July 2016 – Page 16 – NBA Blog

Knicks sign Guillermo Hernangomez

The New York Knicks have signed center Guillermo “Willy” Hernangomez.

Hernangomez, 6-10, 240-pounds, has played professionally in Spain for the past four seasons with Real Madrid (2012-13, 2015-16) and, as a former teammate of current Knick Kristaps Porzingis, with Sevilla (2013-15). He holds career averages of 7.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 133 games and played in 40 games for Real Madrid this past season, averaging 5.8 points, on 66.6-percent shooting, and 3.7 rebounds.

The Madrid, Spain-native, was originally selected by Philadelphia in the second round (35th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft and had his rights traded to New York in exchange for two future second round draft picks (2020 and 2021) and cash considerations. He won the 2015 EuroCup with the Spanish national team, and is scheduled to represent his country at the Olympic Games in Brazil later this summer.

Spurs trade Boris Diaw to Jazz

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has acquired forward Boris Diaw, a 2022 second-round pick and cash considerations from San Antonio in exchange for the player rights to Olivier Hanlan.

Diaw (6-8, 250, France) is a 13-year NBA veteran who holds career averages of 8.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 27.7 minutes in 991 games (530 starts) with Atlanta, Phoenix, Charlotte and San Antonio. Originally selected in the first round (21st overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft by Atlanta, Diaw appeared in 76 games (four starts) for the Spurs this past season, averaging 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists on .362 three-point shooting in 18.2 minutes.

A member of the 2014 Spurs championship team, Diaw owns playoff career averages of 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 108 games (44 starts) over nine playoff seasons, including appearances in two NBA Finals and four Western Conference Finals. He also received the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2006 as a member of the Suns.

The Cormeille-en-Parisis, France, native has been a member of the French National Team since 2003. He teamed with countryman and new Jazz teammate Rudy Gobert to lead France to a third-place finish at the 2014 FIBA World Cup and guided the team to its first ever gold medal at the 2013 European Championship.

In 2005, Diaw created Babac’Ards, a not-for-profit organization to help young Senegalese children become productive citizens with a focus on education and basketball. The name is derived from his Senegalese middle name, Babacar. He has also participated in several NBA Basketball Without Borders trips, including one in Paris and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Hanlan, 6-4/190, was selected by Utah in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft and spent last season with BC Zalgiris in Kaunas, Lithuania. The Canada native averaged 7.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 20.7 minutes over 38 games, helping Zalgiris win the Lithuanian Basketball League title. Hanlan played three years (2012-15) at Boston College, where he averaged 17.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 36.0 minutes. The 2013 ACC Freshman of the Year, Hanlan was named to the All-ACC First Team in 2014-15.

Trail Blazers sign center Festus Ezeli

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent center Festus Ezeli, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey. The deal is reportedly a $15 million dollar contract over two years.

Ezeli, 26, joins the Trail Blazers from the Golden State Warriors, where he averaged 7.0 points (54.8% FG, 53.0% FT), 5.6 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.09 blocks and 16.7 minutes in 46 games (13 starts) last season.

“Festus is an outstanding addition to the Trail Blazer organization on and off the court. He will make an immediate impact and be a valuable addition to our culture,” said Olshey.

Selected 30th overall by the Warriors in the 2012 NBA Draft, Ezeli holds career averages of 4.2 points (51.3% FG, 55.7% FT), 4.3 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.98 blocks and 14.1 minutes in 170 games (61 starts) over three NBA seasons.

Ezeli (6-11, 265) has seen playoff action in all three of his NBA seasons, and averaged 4.0 points (53.6% FG), 2.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 8.8 minutes in 23 games for Golden State during the 2016 NBA Playoffs. Ezeli won an NBA championship with the Warriors in 2015.

A four-year standout at Vanderbilt, Ezeli graduated as the school’s all-time blocks leader with 204 career blocked shots. He averaged 7.7 points (56.2% FG), 4.5 rebounds and 1.69 blocks in 121 collegiate games.

Trail Blazers waive Cliff Alexander

The Portland Trail Blazers waived forward Cliff Alexander today, president of basketball operations Neil Olshey announced.

Alexander played in eight games for the Trail Blazers as a rookie in 2015-16, averaging 1.3 points (50.0% FG), 0.8 rebounds and 4.5 minutes per game.

Miami Heat sign Rodney McGruder

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed free agent guard Rodney McGruder.

McGruder appeared in 48 games (44 starts) with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League last season, averaging 15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.38 steals and 37.5 minutes, while shooting 51.3 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from three-point range and 73.9 percent from the free throw line. He led the team in points (758), field goals made (290), three-point field goals made (93) and plus-minus (+367), and finished second on the team in steals (66) and third in rebounds (255). Additionally, he scored in double-figures 40 times, including 14 20-point games and two 30-point games, while helping the Skyforce to a D-League record 40 wins. In the playoffs, he appeared in seven games (all starts), averaging 22.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 42.3 minutes, while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three-point range en route to the Skyforce’s first NBA D-League championship in franchise history.

McGruder split time during the 2014-15 season between the Maine Red Claws and Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 23.1 minutes in 29 games (seven starts). He also played for Atomeromu SE Paks of the Hungarian A League in 2013-14, where he averaged 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.59 steals in 27.8 minutes.

McGruder, who played all four seasons at Kansas State, is currently on the HEAT’s summer league team.

Bulls trade Mike Dunleavy to Cavaliers

The 2016 NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired guard/forward Mike Dunleavy and the draft rights to forward Vladimir Veremeenko from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the rights to forward Albert Miralles. Dunleavy will be accepted into the trade exception that was created in the Cavs trade earlier today with Milwaukee, that also included the draft rights to Miralles, General Manager David Griffin announced from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“We are very pleased to be able to welcome Mike to our Cavaliers family,” said Griffin. “His size, shooting, basketball IQ, and versatility make him a great fit for our group on the floor. While his experience, professionalism, grit, and team first character will be key for us in the locker room.”

Dunleavy (6-9, 220) has spent the last three years with Chicago. He played in 31 games (30 starts) for the Bulls in the 2015-16 regular season after missing the first 49 games due to a back injury. The 6-9 forward finished the campaign with averages of 7.2 points, a .394 mark from beyond the arc, and 2.7 rebounds in 22.7 minutes.

An NCAA champion out of Duke (2001), Dunleavy was originally selected by Golden State with the third overall pick of the 2002 NBA Draft. Over his 14-year NBA career, he has averaged 11.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 28.4 minutes over 933 games (583 starts) with the Warriors, Indiana, Milwaukee and Chicago. He also holds career shooting percentages of .441 from the field, .376 from the three-point line and .803 from the foul line. In his 26 postseason appearances (17 starts), he has averaged 10.4 points on .482 shooting from the field, .453 from beyond the arc, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.5 minutes.

Veremeenko (6-10, 236) was selected with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards. He has recently played for the Italian professional basketball club Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia.

Bulls trade Jose Calderon to Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired José Calderón and two future second round draft picks from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the draft rights to Ater Majok, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

“Not only is José an elite shooter, he is also an established and versatile player whose skill and professionalism will supplement the talent on our roster,” said Kupchak.

In 11 seasons with the Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks, Calderón has averaged 9.9 points, 6.5 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game while shooting 41.2% from three-point range, 47.4% from the field, and 87.5% from the free throw line over 748 games (546 starts). He led the league in three-point shooting percentage (46.1%) during the 2012-13 season and free throw shooting (98.1%) in 2008-09, making 151 of his 154 attempts.

The 6’3’’ native of Spain played domestically in his home country prior to coming to the NBA, and is one of the most decorated international players in his country’s history. He was a member of the gold medal-winning teams at the 2006 World Championships and 2011 European Championships, and owns two Olympic silver medals from the 2012 games in London and 2008 games in Beijing. Calderón was honored with the responsibilities of team captaincy at the 2004 Olympic Games, and also owns medals from the 2013, 2007, and 2003 European Championships.

Suns sign rookies Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss and Tyler Ulis

The Phoenix Suns have signed 2016 NBA Draft acquisitions Dragan Bender (fourth overall pick), Marquese Chriss (eighth overall) and Tyler Ulis (34th overall).

All three will make their Suns debuts as members of Phoenix’s entry at NBA Summer League 2016 in Las Vegas. Bender, Chriss, Ulis and the Suns begin Summer League action Saturday, July 9, at 1:00 p.m. (Phoenix time) against the Portland Trail Blazers at Cox Pavilion; the game will be broadcast on NBA TV and ESPN3.

Bender, a skilled and versatile playmaker at 7-1, 225-pounds, played the 2015-16 season with Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League. Only 17 years old at the start of the season, Bender averaged 5.5 points on 47.9 percent shooting and 41.1 percent from three-point range in 13.4 minutes over 25 games in Israel’s top-tier league. Combining shooting range, passing vision and the ability to defend multiple positions, Bender was the youngest player in the 2016 NBA Draft and the first international player not to play college basketball selected at fourth overall. He also became the first Croatian ever to be a top-four selection in the NBA Draft.

Chriss, an explosive athlete and efficient shooter at 6-10, 233-pounds, averaged 13.7 points on 53.0 percent shooting from the field and 35.0 percent from three-point territory, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 34 games during his one season at Washington in 2015-16. An Honorable Mention Pac-12 All-Freshman selection, Chriss recorded 55 blocks to lead Pac-12 freshmen and set a Huskies freshman record. The fourth-youngest player selected in the 2016 NBA Draft, Chriss was one of just eight players and the only freshman in college basketball last season to average at least 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting at least 50 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range.

Ulis, a quick and confident floor general at 5-10, 150-pounds, was named the SEC Player of the Year by the coaches and media after averaging 17.3 points, 7.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 35 games for Kentucky in 2015-16. A tenacious on-ball defender, Ulis also became just the second player in league history to win SEC Defensive Player of the Year and SEC Player of the Year in the same season, joining Anthony Davis who did so in 2011-12. Ulis was also honored following the 2015-16 season as the recipient of the Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation’s top point guard.

Lakers sign Jordan Clarkson, Luol Deng and Ivica Zubac

Lakers ink Jordan Clarkson, Luol Deng and Ivica Zubac

The Los Angeles Lakers have re-signed guard Jordan Clarkson, and signed forward Luol Deng and center Ivica Zubac, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Clarkson’s deal is reportedly a $50 million dollar contract over four years. Deng’s deal is reportedly a $72 million dollar contract over four years.

“Jordan is an important piece of our young core and resigning him was a priority of our offseason,” said Kupchak. “He has displayed a tremendous work ethic over the last two seasons, and we expect him to continue to develop. Luol is a versatile defender as well as offensively talented and is a high character individual who will be invaluable mentoring our young players on the court and in the locker room. Ivica is a player we feel has a bright future in this league and we are excited to see him grow alongside our group of young players.”

Clarkson was an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection in 2015 and was selected to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star 2016. In two seasons with the Lakers, Clarkson has averaged 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals over 138 games (117 starts), and finished second on the team in scoring last year, averaging 15.5 points per game.

Acquired from the Washington Wizards on the night of the 2014 NBA Draft, the 24-year-old scored double-figures in a career-best 27 consecutive games in 2015-16, and scored 20+ points on 20 occasions. He led the Lakers in scoring 16 times last season, and tied his career-high with a 30-point performance 11/3 vs. DEN.

A two-time NBA All-Star, 2012 NBA All-Defensive Second Team Selection, and member of the 2005 All-Rookie First Team, Deng comes to the Lakers after spending 12 seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat. In 823 games (776 starts), Deng has averaged 15.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.0 steals in 35.3 minutes per game, and has made the playoffs seven times. After spending one season at Duke University, Deng was drafted seventh overall in the 2004 NBA Draft.

Off the court, the South Sudan native was honored with the NBA’s 2014 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, given to the player who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community, and was the 2007 winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award, selected by his peers as the player who best exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court.

Zubac (pronounced EE-vits-uh ZOO-bahtz) was selected by the Lakers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, one of a record-setting 26 international players drafted. The 19-year-old played in the Adriatic League and FIBA Euro Cup for Cibona Zagreb last season before joining Mega Leks, where he averaged 10.9 points and 5.1 rebounds as the team made the Serbian League semi-finals.

Born in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, but a naturalized Croatian, the 7’1’’ center helped the Croatian U-19 team capture the silver medal at the 2015 World Championships, finishing third in the tournament in scoring with 17.9 points per game and seventh in rebounding (7.9). That same summer, he participated with the Croatian U-18 team at the 2015 European Championships, leading the tournament in rebounds per game (12.9), blocks (3.0), and double-doubles (six), and finished eighth in scoring (15.8).

Grizzlies sign Chandler Parsons

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed forward Chandler Parsons to a multi-year contract. The deal is reportedly a $98.5 million dollar contract over four years.

Parsons (6-10, 230) has appeared in 340 regular season games (324 starts) during his five-year NBA career with the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks and has averaged 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.03 steals in 33.3 minutes while shooting 47.4 percent from the field, 38.0 percent from three-point range and 70.5 percent from the free throw line. He has competed in 13 NBA postseason games (all starts) with Houston and Dallas and has averaged 18.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 40.4 minutes while shooting 43.7 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from three-point range and 69.0 percent from the foul line.

Over the last two seasons in Dallas, Parsons appeared in 127 games (117 starts) and averaged 14.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 31.4 minutes while shooting 47.5 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three-point range and 68.4 percent from the free throw line during his tenure with the Mavericks. The 27-year-old set career highs in both field goal percentage (.492) and three-point field goal percentage (.414) last season and was one of just three qualifying players to maintain those percentages in both shooting categories, joining Golden State’s Stephen Curry and San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard.

While playing for Houston, Parsons set his career high in scoring against Memphis with 34 points on Jan. 24, 2014 at the Toyota Center. Parsons made 10 three-pointers – all in the second half – which set an NBA record for threes in a half, a Rockets franchise record for threes in a single game, and a Grizzlies franchise record for threes by an opponent in a single game. Parsons made all 10 three-pointers consecutively starting with his first make at 11:11 left in the third quarter.

The Casselberry, Fla. native was drafted by Houston in the second round (38th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft following a four-year collegiate career at the University of Florida, where he became the first Gator to be named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 2010-11. He earned 2011-12 NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors with the Rockets.