Inside Hoops – Page 1152 – NBA Blog

76ers trade Spencer Hawes to Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired center Spencer Hawes from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for forward Earl Clark, center Henry Sims and two second round draft picks, Cavaliers Acting General Manager David Griffin announced tonight from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“We felt adding a player of Spencer’s caliber and experience will complement our frontcourt rotation well and we are very excited to have him in Cleveland,” said Griffin. “Spencer is a very skilled big man, who was having a career year in Philadelphia this season. We look for his ability to both shoot from the perimeter and defend the basket to help us, and at 25 years of age his game is still growing on both ends of the floor. In acquiring Spencer, we had to move Earl and Henry and we thank them for their contributions to the Cavaliers.”

In exchange for Hawes, the Cavs send Clark, Sims, the Cavs 2014 second round pick and the Memphis Grizzlies 2014 second round pick acquired in July 25, 2012 trade with the Grizzlies to the 76ers.

This season, Hawes has appeared in 53 games (all starts) for Philadelphia, averaging career highs of 13.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists (most among all NBA centers) in 31.4 minutes per game. The 7-1, 245-pound center is also shooting .399 from the three-point line and .782 from the foul line, both career highs. Hawes ranks fifth among all NBA power forwards and centers in three-point shooting percentage this season (minimum 100 attempts). He also ranks eighth in the Eastern Conference in blocks per game at 1.3 and is tied for ninth in double-doubles with 19 on the season. Hawes is one of four players (Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol and Paul Millsap) in the NBA this season with averages of at least 13.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 block.

Hawes was originally drafted by Sacramento in the 2007 NBA Draft as the No. 10 overall selection. The six-year veteran owns career averages of 9.4 points on .465 shooting, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 blocks in 24.6 minutes over 473 games (321 starts). He has also played in 18 playoff games (17 starts) with averages of 8.2 points on .440 shooting and 5.8 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game. He has the third-most career three-point field goals made (194) among any player listed 7-0 or taller in NBA history, trailing only Dirk Nowitzki (1,425) and Andrea Bargnani (609).

Russell Westbrook health update: He is back

The following statement was issued today by Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti regarding Russell Westbrook’s availability to play in tonight’s game versus the Miami Heat:

“We are all very excited to have Russell back. He has worked extremely hard throughout his rehabilitation, and his addition will allow us to build on the progress we have made in his absence. As Russell integrates back into the team we are going to manage the transition by building his minutes over time and will evaluate his availability in back-to-back situations. These steps are an effort to control the areas of his return to play where feasible, given the reduced practice and conditioning time during the regular season. Our goal is to create the best foundation for Russell and the team as we head into the postseason.”

Wolves center Ronny Turiaf out with bone bruise in knee

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that Ronny Turiaf underwent an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image) this morning at TRIA Orthopedics in Bloomington, Minn. that revealed a right knee bone bruise. He will be sidelined indefinitely.

The injury happened at the 7:15 mark of the fourth quarter of last night’s 104-91 win over the Indiana Pacers.

The 6-10 center has appeared in 23 games, 10 starts, this year for the Wolves, averaging 4.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 20.9 minutes per game.

JaVale McGee has leg surgery, will not return this season for Nuggets

Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee underwent surgery this morning to repair a stress fracture in his left tibia, Nuggets General Manager/Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

The procedure was performed in West Palm Beach, Fla., by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dror Paley.

“While it’s disappointing that we won’t have JaVale back on the court this season, we’re happy that he can move forward in his recovery,” Connelly said.

McGee averaged 7.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in five games this season. In six seasons with the Nuggets and Washington Wizards, he has averaged 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots.

Heat trade Roger Mason to Kings

The Miami Heat announced today that they have traded guard Roger Mason Jr. to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for a future conditional 2015 second-round pick.

Mason Jr. appeared in 25 games (two starts) for the Heat this season and averaged 3.0 points and 10.4 minutes while shooting 37.3 percent from the field. He was originally signed as a free agent by Miami on September 27, 2013.

According to the Sacramento Bee, “Mason will be waived, making him a free agent. The move opens up a roster spot for Miami to add a player in their pursuit of a third consecutive NBA Championship.”

Iman Shumpert hurts knee in Knicks win over Pelicans

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on Iman Shumpert, who got hurt tonight — but hopefully the injury is minor:

The Knicks’ chances to make the post-season were always shaky, but now they might have taken a major hit when Iman Shumpert re-injured his chronically-troubled left knee in the team’s 98-91 victory in the Smoothie King Center.

Early in the third quarter, the Knicks’ starting small forward drove the lane against the Pelicans’ Anthony Davis and suffered what the team called a sprained left knee. The team didn’t announce how long he’s out, but he’s had several surgical procedures on his left knee. He originally injured it when he blew out his ACL during the 2012 playoffs against Miami when he was a rookie.

Shumpert’s injury could alter the Knicks’ trading plans, with the NBA deadline Thursday at 3 p.m. His name has been linked to recent trade tadks with the Clippers, but those likely ended when he went down to the floor after the knee buckled. During the ensuing timeout, he had to be helped off the floor by teammate Jeremy Tyler and went straight to the locker room to be examined by team medical personnel.

Warriors trade Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks to Lakers for Steve Blake

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired guards Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for guard Steve Blake, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

According to the Bay Area News Group, “The trade allowed the Warriors to grab a veteran guard while still leaving them roughly $400,000 under the luxury tax.”

Bazemore, 24, has appeared in 44 games for the Warriors this season, averaging 2.3 points in 6.1 minutes per game. In his two NBA seasons (both with the Warriors), the Old Dominion product holds averages of 2.1 points in 5.1 minutes per game over 105 contests. After not being selected in the 2012 NBA draft, Bazemore was signed by the Warriors as a free agent on July 26, 2012.

Brooks, 25, has appeared in a combined 17 games with Golden state and Boston this season, averaging 2.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.2 minutes per contest. Originally drafted by the Celtics with the 25th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Brooks owns career averages of 7.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 146 games (49 starts) over three seasons with the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets , Boston and Golden State. As a rookie with New Jersey in 2011-12, the 6’5” swingman averaged 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 56 games (47 starts), earning All-Rookie Second Team honors.

Blake, 33, has appeared in 27 games (all starts) for the Lakers this season, averaging 9.5 points to go along with career highs of 7.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.26 steals in 33.0 minutes. He returned to action on Feb. 4 after missing the previous 26 contests with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and, in his second game back, recorded his second career triple-double with 11 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds in a win over Cleveland on Feb. 5.

An 11-year NBA veteran, Blake holds career averages of 7.0 points, 4.1 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 25.2 minutes in 703 games (344 starts) with the Lakers, Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets and L.A. Clippers, appearing in the postseason six times. For his career, Blake has converted on 39.0 percent of his three-pointers and boasts an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.84-to-1. The Maryland alum was originally selected by the Wizards in the second round (38th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft after helping the Terrapins to their first-ever National Championship in 2002.

“The acquisition of Steve Blake will provide us with additional veteran depth at point guard as we enter the stretch run of the season,” said Warriors General Manager Bob Myers. “He’s had a productive career and is a player who can both run an offense and has the ability to shoot the basketball. On the other hand, we thank Kent and MarShon for their contributions to our team both on and off the court and wish them success as they enter the next stage of their careers.”

Russell Westbrook returns to practice for Thunder

The Oklahoma Thunder are a powerhouse, and they’re about to get even stronger. Here’s the Associated Press reporting:

The Miami Heat had plenty of trouble with the Oklahoma City Thunder last time the teams met.

They might have even more to deal with this time around.

Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook made it through a full practice Wednesday for the first time since his most recent surgery, just in time for Thursday’s rematch with the two-time defending NBA champion Heat. The ultra-athletic Westbrook’s presence could be a game changer for a team that already has the NBA’s best record.

His return nearly overshadows the usual hype that goes with matchups between Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Miami’s LeBron James.

Dion Waiters out with hyperextended knee

Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters was examined today by Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health. His exam and MRI confirmed the left knee hyperextension he suffered during the second quarter of last night’s game in Philadelphia.

He is listed as OUT for tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic at Quicken Loans Arena and will continue to receive treatment while he progresses back into basketball activity as his symptoms improve.

His status will be updated as appropriate.

Atlanta Hawks injury report: Pero Antic remains out

Pero Antic (stress fracture, right ankle) has progressed to conditioning exercises and light shooting. He continues to feel minor discomfort while conducting certain rehabilitation activities and the timeline for his return to normal basketball activity is indefinite.

Gustavo Ayon suffered a right shoulder injury in last night’s game at Indiana. He will be listed as OUT for tonight’s game vs. Washington and his status will be updated as appropriate.

DeMarre Carroll, who has missed the last two games due to a left hamstring strain, is a game-time decision for tonight.

Al Horford, who had right pectoral muscle surgery on December 31, began the first phase of his physical therapy yesterday. His progress will be updated as appropriate and he remains out for the season.

John Jenkins, who underwent lower back surgery on February 3, remains out.

Lou Williams, who suffered a migraine during last night’s game at Indiana, is listed as probable for tonight.