Inside Hoops – Page 727 – NBA Blog

Kings add Lamar Patterson off waivers

The Kings have claimed guard/forward Lamar Patterson off waivers, team Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Vlade Divac announced today.

Patterson (6-5, 225 pounds) averaged 2.4 points (.350 FG%, 12-49 3pt, .727 FT%), 1.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 11.3 minutes per game in his first NBA season with the Hawks, appearing in 35 contests. He made his NBA debut against the Pistons (10/27/15), finishing with five points, two assists and one rebound in 18 minutes.

Patterson also appeared in the NBA D-League last season with the Canton Charge and Austin Spurs, accruing averages of 12.8 points (.432 FG%, .783 FT%), 4.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 19 games.

Originally selected by Milwaukee with the 48th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, the Pennsylvania native played the 2014-15 season for Toras Bursa of the Turkish Basketball League, averaging 11.3 points (.435 FG%, .343 3FG%, .730 FT%), 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 28.2 minutes in 35 games (started 31). In six contests during EuroChallenge play, he posted 12.0 points (.563 FG%, .714 FT%), 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 28.8 minutes per game.

Patterson enjoyed a five-year career (granted medical hardship waiver as a true freshman) at the University of Pittsburgh, appearing in 148 games (106 starts), finishing with career averages of 9.5 points (.435 FG%, .369 3FG%, .723 FT%), 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals in 24.5 minutes per game. As a senior in 2013-14, he started all 36 games and logged 17.1 points (.441 FG%, .388 3FG%, .754 FT%), 4.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 32.6 minutes, earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference Second Team and Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American accolades.

Nets sign Randy Foye

The Nets have signed free agent guard Randy Foye.

Foye (6’4”, 213) joins the Nets after splitting the 2015-16 season with the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder. In 81 games, Foye averaged 5.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 20.3 minutes per game. He also appeared in 16 games in the Thunder’s run to the Western Conference Finals.

“We are pleased to welcome Randy to Brooklyn,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “He is a veteran guard who will provide us with additional scoring and depth in our backcourt.”

The 32-year-old has seen action in 683 career games (393 starts) in 10 seasons with Minnesota (2006-09), Washington (2009-10), Los Angeles Clippers (2010-12), Utah (2012-13), Denver (2013-16) and Oklahoma City (2016), owning averages of 10.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 26.3 minutes per game. He’s also seen action in 27 postseason games.

Foye finished in the top 10 in the league in three-pointers made in three consecutive seasons (2011-14) and is a career .369 shooter from three-point range.

The Newark, N.J. native was originally selected with the seventh pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by Boston and began his career with the Timberwolves after a draft-night trade.

Pistons re-sign Andre Drummond

The Pistons officially re-signed young star center Andre Drummond to a multi-year contract today.

The deal is reportedly a $130 million dollar contract, over five years.

According to the Detroit Free Press, “the agreement was reached July 1 – the first day of the NBA’s free agency moratorium. But delaying the signing allowed the Pistons use cap space to sign three players to add depth, with Drummond’s signing putting them over the $94 million salary cap, which was exactly how Drummond and the organization planned it out back in October when he decided to wait on the extension.”

Drummond, 22, appeared in 81 games (all starts) last season, averaging a career-high 16.2 points (.521 FG), a career-high 14.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks in career-high 32.9 minutes per game. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team and was selected to the NBA All-Star team, becoming the first Piston since Allen Iverson (2009) and first Piston draft pick since Grant Hill (2000) to be named an all-star. Drummond also helped Detroit reach the post-season for the first time since 2009, posting averages of 16.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 32.8 minutes in his first playoff appearance.

Pistons Owner Tom Gores praised Drummond’s development as a player and as a representative of the franchise.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch Andre from the time he first came into the league to where he is today, having matured into this incredible talent. Beyond his evolution as a basketball player, it’s been equally rewarding watching him mature as a young man,” said Gores. “Andre has the character and dedication to help our franchise achieve greatness. I’m proud of him and his family, the way they’ve embraced Detroit and the way Detroit has embraced them. I’m excited for all of us about the years to come.”

Among NBA leaders last season, the 6-11, 279-pound center ranked first in rebounding (14.8 rpg), first in total rebounds (1,198), first in offensive rebounding (4.9 orpg), first in total offensive rebounds (395) and first in double-doubles (career-high 66). Only Pistons Legend and Hall of Famer Bob Lanier recorded more double-doubles in a single season (69 in 1972-73) with Detroit. Drummond also led the NBA in 20-plus rebound games (9) and 15-plus point and 15-plus rebound games (30). He became just the third Piston to lead the NBA in rebounding (Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace) and notched his third consecutive season with 1,000-plus points, 1,000-plus rebounds and 100-plus blocks.

“Re-signing Andre was a top priority for us this offseason,” said President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Stan Van Gundy. “The offensive and defensive numbers speak for themselves, but more importantly, his commitment to the organization has allowed us to put together a young group of players that will grow together and continue to move the franchise forward.”

The Mount Vernon, N.Y. native started the 2015-16 season on record pace by averaging 18-plus points and 18-plus rebounds through the first 10 games, becoming the first NBA player to do so since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975-76. Drummond collected 376 rebounds during the first 20 games of the season, becoming the youngest player (22 years and 116 days) in NBA history to accomplish that feat. He scored a career-high 33 points (14-25 FG) and grabbed 21 rebounds at Chicago (12/18), marking his first career 30/20 game and the first 30/20 game by a Piston since Dennis Rodman recorded 34 points and 23 rebounds vs. Denver (1/2/91). He also grabbed a career-high 29 rebounds vs. Indiana (11/3) and blocked a season-high five shots twice [vs. Miami (11/25) and vs. Denver (2/10)].

Originally drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the ninth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Drummond holds career averages of 13.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.2 steals and 29.7 minutes in 304 career games. During his sophomore season he averaged 13.2 rebounds, the highest average in NBA history by a player 20 years or younger and was named MVP of the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star 2014. Drummond also became the youngest player in NBA history to record 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 100 blocks and 100 steals while shooting better than 60% from the field. During his rookie campaign, he earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.

Spurs sign Ryan Arcidiacono

The San Antonio Spurs yesterday (Thursday) signed guard Ryan Arcidiacono.

Until we hear otherwise, we will assume this is a non-guaranteed contract that merely brings Arcidiacono to training camp.

Arcidiacono, 6-3/188, played four seasons at Villanova University. In his final season, he helped guide the Wildcats to the 2016 NCAA Championship and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2016 NCAA Final Four after scoring 16 points and setting up the game-winning three-pointer in the championship game. He was named Second Team All-BIG EAST after averaging 12.5 points, 4.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 32.1 minutes while shooting .445 (165-371) from the field, .394 (76-193) from three-point range and .836 (92-110) from the foul line. He leaves Villanova as the only player in school history to record 1,500-plus points and 500-plus assists, while guiding the Wildcats to a 117-27 (.813) record over the course of his four-year career.

As a junior, Arcidiacono was named the 2015 BIG EAST Player of the Year co-recipient (Providence’s Kris Dunn). For his collegiate career he averaged 11.1 points, 3.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 31.9 minutes while shooting .397 (487-1,228) from the field, .358 (261-729) from long range and .800 (369-461) from the free throw line.

Arcidiacono is currently playing on the Spurs 2016 NBA Summer League team, where he’s averaging 2.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 19.4 minutes in seven total games between Las Vegas and Utah.

Clippers trade for, then waive Devyn Marble

The L.A. Clippers today acquired forward Devyn Marble and a 2020 second round pick from the Orlando Magic in exchange for guard CJ Wilcox and cash considerations. The trade also creates a $1.2 million trade exception for the Clippers.

And then, the Clippers waived Marble. Today.

And with that, the Devyn Marble Clippers era has ended.

Wilcox, 25, was selected by the Clippers with the 28th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft out of the University of Washington and appeared in 44 games with the Clippers over two seasons, averaging 2.5 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 6.1 minutes. The 6-foot-5-inch guard averaged 17.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in five D-League stints with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Bakersfield Jam and Canton Charge.

Marble, selected with the 56th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, averaged 2.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists last season with Orlando. In 44 career games (seven starts) over two years, Marble holds career averages of 2.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists. He was acquired by the Magic, along with Evan Fournier, from Denver in exchange for Arron Afflalo on June 26, 2014.

Bulls sign rookie Paul Zipser

The Bulls have signed second round draft pick Paul Zipser.

Zipser, a 6-8, 215-pound forward, was selected by the Bulls in the second round (No. 48 overall) of the 2016 NBA Draft, and he comes to Chicago after spending the better part of the last four seasons with FC Bayern Munich in Germany’s top league. In 2015-16, the 22-year-old Zipser appeared in 20 contests (EuroLeague and EuroCup combined) and posted 6.7 points, 3.6 boards and 1.3 assists in 17.9 minutes. He also shot .495 from the field, .378 from behind the arc and .958 from the line.

A native of Heidelberg, Germany, Zipser has also represented his country at the 2010 U16 European Championship, 2011 U18 European Championship and 2012 U18 European Championship. He owns career FIBA averages of 9.8 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Spurs re-sign Manu Ginobili

The Spurs have re-signed guard Manu Ginobili. It is reportedly a one-year deal for $14 million.

With Tim Duncan having recently retired, the old Spurs core is down to point guard Tony Parker and limited minutes from Ginobili. The team is now primarily led by small forward Kawhi Leonard and power forward LaMarcus Aldridge. New addition Pau Gasol, a power forward who may wind up playing center, also should have a leading role on the squad.

The upcoming season will mark Ginobili’s 15th campaign with the Silver and Black. Over the course of his NBA career, he has appeared in 923 games, averaging 14.0 points, 4.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.37 steals in 26.3 minutes. He has shot .450 (4,212-9,360) from the field, .369 (1,342-3,636) from three-point range and .827 (3,184-3,851) from the charity stripe.

Ginobili, who was drafted by San Antonio with the 57th overall pick in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft, is the Spurs all-time NBA leader in three-pointers made (1,342), ranks second in steals (1,267), fourth in games played (923) and free-throws made (3,184), as well as fifth in total points (12,950) and assists (3,655). He has twice been named to the All-NBA Third Team (2008, 2011). The 2008 NBA Sixth Man of the Year and two-time All-Star (2008, 2011), Ginobili currently owns the best winning percentage of any active player in the NBA (.728, 672-251). Last season, Ginobili, along with teammates Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, became the all-time winningest trio when they recorded their 541st victory together at Boston on Nov. 1, 2015. They finished the season with 575 regular season wins together.

The four-time NBA champion has appeared in 197 career playoff games, averaging 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.37 steals in 28.9 minutes. Last postseason, he passed Michael Jordan for 11th all-time in postseason wins (120). The Argentina native is one of only nine players in NBA postseason history (Kobe Bryant, Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, LeBron James, Clyde Drexler and Dwyane Wade) with at least 2,500 points (2,903), 800 rebounds (820), 700 assists (772) and 250 steals (269) in the playoffs. Of the 197 postseason games he’s appeared in, Ginobili has come off the bench 145 times and scored 1,878 points in those appearances, the most of any reserve in NBA history.

Ginobili has been a member of the Argentinian National Team since 1998. He led his home country to the gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, becoming one of only two players to have won a Euroleague title, an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal (Bill Bradley). In 2010 he was awarded the Diamond Konex Award, given to the most important sportsman of the decade in Argentina.

Grizzlies re-sign Mike Conley

The Grizzlies have re-signed point guard Mike Conley to a multi-year contract.

The agreement came together early in free agency but the signing just became official today.

The deal is reportedly a $153 million dollar contract, over five years.

The Grizz are paying a ton of money in this. Even by new cap standards. Conley is a very good point guard, sometimes a star, but not a dominant player. But they obviously felt it was better to pay big than to lose him and get nothing in return.

Selected by the Grizzlies with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft, Conley (6-1, 175) has spent all of his nine NBA seasons with Memphis. The 28-year-old has appeared in 637 regular season games (608 starts) and holds career averages of 13.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.51 steals in 32.5 minutes while shooting 44.0 percent from the field, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 80.6 percent from the free throw line. Last season, Conley posted averages of 15.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.20 steals in 31.4 minutes while shooting 42.2 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from three-point range and 83.4 percent from the free throw line.

In the Grizzlies’ career record books, Conley ranks first in games played (637), minutes played (20,693), assists (3,578) and steals (963); and second in points (8,635) and three-point field goals made (736) and attempted (1,972).

Conley has led Memphis to six of the franchise’s nine trips to the NBA Playoffs, including its first-ever Western Conference Finals appearance in 2012-13, and the Grizzlies’ current run of six consecutive postseason berths is the third-longest active streak in the league. He has competed in 50 career playoff games (all starts) and has averaged 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.42 steals in 37.4 minutes. Among his most memorable postseason moments, he led all scorers with 22 points in a road win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the 2015 Western Conference Semifinals in his return from a serious facial injury sustained in the first round, which required surgery and forced him to play with a protective mask through the remainder of the playoffs.

Conley has accumulated several accolades for his work both on and off the court during his career. Conley earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2012-13 after leading all NBA players and setting a Grizzlies single-season franchise record with 174 steals. Most recently, he was the recipient of the Joe Dumars Trophy as the winner of the 2015-16 NBA Sportsmanship Award, his second career honor (2013-14), and joined Grant Hill (three times) and Jason Kidd (twice) as the only multiple winners since the award’s inception in 1995-96. He also was a finalist for the 2015-16 Season-long NBA Cares Community Assist Award after winning the monthly award in January 2016 for his Jr. NBA work in the Memphis community, ongoing fundraising efforts for Methodist Healthcare Foundation, namely the Methodist Sickle Cell Center, and the advent of his signature Shoe Up! with Mike Conley program for youth.

Conley was drafted by Memphis following his freshman season at The Ohio State University, where he was named First Team All-Big Ten by the media and led the Buckeyes to the 2007 NCAA National Championship Game. Conley remains a supporter of Ohio State, donating $500,000 to the university’s men’s and women’s basketball programs in 2013. The school since has renamed its basketball weight room the Mike Conley Jr. Strength and Conditioning Room.

Growing up in Indianapolis, Ind., Conley was named a 2006 McDonald’s All-American as a senior at Lawrence North High School, where he teamed with 2007 No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Greg Oden to lead the team to three straight state championships and an overall record of 103-7 in his four years as the starting point guard.

Nets sign Anthony Bennett

The Nets have signed free agent forward Anthony Bennett.

Bennett has done little so far in the NBA. The Toronto native was originally selected with the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by Cleveland, becoming the first Canadian ever selected with the top pick in the draft. He wasn’t expected to be selected that high, and has not lived up to being a No. 1 overall draft pick. Which isn’t really his fault.

“We have been excited to watch Anthony’s progress this summer with his national team, and look forward to the opportunity of having Kenny and his staff work with him to continue his development,” said Nets’ General Manager Sean Marks.

Bennett joins the Nets after spending the 2015-16 season with the Toronto Raptors. In 19 games, Bennett recorded averages of 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds in 4.4 minutes per game. In 128 games in three NBA seasons split between Toronto, Minnesota (2014-15) and Cleveland (2013-14), the 23-year-old holds career averages of 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game.

Prior to the NBA, Bennett spent one season at UNLV, registering averages of 16.1 points and 8.1 rebounds in 27.1 minutes per game in 35 games (32 starts) en route to Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year honors, as well as Associated Press honorable mention All-American recognition. Bennett is a member of the Canadian national team.

Spurs sign guard Bryn Forbes

The Spurs today have signed guard Bryn Forbes.

Until we hear otherwise, we will assume this is a non-guaranteed signing that merely brings Forbes to Spurs training camp.

Forbes, 6-3/190, was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team during his senior season at Michigan State, averaging 14.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 28.0 minutes in 35 appearances. He led all NCAA Division I players in three-point percentage last year (min. 80 3FG), shooting .481 (112-233) from beyond the arc. Forbes finished eighth in the country in three-point field goals made, hitting 112 treys, and set an all-time Big Ten Conference record for most three-pointers in a game when he hit 11 threes en route to a career-high 33 points (11-16 3FG) in 27 minutes at Rutgers on March 2, 2016.

The Lansing native played two seasons at Michigan State, averaging 11.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 27.1 minutes while shooting .458 (182-397) from the three-point line in 74 games, helping the Spartans reach the 2015 Final Four and win the 2016 Big Ten Tournament. Prior to joining Michigan State, he played two seasons at Cleveland State, where he averaged 14.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 31.4 minutes over 64 games. Forbes was selected to the All-Horizon Second Team in 2014 after being named the Horizon League Newcomer of the Year in 2013.

Forbes is currently playing on the Spurs 2016 NBA Summer League team, where he’s averaging 11.1 points and 3.3 rebounds in 25.3 minutes in seven total games between Las Vegas and Utah.