games, averaging 16.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He has also appeared in 94 career playoff games, including back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals with the New Jersey Nets in 2002 and 2003.

Ford, 28, has appeared in 14 games for the Spurs this season, averaging 3.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 13.6 minutes. Earlier this week, he announced that he planned to take an indefinite leave of absence from basketball activities. Originally selected in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks (#8 overall), Ford has suffered a series of neck and spine injuries during his eight-year NBA career, most recently on March 7 vs. New York, and is contemplating retirement. He has appeared in 429 career NBA games, averaging 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists.