Chicago Bulls Blog – Page 78 – NBA Blog

Bulls sign-and-trade Hakim Warrick to Suns

The Phoenix Suns today acquired forward Hakim Warrick in a sign-and-trade deal with the Chicago Bulls. In exchange, Chicago receives the Suns’ second-round pick in 2011. Warrick has signed a four-year contract. We’ll post contract details later today.

“Hakim is a player we have watched perform well against us for years,” said Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry. “He is a long, athletic player who runs the floor and finishes well. We feel, given the opportunity, and playing alongside veterans like Steve Nash and Grant Hill, he can be a productive member of our rotation.”

The 6-9, 219-pound Warrick is an athletic finisher who owns career averages of 10.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 21.4 minutes in 383 games with three NBA teams. Originally selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 19th overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft, Warrick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Grizzlies before splitting the 2009-10 campaign between Milwaukee and Chicago.

Warrick has averaged double-digit scoring in three of his last four seasons overall, including a career-high 12.7 points and career-best 5.1 rebounds in 82 games during his best career season in 2006-07 with the Grizzlies. Most recently, the 28-year-old averaged 9.6 points and 4.1 boards in 76 games last season split between the Bucks and Bulls after being acquired by Chicago along with Joe Alexander in exchange for John Salmons and two future second-round picks at the trade deadline.

A perfect fit for the Suns’ up-tempo system, in 15 career meetings with Phoenix, Warrick has averaged 13.3 points in 27.5 minutes while shooting 58.1 percent from the field, all three of which are his highest against any NBA opponent. Warrick has also grabbed 6.4 rebounds in his career against the Suns, his second-most against any NBA team.

A four-year performer at Syracuse University (2001-05), Warrick started all 35 games for the NCAA Champion Orange as a sophomore. As a senior, he was named First Team All-America by the Associated Press, awarded Big East Conference Player of the Year and named First Team All-Big East after averaging 21.4 points and 8.6 rebounds in 34 games.

Bulls, Nets Clippers statements on not getting LeBron James

Following is a statement from Neil Olshey of the Los Angeles Clippers regarding tonight’s decision by LeBron James: “Our goal remains unchanged. We will continue to be exhaustive and use every available resource to assemble an exciting and successful team. We have a dynamic new head coach who will lead the very talented roster we already have in place. We will use the free agent market to enhance that roster. We expect to compete at a very high level.”

The following statement was issued by Nets Principal Owner Mikhail Prokhorov: “We have a vision of a championship team and need to invest wisely and for the long term. Fortunately, we have more than one plan to reach success, and, as I have found in all areas of my business, that is key to achieving it. To Nets fans past, present and future, the goal of making the playoffs this season remains intact and we reiterate our commitment to winning a championship within five years.”

Gar Forman (Chicago Bulls) statement regarding LeBron James: “I remain convinced that this organization made the strongest of bids to acquire LeBron James during this free agency period. While we’re disappointed he chose to go to another franchise, our strategy for the future competitiveness of this organization did not begin or end with James, and we feel today’s addition of two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer significantly strengthens our team’s already talented roster. It is our goal to keep exploring every avenue that it may take, whether through trades or free agency, to continue to build this team to compete at a championship level.”

Dwyane Wade, Pat Riley react to LeBron James joining Heat

Miami HEAT President Pat Riley and HEAT guard Dwyane Wade released the following statements tonight:

PAT RILEY: “We are thrilled that LeBron James and Chris Bosh have decided to come to Miami to join forces with our truly great player, Dwyane Wade. We are looking forward to the opportunity of building something that our fans in Miami will be proud of for a long, long time. The journey is just beginning.”

DWYANE WADE: “I am thrilled to welcome LeBron James to the HEAT family. I look forward to playing alongside LeBron, Chris Bosh and our teammates, and together representing the great city of Miami. There’s magic in the number 3. This is the beginning of new chapter in HEAT history and very exciting for both fans of the Miami HEAT and the NBA.”

Cavaliers GM Chris Grant Statement on LeBron James leaving

“We believe in this team, this organization, this community, and what we will do to compete at the highest level. We believe in the new coach and leader we have in Byron Scott, and the world class basketball organization and positive and strong culture we’ve established. Dan Gilbert and our ownership group are firmly committed to reaching our goals and succeeding on the court and in the community, at the highest level.”

“Our fans stepped up and showed their support, to a degree unlike anywhere else. We are fortunate to have the support of the best fans in the NBA. That passion and dedication will be rewarded. We will work relentlessly to continue to build a team that will contend. A team that will win championships. We are all competitors and our one goal is to win, that and Dan Gilbert and our ownership team’s commitment and investment in this organization and community are constants that will not change.”

Bulls trade Kirk Hinrich to Wizards

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has acquired guard Kirk Hinrich, the draft rights of first round pick Kevin Seraphin and cash considerations from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the rights to Vladimir Veremeenko (a second-round draft pick of the Wizards in 2006).

“We are excited to add Kirk and Kevin to our team, as their acquisition significantly bolsters our roster,” said Grunfeld. “Kirk will provide another solid veteran presence to our backcourt and bring playoff-tested toughness, defense and leadership. Kevin is a talented young player with tremendous size and physicality, and we are looking forward to helping him reach his full potential.”

“During this free agency period, we wanted to aggressively position ourselves to explore every avenue possible to improve our team. That said, it was not an easy decision for us trade Kirk, but one that we felt was necessary in order to make the Chicago Bulls a better basketball team,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “Since Kirk joined us back in 2003, he came to play every time he stepped on the court and he always gave 100 percent. We will miss Kirk and wish him the best of luck.”

Veremeenko (6-10, 230), is a 25-year old native of Gomel, Belarus. Selected in the second round (48th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, Veremeenko spent the 2009-10 season with Unics Kazan (Russia-A Superleague).

Seraphin (6-9, 264), was drafted by Chicago in the first round (17th selection) in the 2010 NBA Draft. The 20-year forward played last season with Cholet Basket in France.

Hinrich, selected by Chicago in the first round (seventh overall) in the 2003 NBA Draft, spent the last seven seasons with the Bulls. In 514 career games (433 starts) with Chicago, Hinrich averaged 13.4 ppg, 5.8 apg, 3.4 rpg, 1.27 spg, 34.1 mpg and shot .415 from the field, .379 from behind the arc and .809 from the line. He also played in 34 playoff games with the Bulls and averaged 15.3 ppg, 5.8 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.41 spg, 35.8 mpg and shot .421 from the field, .405 from downtown and .757 from the line.

Hinrich leaves the Bulls ranking first in team history in three-point field goals made (812), first in three-point field goals attempted (2,144), fourth in assists (3,004), fourth in steals (655), fifth in turnovers (1,116), sixth in three-point field goal percentage (.379), sixth in disqualifications (30), seventh in minutes played (17,502), eighth in points (6,902) and 10th in field goals made (2,510).

Bulls sign Carlos Boozer

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent forward Carlos Boozer. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not announced. We’ll post details about the deal later today.

“We are very happy to have Carlos join the Bulls. We are confident that his skill set, toughness and leadership are all qualities that make him a great fit for the Bulls, and he will add a low-post element to our team that we have been searching for,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “Post players, with the skills that Carlos possesses, are at a premium in the NBA and we believe that we have landed one of the best big men in the NBA.”

Boozer (6-9, 260) joins the Bulls following a successful six-season run with the Utah Jazz. With the Jazz last season, Boozer played in 78 games (all starts) and averaged 19.5 ppg (20th in the NBA), 11.2 rpg (fifth), 3.2 apg, 1.08 bpg, 34.3 mpg and shot a career-high .562 from the field (sixth) and .742 from the free throw line. The eight-year veteran posted 55 double-doubles (third), including 29 contests with 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds. He also was one of 10 players in the NBA last season who averaged a double-double.

“I am extremely excited about coming to Chicago and joining the Bulls,” said Boozer. “I am really looking forward to being a part of this organization, and I am eager to start working with my new teammates. I feel we have the talent here to begin competing for a title and I cannot wait to get started.”

For his career, the 28-year old power forward has played in 510 regular season contests (469 starts) and owns averages of 17.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg (2.7 OR), 2.5 apg, 0.97 spg, and shot .541 from the field and .728 from the line in 32.7 mpg. In his eight seasons in the NBA, his teams have advanced to the playoffs six times, where he has appeared in 44 postseason games (44 starts) and averaged 20.3 ppg, 12.5 rpg and 2.8 apg in 38.2 mpg, and shot .503 from the field and .707 from the line.

A two-time NBA All-Star (2007, 2008), Boozer was originally drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round (35th overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft. He played two seasons in Cleveland before signing with the Jazz as a restricted free agent on July 30, 2004.

Born in Aschaffenburg, Germany, and raised in Juneau, Ala., Boozer enjoyed a three-year career at Duke University where he was a starter for the Blue Devils 2001 NCAA Championship team. More recently, he earned a gold medal with Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and he was also a member of Team USA’s Senior National Team in 2004 that won a bronze medal in Athens.

Clippers hire Vinny Del Negro as head coach

The Los Angeles Clippers today named Vinny Del Negro as the team’s head coach. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

Del Negro joins the Clippers after having led the Chicago Bulls to two consecutive trips to the NBA Playoffs (2009 and 2010) after back-to-back 41-41 (.500) seasons. The Bulls were eliminated in the first round of the 2010 Playoffs (1-4) by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Chicago played a memorable seven-game first round series against the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics in 2009. That series saw four of the seven games go into overtime, including a triple-overtime win in game 6, a double-overtime win in game 4 and an overtime win in game one. All in all, what many consider the best postseason series in NBA history, saw four of the seven games go to overtime.

Prior to his time with the Bulls, Del Negro served as Assistant General Manager of the Phoenix Suns during the 2007-08 campaign after a promotion from his previous role of Director of Player Personnel, which he held for the 2006-07 season. Del Negro moved to the front office after working three seasons (2003-06) as a color analyst for the Suns’ broadcast teams. His broadcast career also included stints as an analyst for ESPN’s “NBA Matchup” and as an analyst for the San Antonio Spurs.

Del Negro retired from his 14-year professional playing career following the 2001-02 season (12 NBA seasons and 2 seasons with Benetton Treviso in the Italian A1 League). Over his 12-year NBA career, Del Negro averaged 9.1 points in 771 regular season games, while tallying 8.8 points in 54 playoff games.

Del Negro was originally drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the second round (29th overall) of the 1988 NBA Draft, tallying 7.1 points in 80 games played during his rookie season. After spending two seasons in Sacramento, Del Negro signed with Benetton Treviso, where he averaged 25.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 65 games over a two-year span (1990-92), leading the team to its first Italian League Championship in 1992 while being named playoff MVP.

In 1992 Del Negro returned to the NBA, embarking on a six-season stint with the San Antonio Spurs (1992-98). During his time in San Antonio, Del Negro helped lead the Spurs to the Playoffs on five occasions including two Midwest Division titles, and still holds the team’s record for consecutive free throws made (50). He was named to San Antonio’s 25th Anniversary Team as one of the top 25 players in Spurs history.

After his time in San Antonio, Del Negro played two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks (1998-00), one season with the Golden State Warriors (2000-01) and finished his career with two seasons in Phoenix (2000-02). Prior to his retirement, Del Negro’s contract was acquired by the Clippers on November 16, 2001 as part of a three-team trade which also included the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic.

Del Negro played four collegiate seasons at North Carolina State under the late Jim Valvano, averaging 9.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists over his career. He helped the Wolfpack to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back trips to the Elite Eight (1985 and 1986). He was also named the winner of the Everett Case Award as the MVP of the 1987 ACC Tournament, leading NC State to the tournament championship that year. Del Negro was named to the All-ACC First Team his senior season after tallying 15.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while shooting .515 from the field and .839 from the free throw line. As a culmination to his career at North Carolina State, Del Negro had his jersey retired in 2001.

Vincent Joseph Del Negro, who was born on August 9, 1966, established the Vinny Del Negro Endowment Fun in Springfield to assist physically abused youths. Del Negro’s father, Vin, played collegiately under Adolph Rupp at the University of Kentucky. He and his wife Lynn met at North Carolina State.

Carlos Boozer will join Bulls

The AP reports:

Carlos Boozer is headed to the Chicago Bulls.

A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that the two-time All-Star forward agreed to a deal on Wednesday and is leaving the Utah Jazz after six seasons. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the contract doesn’t become official until Thursday, did not reveal the terms…

With about $30 million in salary cap room, the Bulls were looking to make a big splash in free agency after back-to-back first-round playoff exits.

Adding Boozer strengthens their standing in the Eastern Conference and maybe makes them more attractive to James.

Kevin Durant signing 5-year Thunder extension

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant is signing a five-year contract extension.

The young superstar quietly revealed the news on Twitter Wednesday morning, one day before the start of the NBA free agent signing period.

According to ESPN, the five-year deal is for $86 million. It will keep him with the Thunder through the 2015-16 season. Durant still has one season left on his rookie deal.

According to the Oklahoman, Durant’s deal is guaranteed through the 2015-16 season and has no player option. It is worth between $85M-$86M depending on the 2011-12 salary cap.

The NBA world is busy waiting to hear where LeBron James is going to sign. Multiple reports today said that the Miami Heat are expected to land both Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Durant last season averaged 30.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per outing. He played in all 82 regular season games.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Opinion: I am cool with LeBron James announcing signing decision on TV

Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET, Cleveland Cavaliers free agent LeBron James will announce to the world which team he is signing with. The event will be a one-hour special.

The teams who may win LeBron’s services are the Cavs, Bulls, Heat, Knicks, Nets and Clippers. And I listed those squads in order of who I think has the best shot to get him.

I believe that LeBron’s signing is worthy of being on national television. Simply because everybody cares about it. The world wants to know. So, put it on TV!

That’s it. There’s nothing more to it.

There’s a good chance I will not pay particularly close attention to the early stages of the special. It could be great stuff, but as someone who follows this stuff closely and covers it for a living, I probably already know everything that’ll be said. There will probably be some cool highlights to glance at. I’ll keep it on in the background with the sound up while I work on my laptop or something.

But, I will listen. And when the announcement does come, I’ll rotate my desk chair and stare right at the TV. So will you. And that’s why it deserves to be televised.

UPDATE: It appears LeBron plans on making his decision early, within about 10 minutes. We’ll see!

–Jeff