February 2013 – Page 11 – NBA Blog

Celtics trade Leandro Barbosa, Jason Collins to Wizards for Jordan Crawford

Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the Wizards have acquired guard Leandro Barbosa and center Jason Collins from the Boston Celtics in exchange for guard Jordan Crawford.

“Our team has started to come together and play well over the last 20 games,” said Grunfeld. “This trade allows us to keep moving in that direction with the solid rotation and defensive commitment we have established on the court, helps us continue to build on the culture we are establishing in the locker room and gives us additional financial flexibility.”

“Jordan’s a scorer and he will provide versatility that will add great depth to our roster,” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations.

Crawford, a 6’4” guard, has appeared in 43 games for the Wizards this season and is averaging 13.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 26.2 minutes per game. Crawford has recorded 12 games this season with 20 or more points including a season-high 27 points twice (December 28 against Orlando and December 18 against Atlanta). In the game against Atlanta on December 18, he also recorded a triple-double adding 11 assists and 11 rebounds to his season-high-tying 27 points. The third year pro out of Xavier University in Ohio has career averages of 13.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 149 games split between Atlanta and Washington.

Collins, the 18th overall pick of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets, has appeared in 707 career games with five teams (New Jersey, Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta, Boston) while averaging 3.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 20.9 minutes per contest. This season with Boston, Collins has averaged 1.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 32 games.

Crawford was originally traded to Washington along with Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans and a 2011 First Round pick (Chris Singleton) for Hilton Armstrong and Kirk Hinrich on February 23, 2011. In parts of three seasons with the Wizards, Crawford averaged 14.5 points while appearing in 133 games. He averaged 13.2 points and 3.7 assists while appearing in 43 games for the Wizards this season.

Magic trade Josh McRoberts to Bobcats for Hakim Warrick

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has acquired forward Josh McRoberts from the Orlando Magic in exchange for forward Hakim Warrick. McRoberts will wear No. 11. The Bobcats roster remains at 14 players.

“Josh McRoberts is a quality young big man who can play either post position for us,” Higgins said. “We look forward to adding his size and energy to our rotation.”

Currently in his sixth NBA season, the 6-10 McRoberts has career averages of 4.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists, along with a career field goal percentage of .496 (444-896), in 246 games played for the Trail Blazers, Pacers, Lakers and Magic. In 41 games for Orlando this season, he averaged 3.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 16.7 minutes. Earlier this season he posted career highs of 14 rebounds on Nov. 25 against Boston and eight assists on Jan. 7 at Portland.

McRoberts was originally selected with the 37th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Trail Blazers after two years at Duke University, where he was a teammate of Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson during the 2006-07 season. He had his best overall season in 2010-11, when he averaged career highs of 7.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 22.2 minutes in 72 games played for the Pacers, including 51 starts.

Warrick was acquired by the Bobcats from New Orleans on November 13, 2012, in exchange for Matt Carroll. He appeared in 27 games for the Bobcats, including 14 starts, and averaged 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 17.9 minutes.

Warriors trade Charles Jenkins to 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they have completed a trade with the Golden State Warriors. The Sixers acquire second-year guard Charles Jenkins and cash considerations from the Warriors in exchange for a protected second round pick.

Jenkins (6-3, 215) was originally selected by Golden State with the 44th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. In 98 games with 28 starts for the Warriors, Jenkins averaged 3.9 points and 2.0 assists in 12.1 minutes per game.

As a rookie last season, Jenkins started 28 games for the Warriors, averaging 8.6 points, 5.1 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game. He also posted an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.23 in those starts.

A native of Queens, N.Y., Jenkins attended Hofstra University and is the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,513 points. He was named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year as both a junior and a senior.

Thunder trade Eric Maynor to Trail Blazers, who waive Ronnie Price

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Eric Maynor from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the draft rights to Georgios Printezis, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey.

Portland waived guard Ronnie Price to make room on the roster. In his only season with the Trail Blazers, Price averaged 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 13.1 minutes in 39 appearances.

“Ronnie has been a consummate professional and we thank him for his contributions to the team,” said Olshey.

Maynor, 25, has appeared in 37 games this season with the Thunder, averaging 2.8 points, 0.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 10.6 minutes per game.

“Eric is a player we have valued and pursued for some time,” said Olshey. “His skill level and character will be excellent additions to our culture on and off the floor.”

Maynor (6-3, 175) holds career averages of 4.2 points, 1.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 14.3 minutes in 209 career games with Oklahoma City and Utah. He was originally selected out of Virginia Commonwealth by the Jazz with the 20th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

The Trail Blazers acquired the draft rights to Printezis on July 16, 2012, in the deal with New York that included Jared Jeffries coming to Portland in exchange for Raymond Felton and Kurt Thomas. Portland acquired Maynor by using a trade exception created in the Jeffries deal.

Utah Jazz avoid trade deadline deals

General Manager Dennis Lindsey met with a group of writers after Thursday’s trade deadline passed without any movement on the part of the Jazz. We’ll have a full story up at sltrib.com shortly, but wanted to share a few quick thoughts from Lindsey first.

The first-year GM was clear that the Jazz felt they were operating from a position of power, with eight expiring contracts set to come off the books this summer. The Jazz wanted to retain that flexibility, although Lindsey acknowledged the risk of losing both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap without a guarantee of return.

While Lindsey joked that the Jazz said “no” to 30 different trades, he declined to put an actual number on it. He said the Jazz were “very” popular in trade talks, but that they didn’t feel any of the offers met a high Jazz standard.

— Reported by Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune

Knicks trade Ronnie Brewer to Thunder

New York Knicks Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has acquired a 2014 second-round draft choice and cash considerations from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for guard Ronnie Brewer.

“We are pleased to bring in a defensive-minded player like Ronnie, a high-character person who has played for coaches and programs throughout his career that we have a great deal of respect for,” said Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. “He is a versatile defender with playoff experience that will add depth to our wing positions.”

Brewer (6-7, 225), a seven-year NBA veteran, has played in 464 career games (301 starts) with Utah, Memphis, Chicago and New York. The Fayetteville, Ark. native owns career averages of 8.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 24.2 minutes per game. He has appeared in 46 playoff contests (17 starts), averaging 5.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 18.4 minutes per contest.

“The opportunity to acquire a trade exception was important to us strategically as it gives us the roster flexibility that we value,” Presti said. “Eric has been an absolute professional during his time with the Thunder and he will have a very productive career beyond this season.”

According to multiple reports, the Knicks will use the open roster spot to sign veteran forward Kenyon Martin to a 10-day contract.

Heat trade Dexter Pittman to Grizzlies for rights to Ricky Sanchez

The Miami Heat announced today that they have traded center Dexter Pittman, a 2013 second round draft choice and cash considerations to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the draft rights to forward Ricky Sanchez.

“I want to thank Dexter for his hard work and professional attitude,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “Unfortunately, in order to gain roster flexibility we had to trade someone. We wish him nothing but the best.”

Currently in his third NBA season, Pittman (6-11, 285) is averaging 12.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.67 blocks on .470 shooting in 24.9 minutes in 15 games (12 starts) this year for the NBA Development League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce. The 24-year-old holds career D-League averages of 13.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.70 blocks on .510 shooting in 26.5 minutes in 37 games (34 starts) for Sioux Falls.

Drafted by Miami in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft, the University of Texas product holds NBA career averages of 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds on .471 shooting in 7.9 minutes in 41 games (six starts) with the Heat. A member of Miami’s 2012 NBA Championship squad, the Rosenberg, Tex. native has totaled six points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes in four appearances for the Heat this season.

Memphis now owns multiple second round draft picks in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Sanchez, a 6’11, 220-lb forward, was originally drafted in the second round (35th overall) in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He appeared in 75 NBA Development League games (22 starts) for the Idaho Stampede from 2006-08 and averaged 10.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 25.1 minutes while shooting 41.4 percent from the field. The Puerto Rican native currently plays for Libertad de Sunchales (Argentina), appearing in 28 games this season and averaging 12.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 31.9 minutes while shooting 42.2 percent from the field.

Pittman, who was originally drafted by the Heat in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft, appeared in 41 career games (six starts) with Miami and averaged 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 47.1 percent from the field. He is currently on assignment with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League.

NBA names Greg Taylor Senior VP of Player Development

The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that Greg Taylor, who currently serves as the President & CEO of the Foundation for Newark’s Future, has been named Senior Vice President, Player Development, replacing Mike Bantom who was promoted to Executive Vice President, Referee Operations, prior to the 2012-13 season.

Taylor will manage all of the NBA’s programs that promote the personal, professional and social development of NBA players. He will be responsible for league initiatives including programs to assist rookies in their transition to the NBA; educating team directors on player development and the best way to handle player off-the-court matters; and programs that aid players throughout their NBA careers and beyond. Taylor will report to Kathy Behrens, Executive Vice President, Social Responsibility and Player Programs.

“We are thrilled to have Greg join our team as we continue the critical work of supporting our players and their on-and-off court growth,” said Behrens. “Greg’s experience in creating innovative education and leadership development programs makes him an ideal fit to lead our efforts to enhance the resources available to our players and their families.”

As President & CEO of the Foundation for Newark’s Future, Taylor has worked to forge private and public sector partnerships to support education reform policies in Newark, N.J., and helped the Foundation raise $100 million to match a donation made by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. He previously served as Vice President for Programs of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, where he led a series of ground-breaking initiatives that empowered community leaders and organizations through early childhood education, racial equity, and family economic security programs. Taylor has also been a longtime youth basketball coach and is a current board member of both Athletes for Hope and the Newark Charter School Fund.

“This is a great opportunity for me knowing that supporting players throughout their journey is a high priority for the NBA,” said Taylor. “I look forward to working closely with the league and teams to enhance our programming and resources and doing all we can do to support the varied off-court needs of NBA players.”

A native of New York City, Taylor received his BA from Hunter College, City University of New York, and his JD from the Bloomington School of Law at Indiana University.

P.J. Carlesimo says Deron Williams is playing hurt all season

Brooklyn Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo admitted that Deron Williams is going to be playing at less than full strength for the rest of the season.

“He’s not gonna be 100 percent,” Carlesimo said during a Thursday interview on ESPN New York 98.7 FM “The Mike Lupica Show.” “The reality is he’s not gonna be 100 percent this year, and I think that’s the thing that a lot of people are having difficult grasping.

“He’s playing dinged up. His ankles are not good at all. And that wrist has been a problem for him all year.”

Williams has been hampered by a slew of injuries in 2012-13 but has missed just three games. Prior to the season, he had a cortisone shot because of bone spurs in his left ankle and admitted that he would need offseason surgery to clean it out.

— Reported by Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York

Josh Smith had trouble sleeping on eve of trade deadline

Smith, the subject of so much trade speculation as he will become an unrestricted free agent following the season, has been peppered with questions about his future of late. He is eager for it all to be over. The forward admitted to trouble sleeping Wednesday night on the eve of the deadline.

“Compounded with the trade rumors and the loss (to the Heat Wednesday),” Smith said. “It was a very disappointing loss. I went to sleep kind of late last night. It was definitely hard to sleep.”

Still, Smith woke up, called his agent, and with no deal near, headed to Philips Arena for Thursday’s practice. Smith said he had no conversations with team management about his future.

“I’m pretty sure it’s lingering through everybody’s head,” Smith said of the distracting nature of the deadline.

— Reported by Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution (Blog)