NBA News Blog – Page 774 – NBA Blog

Toronto Raptors sign Greg Stiemsma

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have signed free-agent center Greg Stiemsma (STEEMS-muh).

Stiemsma, 6-foot-11, 260 pounds, averaged 2.9 points with career bests of 4.1 rebounds and 18.3 minutes in 55 games (20 starts) last season with New Orleans. He scored in double figures four times, including a season-high 12 points January 3 at Boston. He also recorded back-to-back double-digit rebound totals with 11 caroms at Cleveland on January 28 and a career-best 12 boards January 29 at Minnesota.

The University of Wisconsin product has played for New Orleans, Minnesota (2012-13) and Boston (2011-12). He owns career averages of 3.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 16.0 minutes in 186 NBA games (42 starts).

Detroit Pistons name Otis Smith head coach of Grand Rapids Drive

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the club is appointing Otis Smith as head coach of its NBA Development League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive.

“I’m pleased to welcome Otis Smith to the Detroit Pistons organization as the head coach of the Grand Rapids Drive,” said Van Gundy. “Otis understands the vision and connectivity we want to create between the Detroit Pistons and the Grand Rapids Drive, our NBA D-League affiliate. His experiences as a general manager, director of player development and NBA player will pay dividends as he spearheads our efforts in Grand Rapids.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Otis into the Grand Rapids Drive organization,” said Steve Jbara, President of the Grand Rapids Drive. “His basketball and player development knowledge as well as his front office experience will be extremely beneficial moving forward with the franchise. There is no doubt in my mind that Otis is the right man for the job. Our fans and the local basketball community are in for a special season.”

Smith brings 25-plus years of basketball experience to the bench, most recently serving as the president of basketball operations and general manager of the Orlando Magic from 2010-12. Smith first joined Orlando as director of player development in 2003-04 and was promoted to assistant general manager in 2005-06 before being named general manager in May of 2006.

Under Smith’s leadership Orlando made the playoffs six times, recorded a franchise-record four straight seasons with 50-plus wins (2007-11), won three Southeast Division Titles (2007-10) and reached the NBA Finals in 2009. During his time with the Magic, the team accumulated a record of 299-177 (.628).

Prior to his time with Orlando, Smith spent the 2002-03 season as executive director of basketball operations with the Golden State Warriors. He also served as director of community relations/Warriors foundation for Golden State from 1999-02 and as community relations manager with the Orlando Magic from 1996-98. As a player, Smith appeared in 375 career NBA regular-season games with Denver, Golden State and Orlando, averaging 10.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.6 minutes.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, FL, Smith graduated from Jacksonville University in 1986.

Sacramento Kings waive Wayne Ellington

The Sacramento Kings waived guard Wayne Ellington, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

Ellington was acquired from New York on August 6, 2014, along with forward-center Jeremy Tyler and the unencumbered rights to the Knicks’ 2016 second-round draft selection in exchange for forwards Quincy Acy and Travis Outlaw.

Ellington is averaging 6.4 points (.418 FG%, .386 3pt%, .855 FT%), 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in 312 career contests with Minnesota (2009-10 – 2011-12), Memphis (2012-13), Cleveland (2012-13), Dallas (2013-14) and New York in his five-year NBA career.

Knicks hire Jim Cleamons, Rasheed Hazzard, Brian Keefe and Joshua Longstaff

New York Knicks President Phil Jackson has that Jim Cleamons, Rasheed Hazzard, Brian Keefe and Joshua Longstaff have been added to the coaching staff.

Cleamons rejoins the Knicks organization with over 30 years of coaching experience and 10 NBA championships to his name. The 64-year-old Lincolnton, NC joined the Chicago Bulls staff in 1989, staying seven seasons, and the Los Angeles Lakers staff for 10 seasons, winning nine NBA titles along the way. He served as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks for parts of two seasons (1996-98), the ABL’s Chicago Condors (1998-99) and China’s Zhejiang Guangsha (2011-12). He had also been an assistant coach for New Orleans (2004-05), and most recently, Milwaukee (2013-14). The Ohio State-alum played in the NBA for 10 seasons with the Lakers, Cleveland, New York and Washington, winning an NBA title as a rookie in Los Angeles in 1972. He signed with the Knicks on Oct. 7, 1977, playing three seasons in New York, averaging 7.4 points in 180 games.

Hazzard spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (2006-11), including as a member of NBA Championship teams in 2009 and 2010, working in player development and as an advance scout, and also as an assistant coach for the D-Fenders, the Lakers’ D-League affiliate. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach at University of Portland after playing collegiately at George Washington University. His father Walt, was a member of UCLA’s 1964 NCAA Championship Team and played in the NBA for 10 seasons with the Lakers, Seattle, Atlanta, Buffalo and Golden State earned an NBA All-Star selection in 1968.

Keefe had been a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder organization for the past seven seasons, serving as an assistant coach for the last five years. He joined the Thunder in 2007 as a player development coach after two seasons as an assistant video coordinator with the San Antonio Spurs, including the NBA Championship team on 2007. Prior to his NBA career, Keefe was an assistant coach at Bryant University for four seasons (2001-05) and a graduate assistant at the University of South Florida (2001-01). He played college basketball at Nevada-Las Vegas and California-Irvine for two seasons each.

Longstaff had spent the last four seasons working for the Oklahoma City Thunder in a player development role and as a video analyst. Previously, he coached high school basketball for five seasons in his home state of Maine and played college basketball at Bryant University.

Mavericks re-sign center Bernard James

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have re-signed center Bernard James. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

James (6-10, 230) was originally drafted by the Mavericks with the 33rd overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He averages 2.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 7.9 minutes in 76 career games (11 starts) with Dallas.

The Savannah, Ga., native is a former Staff Sergeant who served six years in the Air Force including three tours to Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar. In his senior season at Florida State, James averaged 10.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while being named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Defensive team. James also won the Most Courageous Award by the United States Basketball Writers of America.

Clippers sign Chris Douglas-Roberts and Ekpe Udoh

The Los Angeles Clippers announced today that they have signed free agent forward/guard Chris Douglas-Roberts and forward/center Ekpe Udoh.

“Chris and Ekpe are two versatile players who bring depth and a strong presence to our team,” Clippers President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Doc Rivers said. “We are excited to add them to the roster.”

Douglas-Roberts, 27, appeared in 49 games (eight starts) last season with the Charlotte Bobcats averaging 6.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 20.7 minutes per game. During his five-year NBA career, the Detroit native has appeared in 210 career regular season games with New Jersey, Milwaukee, Dallas and Charlotte. He holds career averages of 7.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.4 minutes per game.

Originally drafted 40th overall in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets, Douglas-Roberts played three seasons at the University of Memphis, where he was a consensus first-team All-American and the Conference USA Player of the Year as a junior in 2008. During his junior season, he averaged 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists, helping to lead the Tigers to the National Championship game. Douglas-Roberts averaged 14.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 109 games (100 starts) at Memphis.

Udoh, 27, appeared in 42 games (14 starts) last season with the Milwaukee Bucks averaging 3.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19.1 minutes per game. During his four-year NBA career, the Oklahoma City native has appeared in 237 games (52 starts) with Golden State and Milwaukee. He holds career averages of 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 18.7 minutes per game.

Originally drafted sixth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by Golden State, Udoh played three seasons of college basketball. His first two seasons of college were spent at the University of Michigan before transferring to Baylor University for his junior season. At Baylor, Udoh was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and a second-team All-Big 12 selection. He averaged 13.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 2.7 assists in 36 games (all starts) helping lead the Bears to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.

Warriors sign Aaron Craft, James Michael McAdoo and Mitchell Watt

The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent guard Aaron Craft, along with free agent forwards James Michael McAdoo and Mitchell Watt to contracts, the team announced today.

All three rookies played for the Warriors at the 2014 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Craft, 23, played four seasons collegiately at Ohio State, where he earned the NABC and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards this past season as a senior. The 6’2” guard amassed career averages of 8.9 points, 4.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 148 games (second most in school history) and was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team in each of his four seasons. With the Warriors Summer League squad, the Findlay, OH, native averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.60 steals and 22.2 minutes off the bench over five games. He led the team in assists and steals during the Summer League.

McAdoo, 21, played three seasons at the University of North Carolina, amassing career averages of 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.22 steals in 24.9 minutes over 108 games. Last season, as a junior, the 6’9” forward earned Second Team All-ACC honors after averaging 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.32 steals in 34 contests. In five games with the Warriors Summer League team (all starts), the Norfolk, VA, native averaged 9.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.00 steal and 1.20 blocks in a team-leading 29.0 minutes per game. McAdoo’s father, Ronnie, is a member of Old Dominion University’s Hall of Fame and played professionally in France, Spain and Japan.

Watt, 24, has played professionally the last two seasons in Israel, averaging 13.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 blocks in 34 games last season with Ironi Nes Ziona. Prior to making his professional debut with Galil Gilboa in 2012-13, Watt played collegiately for four seasons at the University of Buffalo. As a senior in 2011-12, the 6’10” forward averaged 16.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 blocks over 31 games en route to earning MAC Player of the Year honors and All-MAC First Team recognition.

Craft will wear uniform #2, McAdoo #20 and Watt #21. The Warriors roster currently stands at 16 players.

Memphis Grizzlies waive Jamaal Franklin

The Memphis Grizzlies waived guard Jamaal Franklin, the team announced today.

Franklin (6-5, 191) averaged 1.9 points and 1.1 rebounds in 7.7 minutes in 21 games (zero starts) and shot .410 from the field as a rookie for the Grizzlies last season. The 23-year-old was drafted by Memphis in the second round (41st overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft following his junior season at San Diego State.

Clippers waive Carlos Delfino and Miroslav Raduljica

The Los Angeles Clippers announced today that the team has waived guard/forward Carlos Delfino and center Miroslav Raduljica.

Delfino and Raduljica were acquired by the Clippers on August 26, 2014 in exchange for forward Jared Dudley and a protected 2017 first round draft pick.

Utah Jazz sign guard Toure` Murry

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed free-agent guard Toure’ Murry.

Murry (6-5, 195, Wichita State) played his rookie season with the New York Knicks, averaging 2.7 points and 1.0 assists in 7.3 minutes in 51 games during the 2013-14 campaign. He shot 43.4 percent from the field (56-of-129), including 41.7 percent (5-of-12) from beyond the arc.

Undrafted in the 2012 NBA Draft, the 24-year-old guard was selected 15th overall by the Austin Toros in the 2012 NBA Development League Draft. His rights were eventually traded to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Murry helped the Vipers to the 2013 NBA D-League Championship, averaging 8.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 23.5 minutes in 46 games (30 starts) during the 2012-13 season.

Prior to the NBA, Murry played four seasons at Wichita State from 2008-12, including winning the 2011 NIT Tournament during his junior season. He averaged 12.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 29.3 minutes in 32 games during his senior campaign, helping the Shockers advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

A native of Houston, Texas, Murry’s first name is pronounced “TOU-Ray” and he will wear uniform #23.