Inside Hoops – Page 2218 – NBA Blog

Atlanta Hawks trade David Andersen rights to Houston Rockets

The Atlanta Hawks today traded the rights of David Andersen to the Houston Rockets for a future second round pick, cash and future considerations, it was announced by Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

Previously selected by the Hawks in the second round of the 2002 Draft – the 37th pick overall – Andersen is an Australian professional basketball player who has played internationally since the 1998-99 season, most recently in the Spanish League with FC Barcelona.

In Euroleague play this past year, the 6-11 forward-center averaged 11.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 23 contests (.544 FG%, .800 FT%), and in 36 games in ACB Spanish League competition, he tallied 10.0 ppg and 4.1 rpg (.480 FG%, .810 FT%).

Andersen, 29, started playing basketball at the Australian Institute of Sport (high school) and signed his first contract with the Wollongong Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League. Following one season, he signed a multi-year deal with Italy’s Virtus Bolonga (1999-03), with whom he won several titles in his four years there.

In the summer of 2003, he switched to the Italian club Montepaschi Siena, with whom he won another Italian Championship.

The next season, Andersen joined the Russian Super League club CSKA Moscow, and in four seasons, he earned All-Euroleague first team honors in 2004-05. That same year, CSKA reached the Euroleague Final Four.

He also competes as a member of the senior Australian national team, participating for his country in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Utah Jazz re-sign Ronnie Price

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has re-signed guard Ronnie Price. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released. We will post contract info tonight.

“Keeping Ronnie on our roster was important to us,” said Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor. “He is someone who knows our system and has proven capable of stepping in whenever called upon. Over the last two seasons he has shown a commitment to working hard and improving his game, and as a result, we expect his growth to continue.”

A four-year NBA veteran, Price (6-2, 190, Utah Valley) appeared in 52 games (17 starts) for the Jazz in 2008-09, averaging 4.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 14.2 minutes per game. He also doubled his point (8.2) and assist (4.2) averages as a starter, filling in for an injured Deron Williams early in the season.

“Ronnie Price is the consummate professional,” said Utah Jazz president Randy Rigby. “He is always prepared when Coach Sloan calls on him and we are looking forward to his energy and toughness next season.”

The only player in Jazz franchise history to wear jersey number 17, Price was originally signed as a free agent on July 26, 2007 and has appeared in a total of 113 games (20 starts) in two seasons with Utah, averaging 3.8 points and 1.6 assists in 11.7 minutes per game. Price spent his first two seasons with the Sacramento Kings, where he became only the second Utah Valley graduate to appear in the NBA, and the first to advance directly from the university to the NBA. Despite not being selected in the 2005 NBA Draft, Price has played in 200 career games (21 starts) over four NBA seasons with the Jazz and Kings, owning career averages of 3.4 points and 1.2 assists in 10.2 minutes per game.

Washington Wizards announce flagship radio station

The Washington Wizards and WJFK-FM announced today that the new Sportsradio 106.7 The Fan will serve as the team’s flagship radio station. Sportsradio 106.7 will air all Wizards regular season, preseason and postseason games, as well as pre-game and post-game shows before and after all Wizards broadcasts. Dave Johnson, the longtime radio voice of the Wizards, will continue to serve as the broadcast voice for play-by-play, while Glenn Consor will once again provide analysis.

“We’re very excited to partner with WJFK and to be a part of the new Sportsradio 106.7 The Fan,” said Wizards Executive Vice President Matt Williams. “The Fan has put together a very exciting daytime lineup, and Wizards fans will be able to follow every minute of Wizards basketball on an FM signal, a concept that has proven to be very successful with other NBA teams. With All-Star Gilbert Arenas returning to the Wizards lineup, joining fellow All-Stars Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, this should be an exciting season to debut for Wizards games on Sportsradio 106.7 The Fan.”

“We are proud to partner with the Wizards as their flagship,” said Sam Rogers, Senior Vice President and Market Manager of CBS RADIO Washington, DC. “We are looking forward to broadcasting the pre-season, regular season, postseason and the championship. The Wizards are key to our success. It is an honor to bring fans in the DC area a new outlet to discuss, analyze and listen to their favorite teams, as well as the best in local sports. With CBS RADIO’s recent success in the FM sports arena, along with the company’s world renowned AM sports stations, Sportsradio 106.7 The Fan is poised to be the next generation of sports programming for our area.”

Carlos Boozer expects an eventual trade

The Deseret News (Tim Buckley) reports on Utah Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer: According to a transcript from WMVP 1000-AM, the ESPN affiliate in Chicago, Boozer — who has not spoken to Utah media since the Jazz’s season ended in late April — said this when asked if he thought he’d be dealt: “Yeah, I do. I had a talk with the Jazz. The Jazz told me they want to go in a different direction and I respect their decision. We mutually agreed to work out a trade that was beneficial for them and beneficial for my family and me. So with that being said I’m gonna be traded relatively soon or in good time.”

Josh Childress staying in Greece for 2009-10

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (via blog): Josh Childress is going back to Greece. The former Hawks swingman said he is returning to Olympiakos for the 2009-10 season and will not opt out of his contract and return to the NBA. “I still have some unfinished business to tend to,” Childress said by phone early Tuesday morning. “I definitely have unfinished business in Greece.” … The Hawks own his NBA rights and will continue to do so, provided they extend him a qualifying offer again next summer. His status as a restricted free agent allows the Hawks to match any offers made to him by other NBA teams.

Chicago Bulls buy out, waive Tim Thomas

The Chicago Bulls today made a settlement with forward Tim Thomas. In accordance with that move, the Bulls have requested waivers on Thomas. ESPN reports that Thomas had one season left (at nearly $6.5 million) on his deal.

Thomas joined the Bulls on Feb. 19, 2009 in a four-player trade with the New York Knicks. In 18 regular season games with Chicago last season, he averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 14.1 mpg, and shot .400 from the field, .442 from downtown and .700 from the line. The 32-year old Thomas has averaged 11.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.6 apg and 14.1 mpg for six different teams over his 12-year career in the NBA.

Blake Griffin rocks first summer league game

The AP reports: Blake Griffin scored seven points in the opening 75 seconds of the Clippers’ first NBA Summer League game and finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds in a 93-82 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. “Right now, just like everyone else, I’m trying to show my coaches and teammates what I can do,” Griffin said. “It was just another game. I was relaxed. I hadn’t played a game in months, so it was nice to get back out there.” … With NBA commissioner David Stern sitting courtside at the Thomas & Mack Center, the 6-foot-10 Griffin went 6 of 6 from the field in the first half and didn’t miss a shot until the third quarter. He finished 11 of 15 from the field and played 29 minutes.

New Orleans Hornets promote Rob Werdann to assistant coach

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have promoted Rob Werdann to the position of assistant coach. Werdann has spent the last five seasons as an advance scout for the Hornets.

“We’re excited to add Rob to our staff,” said Head Coach Byron Scott. “He has experience as a player in the NBA and has been with this organization for many years. He is an excellent worker with our big guys and I think it is a perfect fit.”

Werdann has coached in the NBA D-League, spending three seasons as an assistant coach for the Columbus Riverdragons. He began his coaching career as an assistant for the Yakima Sun Kings of the CBA, spending the 2000-01 in Yakima.

“I am thrilled for this opportunity,” Werdann said. “I have had the fortune to work for the Hornets as a scout for the past few years and can not wait to join Coach Scott and the staff.”

Werdann was the 46th overall choice of the Denver Nuggets in the 1992 NBA Draft out of St. John’s University. The 6’11” center played in three NBA seasons with the Nuggets and New Jersey Nets.

In college, Werdann played four seasons (1988-92) at St. John’s University under legendary coach Lou Carnesecca. The Sunnyside, Queens native ranks as the school’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 181, despite playing just 12 games his senior season due to a severe calf injury.

While at St. John’s, Werdann made three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, helping the school to a Big East Championship and the NCAA Regional Finals his junior year (1990-91). As a freshman, Werdann played a pivotal role in St. John’s capturing the 1989 NIT Championship.

A well-recruited big man in high school, Werdann earned McDonald’s High School All-American honors his senior season (1988) and was a teammate of former NBA guard Kenny Anderson at Archbishop Molloy High School in New York City.

Charlotte Bobcats sign second-round draft pick Derrick Brown

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has signed second-round draft pick Derrick Brown. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 40th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Brown earned Second Team All-Atlantic 10 honors last season as a junior at Xavier University. The 6-8 forward led the team in rebounding (6.1 rpg) and three-point percentage (.433) and ranked second in scoring (13.7 ppg) and field goal percentage (.504). Brown ranked among the Atlantic 10 conference leaders in scoring (15th), rebounding (T-10th) and free-throw percentage (10th). He scored in double figures 27 times, including four double-doubles.

In 106 career games at Xavier before declaring for the 2009 NBA Draft, Brown averaged 10.3 points and 5.6 rebounds, while shooting .573 from the field and .415 from beyond the three-point line. Brown, who was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team in 2006-07, ranks 36th on Xavier’s all-time scoring list with 1,096 points in his career.

“I’m blessed to be in this position,” Brown said. “I’m looking forward to getting in here soon and working hard to show everyone that the Bobcats made a great pick.”

Atlanta Hawks re-sign Mike Bibby, Zaza Pachulia

The Atlanta Hawks have signed unrestricted free agents Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia to new contracts, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased to keep Mike as part of our team,” Sund said. “His consistent production and leadership over the last year-and-a-half have been major components to the team’s success. In all of our postseason meetings and discussions, Coach Woodson stressed the importance of keeping him on board. Mike’s own desire to return to our team speaks to the confidence he has in the direction of the franchise, and in his teammates and coaches.”

Last year, Bibby became one of the league’s most dangerous long-range threats in his first full season in Atlanta, finishing 8th in the NBA with 167 3FGM (the sixth-most in a season in Hawks history), hitting .390, the third-best percentage of his career. He concluded the season averaging 14.9 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.5 rpg and 1.2 spg in 34.7 mpg (.435 FG%, .789 FT%) in 79 starts.

Bibby came to the Hawks from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright and a 2008 second-round draft pick on February 16, 2008. He has played in 802 career regular season games and 69 playoff contests, including all 11 during the Hawks’ run into the second round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs.

“Zaza is a valuable piece of our frontcourt rotation,” Sund added. “In addition to his rebounding ability and scoring touch, his hustle and passionate play have connected with his teammates and the fans. He has excelled off the court as well, becoming a fixture in the Atlanta community.”

Pachulia appeared in 77 games last season (26 starts), and averaged 6.2 ppg and 5.7 rpg (career-high .497 FG%, .709 FT%). He also tied for 30th in the NBA in offensive rpg (2.2). Pachulia played in all 11 postseason games (one starting assignment), and put in 6.9 ppg and 6.9 rpg, including 18 rebounds in the First Round game four win in Miami.

The Republic of Georgia native originally signed with the Hawks as a restricted free agent on August 11, 2005. He was selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.