Day: July 17, 2012

Nuggets waive Chris Andersen under amnesty provision

Nuggets waive Chris Andersen under amnesty provision

The Denver Nuggets have waived F/C Chris Andersen under the amnesty provision outlined in the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today.

Andersen, 6-10, 228, averaged 5.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.44 blocked shots in 32 games with the Nuggets last season.

Andersen, 34, began his career with the Nuggets as an undrafted free agent in 2001-02 and played three seasons in Denver before leaving as a free agent in 2004. He returned in 2008 and played a key role in the team’s run to the 2009 Western Conference finals.

Andersen finished second in the NBA in blocks per game (2.46) in 2008-09, and he ranks fifth on Denver’s franchise list with 624 career blocks in a Nuggets uniform.

Rockets officially sign Jeremy Lin

Rockets officially sign Jeremy Lin

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed guard Jeremy Lin after the New York Knicks chose not to match Houston’s offer sheet for the restricted free agent. Under the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Knicks had three days to match the offer from the Rockets.

“We are thrilled to have Jeremy back as part of the Rockets family,” said Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander. “In his limited opportunity last season, Jeremy showed that he has all the skills to be a great player in this league for many years to come. In addition to being a great passer, he is also exceptional at driving to the rim and finishing plays. He also showed a poise well beyond his years by making winning plays at the end of numerous games last season. Jeremy is a winner on and off the court and we view him as an important part of our plan to build a championship contender.”

Lin (6-3, 200, Harvard) has averaged 9.2 points, 4.0 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.38 steals in 64 games (25 starts) with Golden State and New York. After being claimed by the Knicks off waivers on Dec. 27, 2011, Lin exploded onto the NBA landscape by averaging 18.2 points, 7.6 assists and 2.00 steals with seven double-doubles in 25 starts with New York. Lin actually became the first NBA player to record at least 20 points and seven assists in each of his first five NBA starts since Elias Sports Bureau began charting stats in 1970. Lin was also the first Knicks player since Michael Ray Richardson in 1980-1981 to record at least 20 points and seven assists in six straight games. Lin was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Feb. 6-12, leading New York to a 4-0 record with averages of 27.3 points, 8.3 assists and 2.00 steals.

Lin, who was waived by Golden State on Dec. 9, 2011, was actually claimed off waivers by Houston on Dec. 12. He appeared in two preseason outings with the Rockets before being waived on Dec. 24, 2011. Lin had appeared in 29 games with the Warriors in 2010-11, averaging 2.6 points, 1.4 assists, 1.2 rebounds and 1.14 steals in 9.8 minutes per contest as a rookie. He also played in 20 games for the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League in 2010-11, averaging 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists. The 6-3 guard was originally signed by Golden State as a free agent on July 21, 2010, after going undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft out of Harvard.

Ryan Hollins drawing interest from Hornets

Ryan Hollins drawing interest from Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent center Ryan Hollins, a 7-footer who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics last season, sources confirmed Tuesday.

The Hornets do not have a true center on their roster although they acquired 14-year veteran Brad Miller in a trade last week from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Miller is not expected to be on Hornets’ active roster this upcoming season because he plans to retire.

— Reported by John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune

Jordan Hamilton says he has lost 19 pounds

Denver Nuggets: Hamilton has put up big scoring numbers in all three of Denver’s games so far (the Nuggets play Thursday and Friday, as well). He scored 18 points in the two previous games, though wasn’t as efficient as Tuesday, still shooting 6-for-15 against Dallas and 7-for-15 against Golden State.

Hamilton said he has lost 19 pounds this summer, bringing the 6-7 wing to 220 pounds.

“I just want to get faster and quicker – I feel more explosive when I’m lighter,” he said. “So it’ll help me get up and down the court.”

— Reported by Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post

Mike Miller won’t retire, will rejoin champion Heat

Mike Miller won't retire, will rejoin champion Heat

Mike Miller believes his balky back can improve without surgery, and he’s planning to help the NBA champion Miami Heat defend their crown next season.

Miller limped through much of this past season, his back pain so severe at times that he couldn’t even sit on the Heat bench during games. He has been consulting with Miami neurosurgeon Dr. Barth Green throughout this offseason, and the expectation now is that a combination of rest and rehabilitation should be enough to get him ready to play again.

“No retirement,” Miller said Tuesday.

Miller made an appearance for about 600 children at a basketball camp he sponsored, walking in to roars from the kids and chants of his last name. And when told that Hialeah, a city just north of Miami, believes it was the epicenter of the biggest party to celebrate the Heat championship, Miller tipped his hand as to his future plans.

“Then let’s party again next year,” Miller said.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Timberwolves have interest in Greg Stiemsma

While the Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as the front-runner for Greg Stiemsma, his agent tells CSNNE.com that the restricted free agent has yet to receive an offer sheet.

The Timberwolves are focused on acquiring Portland’s Nicolas Batum who signed a $46 million offer sheet with Minnesota.

“Until that’s worked out, a lot of players like Greg will just have to wait which is fine,” his agent Mike Naiditch, told CSNNE.com on Tuesday. “We understand that this is a process and will take time. We’re not in any kind of rush.”

— Reported by CSNNE.com

Wizards waive Andray Blatche as amnesty player

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived forward Andray Blatche and has designated him as the team’s amnesty player. Under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the amnesty provision allows the Wizards to remove the remainder of Blatche’s contract from the team’s salary cap.

“Andray did not figure into our future plans, and using the amnesty provision is a mutually beneficial opportunity for us to part ways,” said Grunfeld. “We will be able to continue to develop our core group of young players, blend in the solid veterans we have acquired and maintain financial flexibility while Andray will be able to get a fresh start with another team. We wish him the best moving forward.”

Blatche averaged 9.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in 409 career games with the Wizards. He was originally acquired as second round selection (49 th overall) in the 2005 NBA Draft.

Grant Hill to join Clippers

Grant Hill to join Clippers

The Clippers continue to add veteran talent to their roster, as Grant Hill has reportedly agreed to sign with the Clippers. The means of the signing, whether it be the veteran’s minimum, the bi-annual exception or a sign-and-trade have not been finalized.

Hill, who will turn 40 in October, was said to be considering signing with the Lakers or the Knicks before the Clippers emerged as a player over the weekend.

After three healthy seasons in Phoenix, Hill played in 49 games last season for the Suns, averaging 10.2 points and 3.5 rebounds a game.

— Reported by Dain Woike of the OC Register

Royal Ivey will return to 76ers

Royal Ivey will return to 76ers

Guard Royal Ivey has returned to the Sixers, coach Doug Collins told reporters today.

The 6-4 Ivey played in 71 games with the Sixers in 2008-09, averaging 3 points per game in 12.1 minutes as a reserve. Ivey appeared in 26 games the following season before he was traded to Milwaukee in the deal that brought Jodie Meeks.

He spent the last two seasons with Oklahoma City, playing in 25 games two years ago and 34 games last season. He also appeared in five playoff games as the Thunder reached the NBA Finals this past season.

— Reported by the Philadelphia Daily News