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Paul George working on post-up moves

Here’s ESPN.com reporting on Paul George:

Paul George working on post-up moves

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George says he plans on adding a more physical dimension to his play next season.

“I plan on being a lot more physical this year,” George said, according to the Indianapolis Star. “I really plan [on] taking contact and wanting to get contact and finishing through contact. That’s the next step for me.”

The All-Star forward averaged a career-high 21.7 points per game last season but he posted up just 5 percent of the time, ranked 74th out of 74 NBA forwards with at least 50 plays, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

George told the Star that he has worked a lot on his post-up game this offseason.

Magic excited to add Channing Frye

Here’s the Associated Press reporting on the Orlando Magic, who recently added tall shooter Channing Frye to their very young mix:

Magic excited to add Channing Frye

In the 6-foot-11 Frye, that direction instantly gains an eight-year veteran and a proven long-distance shooter with the ability to spread out defenses — a coveted commodity in the NBA.

He sat out the 2012-13 season after being diagnosed with an enlarged heart, and went through an intense eight-month stretch that included him wearing a heart monitor and having closely monitored activity in which he was able to do only minimal exercise.

But he eventually worked his way back to the court and played all 82 games for the first time in his career last season.

“When something’s taken away from you, you just take step back, and you really appreciate it,” Frye said. “It’s not so much a job. This is a blessing and opportunity. Win or lose, I’m always going to have a smile on my face, because any moment this can be taken away.”

Mavs and Rockets want Mike Miller

Here’s ESPN Dallas reporting on old veteran sharpshooter Mike Miller:

Mavs and Rockets want Mike Miller

Sources have told ESPN.com’s Marc Stein that the Mavs and Rockets have barged into the Mike Miller sweepstakes. The attempt is to acquire a perimeter oriented small forward and to keep LeBron James’ sharpshooting teammate from Miami away from Cleveland.

Last season, the Rockets preferred to keep Parsons on the floor as much as possible, playing him 37.6 minutes per game. That ranked as the seventh-most in the league and 1.1 minute per game shy of league-leader Carmelo Anthony.

Mavs guard Monta Ellis ranked eighth at 36.9 minutes per game.

“He’s the old Nellie (Don Nelson) point-forward, personified,” Cuban said regarding Parsons. “It gets us younger. The good news about all of the experience we had, it really allowed us to modify and give the Spurs a run for their money last year. The bad news is that we had to restrict minutes. Restricting minutes was the big challenge.

“He’s a guy that we can keep out there a lot longer. With Vince (Carter), ‘Trix (Shawn Marion) and Dirk (Nowitzki), we really had to balance minutes.”

David Lee recovering from surgery

Here’s the Bay Area News Group reporting on the Warriors and David Lee:

David Lee

Golden State Warriors forward David Lee withdrew from the USA national team training camp roster that was announced Monday while recovering from “very minor” surgery a few weeks ago to address a core muscle injury, according to the Warriors.

The Warriors expect Lee to be fully recovered in early August, but according to the team, he does not want to a rush his return to the floor.

“He’s fine,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Sunday, adding Lee had been working out.

Miami Heat officially sign Danny Granger

Miami Heat officially sign Danny Granger

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed forward Danny Granger.

According to multiple reports, the deal is for two years, $4.2 million.

“One of our main priorities this offseason was obtaining a proven veteran like Danny with All-Star experience,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “We expect him to be a multi-position player and have a very successful season in our system.”

Granger, a nine-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 556 career NBA regular season games (425 starts) and averaged 17.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 32.1 minutes while shooting 43.5 percent from the field, 38.1 percent from three-point range and 84.9 percent from the foul line. Among Indiana’s all-time franchise leaders, he ranks second in three-point field goals made, fourth in points, steals and free throws made, sixth in blocks, seventh in games played, minutes played and field goals made and 10th in defensive rebounds.

He split the 2013-14 season between the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers, appearing in 41 total games (two starts) and averaged 8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 20.7 minutes while shooting 37.8 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from three-point range and a career-high 94 percent from the foul line. He appeared in all 13 postseason games with the Clippers, including a 15-point outing in a Game Two win against Golden State on April 21 as they advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals after defeating the Warriors, 4-3, in the First Round.

Granger, a 2009 NBA All-Star and the NBA’s 2009 Most Improved Player, has appeared in 35 career postseason games (19 starts) and averaged 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 25.7 minutes while shooting 41.7 percent from the field, 35.8 percent from the three-point range and 84.2 percent from the foul line.

He was originally drafted in the first round (17th overall) by Indiana in the 2005 NBA Draft.

Bulls trade Greg Smith to Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have acquired forward Greg Smith from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the rights to Tadija Dragicevic.

Smith (6-10, 250) is a three-year veteran and holds averages of 3.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 14.4 minutes in 89 career games (10 starts) with Houston. He spent three years with the Rockets before being released on April 10, 2014. He was then signed by the Chicago Bulls on April 14, but never played for the Bulls.

In 2012-13, Smith saw action in 70 games (10 starts) for Houston and averaged 6.0 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting .620 from the field.

The Vallejo, Calif., native was undrafted out Fresno State after declaring himself an early entry candidate for the 2011 NBA Draft. In his sophomore season with the Bulldogs, he was named to the 2011 All-WAC second team. In 31 games, he averaged 11.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks in 30.4 minutes per game.

Dragicevic (6-9, 222) was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 53rd overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. The Mavericks acquired the native Serbian from Utah and cash considerations from the Houston Rockets in a four-team trade and sent forward Lamar Odom to the Los Angeles Clippers and the draft rights to Shan Foster to the Utah Jazz. In exchange, Los Angeles sent guard Mo Williams to Utah and the draft rights to forward Furkan Aldemir to Houston.

Miami Heat sign Josh McRoberts

Miami Heat sign Josh McRoberts

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed forward Josh McRoberts. The contract is for four years, $23 million, according to the Associated Press and other outlets.

“We felt from day one that he was one of our main targets,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “We are delighted that this multi-faceted player will help us immensely in being the kind of team that Coach Spoelstra wants with his versatility.”

McRoberts, a seven-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 350 games (160 starts) in his career, averaging 5.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 34.2 percent from three-point range and 71 percent from the foul line. Last season, he started all 78 games in which he appeared, and averaged 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 43.6 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from three-point range and 72.9 percent from the foul line. He made a career-high 105 three-pointers last season and ranked second in the NBA in assists-per-turnover (4.0).

During the 2014 NBA Playoffs, McRoberts averaged 11.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 47.1 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the foul line.

McRoberts was originally drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round (37th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft.

Bulls trade Anthony Randolph to Magic

Bulls trade Anthony Randolph to Magic

The Orlando Magic have acquired two future second round draft picks (2015, 2016), cash considerations and the contract of forward Anthony Randolph from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the draft rights to forward Milovan Rakovic, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. In addition, Orlando intends to waive Randolph.

The draft rights to Rakovic (6’10”, 280, 2/19/85) were acquired by Orlando, along with cash considerations, from Dallas in exchange for the draft rights to Reyshawn Terry on June 28, 2007. He has played his entire professional career overseas.

Orlando Magic, Channing Frye deal is now official

Orlando Magic, Channing Frye deal is now official

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Channing Frye, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. This agreement has been known for some time, but is now official.

According to the Arizona Republic, it’s a four-year, $32 million contract.”

“We’re extremely excited to welcome Channing (Frye) and his family to Orlando,” said Hennigan. “Channing’s character, competiveness, veteran experience, and leadership ability are valuable additions to our developing team. His ability to stretch the floor and play sound team defense are also ways in which we envision Channing helping our team moving forward.”

According to the Orlando Sentinel blog, “team officials want Frye to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting. If Frye can accomplish that, he should be able to open space and driving lanes for youngsters such as Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton and Maurice Harkless to attack the rim. The Magic also wanted the 31-year-old veteran because they believe he’ll provide veteran leadership. He’ll be expected to mentor young players.”

Frye (6’11”, 255, 5/17/83) played and started in all 82 games last season with Phoenix, averaging 11.1 ppg., 5.1 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 28.2 minpg., while shooting .370 (160-432) from three-point range. He became the ninth player in Suns history to start all 82 games in a regular season. Frye led (or tied) the team in scoring five times and in rebounding six times. He scored in double figures 57 times and had 20+ points 11 times, including a season-high 30 points on Jan. 19 vs. Denver.

Originally selected by New York in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft, Frye has appeared in 582 career NBA regular season games (340 starts) during his eight-year career with New York, Portland and Phoenix, averaging 9.9 ppg., 5.2 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 24.5 minpg., while shooting .385 (614-1,596) from three-point range. He also played in 20 career playoff games, averaging 7.2 ppg. and 4.7 rpg. in 23.5 minpg. Frye, who missed the entire 2012-13 campaign due to a dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart), was named to the 2005-06 NBA All-Rookie First Team.