July 2016 – Page 18 – NBA Blog

Orlando Magic re-sign Evan Fournier

The Orlando Magic have re-signed restricted free agent guard/forward Evan Fournier. The deal is reportedly a $85 million dollar contract over five years.

“As soon as the season ended, we said bringing Evan (Fournier) back was a top priority for us,” said Magic General Manager Rob Hennigan. “He made tremendous strides last season and we’re confident he will continue to improve and grow as an integral member of our core. We are extremely happy to have Evan back in an Orlando Magic uniform.”

Fournier (6’7”, 205, 10/29/92) appeared in 79 games (71 starts) with Orlando last season, averaging a career-high 15.4 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 2.7 apg. and 1.22 stlpg. in a career-high 32.5 minpg., while shooting a team-high .400 (156-390) from three-point range and a team-high .836 (199-238) from the free throw line. He was tied for 17th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage and ranked 35th in free throw percentage. Fournier led (or tied) the team in scoring 19 times, in rebounding once and in assists seven times. He scored in double figures 61 times, had 20+ points 24 times and had 30+ points twice, including a career-high 30 points on Nov. 3 @ New Orleans and Mar. 15 vs. Denver.

Originally selected by Denver in the first round (20th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft, Fournier has appeared in 251 career NBA regular season games (111 starts) with Denver and Orlando, averaging 11.0 ppg., 2.5 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 24.5 minpg., while shooting .389 (352-906) from three-point range. He was acquired by the Magic along with the draft rights to Devyn Marble from Denver in exchange for Arron Afflalo on June 26, 2014.

Mavericks trade Jeremy Evans to Pacers

The Dallas Mavericks have acquired the rights to center Stanko Barać from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for forward Jeremy Evans, the rights to guard-forward Emir Preldžić and cash considerations.

The 28-year-old Evans is a six-year veteran who was with Utah his first five seasons and the Mavericks last season. He has career averages of 3.5 points and 2.6 rebounds and was the 2012 NBA Slam Dunk champion. The 6-9, 200-pound Evans played collegiately at Western Kentucky and was the 55th overall pick (second round) by Utah in the 2007 NBA Draft.
“Jeremy is big and athletic,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “We’re anxious to get him here to put him through our strength and conditioning program. We know he’ll be a good fit with the players we have.”

Evans (6-9, 200) was signed as a free agent by Dallas on July 31, 2015.

Barać (7-1, 280) is a Croatian center who last played for Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano (Italy), averaging 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 17 games. He helped Olimpia win the Italian Cup in 2016. Barać has also played professionally in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spain, Turkey and Croatia.

Preldžić (6-9, 220) last played for Darüşşafaka Spor Kulübü (Turkey) and averaged 6.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 31 games.

Magic sign D.J. Augustin

This is a bigger and longer deal than Augustin was expected to receive

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard D.J. Augustin (August-teen), General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. The deal is reportedly a $29 million dollar contract over four years.

“D.J. (Augustin) is a proven veteran that will add leadership, toughness and depth to our backcourt,” said Hennigan. “He is a premier perimeter shooter and we are extremely excited to welcome him to the Magic family.”

Augustin (#14, 6’0”, 183, 11/10/87) played in 62 games with both Oklahoma City and Denver last season, averaging 7.5 ppg., 3.2 apg. and 1.5 rpg. in 19.0 minpg., while shooting .405 (68-168) from three-point range and .805 (103-128) from the free throw line. He led (or tied) the Nuggets in scoring five times and in assists 13 times. Augustin scored in double figures 21 times and had 20+ points four times, including a season-high 26 points on Mar. 2 vs. L.A. Lakers.

Originally selected by Charlotte in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft, Augustin has appeared in 573 career NBA regular season games (170 starts) with Charlotte, Indiana, Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Oklahoma City and Denver, averaging 9.8 ppg., 4.0 apg. and 1.8 rpg. in 24.2 minpg., while shooting .374 (701-1,872) from three-point range and .867 (1,249-1,440) from the free throw line. He has also played in 28 career NBA playoff contests (one start), averaging 6.5 ppg., 1.6 apg. and 1.0 rpg. in 18.9 minpg.

Hornets re-sign Nicolas Batum

Nic Batum has versatile basketball skills

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has re-signed guard/forward Nicolas Batum to a multi-year deal. The deal is reportedly a $120 million dollar contract, over five years.

“Ensuring that Nic remained in Charlotte was a top priority for us this offseason and we are thrilled that he has re-signed with us,” Cho said. “Nic brings versatility, skill and playmaking to our roster that complements all of our players and played a significant role in our playoff berth in 2015-16. We are excited to continue to build on what we’ve accomplished with Nic as a Hornet.”

Batum appeared and started in 70 games with the Hornets in 2015-16, averaging 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 35.0 minutes per game. In his eighth NBA season, he posted career highs in points per game, assists per game and field goals made per game and was one of only six qualified players in the NBA to average at least 14 points, six rebounds and five assists during the season, along with Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, James Harden, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. Batum earned his first Eastern Conference Player of the Week award last season, earning the accolade for games played from Nov. 9-15.

The guard/forward from Lisieux, France, totaled 1,046 points, 428 rebounds and 403 assists during the 2015-16 NBA season, becoming only the fourth player in Charlotte NBA history to tally 1,000 points, 400 rebounds and 400 assists in a single season (Baron Davis – 2000-01, Jamal Mashburn – 2000-01 and Anthony Mason – 1996-97). In addition, he became the first Charlotte player since Davis in 2000-01 to post multiple triple-doubles in a single season, doing so on Dec. 9 vs. Miami and March 29 vs. Philadelphia.

Charlotte originally acquired Batum from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Gerald Henderson and forward Noah Vonleh on June 24, 2015. The 25th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Batum has appeared in 551 games (498 starts), averaging 11.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists over eight NBA seasons. He has seen action in 39 total playoff games (29 starts) with averages of 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists, including five playoff games with Charlotte in 2015-16.

Batum has been a member of the French National Team since 2009, representing his country in the 2012 Olympics, 2010 FIBA World Championship, 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA European Championships. He led France to a gold medal in the 2013 European Championship, a silver medal in the 2011 European Championship and bronze medals in the 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2015 European Championship. He is currently competing with the national team in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Hornets sign Ramon Sessions

Ramon Sessions will be backup to Kemba Walker

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed guard Ramon Sessions. The deal is reportedly a two-year, $12.5 million dollar contract.

A native of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Sessions returns to Charlotte, where he previously played from 2012-14. In addition to Charlotte, the nine-year NBA veteran has played for Milwaukee, Minnesota, Cleveland, the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento and Washington. He has appeared in 613 total games (142 starts) with career averages of 10.9 points, 4.2 assists and 2.8 rebounds.

The University of Nevada-Reno product spent the 2015-16 season with the Wizards, where he averaged 9.9 points, 2.9 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 20.3 minutes and was the only player to appear in every games. Sessions, who led the team in assists seven times and in scoring on four occasions, tallied three double-doubles on the season. He came off the bench in 77 of his 82 games and averaged 9.4 points in those contests, which ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference among qualified reserve players.

During his previous tenure in Charlotte, Sessions played in 116 total games (seven starts), with averages of 12.5 points, 3.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 25.5 minutes per game. In 2012-13, he averaged a career-high 14.4 points per game. Sessions, who came off the bench in each of his 61 appearances that season, scored in double figures in 49 of 61 games played before missing the season’s final 21 contests due to a left knee injury.

The 57th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Sessions has seen action in 22 career playoff games with averages of 8.7 points, 3.0 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 27.2 minutes.

Hornets sign Roy Hibbert

Roy Hibbert is tall

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed center Roy Hibbert. The deal is reportedly for one year, $5 million.

Hibbert has appeared in 614 career games (573 starts) for the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers, owning career averages of 10.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 assists in 25.6 minutes per game. He was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team in both 2012 and 2014, adding NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2014. He finished among the NBA’s top five in both total blocks and blocks per game in three straight seasons from 2011-14 and enters his ninth NBA campaign ranked sixth among active players and 30th all-time in blocks per game.

The Georgetown product was originally chosen by the Toronto Raptors with the 17th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, before having his rights traded to Indiana, where he spent the first seven of his eight NBA seasons. A native of Queens, New York, Hibbert has appeared and started in 54 playoff games, averaging 12.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 31.6 minutes per contest, including back-to-back trips to the Eastern Conference Finals with the Pacers in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
Hibbert played in 81 games (all starts) with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2015-16 season, his first with the club, posting averages of 5.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 25.6 minutes per game.

Timberwolves sign rookie Kris Dunn

Kris Dunn is worth watching

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed guard Kris Dunn, the fifth overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft.

All players selected in the first round of the Draft are guaranteed to receive a contract, assuming they want to begin their NBA career right away. This signing was expected.

Dunn, a 6-4 guard out of Providence, averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.2 steals in 95 games over three-plus seasons. He is the only Providence player to tally career totals of 1,000 points, 400 rebounds, 500 assists and 200 steals with the Friars. As a junior this past season, Dunn averaged 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.5 steals, and was named Big East Player of the Year, Big East Defensive Player of the Year and a Second Team All-American. He led the Big East in steals, ranking fifth in the nation, and finished second in the Big East in assists and fourth in scoring. Dunn was also named 2014-15 Big East Player of the Year and Big East Defensive Player of the Year as a redshirt sophomore after averaging 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.7 steals. He joined Georgetown’s Patrick Ewing as the only players to win Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year twice.

Three team trade sends Jeff Teague to Pacers, George Hill to Jazz

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired the draft rights to Taurean Prince, the 12th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, from the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team trade, it was announced today by General Manager Wes Wilcox. As part of the deal, the Hawks will send guard Jeff Teague to Indiana and the Jazz will receive guard George Hill from the Pacers.

“Taurean has many of the qualities that we value in our program…we are excited to add his competitiveness, toughness, versatility, and desire to improve,” Wilcox said. “We would also like to thank Coach Scott Drew and Baylor Basketball for their help throughout the scouting process. Taurean is eager to get started and we look forward to beginning his development with our coaches and athletic performance team.”

“I would like to thank Jeff for his seven years with the organization, and our three years together,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer. “Jeff developed into a key contributor and played an integral role in the team’s recent success. We wish him well in the next chapter of his career.”

Prince, a four-year letterman at Baylor, averaged 15.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 34 games as a senior while garnering First Team All-Big 12 honors. The 6’8 forward was also named Second Team All-Big 12 as junior as well as the league’s Sixth Man of the Year after recording 13.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 assists in 33 contests. Prince owns career averages of 10.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting .460 from the field, .376 from three-point range and .718 from the free throw line in 129 games.

Teague, an Indianapolis native, comes to the Pacers from the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-way trade. The Pacers send guard George Hill to Utah and the Jazz send the 12th overall pick in June’s NBA Draft, Baylor’s Taurean Prince, to Atlanta. Young was acquired from Brooklyn in exchange for the Pacers’ first-round pick (20th overall) in the June draft, Michigan’s Caris LeVert.

“We want to thank George for his five seasons with us,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “He’s a great guy who did a lot for the community. We wish him nothing but the best. With Jeff, we think he brings something we haven’t had in a true point guard. We think he fits in with what we’re trying to do. He has speed, the ability to create for others and he can score. We look forward to working with him.

“Thaddeus is a long, athletic power forward who can defend multiple positions. He was a 15-point scorer last year and averaged nine rebounds a game. We think he’s a good fit between Myles (Turner) and Paul (George).”

Teague, 28, grew up in Indianapolis (Pike High School), played collegiately at Wake Forest and was a first-round pick (19th overall) of the Hawks in 2009. In seven seasons with Atlanta, Teague averaged 12.0 points and 5.0 assists. Last season, he averaged 15.7 points and 5.9 assists per game. In 2015, he was named to the NBA All-Star team.

Hill (6-3, 188, IUPUI) appeared in 74 games (73 starts) for the Pacers this season, averaging 12.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting a career-high .408 (128-314) from three-point range in 34.1 minutes of action. Hill’s seventh-seeded Pacers then pushed second-seed Toronto to seven games as he averaged 13.6 points on .481 (13-27) three-point shooting.

Originally selected in the first round (26th overall selection) of the 2008 NBA Draft by San Antonio, the 30-year-old guard has appeared in 550 career games (325 starts) over eight seasons with San Antonio and Indiana, and owns career averages of 11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists and .376 three-point shooting in 28.8 minutes. His teams have made the playoffs in seven of his eight seasons and he has appeared in a total of 75 playoffs games (64 starts) averaging 12.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals and a .371 three-point percentage. Hill helped the Indiana Pacers to two straight Eastern Conference Finals appearances in 2013 and 2014.

Prior to the NBA, the Indianapolis native played four seasons at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (2004-08) where he was named The Summit League Player of the Year (2008) and All-Summit League First Team twice (2006, 2008). For his collegiate career, Hill appeared in 94 games and averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 33.4 minutes.

He will wear uniform #3 for the Jazz.

Magic sign Jeff Green

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Jeff Green. The deal is reportedly just for one year, $15 million.

“Jeff (Green) is a veteran that brings versatility and depth to our frontcourt,” said General Manager Rob Hennigan. “He will provide tremendous leadership to our team, both on and off the floor, and we are extremely excited to welcome him into the Magic family.”

Green (#34, 6’9”, 235, 8/28/86) played in 80 regular season games with both Memphis and the L.A. Clippers last season (41 starts), averaging 11.7 ppg., 4.2 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 28.2 minpg. He scored in double figures 47 times and had 20+ points 11 times, including a season-high 30 points on Jan. 25 vs. Orlando. Green became the first player in Grizzlies franchise history to record 20+ points off the bench in three consecutive games. He also appeared in six playoff contests (one start), averaging 10.2 ppg., 3.2 rpg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 26.4 minpg.

Originally selected by Boston in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, Green has appeared in 636 career NBA regular season games (473 starts) with Seattle, Oklahoma City, Boston, Memphis and the L.A. Clippers, averaging 14.0 ppg., 4.9 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 32.0 minpg. He has also played in 38 career NBA playoff contests (15 starts), averaging 11.0 ppg., 4.1 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 29.3 minpg.

Magic trade Shabazz Napier to Blazers

The Orlando Magic have acquired cash considerations from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Shabazz Napier, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Napier (6’1”, 175, 7/14/91) played in 55 games with Orlando last season, averaging 3.7 ppg., 1.8 apg. and 1.0 rpg. in 10.9 minpg. He was acquired by the Magic, along with cash considerations, from Miami in exchange for a conditional second round draft pick on July 27, 2015. Originally selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft by Charlotte, Napier has appeared in 106 career NBA regular season games (ten starts) with Miami and Orlando, averaging 4.4 ppg., 2.1 apg. and 1.6 rpg. in 15.2 minpg.