NBA News Blog – Page 717 – NBA Blog

Magic trade Maurice Harkless to Blazers

The Orlando Magic have acquired a conditional future second round draft pick from Portland in exchange for forward Maurice Harkless, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Harkless played in 45 games (four starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 3.5 ppg. and 2.4 rpg. in 15.0 minpg. He led (or tied) the team in assists once. Harkless scored in double figures three times, including a season-high 18 points on Mar. 18 @ Dallas.

Originally selected by Philadelphia in the first round (15th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft, Harkless was acquired by the Magic on Aug. 10, 2012 as part of a four-team, 12 player deal. He has appeared in 201 career NBA regular season games (104 starts), all with Orlando, averaging 6.8 ppg., 3.5 rpg. and 1.08 stlpg. in 22.9 minpg.

Magic re-sign Tobias Harris

The Orlando Magic have re-signed restricted free agent forward Tobias Harris, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

ESPN.com reported earlier in July that it is a four-year, $64 million deal.

“This is an exciting and important day for our organization. Re-signing Tobias (Harris) was a top priority this summer and we’re thrilled to have him back,” said Hennigan. “We value Tobias’ contributions greatly, both on the floor and in the community, and we’re excited that he’ll remain an important member of our team for many seasons to come.”

Harris (6’9”, 235, 7/15/92) played in 68 games (63 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging a career-high 17.1 ppg., 6.3 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.01 stlpg. in a career-high 34.8 minpg. He was tied for 17th in the NBA in minutes played and ranked 28th in scoring. Harris led (or tied) the team in scoring 20 times, in rebounding 11 times and in assists twice. He scored in double figures 61 times and had 20+ points 21 times, including a career-high 34 points on Feb. 6 vs. L.A. Lakers. Harris pulled down 10+ rebounds 11 times and recorded 11 double-doubles. He hit game-winning jumpers as time expired on both Nov. 5 @ Philadelphia and Dec. 13 vs. Atlanta.

Originally selected by Charlotte in the first round (19th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft, Harris has appeared in 226 career NBA regular season games (142 starts) with Milwaukee and Orlando, averaging 12.7 ppg., 5.5 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 26.5 minpg. Harris was acquired by Orlando from Milwaukee, along with Doron Lamb and Beno Udrih, in exchange for J.J. Redick, Gustavo Ayon and Ish Smith on Feb. 21, 2013. He has played in 156 games (119 starts) with the Magic, averaging 16.2 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 33.3 minpg.

Thunder trade Perry Jones to Celtics

The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired a trade exception and a protected 2018 second round draft pick from the Boston Celtics in exchange for forward Perry Jones, a 2019 second round draft pick and cash considerations, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Jones III, a 6’11” forward, appeared in 43 contests for the Thunder during the 2014-15 regular season and averaged 4.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game. He recorded a season-high 32 points on 10-17 (.588) shooting from the field, seven rebounds, three assists and one block in 42 minutes of action on October 30, 2014 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

He was originally selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder and is averaging 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.7 minutes on his career.

The Thunder will have one year from today to exercise the trade exception.

Pacers sign Jordan Hill

The Indiana Pacers have signed free agent Jordan Hill to a contract.

“We’re happy to have Jordan as part of our team,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “He brings size and energy to our front court and we look forward to see how he plays an up-tempo game. We know he can rebound and score points for us and we look forward to having him.”

Hill, a 6-10, 235-pound forward/center out of the University of Arizona is a six-year veteran in the NBA. He was drafted by the New York Knicks with the eighth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft; and was traded to the Houston Rockets in February 2010. He was acquired by the L.A. Lakers in June 2012 and spent three seasons with the Lakers. He has career averages of 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Last season with the Lakers, he appeared in 70 games and averaged 12.0 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 26.8 minutes per game. He also recorded a career-best 22 double-doubles last season, matching the number of double-doubles he had in his first five NBA seasons (259 games) combined.

Pacers sign scoring guard Monta Ellis

The Indiana Pacers have officially added a mountain of backcourt scoring.

The team announced Tuesday they have signed veteran free agent Monta Ellis to a contract.

According to the Associated Press, it is a four-year, $44 million deal, with a player option for the final year.

“He’ll be a great addition to our team,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “And he fits our needs for how we want to play. We’re excited to have him. He adds another veteran in our lineup and we think he’ll be a great fit, complementing George Hill in the back court.”

Ellis, named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2006-07 season, is a 10-year NBA veteran, having played for the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks and most recently, the Dallas Mavericks. The 6-3, 185-pound guard attended Lanier High School in Mississippi and was drafted by Golden State in the Second Round of the 2005 Draft with the 40th overall pick. He has career averages of 19.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.7 steals in 678 games.

“We’re thrilled to have Monta Ellis with the Pacers,” said Pacers Head Coach Frank Vogel. “He’s proven to be one of the league’s most prolific scorers year in and year out and his game fits perfectly with the style we’re going to implement going forward.”

Former Celtic Gigi Datome signs overseas

Former Celtic Gigi Datome signs overseas

Here’s the Boston Herald reporting on a former Celtic who was not going to be a part of the team’s future:

As much as Gigi Datome wanted a chance to sign with an NBA team, where he could play a regular role this summer, the former Celtics guard finally decided his best opportunity was back on the international circuit — this time with the Turkish team Fenerbahce.

Datome, who had lost hope with the Celtics as they focused on their frontcourt with their most recent moves, has reportedly signed a three-year deal worth just shy of $2 million per season.

Datome, 27, posted both thanks to the NBA and hopes for his new team last night on his Facebook page.

Timberwolves sign Euroleague star Nemanja Bjelica

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed reigning Euroleague Most Valuable Player forward Nemanja Bjelica (nay-MON-yah, bee-ELL-leets-zah). Bjelica, originally acquired in a draft-day trade with the Washington Wizards in 2010, was selected with the 35th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Bjelica, a 6-10 forward, was named the Euroleague MVP this past season with Fenerbahce Ulker in Turkey, averaging 11.5 points and 8.2 rebounds in 63 combined games between Euroleague play and the Turkish Basketball League (TBL). The 27-year-old from Serbia shot 54.1% from the floor and 37.4% from three-point range, including 39.3% from long distance during the TBL season. Bjelica was named to the 2014-15 All-Euroleague First Team, and the 2014-15 Euroleague March MVP. Before joining Fenerbahce in 2013-14, Bjelica spent three seasons with the Spanish team Laboral Kutxa Vitoria.

A member of the Serbian National Team, Bjelica won silver medals at both the 2014 World Championship and 2009 European Championship. He also played with the team at the 2011 and 2013 European Championships.

He will wear No. 88 for the Wolves this season.

Ty Lawson arrested on on suspicion of DUI

This dude is messing up

Here’s the Denver Post reporting troubling news on an important Nuggets guard:

Ty Lawson arrested on on suspicion of DUI

Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson was arrested early Tuesday in Los Angeles on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, the second time in six months he has been arrested on such allegations.

Lawson is being held in lieu of $5,000 bail at the Los Angeles County jail, records show.

The California Highway Patrol says Lawson was pulled over on U.S. 101 — known as the Hollywood Freeway — after an officer spotted him traveling “at a high rate of speed” about 1:30 a.m.

“He displayed several signs of symptoms of alcohol intoxication,” Officer Kevin Tao told The Denver Post.

Magic sign center Jason Smith

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent center Jason Smith, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Smith (7’0”, 245, 3/2/86) played in all 82 games last season with New York (31 starts), averaging 8.0 ppg., 4.0 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 21.8 minpg., while shooting .830 (127-153) from the free throw line. He led (or tied) the team in scoring once, in rebounding 11 times and in assists five times. Smith scored in double figures 29 times and had 20+ points twice, including a season-high 25 points on Feb. 11 @ Orlando. He also pulled down 10+ rebounds four times and recorded three double-doubles.

Originally selected by Miami in the first round (20th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, Smith has appeared in 413 career NBA regular season games (96 starts) with Philadelphia, New Orleans and New York, averaging 6.4 ppg. and 3.6 rpg. in 17.7 minpg. He has also played in 12 career playoff outings, averaging 2.8 ppg. and 1.8 rpg. in 11.7 minpg.

Kings sign Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli and Kosta Koufos

The Sacramento Kings today signed three free agents — guard Rajon Rondo, guard-forward Marco Belinelli (bell-uh-nell-ee) and center Kosta Koufos (COAST-ah Koo-fuss) — according to Vlade Divac, Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations.

Rondo, a 6-1, 186-pound guard is averaging 10.8 points (.470 FG%, .263 3pt%, .609 FT%), 4.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 32.6 minutes per game in 573 career games in nine NBA seasons with two teams (Boston, 2006-07 – 2013-14 and Dallas, 2014-15). Rondo, a four-time NBA All-Star, twice led the league in assists per game (2011-12, 11.7 apg and 2012-13, 11.1 apg). He was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2011-12 and has earned four NBA All-Defensive Team honors, twice on the First Team (2009-10 and 2010-11). With the Celtics, Rondo helped Boston advance to two NBA Finals, including a championship in 2008. Rondo has 22 career triple-doubles in the regular season and 10 in the NBA Playoffs.

An eight-year NBA veteran, Belinelli is averaging 9.4 points (.430 FG%, .392 3pt%, .819 FT%), 2.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 22.8 minutes per game in 502 career games with five teams – Golden State (2007-08 – 2008-09), Toronto (2009-10), New Orleans (2010-11 – 2011-12), Chicago (2012-13) and San Antonio (2013-14 – 2014-15). A member of the 2014 NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, the 6-5, 201-pound Belinelli averaged 11.4 points (career-highs with .485 FG%, a team-high .430 3pt% and .847 FT%), a career-high 2.8 rebounds, a career-best 2.2 assists and 25.2 minutes per game in 80 games of which he started 25 that season.

A 7-0, 265-pound center, Koufos is averaging 5.4 points (.528 FG%, .617 FT%), 4.7 rebounds and 15.3 minutes per game in 424 games in seven seasons with four teams – Utah (2008-09 – 2009-10), Minnesota (2010-11), Denver (2010-11 – 2012-13) and Memphis (2013-14 – 2014-15). Selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft, Koufos posted his best statistical season in 2012-13 with the Nuggets, averaging career-highs in scoring (8.0 ppg), rebounding (6.9 rpg) and minutes played (22.4 mpg) while starting in all 81 games he played in.