Inside Hoops – Page 970 – NBA Blog

Deron Williams out with rib fracture

Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams has been diagnosed with a fracture of the cartilage portion of the left 12th rib following an MRI today, General Manager Billy King announced.

Statement from Nets Medical Director Dr. Riley Williams III

“Deron reported some soreness above this area over the weekend and as a result underwent imaging studies on Monday, which were negative. Yesterday during the game he reported a new onset of symptoms below the prior area of soreness. New imaging studies done today demonstrated the fracture. There is no timetable for his return. He will be re-assessed in one week.”

Williams has appeared in 32 games (25 starts) this season, averaging 13.9 points, 6.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per game. He ranks 14th in the NBA in assists per game.

According to New York Newsday, “Williams’ diagnosis caps a rollercoaster last few days. After Sunday’s game, he said his left side locked up and he was told he had something akin to a severe cramp and that electrolytes would help. He was listed as probable leading into Monday’s loss to the Mavericks, but word came down before tipoff that he was instead out.”

ESPN NBA schedule changes

ESPN NBA schedule changes:

Date	Time (ET)	New Selection	Previous Selection
Wed, Jan. 14	8 p.m.	Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls	Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics
Wed, Jan. 28	8 p.m.	Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks	Oklahoma City Thunder at New York Knicks
Fri, Feb. 6	7 p.m.	Los Angeles Clippers at Toronto Raptors	New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets
Fri, Mar. 6	8 p.m.	Phoenix Suns at Brooklyn Nets	Miami Heat at Washington Wizards
Wed, Mar. 18	8 p.m.	Orlando Magic at Dallas Mavericks	Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls
Wed, Mar. 25	7 p.m.	Chicago Bulls at Toronto Raptors	Los Angeles Clippers at New York Knicks
Fri., Apr. 3	8 p.m.	Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies	Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls

Nuggets trade Timofey Mozgov to Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired center Timofey Mozgov and a 2015 second round pick from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for two protected 2015 first round picks (via Oklahoma City and Memphis), Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced tonight.

According to Sports Illustrated, “if two future firsts seems a tall price to pay for a merely functional starting center, that’s because it is. Yet Cleveland maneuvered itself into position to make the most reasonable course correction it could. The Cavs have neither the trade chips nor the future flexibility to make a run at an upper-tier center, effectively locking them into a more limited range of potential upgrades at the position. Mozgov was one of the better options under the circumstances: tall, able to wall off the rim, effective on the glass, competent offensively, and under contract with a team option for next season at a relative bargain.”

This season, Mozgov has appeared in 35 games (all starts) for the Nuggets, averaging 8.5 points on .504 shooting, a career-best 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 25.6 minutes per game. The 7-1 center from Russia also has nine double-doubles on the year.

Mozgov, who is in his fifth NBA season, has played in 247 career games (115 starts) with averages of 6.4 points on .513 shooting, a .738 mark from the foul line, 4.9 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 17.2 minutes per game with New York and Denver. He also won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics with the Russian National team that was coached by David Blatt.

Cleveland conveyed to Denver its right to Oklahoma City’s protected first round draft pick and its right to Memphis’ protected first round draft pick. The Cavs received Denver’s right to the less favorable of Chicago’s own 2015 second round draft pick and Portland’s own 2015 second round draft pick.

Clippers trade Jared Cunningham to Sixers

The Los Angeles Clippers announced today they have traded guard Jared Cunningham, the draft rights to Cenk Akyol and cash considerations to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the draft rights to Serhiy Lishchuk.

Cunningham, who signed with the Clippers as a free agent on Sept. 29, 2014 appeared in 19 games this season averaging 1.8 points and 0.5 assists in 4.7 minutes. The 24th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by Cleveland, Cunningham has appeared in 40 career NBA games in three seasons. He holds career averages of 1.9 points and 0.5 assists in 4.9 minutes with four NBA teams (Dallas, Atlanta, Sacramento and Los Angeles).

Akyol, 27, was originally drafted by the Hawks with the 59th overall selection in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft. The 6’6” guard from Turkey is a member of Galatasaray Liv Hospital of the Turkish Basketball League and has averages of 6.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.0 minutes per game.

Lishchuk, 32, was originally drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 49th overall selection in the second round of the 2004 NBA Draft. The 6’11” forward from the Ukraine is a member of Valencia Basket Club of the Spanish League and has averages of 6.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 15.6 minutes per game in eight games played this season.

Cavaliers waive A.J. Price

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard A.J. Price, it was announced today by Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin.

Price, who was received by waiver claim (waived by Indiana) on Nov. 30, played in 11 games for the Cavaliers this season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game. The 6-2 guard was also part of the 2014 Cavs training camp and preseason roster, appearing in six preseason games with Cleveland in October, averaging 7.2 points and 1.5 assists in 13.3 minutes per game. He was inactive for the Cavs first two regular season games before also being waived on November 1.

Timberwolves waive Jeff Adrien

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has waived forward Jeff Adrien. Minnesota’s roster now stands at 14 players.

Adrien was signed by the Wolves on Nov. 29, 2014, and averaged 3.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 12.8 minutes in 16 games.

Wizards waive Glen Rice Jr.

The Washington Wizards waived guard Glen Rice Jr. today, the team announced.

Rice appeared in 16 career games with Washington in parts of two seasons, averaging 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per game.

The Wizards’ roster now stands at 14.

Knicks sign Langston Galloway to 10-day contract

The New York Knicks signed guard Langston Galloway of the NBA Development League’s Westchester Knicks, to a 10-day contract today, President Phil Jackson announced. This marks Westchester’s first-ever Call-Up. Galloway, who was named as one of the franchise’s Affiliate Players after attending training camp with New York, is the league’s 14th overall NBA Development League Call-Up this season.

Galloway, 6-2, 200-pounds, averaged 16.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.68 steals over 36.8 minutes in 19 games (all starts) for Westchester this season. The Baton Rouge, LA-native, was originally signed by New York on Sep. 9 and waived on Oct. 25, following four seasons at Saint Joseph’s University.

Knicks waive Lou Amundson, Lance Thomas, Alex Kirk

The New York Knicks have waived forwards Lou Amundson and Lance Thomas and center Alex Kirk, President Phil Jackson announced. All three players were acquired as part of a three-team trade on January 5, 2015.

After a season of struggle that has led to a lot of losing, the Knicks appear to be in full rebuild mode, parting ways with Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith. The question is if Amar’e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani or even Carmelo Anthony will remain on the roster. It’s likely that the team will keep Melo, while attempting to say goodbye to almost anybody else who makes more than a minimum salary.

Jazz sign Elliot Williams to 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed guard Elliot Williams of the NBA Development League’s Santa Cruz Warriors to a 10-day contract. Williams becomes the NBA’s 13th overall NBA D-League Call-Up of the 2014-15 season and the 11th different player to be called up. Per team policy, financial terms were not released. Following the move, the Jazz roster now stands at 15 players.

The 25-year-old Williams (6-5, 190, Memphis) appeared in 16 games (all starts) for Santa Cruz this season, averaging 21.3 points (ninth in the D-League), 4.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists (sixth in the D-League) and 1.3 steals in 37.2 minutes per contest. He recorded five double-doubles and scored in double figures in all 16 games. Williams scored 20-plus points in 10 games and 30-or-more points twice. Williams attended 2014 training camp with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 11.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals in five games (three starts), before being waived on Oct. 27.

Williams spent the 2013-14 season with the 76ers. He appeared in 67 games (two starts), averaging 6.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He recorded 10-plus points on 17 occasions.

Originally selected in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Williams has played in 91 games (two starts) with Portland and Philadelphia, averaging 5.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game.

A native of Memphis, Tenn. and former McDonald’s All-American, Williams played one season at Duke (2008-09) before transferring to the University of Memphis (2009-10). He averaged 17.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.3 minutes his sophomore season at Memphis. Williams was named the 2010 Conference USA Newcomer of the Year and earned 2010 Conference USA First Team honors before becoming an early entry into the NBA Draft.

Williams becomes the 14th D-League Call-Up in Jazz history, and the third this season.

He will wear uniform #25 for the Jazz.