NBA News Blog – Page 893 – NBA Blog

Maloofs want to sell Kings, but maintain piece of control

The family that owns the Sacramento Kings wants to maintain a say in how the team is run if they sell it to Chris Hansen, creating a possible snag in the sale negotiation, an NBA source told The Seattle Times.

The Maloof family has owned the team since 1998, and brothers Joe and Gavin have been particularly involved and visible presences in the franchise since day one.

An initial Yahoo! Sports report on the sale, since confirmed by others, is that the family would retain a small percentage in the team. But the question now, according to the source, is whether that percentage also would allow the Maloofs some say in how the team is run.

The source said it goes beyond dollars and cents and stressed how important being involved in the NBA has been to the family.

— Reported by Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times

Suns assign guard Diante Garrett to D-League

The Phoenix Suns today assigned rookie guard Diante Garrett to the Bakersfield Jam, Phoenix’s NBA Development League affiliate. The assignment is the record 100th of the 2012-13 NBA and NBA D-League seasons while Garrett becomes the record 49th NBA Player to have been assigned this season.

Garrett (6-4, 190, Iowa State) has appeared in six games for the Suns this season, scoring five points and dishing out seven assists in 30 minutes.

Signed by Phoenix as a free agent in Oct., 2012, Garrett was a member of the Suns’ Las Vegas Summer League team following a season playing overseas in 2011-12. A four-year contributor at Iowa State, he is one of only three players in Big 12 history to amass 1,300 points and 600 assists in his collegiate career.

Garrett is expected to join the Jam today and be available on Friday, Jan. 11, when the team hosts the Los Angeles D-Fenders at 10 p.m. ET.

The Suns are struggling this season, and with a 12-25 record are currently the 14th seed in the Western conference. They are in Brooklyn Friday to face the Nets.

Miami Heat bring back center Josh Harrellson on a 10-day contract

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have brought back center Josh Harrellson, signing him to a 10-day contract.

Harrellson, who was signed by Miami earlier this season on September 17, appeared in five games with the HEAT totaling 10 points, seven rebounds, one steal and a block in 28 minutes of action while shooting 4-of-8 from the field before being waived on January 7.

Harrellson was originally a second-round draft choice (45th overall) by the New Orleans Hornets in the 2011 NBA Draft. His draft rights were then acquired by New York as he appeared in 37 games (four starts) last season with the Knicks and averaged 4.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 14.6 minutes while shooting 42.3 percent from the field.

The HEAT’s roster now stands at 15.

Anderson Varejao undergoes knee surgery, out 6-8 weeks

Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao underwent successful surgery today at the Cleveland Clinic to repair a small split in his vastus medialis muscle that was part of the knee contusion he experienced on December 18th during the Cavaliers game against the Toronto Raptors at Quicken Loans Arena. The surgery was performed by Cavaliers Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker and Dr. Jim Rosneck. Varejao is resting comfortably and will be admitted overnight. Rehab guidelines will be established today and he is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks.

Cavs guard Daniel Gibson (concussion) and guard/forward C.J. Miles (low back strain) both practiced today and are listed as PROBABLE for tomorrow night’s game in Denver.

Greg Oden hopes to return to NBA next season

Nearly a year removed from his latest knee surgery, former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden has decided to resume his playing career but is not planning to return to the NBA before the 2013-14 season, according to sources close to the situation.

Sources told ESPN.com that multiple teams have already expressed interest in signing Oden to a multi-year deal before the end of this season that would allow him to continue his rehab until he can get back on the court in training camp next fall.

The Miami Heat are at the front of the line in pursuing Oden, two sources said, and have been keeping tabs as he recovers while also taking classes at Ohio State.

Sources say that the Heat, though, are not alone in their pursuit of the former No. 1 overall pick.

— Reported by Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN.com

Seattle investor seeking to buy Kings

Investor Chris Hansen has contacted the Maloof family about buying the Sacramento Kings, setting up the possibility of the NBA’s return to Seattle.

Hansen’s interest was confirmed Wednesday by people with knowledge of the situation. They spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because no deal has been reached.

One person said the Kings could sell for more than $500 million. The Kings’ future in Sacramento has been uncertain because the Maloofs and the city haven’t been able to come up with a long-term arena solution.

Yahoo! Sports first reported the discussions between the Kings and Hansen. Yahoo! reported a possible sale could land the Kings in Seattle for the 2013-14 season where the team would play at KeyArena as a temporary home until a new arena is constructed.

”I know as much as you do,” Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said when asked about the situation. ”If it’s true, ain’t it cool?”

His counterpart in Sacramento thought the news anything but cool. At an afternoon news conference, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said Wednesday was significant because for the first time Kings fans know the team is for sale. Johnson said he would do all he could to try to find a buyer with a Sacramento connection to possibly purchase the team and keep it in California’s capital city.

— Reported by Tim Booth of the Associated Press

Carmelo Anthony suspended one game for confrontation with Kevin Garnett

New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony has been suspended for one game without pay for confronting Boston’s Kevin Garnett in the arena tunnel, near the players’ locker rooms, and in the parking garage following the Celtics at Knicks game on January 7, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

“There are no circumstances in which it is acceptable for a player to confront an opponent after a game,” Jackson said. “Carmelo Anthony attempted to engage with Kevin Garnett multiple times after Monday’s game and therefore a suspension was warranted.”

Anthony will serve his suspension on January 10 when the Knicks play the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Kevin Love injury update: Out 8-10 weeks

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that after an examination by Dr. Andy Weiland, a hand specialist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, forward Kevin Love will require surgery to repair the third and fourth metacarpal in his right hand. He injured his hand during the third quarter of the Jan. 3 game at Denver.

Details of the surgery expected to be announced tomorrow. Love is expected to be sidelined for 8-10 weeks.

For the season, Love has played in 18 games and leads the Wolves in scoring (18.3 ppg), rebounds (14.0 rpg) and double-doubles (14).

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Miami Heat sign forward Jarvis Varnado to 10-day contract

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed forward Jarvis Varnado to a 10-day contract.

Varnado, who was signed by Boston this season on December 14, appeared in five games with the Celtics totaling six points, three rebounds, one assist and a steal in 18 minutes of action while shooting 2-of-4 from the field before being waived on January 6. He previously played in eight games (all starts) earlier this season for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League and averaged 14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.38 blocks and 30.4 minutes while shooting 57.5 percent from the field.

Varnado was originally a second-round draft choice (41st overall) by the Heat in the 2010 NBA Draft after concluding his collegiate career at Mississippi State as the NCAA’s all-time leader in blocks (564). He was signed earlier this season by Miami on September 7 and waived on October 26 after appearing in two games (one start) on the Heat’s 2012 Summer League team tallying four points, seven rebounds, one steal and a block in 30:07 minutes of action.

The Heat’s roster now stands at 14.

Trail Blazers recall Nolan Smith and Will Barton from D-League

The Portland Trail Blazers have recalled guards Nolan Smith and Will Barton from the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Idaho Stampede, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey.

Portland assigned Smith and Barton to the Stampede on Sunday, Jan. 6. The guards played in both of Idaho’s games at the 2013 NBA D-League Showcase in Reno, Nev., on Monday, Jan. 7 and Tuesday, Jan. 8.

Smith posted averages of 22.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.00 steal and 38.0 minutes per game. Smith led Idaho with a game-high 28 points on Jan. 7 against Texas.

Barton averaged 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.50 steals and 33.5 minutes per contest. The first-year guard out of Memphis tied for the team lead in rebounds (8) and assists (6) vs. Texas on Jan. 7.

Both players will be in Portland for today’s practice and are available for tomorrow’s game vs. Miami.