Sixers sign Daniel Orton, waive Tim Ohlbrecht

daniel orton

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced they have signed free agent center Daniel Orton. The Sixers preseason roster stands at 20 players.

Orton (6-10, 255) was originally an early entry candidate for the 2010 NBA Draft following his freshman season at Kentucky and was selected with the 29th overall pick by Orlando. The 23-year-old spent last season with Oklahoma City and also played for the Thunder’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Tulsa 66ers, averaging 12 and a half points, eight rebounds, two assists, a steal and over two blocks per game while shooting 53% from the floor.

In a related move, the Sixers have waived center Tim Ohlbrecht.

The 76ers are very likely going to struggle in dramatic fashion this season. They have a very young, inexperienced roster mostly filled with bench players. They’ll need luck in discovering some hidden gems.

Jazz rookie Trey Burke has finger surgery

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz point guard Trey Burke, who fractured his right index finger during the first half of Saturday’s preseason game vs. the Los Angeles Clippers:

Burke underwent surgery Tuesday to repair the bone fracture in his right index finger. The procedure was performed in Salt Lake City by Dr. Douglas Hutchinson, who reported that the surgery was successful.

Following the procedure, Burke’s index finger was placed in a cast/splint where it will remain for approximately three weeks, at which time he will be re-evaluated by Dr. Hutchinson. Burke will be able to participate in conditioning work during this time period.

He will not travel with the team on its upcoming four-game road trip (October 20-25) that concludes the 2013 preseason schedule.

Selected in the first round (ninth overall pick) of the 2013 NBA Draft, Burke (6-1, 190, Michigan) was acquired by the Jazz in a draft-night trade with Minnesota. Burke spent two seasons at the University of Michigan, where as a sophomore, the point guard led Michigan to the 2013 NCAA Championship Game and was the consensus selection as 2013 National Player of the Year. Burke averaged 18.6 points, 6.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from three-point range in 38 games his sophomore season. His 255 assists set a new Michigan single-season assist record while his 3.02 assist-to-turnover ratio ranked fifth-best in the nation. He also hit the game-tying three pointer to force overtime in a win over Kansas to advance the Wolverines to the Elite Eight.

Chris Duhon injured during hit-and-run

Chris Duhon injured during hit-and-run

Former Bulls guard Chris Duhon was injured during a hit-and-run incident Saturday at a downtown Orlando parking garage, according to an Orlando police report.

Duhon and his brother-in-law, Julio Hernandez, were walking through the Plaza parking garage when an unidentified man driving a black Lexus honked at them to get out of the way of his vehicle. Hernandez told police Duhon and the driver shouted at each other, then the driver pointed his Lexus toward the men. Hernandez told officers he jumped out of the way, but Duhon was hit and slammed his head against the windshield. The driver of the Lexus left the scene.

Duhon was taken to an Orlando hospital for treatment and told officers he could not recall the incident.

Reported by Iliana Limon Romero of the Orlando Sentinel

Utah Jazz waive Dwayne Jones II

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has waived center/forward Dwayne Jones II. Following the move, the Jazz roster now stands at 19 players.

Jones II (6-11, 250, Saint Joseph’s) appeared in one preseason game for Utah.

As NBA preseason continues, lots of players around the league who were signed to non-guaranteed “training camp contracts” will be let go. Regular season rosters can only be 15 players or fewer.

The Jazz will tip off its 40th NBA campaign against Northwest Division rival Oklahoma City Thunder on October 30 at EnergySolutions Arena at 7 p.m. MT (ROOT, 1280 AM/97.5 FM).

Jazz rookie Trey Burke injury update: He will have surgery on broken finger

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz point guard Trey Burke, who fractured his right index finger during the first half of Saturday’s preseason game vs. the Los Angeles Clippers:

Following several medical consultations, it was determined that Burke will undergo surgery to repair the bone fracture in his right index finger. The procedure will be performed on Tuesday in Salt Lake City by Dr. Douglas Hutchinson. An estimated time for recovery will be provided following the completion of the procedure.

Selected in the first round (ninth overall pick) of the 2013 NBA Draft, Burke (6-1, 190, Michigan) was acquired by the Jazz in a draft-night trade with Minnesota. Burke spent two seasons at the University of Michigan, where as a sophomore, the point guard led Michigan to the 2013 NCAA Championship Game and was the consensus selection as 2013 National Player of the Year. Burke averaged 18.6 points, 6.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from three-point range in 38 games his sophomore season. His 255 assists set a new Michigan single-season assist record while his 3.02 assist-to-turnover ratio ranked fifth-best in the nation. He also hit the game-tying three pointer to force overtime in a win over Kansas to advance the Wolverines to the Elite Eight.

Kings forward Carl Landry out 3-4 months

Kings forward Carl Landry out 3-4 months

The Sacramento Kings need all the help they get. But their situation just got even tougher.

A recent MRI taken at Kaiser Permanente revealed that Kings forward Carl Landry suffered a tear in his left hip flexor muscle (rectus femoris) during a recent training camp practice. Surgery to repair the injury has been scheduled for Tuesday morning and will be performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia. Landry is expected to miss approximately three to four months of action.

A six-year NBA veteran in his second stint with the Kings, Landry is averaging 11.9 ppg (.536 FG%, .784 FT%) and 5.3 rpg in 389 career contests.

The Kings are going to struggle this upcoming season. Competing for a spot in the playoffs is not likely. And this just makes things even rougher.

Atlanta Hawks waive David Lighty, Adonis Thomas, Damien Wilkins

The Atlanta Hawks have waived David Lighty, Adonis Thomas and Damien Wilkins, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry.

Lighty and Thomas appeared in one game apiece for the Hawks during preseason, while Wilkins played in two.

The Hawks training camp roster stands at 17.

As NBA preseason continues, lots of players around the league who were signed to non-guaranteed contracts will be waived