Inside Hoops – Page 735 – NBA Blog

Knicks sign Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah defends, passes and rebounds well but must stay healthy

The Knicks have signed center Joakim Noah. The deal is reportedly a $72 million dollar contract over four years.

“Acquiring Derrick Rose through a trade and securing Joakim Noah through free agency has given us a great ability to choose players that complement the incumbents Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis,” Knicks President Phil Jackson said. “As an organization, we look towards our next challenge of blending the skills of this talented group.”

Noah’s 2015-16 season was limited due to an injured left shoulder, appearing in just 29 games and averaging 4.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.00 block in 21.9 minutes per outing. He came off the bench for 27 of the 29 games that he did play last season.

After nine seasons in Chicago, Noah comes home to New York, bringing with him a highly decorated playing career, highlighted by winning the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, while finishing fourth in the Most Valuable Player voting. At 6-11, 230-pounds, the center appeared in two consecutive NBA All-Star Games (2013, 2014), was named to the All-NBA First Team (2014) and three NBA All-Defensive Teams (2011-second, 2013-first, 2014-first) and garnered the 2015 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.

In 572 career games, Noah has averaged 9.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.40 blocks in the regular season, and has appeared in 60 NBA Playoff games to average 9.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.77 blocks. He has recorded at least 250 assists in three consecutive seasons (2012-13 through 2014-15), becoming just the third center in the last 20 years to accomplish the feat (Vlade Divac, Hakeem Olajuwon). Noah has recorded seven career triple-doubles, including four during the 2013-14 season, joining the ranks of Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and David Robinson as the only centers in league history with at least four point-rebound-assist triple-doubles in a single season.

Noah was originally selected by Chicago with the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, following three seasons at the University of Florida where he was a member of two NCAA Championship teams. He played high school basketball at United Nations International School (Manhattan), Poly Prep Country Day School (Brooklyn) and Lawrenceville School (NJ). He was born in Manhattan to tennis star Yannick Noah and Cecilia Rodhe, Miss Sweden 1978.

Bulls issue statement praising Joakim Noah

Veteran center Joakim Noah has said goodbye to the Bulls and signed as a free agent with the Knicks. Chicago Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson and General Manager Gar Forman issued the following statements following Noah’s departure:

JERRY REINSDORF: “You cannot measure the impact Joakim made on our team and the City of Chicago over the last nine years. His concern, commitment and compassion were always on display. He is loved by all in our organization and he will always be a Bull. We want to thank Joakim for his countless contributions to our organization and the city of Chicago, both on and off the court, and we wish him nothing but the best as he begins a new chapter.”

JOHN PAXSON: “When we drafted Joakim in 2007, we knew that we were getting a kid with a strong spirit, was a hard worker and was a proven winner. What we didn’t know was the impact that he would make on our organization and the City of Chicago. He worked incredibly hard and eventually became the pulse of our team. Joakim has not only meant a lot to our entire organization and our city, but also to me personally. In this day and age in the NBA, it is rare where you come across a player as genuine, compassionate and real as Jo. The time and energy that he and his family put into his Foundation while he was here in Chicago speaks to the type of human being that he is. On behalf of the Chicago Bulls, I want to thank Joakim for everything that he did for us and I wish him the best as he moves on.”

GAR FORMAN: “I have always thought highly of Joakim, not only because of his efforts on the court and in the locker room, but also for his heartfelt work and dedication in the community. These are the tough decisions in this job that nobody likes to make, but unfortunately it comes with the territory. Joakim has meant so much to so many different people on so many different levels. I want to thank him for everything that he has done for our organization over the last nine years and I wish him all my best.”

Victor Oladipo added to 2016 USA Select Team

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo was named to the 2016 USA Men’s Select Team.

Members of the USA Select Team will train daily with the USA National Team from July 18-21 at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center.

Oladipo was named to the 2015-16 USA Basketball National Team and participated in the 2015 USA Basketball Showcase where he recorded 25 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals in 23 minutes of action for the USA Blue Team. Named a member of the 2014 USA Select Team, Oladipo trained with and against the 2014 USA National Team that was preparing for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Originally the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Oladipo averaged 16.0 points, a career-high 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, a team-high 1.61 steals and 33.0 minutes in 72 games (52 starts) with Orlando this past season. The third-year guard has appeared in 224 games (167 starts) with Orlando, averaging 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.63 steals in 33.2 minutes per game. The Indiana University product was named to the 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Oladipo was acquired by the Thunder on draft night last month from the Orlando Magic along with forward Ersan Ilyasova and the draft rights to forward Domantas Sabonis.

Pistons sign Ish Smith and Jon Leuer

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has signed free agent guard Ish Smith and free agent forward Jon Leuer to multi-year contracts.

Smith’s deal is reportedly an $18 million dollar contract over three years.

Leuer’s deal is reportedly a $42 million dollar contract over four years.

Smith, 27, appeared in 77 games (53 starts) with Philadelphia and New Orleans last season, averaging career highs in points (12.6 ppg), assists (6.5 apg), rebounds (4.0 rpg) and minutes (29.1 mpg). He started the season with New Orleans where he averaged 8.9 points, 5.7 assists, 3.4 assists and 22.9 minutes in 27 games before being traded to Philadelphia on December 24, 2015. In the 50 games following the trade, Smith averaged 14.7 points, a team-high 7.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 32.4 minutes with Philadelphia. He set new single-game career-highs in points [28 vs. Toronto (1/9/16)], assists [16 at New York (1/18/16)] and rebounds [14 at Portland (3/26/16)] a year ago. Smith scored 10-plus points 49 times, 20-plus points 15 times and dished out 10-plus assists 14 times last season.

The 6-0, 175-pound guard has tallied career NBA averages of 5.8 points, 3.3 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 16.3 minutes in 323 games with Houston, Memphis, Golden State, Orlando, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, New Orleans and Philadelphia. The Pistons will be the 10th team Smith has played for, joining Louis Amundson and Drew Gooden as the only active NBA players to play for 10 different NBA teams. The Charlotte, N.C. native was undrafted out of Wake Forest in the 2010 NBA Draft. At Wake Forest, Smith averaged 13.2 points, 6.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals as a senior. He finished his college career with the Deacons as the only player in school history to record 1,000 points, 600 assists and 500 rebounds in a career and ranks second all-time in assists (612).

“We’re pleased to welcome both Ish Smith and Jon Leuer to the organization,” said Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach. “Ish is a player that will give us quality depth at the point guard position. He’s efficient scoring the basketball, posted career-high numbers in assists per game a year ago and rebounds well for his size. Jon is a player that adds size and versatility to our roster. His outside shooting ability gives us offensive flexibility and his ability to guard the post will help from a defensive standpoint. We look forward to integrating both their talents into our system.”

Leuer, 27, appeared in a career-high 67 games (27 starts) with Phoenix last season, averaging 8.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 18.7 minutes per game. He recorded a career-high 10 double-doubles, scored 10-plus points 26 times, 20-plus points three times and grabbed 10-plus rebounds 10 times. In 26 starts, Leuer averaged 11.5 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 51.4 percent from the field, 40.4 percent from behind the arch and 81.8 percent from the free-throw line. He recorded his best offensive stretch of the season from December 2-14, scoring in double-figures eight straight games. The 6-10, 228-pound forward recorded 16 points and a career-high-tying 14 rebounds in 20 minutes vs. L.A. Clippers (4/13/16), marking the first time since 1983-84 that an NBA player posted at least 16 points and 14 rebounds in 20 minutes or fewer.

The five-year pro has tallied career NBA averages of 5.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 13.7 minutes in 253 games (45 starts) with Milwaukee, Cleveland, Memphis and Phoenix. Leuer was drafted 40th overall by Milwaukee in the 2011 NBA Draft. The Minnesota native played four collegiate seasons at Wisconsin where he averaged 11.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 123 games. He finished his career with the Badgers ranked 12th in total points (1,376), 10th in blocks (85) and was one of eight players in program history to record at least 1,300 points and 500 rebounds.

Knicks sign Guillermo Hernangomez

The New York Knicks have signed center Guillermo “Willy” Hernangomez.

Hernangomez, 6-10, 240-pounds, has played professionally in Spain for the past four seasons with Real Madrid (2012-13, 2015-16) and, as a former teammate of current Knick Kristaps Porzingis, with Sevilla (2013-15). He holds career averages of 7.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 133 games and played in 40 games for Real Madrid this past season, averaging 5.8 points, on 66.6-percent shooting, and 3.7 rebounds.

The Madrid, Spain-native, was originally selected by Philadelphia in the second round (35th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft and had his rights traded to New York in exchange for two future second round draft picks (2020 and 2021) and cash considerations. He won the 2015 EuroCup with the Spanish national team, and is scheduled to represent his country at the Olympic Games in Brazil later this summer.

Spurs trade Boris Diaw to Jazz

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has acquired forward Boris Diaw, a 2022 second-round pick and cash considerations from San Antonio in exchange for the player rights to Olivier Hanlan.

Diaw (6-8, 250, France) is a 13-year NBA veteran who holds career averages of 8.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 27.7 minutes in 991 games (530 starts) with Atlanta, Phoenix, Charlotte and San Antonio. Originally selected in the first round (21st overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft by Atlanta, Diaw appeared in 76 games (four starts) for the Spurs this past season, averaging 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists on .362 three-point shooting in 18.2 minutes.

A member of the 2014 Spurs championship team, Diaw owns playoff career averages of 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 108 games (44 starts) over nine playoff seasons, including appearances in two NBA Finals and four Western Conference Finals. He also received the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2006 as a member of the Suns.

The Cormeille-en-Parisis, France, native has been a member of the French National Team since 2003. He teamed with countryman and new Jazz teammate Rudy Gobert to lead France to a third-place finish at the 2014 FIBA World Cup and guided the team to its first ever gold medal at the 2013 European Championship.

In 2005, Diaw created Babac’Ards, a not-for-profit organization to help young Senegalese children become productive citizens with a focus on education and basketball. The name is derived from his Senegalese middle name, Babacar. He has also participated in several NBA Basketball Without Borders trips, including one in Paris and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Hanlan, 6-4/190, was selected by Utah in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft and spent last season with BC Zalgiris in Kaunas, Lithuania. The Canada native averaged 7.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 20.7 minutes over 38 games, helping Zalgiris win the Lithuanian Basketball League title. Hanlan played three years (2012-15) at Boston College, where he averaged 17.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 36.0 minutes. The 2013 ACC Freshman of the Year, Hanlan was named to the All-ACC First Team in 2014-15.

Trail Blazers sign center Festus Ezeli

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent center Festus Ezeli, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey. The deal is reportedly a $15 million dollar contract over two years.

Ezeli, 26, joins the Trail Blazers from the Golden State Warriors, where he averaged 7.0 points (54.8% FG, 53.0% FT), 5.6 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.09 blocks and 16.7 minutes in 46 games (13 starts) last season.

“Festus is an outstanding addition to the Trail Blazer organization on and off the court. He will make an immediate impact and be a valuable addition to our culture,” said Olshey.

Selected 30th overall by the Warriors in the 2012 NBA Draft, Ezeli holds career averages of 4.2 points (51.3% FG, 55.7% FT), 4.3 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.98 blocks and 14.1 minutes in 170 games (61 starts) over three NBA seasons.

Ezeli (6-11, 265) has seen playoff action in all three of his NBA seasons, and averaged 4.0 points (53.6% FG), 2.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 8.8 minutes in 23 games for Golden State during the 2016 NBA Playoffs. Ezeli won an NBA championship with the Warriors in 2015.

A four-year standout at Vanderbilt, Ezeli graduated as the school’s all-time blocks leader with 204 career blocked shots. He averaged 7.7 points (56.2% FG), 4.5 rebounds and 1.69 blocks in 121 collegiate games.

Trail Blazers waive Cliff Alexander

The Portland Trail Blazers waived forward Cliff Alexander today, president of basketball operations Neil Olshey announced.

Alexander played in eight games for the Trail Blazers as a rookie in 2015-16, averaging 1.3 points (50.0% FG), 0.8 rebounds and 4.5 minutes per game.

Miami Heat sign Rodney McGruder

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed free agent guard Rodney McGruder.

McGruder appeared in 48 games (44 starts) with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League last season, averaging 15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.38 steals and 37.5 minutes, while shooting 51.3 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from three-point range and 73.9 percent from the free throw line. He led the team in points (758), field goals made (290), three-point field goals made (93) and plus-minus (+367), and finished second on the team in steals (66) and third in rebounds (255). Additionally, he scored in double-figures 40 times, including 14 20-point games and two 30-point games, while helping the Skyforce to a D-League record 40 wins. In the playoffs, he appeared in seven games (all starts), averaging 22.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 42.3 minutes, while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three-point range en route to the Skyforce’s first NBA D-League championship in franchise history.

McGruder split time during the 2014-15 season between the Maine Red Claws and Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 23.1 minutes in 29 games (seven starts). He also played for Atomeromu SE Paks of the Hungarian A League in 2013-14, where he averaged 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.59 steals in 27.8 minutes.

McGruder, who played all four seasons at Kansas State, is currently on the HEAT’s summer league team.

Bulls trade Mike Dunleavy to Cavaliers

The 2016 NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired guard/forward Mike Dunleavy and the draft rights to forward Vladimir Veremeenko from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the rights to forward Albert Miralles. Dunleavy will be accepted into the trade exception that was created in the Cavs trade earlier today with Milwaukee, that also included the draft rights to Miralles, General Manager David Griffin announced from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“We are very pleased to be able to welcome Mike to our Cavaliers family,” said Griffin. “His size, shooting, basketball IQ, and versatility make him a great fit for our group on the floor. While his experience, professionalism, grit, and team first character will be key for us in the locker room.”

Dunleavy (6-9, 220) has spent the last three years with Chicago. He played in 31 games (30 starts) for the Bulls in the 2015-16 regular season after missing the first 49 games due to a back injury. The 6-9 forward finished the campaign with averages of 7.2 points, a .394 mark from beyond the arc, and 2.7 rebounds in 22.7 minutes.

An NCAA champion out of Duke (2001), Dunleavy was originally selected by Golden State with the third overall pick of the 2002 NBA Draft. Over his 14-year NBA career, he has averaged 11.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 28.4 minutes over 933 games (583 starts) with the Warriors, Indiana, Milwaukee and Chicago. He also holds career shooting percentages of .441 from the field, .376 from the three-point line and .803 from the foul line. In his 26 postseason appearances (17 starts), he has averaged 10.4 points on .482 shooting from the field, .453 from beyond the arc, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27.5 minutes.

Veremeenko (6-10, 236) was selected with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards. He has recently played for the Italian professional basketball club Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia.