NBA News Blog – Page 702 – NBA Blog

Rockets re-sign Jason Terry

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has re-signed guard Jason Terry.

Terry (6-2, 180, Arizona) played 77 games for the Houston Rockets during the 2014-15 season averaging 7.0 points, 1.9 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game. The sixteenth year guard also played in and started all 17 games for the Rockets during the 2015 NBA Playoffs averaging 9.2 points, 2.8 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 28.6 minutes per game. The University of Arizona product and Seattle native holds career averages of 14.8 points, 4.2 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 31.8 minutes per game over the course of 1,213 career appearances, including 668 starts, with the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets.

Terry was originally selected tenth overall in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. In his first season in Houston, Terry became only the third player in NBA history, along with Ray Allen and Jason Kidd, to make more than 2,000 three-point field goals in their career. He currently sits at 2,076 three-point field goals made and third on the all-time list. Terry was also named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2009. He was acquired by the Houston Rockets on September 17, 2014 in a trade with the Sacramento Kings.

Miami Heat extend single-affiliation partnership with Sioux Falls Skyforce through 2016-17 season

The Miami HEAT announced today they have extended a single affiliation partnership with the NBA Development League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce through the 2016-17 season. The HEAT will continue to be the only NBA team affiliated with the Skyforce and will continue full control over their basketball operations. Miami is one of 18 NBA teams to have a one-on-one partnership with an NBA D-League team, and one of eight to enter into a “hybrid” affiliation, meaning the HEAT will continue to pay for and control the Skyforce’s basketball operations, while existing local ownership maintains primary responsibility for the team’s off-the-court business operations and community initiatives. When the teams first entered into the new partnership prior to the 2013-14 season, the Skyforce updated their logo to resemble the colors and signature font of the Miami HEAT.

“We have been working with the Skyforce for six years and feel that it is one of the most professional organizations in the NBA Development League,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “We have had a very successful working partnership with them the last two years and have had successful development with current players Tyler Johnson and Hassan Whiteside, and past players Shabazz Napier, Henry Walker, Justin Hamilton and Zoran Dragic.”

The HEAT join the Boston Celtics (Maine Red Claws), Detroit Pistons (Grand Rapids Drive), Houston Rockets (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), Memphis Grizzlies (Iowa Energy), Orlando Magic (Erie BayHawks), Phoenix Suns (Bakersfield Jam) and Sacramento Kings (Reno Bighorns) as NBA teams with “hybrid” NBA D-League affiliations.

Nine other NBA teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers (Canton Charge), Golden State Warriors (Santa Cruz Warriors), Los Angeles Lakers (L.A. D-Fenders), New York Knicks (Westchester Knicks) Oklahoma City Thunder (Oklahoma City Blue), Philadelphia 76ers (Delaware 87ers), San Antonio Spurs (Austin Spurs), Toronto Raptors (Raptors 905) and Utah Jazz (Idaho Stampede) fully own and operate their D-League teams.

“The HEAT have been an amazing partner for the past two years and we’re happy to be affiliated with such a championship level franchise and first class organization,” said Mike Heineman, Skyforce owner/president.

The Sioux Falls Skyforce joined the NBA D-League in 2006 after serving stints with both the International Basketball League (2000-01) and the Continental Basketball Association (1989-00 & 2001-2006). The Skyforce captured two CBA Championships (1996 & 2005) and three CBA division titles as well as making five postseason berths in the NBA D-League. Since the teams entered the hybrid affiliation for the 2013-14 campaign, the Skyforce have made the playoffs both years, including their first Central Division title in the 2014-15 season.

Bucks name Alicia Dupies Vice President of Community Relations

The Milwaukee Bucks today announced Alicia Dupies as the organization’s new Vice President of Community Relations. Dupies brings over 20 years of experience in project development and community affairs to the Bucks staff, where she will also serve as the managing director of the new Bucks Foundation, which will be launched later this fall.

“From the day we came on board our ownership group has been committed not just to putting a championship-caliber team on the court, but to assembling a world-class staff that is committed to Milwaukee and will make a difference in our community,” Bucks president Peter Feigin said. “Alicia is uniquely qualified to lead the charge as we work to revitalize downtown Milwaukee and further engrain the Bucks within this vibrant community. We’re so thrilled to welcome her to our talented leadership group.”

Cavs to sign Sasha Kaun

This has been expected due to earlier reports, but now it’s happening. Here’s the Akron Beacon Journal reporting some Cavs bench-related news:

The Cavaliers have agreed to a two-year contract with center Sasha Kaun, a league source confirmed. He will serve as a backup in a deep frontcourt.

Kaun, 30, was a 2008 second-round pick, but has spent his career overseas. He averaged 9.9 points and 4.5 rebounds last season for CSKA Moscow in the Euroleague.

Pacers want a new training facility

Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting on the Indiana Pacers, who finished last season with a 38-44 record. The team is currently built around George Hill, Rodney Stuckey, new addition Monta Ellis, with star Paul George returning from injury. Also, Jordan Hill is on board, and the team welcomes rookie Myles Turner into the mix. And as for where they hope to practice:

Pacers Sports & Entertainment is asking the city’s Capital Improvement Board to let it build a new training facility with offices and a major tenant on a sliver of land across the street from Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The parent of the Indiana Pacers uses that land just east of the fieldhouse for employee parking. If the CIB revises the current lease agreement and approves a new use for the land, Pacers Sports & Entertainment would build the facility with private financing, according to a statement released Friday evening by David Benner, director of media relations for the Pacers.

At the conclusion of the agreement, the Pacers would give the facility to the CIB, according to the statement.

Heat sign Corey Hawkins

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed guard Corey Hawkins.

Hawkins, who played three seasons at University of California, Davis after transferring from Arizona State University, appeared in 86 games (84 starts) for the Aggies and averaged 19.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.45 steals while shooting 47.3 percent from the field, 41.3 percent from three-point range and 80.4 percent from the foul line.

Last season, he became the first UC Davis player to be named Big West Player of the Year, averaging 20.9 points per game and was the conference’s scoring champion for the second time in three seasons. Ranking No. 1 in the NCAA in three-point field goal percentage (.488) and seventh in points per game, he helped lead the Aggies to its first Big West regular season title. He ranks second on the UC Davis career scoring list with 1,623 points in just three seasons.

Kevon Looney undergoes hip surgery

Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney underwent a successful right hip arthroscopy this morning to repair a torn labrum, the team announced today. The procedure was performed by renowned Steadman Clinic orthopaedic surgeon and hip specialist Dr. Marc Philippon at the Vail Valley Surgery Center in Vail, Colorado.

Looney will begin rehabilitation from the surgery immediately and is expected to be out a minimum of four-to-six months before returning to basketball activity.

“Kevon has his entire NBA career ahead of him and we felt that, in consultation with our medical staff, Kevon and his representatives, it was best to address the issue now,” said Warriors General Manager Bob Myers. “He will have our complete support throughout the rehabilitation process and we are confident he will make a full recovery.”

Looney, 19, was selected by the Warriors with the 30th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. In one season at UCLA in 2014-15, he posted averages of 11.6 points, 9.2 rebounds (second in the Pac-12), 1.4 assists and 1.28 steals in 30.9 minutes over 36 games, earning Second Team All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 All-Freshman Team accolades. In six games with the Warriors 2015 NBA Summer League team in Las Vegas in July, the 6’9” forward averaged 9.3 points and 7.2 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per contest.

Pelicans sign Bryce Dejean-Jones

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today the team has signed free agent rookie guard Bryce Dejean-Jones.

According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, “his signing officially brings the Pelicans to 13 guaranteed contracts while New Orleans’ pursuit of point guard Norris Cole is still ongoing.”

Dejean-Jones, 6-6, 209, was a member of the Pelicans summer league team in Las Vegas after going unselected in the 2015 NBA Draft. In six games, Dejean-Jones averaged 12.8 points on .619 shooting from the field, including .500 from three point range, to go along with 1.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.2 assists in 21.7 minutes per game.

During his senior season at Iowa State University, Dejean-Jones averaged 10.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals, helping the Cyclones win the 2015 Big 12 Tournament.

Utah Jazz promote Mark McKown and Isaiah Wright

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has promoted Mark McKown to director of sports science/assistant coach and Isaiah Wright to head strength and conditioning coach.

McKown will enter his 19th season with the Jazz in 2015-16 and became the team’s first full-time strength-and-conditioning coach upon his arrival 1997. McKown, in conjunction with Wright, has helped the Jazz become one of the league’s most progressive franchises in the implementation of applied sports science. The Gaffney, S.C. native graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and physical education from the University of South Carolina Upstate as well as a master’s in sports science from the United States Sports Academy.

Wright will enter his third season with the Jazz strength and conditioning staff after spending 2012-13 as a strength and conditioning intern. The Salt Lake City native previously spent seven years with the franchise working with the team’s equipment staff as a team attendant. Wright graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science from the University of Utah.

Raptors sign Jonas Valanciunas to contract extension

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have signed center Jonas Valanciunas to a multi-year contract extension.

According to Yahoo Sports it is a four-year, $64 million extension.

“Jonas’ contributions continue to improve with each season and we view him as a significant part of what we are building in Toronto,” said Raptors President and General Manager Masai Ujiri.

In his three seasons with the Raptors, the 23-year-old Valanciunas has averaged 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 26.3 minutes in 223 career games, including 218 as a starter. He has shot .553 (936-1,694) from the field. In the postseason, he owns averages of 11.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in 11 contests, with a .575 (50-87) field goal percentage.

Valanciunas, 7-foot, 270 pounds, averaged a career-best 12.0 points, with team highs of 8.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks, in 80 contests last season. He finished second in the NBA with a .572 (373-652) field goal percentage. He paced the Raptors in double-doubles (22), rebounds (693) and blocks (95). He posted averages of 11.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in four playoff outings.

Valanciunas appeared in 81 games in the 2013-14 season, where he averaged 11.3 points and a team-leading 8.8 rebounds. He shot .531 (359-676) from the field and paced the team in rebounds (714) and double-doubles (26). In seven playoff games, he shot .633 (31-49) from the floor and contributed averages of 10.9 points and a team-best 9.7 rebounds.

The native of Lithuania was selected fifth overall by the Raptors in the 2011 Draft. He averaged 8.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 23.9 minutes in 62 appearances in his rookie campaign. He ranked among the top-3 rookies for field goal percentage (.557), rebounds and blocks (1.3). He captured Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honours for March, averaging 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and shooting .620 from the field in 15 outings.