Inside Hoops – Page 882 – NBA Blog

Cavs re-sign Kevin Love

The Cleveland Cavaliers have re-signed forward Kevin Love, Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“From the moment Kevin arrived, he has shared our plan for winning in Cleveland. Today confirms our mutual belief in that vision,” said Griffin. “As one of the truly elite players in the NBA, Kevin’s value and impact was critical to our success this past season and we are thrilled that he will be part of our core group for many years to come.”

According to ESPN.com, “The league set its salary cap for the 2015-16 season on Wednesday, and based on the new data, Love will get a five-year, $113.2 million contract. His salary for next season will be $19.69 million. But Love said his desire to win a title with the Cavs outweighed every other consideration when deciding where to continue his career. He was unable to play in the NBA Finals after suffering a serious shoulder injury in the opening round against Boston and undergoing surgery.”

In his first season with the Cavs, Love played in 75 games (all starts) with averages of 16.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 33.8 minutes per game. Love was the only player in the league to average at least nine rebounds and make at least 50 three-pointers this past season. He also shot .367 from the three-point line and .804 from the foul line on the season. His 144 three-pointers were the second-most on the team in 2014-15, as well as the seventh-most in a single season in franchise history. Love registered a team-high 38 double-doubles, which was tied for 10th in the NBA and was the most by a Cavalier since 2003-04 (Carlos Boozer, 41).

Love played in four games during the 2015 Playoffs before suffering a dislocated left shoulder in the First Round series against Boston. He averaged 14.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 26.8 minutes, while also shooting .429 from the three-point line for Cleveland. Love was originally acquired by the Cavs in a three-team trade on August 23, 2014.

A three-time NBA All-Star, Love owns career averages of 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32.9 minutes over 439 games (357 starts) in seven seasons with Minnesota and Cleveland. The 6-10 forward holds career shooting percentages of .363 from the three-point line and .814 from the free throw line. Love is one of only three players in league history to average 10.0 rebounds and make over 500 three-pointers, joining Larry Bird and Charles Barkley.

Spurs sign LaMarcus Aldridge

The San Antonio Spurs yesterday announced that they have signed forward LaMarcus Aldridge. According to the San Antonio Express-News blog, “Aldridge is expected to have signed a four-year max contract starting at roughly $20 million per season.”

This is one of the biggest signings of the summer. It helps keep the Spurs in the hunt for another NBA championship before Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili’s time in the league wraps up. It was also yet another huge blow to a Portland Trail Blazers team that recently saw most of their starting lineup disappear.

Aldridge, 6-11/260, joins the Silver and Black after spending his first nine NBA seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. Last year he was named to the All-NBA Second Team, averaging a career-high 23.4 points to go along with 10.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 71 games while shooting .466 (659-1,415) from the field, .352 (37-105) from three-point range and .845 (306-362) from the foul line.

In 2014-15, Aldridge recorded 31 games with 20-or-more points and 10-or-more rebounds (third in NBA). He finished the season as one of only three players (DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis) to be ranked in the NBA’s Top-10 in both scoring (7th) and rebounding (T-8th). The Texas native led the NBA in field goals made last season (659) and his 39 double-doubles ranked ninth in the NBA. Aldridge is the only player in the league to average at least 23.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in each of the last two seasons.

Originally drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the second overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Aldridge was dealt to Portland in a draft-night trade. The nine-year NBA veteran has been named to the All-NBA Team three times (Second Team in 2015, Third Team in 2011 and 2014), earned All-Rookie First Team honors in 2007 and has been selected as an All-Star four times (2012-2015).

In 648 regular season NBA games Aldridge has averaged 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.02 blocks in 35.5 minutes. He departs Portland as the Trail Blazers all-time leader in rebounds (5,434), second in points (12,562) and fourth in games played (648) and blocked shots (658). His 234 double-doubles also rank first all-time in Trail Blazers history.

The 29-year-old has appeared in 34 playoff games, averaging 22.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.79 blocks and 1.6 assists in 40.4 minutes.

Prior to his NBA career, Aldridge spent two seasons at the University of Texas (2004-06). He was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of The Year and to the All-Big 12 First Team as a sophomore and as a freshman led the country in field goal percentage (.663). In 53 career games with the Longhorns he averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.83 blocks and 1.26 steals while shooting .597 percent from the field.

Suns sign Tyson Chandler

The Phoenix Suns yesterday signed Tyson Chandler, one of the league’s premier defensive post players and owner of the second-highest field goal percentage in NBA history, to a multiyear contract.

“Tyson Chandler will be a leader on and off the court,” said President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. “His physical stature is matched by his immense presence as an individual of high character who is highly respected by the NBA community. It is an honor to welcome this NBA Champion and All-Star to Phoenix.”

The 7-1, 240-pound center is a 14-year NBA veteran whose extensive resume is highlighted by the 2011-12 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, a 2013 All-Star appearance, three NBA All-Defensive team selections, 2011-12 All-NBA Third Team recognition, an NBA Championship as a member of the 2011 Dallas Mavericks and a Gold Medal representing Team USA at the 2012 London Olympic Games. With a career field goal percentage of 59.1 percent, Chandler also possesses the second-highest field goal percentage in NBA history among those with at least 2,000 makes, trailing only Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore.

In 75 games with Dallas last season, Chandler averaged a double-double with 10.3 points on 66.6 percent shooting and 11.5 rebounds, in addition to 1.2 blocks. With his third season averaging a double-double while shooting at least 60 percent from the field, Chandler matched the legendary Wilt Chamberlain and joined Gilmore as the only players in league history to accomplish this as least three times in their careers. In four games against the Suns in 2014-15, Chandler excelled with three double-doubles while averaging 14.0 points (61.3 percent from the field, 78.2 percent from the free-throw line) and 16.5 rebounds.

For his career, Chandler holds averages of 8.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 920 games with the Chicago Bulls (2001-06), New Orleans Hornets (2006-09), Charlotte Bobcats (2009-10), Mavericks (2010-11, 2014-15) and New York Knicks (2011-14). He has posted 253 career double-doubles with 405 games scoring in double figures, including 34 with 20-plus points, and 412 games with double-digit rebounds, including 26 with 20-plus boards.

The second overall selection of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, Chandler was traded to the Bulls shortly after being selected. A Southern California native, Chandler was drafted out of high school after attending Dominguez in Compton, Calif., the same high school as former Suns Dennis Johnson and Cedric Ceballos.

The Arizona Republic reports the following:

Tyson Chandler comes into Phoenix with his 7-foot-3 wingspan spread wide, ready to wipe out so many of the stains of the Suns’ last season.

Beyond being a much-needed instant and undisputed leader, Chandler is a basketball fit for the jagged holes of the Suns’ on-court puzzle last season.

The Suns had the fifth-worst rebounding percentage team in the NBA. Enter the No. 5 rebounder in the league last season, when he posted the best rebounding percentage of his 14-year career.

The Suns wanted to improve their rim protection, post defense, pick-and-roll coverage and defensive communication. It is the defensive role Chandler was born to play.

Celtics sign Amir Johnson

The Boston Celtics announced yesterday that they have signed free agent forward Amir Johnson.

“Amir is a proven, young veteran and an exciting addition to our team,” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations. “His length, athleticism, rebounding and shooting ability will help us on both ends of the court.”

Johnson, a 6’9” forward, spent the previous six seasons in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors. Last season, he appeared in 75 games and averaged 9.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 26.4 minutes of action. Johnson shot a career-high 41.3 percent (19-46) from the three-point line. He matched his career-high with six assists against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 1. Johnson tallied a season-high 27 points on 11-15 (.733) shooting from the field, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in 27 minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 5, 2014.

Johnson has averaged 7.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 22.5 minutes throughout 586 career regular season games. The Los Angeles, California native was selected with the 56th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons.

Heat sign Gerald Green

The Miami HEAT announced Thursday that they have signed free agent guard/forward Gerald Green.

“We are fortunate to be able sign a proven veteran like Gerald,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He is a dynamic talent who possesses great athleticism, and has the ability to shoot from distance and spread the floor. He’ll be a perfect complement to our team.”

According to the Miami Herald, “Green on Thursday signed a one-year deal for $1.4 million, the league minimum for players with eight years of NBA service and a bargain for a player who was fourth in the NBA in three-pointers two seasons ago.”

Last season with the Phoenix Suns, Green played in 74 games (four starts), and averaged 11.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 19.5 minutes per game, while shooting 41.6 percent from the field. For the first time in his career, he averaged double-digit points for a second consecutive season, and led Suns with 137 three-point field goals made. Among NBA players to come off the bench in a majority of their teams’ games, Green ranked seventh with 11.9 points per game as a reserve. He posted 45 games with 10+ points, 11 games with 20+ points and one game with 30+ points. Additionally, he ranked fifth in the NBA with 26 games of at least 15 points when coming off the bench, and tied for fourth with 11 games of at least 20 points off the bench. He led the Suns in scoring 13 times (third most on team), rebounds twice, assists three times, steals nine times and blocks three times.

Green, an eight-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 428 games (102 starts) in his career, averaging 10.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 19.9 minutes per game, while shooting 42.5 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from three-point range and 81.8 percent from the foul line. He finished fourth in voting for Most Improved Player during the 2013-14 NBA season, was named the MVP of the 2012 NBA D-League All-Star Game, and was the winner of the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk contest at All-Star weekend in Las Vegas.

Green was originally drafted by the Boston Celtics in the first round (18th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft. In addition to playing in the NBA and D-League, he has played overseas in Russia and China.

Cavaliers re-sign LeBron James

The Cleveland Cavaliers have re-signed forward LeBron James, General Manager David Griffin announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

According to ESPN.com, it is a two-year contract worth the maximum of $46.9 million, with the second year a player option.

“LeBron’s re-signing today is a reflection and continuation of his strong, personal commitment to help deliver championships to Northeast Ohio and Cavs fans everywhere,” said Griffin. “We share this deep level of commitment with him. His impact upon this team, his community and the game are impossible to overstate and we look forward to continuing on our mission together.”

James, a four-time MVP and 11-time NBA All-Star, appeared in 69 regular season games (all starts) for the Cavaliers in 2014-15 with averages of 25.3 points (3rd in NBA) on .488 shooting from the field, 6.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists (7th in NBA) and 1.6 steals in 36.1 minutes. It was James’ 11th consecutive season averaging at least 25.0 points per game, which is tied with Karl Malone (1987-88 to 1997-98) and Jerry West (1961-62 to 1971-72) for the most consecutive seasons averaging at least 25.0 points in NBA history (min. 30 games). James earned All-NBA First Team honors and was also the Kia NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month twice in 2014-15 (February and March), as well as the Player of the Week three times (week ending Nov. 16, Nov. 30 & Jan. 25).

James was one of only three players in the NBA to tally 1,700 points, 500 assists, 400 rebounds and 100 steals (James Harden, Russell Westbrook). The 6-8 forward scored in double figures in all 69 games, increasing his consecutive double-digit scoring streak to 641 (third-longest streak in NBA history). In addition to scoring in double figures every game he appeared in, James had 52 games of at least 20 points, 18 games of at least 30 points and three 40-point outings. He also registered 22 double-doubles and two triple-doubles.

The Akron, Ohio native remains the franchise’s leader in points scored (16,994), scoring average (27.5), field goals made (6,039), three-pointers made (891), free throws made (4,025), assists (4,321), steals (1,064) and minutes played (24,601). Over his 12-year NBA career, James has appeared in 911 regular season games (910 starts) with averages of 27.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 39.3 minutes, while shooting .496 from the floor, .342 from three-point range and .745 from the foul line.

For his postseason career, James has appeared in 178 playoff contests (all starts) with averages of 28.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.7 steals in 42.5 minutes per game. He started in all 20 games during the Cavs’ NBA Finals run in the 2015 Playoffs, recording an NBA-high 14 double-doubles (three triple-doubles) and averaging 30.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks in 42.2 minutes per game. He joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in league playoff history to average at least 30.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists in a single postseason.

Mo Williams is on the Cavs once again

When LeBron James joins a team, the team usually becomes good pretty quickly. And if that team also has Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and a few decent supporting role players, that squad becomes a contender. And a nice place to sign if you’re a veteran free agent.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed free agent guard Mo Williams, General Manager David Griffin announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“We’re very excited to welcome Mo back to Cleveland and we feel he will be a great fit with our team,” said Griffin. “Mo is a proven, high-caliber playmaker and his ability to space the floor at either guard position will be essential for us.”

Williams, a 12-year veteran, spent parts of three seasons with Cleveland from 2008-2011, where he averaged 16.2 points, 5.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 33.6 minutes and was selected a 2009 NBA All-Star. Over his career, he has played in 777 games (511 starts), averaging 13.4 points, including a .870 clip from the foul line, a .379 mark from the three-point line, 2.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 29.8 minutes for Utah, Milwaukee, Cleveland, the Los Angeles Clippers, Portland, Minnesota and Charlotte. He has also shot at least .850 from the charity stripe in each of the past 11 seasons.

During the 2014-15 regular season, Williams played in 68 games (33 starts) with Minnesota and Charlotte and averaged 14.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 29.1 minutes per game. He also shot .872 from the foul line, which ranked 13th in NBA. The 6-1 guard became one of just six players to surpass the 50-point mark in a game last season when he scored 52 points for the Timberwolves against the Indiana Pacers on January 13.

Williams, who reached the playoffs twice with the Cavaliers in 2009 and 2010, has played in 49 career playoff games (25 starts), holding averages of 12.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in 29.4 minutes per game.

Thunder sign rookie Cameron Payne

Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has signed rookie guard Cameron Payne.

As a first round draft pick, Payne was guaranteed to receive a contract. This signing is standard.

Selected by the Thunder with the 14th pick in last month’s NBA Draft, Payne (6-2,180) appeared in 69 games in two seasons at Murray State, averaging 18.5 points, 5.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.81 steals in 32.4 minutes per game.

As a sophomore, Payne was named the Lute Olson Player of the Year, an award given to the top NCAA player with at least two seasons of experience, after leading the Racers to a 29-6 season, which included an Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) regular-season championship and a pair of wins in the National Invitational Tournament.

During his sophomore season, the guard led the Racers to a 25-game winning streak (second longest in the nation) while averaging 20.2 points (13th in NCAA), 6.0 assists (15th in NCAA), 1.94 steals and 32.2 minutes in 35 games. He was named OVC MVP and Honorable Mention AP All-American. The Memphis, Tenn. native, appeared in 34 games as a freshman, averaging 16.8 points, 5.4 assists and 1.68 steals in 32.6 minutes per game. He was named All-OVC First Team, OVC Freshman of the Year and earned an MSU record nine OVC Freshman of the Week awards.

Hawks sign Justin Holiday

The Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club has signed guard Justin Holiday to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer.

“Justin’s abilities on both ends of the court excited us as we looked to add depth on the wing,” Budenholzer said. “His combination of length and versatility with a great work ethic give him a chance to be a solid contributor on the court, and his experience on a championship team this past season and his high-character will be great positives for our locker room.”

A two-year NBA veteran, Holiday played in 59 games (four starting assignments) last season for the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, averaging 4.3 points and 1.2 rebounds in 11.1 minutes. He also saw action in five postseason contests.

In 2012-13, Holiday played nine games for Philadelphia, posting 4.7 points, 1.7 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 15.8 minutes. The 6-6 guard owns averages of 4.4 points and 1.3 rebounds in 11.8 minutes in 68 career games.

Holiday, the brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, has also played professionally with Okapi Aalstar in Belgium (2011-12) and Szolnoki Olaj in Hungary (2013-14), as well as in the NBA D-League with Idaho (2012-13) and Santa Cruz (2014-15). He was named to the All-NBA D-League Third Team and the league’s All-Defensive Second Team with Idaho after averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.2 blocks in 34.7 minutes (.421 FG%, .412 3FG%, .816 FT%) in 47 games (42 starts). In his lone D-League appearance last year with Santa Cruz, Holiday recorded 26 points, six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal in 36 minutes.

A four-year letterman at the University of Washington (2007-11), Holiday appeared in 123 career games (56 starts) for the Huskies, averaging 5.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists (.443 FG%, .343 3FG%, .736 FT%) in 19.6 minutes. He was named to the Pac-10 All-Defensive Team as a junior.

Holiday will wear uniform No. 7.

Thunder re-sign Kyle Singler

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed forward Kyle Singler to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

“Kyle Singler has consistently demonstrated a selfless, hard-working and committed approach that we are always working towards for the identity of Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball,” said Presti. “His size, shooting, willingness to accept various roles and solid fundamental base will help us continue to build the overall depth of our team.”

This past season, Singler appeared in 80 games (58 starts) with Detroit and Oklahoma City, averaging 6.0 points while shooting .398 (96-of-241) from beyond the arc, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 21.8 minutes. In 26 games (18 starts) with Oklahoma City, the forward averaged 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game.

Singler was acquired from Detroit on February 19, 2015 along with guard D.J. Augustin in exchange for guard Reggie Jackson. He was originally selected by the Pistons with the 33rd overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft after a successful collegiate career at Duke.

The Medford, Ore. native spent four seasons with the Blue Devils, setting career records for games played (148), consecutive games played (148), games started (147), minutes played (4,887) and finished his career fourth in points scored (2,392). Singler led Duke to an NCAA title his junior season and was named NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

Singler spent the 2011-12 season in Spain with CB Lucentum Alciante (10 games) and Real Madrid (32 games). In 10 games with Alciante, Singler averaged 14.4 points on .467 shooting from the field and 3.4 rebounds. In 32 games with Real Madrid, he averaged 7.8 points on .560 shooting from the floor and 2.2 rebounds.

He has appeared in 244 career NBA games (168 starts) and owns career averages of 8.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist on .378 shooting (260-of-687) in 26.1 minutes per game.