The New York Daily News (Mark Lelinwalla) reports: Ron Artest also told the Daily News that before he inked his five-year, $33 million deal with the Lakers earlier this month, he gave heavy consideration to signing with LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and the Cleveland Cavaliers. “It was close (to happening), but the Lakers showed more interest,” Artest said. “They’re my boys (James and O’Neal), though. Shaq is still my boy. I’m looking forward to playing with Kobe and going after a championship.”
Category: NBA News Blog
NBA news blog
Memphis Grizzlies sign 2009 first round draft pick Hasheem Thabeet
The Memphis Grizzlies signed Hasheem Thabeet, the second overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, to a multi-year contract, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Thabeet, a 7-3, 267-pound center, averaged 13.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game (second in the NCAA) as a junior at the University of Connecticut, earning 2008-09 Big East Co-Player of the Year (Pittsburgh’s DeJuan Blair) honors and winning his second consecutive National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Selected by Memphis with the second overall pick behind the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Thabeet has averaged 8.0 points and 4.5 rebounds on 50.0 percent shooting in 24.8 minutes, helping lead the Grizzlies to a 4-0 start in the 2009 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nev.
The Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania native, who ranks second on the all-time Big East blocked shots list (243) behind Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, is the first Tanzanian-born player drafted by an NBA team.
Walter Herrmann signs in Spain
EuroLeague.net reports: Tau Ceramica agreed to terms of a contract with small forward Walter Herrmann, who inked a two-year deal with the Euroleague powerhouse on Friday. Herrmann (206, 30) arrives from the Detroit Pistons, where he averaged 3.9 points and 1.8 rebounds in 60 NBA games last season. He has previously played three Euroleague seasons with Unicaja, averaging 7.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 15 games in the 2005-06 season.
InsideHoops.com editor says: More long-haired, blond basketball players will need to step up and fill the void.
LeBron James extension now available
The Cleveland Plain Dealer (Brian Windhorst) reports: At 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the Cavaliers were able to offer LeBron James a contract extension because July 18 is the three-year anniversary of when he signed his most recent contract. It is believed the team will initiate contact soon to formally present an offer, which can be an extension of up to three years and around $65 million. James still has an option in his contract for the 2010-11 season, and the Cavs could offer three years on top of that.
InsideHoops.com editor says: It is widely assumed that LeBron will not sign an extension at this time and wait for 2010 NBA free agency.
Judge dismisses SEC lawsuit against Mark Cuban
The AP reports: A federal judge on Friday dismissed a civil insider trading lawsuit against Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. While granting Cuban’s motion, U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater gave the Securities and Exchange Commission 30 days to file an amended complaint. The SEC alleged Cuban was involved in insider trading when he sold shares in an Internet search engine company, Mamma.com Inc., after receiving confidential information about a private offering in 2004.
Sacramento Kings hire Bryan Gates as assistant coach
Sacramento Kings’ Head Coach Paul Westphal today announced an addition to his coaching staff, reaching an agreement with former Idaho Stampede (D-League) Head Coach Bryan Gates to join the team as an assistant coach.
“We’re just thrilled to be able to add Bryan to our staff,” said Westphal. “He’s had great success everywhere he’s been. He’s really been looking for a chance to take a step into the NBA and we’re thrilled to provide that opportunity. I think he’s going to add a lot to our staff.”
Gates is a two-time recipient of the Dennis Johnson D-League Coach of the Year award (2006-07, 2007-08), having spent the past three seasons as the head coach for Idaho where he compiled a record of 101-51 (.664 winning percentage), including winning the NBA Development League Championship in 2007-08. In all, Gates worked 12 seasons with the Stampede, serving in various roles with the club since its inception, and has also coached for the IBA’s Rapid City Thrillers, CBL’s Hickory Nutz, USBL’s Oklahoma Storm, and the Beirut Blue Stars in Lebanon.
Oklahoma City Thunder waive Earl Watson
The Oklahoma City Thunder waived guard Earl Watson it was announced today by Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.
The 8-year NBA veteran appeared in 68 games (18 starts) with Oklahoma City this past season and averaged 6.6 points, 5.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per contest.
Watson, a 6-1 guard out of UCLA, holds career averages of 7.3 points, 4.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds in 597 career games (156 starts) with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Seattle Supersonics.
Jazz match Trail Blazers offer, retain Paul Millsap
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The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has exercised its first right of refusal and retained restricted free agent forward Paul Millsap, pending the results of a physical. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced. Utah had seven days to match an offer sheet made to Millsap by Portland.
The Deseret News reported that the deal is worth $32 million over four years.
“Keeping Paul on our roster was one of our main goals this offseason,” said Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor. “We look forward to watching him play a key role on this team for many years to come.”
A three-year NBA veteran, Millsap (6-8, 250, Louisiana Tech) appeared in 76 games (38 starts) in 2008-09 averaging 13.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 30.1 minutes per game. As a starter Millsap increased his numbers in each statistical category, averaging 16.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists including a streak of 19-straight double-doubles, the longest streak in the NBA since 2006. Millsap finished the season with 29 double-doubles overall. The native of Monroe, La., also set career-highs in points (32 at Boston 12/15) and rebounds (17 at L.A. Lakers 1/2) while finishing fourth in voting for the league’s Most Improved Player award.
“We are excited to keep Paul with the Jazz,” said Jazz President Randy Rigby. “Since he arrived in 2006 he has been an integral part of our team, establishing himself as one of the up-and-coming power forwards in the NBA.”
Originally selected by the Jazz in the second round (47th overall pick) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Millsap has appeared in 240 of a possible 246 games over his first three seasons, holding career averages of 9.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 22.8 minutes per game. Millsap was named to the 2006-07 All-Rookie Team (one point shy of the First Team) and finished sixth in Rookie of the Year balloting. Selected to play in both the 2007 and 2008 Rookie Challenge, Millsap is the only player in NCAA history to lead the nation in rebounding three straight years. The forward finished his career at Louisiana Tech with averages of 18.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 1.99 blocks in 92 career games in three seasons.
Yao Ming to have left foot surgery
Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has elected to undergo surgery in order to repair the broken bone in his left foot.
The surgery, which will be performed next week by Rockets Team Physician Dr. Tom Clanton at the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute, will involve a bone graft in the navicular bone of Yao’s left foot in order to promote bone regeneration.
Additionally, Clanton will also perform a surgical procedure designed to reduce the arch in Yao’s left foot by realigning and restructuring the bones in the foot.
While no timetable has been set for his return to action, Yao is expected to be available for the team’s training camp in 2010.
“This combination of procedures should not only allow healing of his navicular stress fracture, but also improve the mechanics of his foot to reduce the stress on that bone and give him the best long-term prognosis,” said Dr. Clanton. “This surgical option is similar to the successful procedure used by Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas in 2001.”
Statement from Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey:
“Yao and the Rockets conducted due diligence in seeking a number of expert opinions regarding his medical options. The consensus opinion was that he undergo a procedure to heal and realign his foot. We will implement all the resources available to help him make a complete and successful recovery.”
Statement from Yao:
“After much thought and reflection, I have decided to have surgery on my left foot. This surgery will allow me to continue my career playing basketball and I look forward to returning to the court. I would like to thank everyone who sent me their best wishes. I am very grateful to have the support of teammates, friends and fans as I dedicate myself to making a completely successful recovery.”
Antoine Walker arrested in casino
The Miami Herald reports: Former NBA forward Antoine Walker, a member of the Miami Heat’s 2006 championship team, was arrested Wednesday night in Harrah’s Casino in South Lake Tahoe, Nev., NBC Sports has reported. This came a day after a warrant was issued stemming from Walker’s $822,500 in gambling debts. He is accused of three felony counts of writing bad checks. County prosecutors say he failed to make good on 10 checks totaling $1 million written to Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and the Red Rock Resort.
InsideHoops.com editor says: This is sure to help his NBA comeback attempt!