The New York Daily News (Mark Lelinwalla) reports: Ron Artest also told the Daily News that before he inked his five-year, $33 million deal with the Lakers earlier this month, he gave heavy consideration to signing with LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and the Cleveland Cavaliers. “It was close (to happening), but the Lakers showed more interest,” Artest said. “They’re my boys (James and O’Neal), though. Shaq is still my boy. I’m looking forward to playing with Kobe and going after a championship.”
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Cleveland Cavaliers sign Jamario Moon to offer sheet
The Boston Herald reports: The Cavaliers have picked up where the Celtics couldn’t get things done. The Cavs have signed restricted free agent swingman Jamario Moon to an offer sheet, the Miami Heat confirmed today. Miami has seven days to match the offer. The 6-foot-8 Moon played 25.9 minutes per game last season for the Heat and Raptors, averaging 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds.
LeBron James extension now available
The Cleveland Plain Dealer (Brian Windhorst) reports: At 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the Cavaliers were able to offer LeBron James a contract extension because July 18 is the three-year anniversary of when he signed his most recent contract. It is believed the team will initiate contact soon to formally present an offer, which can be an extension of up to three years and around $65 million. James still has an option in his contract for the 2010-11 season, and the Cavs could offer three years on top of that.
InsideHoops.com editor says: It is widely assumed that LeBron will not sign an extension at this time and wait for 2010 NBA free agency.
Carlos Boozer expects an eventual trade
The Deseret News (Tim Buckley) reports on Utah Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer: According to a transcript from WMVP 1000-AM, the ESPN affiliate in Chicago, Boozer — who has not spoken to Utah media since the Jazz’s season ended in late April — said this when asked if he thought he’d be dealt: “Yeah, I do. I had a talk with the Jazz. The Jazz told me they want to go in a different direction and I respect their decision. We mutually agreed to work out a trade that was beneficial for them and beneficial for my family and me. So with that being said I’m gonna be traded relatively soon or in good time.”
Cleveland Cavaliers sign Anthony Parker
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed free agent guard/forward Anthony Parker to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the contract were not released. We will add contract details later today.
Parker, 34, played in 80 games (71 starts) this past season for the Toronto Raptors and averaged 10.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and career highs of 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.0 minutes per game. He tied for 10th in the NBA with a 0.88 steal per turnover ratio and recorded a career-high 100 steals. He was one of just 11 players in the NBA to total at least 750 points, 250 rebounds, 250 assists and 100 steals during the 2008-09 season. Against Orlando on January 4th, he posted a season-high 26 points, while shooting 13-16 (.813) from the field. On Nov. 11th, he went a perfect 5-5 from three-point range on his way to 19 points in a win over Miami.
“Anthony will be a solid addition to our roster. He is a very good, intelligent all-around basketball player,” Ferry said. “Our coaching staff will especially appreciate the good shooting and solid defense that Anthony brings to our team.”
The 6-foot-6, 210-pound guard/forward has played six years in the NBA, averaging 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 27.9 minutes per game in 290 NBA regular season games. He played five seasons with Maccabi Tel Aviv (2000-02, 2003-06) and one season with Virtus Roma (2002-03), winning five Israeli Premier League championships, five Israeli Cups and three Euroleague titles. Parker was named Euroleague MVP and first-team All-Euroleague in 2005. He averaged 12.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 148 career Israeli Premier League games and averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals in 90 Euroleague contests.
Cleveland Cavaliers sign Anderseon Varejao to multi-year contract
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Anderson Varejao has agreed to a multi-year contract with the team, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Several media outlets had reported that the deal was going to be for six years and possibly up to or around $50 million total.
Varejao posted career bests in scoring (8.6), field goal percentage (.536), double-doubles (9), minutes per game (28.5) and starts (42) in 81 games played during the 2008-09 season. The 6-foot-11, 260-pounder also averaged 7.2 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. In his 42 starts, he increased his averages to 9.9 points on .542 shooting and 7.7 rebounds in 32.3 minutes per game.
“We are very happy to announce that we have agreed to a multi-year contract with Anderson. From the start of free agency, Anderson made it clear he wanted to be a part of our future and that he loved being in Cleveland,” Ferry said. “For us, we have been one of the better teams in the NBA the past four years. Andy has played an important role with our team during that time and continuity is important to us. He brings many valued contributions to our team on and off the court and plays with relentless passion and energy every play. He is an elite defender and we want to continue building our strong defensive identity.”
During the regular season, he finished second in the NBA in offensive fouls drawn (52). He was also selected as a member of USA Today’s 2009 All-Rambis Team. Against Chicago on Jan. 2nd, he posted career highs in scoring (26), field goals made (9) and attempted (14) and free throws made (8) and attempted (13). He tied his career best in rebounding with 14 at Toronto on Feb. 18th and went a perfect 8-8 from the field on his way to an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double at Sacramento on March 13th. He scored in double figures on 30 occasions (the Cavs were 25-5 in those games) and topped the 10-rebound mark 15 times on the season.
Detroit Pistons hire John Kuester as head coach
Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team has named John Kuester as head coach, signing him to a multi-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“We are pleased to name John Kuester as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons,” said Dumars. “John brings a wealth of NBA knowledge as a long-time assistant coach, including championship experience as an assistant coach with our club in 2004. He is a coach that our veteran players know well, and I feel he has the teaching ability to allow our younger players to grow and develop.”
Kuester, 54, has spent over 13 years in the NBA as an assistant coach with six different franchises (Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit, New Jersey, Orlando and Cleveland). During his tenure as an assistant coach, Kuester has helped guide two teams to the NBA Finals [Philadelphia (2001); Detroit (2004)] and played a major role in helping Cleveland reach the Eastern Conference Finals this past season.
For seven seasons (1990-1997), the Richmond, Virginia native was a member of the Boston Celtics organization, serving as assistant coach his final two years. He joined Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown in 1997 and helped guide the Philadelphia 76ers to the playoffs in five of his six seasons with the club, including an NBA Finals appearance in 2001. The North Carolina graduate followed Brown to Detroit where the organization won its third NBA Championship, and then joined the New Jersey Nets staff in 2004-05. Kuester returned to Philadelphia for the 2005-06 season, landed in Orlando in 2006-07 and has helped mold the offensive philosophies for the Cleveland Cavaliers since August of 2007.
Prior to joining the NBA ranks, Kuester served five seasons as head coach at George Washington University from 1985-1990. He became the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I college basketball in 1983 when he succeeded Rick Pitino at Boston University. He was an assistant coach for the Terriers for two seasons prior to his head coaching appointment.
As a collegiate player for four seasons at North Carolina (1973-77) under legendary coach Dean Smith, he helped the Tar Hells win two ACC Championships, make three NCAA Tournament berths and one NIT berth. As a senior, he was voted as the team’s best defensive player for the second straight season and was named Most Valuable Player of the ACC Tournament and NCAA East Regionals. That 1977 squad went on to the NCAA Final Four and an appearance in the championship game.
Kuester was selected in the third round (53rd overall) of the 1977 NBA Draft by the Kansas City Kings. He played three seasons in the NBA, one each with Kansas City, Denver and Indiana.
Cleveland Cavaliers to sign Anthony Parker
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The Cleveland Cavaliers, a legitimate contender to represent the Eastern conference in the 2009-10 NBA Finals, will soon add a crafty, veteran shooting guard.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Brian Windhorst), the Cavs have come to an agreement with guard Anthony Parker will likely sign a contract in the coming days.
The 6-6, 215-pound free agent played for the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic years ago, then enjoyed a healthy career overseas before returning to the NBA and playing the last three seasons as a member of the Toronto Raptors.
In 2008-09, Parker averaged 10.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 33 minutes per game. He’s an excellent three-point shooter and a smart player who makes teammates better. He turned 34 in June and should have a few more productive seasons.
UPDATE: The Cavs signed Parker.
Houston Rockets sign Trevor Ariza
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Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed free agent guard/forward Trevor Ariza to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, financial terms were not released.
“Trevor is a young, athletic wing player who will thrive in Rick Adelman’s system,” said Morey. “Each year in the league Trevor has improved. What he has accomplished at a young age is already impressive and we expect his improvement to continue.”
Ariza (6-8, 210, UCLA) holds career averages of 6.9 points (.470, 808-1718 FG), 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.14 steals in 311 games (52 starts) with the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic and L.A. Lakers. In 2008-09, Ariza emerged as a key contributor for the Lakers during the team’s title run. He appeared in a career-high 82 games (20 starts), averaging 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.67 steals in 24.4 minutes per game. Ariza scored in double figures 39 times, including a career-high 26 points (9-13 FG) vs. Dallas (3/15/09). The five-year NBA veteran also made his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball by ranking ninth in the NBA in steals per game. Overall last season, Ariza led the Lakers in steals 30 times and in blocks on seven occasions. He set his career high with five steals vs. Utah (1/2/09) and matched that total vs. Phoenix (2/26/09). Ariza added to his game in 2008-09 by becoming a perimeter threat for the Lakers, making a career-high 61 3-pointers (.319, 61-191 3FG). He also registered a double-double with 11 points and a season-high 11 rebounds vs. Sacramento (11/23/08). Ariza started all 23 postseason games for the Lakers during the 2009 NBA Playoffs, averaging 11.3 points (.497, 92-185 FG), 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.57 steals. He also led the Lakers with 40 3-point field goals made (.476, 40-84 3FG) and ranked among the league postseason leaders in steals per game (13th overall).
Selected by New York in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2004 NBA Draft, Ariza at the time became the youngest player to ever wear a Knicks uniform (19 years, 4 months and 4 days) during his rookie season of 2004-05. He was traded by New York along with Anfernee Hardaway to Orlando in exchange for Steve Francis on Feb. 22, 2006. After re-signing as a free agent with the Magic on July 27, 2006, Ariza went on to average 8.9 points (.539, 200-371 FG), 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 57 games (seven starts) with Orlando in 2006-07. He was acquired by the Lakers from the Magic in exchange for Brian Cook and Maurice Evans on Nov. 20, 2007.
Ariza, who declared for the NBA Draft following his freshman campaign, played in 25 games (23 starts) at UCLA. He averaged 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and a team-high 1.7 steals in 31.6 minutes per game in 2003-04.
Ron Artest signs with Lakers
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The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent forward Ron Artest, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.
Artest, a 6’7” 260-pound forward out of St. John’s University, has averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.06 steals in 604 career games (562 starts) during his 10 NBA seasons with Chicago, Indiana, Sacramento and Houston. Originally selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 16th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft, Artest is one of only three players in NBA history to post career averages of 16+ points, 5+ rebounds, 3+ assists and 2+ steals (Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler).
The 2004 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Artest has been named NBA All-Defensive First Team twice (2004, 2006) and Second Team twice (2003, 2009). A member of the 2004 Eastern Conference All-Star team, Artest also earned All-NBA Third Team honors in 2004 and has finished among the top three league leaders in steals five of the last eight seasons while leading his team in steals in nine of his 10 NBA seasons overall.
In 2008-09, Artest averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.52 steals in 69 games (55 starts) with Houston while setting single-season career-highs in 3-point field goals made and attempted (.399, 153-383 3FG) and leading the Rockets in steals (105).
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INITIAL RON ARTEST LAKERS SIGNING UPDATE
By Jeff Lenchiner, editor of InsideHoops.com
Houston Rockets free agent forward Ron Artest is going to sign with the 2008-09 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.
The negotiation period for NBA free agents began July 1. Actual signings can take place starting July 8.
According to Chris Broussard of ESPN, the deal may be for three years and around $18 million.
As the Lakers add Artest it appears they will be losing energy hustle guy Trevor Ariza, who is reportedly going to sign with the Houston Rockets.
The addition of Artest to the current NBA champions is interesting. He helps in some ways, but doesn’t in others. He won’t replace the hectic, frantic, fill-in-the-blanks, complimentary, fast break style of Ariza, but is a better halfcourt defender. Artest is also much stronger than Ariza and can easily play power forward for long stretches.
Overall, Ron is definitely better than Trevor.
I question how well Artest will fit into the triangle offense of the Lakers, however. He can do it, but it’s not the most natural fit.
Ariza last season averaged just 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, shooting 46% but just 31.9% from three-point range. Though, in the playoffs he suddenly became an assassin from outside, nailing 47.6% of his threes.
Artest last season for the Rockets put up 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game, though he shot an awful 40.1%. He was nice from three-point range, though, hitting 39.9%.
Overall, adding Artest while losing Ariza is an upgrade for the Lakers, though I’ll still keep my eye on how well Artest fits in with their offense.
And, key Lakers forward Lamar Odom is currently a free agent. The team needs to keep Odom, and a source says the team feels they’ll be able to re-sign him.
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