NBA News Blog – Page 720 – NBA Blog

Nets sign Wayne Ellington

The Brooklyn Nets have signed guard Wayne Ellington, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

“Wayne is a proven shooter who will give us added depth on the wing,” said King.

Ellington (6’4”, 200) has appeared in 377 career games (71 starts) with Minnesota (2009-12), Memphis (2012-13), Cleveland (2013), Dallas (2013-14) and the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15), posting averages of 7.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.3 minutes per game while shooting .416 from the field and .382 from three-point range. In 2014-15 with the Lakers, Ellington appeared in 65 games, averaging 10.0 points per game and recording single-season career-highs for starts (36), rebounds per game (3.2) and assists per game (1.6) in 25.8 minutes per game. He has also seen action in two career postseason games, both with Dallas during the 2013-14 season.

A native of Wynnewood, PA, the 27-year-old Ellington was originally selected with the 28th pick of the 2009 NBA Draft by Minnesota after spending three years at North Carolina. At UNC, Ellington registered career averages of 14.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 115 games. In his third and final season, Ellington averaged 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game and helped the Tar Heels capture the 2009 National Championship. He was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

Utah Jazz re-sign Joe Ingles

The Utah Jazz announced today the team has re-signed forward Joe Ingles to a multi-year contract.

Ingles (6-8, 216, Australia) appeared in 79 games (32 starts) for the Jazz in 2014-15, averaging 5.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 21.2 minutes in his first NBA season. A veteran of international play, Ingles ranked sixth among qualified rookies in assists with 2.3 per game and fifth in steals with 0.9 per game. He scored in double figures 16 times and handed out five-or-more assists 10 times, leading the team in assists on 11 occasions. Post All-Star break, Ingles connected on 42.7 percent of his three-point shots (38-of-89), marking the third-best percentage among NBA rookies.

The 27-year-old forward has played professionally since the age of 18, beginning his career with the South Dragons of Australia’s National Basketball League (2006-09). He has also played for CB Granada in Spain (2009-10), three seasons for FC Barcelona (2010-13) of the Liga ACB, and spent the 2013-14 season with Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League, where he helped Maccabi to win the Euroleague Championship. The native of Happy Valley, South Australia, has also been a member of the Australian National Team since 2008, representing the Boomers in both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

Ingles originally joined the Jazz after being claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 27, 2014.

Bucks trade Zaza Pachulia to Mavs

The Dallas Mavericks announced yesterday that they acquired center Zaza Pachulia from the Milwaukee Bucks for a future second round pick.

Pachulia (6-11, 270) was originally drafted 42nd overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2003 NBA Draft. The 12-year veteran has played a total of 815 games (317 starts) for three teams (Orlando, Milwaukee and Atlanta). He has career averages of 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 21.0 minutes.

In 2014-15, he averaged 8.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 23.7 minutes in 73 games (45 starts) in his second stint with Milwaukee.

A native of Tbilisi, Georgia, Pachulia has played with the Georgian National Team seven times. He left Georgia in 1998 for Turkey to pursue his basketball career when he was 15 years old. He appeared in 73 games during parts of four seasons for Ulker of Istanbul, the top level of Turkey, and averaged 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game (1999-2003). He helped Ulker win the Turkish National Championship in 2001.

Nets sign Willie Reed

The Brooklyn Nets have signed forward/center Willie Reed, Nets General Manager Billy King announced yesterday. He’ll add depth to the frontcourt as a reserve.

Reed (6’10”, 235) joins the Nets after spending the 2014-15 season in the NBA Development League with the Grand Rapids Drive and Iowa Energy. He posted averages of 16.4 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 33.7 minutes per game, earning All-NBA D-League First Team honors and All-Defensive First Team honors. The 25-year-old Reed, who has also spent time with the D-League’s Reno Bighorns and Springfield Armor, has appeared in 144 career D-League games (101 starts) in three seasons, recording averages of 15.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 31.4 minutes per game. Reed has also earned call-ups to the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings, but has yet to appear in an NBA game.

A native of Kansas City, MO, Reed spent two seasons at Saint Louis University, appearing in 67 games with career averages of 10.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. In his second and final season, Reed averaged 12.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.

Warriors re-sign Draymond Green

The hustle is back in Oakland.

The Golden State Warriors yesterday re-signed restricted free agent forward Draymond Green to a multi-year contract, the team announced today.

According to the Associated Press, it’s a $82 million, five-year contract. A massive increase for Green from his previous salaries.

“You cannot overstate how important Draymond Green was to helping our team win an NBA Championship last season,” said General Manager Bob Myers, “and we are thrilled that he has decided to re-sign with us. Our ownership group, led by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, has once again demonstrated the commitment necessary to build and maintain a championship caliber team.”

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Green said: “This is home for me… I came here three years ago not knowing what to expect. … At no point did I feel I was ready to leave this organization. I know what the future can possibly hold. Everything’s run the right way, there are endless possibilities. I want to be a part of it… We have a young group of guys committed to each other. You should see our group chats. … The feeling that you get from that I’m not sure you can get with any other team in the NBA. It’s something I wanted to continue to be a part of.”

Green, 25, appeared in 79 regular-season games (all starts) last season, establishing career-high averages in nearly every major statistical category, including 11.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.56 steals, 1.25 blocks and 31.5 minutes per contest. The 6’7” forward led the team in rebounding, ranked second in assists, steals and blocks, and ranked third in scoring. Green became just the third player in Warriors history to earn NBA All-Defensive First Team honors (joining Nate Thurmond and Andre Iguodala), and also finished second in both the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player Award voting. Among NBA leaders, the Michigan State product ranked second in plus/minus (+10.6), third in net rating (16.5) and tied for fourth in defensive rating (96.0).

In 21 postseason games en route to the Warriors first NBA title in 40 years, Green averaged 13.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.81 steals, 1.19 blocks and 37.3 minutes per contest. He posted 12 double-doubles during the postseason, including a triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the series-clinching victory in Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Cleveland, marking the first Finals triple-double in franchise history.

“This is truly an unbelievable and blessed day for me and my family,” said Green. “I’d like to thank Joe Lacob, Peter Guber, Bob Myers, Rick Welts, all of my teammates and coaches, and everyone in DubNation for believing in me and helping me become the player and person that I am today. In three short years I have gone from a second round pick that many doubted could play in this league to an NBA Champion, and I look forward to getting better – both individually and as a team – as we face the challenges that lie ahead of us.”

Originally selected by the Warriors with the 35th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Green has appeared in 240 regular-season games (92 starts) during his three-year career, averaging 6.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.11 steals in 22.3 minutes per contest. Having made the playoffs in all three of his professional campaigns, the Saginaw, MI, native has already appeared in 40 postseason games (26 starts) with Golden State, averaging 11.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.40 steals and 1.18 blocks per contest. Among franchise postseason leaders, Green currently ranks third in steals (56), fourth in blocks (47), fourth in three-pointer field goals (41), eighth in assists (148) and ninth in rebounds (321).

Celtics re-sign Jonas Jerebko

The Boston Celtics announced yesterday that they have re-signed forward Jonas Jerebko.

“Jonas’ versatility, non-stop energy and contributions on both ends of the court quickly endeared him to his teammates, coaching staff and our fans,” said President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “We are very excited to welcome him back.”

Jerebko generally plays limited minutes, adding frontcourt depth as a backup.

Jerebko was acquired by the Celtics from the Detroit Pistons on February 19, 2015. He averaged 7.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 18.2 minutes per game, while shooting 40.6 percent from beyond the arc, in 29 contests with Boston. The 6’10” forward tallied a season-high 20 points on 7-10 (.700) shooting from the field, five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 21 minutes of action on February 25 against the New York Knicks.

For the duration of the 2014-15 season, Jerebko appeared in 75 contests and averaged 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game. He was named Second-Team All-Rookie in 2010 and was selected with the 39th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Pistons. Entering his sixth season, Jerebko is averaging 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game.

Pacers trade Roy Hibbert to Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers yesterday acquired center Roy Hibbert in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, it was announced by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. In exchange the Pacers will receive a future second round pick.

In other words, the Pacers basically said, “here, take Hibbert.”

“We’re happy to add a veteran big man to the roster,” said Kupchak. “Roy is a proven All-Star center that will help improve our front line. In addition he is a consummate professional and we look forward to having him on the team.”

Hibbert is very effective on defense. Offensively, he is limited.

“I’d like to thank Roy for all his contributions during his time in Indiana,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “He was a two-time NBA All-Star, and we appreciate everything he did for our franchise both on and off the court.”

A seven-year NBA veteran and two-time All-Star (2012 and 2014), Hibbert appeared in 76 games (all starts) with the Pacers last season, averaging 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 25.3 minutes.

Originally selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 17th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Queens, New York native was acquired by the Pacers shortly before his rookie campaign and has appeared in 533 career games (492 starts) with Indiana, averaging 11.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 25.9 minutes. In 2014, Hibbert was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team after he finished the season ranked fourth in the NBA with 182 blocks (2.25 per game). The 7’2” center out of Georgetown has appeared and started in 54 postseason games averaging 12.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots in 31.6 minutes.

Hawks sign Edy Tavares

The Atlanta Hawks have signed center Walter “Edy” Tavares, it was announced yesterday by President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer.

Tavares, a 7-foot-3, 260-pound center, was selected 43rd overall by the Hawks in the 2014 NBA Draft. The 23-year-old has played professionally in Spain for the past five seasons, most recently with Gran Canaria of the Spanish ACB league (2012-15). He averaged 8.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 22.1 minutes in 57 total games (.635 FG%, .653 FT%) during the 2014-15 ACB league season and Eurocup competition. Tavares led the ACB league in rebounds (274) and blocks (60) in the 2014-15 season. He was named to the 2014-15 All-Eurocup First Team, as well as being named weekly MVP twice. With Tavares starting at center, Gran Canaria went 22-1 in Eurocup play and reached the Eurocup final for the first time in club history.

“We followed Edy closely the past two seasons with Gran Canaria and are excited to officially have Edy as a member of our team. We would like to thank the coaches and executives of Gran Canaria as they played a significant role in Edy’s development and we look forward to continuing his improvement in our player development program,” Budenholzer said.

Prior to joining Gran Canaria full time, Tavares played for Gran Canaria’s youth team in the Spanish EBA league (2009-11) and Union Baloncesto La Palma of the LEB Silver league (2011-12).

Tavares was born in Maio, Sotovento, Cape Verde on March 22, 1992. He is the first Cape Verdean native to be drafted or sign a contract to play in the NBA.

He is currently participating as a member of the Hawks’ 2015 Las Vegas Summer League team and will wear uniform No. 22.

Mavericks sign Wesley Matthews

The Dallas Mavericks announced yesterday that they have signed free agent guard Wesley Matthews.

And on this signing, ESPN Dallas reports something very interesting: “Shooting guard Wesley Matthews will make a lot more money from the Dallas Mavericks because of DeAndre Jordan’s decision to back out of his verbal commitment to Dallas and return to the Los Angeles Clippers. Matthews’ financial agreement with the Mavs was flexible based on whether Jordan also joined the Mavs, a league source confirmed. The contract Matthews signed is worth $70 million over four years, a source said. He would have made $57 million over four years if Jordan also signed with Dallas.”

Matthews (6-5, 220) is a six-year veteran with career averages of 14.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 32.2 minutes in 441 games (381 starts) with Utah and Portland. He has shot 44.3 percent from the field, 39.3 percent from 3-point range and 82.5 percent from the line for his career. Matthews is the Trail Blazers’ career leader in 3-point field goals made with 826.

Last year, Matthews averaged 15.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 33.7 minutes in 60 games (all starts) with Portland before suffering a torn left Achilles tendon that caused him to miss the remainder of the season.

The San Antonio, Texas, native played four seasons at Marquette where, as a senior, he averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 35 games (35 starts) en route to earning second-team All-Big East honors. He went undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft and signed with Utah as a rookie free agent.

Matthews is the son of Wesley Matthews Sr., a former NBA guard and two-time NBA champion with 1987 and 1988 Los Angeles Lakers.

Sixers hire Todd Wright as Assistant Coach, Head of Strength and Conditioning

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced that the team has hired Todd Wright as Assistant Coach, Head of Strength and Conditioning. Wright brings with him 21 years of experience and is widely recognized within the field for his ability to develop players using innovative basketball-specific strength and conditioning techniques.

“We feel fortunate to now call Todd Wright a Sixer,” said President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Sam Hinkie. “His reputation as a trainer of basketball players is second to none. His values and his ability to form genuine, lasting relationships with athletes to help them achieve their goals are both heavily aligned with our organization and with our player development in Philadelphia. When it became clear that the University of Texas was to make a change in their men’s basketball program, I booked a flight to Austin within 10 minutes.”

Prior to joining the Sixers, Wright was the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Texas Longhorns men’s basketball team for 14 seasons, during which time he supervised the development of 16 players selected in the NBA Draft, six All-Americans and two recipients of the prestigious Wooden Award as the national player of the year. During his 21 years at the collegiate level with the University of Texas and Clemson University, Wright participated in 19 NCAA tournaments, including 17 consecutive appearances between the two schools.

Wright is also a well-respected speaker in the field of strength and conditioning, having presented on the subject of “Vertical Core Training,” which he developed. Many of Wright’s unique training methodologies have been nationally recognized in numerous publications. He is also a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a Fellow of Applied Functional Science.

“Our additions of Dr. David T. Martin and Todd Wright are further evidence of our desire to be considered world class in the fields of sport science and athletic performance. Our players invest enormous amounts of time into their individual games and their bodies, and we hope to provide them every opportunity to become strong and resilient, to maximize their playing potential, and to lengthen their careers,” Hinkie said.

Jesse Wright, the Sixers previous Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, was integral in the worldwide search and recruitment of Martin and the recruitment of Todd Wright to join the Sixers. Jesse Wright has been elevated to a newly created performance science position. In his new role, he will work closely with Martin and Todd Wright, with a focus on implementing the newest training, fitness, and recovery initiatives.