NBA News Blog – Page 1518 – NBA Blog

Nuggets re-sign Anthony Carter

The Denver Nuggets have re-signed G Anthony Carter, Nuggets Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today. The Denver Post reports that the deal is for one-year, $1.306 million.

“AC’s loyalty to Stan Kroenke, George Karl and Denver is exemplary; rarely seen in professional athletics today,” said Warkentien. “We are very happy to have him back again for the 2009-10 campaign.”

Carter, 34, owns career averages of 5.2 ppg, 4.1 apg and 2.2 rpg in 512 regular season games during his 10-year NBA career with Miami, San Antonio, Minnesota and Denver. In 150 games over the previous three seasons with the Nuggets, he has averaged 6.4 ppg and 5.1 apg.

This past season, Carter helped the Nuggets advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1984-85, registering 5.3 ppg, 4.7 apg, 2.6 rpg and 1.23 spg in 22.9 minutes per contest. He ranked ninth in the NBA in both assists per 48 minutes (9.8) and steals per 48 minutes (2.58). Last season Carter actually posted the highest assist average in the entire NBA among players who averaged fewer than 27 minutes.

Carter signed with Denver as a free agent each of the past two summers, returning to the Nuggets on August 31, 2007 and then again on July 9, 2008.

InsideHoops.com editor says: When you watch Carter on the court or read his statistics he doesn’t seem to do much, but he keeps getting NBA jobs so clearly he’s doing something right that.

Laker sponsored by tequila company

Proximo Spirits, Inc. and 1800® Tequila announced today a groundbreaking partnership with legendary NBA team the Los Angeles Lakers, winner of the 2009 NBA Championship, marking 15 NBA Titles in total. Part of a multi-million dollar investment deal including TV advertising and on and off-premise logo rights, the LA Lakers will align with 1800 Silver Tequila, the fastest growing super-premium tequila on the market.

This is the first time that a spirits company has signed an exclusive tequila deal with the NBA Champion Lakers. Based in Los Angeles, CA, the Lakers play their home games at the Staples Center. Holding records for the most wins, the LA Lakers have the longest consecutive winning streak, the highest winning percentage, the most NBA Finals appearances and the second-most NBA championships. 1800 Tequila is thrilled to make their foray into the professional sports arena with the support of such a celebrated team.

“In creating a partnership for our Super-Premium Tequila with a legendary sports franchise, the LA Lakers were a perfect choice for us,” said Elwyn Gladstone, VP of Marketing for Proximo. “Just as the LA Lakers represent the pinnacle of their sport in terms of dynamism and brand recognition, 1800 Silver Tequila represents the most exciting name in Tequila.”

As part of the deal, 1800 Tequila will produce extensive advertising and promotions featuring the LA Lakers logo. All messaging will be connected with a responsible drinking statement. The partnership is part of a multi-million dollar advertising and promotional campaign for the brand, including a new ad campaign (OOH, TV, On-Line, Print), national sampling campaign and multiple sponsorships.

“Our goal is to ensure that Lakers games are the most enjoyable and exciting games to watch” said Los Angeles Lakers Chief Marketing Officer Tim Harris. “Through this groundbreaking partnership, 1800 will provide Lakers fans with the familiar flavor of the super-premium spirit and a variety of beverage choices to enjoy while celebrating courtside, while ensuring that we communicate responsible drinking.”

Houston Rockets sign 2009 first round draft pick Chase Budinger

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed Arizona forward Chase Budinger to a multi-year contract. He was a first round pick so a contract was guaranteed.

Budinger, who was selected by Detroit in the second round (44th overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft, had his draft rights acquired by the Rockets from the Pistons in exchange for a future second-round pick and cash considerations on June 25, 2009.

Budinger (6-7, 218, Arizona) recently led the Rockets in scoring during an undefeated (5-0) run at the 2009 NBA Summer League presented by EA SPORTS, averaging 17.8 points (.681, 32-47 FG; .727, 8-11 3FG; .944, 17-18 FT) in five games (two starts). An early entry candidate for the 2009 NBA Draft, Budinger averaged 17.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in three seasons with Arizona. He finished ranked 11th on Arizona’s career scoring list with 1,697 career points, which stands as the highest point total in three seasons or less by a UA player.

A First-Team All-Pac-10 selection as a junior, Budinger also earned All-America Honorable Mention for a second straight year from The Associated Press after averaging 18.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 35 appearances. Budinger added All-District IX selection by the USBWA and Second-Team All-District 20 honors from the NABC in 2008-09. He finished in double figures 31 times, including 16 20-point games. As a sophomore, Budinger was named Third-Team All-Pac-10 and Second-Team All-District 15 by the NABC. Budinger was also selected as the 2007 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, as well as MVP of the 2006 Nike Junior World Championships held in Douai, France as a member of Team USA.

Timberwolves trade Quentin Richardson to Heat for Mark Blount

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has traded guard/forward Quentin Richardson to the Miami Heat in exchange for center Mark Blount.

According to the Associated Press, “Richardson is due to earn about $9 million this season. Blount was to make around $7.9 million.”

Also, according to the AP, “Like Richardson, Blount also is in the final year of his deal.”

“We are very excited to add Quentin Richardson,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “Over the course of his career, he has proven to be a fierce competitor, a great locker room presence and a very prolific three-point shooter who may be one of the strongest perimeter players in the NBA. We feel that he will be able to match-up well against the top scorers in the league. We also want to thank Mark Blount for his contributions to the Heat. He provided a solid veteran presence to our team the past two years.”

Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 18th overall pick of the 2000 NBA Draft, Richardson has appeared in 601 games (389 starts) during his nine-year NBA career and has averaged 11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 28.0 minutes. He has shot 39.8 percent from the floor, 35.4 percent from three-point range and 71.2 percent from the foul line. Five times, including the 2008-09 season, he has averaged double figures in points. Additionally, four times, including last season, he has hit at least 100 three-point field goals during a season. During the 2004-05 season, with Phoenix, he tied for the league lead in three-point field goals made with a career-high 226. His 940 career three-point field goals made are tied for 65th place all-time in NBA history and ranked 31st among players who played during the 2008-09 campaign.

Richardson (6’6”, 235 pounds) appeared in 72 games (51 starts) for the New York Knicks during the 2008-09 season and averaged 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 26.3 minutes while shooting 39.3 percent from the floor, 36.5 percent from three-point range and 76.1 percent from the foul line. He scored in double figures on 26 occasions, with at least 20 points nine times and a pair of 30-point performances. The Chicago native recorded season highs in points (34), field goals made (11), three-point field goals made (seven), rebounds (12) and minutes (44) in New York’s Nov. 22 win over Washington. Richardson hit multiple treys 30 times last season, including nine games where he hit at least four in a game.

At the conclusion of the 2008-09 season, Richardson was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies in a draft night trade for Darko Milicic. He was subsequently dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers on July 17 for Zach Randolph and then to the Timberwolves on July 20 for Mark Madsen, Craig Smith and Sebastian Telfair.

Blount, a nine-year NBA veteran, was acquired by the Heat along with Ricky Davis from the Timberwolves on Oct. 24, 2007 in exchange for Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac, Wayne Simien and a conditional first-round draft choice. In two seasons with the Heat, Blount appeared in 89 games (46 starts) and averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 19.7 minutes while shooting 45.2 percent from the floor, 39.4 percent from three-point range and 63.6 percent from the foul line. For his career, he has appeared in 605 games (393 starts) and has averaged 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 23.1 minutes while shooting 50.4 percent from the floor, 35.9 percent from three-point range and 72.3 percent from the foul line.

Read basketball fan reaction to this news and share your opinion in this forum topic.

76ers sign Primoz Brezec

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has signed free agent center Primoz Brezec.

“We feel that Primoz will provide us with additional size and depth in the front court, but just as beneficial is the wealth of experience he brings to the team not only on the NBA level, but internationally as well,” Stefanski said.

Brezec (7-1, 255) has appeared in 321 games with 214 starts across seven NBA seasons with Indiana, Charlotte, Detroit and Toronto. For his career, he has averaged 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19.0 minutes per game while shooting 50.0% from the floor and 70.6% from the line.

Last season, Brezec played for Lottomatica Virtus Roma of the Italian League. He started the 2007-08 season with the Bobcats before being traded to the Pistons and then the Raptors.

Originally the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft by Indiana, Brezec played three seasons with the Pacers before being selected by Charlotte in the 2004 expansion draft.

Brezec’s best season came during the Bobcats inaugural campaign in 2004-05. He averaged career highs of 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 and 0.76 blocks in 31.6 minutes per game while ranking 13th in the league with 3.1 offensive boards per game.

A member of the Slovenian National Team, Brezec has competed in the 2003 and 2005 FIBA European Championships and the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

InsideHoops.com editor says: The 76ers adding Primoz Brezec is like the Celtics adding Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, or Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. OK, but seriously, Brezec is a solid backup and he’s good enough to have stayed in the league this whole time, instead of going overseas like he did. He’s also a very good interview and is totally outspoken about just about anything.

Preseason schedule is here

The 2009-10 NBA preseason schedule is available and listed on InsideHoops.com.

Games start October 1 and end October 23.

Then, the regular season starts October 27.

Preseason games mean very little as far as wins and losses go. Each team’s stars often play very limited minutes. Still, they’re worth watching to see how the individual players look, and how a team’s core guys look for the select parts of the game they’re actually on the floor.

Jeremy Tyler to play pro basketball in Israel

The AP reports: Jeremy Tyler completed his jump from high school underclassman to pro basketball player on Wednesday when he signed a one-year, $140,000 contract with Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Premier League. Tyler, 18, is the first American-born player to leave high school early to play basketball professionally overseas. The 6-foot-11, 260-pound Tyler announced in the spring that he was skipping his senior season at San Diego High because prep basketball had become boring.

The New York Times reports: The 6-foot-9 Tyler chose Haifa over offers from teams in Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Slovenia. Sonny Vaccaro, an adviser to Tyler, said that Tyler could have earned more money elsewhere but that Haifa offered English-speaking coaches and the best situation for playing time. “It feels good, but it doesn’t feel like mission accomplished,” Tyler, 18, said. “It feels good that I’m going to go over there and will become a better basketball player. I’m excited, anxious and ready. All of the above.” … He will be eligible for the N.B.A. draft in 2011, which means he will very likely play two years overseas.

InsideHoops.com editor says: So instead of being surrounded by little kids on a HS basketball court, Tyler will make 140k and play with adults he can actually learn from. And then instead of being a college freshman a year later, he’ll probably do the same, perhaps for a bit more money. So he’ll have earned a quarter million dollars or so in two years before most players earn a penny (aside from the under the table stuff that just about every good young player gets). The thing is, I don’t think an overseas team is going to go out of their way to train him more than they would any other player, considering he’s only committed to be there for one year. Still, he should at least get way more out of being there for a year than he would as a HS senior.

Detroit Pistons sign Ben Wallace

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed free agent center Ben Wallace. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“We are pleased to announce Ben Wallace’s return to the Pistons organization,” said Dumars. “Ben played an integral part in the success of the franchise from 2001-2006 and we feel there is a role for him on our team this season. His size and experience will provide depth in the front court while his work ethic and commitment to winning will help our club throughout the year.”

Wallace, 34, has NBA career averages of 6.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 30.9 minutes in 903 games (785 starts) with Washington, Orlando, Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland. The 13-year veteran played in Detroit from 2000 to 2006 where he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year and an NBA All-Star four times. Wallace was an All-NBA Second Team selection three times (2003, 2004, 2006), All-NBA Third Team selection twice (2002 and 2005) and an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection five times (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006). The Pistons made the playoffs in five of the six years he was in Detroit, winning Eastern Conference Championships in 2004 and 2005 and the NBA Championship in 2004. Wallace is the franchise’s all-time leader in regular-season and playoff blocks (1,297 and 215, respectively) and ranks first among all-time playoff leaders in rebounds (1,237). He holds franchise single-game records for blocks in a game (10 – twice), defensive rebounds in a quarter (10) and blocks in a quarter (6). During the 2006-07 season, he became just the fifth player in NBA history to record 100 blocks and 100 steals for seven consecutive seasons joining Hakeem Olajuwon (12 times), Julius Erving (seven times), Sam Lacey (seven times) and David Robinson (seven times). Wallace ranks fifth among active players in career blocks with 1,948 and led the NBA in blocks during the 2001-02 season (3.48 bpg).

Originally acquired by the Pistons along with Chucky Atkins in exchange for Grant Hill as part of a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando (8/3/00), Wallace signed with Chicago as a free agent on July 13, 2006. He was traded by Chicago to Cleveland as part of a three-team trade on February 21, 2008.

Read NBA fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Hornets trade Rasual Butler to Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers today acquired veteran swingman Rasual Butler and cash from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for a conditional second round draft pick in 2016.

Acccording to the Los Angeles Times, “the Hornets are expected to save about $8 million with the trade, including Butler’s $3.9-million contract and luxury tax implications. Meanwhile, the Clippers are absorbing his salary, thanks to a $7.3-million trade exception they had after shipping Zach Randolph last month to the Memphis Grizzlies.”

“Today’s move allows us to increase our financial flexibility while at the same time gives us an opportunity to improve at that position,” said Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower. “Due to the depth we have, it will allow us to open up minutes and opportunities for Julian Wright, Morris Peterson and rookie Marcus Thornton, all of whom we anticipate great contributions from this season.”

“We are very excited to add Rasual to our roster,” stated Clippers Head Coach and General Manager Mike Dunleavy. “We believe he is another piece who will help us get back to being a competitive playoff team.”

The seven-year NBA veteran registered his most productive season in 2008-09, averaging 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 31.9 minutes while playing in all 82 games (74 starts) for the Hornets. Butler also connected on 40 percent of his field goals and 37 percent of his shots from behind the three-point line last season. In five playoff games for the Hornets in 2009, Butler tallied 10.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest.

Over his career, Butler has tallied 8.3 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range.

Butler was originally drafted out of La Salle University by the Miami Heat in the second round (53rd overall selection) of the 2002 NBA Draft. After three seasons in Miami, Butler was eventually sent to the Hornets on August 2, 2005 as part of a five team, 13 player trade.

The Philadelphia native finished his four-year collegiate career as the fourth-leading scorer (19.1 ppg) in La Salle history and ranked fourth on the Explorers’ all-time three-point field goals made (282 3FGM) list.

InsideHoops.com editor says: This trade saves the Hornets money but makes them a bit worse, while the Clippers improve a bit.

Read fan reaction and post your own comments in this forum topic.

Houston Rockets sign David Andersen

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed center David Andersen to a multi-year contract. The Houston Chronicle reports that the deal is for three years.

The Rockets originally acquired the rights to Andersen from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for cash and future considerations on July 14.

Andersen (6-11, 245, Australia), who was originally selected by Atlanta in the second round (37th overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft, joined the Rockets after spending the 2008-09 season with Regal FC Barcelona in Spain. Andersen averaged 11.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in helping FC Barcelona win the 2008-09 Spanish National Championship and a berth into the Euroleague Final Four. Andersen’s list of international accomplishments also includes three Euroleague titles with Virtus Bologna (2001) and CSKA Moscow (2006 and 2008). In addition, he was named to the 2004-05 All-Euroleague First Team while playing with CSKA Moscow.

A native of Carlton, Victoria, Andersen started his career at the Australian Institute of Sport before signing professionally with the Wollongong Hawks of the Australian NBL (1998-99). He then spent four seasons in Italy with Virtus Bologna (1999-2003) where he won the 2000-01 Italian National Championship, as well as the 2001 and 2002 Italian National Cup. Andersen joined Mens Sana Basket Siena for the 2003-04 campaign and helped capture another Italian National Championship that season. He played another four seasons with CSKA Moscow (2004-08), winning the 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 Russian National Championship. While with CSKA Moscow, Andersen also helped capture the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Russian National Cup.

Andersen participated with the Australian National Team in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, averaging 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds with Australia during the 2008 Beijing Games. He also took home a gold medal at the 2005 and 2007 Oceania Championship. A member of the Australian U-18 and U-22 National Teams, Andersen was named the 1998 Australian Junior Male Player of the Year.