NBA News Blog – Page 998 – NBA Blog

Bobcats withdraw qualifying offer to Derrick Brown

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has withdrawn its qualifying offer to forward Derrick Brown. Brown now becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Selected by the Bobcats with the 40th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Brown averaged career highs of 8.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 22.2 minutes in 65 games played last season. In 171 games over three NBA seasons with the Bobcats and Knicks, he has career averages of 5.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 14.9 minutes played.

Bobcats Sports & Entertainment owns the Charlotte Bobcats and operates Charlotte’s Time Warner Cable Arena.

Raptors sign center Jonas Valanciunas

The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have signed center Jonas Valanciunas (YO-nahs vah-lahn-CHEW-nahs) to his rookie scale contract. He is under contract through the 2013-14 season, with two team option years to follow. The Raptors selected the Lithuanian with the fifth overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft.

“We are very pleased to welcome Jonas to the organization,” said Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo. “We are certain that Raptors fans will soon realize that the year-long process was worth the wait.”

Valanciunas, seven-foot, 250 pounds, averaged 14.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 23.5 minutes in 23 Lithuanian league contests this past season with Lietuvos Rytas. He scored in double figures in 17 games and grabbed double-digit totals in rebounds in seven outings. He had a season-best 25 points (8-10 FG) with 12 rebounds and a season-high six blocks November 12 against Pieno Zvaigzdes.

Valanciunas was named 2011 FIBA Europe Young Men’s Player of the Year, earned the Eurocup Rising Star Trophy given to the most outstanding player under 22 and was presented the Lithuanian League All-Star Game Most Entertaining Player award.

Valanciunas appeared in 84 games in the Lithuanian League in his three professional seasons, averaging 11.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. He competed for his country in the 2011 U-19 World Championships, leading Lithuania to the gold medal. He averaged 23.0 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks en route to the Most Valuable Player award. He totaled 36 points, eight rebounds and four blocks in the championship game victory over Serbia.

Rockets waive Jon Leuer and Jerome Jordan

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has waived forward Jon Leuer and center Jerome Jordan. Leuer joined the Rockets in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks on June 27, 2012, while Jordan was acquired by Houston from the New York Knicks as part of the Marcus Camby sign-and-trade on July 11.

Leuer (6-10, 228, Wisconsin) played in 46 games (12 starts) with Milwaukee, averaging 4.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.5 assists as a rookie with the Bucks. He was drafted by Milwaukee in the second round (40th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft.

Jordan (7-0, 240, Tulsa) played in 21 games with the Knicks as a rookie in 2011-12, averaging 2.0 points and 1.3 boards in 5.1 minutes per contest. A native of Jamaica, Jordan also appeared in one postseason game with New York last season.

Jeremy Lin says he wanted to stay with Knicks

Jeremy Lin said Wednesday that while he “preferred New York” over Houston, and wanted to play in front of Knick fans “for the rest of my career,” he is now relieved to be joining the Rockets.

Lin told SI.com’s Pablo Torre, a former Harvard classmate, that Knicks GM Glen Grunwald contacted him at 11 p.m. EST on Tuesday night to inform the second-year point guard that the club would not match the $25.1 million offer sheet Lin signed with Houston.

According to Lin, Grunwald said: “We wanted to keep you, but it couldn’t work out. Tell your family I say hello, and good luck the rest of the way.”

Lin then thanked Grunwald and wish him “best of luck in the future.”

“Honestly, I preferred New York,” Lin told Torre. “But my main goal in free agency was to go to a team that had plans for me and wanted me. I wanted to have fun playing basketball. … Now I’m definitely relieved.”

— Reported by Frank Isola of the New York Daily News

Austin Rivers has sore ankle, foot

New Orleans Hornets rookie guard Austin Rivers will not play in tonight’s summer league game against the Phoenix Suns because of a sore ankle and foot. Rivers said he expects to play Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Hornets are officially listing Rivers’ injury as lower leg soreness and said it’s just precautionary. In Monday night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Rivers was knocked to the floor several times on drives to the basket.

“It’s just real sore and tender right now, nothing serious,” Rivers said after Wednesday’s shootaround.

— Reported by John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune

Boston Celtics sign Jason Terry

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent guard Jason Terry. According to multiple reports, the deal is for three years, $15 million.

“Jason is one of the best sixth men in the NBA and his versatility in the backcourt is a great addition to our roster,” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations.

Terry, a 6’2” guard, was the NBA’s 2009 Sixth Man of the Year and also was a member of the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks. Last season in Dallas, he averaged 15.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 37.8% from three-point territory. Terry has made the fourth most three-point shots in NBA history with 1,788 trailing only Ray Allen, Reggie Miller and Jason Kidd.

“The Celtics have such a great tradition of winning and it was something that drew me to the team right away,” said Terry. “I look forward to getting out onto the court and helping this team in its pursuit of another banner.”

The former Arizona Wildcat finished second in the NBA last season with 138 made three-pointers and was third in the NBA in three-point field goal attempts (365). Terry has also been one of the most durable players in the NBA in recent memory playing in 1,022 of a possible 1,050 regular season games during his 13 year career. Terry has averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 38.0% from three in his career.

Jeremy Lin statement on joining Rockets, leaving Knicks

Here is a statement from Jeremy Lin, who signed an offer sheet with the Houston Rockets that the New York Knicks, presumably over financial concerns due to the structure of the contract, declined to match:

“I loved this past year with the Knicks and truly appreciate the opportunity that New York gave me. The way the fans fully embraced me and our team was something I’ll always cherish forever. It was an extraordinary and unforgettable time that was easily the best year of my life. Now I am excited to be back with the Rockets. They made a very compelling pitch in terms of what I could bring to the team and for the city. I am also impressed with Mr. Alexander and the management’s commitment to improving the team. I’m excited about contributing to the Rockets winning tradition and competing with my new teammates.”

Orlando Magic announce front office promotions

The Orlando Magic and Chief Executive Officer Alex Martins announced the following promotions within the executive office: Charlie Freeman— executive vice president and chief revenue officer; Chris D’Orso— senior vice president of sales & ticket operations; Joel Glass—senior vice president of communications; Audra Hollifield—senior vice president of human resources & administrative services; Catherine Carlson—vice president of corporate partnership activation; Michael Forde—vice president of corporate partnership sales; and Anthony Perez—vice president of business strategy.

In addition, the Orlando Magic announced the following front office promotions: Nyea Sturman to assistant director of legal services and Pat Gallagher to assistant director of legal services.

Freeman is entering his 17th year with the Magic. His primary responsibilities include oversight and management of corporate partnerships, marketing, ticket sales, premium sales & client services, ticket operations, arena operations and retail. Freeman was an integral piece in the building of the Amway Center. He was recently named to SportsBusiness Journal’s Forty Under 40 list.

D’Orso enters his 24th season with the team. He oversees the day-to-day operations of sales for the Amway Center including ticket sales, premium hospitality, Chairman’s Suite, tourism, Junior Magic, camps, retail and ticket operations for both the Magic and Amway Center. In addition, he oversees the arena operations for the Amway Center.

Glass joined the Magic in 1995 in the communications department. He directs the Magic’s communication and media/public relations efforts. He is responsible for media operations, strategic communications, media releases, publications and statistical material, while also coordinating media interviews with players, coaching staff members and front office personnel. In addition, he oversees the team’s website, orlandomagic.com and Orlando Magic broadcasting.

Hollifield has been with the Magic since 1999, entering her 14th season with the team. She handles oversight of recruiting, compensation and benefits, employee relations, training and development and administrative services for the “team behind the team.”

Carlson joined the Magic in February 2009. In her role she oversees the corporate partnerships activation team, and is responsible for activation, fulfillment and renewals of corporate sponsor contracts. Carlson is also focused on the strategic growth of corporate partnerships in the Amway Center.

Forde is entering his ninth season with the team. He is responsible for establishing strategies targeted to bring new corporate clients to the organization. He also oversees a sales team dedicated to finding marketing solutions for local, regional and national companies seeking an affiliation with the Orlando Magic brand.

Perez originally joined the Magic in August 2004, working on the team’s arena development efforts until June 2007. He then spent a year working in investment banking before returning to the Magic in June 2008. His responsibilities include the organization’s long-term strategic planning and use of analytics to improve business performance. Perez focuses on yield management, customer targeting & retention, and the organization’s overall data integration strategy among other initiatives.

Nuggets waive Chris Andersen under amnesty provision

The Denver Nuggets have waived F/C Chris Andersen under the amnesty provision outlined in the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today.

Andersen, 6-10, 228, averaged 5.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.44 blocked shots in 32 games with the Nuggets last season.

Andersen, 34, began his career with the Nuggets as an undrafted free agent in 2001-02 and played three seasons in Denver before leaving as a free agent in 2004. He returned in 2008 and played a key role in the team’s run to the 2009 Western Conference finals.

Andersen finished second in the NBA in blocks per game (2.46) in 2008-09, and he ranks fifth on Denver’s franchise list with 624 career blocks in a Nuggets uniform.

Rockets officially sign Jeremy Lin

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed guard Jeremy Lin after the New York Knicks chose not to match Houston’s offer sheet for the restricted free agent. Under the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Knicks had three days to match the offer from the Rockets.

“We are thrilled to have Jeremy back as part of the Rockets family,” said Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander. “In his limited opportunity last season, Jeremy showed that he has all the skills to be a great player in this league for many years to come. In addition to being a great passer, he is also exceptional at driving to the rim and finishing plays. He also showed a poise well beyond his years by making winning plays at the end of numerous games last season. Jeremy is a winner on and off the court and we view him as an important part of our plan to build a championship contender.”

Lin (6-3, 200, Harvard) has averaged 9.2 points, 4.0 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.38 steals in 64 games (25 starts) with Golden State and New York. After being claimed by the Knicks off waivers on Dec. 27, 2011, Lin exploded onto the NBA landscape by averaging 18.2 points, 7.6 assists and 2.00 steals with seven double-doubles in 25 starts with New York. Lin actually became the first NBA player to record at least 20 points and seven assists in each of his first five NBA starts since Elias Sports Bureau began charting stats in 1970. Lin was also the first Knicks player since Michael Ray Richardson in 1980-1981 to record at least 20 points and seven assists in six straight games. Lin was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played Feb. 6-12, leading New York to a 4-0 record with averages of 27.3 points, 8.3 assists and 2.00 steals.

Lin, who was waived by Golden State on Dec. 9, 2011, was actually claimed off waivers by Houston on Dec. 12. He appeared in two preseason outings with the Rockets before being waived on Dec. 24, 2011. Lin had appeared in 29 games with the Warriors in 2010-11, averaging 2.6 points, 1.4 assists, 1.2 rebounds and 1.14 steals in 9.8 minutes per contest as a rookie. He also played in 20 games for the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League in 2010-11, averaging 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists. The 6-3 guard was originally signed by Golden State as a free agent on July 21, 2010, after going undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft out of Harvard.