NBA News Blog – Page 1091 – NBA Blog

Charlotte Bobcats waive Boris Diaw

The Charlotte Bobcats and forward Boris Diaw have decided that it is time to say goodbye to each other. Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has waived Diaw.

The Charlotte Observer reported earlier today that the two sides agreed to a buyout. It’s not year clear what the financial arrangements were. As details emerge, they’ll be added to this page.

Diaw appeared in 37 games for the Bobcats this season, averaging 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 27.5 minutes. Acquired by the Bobcats from Phoenix on Dec. 10, 2008, Diaw saw action in 260 total games for Charlotte, with averages of 11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 34.3 minutes.

The Bobcats roster now stands at 14 players.

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Grant Hill has no retirement plans yet

Hill, 39, is in his fifth season with the Suns, and the seven-time All-Star said he plans to be back next season.

“I definitely think I can go another year, maybe two,” Hill said before scoring a team-high 19 points in Tuesday’s 99-95 loss to Miami at AmericanAmerican Arena. “If the season were to end right now, and I would sort of evaluate the season, I would definitely want to come back and play next season.”

Hill, averaging 10.6 points, signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal before the season. He hopes to end his career with the Suns and says “Hopefully, they feel the same way.”

Hill turns 40 on Oct. 5, making him the second-oldest player in the NBA after Portland’s Kurt Thomas, who is one day older. Hill’s longevity is pretty impressive considering he was devastated by ankle injuries when playing from Orlando from 2000 to 2007, and didn’t figure he would stick around Phoenix too long after playing his first game for the Suns at 35.

— Reported by Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida

Boris Diaw, Charlotte Bobcats agree to buyout

Power forward Boris Diaw and the Charlotte Bobcats have agreed on a buyout of his remaining contract that should be completed in time for Diaw to be eligible for another team’s playoff roster.

Bobcats vice president of basketball operations Rod Higgins confirmed that early Wednesday morning to the Observer. The buyout, which should be completed sometime today, would make Diaw a free agent in time to sign with a contender. Meanwhile the Bobcats open one of 15 roster spots and save some of what’s left of Diaw’s $9 million salary.

It’s not known just how much money Diaw agreed to give up for his freedom.

— Reported by Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer blog

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Bench scoring helps Pacers beat Clippers

In a 2-minute span in the second quarter, Leandro Barbosa showed Indiana Pacers fans why the team traded for him last week. Barbosa scored 12 points in 18 minutes in his Pacers debut, and Indiana beat the Los Angeles Clippers 102-89 on Tuesday night.

Barbosa, acquired in a trade with Toronto, relishes his role as a reserve on what he considers a promising team…

Reserves Barbosa, Tyler Hansbrough and George Hill led a bench that outscored the Clippers’ reserves 50-23. Hansbrough scored 17 points and Hill had 15…

Hill made 6 of 7 shots and had six assists…

Hansbrough made 7 of 10 field goals, helping the reserves make 21 of 35 shots. The bench supported Danny Granger, who led the way with 25 points…

Blake Griffin had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Paul added 16 points and eight assists for Los Angeles. The Clippers made just 9 of 20 free throws while the Pacers made 24 of 26. Griffin made 2 of 7.

— Reported by the Associated Press

76ers waive forward Andres Nocioni

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that the team has waived forward Andres Nocioni.

“We want to sincerely thank Andres for his contributions to our team and maintaining a true level of professionalism throughout his time here,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said. “We wish him the best of luck as he pursues future opportunities.”

Nocioni (6-7, 225) is in his eighth NBA season and his second with the Sixers. He was acquired via trade from Sacramento, along with Spencer Hawes, in exchange for Samuel Dalembert on June 17, 2010.

In 11 games with one start this season, Nocioni averaged 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 5.1 minutes per game.

The Sixers roster now stands at 13.

Memphis Grizzlies sign Gilbert Arenas

Once a beloved star in the NBA, free agent guard Gilbert Arenas has a new chance to prove to the basketball masses that he can help a team win.

The Memphis Grizzlies signed Arenas today, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, “Arenas, who was in Memphis the past two days, passed a physical and signed a one-year contract for the veteran’s minimum. Memphis will pay him a prorated salary worth about $300,000.”

A three-time All-Star (2004-07), Arenas holds career averages of 21.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.63 steals on .421 shooting in 35.8 minutes in 535 career games (455 starts) over 10 seasons (2001-11) with the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic. Selected by Golden State in the second round (30th overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft, Arenas’ career scoring average ranks ninth among active players (34th in NBA history).

During his time with the Wizards, the Los Angeles native developed into one of the league’s most dynamic guards, averaging 27.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists over a three-year stretch (2004-07) in which he was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2007 and the All-NBA Third Team in 2005 and 2006. The 2002-03 NBA Most Improved Player ranked third in the league in points per game during the 2006-07 season (28.4), fourth in 2005-06 (29.3) and seventh in 2004-05 (25.5).

Most recently, the 30-year-old former University of Arizona standout split the 2010-11 season with Washington and Orlando, averaging 10.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 25.7 minutes in 70 games (16 starts).

The Grizzlies’ roster currently stands at 14 players. Memphis begins a four-game West Coast road trip tonight at 9 p.m. CT against the Sacramento Kings at the Power Balance Pavilion.

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Cavaliers waive center Ryan Hollins

The Cleveland Cavaliers have decided they no longer require the services of center Ryan Hollins.

The team waived Hollins today, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced.

Hollins, 27, has averages of 3.7 points on .500 shooting and 2.3 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game in 24 games (seven starts) this season. He has career averages of 4.2 points on .554 shooting and 2.3 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game in 299 games (54 starts).

The Cavaliers roster now stands at 14.

Brad Miller to retire at end of season

If anybody was really wondering … Wolves veteran center Brad Miller said before Monday’s game at Golden State that he will retire at the end of the season.

Miller has played just 43 minutes in seven games this season on a knee surgically repaired last May after the Wolves acquired him in a draft-night trade last summer.

The Wolves could have bought out his $5 million contract next season for a fraction of that, which made his return unlikely anyway.

Wolves boss David Kahn said he would like to keep Miller with the organization in some capacity if he’s interested.

— Reported by Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Spurs assign Cory Joseph to D-League

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have assigned rookie Cory Joseph to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League.

Joseph, a 6-3 guard, has seen action in 27 games for the Spurs this season, averaging 1.7 points and 1.1 assists in 7.6 minutes.

Joseph has had two stints with the Toros this season. He has seen action in six games, averaging 10.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.67 steals in 30.7 minutes.

The Spurs selected Joseph out of the University of Texas with the 29th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. In his lone season with the Longhorns, he was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team and earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.

Hornets sign Chris Johnson off waivers

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have claimed former LSU Tiger Chris Johnson off of waivers. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced. The 26-year old center was waived by the Portland Trail Blazers on Mar. 15.

Born in Washington D.C., Johnson was a member of the NBA Development League’s Dakota Wizards during the 2010-11 season. He appeared in 35 games (34 starts) for the Wizards, averaging 16.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game en route to being named a 2011 NBA Development League All-Star and the 2010-11 Defensive Player of the Year for the league. He also placed second in the NBA D-League Showcase Dunk Contest during All-Star weekend.

Johnson appeared in 20 games for the Trail Blazers this season. He appeared in 10 games for Portland in 2010-11 after being signed on Mar. 14, 2011. He began his NBA career with the Boston Celtics in 2010-11, appearing in four games for the Celtics.

Johnson (6-11, 210) played four seasons for LSU, averaging 7.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.00 blocks in 88 games. He posted collegiate bests of 7.2 rebounds and 2.71 blocks during his senior season in Baton Rouge in 2008-09. Following his time at LSU, Johnson played overseas in Turkey and Poland before his time in Dakota.