Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Sacramento Kings, Jimmer Fredette agree to contract buyout

The Sacramento Kings and guard Jimmer Fredette have mutually agreed to a contract buyout, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

“This was a very tough decision, but we’re confident that the agreement reached today represents the most productive path forward, both for Jimmer and the Kings,” said D’Alessandro. “Echoing a sentiment that everyone who knows him appreciates about Jimmer, he’s a tremendous person and a consummate professional. We thank him for the meaningful contributions he made to the team and in the Sacramento community. On behalf of an entire organization, we wish him nothing but great success in the future.”

Through 41 games, Fredette is averaging 5.9 points (.475 FG%, .493 3pt%, .895 FT%), 1.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 11.3 minutes per game in 41 games off the bench. He has accrued career averages of 7.0 points (.416 FG%, .402 3pt%, .855 FT%), 1.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 15.0 minutes per game in 171 career contests with Sacramento.

DeMarcus Cousins suspended and fined

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has been suspended one game without pay and fined $20,000 for his actions in separate incidents, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

Cousins has been suspended for punching Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley in the stomach with 9:44 remaining in the first quarter of the Kings’ 129-103 loss to the Houston Rockets on Feb. 25, at Sleep Train Arena.

In addition, Cousins has been fined for verbally abusing a game official and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection with 8:21 remaining in the third quarter of the same game.

Cousins will serve his suspension on Friday, Feb. 28, when the Kings visit the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.

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Atlanta Hawks sign Mike Muscala

Atlanta Hawks sign Mike Muscala

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward/center Mike Muscala to a contract, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry.

Prior to signing with the Hawks, Muscala had played the 2013-14 season with Blusens Monbus Obradoiro of the ACB League in Spain. The 6-foot-11, 230-pounder had averages of 14.6 points (seventh in the ACB) on .546 shooting, a league-leading 7.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 26.3 minutes per game through 20 games.  He shot .871 from the free throw line and ranked sixth in the league (17.0) in Performance Index Rating, a Euroleague basketball statistic similar to the NBA’s PER.

“We are really excited that Mike was available to join our team. We’ve closely monitored Mike and his progress throughout the ACB season.  Coach Fernandez and his Obradoiro CAB club did an excellent job with his continued development,” Ferry said. “Due to our current injuries, Mike’s representatives presented the concept of Mike joining us for the remainder of the season. With our roster situation and his strong play, we felt now was a good time to add Mike to our program,” Ferry said.

The Hawks acquired the draft rights to Muscala (44th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft) in a trade with Dallas on June 28, 2013. He will wear No. 31.

A four-year letterman at Bucknell (2009-2013), Muscala (muss-KAL-uh) finished his career first on the school’s all-time scoring list (2,036 points), and second in rebounds (1,093) and blocks (271).  He was named the Patriot League Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, while also garnering First Team All-Patriot League and Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America honors, after averaging 18.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 2.3 assists in 31.7 minutes in 34 games (.509 FG%, .453 3FG%, .789 FT%).  In 133 career games, the 6-11 forward/center tallied 15.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.6 in assists in 28.7 minutes (.501 FG%, .435 3FG%, .819 FT%). Muscala, 22, is a native of St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Grizzlies claim Beno Udrih off waivers

grizzlies sign beno udrih

The Memphis Grizzlies claimed guard Beno Udrih (BEYN-oh OO-dreeh) off waivers, the team announced today.

Udrih (6-3, 205) joins Memphis with career averages of 8.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists on .461 shooting in 23.3 minutes in 659 games (255 starts) over 10 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs (2004-07), Sacramento Kings (2007-11), Milwaukee Bucks (2011-13), Orlando Magic (2012-13) and New York Knicks (2013-14).

The 31-year-old averaged 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists on .425 shooting in 19.0 minutes in 31 games (12 starts) with New York this season before being waived on Feb. 24.

A two-time NBA champion with San Antonio (2005, 2007), Udrih owns career postseason averages of 2.9 points and 0.9 assists in 8.6 minutes in 36 playoff appearances.

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 internationally in Slovenia (1998-2002), Israel (2002-03), Italy (2003-04) and Russia (2003-04).

The Grizzlies’ roster now stands at 15 players.

Knicks sign Shannon Brown, Earl Clark to 10-day contracts

shannon brown

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

Brown, 6-4, 210-pounds, holds career averages of 8.0 points and 1.9 rebounds over 18.5 minutes in 384 games (58 starts) over eight seasons with Cleveland, Chicago, L.A. Lakers, Charlotte, Phoenix and San Antonio. He appeared in 10 games (one start) for San Antonio this season, averaging 2.3 points and 1.3 rebounds over 10.3 minutes. The two-time NBA Champion (2009, 2010) with the Lakers was originally selected following junior season at Michigan State University by Cleveland in the first round (25th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft.

Clark, 6-10, 234-pounds, holds career averages of 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds over 14.3 minutes in 242 games (54 starts) over five seasons with Phoenix, Orlando, L.A. Lakers and Cleveland. He averaged 5.2 points and 2.8 rebounds over 15.5 minutes in 45 games (17 starts) with Cleveland this season before he was acquired by Philadelphia on Feb. 20. He was originally selected following his junior season at the University of Louisville by Phoenix in the first round (14th overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft.

Sixers, Danny Granger agree on buyout

Sixers, Danny Granger agree on buyout

According to Philly.com, “The Danny Granger Era in Philadelphia ended quicker than Andrew Bynum’s. As expected, the 76ers and Granger agreed to a contract buyout on Wednesday. The team announced the deal before the 76ers took the floor against the Orlando Magic at the Wells Fargo Center.”

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, “The 76ers negotiated a buyout of what’s left of the forward’s expiring contract on Wednesday, six days after he was acquired in a trade with the Indiana Pacers. Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie wouldn’t disclose the buyout amount. Granger, however, was slated to receive around $4 million for the rest of the season. Assuming he clears waivers by 5 p.m. Friday, the 6-foot-9, 228-pounder can sign with a team of his choice. He is reportedly looking at championship contenders: the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, and San Antonio Spurs.”

And, here’s a statement from 76ers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Sam Hinkie, regarding Danny Granger:

“His accomplishments and accolades to this point of his NBA career more than speak for themselves, so I would like to express that I have a great deal of respect for Danny Granger as a person. The manner with which he carried himself throughout this process was professional, courteous and respectful, and speaks volumes about his character.

“Following the completion of the trade on Thursday night, Danny traveled to Philadelphia and we had an opportunity to meet with him here. These were in addition to the open lines of communication with his agent Aaron Mintz and CAA while we worked through the next steps.

“Given Danny’s future goals and his desire to pursue them, we worked to fulfill his requests and have come to a resolution that we feel is mutually beneficial to both Danny and our organization.

“We wish Danny the best in the next phase of his career.”

Kings sign Orlando Johnson to 10-day contract

The Sacramento Kings today signed guard Orlando Johnson to a 10-day contract, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

Johnson averaged 2.4 points (.344 FG%, .195 3pt%, .773 FT%), 1.3 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 9.0 minutes per game with Indiana before being waived on February 20, 2014. In his third NBA season, he has accrued career averages of 3.3 points (.380 FG%, .326 3pt%, .741 FT%), 1.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 10.8 minutes per game in 89 contests.

Originally drafted by the Kings in the second round (36th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft, Johnson’s draft rights were traded to the Pacers for cash considerations on draft night, June 28, 2012.

Wizards sign Drew Gooden to 10-day contract

Wizards sign Drew Gooden to 10-day contract

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed forward Drew Gooden to a 10-day contract.

“We will rely on all of our frontcourt players to step up and contribute as we go through this stretch without Nene,” said Grunfeld. “Signing Drew gives us size, shooting ability and experience to add to that mix.”

Gooden (6-10, 230) has played 11 seasons with Memphis, Orlando, Cleveland, Chicago, Sacramento, San Antonio, Dallas, the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee, appearing in 687 career regular season games (493 starts) while averaging 11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 27.0 minutes per contest. He has shot .465 (3,213-6,913) from the field and .759 (1,634-2,154) from the free throw line. The former fourth overall pick (2002 by Memphis) last played during the 2012-13 campaign with Milwaukee, where he averaged 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 16 games. Gooden has averaged 10.5 points and 8.2 rebounds in 27.1 minutes over 44 career postseason games with Orlando, Cleveland and San Antonio, including a run to the 2007 NBA Finals with the Cavaliers.

Kendrick Perkins out six weeks after surgery

Kendrick Perkins out six weeks after surgery

Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins underwent a successful procedure on his left groin, the team announced today.

The injury occurred during the third quarter of the Feb. 20 game versus the Miami Heat. This season Perkins has appeared in 54 games (all starts) averaging 3.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.7 minutes per contest.

Perkins is expected to miss approximately six weeks.