July 2013 – Page 21 – NBA Blog

Thunder sign draft picks Steven Adams and Andre Roberson

Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has signed center Steven Adams and guard/forward Andre Roberson.

Adams, the #12 overall selection by the Thunder in last month’s NBA Draft appeared in 32 games during his freshman season at the University of Pittsburgh where he averaged 7.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 23.4 minutes per game.

Adams was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team after ranking first all-time in school history for field goal percentage (.571), second in blocked shots (63) and sixth in rebounds (192) for freshman seasons. After being selected by the Thunder, Adams became the first player from New Zealand to be taken in the first round of the NBA Draft.

Roberson, the #26 overall pick in the draft, joins the Thunder after spending three seasons at the University of Colorado where he saw action in 105 games and posted career averages of 9.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks in 28.3 minutes per game. Oklahoma City acquired the draft rights to Roberson from the Golden State Warriors on draft night.

After his junior season at Colorado, Roberson was named the Pac-12 Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year while receiving First-Team All-Conference honors. This past season, Roberson ranked second in the nation after averaging 11.2 rebounds per game.

Atlanta Hawks re-sign Kyle Korver

The Atlanta Hawks have signed veteran guard/forward Kyle Korver to a new contract, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry announced today.

“Kyle was a key contributor for us last season, and we’re thrilled to retain him,” Ferry said. “He is a tremendous competitor and an important presence for our team both on and off the court.”

Last season, Korver appeared in 74 contests (60 starts), averaging 10.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.5 minutes (.461 FG%, .457 3FG%, .859 FT%). He finished second in the NBA in three-point percentage and fourth in three-pointers made (189). His 189 triples were the fourth-best single-season total in franchise history.

Korver made at least one three-pointer in his final 73 games of the regular season, the longest active streak in the NBA and the fourth-longest streak in league history (Dana Barros 89, Michael Adams 79, Dennis Scott 78). He scored in double-figures 42 times, including four 20-point outings. He scored 10-plus points in 13 straight games (1/16-2/11), the longest streak of his career.

Through 10 seasons, he has played in 738 games (170 starting assignments) with Philadelphia, Utah, Chicago and the Hawks, and holds career averages of 9.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24.8 minutes (.434 FG%, .419 3FG%, .875 FT%). Korver ranks sixth among active players in 3FG% and 17th (29th in NBA/ABA history) with 1,323 3FGM. He’s also appeared in 60 playoff contests.

Cleveland Cavs sign Jarrett Jack and Earl Clark

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Jarrett Jack and forward Earl Clark to contracts, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“Earl and Jarrett are both tough, competitive, team-first players that have the ability to impact the game in multiple ways on both ends of the court. We think they are great fits for us that can help us grow and improve as a team and we’re looking forward to them joining our core,” said General Manager Chris Grant.”

Jack, 29, averaged 12.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 29.8 minutes in 79 games (four starts) for the Golden State Warriors last season. He scored a season-high 30 points and added 10 assists in 42 minutes off the bench against San Antonio on Feb. 22nd . Last season, he scored 25 or more points five times and dished out 10 or more assists on nine occasions. The 6-foot-3, 197-pound Jack was drafted out of Georgia Tech by the Denver Nuggets with the 22nd overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft. The eight-year veteran has appeared in 611 total games (253 starts) with career averages of 11.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 27.9 minutes. Since he entered the league, he has played in the 7th most regular season games of any player in that time period and only once in his eight seasons has he played in fewer than 79 regular season games.

“Jarrett brings the kind of drive, determination and energy that will help us greatly with everything we do and I am excited to have him be a part of what we’re trying to accomplish. He’s a vet that knows what it takes to win and the kind of player that has the talent and approach to the game that helps make everyone that plays with him better,” said Cavs head coach Mike Brown.

Clark, 25, averaged 7.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 23.1 minutes in 59 games (36 starts) for the Los Angeles Lakers last season. He scored a career-high 22 points on 9-12 (.750) shooting and added 13 rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench at San Antonio on Jan. 9th . Last season, he also pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds to go along with 14 points against Boston on Feb. 20. The 6-foot-10, 225-pound Clark was drafted out of Louisville by the Phoenix Suns with the 14th overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft. He has spent time with Phoenix, Orlando and the Los Angeles Lakers during his four-years in the NBA and has appeared in 197 total games (37 starts) with career averages of 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 14.1 minutes.

“Earl is a young, talented and versatile player who has the ability to contribute to our growth right away. He’s a long and capable defender and also brings offensive skills that can help us play the style of ball we want to play,” said Brown.

Minnesota Timberwolves re-sign Chase Budinger

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has re-signed forward Chase Budinger.

According to the Associated Press, “Budinger agreed to terms last week on a three-year, $16 million contract. Brewer agreed to on a three-year, $15 million deal on Wednesday.”

“We are excited that Chase has decided to make Minnesota his home next season and beyond,” said Flip Saunders, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “We made bringing back Chase a priority because of his shooting ability, athleticism and his familiarity with Coach Adelman’s system. We look forward to watching his continued development in a Wolves uniform.”

Budinger, 25, played in 23 games for the Wolves last season, averaging 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per contest. The 6-7 forward sat out 59 games after undergoing surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee on Nov. 13. In six games before suffering the injury, Budinger averaged 11.8 points on .480 shooting – both of which over a full season would have been career highs. Budinger scored a team- and season-high 18 points Nov. 9 vs. Indiana, including the game-winner with :00.8 left. An Encinitas, Calif., native, Budinger owns career NBA averages of 9.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 233 games with Houston and Minnesota. Budinger is a career .358 shooter from beyond the arc, including a career-best .402 over the 2011-12 season.

The Wolves originally acquired Budinger, along with the draft rights to Lior Eliyahu, from the Houston Rockets on June 26, 2012 in exchange for the No. 18 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Budinger was the was the 44th overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons before having his draft rights traded to Houston on draft night.

Lakers waive Metta World Peace via amnesty clause

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived forward Metta World Peace and have designated him as the team’s amnesty player as allowed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, it was announced by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

“It’s tough to say goodbye to a player such as Metta, who has been a significant part of our team the past four seasons. For anyone who’s had the opportunity to get to know him, it’s impossible not to love him,” said Kupchak. “He has made many contributions to this organization, both in his community work as well as in our games; perhaps no more so than in his clutch play in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals in helping to lead us over the Celtics in one of the greatest playoff wins in Lakers history. We thank Metta for all his contributions and wish him the best of luck in the future.”

A 14-year NBA veteran, World Peace averaged 12.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 75 games last season. Prior to joining the Lakers in 2009, he played with the Rockets, Kings, Pacers and Bulls, averaging 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals over the course of his career.

World Peace, then known as Ron Artest, was named to the 1999-00 All-Rookie Second Team. He was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, and also was named to the NBA All-Star Team that season, as well as to the All-NBA Third Team. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in both 2004 and 2006, and to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2003 and 2009. For his off the court accomplishments, he was voted the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award winner in 2011.

NBA trade: Celtics send Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry to Nets

The Brooklyn Nets want to compete for a championship, right now. The Boston Celtics want to rebuild. And today, the huge trade agreed upon earlier in July was executed and became official today.

The Nets have acquired Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry and D.J. White from the Celtics in exchange for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph, Keith Bogans and three first round draft picks (2014, 2016 and 2018), as well as the right to swap first round picks in 2017, Nets General Manager Billy King has announced.

“Today, the basketball gods smiled on the Nets,” said Nets Principal Owner Mikhail Prokhorov. “With the arrival of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, we have achieved a great balance on our roster between veteran stars and young talents. This team will be dazzling to watch, and tough to compete against. ”

“We are excited to welcome Kevin, Paul and Jason to Brooklyn,” said King. “All three players have championship pedigree and possess the veteran qualities that will make us a stronger team.”

“We would like to thank Paul, Kevin, and Jason for everything that they have done for this franchise. We would not have won Banner 17 without Paul and Kevin and they will go down amongst the all-time great players to have ever worn a Celtics uniform,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “At the same time we are excited to welcome Gerald, Kris, Keith, MarShon and Kris to the Celtics family. They bring a wealth of talent, experience, depth, and flexibility to our team.”

“Paul and Kevin exemplified everything it means to be a Celtic,” said Celtics Managing Partner and CEO Wyc Grousbeck. “They were instrumental in bringing back Celtic Pride and providing our fans with the franchise’s first championship in over 20 years in 2008. We wish them nothing but the best in the future.”

“We are really excited to welcome Gerald, Kris, Keith, MarShon and Kris to the Celtics organization,” said Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens. “They collectively bring a great deal of versatility, unique skill sets and production to our roster. I cannot wait to get to work with them.”

In 18 seasons and 1,323 career games, Garnett holds averages of 19.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 blocks. This past season, the 6’ 11” power forward averaged 14.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while playing in 68 contests. In 131 playoff games, Garnett has averaged 19.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists. A fifteen-time All-Star, the veteran was selected as the NBA MVP during the 2003-04 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. That season he averaged career-highs in points per game (24.2) and rebounds per game (13.9), while leading the NBA in total points (1,987) and rebounds (1,139). The Mauldin, SC native has been named first team All-NBA four times in his career, second team three times and third team twice. Garnett ranks 11th all-time in NBA history in games played (1,323), sixth in minutes (47,801), 11th in field goals (10,151), second in defensive rebounds (10,757), 10th in total rebounds (13,843), and 15th in points (25,274). He was the 2007-08 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and has been selected to the All-Defensive first team nine times and second team three times. Garnett helped lead the Celtics to the 2008 NBA Championship. For the 2008 playoffs, Garnett averaged 20.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Following his career at Farragut Academy in Chicago, Illinois, Garnett was selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Pierce, a ten-time All-Star, played the first fifteen seasons of his career with the Boston Celtics where he was selected All-NBA third team three times and second team once. He ranks fifth all-time in NBA history in career three-pointers made (1,823), 20th in total points (24,021), 30th in points per game (21.8) and 10th in free throws made (6,434). Through 1,102 career games he has compiled averages of 21.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. This past season, he held averages of 18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists. The Celtics selected Pierce with the tenth pick of the 1998 NBA Draft. Boston made the playoffs in ten of the Oakland, CA native’s fifteen seasons in Boston, once capturing the Larry O’Brien trophy (2008). In 136 career playoff games, Pierce has averaged 20.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

In 1,101 games with the Hawks, Mavericks and Celtics, Terry has career averages of 15.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. The 14-year veteran’s 1,911 made three-pointers rank him fourth in NBA history. He has amassed 17,286 total points in his career and won the 2008-09 Sixth Man of the Year award as a member of the Dallas Mavericks when he averaged 19.6 points per game. Terry was also a member of the 2011 NBA Champion Mavericks, and in his 93 career playoff games, holds averages of 16.5 points and 3.4 assists per game. Originally drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the tenth pick of the 1999 NBA Draft, Terry has made the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons dating back to 2004-05. In 2012-13, his lone season in Boston, the Seattle, WA native averaged 13.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

Following his career at Indiana University, White was a first-round draft pick (29th overall) of the Detroit Pistons. He has played in 136 career NBA games with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Bobcats and Boston Celtics and recorded averages of 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 50.7% from the field.

Three-team trade sends Kevin Martin to Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has acquired guard Kevin Martin via a sign-and-trade as part of a three-team deal with Oklahoma City and Milwaukee. As part of the trade, the Wolves send Luke Ridnour and a 2014 second-round pick (from the Los Angeles Lakers via the Phoenix Suns; acquired on July 27, 2012) to the Bucks. Minnesota and Milwaukee also receive cash considerations from Oklahoma City while the Bucks send the draft rights to Szymon Szewczyk to the Thunder.

“We are excited to add a talented veteran in Kevin Martin to our team,” said Flip Saunders, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “Kevin is one of the top shooters and more efficient scorers in the NBA and will help us immensely in those areas. Kevin is familiar with Coach Adelman’s style of play and had success playing for him in Sacramento and Houston. We expect that to continue.”

The Timberwolves were last in three-point shooting in 2012-13 and Martin shot a career-high 42.6 percent from three-point range last season and is 39 percent from that distance for his career. Also, in the last seven years, Martin is the fourth leading scorer at two-guard, behind only Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Monta Ellis.

In his nine seasons in the NBA with Sacramento (2004-10), Houston (2010-12) and Oklahoma City (2012-13), Martin has averaged 17.8 points. 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 552 games (387 starts). The 30-year-old has career shooting averages of .443 from the field, .385 from three-point range and .867 percent from the free throw line. He has averaged over 20.0 ppg and made more than 100 three-pointers in a single season five times in his career. Martin has previously played three-plus seasons for Rick Adelman (2004 – 2006, Sacramento; 2010 – 2011, Houston), averaging 14.9 ppg, including 23.4 ppg in the 2010-11 season which ranked ninth in the NBA.

In 2012-13, Martin, a 6-7 guard, averaged 14.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 77 games for Oklahoma City. He shot .450 from the floor and a career-high .426 from three-point range while making 158 treys, the second-highest single-season total of his career. Martin ranked 4th in the NBA in free throw percentage, shooting .890 from the charity stripe. In 11 playoff games with the Thunder, Martin averaged 14.0 points and 3.1 rebounds, including scoring 25 points in the series-clinching Game 6 at Houston and 25 points in the series opener vs. Memphis.

Martin was originally selected with the 26th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings out of Western Carolina. He was traded to Houston in exchange for Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey on Feb. 18, 2010. Oklahoma City acquired Martin, along with Jeremy Lamb and three future draft picks, on October 27, 2012 in exchange for James Harden, Daequan Cook, Lazar Hayward and Cole Aldrich.

Martin will wear uniform No. 23 for the Wolves.

“We thank Luke for his contributions to the Wolves during his three seasons in Minnesota,” said Saunders. “He is a consummate professional and we wish him the best in Milwaukee.”

In his three seasons in Minnesota, Ridnour averaged 11.7 points and 4.6 assists in 206 games (201 starts). In 2012-13, he averaged 11.5 points and 3.8 assists in 82 contests (all starts). Ridnour returns to Milwaukee where he played from 2008-10.

Los Angeles Lakers sign Nick Young

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent forward/guard Nick Young, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

“At 6’7,” Nick’s size, ability to create his own shot and athleticism make him a versatile player who will give our lineup multiple looks on the floor,” said Kupchak. “He’s an exciting player, and we’re excited to have him on our roster.”

A six-year NBA veteran, Young has appeared in 416 career games (122 starts), averaging 11.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 23.1 minutes while shooting 42.7 percent from the floor, 37.4 percent from behind the arc and 82.7 percent from the free throw line as a member of the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers.

Young, who averaged a career-best 17.4 points during the 2010-11 season including a career-high 43-point game against the Sacramento Kings (1/11/11), was originally selected by the Wizards with the 16th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

An early entry candidate for the NBA Draft following his junior season at USC, Young earned First Team All-Pac-10 honors his sophomore and junior seasons with the Trojans. Prior to enrolling at USC, the Los Angeles native attended Cleveland High in Reseda, CA where he became a top national recruit after averaging 27.2 points and 10.8 rebounds as a senior.

Most recently, Young appeared in 59 games (17 starts) for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, averaging 10.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 23.9 minutes.

Dallas Mavericks sign Jose Calderon

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed free agent point guard Jose Calderon. He is a pass-first, smart floor leader who doesn’t create much offense on his own, but distributes the ball nicely and makes good decisions.

Calderon (6-3, 211) joined the Toronto Raptors in 2005 after six seasons playing professionally in Spain. In eight NBA seasons with Toronto and Detroit, he holds career averages of 10.1 points and 7.2 assists while shooting .483 from the field, .399 from three-point range and .877 from the foul line. Calderon remains the Raptors franchise leader in assists and free throw percentage.

Last season, Calderon shot .461 (130-282) from behind-the-arc to lead the NBA in three-point shooting despite being traded to Detroit in a three-team deal that sent Rudy Gay and Hamed Haddadi to Toronto and Tayshaun Prince, Austin Daye and Ed Davis to Memphis.

The Villanueva de la Serena, Spain native experienced a great deal of success spending the early part of his career in Europe. Calderon made his Spanish league debut with Lucentum Alicante in 2000 before having his most successful run as a member of Tau Ceramica. With Tau Ceramica, Calderon won the 2004 King’s Cup and helped lead the squad to a second-place finish in the 2005 Euroleague Finals.

San Antonio Spurs sign Jeff Pendergraph

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed forward/center Jeff Pendergraph. He is generally considered backup support off the bench.

Pendergraph, 6-9/250, spent the past two seasons playing for the Indiana Pacers. In 2012-13, he appeared in 37 games, averaging 3.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 10.0 minutes while shooting .484 (61-126) from the field and .913 (21-23) from the free throw line.

Prior to Indiana, Pendergraph played for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2009-10 where he appeared in 39 games and averaged 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 10.4 minutes. In 96 career games in the NBA, the Ontario, Calif., native holds averages of 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 9.2 minutes.

Pendergraph, who was selected in the second round (31st overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, played collegiately at Arizona State University. An All Pac-10 First Team selection in 2009, he appeared in 126 career games for the Sun Devils, averaging 12.6 points and 7.5 rebounds in 30.2 minutes.