Rudy Gay suspended for foul on Luis Scola

Apr. 07, 2010: Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay shoots free throws and finished with 23 points during an NBA game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX Dallas defeated Memphis 110-84.

Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies has been suspended one game without pay for his Flagrant Foul, Penalty Two against Luis Scola of the Houston Rockets, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

The incident, in which Gay made contact with his right shoulder and forearm to the back of Scola and was ejected following the Flagrant Foul, Penalty Two call, occurred with 6:00 remaining in the 4th period of the Grizzlies’ 103-87 loss to the Rockets at Toyota Center on Dec. 17.

Gay  will  serve  his  suspension  tonight when the Grizzlies visit the San Antonio Spurs.

NBA fines George Karl and Andre Miller

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl and Portland Trail Blazers guard Andre Miller have both been fined for separate incidents, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

Karl has been fined $25,000 for public comments about the officiating following the Nuggets’ 113-112 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 16.

Miller has also been fined $25,000 for throwing the ball in the stands following the Blazers’ 103-98 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 15.

Wizards trade Gilbert Arenas to Magic for Rashard Lewis

Washington Wizards' Gilbert Arenas carries the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at the Verizon Center in Washington on December 14, 2010. UPI/Kevin Dietsch Photo via Newscom

The Orlando Magic have acquired three-time NBA All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Rashard Lewis, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith announced today.

“Gilbert (Arenas) is a proven All-Star in this league and we’re excited to add him to our team,” said Smith.  “He is one of the top scoring guards in the game, he can create scoring chances for his teammates and he is as tough as they come.  Rashard (Lewis) was important in helping our franchise get to the next level, and we wish him and his family all the best in the future.”

“This trade allows us to continue to rebuild around our core group of young players and provides financial flexibility as we move forward,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld.  “We’re thrilled to have been able to accomplish those goals while also getting back a two-time All-Star in Rashard Lewis, who brings us versatility, three-point shooting and a veteran presence.”

“When we re-signed Gilbert prior to the 2008-09 season, we envisioned a level of team success that we unfortunately were not able to achieve due to injuries and other factors beyond our control,” said Grunfeld.  “We appreciate the contributions that he made to this franchise and this city and wish him the best of luck.”

Arenas (6’4”, 215, 1/6/82) has played in 21 games this season (14 starts) with Washington, averaging a team-high 17.3 ppg., 5.6 apg., 3.3 rpg. and 1.43 stlpg. in 34.6 minpg.  He is currently tied for 21st in the NBA in assists, ranks 28th in steals and is tied for 35th in scoring.

Originally selected in the second round (31st overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft by Golden State, Arenas was named to the All-NBA Second Team once (2006-07) and to the All-NBA Third Team twice (2004-05, 2005-06), while also earning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2002-03.  He has been named to the NBA All-Star team three times (2005-07).

Arenas has appeared in 486 career NBA regular season games with Golden State and Washington, averaging 22.5 ppg., 5.6 apg., 4.2 rpg. and 1.71 stlpg. in 37.2 minpg.  He has shot .356 (1,016-2,856) from three-point range during his career.  Arenas has also played in 20 career playoff outings, averaging 24.2 ppg., 5.3 apg., 4.6 rpg. and 1.80 stlpg. in 41.4 minpg.

Lewis (6’10”, 230, 8/8/79) has played and started in 25 games this season with Orlando, averaging 12.2 ppg., 4.2 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 32.4 minpg.  He played in 257 games with the Magic from 2007-10, averaging 16.3 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 2.1 apg. and 1.09 sltpg. in 35.5 minpg. during that span.

Originally selected in the second round (32nd overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft by Seattle, Lewis has appeared in 874 career NBA regular season games with Seattle and Orlando, averaging 16.5 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.13 stlpg. in 34.4 minpg.  He was acquired by the Magic in a sign-and-trade deal with Seattle (now Oklahoma City) in exchange for a future conditional second round draft pick on July 11, 2007.

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Magic trade Carter, Gortat, Pietrus, 1st-rounder to Suns for Turkoglu, Richardson, Clark

May 23, 2010 - Phoenix, ARIZONA, UNITED STATES - epa02170506 Phoenix Suns' guard Jason Richardson celebrates after scoring against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of game three of the NBA Western Conference basketball finals at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, USA 23 May 2010. The western conference champions will face the eastern conference champions in the NBA finals.

The Orlando Magic have acquired Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Earl Clark from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus, a 2011 first round draft selection and cash considerations, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith announced today.

“We’re very excited to welcome these three players to our family,” said Smith.  “Jason (Richardson) is a tremendous athlete who runs the floor, can shoot the ball and loves to compete.  We’re obviously familiar with Hedo (Turkoglu).  He is a great shooter and is a player that has flourished in our system.  We liked Earl (Clark) in the draft a few years ago, and he will help fortify our frontcourt.  Vince (Carter), Marcin (Gortat) and Mickael (Pietrus) did a lot for our organization and we wish them great success in the future.”

Richardson (6’6”, 225, 1/20/81) has played and started in 25 games this season with Phoenix, averaging a team-high 19.3 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 1.4 apg. and a team-high 1.08 stlpg. in 31.8 minpg., while shooting .470 (183-389) from the floor and .419 (62-148) from three-point range.  He currently ranks 24th in the NBA in scoring and 27th in three-point field goal percentage.

Originally selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft by Golden State, Richardson has appeared in 696 career NBA regular season games with Golden State, Charlotte and Phoenix, averaging 18.3 ppg., 5.2 rpg., 2.8 apg. and 1.18 stlpg. in 35.0 minpg.  He has shot .372 (1,291-3,472) from three-point range during his career.  Richardson has also played in 27 career playoff outings, averaging 19.5 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 1.4 apg. and 1.15 stlpg. in 35.6 minpg., while shooting .491 (193-393) from the floor and .421 (77-183) from three-point range.  He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2001-02, claimed the NBA Slam Dunk championship in 2002 and 2003, while also being named MVP of the Rookie Challenge in 2002.

Turkoglu (6’10”, 220, 3/19/79) has played in 25 games (16 starts) this season with Phoenix, averaging 9.5 ppg., 4.0 rpg. and 2.3 apg. in 25.2 minpg. while shooting .423 (41-97) from three-point range.  He currently ranks 24th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage.

Originally selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft by Sacramento, Turkoglu has appeared in 777 career NBA regular season games with Sacramento, San Antonio, Orlando, Toronto and Phoenix, averaging 12.1 ppg., 4.2 rpg. and 2.9 apg. in 28.1 minpg., while shooting .385 (986-2,562) from three-point range.  He has also played in 74 career playoff outings, averaging 11.8 ppg., 4.6 rpg. and 3.2 apg. in 32.1 minpg.  Turkoglu was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2000-01 and earned the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2007-08.

Turkoglu played in 377 games during five seasons with Orlando from 2004-09, averaging 15.8 ppg., 4.6 rpg. and 3.7 apg. in 33.1 minpg.  He helped the Magic reach the NBA Finals in 2009.  Turkoglu was signed as a free agent by Orlando on July 14, 2004.

Clark (6’10”, 225, 1/17/88) has played in nine games with this season with Phoenix, averaging 3.2 ppg. and 1.9 rpg. in 8.0 minpg.  Originally selected in the first round (14th overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft by Phoenix, Clark appeared in 51 games with the Suns during his rookie campaign (2009-10), averaging 2.7 ppg. and 1.2 rpg. in 7.5 minpg.  He also played in three playoff contests, averaging 1.3 ppg. in 4.3 minpg.

“This transaction helps us now and in the future,” Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby said.  “While it is difficult to see players like Jason, Hedo and Earl depart, we are excited to welcome Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat and Mikael Pietrus.  Marcin addresses our need for more size, rebounding and defensive presence.  Vince and Mikael will be dynamic in our offense and improve our perimeter defense.  Gaining a first-round pick in this year’s draft is an added bonus.”

The 6-6, 220-pound Carter is a 12-year NBA veteran who owns eight NBA All-Star appearances, including seven selections as a starter.  Carter was the 1998-99 NBA Rookie of the Year, earned All-NBA honors in 2000-01 (Second Team) and 2001-02 (Third Team), and won an Olympic Gold Medal as a member of the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

The 33-year-old Carter, who currently ranks eighth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list among active players, is 169 points shy of 20,000 for his career.  Carter averaged 20 or more points in 10-straight seasons from 1999-2000 to 2008-09, and owns career averages of 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 874 games (866 starts) with Toronto (1998-04), New Jersey (2004-09) and Orlando (2009-10).  The graduate of the University of North Carolina has been Orlando’s second-leading scorer in each of the last two seasons (Dwight Howard), including a 15.1-point scoring average through 22 games in 2010-11.

Carter has appeared in 56 playoff games in six career appearances, and owns postseason averages of 23.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

Originally the fifth overall selection of the 1998 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, Carter’s draft rights were traded to the Toronto Raptors, with whom he spent the first six-plus seasons of his decorated career, becoming the Raptors’ all-time leading scorer (9,420).  On Dec. 17, 2004, Carter was traded to New Jersey where he helped to lead the Nets to playoff appearances in each of his first three seasons (2005, 2006, 2007).  Carter became a member of the Magic on June 25, 2009, when he was acquired along with Ryan Anderson in exchange for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee.

Gortat is a 6-11, 240-pound center who will bring defense, rebounding and toughness to the Suns. He was originally selected by Phoenix with the 57th overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft before dealing him to the Magic for cash considerations on June 28, 2005.

Through 25 games in 2010-11, the Polish-born Gortat is averaging a career-high 4.0 points and a career-high 4.7 rebounds in only 15.9 minutes.  In fact, despite playing fewer than 16 minutes per game, Gortat’s 4.7-rebound average would be tied for third-most on the Suns.  “The Polish Hammer” is averaging 14.3 rebounds per 48 minutes (19th-NBA), and his 54.3-percent field goal accuracy would rank 13th in the league overall if he had enough makes to qualify (min. 92 field goals).

A three-year NBA veteran, Gortat owns career averages of 3.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 13.3 minutes in 175 games (five starts), all with Orlando.  The 26-year-old has played every game of his career behind two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard (2008-09, 2009-10).  Following the 2008-09 season, Gortat signed a free agent offer sheet with the Dallas Mavericks, but the Magic matched the offer in order to retain him.

Gortat appeared in all 24 playoff games in the Magic’s run to the 2009 NBA Finals, averaging 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 11.3 minutes.

Pietrus is versatile, 6-6, 215-pound swingman who has developed into a reliable outside shooter.  A seven-year NBA veteran with Golden State (2003-08) and Orlando (2008-10), Pietrus owns career averages of 8.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 458 games (146 starts), and is a 35.9-percent three-point shooter, including 37.3 percent from beyond the arc over the last two-plus seasons with the Magic (230-of-616).  The 28-year-old Pietrus is shooting a career-high 39.1-percent from three-point range through 19 games in 2010-11.

Pietrus, whose nationality and play earned him the nickname “Air France,” grew up in Les Abymes on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, which is located approximately 310 miles southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico.  He left the island for France at the age of 15 to join the junior program of French powerhouse Pau Orthez (PO OR-tez), and played four seasons professionally for Pau Orthez after making his debut at the age of 17.

Pietrus was originally selected with the 11th overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors and spent his first five career seasons in Oakland before signing a free-agent deal with Orlando on July 10, 2008.  A key reserve during the Magic’s run to the 2009 NBA Finals, Pietrus averaged 10.5 points while appearing in all 24 games that postseason.

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Blazers recall Luke Babbitt from D-League

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 18:  Luke Babbitt #5 of the Nevada Wolf Pack shoots over Steve Jones #20 of the UNLV Rebels during their game at the Thomas & Mack Center on November 18, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 88-75.  (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers have recalled forward Luke Babbitt from the NBA Development League’s Idaho Stampede, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho.

In four games with the Stampede, Babbitt posted averages of 18.0 points (20-21 FT) and 5.8 rebounds in 27.3 minutes. He totaled highs of 23 points, nine rebounds and two blocks on Dec. 11 vs. the Utah Flash.

Babbitt, 21, has appeared in eight games for the Trail Blazers, recording four points and two rebounds in 10 minutes Nov. 6 vs. the Toronto Raptors.

Acquired by Portland in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves after being selected 16th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, Babbitt is expected to join the Trail Blazers in time for today’s game vs. Golden State.