July 2013 – Page 24 – NBA Blog

Stu Jackson to leave NBA; Rod Thorn to be new NBA president of Basketball Operations

NBA Commissioner David Stern announced today that after more than 13 years, Stu Jackson, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations, will be leaving the NBA, and that longtime league and team executive Rod Thorn will be joining the league office as President, Basketball Operations, effective Aug. 1.

“Stu has made enormous contributions to the NBA over the past 13 years,” said Stern. “He informed Adam Silver, Joel Litvin and me some months ago that after a long and distinguished career at the league he felt that this was the appropriate time to step down. We thank Stu for a job very well done, including assisting with the transition to Rod, and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

As EVP, Basketball Operations, Jackson was in charge of all oncourt and international basketball operations, including game rules, conduct, discipline and analytics and also served as chairman of the NBA Competition Committee and on FIBA’s Competition Commission and USA Basketball’s Board of Directors.

“The NBA has given me an extraordinary opportunity to work with some of the most talented people in sports and I am extremely proud to be associated with the remarkable global growth of the league, which couldn’t be in better hands with Rod coming in to lead Basketball Operations,” said Jackson. “I especially want to thank David, Adam and Joel for their exceptional leadership, friendship and continued support. I’m looking forward to applying my NBA experience as I move onto my next challenge.”

Jackson has been in collegiate or professional basketball for more than three decades, including stints as head coach of the New York Knicks, President and General Manager of the Vancouver Grizzlies, head coach at the University of Wisconsin, and assistant coach at Providence College, Washington State and the University of Oregon.

Thorn will oversee both Basketball and Referee Operations, reporting to the Commissioner. Most recently, Thorn was President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers.

“As a player, coach, general manager, league vice president and team president, Rod has been a member of the NBA family for decades, and his basketball knowledge and team relationships are unparalleled,” said Stern. “We are fortunate that his talents are available to serve the league at this time.”

“I am looking forward to serving all 30 teams and our sport and am honored to be at the league office to help continue the game’s extraordinary growth,” said Thorn. “As the NBA turns increasingly to analytics and continues to tap into its growing fan and player base on a global basis, there is much work to be done.”

Prior to his role with the 76ers, Thorn spent 10 seasons as President of Basketball Operations for the New Jersey Nets and was named the 2001-02 NBA Executive of the Year. Previously, Thorn spent 14 seasons at the NBA office as the head of Basketball Operations.

After being drafted by the Baltimore Bullets in 1963 as the second overall pick, Thorn played in the NBA for eight seasons, went on to management and coaching positions in the ABA and the NBA, including as the Chicago Bulls’ general manager where he drafted Michael Jordan in 1984.

Kiki VanDeWeghe, Senior Vice President, Basketball Operations, and Mike Bantom, Executive Vice President, Referee Operations, will report to Thorn.

Washington Wizards re-sign Martell Webster

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has re-signed forward Martell Webster.

“Martell’s versatility and shooting ability combined with his experience and leadership make him a valuable part of our team,” said Grunfeld. “We are very pleased to have him back both on the court and in the locker room and look forward to his continued contributions to our success.”

Webster averaged a career-high 11.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game last season with the Wizards. He appeared in 76 contests, including 62 starts, while leading the team in three-point field goal percentage (.422) and three-pointers made with a career-high 139. He finished 12th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage and tallied four games with at least five three-pointers made. The Seattle native posted seven games with 20+ points and scored a career-high 34 points, including a career high-tying seven threes, on March 16 vs. Phoenix. From March 9-16, Webster posted five straight games of at least four three-pointers made. He was originally signed as a free agent by the Wizards on August 29, 2012.

In eight seasons with Portland, Minnesota and Washington, Webster holds career averages of 8.9 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting .419 from the field, .384 from behind the arc and .787 from the line. He was originally selected by the Trail Blazers with the sixth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft as an early-entry candidate out of Seattle Prep High School.

Charlotte Bobcats waive Tyrus Thomas via amnesty clause

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has requested waivers on forward Tyrus Thomas, designating him as the team’s amnesty player. The one-time amnesty provision allows a team to waive a player and not have his salary count against the salary cap or luxury tax.

The Bobcats originally acquired Thomas from the Chicago Bulls on February 18, 2010 in exchange for Acie Law, Ronald “Flip” Murray and a future first-round draft pick. Thomas appeared in 26 games with the team last season averaging 4.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 13.8 minutes.

A seven-year NBA veteran, the 6-10 Thomas has played in 400 career games with the Bulls and Bobcats, posting averages of 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 19.8 minutes.

Bobcats Sports & Entertainment owns the Charlotte Bobcats and operates Charlotte’s Time Warner Cable Arena.

Indiana Pacers re-sign David West

The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday they have re-signed veteran free agent and two-time NBA All-Star David West to a contract.

According to the Associated Press, “the contract is for three years and $36.6 million, according to his agent. The third year is a player option.”

West, 6-9, 240, is a 10-year veteran who has played the last two seasons with the Pacers, averaging 15.1 points and 7.2 rebounds in 139 games. Prior to his time with the Pacers, West had played his entire NBA career with the New Orleans Hornets. He has career averages of 16.1 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game.

“We said when the season ended, bringing David back was our No. 1 priority and we are very pleased to have him back,” said Larry Bird, Pacers President of Basketball Operations. “He is a leader, he is a professional, he is a great competitor and he is the type of player and person you want on your team if you hope to be successful.”

West played in two All-Star games in 2008 and ’09. Those two seasons, he averaged 20.6 ppg and 8.9 rpg and 21 ppg and 8.5 rpg, respectively.

“You can watch David play and appreciate him, but to coach him and see what he brings to our team on a daily basis really enhances that appreciation,” said Pacers Head Coach Frank Vogel. “There aren’t many players like him in the NBA and to have him back on our team is very important for what we hope to accomplish.”

Chicago Bulls waive Rip Hamilton

The Chicago Bulls announced today that they have waived guard Richard Hamilton.

In two seasons with the Bulls, Hamilton appeared in 78 games (73 starts) and averaged 10.5 ppg, 2.6 apg and 1.9 rpg in 22.9 mpg. During his time with Chicago, he shot .438 from the field, .337 from behind the arc and .833 from the line.

Hamilton signed with the Bulls as a free agent on Dec. 14, 2011.

Detroit Pistons sign Josh Smith

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed free agent forward Josh Smith to a multi-year contract.

“We’re pleased to welcome Josh Smith to the Pistons organization,” Dumars said. “Josh is a two-way player and we look forward to blending his talents with our young core.”

Smith joins the Pistons after spending the last nine seasons with the Atlanta Hawks where he averaged 15.3 points (.465 FG%, .283 3FG%, .654 FT%), 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 blocks , 1.3 steals and 34.1 minutes in 676 career games (654 starts). He’s the 24th player in NBA history (seventh active player) to tally 10,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, 2,000 assists and 1,000 blocked shots. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Smith is the only player in NBA history to boast career averages of at least 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game.

The 27-year-old Atlanta native has appeared in 52 playoff games (all starts) during six trips to the NBA Playoffs averaging 15.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 blocks, 1.2 steals and 36.0 minutes per game. Smith holds playoff career highs of 28 points (4/28/08 vs. Boston), 18 rebounds (4/29/12 vs. Boston), nine assists (four times) and seven blocks – a Hawks’ franchise record previously shared by Tree Rollins and Dikembe Mutombo.

The 6-9, 225-pound forward tallied 29 double-doubles last season, ranked ninth in the NBA in blocks (1.8 bpg) and was one of two players to average at least 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists (LeBron James). In 2010-11, Smith finished second in the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year voting and scored a season-best 34 points on a season-high 14-of-16 from the field (2-2 3FG) vs. New Jersey (12/7). According to Elias Sports Bureau, he was the first Hawks player to score that many points on that high of a field goal percentage (87.5%) in over 55 years – since Hall-of-Famer Bob Pettit scored 34 (12-13 FG) on 3/14/55. In 2005-06 Smith became only the fourth Hawks player – and first non-center – to post 200 blocks in one season, joining Mutombo, Rollins and Theo Ratliff. Finally, in 2004-05, he won the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Denver and rejected an NBA season-high 10 shots at Dallas (12/18), becoming the youngest player in league history to record 10 blocks in a game since the stat began being recorded in 1973-74.

Smith finishes his time in Atlanta among Hawks’ top-10 franchise leaders in 10 categories including points (10,371 – eighth), rebounds (5.407 – seventh), blocks (1,440 – second), steals (857 – fifth), offensive rebounds (1,409 – sixth), defensive rebounds (3,998 – third), double-doubles (207, fourth), field goals made (4,030 – seventh), free throws made (2,044 – ninth) and games played (676 – ninth).

Lakers re-sign center Robert Sacre

The Los Angeles Lakers have re-signed Robert Sacre, it was announced today.

Sacre, a 7-foot center out of Gonzaga University who serves as a backup off the bench, was selected by the Lakers in the second round (60th overall) of the 2012 NBA draft. In 32 games (three starts) with the Lakers last season, he averaged 1.3 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.3 minutes. Sacre also spent time with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development league during his rookie campaign, appearing in eight games and posting averages of 11.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.33 blocks in 32.8 minutes.

At Gonzaga, Sacre finished his career with the Bulldogs ranked second in school history with 186 blocked shots while averaging 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.38 blocks in 135 games. As a senior, Sacre was named the 2012 WCC Defensive Player of the Year and was an All-WCC First-Team honoree while averaging 11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.42 blocks in 26.3 minutes.

Wizards re-sign guard Garrett Temple

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has re-signed guard Garrett Temple.

“Garrett was a good addition to our backcourt rotation last season and we are happy to have him back to give us depth at both guard positions,” said Grunfeld. “His defensive ability, toughness and team-first attitude make him an excellent fit in our system and provide a great example of the culture we are building.”

Temple averaged career-highs of 5.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 51 games, including 36 starts, for the Wizards last season. The undrafted LSU product played 22.7 minutes per game while shooting .407 from the field and .703 from the line. He recorded nine games of 10+ points, including four consecutive double-digit outings from March 13-18. Temple tallied a career-high tying 17 points March 18 at Charlotte and posted eight points, a career-high 11 assists and seven rebounds January 4 vs. Brooklyn. He was originally signed by the Wizards as a free agent on December 25, 2012.

In 102 games (40 starts) with Houston, Sacramento, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Charlotte and Washington, Temple holds career averages of 4.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 16.9 minutes. He has shot .396 from the field and .654 from the line.

Charlotte Bobcats sign Al Jefferson

It took a while, but the Charlotte Bobcats finally have a big guy that can play some basketball.

Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has signed free agent center Al Jefferson.

“We are ecstatic to add Al to our roster,” Higgins said. “He gives us a low post presence that we have not had on our roster and brings a skill set that does not become available very often. He is a veteran leader who helps his teammates get better, but at the same time he is only 28 years old so he can be part of the core of this franchise for several years to come.”

The 15th pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, the 6-10 Jefferson has played in 628 games for the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz during his nine-year career. He has career averages of 16.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 blocks in 30.6 minutes, while shooting .500 from the field.

Jefferson is one of only two players in the NBA to have averaged at least 17.0 points and at least 9.0 rebounds in each of the last six seasons, joining Dwight Howard in doing so. No other player has posted those averages in more than four of the last six campaigns.

Over his last three seasons, all with Utah, Jefferson missed just nine regular season games, playing in 221 of a possible 230 contests. During that span, he averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 blocks in 34.4 minutes, while shooting .494 from the field and .767 from the free-throw line. He has finished the season in the NBA’s top 10 in defensive rebounds in each of the three seasons and has been among the league’s top eight in field goals in each of the last two years.

Last season with the Jazz, Jefferson averaged 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steal in 33.1 minutes played. He led all NBA centers in field goals, ranked second among NBA centers in scoring average and ranked fourth among NBA centers in defensive rebounds, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Wizards sign guard Eric Maynor

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed guard Eric Maynor. He is backup material and should come off the bench to play behind John Wall.

“Eric is a solid player who has thrived playing behind some of the league’s best point guards,” said Grunfeld. “He will bring stability and experience in that role and add leadership and character off the floor.”

Maynor averaged 4.5 points and 2.8 assists in 64 overall games with Oklahoma City and Portland last season, including 6.9 points and 4.0 assists in 27 game after being traded to the Trail Blazers. The former VCU standout shot .377 from the field, .354 from behind the arc and .726 from the line in 15.0 minutes per contest. Maynor scored in double figures 10 times, including a season-high 20 points on March 8 at San Antonio and he dished out a season-high 12 assists on March 2 vs. Minnesota. The 6-3 guard was traded from Oklahoma City to Portland on February 21 in exchange for the rights to Georgios Printezis and a trade exception.

In four seasons with Utah, Oklahoma City and Portland, Maynor holds career averages of 4.5 points and 3.0 assists in 15.1 minutes per contest. While playing in 236 career games, he has shot .400 from the field, .354 from behind the arc and .731 from the line. Maynor was originally drafted by Utah with the 20th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. On December 22, 2009, he was traded from Utah, along with Matt Harpring, to Oklahoma City for the rights to Peter Fehse.