Inside Hoops – Page 1796 – NBA Blog

Dallas Mavericks sign guard Vince Carter

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have signed free agent guard Vince Carter. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Carter (6-6, 220) is an eight-time NBA All-Star who currently ranks 35th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list (eighth among active players) with 20,250 career points. The former Rookie of the Year (1998-99) and Slam Dunk Contest winner (2000) holds career averages of 22.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 925 games (907 starts) with Toronto, New Jersey, Orlando and Phoenix.

Originally the fifth overall selection in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, Carter was traded on draft day to the Toronto Raptors where he would help lead that franchise to its first Playoff appearance in 2000. In December of 2004, Carter was traded to the New Jersey Nets where he would team with current-Maverick Jason Kidd. Carter spent five seasons in New Jersey and is still ranked in the franchise’s Top 10 in 19 statistical categories.

The native of Daytona Beach, Fla., was traded to the Orlando Magic on draft day in 2009. Carter would play in his home state for a little more than a season, but in his short time there he helped take the Magic to the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals where they lost in six games to the Boston Celtics. In December of 2010, Carter was traded to the Phoenix Suns where he finished out last season and scored his 20,000th point becoming just the 37th NBA player to accomplish that feat.

Carter was a standout at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he led the Tarheels to two consecutive Final Four berths (1997, 1998). Carter declared himself eligible for the 1998 NBA Draft after his junior season in Chapel Hill.

Spurs guard Gary Neal undergoes appendectomy

The San Antonio Spurs announced that earlier today a successful appendectomy was performed on guard Gary Neal. The laparoscopic procedure was performed in San Antonio and Neal’s appendix was removed without complications.

Neal enjoyed a successful rookie campaign during the 2010-11 season. He averaged 9.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 21.1 minutes in 80 games. He led all rookies in three-point field goal percentage, posting a .419 mark, and earned a spot on the 2011 All-Rookie First Team.

For the first week of his recovery Neal will not be allowed to engage in any physical activity. Next week he will be examined by doctors at which point a timeline for his return will be determined.

76ers re-sign center Tony Battie

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that the team has re-signed free agent center Tony Battie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Sixers training camp roster now stands at 18.

“We are happy to have Tony back with us,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said. “He will add depth to our frontcourt and his veteran savvy will be invaluable to our locker room.”

Battie (6-11, 240) originally signed as a free agent with the Sixers on July 21, 2010. In 38 games last season, he averaged 2.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 9.9 minutes per game. Battie also saw action in all five games of Philadelphia’s First Round playoff series vs. Miami.

In 13 NBA seasons, Battie has appeared in 810 games with 418 starts, averaging 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.87 blocks in 21.4 minutes per game while shooting 49.0% from the floor. He was the fifth overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft.

With the return of Battie, the Sixers now have 12 players returning from last season’s roster who accounted for 99.5% of the team’s scoring. The Sixers went 38-28 over the final 66 games in 2010-11.

Orlando Magic re-sign Jason Richardson

The Orlando Magic have re-signed free agent guard-forward Jason Richardson, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith announced today. We’ll post contract details later today on this page.

Richardson (6’6”, 225, 1/20/81) played and started in 80 games last season with both Phoenix and Orlando, averaging 15.6 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.16 stlpg. in 33.9 minpg., while shooting .395 (189-479) from three-point range. He was acquired by the Magic on December 18, 2010 from Phoenix, along with Earl Clark and Hedo Turkoglu, in a six-player trade. With the Magic, Richardson appeared and started in 55 games, averaging 13.9 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.20 stlpg. in 34.9 minpg. He also played in five playoff outings, averaging 10.0 ppg., 4.0 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 30.6 minpg.

Richardson ranked second in the NBA in both three-point field goals made and attempted, 13th in steals-to-turnover ratio (0.98, 93/95), tied for 32nd in steals and tied for 37th in three-point field goal percentage.

“Jason (Richardson) is a tremendous competitor who is great in the open floor and can drain the three-point shot,” said Smith. “We are very happy to have him back in a Magic uniform.”

Originally selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft by Golden State, Richardson has appeared in 751 career NBA regular season games with Golden State, Charlotte, Phoenix and Orlando, averaging 18.0 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 2.8 apg. and 1.18 stlpg. in 35.0 minpg. He has shot .373 (1,418-3,804) from three-point range during his career. Richardson has also played in 32 career playoff outings, averaging 18.0 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 1.4 apg. and 1.06 stlpg. in 34.8 minpg., while shooting .409 (85-208) 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.

Boston Celtics bring back Sasha Pavlovic

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed guard/forward Sasha Pavlovic. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Pavlovic, a 6’7” guard/forward, appeared in 17 games for the Celtics last season and scored a season-high 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor against the New York Knicks on the final day of the season (April 13).

The native of Bar, Montenegro was a part of the 2006-07 Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers and was a starter in each game on their run to the Finals.

During that 2006-07 regular season he posted a career-high average of 9.0 points per game and shot 40.5% from three-point range in 67 games.

Pavlovic also shot a career-high 41.0% from three-point territory during the 2008-09 season. Pavlovic has posted career averages of 5.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 483 career games with stops in Utah, Cleveland, Minnesota, New Orleans, Dallas and Boston.

Celtics trade Glen Davis, Von Wafer to Magic for Brandon Bass

The Orlando Magic have acquired forward Glen Davis and guard Von Wafer from the Boston Celtics in exchange for forward Brandon Bass, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith announced today.

Davis (6’9”, 289, 1/1/86) played in 78 games (13 starts) with Boston last season, averaging 11.7 ppg., 5.4 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 29.5 minpg. He set career-highs in scoring, rebounding and minutes played.

Wafer (6’5”, 209, 7/21/85) appeared in 58 games (two starts) with the Celtics last year, averaging 3.2 ppg. in 9.5 minpg.

“Glen (Davis) is a versatile player that adds size to our frontcourt,” said Smith. “He has a solid mid-range jumper and is a strong team defensive player. Von (Wafer) brings athleticism and aggressiveness on the offensive end. We’re excited to add both to our team and we wish Brandon all the best.”

Originally selected in the second round (35th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft by Seattle, Davis has played in 277 career regular season games (31 starts), all with the Celtics, averaging 7.6 ppg. and 4.1 rpg. in 21.0 minpg. He was acquired by Boston on June 28. 2007. Davis has also appeared in 64 career playoff outings (15 starts), averaging 7.5 ppg. and 3.8 rpg. in 20.6 minpg. He helped the Celtics capture the 2008 NBA World Championship.

Originally selected in the second round (39th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by the L.A. Lakers, Wafer has played in 167 career regular season games with the Lakers, L.A. Clippers, Denver, Portland, Houston and Boston, averaging 5.1 ppg. and 1.1 rpg. in 12.0 minpg. Wafer has also appeared in 16 career playoff outings, averaging 6.6 ppg. in 11.6 minpg.

Bass, a 6’8 forward, averaged a career-high 11.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season for the Magic. Bass also shot a career-high 51.5% from the field last season, which ranked 19th overall in the NBA. The former Louisiana State Tiger scored in double figures in 45 games and recorded 20 or more points in three games. He posted a career-high 27 points against Detroit on December 3 when he was 11-for-12 from the field.

Spurs sign Gani Lawal and Antoine Hood

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard Antoine Hood and forward Gani Lawal. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed. At the same time, the Spurs announced that they have waived guard Devin Gibson.

Hood saw action with Nova Hut Ostrava in the Czech Republic in 2009-10, where he averaged 16.8 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting .594 from the field in 11 games. He played collegiately at the Air Force Academy (2002-06), where he averaged 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 118 games for his career. He was named All-Mountain West First Team his senior year, averaging a team-best 14.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 29 games.

Lawal was added to the training camp roster after being waived by the Phoenix Suns on December 10, 2011. In his rookie campaign with the Suns last year, he saw two minutes of action against Detroit before suffering a torn ACL and a partially torn MCL in practice on January 6. After rehabilitating his knee injury, he played 10 games with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League, where he averaged 11.2 points and 6.0 rebounds. Lawal started the 2011-12 season in Poland playing for Zastal ZG, averaging 16.5 points and 11.7 rebounds while shooting .627 from the field in 10 games. In his final collegiate season at Georgia Tech in 2009-10, he averaged a team-best 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets.

Chicago Bulls re-sign Brian Scalabrine

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has re-signed forward Brian Scalabrine. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Scalabrine (6-9, 235) saw action in 18 games last season with the Bulls and averaged 1.1 ppg in 4.9 mpg.

The 10-year NBA veteran has played in 492 regular season contests, and posted averages of 3.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg and in 13.5 mpg. In 39 playoff games, he has averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.3 rpg in 10.6 mpg.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 12 players.

Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov to run for Russian presidency

Mikhail Prokhorov, one of Russia’s richest tycoons and the owner of the New Jersey Nets basketball team, said Monday he will run against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in the March presidential election.

Prokhorov has been cautious not to cross Putin’s path in the past, but the billionaire may pose a serious challenge to Putin, whose authority has been dented by alleged widespread fraud during Russia’s Dec. 4 parliamentary election.

Putin’s party only won about 50 percent of that vote, compared to 64 percent four years ago, and the fraud allegations have allowed opposition parties to successfully mount massive anti-Putin protests in Russia.

On Sunday, President Dmitry Medvedev promised on his Facebook page that the alleged vote fraud will be investigated. But Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, predicted Monday the probe will show that little vote fraud occurred and that it had no effect on the outcome of the ballot.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Mavericks re-sign forward Brian Cardinal

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have re-signed free agent forward Brian Cardinal. InsideHoops.com hears that it is likely a one-year deal for the veteran minimum.

Cardinal (6-8, 240) joined the Mavericks last season as a free agent and was a significant contributor during the Mavericks World Championship run. In 2010-11, Cardinal averaged 2.6 points, 1.1 rebounds and 10.8 minutes while shooting 43.0 percent from field goal range and 48.3 percent from behind-the-arc in 56 games (4 starts).

The Tolono, Ill., native is an 11-year veteran who holds career averages of 5.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 10.8 minutes in 412 games with Detroit, Washington, Golden State, Memphis, Minnesota and Dallas.