Denver Nuggets re-sign Chris Andersen

Chris Andersen to re-sign with Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets have re-signed F/C Chris Andersen to a multi-year contract, Nuggets Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released. The Denver Post had reported the deal would possibly be for five years and up to $26 million.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring Chris back,” said Warkentien.  “He was a big part of our success last season and we believe he will be a big part of our future success as well. We love his energy and hustle and we know Nuggets fans echo that sentiment.”

Andersen, 31, has career averages of 5.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 1.59 bpg in 329 regular season games with the Nuggets (two stints) and New Orleans. He began his NBA career with the Nuggets in 2001 as the first-ever “call-up” from the NBA Development League.

This past season, Andersen helped the Nuggets advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 1984-85 season, posting 6.4 ppg and career high averages of 6.2 rpg and 2.46 bpg. His 2.46 bpg ranked second in the entire NBA, despite averaging just 20.6 minutes per contest off the bench. He also led the NBA with 5.76 blocks per 48 minutes.

Andersen was signed as a free agent last summer, returning to the Nuggets on July, 24, 2008.
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Dallas Mavericks sign first round draft pick Rodrigue Beaubois

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed rookie Rodrigue Beaubois. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Beaubois (6-2, 182) was selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He was acquired, along with a second round pick, from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the Mavericks’ 24th overall selection B.J. Mullens.

The Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe native appeared in 29 French Pro A games in 2008-09 and averaged 10.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 22.3 minutes per game. Beaubois showed marked improvement from his 2007-08 campaign when he averaged 5.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 15.1 minutes per contest.

Beaubois is a member of the Mavericks Summer League Team. Dallas will play in the 2009 NBA Summer League presented by EA Sports. The squad will see its first action on Friday, July 10 when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks at COX Pavilion in Las Vegas.

Hedo Turkoglu to sign with Raptors

The Toronto Star (Doug Smith) reports:  To the mercenary professional athletes who ply their trades here, Toronto’s cozy ethnic neighbourhoods may as well be on Mars and “living” in the city means going from condo to arena to airport to an off-season home. To the newest Raptor, the city’s charm is the attraction. Hedo Turkoglu and his wife, Banu, who grew up high school sweethearts in their native Istanbul, should arrive here this week to officially sign a five-year contract worth about $53 million (U.S.) and – in a departure from the norm – it wasn’t the money that attracted them. It was the city and what it had to offer… The Portland Trail Blazers originally thought they were going to get Turkoglu on a five-year, $50 million contract, but the couple reconsidered the offer overnight Thursday and turned it down late Friday.

Boston Celtics sign Rasheed Wallace

Boston Celtics sign Rasheed Wallace

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent center/forward Rasheed Wallace.  Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Multiple media outlets had reported that the deal would be for two years and the mid-level exception (around $5.7 million per year).

“We are ecstatic to be able to add a player the caliber of Rasheed Wallace to our team,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations, Danny Ainge.  “It is not every day that you can add a four-time All-Star and a player with championship experience.”

Wallace, a 6’11”, 230lbs center/forward, has averaged 15.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 33.9 minutes per game over his 14-year career.  The former UNC Tar Heel has recorded 14 straight seasons of averaging 10 or more points, a tie for second most among active players along with new teammate Kevin Garnett and behind only Shaquille O’Neal. Wallace is one of 13 players in NBA history to make 13 consecutive appearances in the playoffs along with the likes of Kevin McHale, Bob Cousy, Robert Parish and Bill Russell.  Wallace also is one of only three players in NBA history to have recorded 150 three-point field goals, 150 blocks and 100 steals in his postseason career joining Scottie Pippen and Robert Horry.

The fourth overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft has made four All-Star teams in his career (2000, 2001, 2006, 2008).  Wallace has made two trips to the NBA Finals with the Detroit Pistons (2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons) winning the NBA Championship in the 2003-04 season.  Wallace joins Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan as the only four active players that have posted 15,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, 1,500 assists and 1,000 blocks in their careers.

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Shannon Brown re-signs with Lakers

Shannon Brown to re-sign with Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent guard Shannon Brown, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.  Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Brown, who was acquired by the Lakers on February 7, 2009 as part of a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats, appeared in 18 regular season games with Los Angeles, averaging 3.2 points and 1.1 rebounds in 7.6 minutes.  In six games in April, however, Brown nearly doubled his averages with 6.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 14.5 minutes.

In the postseason, Brown appeared in 21 games, averaging 4.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 13.1 minutes while posting three double-figure scoring games and converting 12-of-25 three-point field goals (.480).

Originally selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 25th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Brown, a 6’4” guard out of Michigan State, has appeared in 92 games over three NBA seasons, averaging 4.2 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 10.0 minutes.