Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Bulls exercise 3 player options

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has picked up the options for the 2009-10 season for forward Tyrus Thomas, guard Thabo Sefolosha and forward/center Joakim Noah. The announcement means that all three players will be under contract for the Bulls for the 2009-10 season.

In two seasons with Chicago, Thomas (6-9, 215) has appeared in 146 games (31 starts) and averaged 6.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 1.01 bpg in 15.7 mpg; he has shot .443 from the field and .673 from the line.  Selected to the 2006-07 T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie Second Team, Thomas was drafted in the first round (fourth overall) by Portland in NBA Draft 2006 and was traded to the Bulls, along with Viktor Khryapa, for the draft rights to LaMarcus Aldridge.

Sefolosha (6-7, 215) has played in 140 games (26 starts) the last two years for the Bulls and posted averages of 5.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.4 apg in 16.5 mpg and shot .427 from the field, .338 from behind the arc and .658 from the line.  Sefolosha was selected in the first round (13th overall) by Philadelphia in NBA Draft 2006 and was traded to the Bulls in a draft-day deal for the draft rights to Rodney Carney and cash considerations.

Noah (6-11, 232) enters his second season with the Bulls, after appearing in 74 games (31 starts) his rookie year.  In 2007-08, he compiled averages of 6.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.92 spg and 0.86 bpg in 20.7 mpg; he shot .482 from the field and .691 from the line.  The Bulls selected Noah in the first round (ninth overall) in NBA Draft 2007.

Spurs waive three players

The San Antonio Spurs announced Thursday that they have waived guard/forward Devin Green, guard Salim Stoudamire and center Darryl Watkins.

Green appeared in four games during the preseason, averaging 7.0 points, 2.8 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.25 steals in 21.8 minutes per game.

Stoudamire played in two preseason games, averaging 5.5 points, 2.5 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 19.0 minutes of action.

Green saw action in five preseason games, averaging 3.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 15.0 minutes of action.

The Spurs roster now stands at 16.

Nets waive four players

The New Jersey Nets have requested waivers on Eddie Gill, Brian Hamilton, Julius Hodge and Keith Van Horn, Nets President Rod Thorn announced Thursday.  Gill, Hamilton and Hodge each signed as free agents with the Nets on September 27, 2008, while Van Horn was obtained on February 19, 2008 in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks.

Gill appeared in six games for the Nets during the preseason, averaging 4.5 points and 1.0 assists in 13.7 minutes per game. The five-year NBA veteran has averaged 3.1 points and 1.1 assists in 181 career games with New Jersey, Memphis, Portland and Indiana.

Hamilton played in three preseason contests, totaling one point and five rebounds in 21 minutes of action.

Hodge posted averages of 3.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in four preseason games with the Nets.  In two NBA seasons with Denver and Milwaukee, Hodge has appeared in 23 games, averaging 1.2 points and 0.7 rebounds in 4.2 minutes per game.

Van Horn, who was acquired by New Jersey as part of an eight player trade with the Dallas Mavericks on February 19, 2008, has not appeared in an NBA game since the 2005-06 season.

The Nets roster now stands at 15 players.

Pacers waive Croshere and J.Davis

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they have waived forwards Austin Croshere and Josh Davis.  The Pacers roster now stands at 15.

“This was an extremely difficult decision to waive Austin,” said Pacers General Manager David Morway. “Austin’s a terrific professional and has represented this franchise extremely well and we appreciate his passion, dedication and commitment to the Pacers over the years.” 

Croshere played for the Pacers from 1997-2006.  In those nine seasons he averaged 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.  He was traded to Dallas in 2006 for Marquis Daniels and played for Golden State in 2007-08.  Davis is a three-year veteran of the NBA, having played for Atlanta, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Houston and Phoenix.  He has career averages of 2.5 ppg and 1.7 rpg. Morway added, “both Austin and Josh had very good camps and we think both players will find a place in the NBA this season.”

Suns exercise option on Alando Tucker

The Phoenix Suns today exercised the team’s option on swingman Alando Tucker for the 2009-10 season.

The 6-6, 205-pound Tucker enters his second season with the Suns after originally being selected by Phoenix with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft.  In his rookie campaign last season, Tucker split time between the Suns and the club’s then-NBA Development League affiliate in Albuquerque.  In 21 games (19 starts) in the D-League, Tucker averaged 27.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists and was named the D-League.com Performer of the Week for the week of Dec. 10.  Tucker averaged 3.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in six games with the Suns in 2007-08.

Despite missing three games, Tucker is the Suns’ third-leading scorer this preseason, posting averages of 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 45.2 percent from the field.

A native of Lockport, Ill., Tucker played five seasons at the University of Wisconsin after receiving a medical redshirt, where he averaged 16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 134 collegiate games from 2002-07.  Tucker finished as the Badgers’ all-time leading scorer and was named a consensus All-American and the Big 10 Player of the Year in his senior season.  Tucker was also one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy given to the national player of the year in 2007.

Wolves waive three players

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has requested waivers on guard Blake Ahearn, forward Chris Richard and center David Harrison. The preseason roster now stands at 15 players.

Ahearn, signed as a free agent on Sept. 29, appeared in five preseason games for the Wolves, averaging 7.8 points and 1.2 assists in 11.6 minutes per game.

Minnesota selected Richard in the second round (41st overall pick) of the 2007 NBA Draft. The Florida alum appeared in five games this preseason, averaging 1.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game. In his rookie season with the Wolves, Richard appeared in 52 games, averaging 1.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.

Harrison, signed as a free agent on Oct. 9, has been sidelined throughout the preseason with a strained right calf.

Knicks open to non-playing role for Allan Houston

The New York Knickerbockers announced today that starting immediately, there will be on-going discussions with Allan Houston about having a new role for him within the franchise.

The following is a statement by Allan Houston:

“First and foremost, my family and I would like to thank Knicks President Donnie Walsh and Coach Mike D’Antoni for their allowing me  the opportunity to be a part of the New York Knicks organization  again.  These are two of the most knowledgeable and respected men in  basketball and I look forward to learning more from them. Although I was very excited about potentially joining my teammates this year  in uniform, I believe that the circumstances suggest that I am best  suited to serve the team in a different role. I realize that we  often make our own plans in our heart, but God always has the right  plan for us. I am extremely blessed to have witnessed a special era  in New York Knicks history, and I know basketball fans everywhere,  especially Knick fans, are ready for the return of this franchise. Hopefully, I serve in being a part of that again.

I want to also sincerely and personally thank family, friends, fans,  prayer partners for all of your overwhelming support. Through  Allanhouston.com & the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation, we will stay  connected to you and remain committed to equipping our next  generation to live fruitful lives.”

Magic waive Dwayne Jones

The Orlando Magic have waived Dwayne Jones, General Manager Otis Smith announced today.  Jones appeared in three preseason games for the Magic, averaging 1.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per game.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 15 players and is set for the beginning of the 2008-09 regular season.  The Magic open the season on Wednesday, October 29 at Amway Arena against Atlanta.  Tip-off is 7 p.m.

The Magic have four new exciting ticket packages: A seven-game package for the price of six with either Boston or the L.A. Lakers as the free game; the “Stuff Yourself” all-you-can-eat ticket; the Half Howard featuring a post-game autograph session with Dwight Howard; and the 1989 season ticket plan for $585 (50 percent off). Ticket highlights for 2008-09 also include: 7,569 seats priced $25 or under per game; a $27 lower bowl ticket; and tickets priced at $10 per game.