NBA News Blog – Page 763 – NBA Blog

Rockets claim Earl Clark off waivers, waive Josh Powell

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has claimed forward Earl Clark off waivers and requested waivers on Josh Powell.

Clark (6-10, 234, Louisville), a sixth year forward appeared in 54 games during the 2013-14 season with Cleveland (45 games) and New York (nine games) averaging 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 14.2 minutes. Over the course of his career, Clark has appeared in 251 games, including 54 starts, with the Cavaliers, Knicks, Magic and Suns. He holds career averages of 4.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 14.1 minutes. Clark was waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 23, 2014.

Powell (6-9, 225, NC State), a seven year NBA veteran appeared in one preseason game for the Rockets this year collecting one rebound in six minutes played. Powell also played in the regular season finale of the 2013-14 season versus New Orleans on April 16th, recording four points and five rebounds in 19 minutes of action.

Pistons exercise contract options on Andre Drummond and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Detroit Pistons have exercised team options on the contracts of center Andre Drummond and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the team announced today.

Both players’ contracts are now extended through the 2015-16 NBA season.

Drummond is clearly a building block for the Pistons; a rebounding machine with a lot of potential. Caldwell-Pope is still proving his value in the league.

Hornets waive Justin Cobbs, Dallas Lauderdale, Brian Qvale

The Charlotte Hornets have waived guard Justin Cobbs, forward Dallas Lauderdale and center Brian Qvale, General Manager Rich Cho announced today.

Cobbs saw action in two preseason games, averaging 1.0 point and 1.0 rebound in 4.5 minutes. Lauderdale and Qvale each appeared in one preseason game, seeing 3:13 worth of action.

The Hornets roster currently stands at 15 players.

Nets exercise contract options on Mason Plumlee and Sergey Karasev

The Brooklyn Nets have exercised the third-year contract options on forward/center Mason Plumlee and guard/forward Sergey Karasev, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today. Both players will remain under contract through at least the 2015-16 season.

Selected out of Duke in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft (22nd overall), Plumlee was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team following his first season with Brooklyn. In 74 games (22 starts) last season, Plumlee averaged 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.79 blocks in 18.2 minutes per game for the Nets. He led all rookies in PER, Win Shares, Win Shares/48 Minutes, True Shooting Percentage, Field Goal Percentage and Dunk Rate and was second among qualifying rookies in blocks per game. This past offseason, Plumlee was selected as a member of USA Basketball Men’s National Team and won a gold medal in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in September.

Karasev, who was acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade on July 10, 2014, was selected by Cleveland in the first round (19th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft. The native of Russia averaged 1.7 points and 0.7 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per game in 22 appearances with the Cavaliers last season.

Knicks waive Didier Mbenga and Orlando Sanchez

The New York Knicks have waived center Didier Mbenga and forward Orlando Sanchez, team President Phil Jackson announced today.

Mbenga, 7-0, 250-pounds, signed with New York on Oct. 8. He appeared in one preseason game, scoring two points over five minutes.

Sanchez, 6-9, 220-pounds, appeared in one preseason game after signing as a free agent on Sep. 17.

Pelicans waive Kevin Jones and D.J. Stephens

The New Orleans Pelicans have waived forward Kevin Jones and guard D.J. Stephens.

Jones, 6-8, 260, spent the 2013-14 season with the Canton Charge of the NBA Development League where he averaged 16.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, earning a selection to the 2014 NBADL All-Star Game. This summer, Jones was a member of the Indiana Pacers’ summer league team. The West Virginia product appeared in three preseason games, totaling seven points and six rebounds in 16 minutes.

Stephens, 6-5, 188, began his professional career with Ilysiakos B.C. of Greece where he averaged 10.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. After appearing in 12 games, Stephens returned to the United States, signing a 10-day contract with the Milwaukee Bucks on March 26, appearing in three games and averaging 2.3 points and 1.7 rebounds. Stephens concluded the 2013-14 season in Turkey, appearing in seven games for Anadolu Efes, where the Texas native averaged 5.0 points and 2.4 rebounds. The former Memphis Tiger appeared in three preseason games with the Pelicans, totaling five points and two rebounds in 11 minutes.

New Orleans’ roster now stands at 15.

Thunder waive Michael Jenkins, Richard Solomon, Talib Zanna

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced today that the team has waived guard Michael Jenkins, forwards Richard Solomon and Talib Zanna, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Jenkins appeared in all seven preseason games for the Thunder and averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 17.5 minutes.

Solomon saw action in three preseason contests and recorded averages of 4.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11.9 minutes.

Zanna played in seven preseason games for Oklahoma City and averaged 4.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 17.4 minutes.

Oklahoma City’s roster now stands at 15.

Victor Oladipo out with facial fracture

Second-year Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo will be out of action indefinitely due to a facial fracture suffered in practice Thursday, according to General Manager Rob Hennigan.

After being evaluated Thursday afternoon, Oladipo will undergo a corrective surgical procedure this Saturday (tomorrow). The injury occurred after taking an inadvertent elbow during a practice drill.

Oladipo (6’4”, 210, 5/4/92) has not played during the preseason due to a sprained MCL in his left knee. Last season (2013-14), he played in 80 games (44 starts) during his rookie campaign with Orlando, averaging 13.8 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 4.1 apg. and a team-high 1.61 stlpg. in 31.1 minpg. He was tied for 15th in the NBA in steals. Oladipo also ranked among all NBA rookies in scoring (2nd), rebounding (T-8th), assists (3rd), FG percentage (.419, 8th), three-point FG percentage (.327, T-7th), FT percentage (.780, 6th), steals (2nd) and minutes played (3rd).

Knicks sign Jordan Vandenberg

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed center Jordan Vandenberg. We are guessing that this is a non-guaranteed contract merely for the final few days of preseason.

Vandenberg, 7-1, 245-pounds, an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina State University, averaged 2.0 points and 4.0 rebounds over 9.9 minutes in two games with New York’s entry at the 2014 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, NV. The Melbourne, Australia-native played five seasons (2009-14) with the Wolfpack after being granted a medical redshirt during his junior season. He averaged 4.6 points, on 68-percent shooting, with 4.7 rebounds and 1.41 blocks over 22.1 minutes in 32 games (all starts) his senior season.

Steve Nash out for season

Due to a recurring back injury, Lakers point guard Steve Nash will be out for the season, it was announced today. After consultations with Lakers medical staff, both Nash and the organization believe it is best to focus on rest and rehabilitation at this time.

“Being on the court this season has been my top priority and it is disappointing to not be able to do that right now,” said Nash. “I work very hard to stay healthy and unfortunately my recent setback makes performing at full capacity difficult. I will continue to support my team during this period of rest, and will focus on my long-term health.”

This could wind up being the end of Nash’s fantastic NBA career. The 2014-15 season was possibly going to be his last, but lingering health problems could push Nash into making it official.

“As disappointed as we are for ourselves and our fans, we’re even more disappointed for Steve,” said Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak. “We know how hard he’s worked the last two years to try to get his body right for the rigors of the NBA, and how badly he wants to play, but unfortunately he simply hasn’t been able to get there up to this point in time. Steve has been a consummate professional, and we greatly appreciate his efforts.”

According to the Associated Press, “Nash has battled numerous injuries since joining the Lakers in July of 2012, appearing in just 65 of a possible 164 regular season games. The future Hall of Famer was limited to 15 games and 10 starts last season due to nerve damage from a leg injury he suffered the season before.”