Author: Inside Hoops

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Pistons waive Flip Murray

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has requested waivers on guard Ronald “Flip” Murray.

Murray, who signed as a free agent with Detroit on 7/18/06, averaged 7.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 19 games this season (three starts).  In his first season with Detroit a year ago, he averaged 6.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 21.4 minutes in 69 games (18 starts).  The five-year pro has played in 309 NBA games with Milwaukee, Seattle, Cleveland and Detroit.  As a collegiate player at Shaw University, Murray was named NCAA Division II National Player of the Year, Division II First Team All-America and CIAA Player of the Year during his senior season where he averaged 23.5 points per game and led the school to a 28-5 record.

Cavaliers sign Kaniel Dickens, Billy Thomas

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Kaniel Dickens and guard Billy Thomas from the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. The signings of Dickens and Thomas mark the 13th and 14th D-league-to-NBA call-ups of the 2007-08 D-League Season.

In 29 games (28 starts), Dickens has averaged 20.4 points on .472 shooting, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 31.3 minutes per game. Thomas is averaging 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 27 games (all starts).

Daniel Gibson out 4-6 weeks

Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson suffered a left high ankle sprain during the second quarter of last night’s game at Indiana. An MRI taken today at The Cleveland Clinic by Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker confirmed the injury. He is expected to be out four to six weeks. His status will be updated as appropriate.

Exact details of deadline-day trades

The NBA trade deadline was today (February 21) and several deals are official. They are listed below and include exact details of each trade. Click each link.

Sonics, Cavaliers, Bulls trade moves Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall, Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak

Rockets trade Bonzi Wells, Mikes James to Hornets for Bobby Jackson; Grizzlies involved in trade, too

Raptors trade Juan Dixon to Pistons for Primoz Brezec and cash

Nuggets trade Von Wafer to Trail Blazers for Taurean green

Timberwolves trade Gerald Green to Rockets for Kirk Snyder, draft pick

Nene to have one chemotherapy treatment

Denver Nuggets F Nenê will undergo one treatment of chemotherapy on Tuesday, Feb. 26.  The treatment is preventative and essentially eliminates the odds of a recurrence.

Following chemotherapy, Nenê will have a short period of recovery, after which he is cleared by physicians to begin working his way back to the court.  However, there remains no exact timetable for his return.

Nenê had surgery on Jan. 15 to remove a malignant testicular tumor and has been out since taking a medical leave of absence on Jan. 11.

Kyle Lowry likely staying

The Rocky Mountain News (Chris Tomasson) reports: Denver also had looked into acquiring Memphis point guard Kyle Lowry, but his agent, Andy Miller, said Wednesday his client is “staying put.” Point guards who could be had include Seattle’s Delonte West and the Clippers’ Sam Cassell. A source said Memphis also isn’t planning to deal forward Mike Miller, who has been linked to Denver.

Nuggets likely keeping Linas Kleiza

The Rocky Mountain News (Chris Tomasson) reports: With the NBA trade deadline at 1 p.m. MST Thursday, Nuggets coach George Karl called it a “1 percent chance” Kleiza will be moved. Karl said he’s “betting” against the Nuggets making any trade.
Kleiza, who returned after being hurt in the first half Tuesday against Boston and is expected to play Friday at Chicago, has been a possibility to be dealt with forward Eduardo Najera to Sacramento for forward Ron Artest.

Rumor: Suns want Quinton Ross

The East Valley Tribune (Jerry Brown) reports: With only second-round picks (or perhaps cash, or both) the Suns are trying to pry 6-foot-6 guard Quinton Ross away from the Los Angeles Clippers. Ross makes only $824,000 this year and will be a free agent at the end of the season. He is a strong defender and rebounder who started against Phoenix in the Western Conference Quarterfinals two years ago. His offensive capability is limited, but the Suns won’t be asking him to score.