Inside Hoops – Page 878 – NBA Blog

Kings sign Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli and Kosta Koufos

The Sacramento Kings today signed three free agents — guard Rajon Rondo, guard-forward Marco Belinelli (bell-uh-nell-ee) and center Kosta Koufos (COAST-ah Koo-fuss) — according to Vlade Divac, Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations.

Rondo, a 6-1, 186-pound guard is averaging 10.8 points (.470 FG%, .263 3pt%, .609 FT%), 4.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 32.6 minutes per game in 573 career games in nine NBA seasons with two teams (Boston, 2006-07 – 2013-14 and Dallas, 2014-15). Rondo, a four-time NBA All-Star, twice led the league in assists per game (2011-12, 11.7 apg and 2012-13, 11.1 apg). He was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2011-12 and has earned four NBA All-Defensive Team honors, twice on the First Team (2009-10 and 2010-11). With the Celtics, Rondo helped Boston advance to two NBA Finals, including a championship in 2008. Rondo has 22 career triple-doubles in the regular season and 10 in the NBA Playoffs.

An eight-year NBA veteran, Belinelli is averaging 9.4 points (.430 FG%, .392 3pt%, .819 FT%), 2.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 22.8 minutes per game in 502 career games with five teams – Golden State (2007-08 – 2008-09), Toronto (2009-10), New Orleans (2010-11 – 2011-12), Chicago (2012-13) and San Antonio (2013-14 – 2014-15). A member of the 2014 NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, the 6-5, 201-pound Belinelli averaged 11.4 points (career-highs with .485 FG%, a team-high .430 3pt% and .847 FT%), a career-high 2.8 rebounds, a career-best 2.2 assists and 25.2 minutes per game in 80 games of which he started 25 that season.

A 7-0, 265-pound center, Koufos is averaging 5.4 points (.528 FG%, .617 FT%), 4.7 rebounds and 15.3 minutes per game in 424 games in seven seasons with four teams – Utah (2008-09 – 2009-10), Minnesota (2010-11), Denver (2010-11 – 2012-13) and Memphis (2013-14 – 2014-15). Selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft, Koufos posted his best statistical season in 2012-13 with the Nuggets, averaging career-highs in scoring (8.0 ppg), rebounding (6.9 rpg) and minutes played (22.4 mpg) while starting in all 81 games he played in.

Nets trade Steve Blake to Pistons

In return, Pistons send Quincy Miller to Nets

The Detroit Pistons have acquired guard Steve Blake from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for forward Quincy Miller.

Blake, 35, has appeared in 812 career games (345 starts) in 12 seasons with Washington, Portland, Milwaukee, Denver, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State and holds career averages of 6.7 points and 4.0 assists in 24.4 minutes per game. He was originally selected with the 38th pick of the 2003 NBA Draft by Washington Wizards and was acquired by Brooklyn from the Portland Trail Blazers on June 25.

Miller, 22, appeared in 10 games with Sacramento and Detroit last season and averaged 2.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 12.0 minutes per game. The 6-foot-9, 210-pound forward signed the first of two 10-day contracts on February 21 and was signed for the remainder of the season on March 13. Miller recorded season highs in points (13), rebounds (6), blocks (2) and minutes (34) at Golden State (1/23) and tied a career-high three assists vs. Charlotte (4/12). In three games with the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons’ NBA D-League affiliate, he averaged 16.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

Wizards re-sign Drew Gooden

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has re-signed forward Drew Gooden.

“Drew has been an important part of our success the last two years and we are pleased to welcome him back,” said Grunfeld. “His skills, leadership and outside shooting will continue to add value to our front court rotation.”

Gooden appeared in 51 games (seven starts) for Washington last season. The 6-10 forward averaged 5.4 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting .390 from three-point range in 16.6 minutes per game. The 13-year veteran tallied 13 games of 10+ points, scored a season-high 18 points at Miami on 10/29 and recorded two double-doubles. He had five games with at least 10 rebounds and pulled down a season-high 17 caroms vs. Charlotte on 3/27. The former Kansas Jayhawk averaged 9.7 points and 7.1 rebounds in his seven starts for the Wizards this season.

In 10 playoff appearances last season, Gooden averaged 6.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and in 17.8 minutes per game. He originally signed a 10-day contract with the Wizards on February 26, 2014 and then signed a second 10-day on March 8 before signing for the remainder of the season on March 18.

Grizzlies re-sign Marc Gasol

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace announced today that the team has re-signed center Marc Gasol to a multi-year contract. According to the Associated Press, it is “a five-year maximum contract worth more than $100 million.”

“Re-signing Marc Gasol was the No. 1 priority for our organization this offseason,” General Manager Chris Wallace said. “For many years, Marc has been a pillar of our franchise and in a Memphis community that has watched him become one of the best basketball players in the world, so this is a great day for our team, our city and our fans across the Mid-South and worldwide.”

Last season, Gasol (7-1, 255) averaged a career-high 17.4 points on 49.4 percent shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.62 blocks in 33.2 minutes in 81 games (all starts), guiding Memphis to 55 wins and a fifth consecutive appearance in the NBA Playoffs. He averaged 19.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.73 blocks in 11 postseason games in leading Memphis to the Western Conference Semifinals for the third time in franchise history.

The 30-year-old scored 30-or-more points five times, including a career-high 33 points in the regular season finale on April 15 vs. Indiana, after doing so just once in his first six NBA seasons. Gasol continued to display his all-around versatility and was the only player in the league with at least 1,300 points, 600 rebounds and 300 assists.

During his career year, Gasol was named a starter in the 2015 NBA All-Star Game and was selected to the 2015 All-NBA First Team, becoming the first player in franchise history to be honored as either an All-Star starter or a member of the All-NBA First Team. He became one of just three second round draft picks since the NBA-ABA merger to make an All-NBA First Team (Dennis Johnson in 1981; Mark Price in 1993).

Gasol has accumulated many “firsts” over his first seven years with the Grizzlies organization. Gasol was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year and selected to the All-NBA Second Team in 2013. He is the only player in club history to be recognized on either the All-NBA First Team or Second Team or to be named to multiple All-NBA Teams. Among his accolades, he is a two-time All-Star (2012, 2015) and one of just two Grizzlies (Zach Randolph in 2010 and 2013) to appear in multiple All-Star Games. In addition, he has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2013) and NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2009) as well as Western Conference Player of the Week in January 2012.

Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 48th overall pick in the second round in the 2007 NBA Draft, Gasol owns career averages of 14.1 points on 50.9 percent shooting, 7.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.55 blocks in 33.7 minutes in 517 games (510 starts) over seven seasons with the Grizzlies. Memphis acquired his draft rights from Los Angeles in a package for his older brother Pau Gasol on Feb. 1, 2008. The Barcelona native played high school ball in Memphis for Lausanne while Pau played for the Grizzlies and was named the MVP of the Spanish ACB league as a member of Akasvayu Girona before signing with Memphis prior to the 2008-09 season.

In the Grizzlies’ career record books, Gasol ranks first in defensive rebounds (3,003); second in games played (517), games started (510), minutes played (17,399), field goal percentage (.509) and blocks (802); third in free throws made (1,787) and attempted (2,359), offensive rebounds (1,066) and total rebounds (4,069); fourth in assists (1,552); and fifth in points (7,285) and steals (477). He set the single-season franchise record for field goal percentage by shooting 58.1 percent in 2009-10.

Nets waive Cory Jefferson

The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on forward Cory Jefferson, General Manager Billy King announced today.

Jefferson (6’9”, 220) was originally selected with the 60th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs and was traded to the Nets (via Philadelphia) on draft night in exchange for cash considerations. In 50 games (one start) in his rookie season, Jefferson averaged 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per game.

Warriors re-sign Leandro Barbosa

The Golden State Warriors re-signing of unrestricted free agent guard Leandro Barbosa became official today.

Barbosa, 32, appeared in 66 regular-season games (one start) during his first season with Golden State in 2014-15, averaging 7.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 14.9 minutes per contest. He scored in double figures 20 times, including a season-high 19 points in 28 minutes versus Utah on March 21, 2015. The 6’3” guard appeared in all 21 postseason games during Golden State’s NBA Championship run, averaging 5.0 points and 1.3 rebounds in 10.9 minutes.

A 12-year NBA veteran, Barbosa owns career averages of 11.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 715 regular-season games with Phoenix, Toronto, Indiana, Boston and Golden State. The Sao Paulo, Brazil, native has appeared in 96 postseason games, averaging 8.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

Celtics and Nuggets discussed a Danilo Gallinari trade

Celtics and Nuggets discussed a Danilo Gallinari trade

Here’s the Boston Herald reporting on the Celtics and Denver Nuggets:

The Celtics recently spoke with Denver about a trade for Danilo Gallinari, but those discussions did not get anywhere.

However, multiple sources told the Herald that talks could be revived and that the situation bears watching. On the other hand, there were conflicting comments about the Nuggets’ willingness to make Gallinari available. Some said Denver will likely keep the 6-10 shooter, while others insist the club is willing to part with him for the proper price.

Gallinari is entering the final year of his contract and will make $11,559,225 in 2015-16.

Mavs reportedly have interest in JaVale McGee

Mavs reportedly have interest in JaVale McGee

JaVale McGee has an interesting personality. He also makes lots of questionable decisions on the court during games. He does have talent, though. But nobody is sure what to make of him or if he’ll ever emerge as a player that can be relied upon whtn the stakes are high. The Dallas Mavericks reportedly felt that a conversation with the center was worth having. Here’s ESPN.com reporting:

The Dallas Mavericks are on the hunt for a rim protector in the wake of DeAndre Jordan’s decision to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers and interviewed former Washington and Denver big man JaVale McGee for the vacancy over the weekend, according to sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Mavericks’ interest in McGee, at this stage, is best described as “exploratory,” but McGee could potentially fill an undeniable void on the Dallas roster after Jordan’s about-face.

Suns sign first round draft pick Devin Booker

The Phoenix Suns have signed first-round pick Devin Booker, the 13th overall selection of the 2015 NBA Draft.

All first round draft picks are guaranteed to receive a contract. So, this signing is standard and was expected.

Booker has made his Suns debut as a member of Phoenix’s entry at NBA Summer League 2015 in Las Vegas where he has averaged 8.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals through two games. Booker and the Suns return to action tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. (Phoenix time) against the Utah Jazz with the game to be televised on NBA TV.

Booker, widely considered to be the best three-point shooter in this year’s draft, earned Southeastern Conference (SEC) Sixth Man of the Year, Second Team All-SEC and All-SEC Freshman Team honors following his one season at Kentucky in 2014-15. The 6-6, 206-pound marksman averaged 10.0 points for the Wildcats and displayed his fluid shooting stroke, connecting on 47.0 percent of his field goals, 41.1 percent of his three-pointers and 82.8 percent of his free throws.

A mature 18-year-old possessing a high basketball IQ, Booker helped the Wildcats to a 38-1 record this past season with the 38 wins tying for the most in NCAA history as Kentucky also won the SEC regular-season and tournament titles on its way to becoming the first undefeated team to reach the Final Four since UNLV in 1991. Booker ranked second on the Wildcats with 20 double-digit scoring games and led the conference by earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors on five occasions.

Booker, a native of Grand Rapids, Mich., was named a 2014 McDonald’s All-American after averaging 30.9 points as a senior at Moss Point High School in Moss Point, Miss. Booker’s father, Melvin, had a distinguished collegiate career at the University of Missouri before playing in 32 NBA games with the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors over the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons followed by several seasons playing professionally in Italy, Turkey and Russia.

Clippers re-sign Austin Rivers, add Cole Aldrich

Clippers sign Austin Rivers and Cole Aldrich

The L.A. Clippers have signed guard Austin Rivers and center Cole Aldrich.

Rivers, 22, returns to the Clippers after appearing in 41 regular season games (two starts) with the team last season, averaging 7.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists following a Jan. 15, 2015 trade from the Boston Celtics. In the first Playoff action of his career, Rivers played in all 14 postseason games, averaging 8.4 points and 1.1 assists while providing 16 points in a crucial Game 4 win over San Antonio and leading the team with 25 points, six rebounds and two assists in a Game 3 victory over Houston.

The 10th selection in the 2012 NBA Draft by New Orleans, Rivers appeared in 165 career games for the Pelicans (33 starts), averaging 6.9 points, 2.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 21.4 minutes before being traded to Boston on Jan. 12.

A stand-out at Duke University for one season in 2011-12, Rivers averaged 15.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 34 games.

Aldrich, 26, joins the Clippers after spending the last two seasons with the New York Knicks. Last season he averaged 5.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 61 games (16 starts). The 6-foot-11 center has appeared in 196 total games with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Knicks and has career averages of 3.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 196 games.

Originally drafted with the 11th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets, Aldrich spent three seasons at the University of Kansas. The Bloomington, Minnesota native was a perfect 55-0 as a Jayhawk at home and was named the 2009 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus Second-Team All American in 2010.