Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Magic sign Dewayne Dedmon for rest of season

Magic sign Dewayne Dedmon for rest of season

The Orlando Magic have signed center Dewayne Dedmon for the remainder of the regular season, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. Dedmon originally signed his first of two 10-day contracts on Feb. 25.

Dedmon (#3, 7’0”, 255, 8/12/89) has appeared in three games with Orlando, averaging 2.3 ppg. and 1.0 rpg. in 2.0 minpg. He has played in 18 combined games this season with Golden State, Philadelphia and Orlando, averaging 2.5 ppg. and 2.9 rpg. in 9.0 minpg. He also appeared in 15 games with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League, averaging 15.2 ppg., 13.1 rpg., 1.3 apg., 2.33 blkpg. and 1.53 stlpg. in 33.7 minpg.

Not drafted by an NBA team in 2013, Dedmon played in 51 games (49 starts) during his two-year career at USC, averaging 7.1 ppg., 6.7 rpg. and 1.67 blkpg. In 2012-13 as a redshirt junior, he appeared in 31 games (29 starts), averaging 6.7 ppg., 7.0 rpg., 2.13 blkpg. and 1.10 stlpg. in 22.3 minpg. He led the Trojans in rebounding and blocked shots. Dedmon did not play organized basketball until his senior year of high school due to religious reasons and played one season at Antelope Valley College in his hometown of Lancaster, CA, before transferring to USC.

In addition, the second 10-day contract of guard-forward Adonis Thomas has expired. Thomas appeared in four games with Orlando, averaging 2.3 ppg. and 1.0 rpg. in 7.6 minpg.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 13 players.

Sixers sign James Nunnally, waive Eric Maynor

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced that they have signed forward James Nunnally to a 10-day contract. He is the 37th “Call-Up” of the 2013-14 NBA Development League season

In 35 games for the Bakersfield Jam and the Texas Legends of the D-League, Nunnally is averaging 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. The D-League All-Star was also called up by the Atlanta Hawks on January 11, 2014 and appeared in four games.

In a related move, the Sixers have waived guard Eric Maynor. The Sixers originally acquired Maynor – along with New Orleans’ 2015 second-round draft pick and Denver’s 2016 second-round draft pick – as part of a three-team trade on February 20, 2014.

Thunder sign Mustafa Shakur to 10-day contract

Thunder sign Mustafa Shakur to 10-day contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed guard Mustafa Shakur to a 10-day contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Shakur (6-3, 190), has appeared in 37 games (36 starts) with the Erie BayHawks and Tulsa 66ers this season, averaging 16.7 points, 6.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.92 steals in 34.4 minutes per contest. Since joining the 66ers on January 22, Shakur has averaged 18.6 points, 6.7 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 2.65 steals and 36.2 minutes in 20 games (19 starts) while being named NBA D-League Player of the Month during February.

The University of Arizona product has appeared in 22 career NBA games with the Washington Wizards, averaging 2.3 points, 1.1 assists and 1.0 rebound in 7.2 minutes per game. He spent time on the Thunder roster during the 2009-10 season but did not appear in any games.

Shakur’s signing represents the 36th D-League Gatorade Call-Up this season and the seventh Call-Up all-time between the 66ers and the Thunder.

The guard is expected to join the Thunder prior to tonight’s game versus the Dallas Mavericks in Oklahoma City, Okla.

He will wear uniform #22.

Miami Heat sign Justin Hamilton, release DeAndre Liggins

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed center Justin Hamilton and released guard DeAndre Liggins from his 10-day contract

Hamilton appeared in 37 games (all starts) with the HEAT’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, earlier this season and averaged 19.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.03 blocks, 1.5 assists and 35.8 minutes while shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from three-point range and 81.2 percent from the foul line. He recently appeared in one game with Charlotte, recording one steal in 3:44 minutes of action, after signing a 10-day contract with the Bobcats on March 4.

Hamilton, a 2014 NBA D-League All-Star, was originally drafted in the second round (45th overall) by Philadelphia in the 2012 NBA Draft and was acquired by the HEAT in a draft night trade. He appeared in five preseason games with Miami and averaged 2.6 points and 1.0 rebounds in 5.6 minutes. Additionally, Hamilton appeared in three 2012 Summer League games with the HEAT totaling 27 points and 12 rebounds in 56:43 minutes of action while shooting 8-of-17 from the field and a perfect 11-of-11 from the foul line. He then split the 2012-13 season with both VEF Riga (Latvia) of the VTB United League and Cibona (Croatia) of the Adriatic League before joining the Skyforce.

Hamilton will wear number 7.

Liggins, who was signed to two 10-day contracts by the HEAT, appeared in one game with Miami totaling two points and one rebound in 1:24 minutes.

Sixers sign Darius Johnson-Odom, waive Lorenzo Brown

The Philadelphia 76ers, who pretty much need help in every way imaginable these days, announced today that they have signed guard Darius Johnson-Odom to a 10-day contract. He is the 34th “Call-Up” of the 2013-14 NBA Development League season.

In 27 games for the Springfield Armor of the D-League this season, Johnson-Odom averaged 22.0 points, 6.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals. He is one of only two players to rank top-eight in both scoring and assists.

A three-year player at Marquette, Johnson-Odom was named First-Team All-BIG East and honorable mention All-America by the Associated Press in his final season with the Golden Eagles and helped the team reach the Sweet 16.

In a related move, the Sixers have waived guard Lorenzo Brown.

The team has a 15-49 record and is on an 18-game losing streak.

Kobe Bryant will not return to play this season

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who is recovering from a fractured lateral tibial plateau of his left knee, was examined today by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo, who determined that Bryant’s injury has still not healed. With this diagnosis, Bryant will not return to play this season, it was announced today by the team.

“With Kobe’s injury still not healed, the amount of time he’d need to rehab and be ready to play, and the amount of time remaining in the season, we’ve simply run out of time for him to return,” said Athletic Trainer Gary Vitti. “However, Kobe will have the entire offseason to heal, rehab and prepare, and we look forward to him being 100% for the start of next season.”

“Obviously this has been a frustrating and disappointing season, but I appreciate all the support I’ve received from the Lakers and the fans, and look forward to being back and ready for the start of training camp,” said Bryant.

According to ESPN.com News Services, “In all, Bryant played six games this season, averaging 13.8 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 42.5 percent shooting from the field. The Lakers are 22-42, tied for the worst record in the Western Conference. Los Angeles signed Bryant to a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension in November. The five-time NBA champion called his recovery “a slow process” during a news conference in New Orleans at All-Star Weekend last month.”

Also according to ESPN.com News Services, “The Lakers still must pay Bryant his entire $30.453 million salary for the 2013-14 season, and an insurance policy will cover only 15.6 percent of it ($4.75 million). After a player misses 41 consecutive games because of an injury, the league’s insurance policy kicks in. Starting with the 42nd game, the insurance pays for 80 percent of the player’s salary for games missed.”

Cavs sign Shane Edwards to 10-day contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Shane Edwards from the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers exclusively owned and operated NBA Development League team, to a 10-day contract, Cavaliers acting General Manager David Griffin announced today. To create the roster spot for Edwards, the team released forward Arinze Onuaku from his second 10-Day contract that was set to expire on March 13th.

Edwards has appeared in 40 games (32 starts) for the Charge this season, averaging 13.3 points on .547 shooting and 5.5 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game. The 6-7, 220-pound forward has scored 15 or more points 15 times on the season, including in 9 of his last 11 games, and has two double-doubles for the year.

Edwards will join the team in Phoenix today and will be available for tonight’s game against the Suns. He will wear jersey number 24.

Cavs forward Anthony Bennett injured, out around 3 weeks

Cavs forward Anthony Bennett injured, out around 3 weeks

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie forward Anthony Bennett was examined yesterday by Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health. His exam and MRI revealed a left patellar tendon strain.

He will be OUT approximately three weeks while receiving treatment and continued evaluation.

His status will be updated as appropriate.

Bennett hasn’t played much in his first NBA season, averaging just 4.1 points in 12.7 minutes per game for the 24-40 Cavs.

According to the Associated Press, “Bennett has appeared lost at times on the floor, and it hasn’t helped that he’s put added pressure on himself trying to live up to being the top pick. Through it all, Bennett has continued to work hard and there have been flashes of the 6-foot-8, 260-pounder’s immense talent and potential. The Cavs will likely take a cautious approach with Bennett, and unless they move themselves into playoff position, it’s possible his season could be over. Bennett’s averaging only 4.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13 minutes per game.”

Knicks sign Shannon Brown and Earl Clark to second 10-day contracts

Knicks sign Shannon Brown and Earl Clark to second 10-day contracts

New York Knicks President and General Manager Steve Mills announced today that the team has signed guard Shannon Brown and forward Earl Clark each to second 10-day contracts.

Brown, 6-4, 210-pounds, is averaging 1.4 points and 1.0 rebounds over 8.3 minutes in seven games with New York.

Clark, 6-10, 234-pounds, is averaging 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds over 6.6 minutes in six games with New York.