NBA News Blog – Page 1581 – NBA Blog

Kings land Ike Diogu from Bulls

As part of a three-way trade with Sacramento and Chicago, the Portland Trail Blazers have acquired forward Michael Ruffin from Chicago in exchange for forward Ike Diogu, who is sent to Sacramento, General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced today.

The Trail Blazers also gain a $3 million trade exception, which they can use for one calendar year.

“We want to thank Ike for his time with the Trail Blazers, and hopefully this trade will give him an opportunity to play more minutes in Sacramento,” said Pritchard. “This move will give us trade flexibility going forward with the $3 million trade exception we gained in the deal.”

An eight-year veteran, Ruffin, 32, averaged 1.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 403 career games with Chicago, Philadelphia, Utah, Washington and Milwaukee. He has not appeared in a game for Chicago this season.

Diogu, 25, played in 19 games for Portland this season, averaging 1.4 points and 0.9 rebounds in 3.8 minutes per game. He was acquired by the Trail Blazers from the Indiana Pacers along with the draft rights to Jerryd Bayless on July 9, 2008. Diogu has posted averages of 5.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in 177 games during his four-year NBA career.

Kings trade Brad Miller, John Salmons to Bulls for Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Michael Ruffin

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has acquired center/forward Brad Miller and guard/forward John Salmons (pronounced SAL-mons) from the Sacramento Kings for forward Andrés Nocioni, forward/center Drew Gooden, forward Cedric Simmons and forward/center Michael Ruffin (In a related transaction, Sacramento traded Michael Ruffin to the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Ike Diogu.). With this deal, Chicago’s roster now stands at 12.

“When we signed Andrés in 2004, he brought a toughness to our basketball team. He’s been a warrior, and a professional, since the day that he arrived. He has been one of my favorites to ever wear a Bulls uniform; and personally, it was difficult for me to move him,” said John Paxson, Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. “Drew played really well for us in the short time that he was here. It’s a tough part of the business when you are traded, and Drew has been traded a few times now, and that is never easy.”

“Brad Miller is a skilled big man, who we feel will fit into many of the things that we run offensively. He is a good shooter and passer, and has a natural feel for how to play the game. We feel that he will be a good complement to Joakim, Tyrus and Aaron on our front line,” added Paxson. “John Salmons will bring us tremendous versatility in the backcourt, and at the small forward position. He has good size and length, and has shown the ability to score this year. We feel he’s one of the most improved players in the league at this point of the season.”

Miller (7-0, 261) has averaged 11.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 31.5 mpg, and shot .465 from the floor and .801 from the line, in 43 games this season. He has started every game that he has appeared in and has posted 12 double-doubles on the year. This trade marks Miller’s second stint with the Bulls, as he appeared in 105 games with Chicago from 2000-01 to 2001-02. During his first tour with the Bulls, he averaged 10.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 26.9 mpg, .449 field-goal shooting, and .752 from the line. In his 11th season in the NBA, Miller has appeared in 684 regular-season games (555 starts) and holds career averages of 12.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.0 apg, 30.2 mpg and has shot .488 from the field and .799 from the line. He also has played in 38 playoff games (21 starts) over his career and has posted postseason averages of 9.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 2.5 apg in 27.6 mpg. Undrafted following his senior season at Purdue, the 32-year old Miller has also played for the Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers.

Salmons (6-6, 207), has appeared in 53 games (all starts) this year, and has averaged a career-high 18.3 ppg (29th in the NBA), 4.2 rpg, 3.7 apg and 1.09 spg (43rd) in 37.4 mpg (21st). He has shot .472 from the floor, .418 from downtown (24th) and .823 from the line (48th). In his seventh season in the NBA, the 29-year old Salmons has played in 494 regular-season games (170 starts), and averaged 8.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.4 apg, 23.9 mpg, .446 from the field, .354 from behind the arc and .795 from the stripe. Selected by the San Antonio Spurs out of the University of Miami in the first round (26th overall) of NBA Draft 2002, Salmons was then sent to the Philadelphia 76ers in a draft-night deal. Prior to his stint with the Kings, he played four years with the 76ers and was a member of two playoff teams.

Nocioni (6-7, 225), in his fifth season in the NBA, has played in 53 games (two starts) this season, and averaged 10.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 24.1 mpg, .414 from the field, .378 from behind the arc and .806 from the line. Originally signed by the Bulls as a free agent on Aug. 11, 2004, he played in 351 regular-season contests (141 starts) with Chicago, and tallied averages of 11.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.3 apg and 25.2 mpg. During his time in a Bulls uniform, he shot .437 from the field, .367 from behind the arc and .813 from the free-throw line. Nocioni, 29, also appeared in 22 playoff games (12 starts) with the Bulls, and averaged 13.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 1.4 apg in 28.6 mpg.

Gooden (6-10, 250) has averaged13.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.4 apg and 29.6 mpg in 31 games (27 starts) this year. In his seventh season out of Kansas, he has appeared in 490 contests (395 starts) and owns career averages of 12.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 28.5 mpg and has shot .470 from the field and .730 from the line. He has also appeared in 40 career playoff games and has posted playoff averages of 10.8 ppg and 8.7 rpg in 28.0 mpg. Selected in the first round (fourth overall) of NBA Draft 2002 by the Memphis Grizzlies, the 27-year old Gooden has also played for the Grizzlies, the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Gooden joined the Bulls on Feb. 21, 2008, in Chicago’s three-team trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder).

Simmons (6-9, 235) also came to the Bulls, from the Cleveland Cavaliers, in last February’s three-team trade. In his third season in the NBA, he has played in 68 games (four starts) and posted averages of 2.4 ppg and 2.0 rpg in 10.0 mpg. Simmons, 23, was selected in the first round (15th overall) of NBA Draft 2006 by the New Orleans Hornets after playing two seasons at North Carolina State.

Ruffin (6-8, 248) did not make a regular-season appearance with the Bulls this season, after suffering a sprained left ankle in the preseason. In his ninth year out of Tulsa, Ruffin has played in 403 games (58 starts), and owns career averages of 1.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 14.7 mpg.

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

Lakers trade Chris Mihm to Grizzlies

The Los Angeles Lakers have traded center Chris Mihm to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for a conditional 2nd round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Mihm, currently in his 5th season with the Lakers, is averaging 2.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 5.8 minutes in 18 games this year. His best campaign came in the 2005-06 season, when he averaged 10.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

“The last two years have been difficult and frustrating for Chris in coming back from his ankle injury,” said Kupchak. “But Chris has handled himself with true professionalism the entire time. With the depth of our roster, especially at the center position, Chris has not had the opportunity to play that he deserves. At this point in his career, and especially as someone who will be a free agent this summer, we felt it was in his best interests to go to a team that would give him a chance to play. Chris has made significant contributions to our team over the past five years. We’d like to thank him and wish him the best of luck for the remainder of his career.”

Zach Randolph suspended for punch

Zach Randolph of the Los Angeles Clippers has been suspended two games without pay for striking Louis Amundson of the Phoenix Suns in the face, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, in which Randolph was assessed a Technical Foul and was also ejected, occurred with 32.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter of the Suns 140-100 victory over the Clippers at US Airways Center on Feb. 17.

Randolph will begin serving his suspension tonight when the Clippers host the Suns at Staples Center.

Top 16 Week 3 Euroleague MVP: Ersan Ilyasova

Euroleague.net reports: In a week full of great individual performances, one of the Euroleague’s fastest-rising stars sparked his team to an important victory to become MVP of Top 16 Week 3. Barcelona power forward Ersan Ilyasova put on a career-best show for the home fans while leading his team back from a halftime deficit to defeat Alba Berlin 85-69 on Thursday and take exclusive hold on second place in Group F… Another power forward, Mirsad Turkcan of Fenerbahce Ulker, had the week’s second-best individual effort with an index rating of 37. Turkcan hit 8 of his 13 field-goal attempts and recorded a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds to go with 2 blocks, leading Fenerbahce to an impressive 55-65 road victory over Cibona in Zagreb. Tau Ceramica captain Sergi Vidal came off the bench to record the third best performance of the week with an index rating of 33.

Tony Allen out 8 weeks

The Boston Celtics announced today that guard Tony Allen underwent successful surgery to repair ligaments in his left thumb at New England Baptist Hospital. Allen will miss the next eight weeks.

Allen, a 6’4” 213lb guard, is currently in his fifth season with the Celtics and is averaging 7.8 points and 1.25 steals in 19.1 minutes per game. Allen has scored in double-figures 17 times this season in 42 contests and has led the Celtics in steals in 11 games. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy netted a season-high of 23 points against the Pistons on November 9.

Season over for Tracy McGrady

ESPN.com reports: The season has been a major disappointment for Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets. It might have just gotten worse. The forward told ESPN.com’s Stephen A. Smith on Tuesday that his troublesome left knee will end his season and that he will undergo microfracture surgery. McGrady’s name had come up earlier Tuesday in reported trade discussions between the Rockets and New Jersey Nets. The Nets were leery of McGrady’s contract and health in discussions involving Nets forward Vince Carter.

Rockets keeping McGrady and Yao

The AP reports: Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said Tuesday that oft-injured star Tracy McGrady won’t be dealt before Thursday’s trade deadline.
McGrady sat out Tuesday’s game against New Jersey as he seeks input from doctors on the best course of treatment for his troublesome left knee. He’s missed 18 games this season with the injury, the aftermath of offseason surgery. He sat out another game with a sprained ankle… Alexander also said he wants to keep All-Star center Yao Ming for his entire career. Yao’s contract is due to expire after the 2010-11 season.

Tony Allen needs thumb surgery

The bench of the Boston Celtics relies on a select few guys, and one of them is going to be unavailable for a while. The Boston Globe (Marc J. Spears) reports (via blog):

Celtics president Danny Ainge said that guard Tony Allen is slated to have left thumb surgery tomorrow and he is hopeful he will return to action by the playoffs. The injury-plagued Allen suffered the injury on Feb. 8 versus San Antonio and has already missed 15 games this season to ankle and thumb injuries.

Allen this season is 7th on the team in scoring and in 19.1 minutes per game averages 7.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. He’s shooting well from two-point range but his three-point shot has been virtually nonexistent.

Miami Bucks fan blogger contest

The Milwaukee Bucks are looking for passionate and creative Bucks bloggers to enter the first-ever Bucks.com 6th Fan Blogger contest. Finalists will receive the chance to blog during an upcoming Bucks game and the overall winner will be given the opportunity to blog at additional Bucks games the balance of the season.

“Every season we see more and more of our fans sharing their opinions and observations of our team on various sites online,” said Vice President of Business Operations John Steinmiller. “This competition gives those passionate writers a chance to win a unique Bucks experience and the means to write about that experience on our team web site.

“Bucks.com consistently ranks in the top ten among NBA web sites when it comes to original content. This is another avenue of providing visitors to our site with fresh material and independent opinions.”

The contest is free and easy to enter. Fans simply need to visit Bucks.com and explain why they have what it takes to be the Bucks.com 6th Fan Blogger. The catch? They have to do it in exactly 24 words – no more and no less.

Six finalists will be chosen based on the creativity of their 24-word entries. The group will receive credentials to Milwaukee’s matinee matchup against the NBA World Champion Boston Celtics on Sunday, March 15 where they will blog about their game experience – commenting on both the action on and off the court.

The six writers will have their articles posted on Bucks.com that evening and fans will be able to decide which blog is the best via an online vote that will run through March 20. The person with the winning entry will be extended an opportunity to blog at future Bucks games. That winner will be announced at Milwaukee’s home game against Portland on March 21.