Month: June 2014

In Jason Kidd coaching move, Nets receive two second round draft picks from Bucks

jason kidd

Brooklyn Nets General Manager Billy King announced today that the organization has permitted Jason Kidd to pursue a coaching opportunity with the Milwaukee Bucks. In exchange for allowing Kidd to depart, the Nets will receive two second round draft picks (2015 & 2019) from Milwaukee.

The Nets’ search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

In one season as head coach of the Nets, Kidd led Brooklyn to a 44-38 record during the regular season and a first round playoff win over Toronto before losing to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Hawks trade Lou Williams to Raptors

louis williams

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired a 2015 second round pick and guard/forward John Salmons from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for guard Lou Williams and the draft rights to Lucas Nogueira, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry.

“The trade allows us greater flexibility as we continue to build our team and add players that best fit how we want to continue to grow as a program.”  Ferry said. “Lou has been really good for us.  We would like to thank him for his contributions over the past two seasons and the professionalism he displayed on and off the court.  We wish him the best going forward.”

john salmons

Salmons, 34, averaged 5.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 22.1 minutes per game in 78 games (eight starts) last season with Sacramento and Toronto. Over his 12-year career, he has averages of 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 874 games (429 starts).

Williams averaged 10.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 60 games (seven starts) last season with Atlanta and has career averages of 11.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 554 games (54 starts).

Atlanta acquired the draft rights to Nogueira (16th overall), forward/center Mike Muscala from Bucknell and guard Jared Cunningham from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the draft rights to Shane Larkin (18th overall) during the 2013 NBA Draft.

Sixers waive James Anderson

james anderson

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today they have waived guard James Anderson.

Anderson appeared in 80 games last year for the Sixers and averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 29 minutes per game. In four NBA seasons, Anderson has appeared in 196 games with 68 starts, averaging 6 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in 18 minutes per game.

The Sixers claimed Anderson off of waivers on July 16, 2013.

Milwaukee Bucks fire coach Larry Drew

Milwaukee Bucks fire coach Larry Drew

Jason Kidd is coming soon to Milwaukee.

The Bucks have relieved Head Coach Larry Drew of his duties, the team announced today. It’s been widely reported that Nets head coach Jason Kidd is leaving Brooklyn and will take over the Milwaukee coaching duties.

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond stated, “Despite the challenging season, Larry always handled himself and represented the Bucks in a first-class manner. Larry did the best he could in a difficult situation, especially given all of our injuries. I want to thank Larry for all of his efforts, and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Drew was named the 13th head coach in Bucks history on June 3, 2013.

Magic add Willie Green, off waivers

Magic add Willie Green, off waivers

The Orlando Magic have claimed guard Willie Green off of waivers, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. Green was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers on June 29.

Green (6’3”, 205, 7/28/81) played in 55 games (nine starts) last season with the Clippers, averaging 5.0 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 15.8 minpg. He scored in double figures nine times, including a season-high 13 points twice, the last time on Mar. 12 vs. Golden State.

Originally selected by Seattle in the second round (41st overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft, Green has appeared in 679 career NBA regular season games (295 starts) during his 11-year career with Philadelphia, New Orleans, Atlanta and the L.A. Clippers, averaging 8.5 ppg., 1.8 rpg. and 1.4 apg. in 20.4 minpg. He also played in 36 career playoff games (12 starts), averaging 5.2 ppg. and 1.3 rpg. in 14.9 minpg.

Orlando Magic waive Jameer Nelson

Orlando Magic waive Jameer Nelson

The Jameer Nelson era in Orlando is over.

The Magic waived Nelson today, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced. The veteran point guard will become an unrestricted free agent.

“Jameer (Nelson) is the ultimate professional,” said Hennigan. “We truly thank him for his contributions to the organization, both on the court and in the community, during the last decade. He will always be a member of the Magic family.”

“I appreciate the opportunity the Orlando Magic has afforded me and my family over the past ten years,” said Nelson. “I’d like to thank the DeVos family, team management, and all the coaches that have provided me guidance, mentoring, and the ability to play the game that I love in the town that I love.”

“I’d also like to give sincere and special thanks to the great Magic fans. You have loyally supported me since my first day in Orlando and have always been there for me and my family. You made it easy for us to adopt Orlando as our second home and we will miss you.”

“All good things must come to an end, however, and it’s time to move on. I look forward to continuing my career as an NBA player and will never take for granted my time in Orlando.”

Nelson was originally selected by Denver in the first round (20th overall) of the 2004 NBA Draft, but was acquired by Orlando in exchange for a future first round pick on draft night. He played in 651 career NBA regular season games (556 starts), all with Orlando, averaging 12.6 ppg., 5.4 apg. and 3.1 rpg. in 29.2 minpg., while shooting .374 (874-2,335) from three-point range and .817 (1,092-1,337) from the free throw line. He also appeared in 44 career playoff games, averaging 15.0 ppg., 4.6 apg. and 3.5 rpg. in 32.5 minpg.

Nelson stands as the franchise’s all-time leader in assists with 3,501. He also ranks second in games played (651) and field goals attempted (7,033), third in minutes played (19,038), three-pointers made (874) and three-pointers attempted (2,335), fourth in scoring (8,184 points) and field goals made (3,109) and fifth in steals (619). He was named an NBA All-Star in 2009 and earned the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor twice (periods ending Dec. 21, 2008, Jan. 18, 2009). Nelson was also named to the 2004-05 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Saunders sees a relatively quiet free agency period for Timberwolves

Here’s the Minneapolis Star Tribune reporting on the Timberwolves:

This time last year, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders flew out to Los Angeles for separate late-night rendezvous with free agents J.J. Redick and O.J. Mayo.

It was the start of several frenetic days in which he began a $120 million summertime spending spree by first signing Kevin Martin, Chase Budinger and Corey Brewer instead.

This time around, the NBA’s annual free-agency period begins at 11 p.m. Monday and Saunders plans to stay home to work the phones while many other NBA teams woo free agents LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

This time around, Saunders predicts he’ll be relatively quiet — and certainly more frugal — than a year ago.

That’s because the Wolves soon will have 14 players under guaranteed contracts and because he believes he has better balanced a roster that once was lopsided with point guards and big men.

Timberwolves do not extend qualifying offers to Robbie Hummel or Othyus Jeffers

timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team will not extended qualifying offers to forwards Robbie Hummel and Othyus Jeffers. With Minnesota not extending qualifying offers to Hummel and Jeffers by today’s deadline, both players will become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

Hummel, a 6-8 forward, appeared in 53 games (five starts) for Minnesota last season averaging 3.4 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 12.4 mpg. The Wolves originally drafted Hummel with the 58th overall selection (second round) of the 2012 NBA Draft.

Jeffers, a 6-5 guard, appeared in two games with Minnesota last season totaling two points and three rebounds. The Wolves signed Jeffers on April 8, 2014.

Avery Bradley hopes to stay with Celtics

Here’s ESPN Boston reporting on the Celtics and guard Avery Bradley:

Avery Bradley hopes to stay with Celtics

On the eve of restricted free agency, Avery Bradley reaffirmed a desire to be back with the Boston Celtics, but said his offseason focus remains on simply improving as a player and letting his future take care of itself.

The Celtics formally extended a $3.6 million qualifying offer on Monday that gives them the chance to match any outside offer that Bradley receives when free agency opens at midnight. The two sides failed to reach an agreement on an extension to his rookie pact before a late-October deadline, but talks should resume now with outside interest likely to play a part in Bradley’s final price tag.

“I haven’t been worried about [free agency],” said Bradley, wearing a Celtics cap and colors as he instructed campers on the final day of his Avery Bradley Skills academy at UMass-Boston. “I’ve been worried about getting better. I try not to think about anything I can’t control. All I can do is continue to try to get better every single day, and I know everything else will work out.”

Asked about talks with Boston, Bradley added, “We really haven’t [spoke about] any numbers or anything. Obviously, I want to be here. And I let those guy know that. When the time comes, we’ll just see what happens, and see if we come to an agreement.”