NBA News Blog – Page 896 – NBA Blog

Dwight Howard to get MRI on shoulder

The Lakers training staff will have more work. After posting 19 points and tying a career-high 26 rebounds, Howard aggravated his right shoulder and will receive an MRI this morning. Howard remains optimistic he will be fine, but what about the team’s progress?

“It’s a tough stretch, but we have to stay together. We can’t point the finger at anybody,” Howard said. “It seems like everything is against us right now, but we have to keep our heads and stay together.”

Few have such patience.

A loud group of Lakers fans yelled out “We want Phil” a not-so-subtle suggestion they’d rather have Phil Jackson coach this current group. Clearly, they’re pinning the Lakers’ poor defense on D’Antoni, who has never had a good reputation in that department. Meanwhile, Gasol and Nash each picked up technicals.

— Reported by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News

Celtics have looked into trading for DeMarcus Cousins

According to league sources, the Celtics have, indeed, inquired about Cousins, but that shouldn’t come as a great revelation in that they, like most every NBA club, are constantly checking the marketplace to see if a bargain can be had.

Word is, however, that the Kings are asking for a high draft pick and people who can help them now. So, forgetting the fact the Celts’ first-round pick will be middle of the road at best, would you want to part with a young starter (and more) for someone as uncertain as Cousins?

Considering the talent the Kings already have in the backcourt, it’s possible the Celtics can’t even muster something that would be attractive enough for Sacramento — at least not at this moment. And you’d have to question whether you’d give up even equal talent for this guy, his abilities notwithstanding. What we know right now is that the Kings aren’t inclined to hold a fire sale.

— Reported by Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald

Celtics waive Kris Joseph and Jarvis Varnado

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have waived forwards Kris Joseph and Jarvis Varnado.

Joseph, a 6’7” forward, appeared in six games for the Celtics and averaged 1.2 points in 4.0 minutes per game. Varnado, a 6’9” forward, appeared in five games for the Celtics and averaged 1.2 points in 3.6 minutes per game

The Celtics roster now stands at 13.

Mavericks waive Chris Douglas-Roberts

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have requested waivers on guard Chris Douglas-Roberts. He was signed as a free agent by Dallas on Dec. 23, 2012.

Douglas-Roberts (6-7, 210) played in six games for Dallas and averaged 2.8 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 10.5 minutes.

Prior to his stint with the Mavericks, Douglas-Roberts (6-7, 210) played in 11 games (all starts) for the NBA D-League’s Texas Legends. He averaged a league-high 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.9 steals in 38.5 minutes per game. In those 11 contests, he shot 49.4 percent (79-160 FGs) from the field, 39.5 percent (15-38 3FGs) from 3-point range and 90.4 percent (75-83 FTs) from the line.

The Mavericks’ roster now stands at 14 players.

Sixers waive Maalik Wayns, recall Arnett Moultrie from D-League

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that they have recalled rookie forward Arnett Moultrie from their NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce and waived rookie guard Maalik Wayns. The Sixers roster now stands at 13.

Moultrie (6-10, 245) was the 27th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by Miami. He was traded to Philadelphia on draft night in exchange for the draft rights to Justin Hamilton (45th overall pick) and a protected future first round pick

In seven games during his assignment with the Skyforce, Moultrie averaged 9.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 26.3 minutes per game. He has appeared in 11 games for the Sixers this season.

Wayns (6-1, 195) was not selected in the 2012 NBA Draft following his junior season with Villanova. He signed as a free agent with the Sixers on July 31 and saw action in 20 games this season, averaging 2.5 points and 1.0 assists in 7.8 minutes per game.

Trail Blazers assign Will Barton and Nolan Smith to D-League

The Portland Trail Blazers have assigned guards Will Barton and Nolan Smith to the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League, it was announced today by Trail Blazers General Manager Neil Olshey.

The two players will join the Stampede for the NBA Development League Showcase in Reno, Nev. The Stampede are first scheduled to play on Monday, Jan. 7, against Texas.

Barton appeared in two games (both starts) with the Stampede from Dec. 7-8, posting averages of 19.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in 42.0 minutes per game. The 6-foot-6 rookie has played in 28 games for the Trail Blazers this season, averaging 2.9 points and 1.4 rebounds in 10.1 minutes. Barton was selected by the Trail Blazers with the 40 th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

In 18 games this season with the Trail Blazers, Smith is averaging 2.5 points and 1.2 assists in 8.2 minutes per game. Now in his second NBA season, Smith was selected by the Trail Blazers with the 21 st pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Pacers waive forward Sam Young

The Indiana Pacers announced Sunday they have waived forward Sam Young, the fourth-year player out of Pitt, was signed as a free agent by the Pacers in September. He played in 28 games and averaged 3.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

Additionally, the Pacers announced Sunday they have recalled rookie center Miles Plumlee from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA D-League.

Timberwolves waive forward Lazar Hayward

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has waived forward Lazar Hayward.

Hayward signed with the Timberwolves as a free agent on Dec. 31. The 6-6 forward appeared in two games for Minnesota and totaled 2 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound in 12 minutes.

Royce White suspended by Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets suspended first-round pick Royce White for ”refusing to provide services” required by his contract on Sunday.

General manager Daryl Morey said Sunday that the team will continue to work with White in hopes of finding a resolution.

White will not be paid during his suspension.

White refused his assignment to Houston’s D-League affiliate a week ago. The 16th overall pick in the June draft has spent most of the season on Houston’s inactive list while he and the team figure out how to handle his anxiety disorder and overall mental health.

White has been vocal on Twitter throughout this saga, and he continued to voice his opinions on the Web site after the announcement Sunday.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Cleveland Cavaliers waive Samardo Samuels

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived forward Samardo Samuels, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts. The Cavaliers roster now stands at 14.

Samuels played in 18 games (one start) this season for the Cavs, averaging 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game. He was signed by the Cavs as a free agent prior to the 2010-11 season and has appeared in 109 games (11 starts) during his career, averaging 5.9 points and 3.4 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game.