NBA News Blog – Page 786 – NBA Blog

Chris Kaman to join Trail Blazers

Here’s the Columbian reporting on the Portland Trail Blazers:

While the biggest dominos in the NBA landscape have yet to fall, the Portland Trail Blazers have reportedly used their biggest free agent bargaining chip.

The Blazers have agreed to a two-year $10 million deal with former Lakers big man and 11-year veteran center Chris Kaman.

Yahoo! Sports first reported the news. Multiple reports indicate the second year of the contract is only partially guaranteed.

Kaman played in 39 games for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2013-14, averaging 18.9 minutes per game, 10.4 points and 5.9 rebounds on 50.9 percent shooting.

Orlando Magic waive Jason Maxiell

The Orlando Magic have waived forward Jason Maxiell, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Maxiell played in 34 games (13 starts) last season with the Magic, averaging 3.2 ppg. and 2.5 rpg. in 14.4 minpg. He scored in double figures three times, including a season-high 12 points on Nov. 9 @ Atlanta and Dec. 3 @ Philadelphia.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Maxiell’s salary of $2.5 million for the 2014-15 season was fully unguaranteed if the team (or a team that had acquired him via trade) had waived him on or before July 10. By waiving him now, Maxiell’s salary is erased from the Magic’s cap figure for the upcoming season. Maxiell started Orlando’s first 10 games last season, but his playing time diminished once Glen Davis returned from an injury.”

Originally selected by Detroit in the first round (26th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by Detroit, Maxiell appeared in 557 career NBA regular season games (188 starts) with Detroit and Orlando, averaging 5.9 ppg. and 4.3 rpg. in 18.9 minpg., while shooting .501 (1,317-2,631) from the floor. He was signed as a free agent by Orlando on Jul. 18, 2013.

Trail Blazers promote Joe Cronin to Director of Player Personnel

The Portland Trail Blazers have promoted Joe Cronin to the position of Director of Player Personnel, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey.

Cronin, now entering his ninth season with Portland, most recently served as the team’s Pro Scout/Salary Cap Analyst, a position he’s held since 2010.

In his new role, Cronin will manage all aspects of the NBA Salary Cap for the team, college and international scouting in preparation for the NBA Draft, and NBA scouting for free agency and trades.

“Joe possesses a unique skill set that is critical to the success of our organization,” said Olshey. “His expertise and contributions in multiple areas make him an invaluable member of our front office staff.”

Cronin joined the Trail Blazers as a Basketball Operations Intern in 2006 after finishing graduate school at the University of Denver, where he earned his master’s degree and served as the Graduate Assistant for the men’s basketball team. A Denver native, Cronin played college basketball at Regis University and the University of Northern Colorado.

Orlando Magic waive Ronnie Price

The Orlando Magic have waived guard Ronnie Price, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today.

Price played in 31 games (two starts) last season with the Magic, averaging 2.4 ppg., 2.1 apg. and 1.4 rpg. in 12.2 minpg. He led (or tied) the team in assists six times, including a career-high 11 assists on Apr. 14 @ Chicago.

Originally undrafted by an NBA franchise, Price has appeared in 425 career NBA regular season games (35 starts) with Sacramento, Utah, Phoenix, Portland and Orlando, averaging 3.4 ppg., 1.5 apg. and 1.1 rpg. in 11.7 minpg. He was signed as a free agent by Orlando on Jul. 25, 2013.

George David steps down as Pistons assistant general manager

The Detroit Pistons announced today that George David has stepped down as assistant general manager for the team.

“George David has informed general manager Jeff Bower and I that he has made the decision to step down as assistant general manager,” said Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Piston Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations. “We wish George well in his future endeavors.”

“17 years, an NBA Championship, and a multitude of spectacular people make me truly grateful for the experience I had with the Detroit Pistons,” said David. “I want to wish Stan and his staff the best as they go forward. And, I want to especially thank Tom Gores, Bob Wentworth, and Phil Norment for not only their true professionalism but also their class and friendship. I could not have asked for anything more.”

David was promoted to his current position in July of 2012 and has served in various front office roles during his 17 years with the team. He served as director of player personnel from 2007-2012 and also director of scouting, a position he was appointed to in August of 2002. The Detroit native was first hired as video coordinator by former head coach Doug Collins during the 1996-97 season.

Memphis Grizzlies do not extend qualifying offer to Ed Davis

Grizzlies decline to extend a qualifying offer to Ed Davis

The Memphis Grizzlies have elected not to extend a qualifying offer to forward Ed Davis, making him an unrestricted free agent, the team announced today.

Davis (6-10, 225) has averaged 5.5 points and 4.2 rebounds on .529 shooting in 15.2 minutes in 99 games (eight starts) with Memphis since he was acquired from the Toronto Raptors in a three-team trade also involving the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 31, 2013.

Drafted in the first round (No. 13 overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft, the 25-year-old holds career averages of 6.9 points and 5.9 rebounds on .542 shooting in 20.8 minutes in 275 games (58 starts) for Toronto and Memphis. The Washington, D.C. native owns postseason averages of 1.3 points and 1.7 rebounds on .364 shooting in 4.9 minutes in 15 playoff contests with the Grizzlies.

Timberwolves hire Ryan Saunders as assistant coach

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced Ryan Saunders as an assistant coach, joining David Adelman, Sidney Lowe and Sam Mitchell on head coach Flip Saunders’ staff.

“Ryan brings a unique skill set of player development, analytics and team preparation to our team,” said general manager Milt Newton. “He played a key role in the development of Washington’s rising stars John Wall and Bradley Beal, and he served as the primary scout last season as the Wizards won their first playoff series since 2004-05. His ability to develop young talent, as well as his statistical analysis and game preparation techniques, will be an extremely valuable addition to our team.”

A University of Minnesota graduate, Saunders spent the last five seasons as an assistant with the Washington Wizards. In Washington, he was instrumental in assisting with the preparation for upcoming opponents with extensive scouting reports and statistical analysis. Prior to his time with the Wizards, Saunders was as an assistant for a season on Tubby Smith’s staff at the University of Minnesota, where he helped lead the Golden Gophers to an NCAA tournament appearance. In addition to his on-court work, Saunders helped players with their academic and social development off the court.

As well as his coaching experience, Saunders brings an analytical background to the Wolves coaching staff. He is the co-founder of an in-game analytical program, Gametime Concepts, which focuses on in-game analysis and statistical probabilities. Gametime Concepts is used by a number of NBA and NCAA teams.

Hawks trade Lou Williams to Raptors

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired a 2015 second round pick and guard/forward John Salmons from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for guard Lou Williams and the draft rights to Lucas Nogueira, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry.

“The trade allows us greater flexibility as we continue to build our team and add players that best fit how we want to continue to grow as a program.” Ferry said. “Lou has been really good for us. We would like to thank him for his contributions over the past two seasons and the professionalism he displayed on and off the court. We wish him the best going forward.”

Salmons, 34, averaged 5.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 22.1 minutes per game in 78 games (eight starts) last season with Sacramento and Toronto. Over his 12-year career, he has averages of 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 874 games (429 starts).

Williams averaged 10.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 60 games (seven starts) last season with Atlanta and has career averages of 11.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 554 games (54 starts).

Atlanta acquired the draft rights to Nogueira (16th overall), forward/center Mike Muscala from Bucknell and guard Jared Cunningham from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the draft rights to Shane Larkin (18th overall) during the 2013 NBA Draft.

Sixers waive James Anderson

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today they have waived guard James Anderson.

Anderson appeared in 80 games last year for the Sixers and averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 29 minutes per game. In four NBA seasons, Anderson has appeared in 196 games with 68 starts, averaging 6 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in 18 minutes per game.

The Sixers claimed Anderson off of waivers on July 16, 2013.

Milwaukee Bucks fire coach Larry Drew

Jason Kidd is coming soon to Milwaukee.

The Bucks have relieved Head Coach Larry Drew of his duties, the team announced today. It’s been widely reported that Nets head coach Jason Kidd is leaving Brooklyn and will take over the Milwaukee coaching duties.

Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond stated, “Despite the challenging season, Larry always handled himself and represented the Bucks in a first-class manner. Larry did the best he could in a difficult situation, especially given all of our injuries. I want to thank Larry for all of his efforts, and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Drew was named the 13th head coach in Bucks history on June 3, 2013.