Category: General NBA insight

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has acquired forward Tayshaun Prince from the Boston Celtics in exchange for forwards Jonas Jerebko and Gigi Datome.

“Tayshaun Prince is certainly well known to fans in Detroit and we’re pleased to welcome him back,” said Stan Van Gundy, Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Detroit Pistons.  “He fills a position of need for us at small forward with his offensive and defensive versatility.  We thank both Jonas and Gigi for their hard work and wish them well going forward.”

Drafted 23rd overall by Detroit in the 2002 NBA Draft, Prince spent the first 10-plus seasons of his career with the Pistons where he averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 769 games (730 starts).  He averaged a career-high 14.7 points during the 2004-05 season and scored 1,000-plus points in a season six times.  The 6-foot-9 forward ranks fifth all-time in franchise history in games played (769), eighth in points scored (9,838), 10th in assists (2,036), fifth in 3-point field goals made (499) and seventh in blocks (440).  A member of the Pistons’ 2003-04 NBA Championship team, Prince was also a member of the USA Senior National Team that went 8-0 to win the gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Prince was traded, along with Austin Daye, to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Jose Calderon on January 30, 2013 and then traded to the Boston Celtics on January 12, 2015.  Overall, Prince has averaged 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.6 steals in 917 career NBA games.  In 140 playoff games (118 with Detroit), he’s averaged 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

Jerebko was the 39th overall pick by the Pistons in the 2009 NBA Draft.  In 303 career games, he averaged 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists.  As a rookie, he averaged career highs in points (9.3 ppg), rebounds (6.0 rpg) and steals (1.0 spg) along with 0.7 assists per game during the 2009-10 season.

Datome signed with the Pistons as a free agent on July 15, 2013.  In two seasons, he saw action in 37 games where he averaged 2.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists.

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has acquired forward Kevin Garnett from Brooklyn in exchange for forward Thaddeus Young.

“We are excited to have Kevin Garnett back in Minnesota and playing for the Timberwolves,” said Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders. “When people think of the Timberwolves they think of KG. He had some great years for us and our organization and fans really respect what he’s done here in Minnesota and throughout his NBA career. KG will bring his usual strong work ethic and leadership and be a positive influence for our young team.”

“It means a lot to me to have Kevin Garnett back on our team,” said Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor. “I have great respect for Kevin as a person and a player. He was the first player we drafted after I bought the team and we got to see him develop into one of the best players in the world. Like our fans, I’m excited to be able to watch Kevin in a Timberwolves uniform once again.”

Originally drafted by Minnesota with the 5th overall pick of the 1995 NBA Draft, Garnett spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Timberwolves and led the team to eight consecutive playoff appearances from 1996-97 to 2003-04, including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2003-04. He was named the NBA MVP in 2003-04 after leading the Timberwolves to a Western Conference-best 58-24 record and No. 1 seed while averaging career-highs in points (24.2 ppg), rebounds (13.9 rpg) and blocks (2.2 bpg). Garnett still ranks as the franchise leader in nearly every major category, including games played (927), minutes (35,535), points (19,041), rebounds (10,542), assists (4,146), blocks (1,576), steals (1,282) and field goals (7,575).

Garnett was traded to Boston on July 31, 2007, where he went on to win his first and only NBA championship in 2007-08. Garnett averaged 20.4 points and 10.5 rebounds in the postseason during Boston’s championship run, anchoring the Celtics defense. He spent six seasons with Boston before being acquired by the Nets on July 12, 2013.

A 15-time All-Star and the 2007-08 Defensive Player of the Year, Garnett ranks first amongst active NBA players in both minutes (49,764) and rebounds (14,486) while ranking third in points (25,911). He needs just 236 more minutes to become just the fifth player in NBA history to accumulate over 50,000 career minutes. Garnett has averaged 18.3 points and 10.2 rebounds in 35.1 minutes per game over 1419 career contests, including averages of 18.2 points and 10.7 rebounds in 36.9 minutes per game over 143 career playoff appearances.

Young, 26, averaged 14.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 48 games with Minnesota this season. He was the Wolves’ leading scorer eight times, including scoring a season-high 29 points at Washington on Dec. 16. Originally acquired by the Wolves in a three-team trade on Aug. 23, Young holds career averages of 13.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 564 career games between Minnesota and Philadelphia.

The Phoenix Suns today completed a deal to acquire two future first-round draft picks from the Miami Heat. The Suns also received forward/guard Danny Granger from Miami and forward John Salmons, who will be waived, from the New Orleans Pelicans in the three-team trade. As part of the deal, the Suns send guards Goran Dragic and Zoran Dragic to the Heat and the Pelicans receive guard Norris Cole, center Justin Hamilton and forward Shawne Williams from Miami.

The Suns received Miami’s 2017 first-round pick (protected to seven) and Miami’s unprotected 2021 first-round pick as part of the deal.

The Suns also received Granger, a 10th-year veteran and former All-Star, from the Heat. Granger has averaged 6.3 points and 20.4 minutes in 31 games with the Heat this season. The 6-9 wing out of the University of New Mexico holds career averages of 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 586 games with the Indiana Pacers (2005-14), Los Angeles Clippers (2013-14) and Miami (2014-15). Granger averaged a career-best 25.8 points with the Pacers during his All-Star season of 2008-09 and has averaged at least 18 points five times in his career.

The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired a 2016 protected second round draft pick from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for guard Ish Smith, a 2015 protected second round pick, the rights to Latavious Williams and cash considerations, Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today.

Smith appeared in 30 games this season with the Thunder and averaged 1.2 points and 0.9 assists in 5.2 minutes per game. He owns career averages of 2.7 points, 1.9 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 221 career games (eight starts).

UPDATE: The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has waived guard Ish Smith, who was acquired by New Orleans earlier in the day from Oklahoma City, along with the rights to Latavious Williams, cash considerations and draft considerations.

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has waived guard Toney Douglas.

Douglas, 6-2, 185, appeared in three games for New Orleans, averaging 9.0 points, 4.0 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 22.0 minutes per game. Prior to joining the Pelicans, Douglas played for the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association, appearing in 35 games while averaging 19.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals. Drafted 29th overall out of Florida State in 2009 by the Los Angeles Lakers, Douglas had appeared in 297 career NBA games with New York, Houston, Sacramento, Golden State and Miami, averaging 7.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

New Orleans’ roster now stands at 13.

The Golden State Warriors have signed forward James Michael McAdoo for the remainder of the season, the team announced today.

McAdoo, 22, has appeared in four games with Golden State this season, averaging 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 5.0 minutes. He originally signed with the Warriors on a 10-day contract on January 19 and signed a second 10-day contract with Golden State on February 2.

The University of North Carolina product has appeared in 26 games (24 starts) with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League this season, averaging 19.3 points (12th in the D-League), 9.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.12 steals (third) and 2.31 blocks (fifth) in 33.0 minutes while hitting 57.8 percent from the field.

McAdoo, who was not selected in the 2014 NBA Draft, originally signed with the Warriors on September 2, 2014. He appeared in five preseason games before being waived on October 24, 2014.

McAdoo will wear uniform #20.

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has acquired guard Ramon Sessions from Sacramento in exchange for guard Andre Miller.

“Ramon is a proven veteran who will bring an up-tempo style to our second unit and give us quickness, energy and defensive presence,” said Grunfeld. “He can make plays for himself as well as others and will help to solidify our bench as we head into the final 28 games of the season and the playoffs.”

Sessions (6-3, 190) holds career averages of 11.3 points, 4.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 503 career games (134 starts) in seven-plus years with six teams. He has shot .435 from the field and .797 from the line. The 56th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft has averaged 5.4 points, 2.7 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 36 games (seven starts) with Sacramento this season. In seven games as a starter this season, he averaged 9.6 points, 4.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds. Sessions enjoyed his best season during the 2012-13 campaign when he averaged 14.4 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 61 games with Charlotte. In 12 career playoff games with the Los Angeles Lakers, he holds averages of 9.7 points, 3.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds.

Miller was originally acquired by Washington on February 20, 2014, in a three-team trade with Denver and Philadelphia. In 79 games with Washington in parts of two seasons, Miller averaged 3.7 points and 3.0 assists (including 3.6 points and 2.8 assists in 51 games this season).

“Andre was a consummate professional during his time with the Wizards and gave us great veteran leadership,” said Grunfeld.  “We wish him and his family the best.”

The Denver Nuggets have traded center JaVale McGee, a protected 2015 first round pick (via Oklahoma City) and the rights to Chukwudiebere Maduabum to Philadelphia in exchange for the right to Cenk Akyol, General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

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 plays for Galatasaray of the Turkish Basketball League and has averaged 6.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game this season.

McGee appeared in 17 games for Denver this season, averaging 5.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 b locks in 11.5 minutes per contest. He had appeared in a total of 121 games (10 starts) in four seasons with the Nuggets, averaging 8.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 17.5 minutes.

Maduabum was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 56th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft before his rights were traded to Denver in a draft-night deal. He most recently appeared in four games for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League and seven games for Tallinna Ulikool/Kalev of the Estonian Basketball League.

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Arron Afflalo and forward Alonzo Gee from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for guard Will Barton, forward Victor Claver, forward Thomas Robinson and a lottery-protected 2016 first round draft pick, President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey announced today.

If Portland’s 2016 first round draft pick is not conveyed to Denver, it will move to a 2017 lottery-protected first round pick. If that pick is not conveyed, the Nuggets will receive two future second round picks.

“Arron is a proven winner with playoff experience who will be easily integrated into our culture,” said Olshey. “He possesses a skill set that complements our style of play on both ends of the floor and will make an immediate impact as we continue our playoff push. Alonzo is an elite athlete and defender who adds a unique element to our perimeter.

“We thank Thomas, Will and Victor for their contributions to the team and wish them all the best for the future.”

Afflalo, 29, is averaging 14.5 points (42.8% FG, 33.7% 3-PT, 84.1% FT), 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 53 games (all starts) for the Nuggets this season. A 6-5, 215-pound wing, Afflalo holds career averages of 11.5 points (45.5% FG, 38.4% 3-PT, 81.8% FT), 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 552 games (413 starts) over eight seasons with Detroit, Denver and Orlando.

Gee, 27, is posting averages of 4.9 points (48.2% FG, 41.7% 3-PT, 73.8% FT), 1.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists this season with Denver. Gee (6-6, 225) has career averages of 7.5 points (42.4% FG, 33.3% 3-PT, 77.0% FT), 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 316 games (173 starts) over six seasons with Washington, San Antonio, Cleveland and Denver.

Barton averaged 3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists in his two-plus seasons (144 games) with the Trail Blazers after being selected by Portland with the 40th overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft.

In parts of three seasons with the Trail Blazers, Claver averaged 3.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 80 games. Portland selected him with the 22nd overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Valencia, Spain.

Robinson averaged 4.4 points (49.0% FG), 4.3 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.30 blocks per game in parts of two seasons with the Trail Blazers after being acquired in a July of 2013 trade with Houston.

The Utah Jazz announced today the team has acquired rookie forward Grant Jerrett, the rights to German center Tibor Pleiss, center Kendrick Perkins and a future first-round pick from Oklahoma City, as well as a 2017 second-round pick from the Detroit Pistons as part of a three-team trade.  As part of the deal, the Jazz traded center Enes Kanter and forward Steve Novak to Oklahoma City, who also received guard D.J. Augustin and forward Kyle Singler from Detroit while sending the Pistons guard Reggie Jackson.

“This trade allowed us to add assets while helping to maintain flexibility for the future,” said Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey.  “Trades like this are never easy, but we thank Enes and Steve for their contributions to the team and in the community and wish them well as they move forward in their careers.”

Jerrett (6-10, 232, Arizona) has seen action in five games as a reserve for Oklahoma City this season, recording 1.4 points in 5.0 minutes per contest.  The 21-year-old rookie forward has also appeared in 10 games while on assignment with the Thunder’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, averaging 14.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 25.5 minutes.  He spent the 2013-14 season with the Thunder’s D-League affiliate, where he saw action in 27 games and averaged 15.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per contest.  Originally selected in the second round (40th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Jerrett played one season at the University of Arizona after being named a 2012 McDonald’s All-American and to the Jordan Brand Classic as a senior in high school.

Pleiss (7-1, 262, Germany) was originally selected by the New Jersey Nets in the second round (31st overall pick) in the 2010 NBA Draft.  His rights were then traded to the Atlanta Hawks before eventually being moved to Oklahoma City.  The 25-year-old Pleiss currently plays for FC Barcelona, where he joined the club after averaging a career-high 12 points in addition to 5.4 rebounds with Laboral Kutxa Vitoria in Spain.  A member of the German Men’s Senior National Team, Pleiss began his career with Brose Baskets in Germany.

Perkins (6-10, 270, Clifton J. Ozen High School (TX)) is a 12-year-veteran who holds career averages of 5.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 22.6 minutes in 727 games (560 starts) with the Thunder and Boston Celtics.  Originally selected in the first round (27th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft by Memphis, Perkins has appeared in 51 games (three starts) for the Thunder this season, averaging 4.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in 19.2 minutes.

Kanter appeared in 49 games for the Jazz this season, averaging 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in 27.1 minutes.  Novak averaged 2.2 points and 0.7 rebounds in 22 games.