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The Atlanta Hawks today assigned forward Othello Hunter to the Anaheim Arsenal of the NBA Development League, according to Hawks Executive Vice President and General Manager Rick Sund.
A rookie from Ohio State, Hunter has averaged 0.6 ppg and 0.7 rpg (.429 FG%) in 10 games with the Hawks.
The Arsenal is the D-League affiliate of the Hawks, as well as the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Oklahoman (Darnell Mayberry) reports (via blog): The Thunder has acquired center Tyson Chandler from New Orleans in exchange for Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith, according to a league source with knowledge of the negotiations. The Thunder will also include the draft rights to Devon Hardin, the 50th overall pick in the 2008 draft.
UPDATE: The trade has officially happened. More info here.
The New York Daily News (Julian Garcia) reports: Sean Williams, the Nets’ top draft pick in 2007, was arrested Sunday at Boston College for violating terms of a restraining order against him. Williams, who played at BC, was taken into custody prior to BC’s game against Duke and charged with trespassing, a misdemeanor. An arraignment is scheduled for later this month. Williams was at practice at the Toyota Center here last night but said “no comment” several times as he tied his sneakers and headed to the court.
The New York Post (Fred Kerber) reports: Sean Williams was arrested Sunday for violating terms of a restraining order that banned him from the Boston College campus. Williams, who declined comment, nodded his head affirmatively when asked if he had been invited to the B.C.-Duke game. So he went but violated the restraining order. Williams, you’ll recall, was bounced from the B.C. team in ’07 for repeated team violations (read: marijuana). So by showing up he was guilty of trespassing, a misdemeanor. He faces a court hearing later this month.
The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has traded guard Sam Cassell and cash considerations to the Sacramento Kings for a future conditional second round draft pick.
“Sam was an important piece of our championship team last season. His profound knowledge of the game and his infectious personality will be missed from our locker room. We wish Sam the best of luck.” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations.
Cassell, a 6’3”, 193lb guard, is in his 16th NBA season. The former Florida State Seminole had yet to appear in a game for the Celtics this season. He averaged 4.5 points and 1.2 assists in 12.6 minutes per game during the 2008 NBA playoffs in which the Celtics won their NBA-record 17th title.
For the second time this season, the Memphis Grizzlies have assigned center Hamed Haddadi to the NBA Development League’s Dakota Wizards, the club’s D-League affiliate, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.
Haddadi will return to Dakota after posting 6.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.55 blocks in 17.7 minutes in 11 games (seven starts) after being assigned to the Wizards on Nov. 24. Memphis recalled the 7-2, 280-pound center on Dec. 24.
The Ahvaz, Iran native recorded two points and one rebound in four minutes in his NBA debut on Dec. 30 vs. Phoenix, becoming the first Iranian-born player to appear in an NBA game. Haddadi has averaged 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in 3.5 minutes through four games in his rookie season.
The New York Daily News (via blog) reports: From what I gather from people close to Shaquille O’Neal is that the Suns center would welcome a trade to the Knicks if such a deal could be worked out. Shaq’s contract – he’ll earn $20 million next year in the final season of his deal – fits into the Knicks’ free agent plans for 2010… But with Eddy Curry not expected to be much help this season, the Knicks are looking to make a move for a big man. The Sacramento Bee reported today that Brad Miller, who Donnie Walsh once had in Indiana, remains on the Knicks’ radar.
The Detroit Free Press reports: Pistons coach Michael Curry is shaking up his starting lineup coming out of the All-Star break. Curry said Antonio McDyess will become a starter again and Amir Johnson will come off the bench. “As I talked about going into the break, I’m going to start him instead of Amir,” Curry said of McDyess. “Hopefully Amir will play better with some second line guys. Hopefully we can be more solid defensively, especially when we have the help with ‘Dyess in there and also to stay consistent.
The Phoenix Suns have suspended guard Jason Richardson for one game without pay for conduct detrimental to the team. The club announced that Richardson will serve the suspension in the Suns’ next game, Tuesday, Feb.17 against the LA Clippers at US Airways Center.
InsideHoops.com editor says: J-Rich needs to learn the difference between driving like a maniac in video games and doing it in real life.
Good news for all NBA fans: The Suns are going to be fast again. The roster doesn’t allow them to quite be what they were several years ago but this is still positive. The East Valley Tribune reports: Gentry promised a return to the fast-paced style that best utilizes the team’s talent, particularly the skills of playmaker Steve Nash. “We are who we are and I think we have to go back to trying to establish a breakneck pace like we’ve had in the past,” Gentry said at a news conference announcing his promotion.
The AP reports: Phoenix Suns guard Jason Richardson was arrested in Scottsdale after police said he was driving 55 mph above the limit with his unrestrained 3-year-old son in the car. A Scottsdale police officer first saw Richardson driving 67 mph in a 40 mph zone Sunday night and followed him, police said Monday. That’s when the officer clocked him at 90 mph in a 35 mph zone and pulled him over… The officer saw Richardson’s son in the back seat of the car and that he was not in a child seat.