Day: September 13, 2008

Raef LaFrentz to have shoulder surgery

The Portland Trail Blazers announced today that center/forward Raef LaFrentz will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Friday, September 26 to repair a tear in the labrum of his right shoulder.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the surgery at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles, Calif.

“I was really hoping to avoid surgery,” said LaFrentz, who sustained the injury during Portland’s game at Seattle on February 22, 2008. “I was hopeful that an off-season regiment of physical therapy and treatment would heal the injury, but unfortunately it’s become clear now that I need to move forward with surgery.”

A timetable for LaFrentz’s return will be set following the arthroscopic surgery.

Warriors waive Kosta Perovic

The Golden State Warriors have waived center Kosta Perović, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced today.

Perović, 23, was selected by the Warriors in the second round (#38 overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft.  In seven games with Golden State this season, he averaged 1.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 5.4 minutes per contest.  Additionally, the 7-2 center appeared in 21 games with the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, averaging 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.55 blocks in 23.3 minutes.

Golden State now has 17 players under contract.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Perovic wanted to be waived so he could sign overseas and get real minutes. He and the Warriors still like each other.

Lakers sign CJ Giles

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent forward CJ Giles, it was announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Giles, a 6-11 forward who finished his collegiate career at Oregon State after playing two seasons at Kansas, averaged 6.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in ten games last season for the Beavers.

InsideHoops.com editor says: The Lakers continue to sign players who were pretty unimpressive in college, or played overseas yet didn’t do particularly well and weren’t even the best player on their team, etc. It’s unusual. But this is an end-of-the-bench signing that will likely end during or right at the end of training camp so it doesn’t matter too much. At least Giles gets a chance to prove himself, even if it doesn’t lead to being signed just yet.