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Toronto Raptors re-sign Kyle Lowry

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have re-signed free-agent point guard Kyle Lowry to a multi-year contract. According to multiple reports, the deal is for $48 million over four years.

“We made it known that our top priority heading into the offseason was to re-sign Kyle,” said Raptors President and General Manager Masai Ujiri. “He was a key to our success last season and we are delighted that he wants to be here in Toronto to help us continue to build a championship program.”

The eight-year veteran played a key role in leading the Raptors to a club record 48 wins and their second Atlantic Division title in team history.

Lowry, 6-foot, 205 pounds, posted career highs in points (17.9), rebounds (4.7), assists (7.4), field goals made (457), three-pointers made (190), three-point percentage (.380), free throws made (313) and minutes (36.2) in 79 contests, all starts, during the 2013-14 season. He ranked seventh in the NBA in assists per game and tied for eighth in three-pointers made.

Lowry paced the Raptors in scoring on 19 occasions and in assists in a team-high 61 outings. He scored in double figures 72 times with 35 games of 20-or-more points. He posted double-digit totals in assists in 19 contests. He became the fourth Raptors player to record two triple-doubles in the same season. Lowry had 39 games with multiple steals, including nine straight games from November 15 – December 3 where he averaged 2.6 per game.

Lowry registered a season-high 33 points January 29 versus Orlando, a career-best 12 rebounds at Minnesota on March 9 and a season-best 14 assists January 1 versus Indiana. He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played January 27 – February 2, leading the Raptors to a 3-1 mark while averaging 25.0 points, 8.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds. His averages of 18.3 points, 8.2 assists and 4.7 rebounds in January made him the only player in the Eastern Conference to average 18+ points and 8+ assists for the month.

In the Raptors’ first-round playoff series against Brooklyn, Lowry finished second on the club in scoring (21.1), assists (4.7) and minutes (38.8). He scored in double figures in all seven games, with four games of 20+ points. He totaled 22 points and added a series-best eight assists in Game 1 on April 19. He grabbed a personal-high nine rebounds in Game 2 on April 22 at Air Canada Centre. In a Game 5 victory at Air Canada Centre on April 30, Lowry record a game-high 36 points (11-19 FG, 6-9 3FG, 8-10 FT). He added 28 points (12-14 FT) with seven rebounds May 4 in Game 7.

The Raptors acquired Lowry from the Houston Rockets on July 11, 2012. In his two seasons in Toronto, Lowry has averaged 15.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 33.2 minutes in 147 regular season games.

Lowry was a first-round selection (24th overall) by Memphis in the 2006 NBA Draft. He has appeared in 506 regular season games (270 starts), averaging 11.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 28.8 minutes for Memphis, Houston and Toronto.

Clippers sign Jordan Farmar, Spencer Hawes

The Los Angeles Clippers announced today that they have signed free agent guard Jordan Farmar and center Spencer Hawes. We’ll add contract details to this page later on Thursday.

Hawes, 26, averaged 13.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 80 games (28 starts) with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2013-14 season. The seven-year NBA veteran brings career averages of 9.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.9 minutes in 500 games (346 starts) with the Sacramento Kings, Cavaliers and 76ers.

The Seattle native was originally drafted by the Kings with the 10th pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft. The 7-foot-1 Hawes played one season at the University of Washington where he averaged 14.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in a total of 31 games. A star at Seattle Preparatory School in Washington, Hawes was a member of the 2006 McDonald’s All-American Team.

Farmar, 27, joins the Clippers after spending the 2013-14 season with the Lakers, where he averaged 10.1 points, 4.9 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 41 games (five starts). The seven-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 7.9 points, 3.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 19.8 minutes in 454 games (30 starts) with the Lakers and New Jersey Nets. He won an NBA Championship in 2009 and 2010 with the Lakers.

The Los Angeles native was originally drafted by the by the Lakers with the 26th pick in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft. Farmar attended UCLA for two seasons, averaging 13.3 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in a total of 66 games. The guard excelled at Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California, averaging 27.5 points and 6.5 assists during his senior year. Farmar led Taft to the school’s first Los Angeles City title and went on to be a 2004 McDonald’s All-American.

Brian Wright is new Detroit Pistons assistant general manager

Detroit Pistons Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Stan Van Gundy announced today that the team has named Brian Wright as assistant general manager.

“I’m pleased to welcome Brian Wright to the Detroit Pistons,” said Van Gundy. “Brian understands our vision and what we are trying to accomplish as a front office staff. He has a sharp basketball mind and will be an asset for our organization.”

Wright joins the Pistons after eight seasons with the Orlando Magic. He served as the Director of College Scouting last season, overseeing and managing all aspects of the college scouting department and executing preparations the NBA Draft. He was also responsible for overseeing the player development department.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to come to Detroit and begin working with the staff,” Wright said. “I firmly believe in the basketball vision that Stan (Van Gundy) and Jeff (Bower) have outlined for the organization and look forward to being a part of that process.”

Wright began his career with the Magic as a summer intern in 2006 and was hired as the scouting coordinator prior to the 2006-07 season. He also served as scouting manager and spent the 2012-13 season as the team scouting/player development manager.

Wright attended graduate school at the University of Central Florida, earning an MBA and Master’s in sports business management from the DeVos Sports Business Management Program. Prior to his time at UCF, he was an undergraduate student-athlete playing basketball at La Sierra University in Riverside, CA.

Thunder name Darko Rajakovic assistant coach

The Oklahoma City Thunder has named Darko Rajakovic as assistant coach, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Rajakovic has spent the past two seasons as the head coach of the Tulsa 66ers, the Thunder’s NBA D-League affiliate.

“Darko’s diverse basketball background, knowledge of the game and ability to develop players at a high level were clearly apparent during his time in Tulsa, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to add him to our staff,” said Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks. “His understanding of the core tenants of what we do, thanks to his time in Tulsa, will maintain a level of consistency that we value and his various head coaching experiences internationally will provide another layer to our coaches.”

A Serbian native, Rajakovic was the first head coach in NBA D-League history born outside of North America. Rajakovic led Tulsa to a combined 51-49 record over two seasons, including a 27-23 record and NBA D-League Semifinals appearance in 2012-13.

During his time with the 66ers, Tulsa was assigned seven players from Oklahoma City a total of 50 times (the most in the league during that stretch), including current Thunder players Reggie Jackson, Perry Jones, Jeremy Lamb and Andre Roberson. Rajakovic has also seen five of his 66ers players receive call-ups to the NBA, including four to the Thunder (Grant Jerrett, Daniel Orton, Mustafa Shakur and Reggie Williams). He coached 11 Tulsa players over the past two years who were on an NBA roster in the 2013-14 season.

Prior to joining the 66ers, Rajakovic spent the previous three years as the head coach of Espacio Torrelodones of the Spanish EBA League. In his first season (2009), Rajakovic led Torrelodones to the Primera Division de Baloncesto title, promoting the team to the Liga EBA.

Rajakovic began his coaching career at 16 years old with BC Borac Cacak in Cacak, Serbia. Following his three-year stint in Cacak, Rajakovic was named the head coach of the U-20 and U-18 teams of Red Star Belgrade. During his eight years in Belgrade, Rajakovic led Red Star to two Serbian championships. Rajakovic received a basketball coaching degree from the Belgrade Basketball Academy in 2004 and a degree in sports management from BK University in Belgrade in 2006.

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.