NBA News Blog – Page 1009 – NBA Blog

Detroit Pistons sign rookie Andre Drummond

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the club has signed first round draft choice Andre Drummond to a multi-year contract.

All players selected in the first round are guaranteed to receive a contract. So, this signing is standard and was expected.

Drummond, who was an early-entry candidate for the 2012 NBA Draft and selected by the Pistons with the ninth pick, averaged 10.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 2.7 blocks last season as a freshman for the University of Connecticut. In 34 games, he shot a team-high 53.8% from the field and ranked third in blocks (2.7) in the Big East Conference. The 6-11, 279-pound center recorded a season-high 24 points (11-12 FG), eight rebounds and five blocks vs. Holy Cross (12/18). Drummond also earned two Big East Big East Rookie of the Week honors last season by scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds vs. West Virginia (1/9) and 18 points (9-12 FG) with seven rebounds at Georgetown (2/1). A native of Mount Vernon, N.Y., he was rated the No. 1 high school prospect by Scout.com, No. 2 in the ESPNU Top-100 and led St. Thomas More (Conn.) to the 2011 Prep National Championship.

Brooklyn Nets re-sign Deron Williams

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed three-time NBA All-Star and USA Basketball guard Deron Williams, Nets General Manager Billy King announced tonight. According to multiple reports, the deal is for five years and $98 million.

“We are obviously thrilled that Deron will lead the Nets into our new home in Brooklyn,” said King. “Deron is in my opinion the top point guard in the NBA. With his leadership and guidance on and off the court, the fans of Brooklyn should be proud.”

“I am really excited to be able to officially say that Brooklyn is home,” said Williams. “It is an incredible time to play in Brooklyn and to be a part of this organization, the first sports team to call Brooklyn home in over 50 years. I believe in the team and what we are going to be able to accomplish on the court, as well as in the community. My family and I have come to know New York and the more we do, the more we love it. I look forward to going to London to represent the United States in the Olympics and then coming back to Brooklyn to open Barclays Center.”

Williams appeared in 55 games with the Nets in 2011-12, and averaged a career-best 21.0 points (9th in NBA), 3.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists (5th in NBA) and 1.2 steals in 36.3 minutes. He tallied 22 double-doubles (3rd in NBA) along with scoring a career-high/Nets franchise-high 57 points, 16-29 FG’s and 21-21 FT’s, in 38 minutes at Charlotte on March 4, 2012.

Williams, (6-3, 209), was selected third overall in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft by Utah. The Illinois product and seven-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 17.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 35.7 minutes per game.

In 506 career games, including 473 starts, Williams has shot .455 (3,175-6,978) from the field, .351 (642-1,828) from three-point range and .812 (1,918-2,361) from the free throw line.

In 44 career postseason games, Williams has averaged 21.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 9.6 assists and 1.2 steals 40.4 minutes, while shooting .458 (308-672) from the field and .796 (238-299) from the line.

Williams is a three-time All Star (2010, 2011, 2012), made the All-NBA Second Team in 2008 and 2010, won a gold medal as part of Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, was a member of the All-Rookie First Team in 2006 and became only the third player in NBA history to have 1500+ points and 800+ assists while shooting .500+ from the field in a single season in 2007-08 (Magic Johnson, 1986-87, 1988-89 and Kevin Johnson, 1988-89). Williams will make his second Olympic appearance this summer in London as a member of Team USA.

Jordan Farmar to be bought out; will play in Europe

Jordan Farmar is okay with it. The former Nets backup point guard, traded to Atlanta Tuesday as part of the package the Nets used to acquire all-star guard Joe Johnson, will be bought out by the Hawks today for $1.5 million. And once he clears waivers and is officially a free agent, Farmar, who played in Israel last summer during the NBA lockout, intends to go play in Europe, with Anadolu Efes, of Istanbul.

Farmar had the option of becoming a free agent this summer or exercise his player option to play for the Nets one more year, at $4.25 million. Farmar decided on June 30 — the day he had to make the decision and hours before free agency began — to pick the option up. But two days later, he was included in the trade to Atlanta, along with Anthony Morrow, Johan Petro and Jordan Williams. With a three-year offer from Efes on the table, Farmar asked to be bought out, and the Hawks were willing to accommodate him.

— Reported by Colin Stephenson of the Newark Star-Ledger

Quin Snyder bows out of Orlando Magic coaching search

After leaving his assistant-coaching job with the Los Angeles Lakers to accept a similar position with CSKA Moscow, Quin Snyder has notified the Orlando Magic that he is not interested in their head-coaching vacancy.

It’s unclear whether the Magic add to their list of candidates now that Snyder has decided not to pursue the job in Orlando.

The Magic’s current list of candidates are Utah Jazz assistant coach Jeff Hornacek, Phoenix Suns player development coach Lindsey Hunter, Golden State Warriors lead assistant coach Michael Malone, Indiana Pacers associate head coach Brian Shaw and San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Jacque Vaughn.

— Reported by Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel

Durant still mad about losing to LeBron in Finals

Kevin Durant can’t hide from the hurt this summer.

LeBron James is right there every time he steps on the basketball court now. The NBA Finals ended in Miami only about three weeks ago, with James’ victory celebration interrupted only briefly to embrace his opponent in a consoling hug.

Durant admits it bothers him coming to the gym and seeing James every day.

“It does. It does, but what can I do?” Durant said Tuesday. “He’s my teammate now. I’m a team player. I can’t let that affect this. This is bigger than that. It’s tough to lose in the finals and play the guy you’ve been going up against for five games who beat you. So me, I’m just going to get over it, still be a great teammate, come out and play hard.”

Kobe Bryant was in Durant’s shoes four years ago, having to shake off the disappointment of a finals loss to the Boston Celtics and get back out on the court for the Olympics. He said it’s normal to not want to play for a few days, but figures Durant has had enough time to get over it by now.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Hakeem Olajuwon will train Knicks big men

Mike Woodson is trying to get Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon to work with the Knicks’ big men.

Amar’e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler are supposed to train with Olajuwon later this offseason. Woodson has said he wanted Stoudemire and Chandler to improve their game in the post. Olajuwon, one of the best centers in NBA history, is known for his footwork and array of moves under the basket.

Olajuwon, whose nickname is “The Dream,” worked with LeBron James last year and the Heat superstar forward showed some of his improved post skills throughout Miami’s run to the NBA championship.

— Reported by Al Iannazzone of New York Newsday

Warriors will trade Dorell Wright to 76ers

Dorell Wright is getting another chance to start over and leaving behind another team that has more salary cap space in his absence.

The Golden State Warriors agreed Tuesday to trade Wright to the Philadelphia 76ers for the rights to a player currently in Europe, a person familiar with the decision said.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because teams can’t announce any trades until the free agency moratorium ends Wednesday, said Golden State would receive Edin Bavcic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in return. The 76ers acquired Bavcic’s rights in a trade with Toronto in 2006.

The move frees up about $4 million in salary cap space for Golden State, which drafted small forwards Harrison Barnes of North Carolina seventh overall and Draymond Green of Michigan State at No. 35 two weeks ago to take Wright’s place. The Warriors now have about $8 million to spend before going into the luxury tax.

— Reported by Antonio Gonzalez of the Associated Press

Milwaukee Bucks sign rookie John Henson

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed first round draft pick John Henson to a multi-year contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Henson was the 14th overall selection in the 2012 NBA Draft.

All players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft are guaranteed to receive a contract. So, this signing was expected and is standard.

Henson (6-11, 220) joins the Bucks after a three-year career at the University of North Carolina where he averaged 10.3 points and 8.1 rebounds in 109 career games. He leaves North Carolina as the Tar Heels’ all-time leader in blocks per game (2.56 – 12th in ACC history) and ranks second in total blocks (279 – 11th in ACC). He is a two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2011, 2012), as well as a First Team All-ACC performer as a junior when he averaged 13.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.

Henson will play for the Bucks in the 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. The Bucks have a five-game schedule, which begins Monday, July 16, at 9:30 p.m. (CT) against New Orleans.

Timberwolves expected to sign Russian guard Alexey Shved

A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to terms on a deal with Russian guard Alexey Shved.

Shved came to the Twin Cities on Tuesday and reached agreement on a deal, but the terms were not immediately available. The person requested anonymity because the deal has not been officially announced.

Shved can play both point guard and shooting guard.

— Reported by NBA.com

Bulls declining option on Ronnie Brewer

The Chicago Bulls will not pick up the $4.37 million option on Ronnie Brewer for the 2012-13 season, Brewer told “The Carmen, Jurko & Harry Show” on ESPN 1000 on Tuesday.

Brewer, who becomes an unrestricted free agent, indicated that a new deal could be negotiated at some point, but it’s uncertain if the Bulls will bring back Brewer with 2011 draft pick Jimmy Butler in line for more playing time.

— Reported by ESPN Chicago