July 2015 – Page 11 – NBA Blog

Spurs re-sign Matt Bonner

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have re-signed forward Matt Bonner.

Bonner has spent the past nine seasons in San Antonio, the longest tenured player with the Silver and Black outside of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The 6-10 forward has appeared in 602 games with the Spurs, averaging 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds in 16.4 minutes while shooting .455 (1,264-2,781) from the field, .412 (641-1,554) from three-point range and .765 (215-281) from the foul line. Among Spurs all-time NBA leaders, Bonner ranks third in three-pointers made, sixth in three-point field goal percentage and ninth in games played. During the 2010-11 season he led the NBA in three-point shooting with a .457 (105-230) mark from beyond the arc. Bonner has appeared in 94 playoff games for the Silver and Black, averaging 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.0 minutes.

An 11-year NBA veteran, Bonner was originally drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 45th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. His draft rights were traded to the Toronto Raptors where he spent his first two NBA seasons. For his career, the New Hampshire native has appeared in 762 NBA games, averaging 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds 17.2 minutes while shooting .463 (1,720-3,711) from the field, .414 (782-1,889) from three-point territory and .780 (334-428) from the foul line. Among active players he ranks eighth in three-point field goal percentage.

Utah Jazz sign center Tibor Pleiss

The Utah Jazz announced yesterday the team has signed center Tibor Pleiss to a multi-year contract.

Pleiss (7-3, 262, Germany) most recently played for FC Barcelona of the Liga ACB in Spain, averaging 5.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game last season. He also shot 62.3 percent from the floor (134-of-215) and was 71-of-82 from the free throw line (86.6 percent). The 25-year-old center logged a career-high 12.4 points on 58.3 percent shooting (270-of-463) and 6.0 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per contest with Laboral Kutxa Vitoria of Spain in 2013-14. A member of the Germany Men’s National Team, Pleiss began his career with Brose Baskets Bamberg of Germany in 2009.

The Jazz acquired the rights to Pleiss from Oklahoma City as part of a three-team trade, which also included Detroit, on February 19, 2015.

The German center was originally selected by the New Jersey Nets in the second round (31st overall pick) of the 2010 NBA Draft. His rights were then traded to the Atlanta Hawks before eventually being moved to Oklahoma City.

Spurs re-sign Danny Green

The San Antonio Spurs announced yesterday that they have re-signed guard Danny Green.

According to multiple reports, the deal is for four years, $45 million.

Last season, the New York native appeared in 81 games, averaging career-bests with 11.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.25 steals and 1.07 blocks in 28.5 minutes while shooting .436 (322-738) from the field, .418 (191-457) from downtown and a career-best .874 (111-127) from the free throw line. Green ranked seventh in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage and eighth in makes while also leading all NBA guards in blocks per game. He was the only guard in the NBA to average at least one steal (1.25) and one block (1.07) per game. His 191 three-pointers made in 2014-15 set a Spurs franchise record for most in a single season.

A six-year NBA veteran, Green originally joined the Spurs as a free agent on March 6, 2011 and re-signed with the Silver and Black on July 11, 2012. In his five seasons with the Spurs, the former North Carolina Tar Heel has appeared in 303 total games, averaging 10.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.05 steals in 25.7 minutes while shooting .440 (1,065-2,418) from the field, .423 (609-1,441) from beyond the arc and .832 (307-369) from the foul line. Among Spurs all-time leaders Green ranks fourth in three-pointers made (609) and fourth in three-point field goal percentage (.423). Last season he became the fastest Spurs player to reach 500 three-pointers made in a career.

Green was originally drafted with the 46th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. For his career, he has appeared in 323 NBA games, averaging 9.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.00 steals in 24.4 minutes, while shooting .440 (1,080-2,457) from the field, .420 (615-1,463) from three-point territory and .829 (311-375) from the foul line. His career .420 shooting percentage from beyond the arc ranks sixth in the NBA among active players and currently ranks 12th in NBA history.

Green has seen action in 69 career playoff games, averaging 8.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.00 blocks in 24.6 minutes. During the 2013 Finals he set an NBA record for three-pointers made in an NBA Finals series of any length, connecting on 27-of-49 (.551) treys. Green is one of seven active players to have won an NCAA Championship and an NBA Championship (Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers, Corey Brewer, Marreese Speights, Jason Terry and Nazr Mohammad).

Hornets sign guard Aaron Harrison

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced yesterday that the team has signed free agent guard Aaron Harrison.

“Aaron Harrison played very well for us in Summer League,” Cho said. “He is a talented young player with a lot of potential and we look forward to seeing what he can do moving forward.”

Harrison played the last two seasons at the University of Kentucky. He saw action in 79 games, helping the Wildcats to back-to-back Final Fours, with averages of 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.2 minutes. In 2014-15, he was named Second Team All-SEC after averaging a team-high 11.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 25.8 minutes as Kentucky became the first team in NCAA history to start a season 38-0 before falling to Wisconsin in the national semifinals. Harrison, who was named to the SEC All-Tournament Team in each of his two seasons, also earned NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team honors in 2013-14, when he hit three consecutive game-winning three-point field goals in the Sweet 16, Elite Eight and Final Four.

Harrison, who was not selected in the 2015 NBA Draft, played in all five games for the Hornets at the Southwest Airlines Orlando Pro Summer League in Orlando. He scored in double figures in all five contests, averaging 13.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and team highs of 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 29.0 minutes. He led the Hornets with 14 made free throws and ranked second on the team with 24 total field goals.

Kings sign Omri Casspi and Luc Mbah a Moute

The Sacramento Kings yesterday signed free agent forwards Omri Casspi and Luc Mbah a Moute (BAH-ah MOO-tay), according to Vlade Divac, Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations.

Both players are expected to be reserves, providing depth off the bench. And both players are quality additions to a roster.

Casspi averaged 8.9 points per game on career-highs of field goal percentage (.489), three-point field goal percentage (.402) and free throw percentage (.733) in 2014-15 for the Kings. The 6-9, 225-pound forward was originally drafted by Sacramento in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft (23rd overall) and has averaged 7.9 points (.432 FG%, .356 3PT%, .684 FT%), 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in 394 career contests for three teams: Sacramento Kings (2009-10 – 2010-11, 2014-15), Cleveland Cavaliers (2011-12 – 2012-13), and the Houston Rockets (2013-14).

Mbah a Moute, 6-8, 230-pound forward is averaging 6.8 points (.444 FG%, .299 3PT%, .665 FT%), 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in 466 career contests with four teams: Milwaukee (2008-09 – 2012-13), Sacramento Kings (2013-14), Minnesota Timberwolves (2013-14) and Philadelphia 76ers (2014-15). Selected in the second round (37th overall) by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2008 NBA Draft, Mbah a Moute averaged a career high 9.9 points (.395 FG%, .307 3PT%, .589 FT%), 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in 67 games in 2014-15 for the 76ers.

Mavericks sign Deron Williams

The Dallas Mavericks announced Tuesday that they have signed free agent guard Deron Williams. According to multiple reports, the deal is for two years, $10 million.

Williams’ time with the Brooklyn Nets came to a disappointing conclusion. His play seemed to get worse as time went on, and he didn’t look like the same player that quite rightly earned high praise in the past. But now Deron begins a new chapter, at a very affordable cost to the Mavs.

Williams (6-3, 200) is a 10-year NBA veteran with career averages of 17.0 points, 8.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 35.1 minutes in 716 games (664 starts) for two teams (Utah and New Jersey/Brooklyn). Overall, he has shot .447 (4,290-9,589 FGs) from the field, .358 (996-2,780 3FGs) from three-point range and .819 (2,609-3,187 FTs) from the free throw line.

Williams was a member of three All-Star Teams (2010, 2011 and 2012), made the All-NBA Second Team in 2008 and 2010 and won gold medals as part of Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He also was a member of the All-Rookie First Team in 2006 and became only the third player in NBA history to have 1500+ points and 800+ assists while shooting .500+ from the field in a single season in 2007-08 (also Magic Johnson-1986-87 and 1988-89 and Kevin Johnson-1988-89).

He spent last season with the Nets and averaged 13.0 points, 6.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 31.1 minutes in 68 games (55 starts).

A familiar face to Dallas/Fort Worth, Williams played high school basketball for The Colony before attending the University of Illinois. He was selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round (3rd overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft. On February 23, 2011, he was traded to New Jersey in exchange for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, two first round draft picks (Nets 2011, Golden State 2012) and cash considerations. He re-signed with Brooklyn on July 11, 2012.

Raptors sign Luis Scola

The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have signed 35-year-old free-agent power forward Luis Scola to a multi-year contract.

“Luis is an accomplished NBA and international player. We are thrilled to add his experience and leadership to our team and our locker room,” said Raptors President and General Manager Masai Ujiri. “Luis is a winner wherever he goes.”

Scola, 6-foot-9, 240 pounds, averaged 9.4 points and 6.5 rebounds in 81 games with Indiana last season. The eight-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 12.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 26.8 minutes with Houston (2007-12), Phoenix (2012-13) and Indiana (2013-15).

Scola has appeared in 631 of a possible 640 regular season games (428 starts) and completed six seasons without missing a game. He also holds a career-best streak of 311 consecutive games played (Oct. 30, 2007 – Mar. 7, 2011).

Scola was drafted 56th overall by San Antonio at the 2002 NBA Draft, but did not make his NBA debut until the 2007-08 season after his draft rights were traded to Houston. He averaged 10.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and had a .515 field goal shooting percentage during his rookie campaign, which earned him NBA All-Rookie First Team honours. During the next three seasons (2008-11) Scola was one of six players in the NBA to average at least 12.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and shoot .500+ from the field each year, joining Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, David Lee and Amar’e Stoudemire.

Scola posted a career-best 18.3 points in 2010-11 and 8.8 rebounds in 2008-09 with Houston. He also led the Rockets in 2009-10 with a career-high 32 double-doubles. Through 37 playoff games with Houston and Indiana, Scola has averaged 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 32.9 minutes.

On the international stage Scola is one of the most decorated players in the game today. He is a three-time Olympian for Argentina, earning a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens while averaging a team-high 17.6 points and 5.0 rebounds. Scola helped Argentina earn bronze at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing by averaging a team-high 18.0 points. While hosting the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship, Scola averaged a tournament-best 21.4 points for Argentina and was named MVP. Scola was part of two gold medal winning teams at the FIBA Americas Championship (2001 and 2011).

Prior to the NBA, Scola played two professional seasons (1995-98) in Argentina with Ferro Carril Oeste before making the jump to Spain with Taugres Saski Baskonia Vitoria and Gijon Baloncesto. Scola signed with Tau Ceramica in 2000 where he played seven seasons and earned Euroleague First Team honours in 2005-06 and 2006-07. He was named the MVP of the Spanish League in 2004-05 and 2006-07 and Rookie of the Year in 2000. While at Tau Ceramica he was teammates with Raptors’ all-time assists leader Jose Calderon (2002-05).

Clippers sign forward Branden Dawson

The Los Angeles Clippers have signed forward Branden Dawson. The Clippers acquired the rights to the 56th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft in a draft night trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Dawson, 22, appeared in four of the Clippers games at the recently completed Orlando Summer League and averaged 12.8 points and 10.3 rebounds in 25.5 minutes. Dawson finished second in the league in rebounds per game and recorded a double-double in three of his four appearances.

The former Michigan State stand-out was a Second-Team All-Big Ten performer in his final season with the Spartans, averaging 11.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 32 games.

Dawson (6’6”, 225), finished his four-year collegiate career as the school’s all-time leader in blocks (142), fifth in starts (121), sixth in steals (163) and seventh in rebounds (902). He is one of three players in MSU history with 1,000 career points and 100 career blocks, joining Draymond Green and Adreian Payne.

A star at Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Indiana, Dawson was a 2011 McDonald’s All-American after averaging 28.7 points, 18.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists.

Sixers sign guard Pierre Jackson

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced they have signed guard Pierre Jackson.

Jackson (5-10, 180) was originally the 42nd overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2013 NBA Draft before his rights were traded to New Orleans along with Jrue Holiday in exchange for the rights to Nerlens Noel and what turned out to be the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. During the 2014 NBA Draft, Jackson’s rights were traded back to the Sixers in exchange for the rights to Russ Smith, who was the 47th overall pick that year.

The Las Vegas native returned to action this summer, playing for Philadelphia in the NBA Summer League and is currently averaging 12 points while shooting 50% from 3-point range.

During the 2013-14 season, Jackson played for the Idaho Stampede in the NBA Development League and averaged 29.1 points, 6.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals. He was named a D-League All-Star and scored a league-record 58 points against Texas on Feb. 4, 2014.

Jackson spent his final two collegiate seasons at Baylor, after beginning his career at the College of Southern Idaho. He was named First Team All-Big-12 as a junior and a senior and set a school record with 712 total points in his final season.

Celtics waive guard Phil Pressey

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have waived guard Phil Pressey.

Pressey, a 5’11” guard, was originally signed by the Celtics on July 22, 2013. During the 2014-15 season, he averaged 3.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 12.0 minutes per game. He recorded a season-high 11 points, five rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block in 18 minutes of action on March 25, 2015 against the Miami Heat. On his career, Pressey is averaging 3.1 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 13.8 minutes per game.