NBA News Blog – Page 837 – NBA Blog

Charlotte Bobcats re-sign Jannero Pargo

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has re-signed guard Jannero Pargo. We assume it’s for the league minimum, but this hasn’t been confirmed.

Pargo is considered bench support. He’s a reserve who can help a team in limited minutes.

The 6-1 Pargo joined the Bobcats on March 14, 2013, signing the first of two 10-day contracts before signing for the remainder of the season on April 3. He saw action in 18 games, averaging 8.4 points, 1.9 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 16.2 minutes. Pargo shot .401 from the field (57-142), .382 from beyond the three-point line (29-76) and .889 from the free-throw line (8-9).

A nine-year NBA veteran, Pargo has played in 461 career games with the Lakers, Raptors, Bulls, Hornets, Hawks, Wizards and Bobcats. He has career averages of 6.5 points, 2.0 assists and 1.5 rebounds, while shooting .389 from the field (1161-2987), .352 from beyond the three-point line (367-1042) and .868 from the free-throw line (309-356).

Gani Lawal will play basketball in Latvia

Latvian champ VEF Riga made official on Friday the acquisition of big man Gani Lawal for the next season. Lawal (2.05 meters, 25 years old) arrives from Virtus Roma of Italy, where last season he averaged 13.7 points, led all players in rebounds with 8.4 and was second in blocks with 1.5 in 47 Italian League games. After that, he played two games in China with Guangzhou Liu Sui. Lawal played college ball at Georgia Tech from 2007 to 2010.

Reported by Euroleague.net

Bobcats to re-sign Jannero Pargo; Anthony Tolliver could be next

The Charlotte Bobcats are bringing back Jannero Pargo to serve as their third point guard and could soon add forward Anthony Tolliver.

Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins told the Observer the team has come to terms with Pargo and has offered Tolliver a one-year, veteran-minimum contract.

Pargo was with the Bobcats their last 17 games last season, filling in after backup point guard Ramon Sessions suffered a season-ending knee sprain. A nine-season NBA veteran, Pargo averaged 8.6 points, 1.9 assists and just over 16 minutes. He was particularly helpful as a 3-point shooter, making 38 percent of his attempts for a team that was 27th among 30 teams in that statistic.

Reported by Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer (Blog)

New York Knicks sign Beno Udrih

New York Knicks Executive Vice President and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has signed guard Beno Udrih. According to New York Newsday, the contract is a one-year deal worth the $1.272 million league minimum.

“Beno is a solid addition to our backcourt where he will give us more depth and flexibility,” Grunwald said. “He is a talented and experienced floor general who brings championship experience to our locker room.”

According to the New York Post, “the 6-foot-3 Slovenian point guard signed with the Knicks for less money, agreeing to his veterans minimum of $1.27 million as the Knicks put a solid capper to their summer maneuverings. They were desperate for a third point guard because they like to pair Raymond Felton and Pablo Prigioni together in the backcourt. After seasons with the Kings, Bucks and Magic, Udrih wanted to win again. His agent, Marc Cornstein, said Udrih had “many offers,’’ including at least one for more than the minimum.”

Udrih, 6-3, 205-pounds, holds career averages of 9.1 points, on 46.2-percent shooting, 3.6 assists and 2.2 rebounds over 23.5 minutes in 628 games (243 starts) over nine seasons with San Antonio, Sacramento, Milwaukee and Orlando. The two-time NBA champion (with the Spurs – 2005, 2007), recorded 8.2 points, 4.6 assists, 2.1 rebounds and a 2.80 assists-per-turnover ratio (13th best in NBA) over 66 games (nine starts) with the Bucks and Magic last season.

The native of Slovenia was selected by San Antonio in the first round (28th overall) of 2004 NBA Draft. Prior to the NBA, he played internationally in Slovenia (1998-2002), Israel (2002-03), Italy (2003-04) and Russia (2003-04).

Portland Trail Blazers sign Mo Williams

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent guard Mo Williams, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey.

Williams, 30, holds career averages of 13.8 points (44.0% FG, 38.6% 3PT, 86.9% FT), 2.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 0.95 steals in 10 seasons with Milwaukee, Cleveland, the L.A. Clippers and Utah.

“As a player, Mo is an explosive scorer and willing facilitator,” said Olshey. “As a person, his character and professionalism will set an outstanding example for our young players on the court, in the locker room and in the Portland community.”

An NBA All-Star in 2009, Williams averaged 12.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, a team-high 6.2 assists and 1.00 steal for the Jazz last season.

“I’m very excited to be back with Mo again,” said Trail Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts. “He adds versatility, scoring and veteran leadership to the team.”

Williams (6-1, 195) played collegiately at Alabama and was selected by Utah with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft.

He will wear No. 7 for the Trail Blazers.

Wolves rookie Shabazz Muhammad starts pro career with misstep

Timberwolves guard Shabazz Muhammad was sent home from the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program, reportedly for violating a rule by bringing a female guest to his hotel room.

The story was first reported by USA Today. Muhammad, the 14th overall pick in the 2013 draft, will be fined and required to return to finish the program next year.

“We have been made aware of the circumstances surrounding Shabazz Muhammad’s dismissal from the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program in New Jersey,” said Flip Saunders, the Wolves president of basketball operations, in a team news release. “The team fully supports the NBA’s rules and policies in all matters pertaining to this situation and we will abide by the league’s action.”

Reported by Kent Youngblood of the Minneapolis Star Tribune

OKC Thunder sign forward Ryan Gomes

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed forward Ryan Gomes, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

An intelligent veteran, Gomes should do nicely providing bench depth at the forward spots.

Gomes (6-7, 245) has appeared in 482 games (371 starts) with Boston, Minnesota and the LA Clippers, owning career averages of 10.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 27.9 minutes per game. The 50th overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft most recently played for the Artland Dragons of the Basketball Bundesliga in Germany.

The forward from Providence College, led the Big East in scoring his senior year, averaging 21.6 points per game as he was named Honorable Mention All-American. The two time All-Big East First Team selection finished his career as Providence’s all-time leading scorer with 2,138 points.

Dallas Mavericks sign DeJuan Blair

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed free agent forward/center DeJuan Blair.

We at InsideHoops.com were always impressed by Blair when he was given minutes by the Spurs. He showed flashes of extremely solid talent, and seems like a good signing for the Mavs.

Blair (6-7, 270) is a four-year veteran who was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round (37th overall pick) of the 2009 NBA Draft. He has averaged 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 18.9 minutes in 288 career games (166 starts) with San Antonio.

As a rookie, Blair played in all 82 games and garnered All-Rookie Second Team honors. He emerged as the Spurs’ starting center in just his second season. From 2010-2012, Blair started 127 of the 145 games in which he suited up for San Antonio and averaged 8.9 points and 6.3 rebounds over that two-year span.

Blair boasts two career 20-point/20-rebounds games. One of which came at the expense of the Mavericks on April 14, 2010 when Blair finished with 27 points and 23 rebounds.

The Pittsburgh native attended and played his collegiate basketball at the University of Pittsburgh. He was a two-year starter for the Panthers before entering the NBA Draft following his sophomore season. As a sophomore, Blair was Co-Big East Player of the Year and named consensus All-American by both Associated Press and The Sporting News.

Greg Oden passes physical, officially joins Miami Heat

Greg Oden is signed, sealed and delivered.

After Oden passed his team physical earlier this week, the Miami Heat announced Wednesday that the injury-plagued center is now under contract.

Oden, who agreed to terms Friday, signed a two-year, $2.1 million contract that pays the veteran minimum of $1 million this season, with a player option for 2014-15.

Upon adding Oden, the Heat issued a quote from the center that read, “I am very excited and happy to be here. I’m thankful to the Miami Heat organization for bringing me in and I’m ready to get to work.”

In a statement, Heat President Pat Riley said, “After many months of discussion, evaluations and speaking with Greg, we felt it was the perfect time for him to make his comeback and re-enter the NBA with the Miami Heat.”

Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

New York Knicks sign Jeremy Tyler

Big Jeremy Tyler played well summer league this year, and has been rewarded with a contract.

New York Knicks Executive Vice President and General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has signed Tyler. Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but will be added to this page tonight or tomorrow.

Tyler, 6-10, 260-pounds, holds career averages of 3.6 points and 2.5 rebounds over 10.1 minutes in 63 games (23 starts) over two seasons with Golden State and Atlanta. He appeared in 21 games with the Warriors and Hawks last season, recording 22 total points and 20 rebounds over 68 minutes, before finishing the season with Santa Cruz of the NBA D-League.

The San Diego, CA native averaged 12.8 points and 6.4 rebounds over 17.6 minutes in five games for New York’s entry in the 2013 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, NV. He was originally selected by Charlotte in the second round (39th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft before having his draft rights traded to Golden State. Tyler left San Diego HS, following his junior season, to play internationally with Maccabi Haifa (Israel) and Tokyo Apache (Japan) for two seasons, before becoming draft eligible.