NBA News Blog – Page 1479 – NBA Blog

Jazz sign Sundiata Gaines to 10-day contract

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that the team will sign guard Sundiata Gaines (pronounced sun-DEE-ah-tuh) of the NBA Development League’s Idaho Stampede to a 10-day contract pending the outcome of a successful physical on Wednesday, January 6. Gaines becomes the fourth D-League Call-Up to the NBA this season.

Gaines (6-1, 185, Georgia) is currently averaging 23.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists while shooting .522 from the field through 14 games with Idaho this season. Gaines, who has led the Stampede to a 9-5 record, currently ranks fifth in the D-League in scoring, third in assists and third in steals (2.29). The guard has scored a season-high 31 points on four occasions and dished a season-high 12 assists twice. Gaines was named the D-League’s Co-Performer of the Week for games played during the first 10 days of the season after averaging a league-leading 27.0 points while shooting .603 percent (38-63) from the field and handing out 8.3 assists.

The Jamaica, New York, native was selected by the Idaho Stampede in the first round (15th overall) of the 2009 D-League Draft. He spent the 2008-09 campaign in Italy with NGC Cantu, averaging 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 30 games. A 2008 graduate of the University of Georgia, Gaines spent four seasons with the Bulldogs averaging 11.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists. The guard led Georgia to the 2008 Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament title.

Gaines becomes the fourth D-League Call-Up in Jazz history, joining Rusty LaRue (2000-01), Mikki Moore (2003-04) and Louis Amundson (2006-07).

Raptors release Pops Mensah-Bonsu

The Toronto Raptors announced Tuesday they have released forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Toronto claimed Mensah-Bonsu off waivers November 13 after he was released by the Houston Rockets. He averaged 2.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 6.7 minutes in 16 games with Toronto.

Mensah-Bonsu appeared in four games with Houston this season averaging 1.3 points and 3.3 minutes.

He appeared in 19 games with the Raptors during the 2008-09 campaign after signing as a free agent on March 6, 2009. He averaged 5.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 13.8 minutes during his first stint with the Raptors.

The four-year NBA veteran has averaged 3.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 8.8 minutes in 54 games with four teams.

Roko Ukic signs in Turkey

Euroleague.net reports: Weeks after releasing its starting point guard, Fenerbahce Ulker has moved to add backcourt strength by signing Roko-Leni Ukic, a former double-digit scorer in the Euroleague. Although Fenerbahce is still in a tight race to reach the Top 16 from Group A, Ukic apparently will not be registered to play in Wednesday’s road game at Montepaschi Siena. Ukic was in Istanbul early this week for physical tests before the announcement was made Tuesday.

Jazz shakeup possible

Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports reports:

Concerned about a lackluster start that has left them in ninth place in the Western Conference and motivated not to pay a hefty luxury-tax bill for moderate success, the Utah Jazz appear willing to trade anyone on their roster but point guard Deron Williams(notes), multiple league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Jazz have a payroll exceeding $77 million with five players making at least $9 million this season. Their dilemma: While they would like to shed some salary, they want to remain competitive enough to at least contend for a playoff berth.

Carlos Boozer(notes), who is making $12.6 million in the final season of his contract, has attracted interest, but sources said the Jazz have yet to enter any substantive trade talks involving the forward. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan has told management he’d prefer to keep Boozer for the season to help with the team’s playoff push, but ownership wants to avoid paying as much luxury tax as possible.

Francisco Garcia returns to practice

Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee reports:

Francisco García was scared, even if he didn’t show it.

The Kings’ fifth-year swingman had returned to work with his trademark flair Monday, practicing for the first time since breaking his right (shooting) wrist nearly three months before. He was running and jumping and shooting. And yapping. Of course he was yapping.

With his scrimmage team down three points with 25 seconds left and García open on the left wing, he took the pass in stride and buried what appeared to be a three-pointer. It was like he’d never left, as García not only made the long-range shot but argued to no avail when assistant coach Mario Elie ruled it a two-pointer in what led to his team’s loss.

“I was still a little scared because of my arm, but it was good,” García said. “I think the biggest challenge is getting comfortable on the floor, getting hit on the floor.

“When I fall on the floor, how am I going to feel? Other than that, I feel good.”

Warriors waive Mikki Moore

The Golden State Warriors have waived center Mikki Moore, the team announced today.

Moore, 34, appeared in 23 games with Golden State this season (20 starts), averaging 5.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 17.7 minutes. A 12-year NBA veteran, Moore underwent surgery to remove bone spurs in his right heel on December 18.

With today’s transaction, Golden State’s roster currently stands at 15 players.

Bucks waive Roko Ukic

The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on guard Roko Ukic (6-5, 190), General Manager John Hammond announced today. Ukic requested to have his contract voided by Milwaukee, removing any further obligation by the Bucks for the remainder of his contract.

“Roko asked to be released from his contract in order to pursue other playing opportunities,” said Hammond. “We appreciate his hard work and professionalism while with the Bucks and wish him well in his career.”

According to Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “the Bucks are expected to save about $2 million in releasing Ukic, including $1.45 million in a player option which Ukic held for the 2010-’11 season.”

In 13 games for the Bucks this season, Ukic averaged 3.1 points in 7.5 minutes per game. He was acquired along with Carlos Delfino from Toronto on August 18 for Amir Johnson and Sonny Weems.

The Bucks roster now stands at 14 players.

Blazers recall Patty Mills

The Portland Trail Blazers recalled guard Patty Mills from the NBA Development League’s Idaho Stampede, it was announced today by General Manager Kevin Pritchard.

In two games since being assigned to the Stampede on Dec. 29, Mills posted averages of 30.0 points (21-37 FG, 11-15 3-PT) and 7.5 assists in 34.0 minutes off the bench.

In his first professional game, Mills led all players with 38 points and 12 assists on Jan. 1. The 6-0 guard’s put-back with 1.2 seconds remaining gave the Stampede a one-point win on Jan. 3.

Mills, selected by the Trail Blazers with the 55th overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft, will join the Trail Blazers for Monday’s game at the L.A. Clippers.

Hornets face tough schedule

John Reid of the New Orleans Times Picayune reports:

New Orleans plays 11 of its next 16 games this month on the road. Despite its 13-3 record at the New Orleans Arena, the Hornets are in last place in the Southwest Division, a half-game behind the Memphis Grizzlies based on Sunday’s standings.

Hornets Coach Jeff Bower said he addressed his players Sunday about the challenges they face this month. After Utah, the Hornets play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night at the Ford Center. The Thunder, led by Kevin Durant, is a surging young team that is in the playoff hunt with an 18-15 record.

“We talked about our schedule and our ability to address our road record,’’ Bower said. “We have a lot of road games, but we view it as an opportunity to make progress and move ahead.’’

Denver fans cheer Iverson

Dave Krieger of the Denver Post reports:

Allen Iverson could hear the tribute as he stood in the Sixers’ huddle during a first-half timeout Sunday night, but he couldn’t see the video board.

“I couldn’t really pay attention to it because it was during a timeout and Coach was talking,” Iverson said after putting up 17 points and seven assists in Philly’s 108-105 win over his former team.

“But I looked up and seen what was going on and then, just to hear the fans react the way they reacted, it was a great feeling. I kind of got beside myself.”

The video montage showed the usual A.I. magic, driving the NBA forest, slicing through the trees, somehow getting the ball up through the branches and in the net, time after time after time. Out of the timeout, the crowd rose to serenade him back onto the floor.

To the full house at the Pepsi Center, it was like he never left. The fans seemed to have no trouble cheering for the Nuggets and Iverson at the same time. Considering he played only 135 games for the Nuggets, less than two seasons’ worth, it is an extraordinary bond.