Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Bulls use amnesty clause on Carlos Boozer

Bulls use amnesty clause on Carlos Boozer

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has amnestied forward Carlos Boozer.

“Carlos epitomized professionalism in everything he did for the Bulls both on the court, and in the community, during his time here in Chicago,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “Over the last four seasons, Carlos’ productivity helped elevate our team to another level. I have nothing but respect for Carlos, and certainly wish him the best as he moves forward.”

According to ESPN.com, “The Bulls will still owe Boozer the $16.8 million left on his salary this season but it will not count on their salary cap. Combined with their trade of Anthony Randolph to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, the Bulls will clear about $12 million in cap space. Gasol is expected to sign a three-year deal worth more than $22 million and Mirotic is expected to sign for $18 million over three years with the Bulls permitted to give him $600,000 to help pay off his buyout from Real Madrid, sources said.”

In four seasons with the Bulls, Boozer appeared in 280 games (all starts) and averaged 15.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 2.0 apg in 30.4 mpg and shot .491 from the field.

Pistons sign Caron Butler

Pistons sign Caron Butler

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the club has signed free agent forward Caron Butler to a contract.

The two-time NBA All-Star holds career averages of 15.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 33.8 minutes in 786 games with the Miami HEAT, L.A. Lakers, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, L.A. Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder. Butler split time last season between Milwaukee and Oklahoma City, averaging 10.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 25.3 minutes in 56 games.

Butler has appeared in 65 postseason games during his 12-year career, averaging 11.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 31.4 minutes. He’s scored 20-plus points in a playoff game eight times, recorded 10-plus rebounds six times, has five career playoff double-doubles and was a part of the Dallas Mavericks’ 2011 NBA Championship team despite not competing due to injury. During the 2013-14 playoffs with Oklahoma City, Butler averaged 6.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 23.3 minutes in 18 appearances. He scored a playoff-high-tying 15 points in the Thunder’s Game 7 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round (120-109), helping Oklahoma City advance to the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

Pistons sign D.J. Augustin

Pistons sign D.J. Augustin

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the club has signed free agent guard D.J. Augustin to a multi-year contract.

The 6-0, 183-pound guard had a resurgent year last season after signing with the Chicago Bulls and helping replace an injured Derrick Rose. He averaged 14.9 points, 5.0 assists, 2.1 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 30.4 minutes in 61 games with the Bulls, after appearing in 10 games to start the season with the Toronto Raptors.

Among NBA leaders, the 26-year-old Augustin ranked fifth in free throw percentage (.885) and tied for 19th in 3-point field goal percentage (.401). He posted a career-high 33 points (10-14 FG, 3-4 3FG, 10-10 FT) in 31 minutes during a 107-102 win at Boston (3/30). Augustin helped the Bulls claim the No. 4 seed in the NBA Playoffs and continued his strong play by averaging 13.2 points, 4.8 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 28.2 minutes in five postseason games. In Game 4 of the first round against the Washington Wizards, a 101-99 loss, he scored a team-high 25 points and dished out seven assists.

Memphis Grizzlies re-sign Beno Udrih

Memphis Grizzlies re-sign Beno Udrih

The Memphis Grizzlies re-signed guard Beno Udrih (BEHN-oh OO-dreeh) to a multi-year contract, the team announced today.

Udrih (6-3, 205) averaged 4.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists on .438 shooting in 15.7 minutes in 41 games (12 starts) for the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies last season. He appeared in 10 regular season contests for the Grizzlies after being awarded to Memphis off waivers on Feb. 27, 2014.

The 31-year-old posted 7.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists on .467 shooting in 16.4 minutes in Memphis’ 2014 opening round playoff series with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He posted the three highest scoring totals of his playoff career during that seven-game series, netting a postseason career-high 14 points in Game 2 and recording 12 points in Game 3 and Game 7.

Udrih owns NBA career averages of 8.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists on .461 shooting in 23.1 minutes in 669 games (255 starts) in 10 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies.

A two-time NBA champion with San Antonio (2005, 2007), Udrih holds career postseason averages of 3.7 points, 0.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 43 playoff games (zero starts) for the Spurs and Grizzlies.

The Celje, Slovenia native was drafted by San Antonio in the first round (28th overall) of the 2004 NBA Draft. Prior to his NBA career, he played professionally in Slovenia (1998-2002), Israel (2002-03), Italy (2003-04) and Russia (2003-04).

Dallas Mavericks re-sign Dirk Nowitzki

Dallas Mavericks re-sign Dirk Nowitzki

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have re-signed 12-time NBA All-Star Dirk Nowitzki.

According to several reports, the deal may be for $3 years, $25 million.

During his 16-year tenure in Dallas, Nowitzki has guided the Mavericks toward many of the franchise’s greatest achievements. Nowitzki led Dallas to its first-ever 60 win season in 2002-03, first NBA Finals appearance in 2006, a franchise-high 67 wins in 2006-07 and to the organization’s first World Championship when the Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.

Nowitzki (7-0, 245), the most decorated Dallas Maverick in franchise history, is a 12-time NBA All-Star, earned All-NBA Team honors 12 consecutive years (2000-12), was named Most Valuable Player of the 2006-07 season and was MVP of the 2011 NBA Finals. He is a six-time Western Conference Player of the Month, a 17-time Western Conference Player of the Week and has competed in the All-Star Saturday Night Three-Point Contest four times.

The career Maverick holds averages of 22.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 35.9 minutes in 1188 career games (1157 starts) and holds the franchise’s top-spot in several categories including points, rebounds, field goals, three-point field goals, free throws, games, starts and minutes.

In the NBA Playoffs, Nowitzki’s game elevates to average 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 41.1 minutes in 135 postseason games (135 starts). He has led the Mavericks to three Western Conference Finals and two NBA Finals while moving into first place in several of the franchise’s postseason categories including points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, field goals, free throws and games.

Last season, Nowitzki shot his way into the record books by moving into the Top 10 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list by passing the likes of Oscar Robertson, Dominique Wilkins, Alex English, Reggie Miller and Jerry West. He has

also served as a pioneer for European players becoming the first European-born player to earn First Team All-NBA (04-05), start an All-Star Game (2007, Las Vegas) and be named the MVP (06-07).

The Wurzburg, Germany native was the ninth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft and was originally acquired through a draft day trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. He re-signed with the Mavericks on Oct. 22, 2001, signed a contract extension on Sept. 26, 2006 and then re-signed again on July 9, 2010.

Miami Heat officially sign Danny Granger

Miami Heat officially sign Danny Granger

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed forward Danny Granger.

According to multiple reports, the deal is for two years, $4.2 million.

“One of our main priorities this offseason was obtaining a proven veteran like Danny with All-Star experience,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “We expect him to be a multi-position player and have a very successful season in our system.”

Granger, a nine-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 556 career NBA regular season games (425 starts) and averaged 17.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 32.1 minutes while shooting 43.5 percent from the field, 38.1 percent from three-point range and 84.9 percent from the foul line. Among Indiana’s all-time franchise leaders, he ranks second in three-point field goals made, fourth in points, steals and free throws made, sixth in blocks, seventh in games played, minutes played and field goals made and 10th in defensive rebounds.

He split the 2013-14 season between the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers, appearing in 41 total games (two starts) and averaged 8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 20.7 minutes while shooting 37.8 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from three-point range and a career-high 94 percent from the foul line. He appeared in all 13 postseason games with the Clippers, including a 15-point outing in a Game Two win against Golden State on April 21 as they advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals after defeating the Warriors, 4-3, in the First Round.

Granger, a 2009 NBA All-Star and the NBA’s 2009 Most Improved Player, has appeared in 35 career postseason games (19 starts) and averaged 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 25.7 minutes while shooting 41.7 percent from the field, 35.8 percent from the three-point range and 84.2 percent from the foul line.

He was originally drafted in the first round (17th overall) by Indiana in the 2005 NBA Draft.

Bulls trade Greg Smith to Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have acquired forward Greg Smith from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the rights to Tadija Dragicevic.

Smith (6-10, 250) is a three-year veteran and holds averages of 3.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 14.4 minutes in 89 career games (10 starts) with Houston. He spent three years with the Rockets before being released on April 10, 2014. He was then signed by the Chicago Bulls on April 14, but never played for the Bulls.

In 2012-13, Smith saw action in 70 games (10 starts) for Houston and averaged 6.0 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting .620 from the field.

The Vallejo, Calif., native was undrafted out Fresno State after declaring himself an early entry candidate for the 2011 NBA Draft. In his sophomore season with the Bulldogs, he was named to the 2011 All-WAC second team. In 31 games, he averaged 11.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks in 30.4 minutes per game.

Dragicevic (6-9, 222) was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 53rd overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. The Mavericks acquired the native Serbian from Utah and cash considerations from the Houston Rockets in a four-team trade and sent forward Lamar Odom to the Los Angeles Clippers and the draft rights to Shan Foster to the Utah Jazz. In exchange, Los Angeles sent guard Mo Williams to Utah and the draft rights to forward Furkan Aldemir to Houston.

Miami Heat sign Josh McRoberts

Miami Heat sign Josh McRoberts

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed forward Josh McRoberts. The contract is for four years, $23 million, according to the Associated Press and other outlets.

“We felt from day one that he was one of our main targets,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “We are delighted that this multi-faceted player will help us immensely in being the kind of team that Coach Spoelstra wants with his versatility.”

McRoberts, a seven-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 350 games (160 starts) in his career, averaging 5.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 34.2 percent from three-point range and 71 percent from the foul line. Last season, he started all 78 games in which he appeared, and averaged 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 43.6 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from three-point range and 72.9 percent from the foul line. He made a career-high 105 three-pointers last season and ranked second in the NBA in assists-per-turnover (4.0).

During the 2014 NBA Playoffs, McRoberts averaged 11.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 47.1 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the foul line.

McRoberts was originally drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round (37th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft.

Bulls trade Anthony Randolph to Magic

Bulls trade Anthony Randolph to Magic

The Orlando Magic have acquired two future second round draft picks (2015, 2016), cash considerations and the contract of forward Anthony Randolph from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the draft rights to forward Milovan Rakovic, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. In addition, Orlando intends to waive Randolph.

The draft rights to Rakovic (6’10”, 280, 2/19/85) were acquired by Orlando, along with cash considerations, from Dallas in exchange for the draft rights to Reyshawn Terry on June 28, 2007. He has played his entire professional career overseas.