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Paul Pierce retiring from NBA as a Celtic

Paul Pierce retiring from NBA as a Boston Celtic

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed 10-time NBA All-Star and 19-year veteran Paul Pierce to a contract, enabling him to retire as a member of the organization with which he spent his first 15 NBA seasons.

“We’re honored that Paul has chosen to retire as a Celtic. He is among the very best Celtics – a champion on and off the court,” said Celtics governor and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck. “We congratulate Paul on a Hall of Fame career, and look forward to seeing his number raised to the rafters of TD Garden.”

“It’s an honor to have this opportunity to once again call myself a Boston Celtic,” Pierce said. “The organization and city took me in and made me one of their own, and I couldn’t imagine ending my career any other way. I’m a Celtic for life.”

Drafted by the Celtics with the 10th overall pick of the 1998 NBA Draft, Pierce’s 15 seasons in Boston from 1998-99 to 2012-13 trails only John Havlicek (16) for the most ever spent in a Celtics uniform. He produced 21.8 points (44.7% FG, 37.0% 3-PT, 80.6% FT), 6.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.44 steals and 36.6 minutes in 1,102 career games (1,099 starts) in the green and white.

Pierce’s name will forever be a constant throughout the Celtics’ all-time leaderboards. The California native tops the franchise lists in three-point field goals (1,823), free throws (6,434) and steals (1,583), while also placing as the Celtics’ second all-time leading scorer with 24,021 career points.

Earning his iconic nickname “The Truth” during his third NBA season in 2000-01, Pierce also retires in the organization’s top-10 lists in games played (3rd – 1 ,102), minutes played (3rd – 40,360), field goals (3rd – 7,882), field goal attempts (2nd – 17,630), three-point field goal attempts (1st – 4,928), free throw attempts (1st – 7,979), offensive rebounds (8th – 1,008), rebounds (7th – 6,651), assists (5th – 4,305) and blocked shots (4th – 668).

Pierce’s knack for postseason success further cements his legendary status in a Celtics uniform. Boston qualified for the playoffs in 10 of Pierce’s 15 seasons with the team, ranking him seventh on the franchise’s all-time playoff leaderboard with 136 postseason games played. The crafty forward averaged 20.9 points (41.9% FG, 33.9% 3-PT, 83.4% FT), 6.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.32 steals in 39.8 minutes in his Celtics playoff career. Pierce – who owns the fifth most playoff points in franchise history at 2,843 – averaged north of 20.0 points in six separate postseason runs, including a playoff career-high 27.1 points over 10 games in just his second career playoff appearance in 2002-03.

One of Pierce’s greatest postseason accomplishments coincides with the Celtics’ most recent NBA title in 2008. Making his first career NBA Finals appearance, Pierce followed up a 22-point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers in a Game 1 victory with 28 more points on 9-of-16 shooting (4-4 3-PT) and eight assists in Boston’s Game 2 triumph. His 38 points in Game 5 of those Finals represented his second-highest scoring total in 26 postseason games that year. Pierce produced 21.8 points (43.2% FG, 39.3% 3-PT, 83.0% FT), 4.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.08 steals and 38.8 minutes in that six-game series, helping the Celtics raise their NBA-record 17th championship banner and their first since 1986. Named the Most Valuable Player of that 2008 clash, Pierce became the third Celtic ever to earn MVP honors in his first NBA Finals Appearance (Jo Jo White – 1974, Cedric Maxwell – 1981).

Spanning over his 19-year NBA career, Pierce averaged 19.7 points (44.5% FG, 36.8% 3-PT, 80.6% FT), 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.31 steals and 34.2 minutes in 1,343 games (1,285 starts) with Boston, Brooklyn, Washington and the LA Clippers. He ended the 2016-17 season as the only active NBA player with at least 25,000 career points, 7,000 rebounds and 4,500 assists.

Houston Rockets team is for sale

Announcement from the Rockets

Today, Houston Rockets Chief Executive Officer Tad Brown announced owner Leslie Alexander’s intentions to sell the franchise. Alexander has placed Brown in charge of coordinating the sales process in conjunction with the NBA league office.

“It’s been my great joy and honor to own the Houston Rockets for the past 24 years,” said Alexander. “I’ve had the incredible opportunity to witness true greatness through the players and coaches who have won championships for the city, been named to All-Star and All-NBA teams, enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, and done so much for our franchise and our fans. And the Houston community has been home to me; I will continue to support the charities I have made commitments to throughout the years. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the fans, partners, city officials and employees who care so deeply for this team. I’ve made this decision after much deliberation with my family and friends, and do so knowing the franchise is in great shape with the players, coaches and management team in place. CEO Tad Brown will oversee the sales process with the league office, supported by my management team.”

Alexander assumed ownership of the Rockets on July 30, 1993 and the team went onto win back-to-back championships in 1993-94 and 1994-95. Over his 24 seasons as owner, the Rockets posted the fifth-highest winning percentage (.569) in the NBA. The Rockets also registered the second-most winning seasons of any team in the league over that span.

In 1995, Alexander established the Clutch City Foundation with the goal of providing help, hope and inspiration to those who might otherwise be forgotten. The Clutch City Foundation funds and operates comprehensive programs benefiting thousands of children each year, as well as serving as the umbrella organization for all Rockets community initiatives.

Throughout his years as owner, Alexander and the Clutch City Foundation contributed more than $35 million to hundreds of charities throughout Houston. Most recently in March of 2017, Alexander pledged $4 million to a group of 20 local charitable organizations. In April of 2016, he donated $500,000 to Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Greater Houston Storm Relief Fund after the city was ravaged by severe rain resulting in flooding.

Rockets sign Tarik Black

Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed free agent forward/center Tarik Black.

Black (6-9, 250) was eligible for the 2014 NBA Draft following his senior season at Kansas. He signed as a rookie free agent with Houston prior to the start of the 2014-15 season and appeared in 25 games with 12 starts as a Rocket before joining the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent the past two and a half seasons.

For his career, Black has appeared in 169 games with 55 starts, while shooting 54.2% from the floor. This past season, he saw action in 67 games with 16 starts for the Lakers, while averaging 5.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per game. He was one of three players to have averaged at least 5.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg in fewer than 17.0 mpg. Black also shot 75.2% from the line in 2016-17, up from 51.5% his first two seasons.

Over the past three seasons, Black is the only player to have averaged at least 2.0 offensive rebounds in fewer than 17.0 minutes per game with at least 50 games played. Of players with at least 60 games played in 2016-17, he ranked tied for fourth in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes played.

Pistons waive Michael Gbinije

The Detroit Pistons on Saturday requested waivers on guard Michael Gbinije.

Drafted by the Pistons with the 49th overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft, Gbinije appeared in nine games last season with averages of 0.4 points, 0.3 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 3.5 minutes per game. Gbinije also appeared in 16 games with the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons’ NBA G League affiliate, and averaged 12.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.9 steals and 35.0 minutes per game.

Orlando Magic sign Jonathon Simmons

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Jonathon Simmons, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Simmons (6’6”, 195, 9/14/89) played in 78 regular season games (eight starts) last season with San Antonio, averaging 6.2 ppg., 2.1 rpg. and 1.6 apg. in 17.9 minpg. He scored in double figures 16 times last season, including a career-high 20 points on Oct. 25 @ Golden State. Simmons also recorded a career-high three steals four times, the last time on Mar. 9 @ Oklahoma City. He was selected by assistant coaches to participate in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge during 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend, where he tallied 19 points, four rebounds, two assists and one block in 22 minutes.

Simmons also appeared in 15 playoff outings (four starts), averaging 10.5 ppg., 1.9 rpg. and 1.9 apg. in 20.4 minpg. and helped the Spurs reach the Western Conference Finals. As a starter during the postseason, he averaged 16.8 ppg., 4.0 apg. and 2.3 rpg. in 29.0 minpg.

“Jonathon (Simmons) is an elite wing defender that will provide toughness and athleticism to our team,” said Weltman. “His tremendous work ethic has helped him continually grow as a player and we are very excited to add him to the Magic.”

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Simmons has appeared in 133 career NBA regular season games (ten starts) during the last two seasons, all with San Antonio, averaging 6.1 ppg., 1.9 rpg. and 1.4 apg. in 16.6 minpg. He has also played in 18 career postseason contests, averaging 9.4 ppg., 1.8 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 18.4 minpg.

After two years in junior college, Simmons spent his junior season (2011-12) at the University of Houston. He played in all 30 games, averaging 14.7 ppg., 5.0 rpg. and 2.2 apg., while shooting .512 (154-301) from the floor, leading the Cougars in scoring. Simmons played in 94 games during two seasons (2013-15) with the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League, averaging 12.7 ppg., 4.4 rpg. and 2.6 apg., while shooting .505 (446-883). He made the team after attending an open tryout in 2013. Simmons was named to the NBA G League All-Defensive Third Team in 2014-15.

Celtics sign Abdel Nader, waive Demetrius Jackson

The Boston Celtics have signed rookie forward Abdel Nader, and have waived guard Demetrius Jackson.

Nader, the reigning 2016-17 NBA G League Rookie of the Year, averaged a team-high 21.3 points (44.7% FG, 34.9% 3-PT, 79.4% FT), 6.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.00 steal, 0.83 blocked shots and 33.5 minutes over 40 games with the Maine Red Claws in his first professional season. The 23-year-old was originally selected by Boston in the second round (58th overall) of the 2016 NBA Draft.

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Nader (6-6, 230 lbs.) became the first internationally-born player to be named Rookie of the Year in the G League. The 2016-17 G League All-Star scored at least 30 points in five contests, including a 32-point, 10-rebound, 8-assist game against the Long Island Nets on Jan. 6.

Bulls add David Nwaba

The Chicago Bulls announced Friday that the team has claimed guard David Nwaba (NWAH-buh) off waivers.

Nwaba (6-4, 209) was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers on July 12. He appeared in 20 games (two starts) for the Lakers last season and averaged 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 19.9 minutes. Nwaba signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers on Feb. 28 after averaging 14.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks in 39 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League. Nwaba signed a second 10-day contract on March 11 and signed with the Lakers for the remainder of the season on March 21. He was named to the D-League All-Defensive Team and the D-League All-Rookie Team.

The Los Angeles native played three seasons at Cal Poly, where he posted career averages of 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 26.0 minutes.

Hawks sign rookie Tyler Dorsey

The Atlanta Hawks have signed rookie guard Tyler Dorsey, it was announced by General Manager and Head of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk.

Dorsey, a second round pick (41st overall) by the Hawks in the 2017 NBA Draft, averaged 14.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 30.0 minutes (.467 FG%, .423 3FG%, .755 FT%) in 39 games (all starts) as a sophomore at Oregon during the Ducks’ run to the Final Four, earning Pac-12 Honorable Mention and Pac-12 All-Tournament Team honors.

As a freshman, the 6’5 Dorsey posted 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 30.1 minutes (.441 FG%, .406 3FG%, .712 FT%) in 36 outings (35 starts), and was named to Pac-12 All-Freshman and All-Tournament teams. He finished his two-year career with averages of 14.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 30.0 minutes (.455 FG%, .416 3FG%, .732 FT%) in 75 games (74 starting assignments), while becoming the second Oregon player to go over 1,000 career points as a sophomore.

Pacers waive Georges Niang

The Indiana Pacers on Friday waived forward Georges Niang.

Niang was selected by Indiana with the 50th overall pick in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft, and recorded a total of 21 points and 17 rebounds over 23 games during his rookie season with the Pacers.

Niang also made six regular season starts for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Pacers’ affiliate in the NBA Gatorade League, and averaged 19.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game

Celtics signing of Gordon Hayward is now official

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed All-Star forward Gordon Hayward.

“Whether you’re talking about the team’s past, present, or future, the Boston Celtics are truly special,” said Hayward. “I can’t wait to be part of the winning culture of Boston, and to join my teammates and coach Stevens as we work together to bring Celtics fans Banner 18.”

Per multiple reports, Hayward’s contract is for four years and around $128 million.

“I’m very happy to welcome Gordon and his family to the Celtics organization and the city of Boston,” said Celtics governor and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck. “He has improved his game every year in the NBA, to an All-Star level. We have been patient during this rebuilding process, and hope to step forward and compete at the highest level.”

A first-time NBA All-Star in 2016-17, Hayward (6-8, 226 lbs.) logged career highs with 21.9 points (47.1% FG, 39.8% 3-PT, 84.4% FT) and 5.4 rebounds, while also adding 3.5 assists, 1.00 steal and 34.5 minutes in 73 games (all starts) with the Jazz last season. His 21.9 points per game scoring mark represents Utah’s highest single season scorer since Karl Malone averaged 22.4 points in 2001-02. The Indianapolis, IN native was also one of 10 NBA players to produce at least 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists while also shooting 47.0% or better from the field last season.

Hayward’s All-Star season culminated with a postseason run in which he averaged a team-best 24.1 points (44.1% FG, 41.2% 3-PT, 93.4% FT), 6.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 37.4 minutes in 11 playoff games for the Jazz. The versatile veteran scored 20 or more points in eight of those 11 contests – including a postseason career-high 40-point performance on April 21 vs. the LA Clippers – helping guide Utah to its first Western Conference Semifinals appearance since 2009-10.

“This is a big day in Celtics history,” said Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge. “Adding Gordon as a current All-Star, in the prime of his career, to an already good group of players is reason for excitement.”

Continued Ainge: “Gordon brings a great work ethic and character along with his ability to shoot, pass, and create offense in the pick and roll. His athleticism, size and versatility will allow him to fit in perfectly defensively as well.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Gordon and his family to Boston,” said Celtics head coach Brad Stevens. “He’s a tremendous competitor and a great teammate who constantly seeks improvement, and consistently impacts winning. I am looking forward to working with him, once again, as we all continue to strive to compete for championships here in Boston.”

Originally selected with the ninth overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft by Utah, Hayward, 27, has posted career averages of 15.7 points (44.4% FG, 36.8% 3-PT, 82.0% FT), 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.02 steals and 31.3 minutes in 516 games played (408 starts) over seven seasons with the Jazz. Hayward’s scoring totals have improved each year since he entered the NBA out of Butler University, making him the only NBA player to have increased his scoring in each of the last seven seasons.

Hayward will wear number 20 for the Celtics.