Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Carmelo Anthony wants the Knicks to sign Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin

The Knicks have one roster spot still open entering tomorrow’s season opener, and Carmelo Anthony hopes it eventually goes to his former Nuggets teammate Kenyon Martin, according to an NBA source.

According to the source, Anthony wants Martin in New York, though he is not permitted to sign a contract until March, when his Chinese team is through with the playoffs. The rugged forward was bought out earlier this week and was expected home for the holidays.

The source said Martin considers the Knicks his top choice, partly because of his friendship with Anthony. They became tight during their nearly seven seasons together in Denver. Martin could fill the role of another gritty big man off the bench with athleticism.

— Via Marc Berman of the New York Post

Pacers think Lance Stephenson is maturing

Lance Stephenson

“He’s clowning around a lot less, which is helpful in practice,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “His interaction with his teammates is solid. He’s not pointing fingers and making faces like he did last year. We’ve seen a lot of maturation from him this year.”

Stephenson averaged almost 11 minutes in the two preseason games, totaling three assists, three rebounds and six points.

“I thought he played within himself on most possessions, which is probably the biggest area he has to improve in,” Vogel said. “And then growing on the defensive end, being in the right spots all the time.”

Stephenson has tried to tone down his game on the court, trading in flashy, street ball-type passes for the simple, safe pass.

“Last year I used to force stuff,” Stephenson said. “I see now if you make the simple pass, it matters more.”

— Via Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star

Kenyon Martin lands buyout from China

Kenyon Martin

Saying he needs to “take care of family affairs”, the former Denver Nugget secured a buyout of his one-year $2.7 million contract and the club released him on Thursday, team manager Guo Jian confirmed.

“We have reached an agreement to let him go, but are still discussing some detail issues,” Guo said on Friday before the squad’s road game against the defending champion Guangdong Southern Tigers.

Those details apparently refer to CBA regulations on foreign players, and how much money Martin will pack home.

League rules state Martin must play the entire season before being able to opt out and join another league. Otherwise, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) won’t approve a clearance letter for any league under its supervision.

Although the NBA is not under FIBA jurisdiction, it will respect the CBA-FIBA agreement and won’t allow Martin to ink a deal before his Chinese team ends its season in March, said Bai Xilin, director of the CBA’s competition department.

— Via Sun Xiaochen of China Daily

New Orleans Hornets sign Gustavo Ayon

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed forward/center Gustavo Ayón. Contract details will be posted here later today.

“We are extremely excited about this signing,” said Hornets GM Dell Demps. “Gustavo is someone who we have had on our radar for a while and we believe he is going to be a great addition to our roster. He is a highly coveted international player and we look forward to working with him as he transitions into being an NBA player.”

Ayón (6-10, 250), averaged 15.9 points on 66 percent shooting while grabbing 8.2 rebounds per game this season over 10 games for Fuenlabrada of Spain. In the ACB league, which is considered the best domestic league outside of the NBA, he ranks 4th in points, 2nd in rebounds, 4th in defensive rebounds, 1st in offensive rebounds, 1st in two-point field goals and leads the league in index rating. Last season for Fuenlabrada, he averaged 10.8 points on 67 percent shooting and 6.3 rebounds over 22.6 minutes in 33 games. He was named the league’s “Best Newcomer” for his performance in 2010-11. During the 2010-11 season, Ayón started ahead of Bismack Biyombo, the 7th overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings.

“Although I had a lot of opportunities with other teams, I chose the Hornets because of my relationship with Dell, Monty and the staff of the team,” Ayón said. “When I visited New Orleans, I felt comfortable with the surroundings and really like the positive direction of the organization.”

Ayón, a Mexico native, grew up playing basketball in his home country and contemplated attending San Jose State at the age of 20 but declined the opportunity to play basketball in Mexico. After leading his team, Halcones, to back-to-back Mexican titles in 2007-08 and 2008-09, at the age of 24, he signed with Fuenlabrada in Spain. In the summer of 2009, while playing for the Mexican National Team in the Americas Championship, he gained notoriety for collecting 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists in a head-to-head battle with Luis Scola of the Houston Rockets.

Ayón, born April 1, 1985 in Tepic, Mexico, is just the third Mexican-born NBA player in history. He joins Horacio Llamas, who played two seasons with the Phoenix Suns, and current Charlotte Bobcat Eduardo Nájera.

NBA reduces suspensions for Andrew Bynum, Charlie Villanueva

The NBA announced today that due to the shortened 2011-12 season, the league will reduce the season-opening suspensions for Andrew Bynum of the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlie Villanueva of the Detroit Pistons.

Villanueva’s five-game suspension for initiating an on-court altercation with Ryan Hollins of the Cleveland Cavaliers and attempting to escalate the altercation by entering the Cavaliers’ locker room has been reduced to four games.  Since Villanueva already served one game of his suspension last season, he will miss the first three games of the 2011-12 NBA regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.

Bynum’s five-game suspension for making unnecessary and excessive contact to J.J. Barea of the Dallas Mavericks in last year’s playoffs has been reduced to four games.  He will miss the first four games of the 2011-12 NBA regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.

Denver Nuggets waive Cory Higgins and Michael Ruffin

The Denver Nuggets have waived G Cory Higgins and F Michael Ruffin, team executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri announced today.

The move brings Denver’s roster to the NBA-maximum 15 players.

Higgins, 6-5, 185, signed with Denver on Dec. 9. He scored seven points in 13 minutes in two preseason games.

Ruffin, 6-10, 248, joined the Nuggets on Dec. 15. He did not appear in a preseason game.

New Jersey Nets sign guard DeShawn Stevenson

DeShawn Stevenson

The New Jersey Nets have signed free agent guard DeShawn Stevenson, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. It is reportedly a one-year deal for $2.5 million.

“DeShawn is a veteran NBA player who brings a championship pedigree to our roster,” said King. “He is a tough defender who can stretch the floor, and will bolster our backcourt rotation.”

Stevenson (6’5”/218), an 11-year veteran who has played with four teams, holds career averages of 7.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 23 minutes over 717 games, including 481 starts.  The California native was selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round (23rd overall) in the 2000 NBA Draft out of Washington Union High School in Fresno, California.  Last season with Dallas, Stevenson helped the Mavericks win their first NBA championship, appearing in 72 games, 54 starts, while averaging 5.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16 minutes per game.

In three plus seasons with Utah, Stevenson appeared in 222 games, 87 starts, while averaging 5.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17 minutes.  Midway through the 2003-04 campaign, Stevenson was traded to Orlando, where he spent the next two seasons.  With the Magic, he appeared in 243 games, 211 starts, while averaging 10.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 29 minutes per game.  Stevenson signed with Washington as a free agent before the 2006-07 season.  In three plus seasons with the Wizards, he appeared in 236 games, 202 starts, while averaging 9.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 27.5 minutes.  Midway through the 2009-10 campaign,Stevenson was traded to Dallas.  Stevenson appeared in 96 games, 59 starts, with the Mavericks, averaging 4.5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 15 minutes per game.

According to the New York Daily News blog, “Stevenson will join a crowded backcourt that includes rookie MarShon Brooks, but is versatile enough to play the 3. Famous for his feuds with LeBron James — and for playing a pivotal role in Game 6 of Dallas’ championship-clinching win over the Heat — Stevenson was once the subject of a diss record by Nets minority owner Jay Z, who used the song to praise LeBron.”

Nets center Brook Lopez undergoes foot surgery, out 6-8 weeks

Brook Lopez

New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez underwent successful surgery today, December 23, to repair a non-displaced stress fracture of the 5th metatarsal of the right foot, Nets General Manager Billy King announced. The surgery, performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan by foot specialist Dr. Martin O’Malley and Nets team orthopedist Dr. Riley Williams III, involved the insertion of a screw in Lopez’s foot.

“A single screw was inserted into the bone to stabilize the fracture and speed up the healing process,” said Dr. O’Malley. “He was placed in a boot and will walk with the aid of crutches. Brook will begin his rehab in two weeks.”

Lopez is expected to return to game action in 6-8 weeks.

Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur undergoes season-ending surgery

Darrell Arthur

Memphis Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.  The surgery was performed yesterday by team physician Dr. Fred Azar and Dr. Drew Murphy at the Campbell Surgery Center.

Arthur (6-9, 235), who suffered the injury on Dec. 18, will begin his post-operative rehabilitation after an appropriate period of healing.  The 23-year-old is expected to be ready for the start of the 2012-13 season.

Last season, the Dallas native averaged career highs in points (9.1), field goal percentage (.497), blocks (0.79) and minutes (20.1) in 80 games in his third NBA campaign.  He posted 7.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 15.5 minutes during Memphis’ 13-game run in the 2011 Playoffs.

After helping lead Kansas to the 2008 NCAA Championship, Arthur was selected by the New Orleans Hornets in the first round (27th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft and traded to Memphis on draft night.  He owns career averages of 6.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.69 blocks on .468 shooting in 18.8 minutes in 188 games (73 starts), all with the Grizzlies.