Houston Rockets Blog – Page 53 – NBA Blog

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

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.”

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.

Rockets waive Luis Scola as amnesty player

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has waived forward Luis Scola and have designated him as the team’s amnesty player as allowed by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

“On behalf of the entire organization and Rockets fans around the world, I want to thank Luis for his contributions to our organization and the City of Houston,” said Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander. “Luis is a tremendous player who has been the consummate professional both on and off the court. His dedication to winning and being a team player are unsurpassed.”

“Decisions like this are never easy, especially when it involves a player with the character and work ethic of Luis Scola,” said Morey. “Luis is a special player whose winning qualities embodied what it means to be a Houston Rocket. His accomplishments in a Rockets uniform speak for themselves and we wish him all the best in the future.”

Scola (6-9, 245, Argentina) averaged 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds in 386 games (343 starts) with Houston. His 2,984 boards leave him ninth on the Rockets all-time list for most career rebounds. In 2011-12, Scola was honored as a member of the Rockets All-Decade Team of the 2000s. Selected by San Antonio in the second round (56th overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft, Houston traded guard Vassilis Spanoulis to acquire Scola’s draft rights from the Spurs on July 12, 2007. Scola went on to earn NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2007-08.

Hakeem Olajuwon will train Knicks big men

Mike Woodson is trying to get Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon to work with the Knicks’ big men.

Amar’e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler are supposed to train with Olajuwon later this offseason. Woodson has said he wanted Stoudemire and Chandler to improve their game in the post. Olajuwon, one of the best centers in NBA history, is known for his footwork and array of moves under the basket.

Olajuwon, whose nickname is “The Dream,” worked with LeBron James last year and the Heat superstar forward showed some of his improved post skills throughout Miami’s run to the NBA championship.

— Reported by Al Iannazzone of New York Newsday

Miami Heat hope to sign Marcus Camby

Has center Marcus Camby emerged as the free agent the Heat are going after the hardest?

Sources close to the situation said Friday the free agent will visit Miami on Saturday. One source said the Heat had reached out to Camby’s camp at 12:01 a.m. EDT last Sunday, the very first time teams could contact free agents.

It initially appeared Camby’s priority was to re-sign with Houston. But sources said Camby has changed his tune this week due to a belief the Rockets are rebuilding, and he would be very receptive to signing with Miami.

The Heat on Thursday entertained free-agent guard Ray Allen. On Sunday, they will play host to free-agent forward Rashard Lewis.

— Reported by Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida

Houston Rockets sign Donatas Motiejunas

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed former first-round pick Donatas Motiejunas to a multi-year contract. Selected 20th overall by Minnesota in the 2011 NBA Draft, Houston acquired the draft rights to the Lithuanian forward/center from the Timberwolves on June 24, 2011.

Motiejunas (7-0, 222, Lithuania, pronounced doh-NAH-tahs moe-tee-YOU-nus) played this past season with Polish League champion Asseco Prokom Gdynia, averaging 15.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.35 steals in just over 26 minutes per game during the 2011-12 campaign. In Game Seven of the Polish League Finals, Motiejunas recorded game highs in points (23) and rebounds (11) while leading his club to the title. On December 7, 2011, Motiejunas pulled down a career-high 21 boards against Union Olimpija, as his 18 defensive rebounds were the most in a Euroleague game in the ULEB era (since 2000-01).

An early entry candidate for the 2011 NBA Draft, Motiejunas played with Italy’s Benetton Treviso from 2009-11 and was the winner of the 2010-11 Eurocup Rising Star Trophy for the best U-23 player in the ULEB’s Eurocup competition. In 2008-09, Motiejunas played with Aisciai Kaunas and earned All-Star honors in Lithuania’s top league. He spent 2005-07 playing exclusively for Zalgiris-Sabonio mokykla Kaunas, which is Zalgiris Kaunas’ junior team in Lithuania’s second division. Motiejunas made his debut with the senior team in 2007-08, while splitting time with the junior squad. He also represented Lithuania in Junior National Team competition. His honors included MVP of the 2008 Nike International Junior Tournament and MVP of the 2008 U-18 European Championship. Motiejunas was also a member of the World Select Team at the 2009 Nike Hoop Summit, tallying 21 points (5-15 FG, 10-14 FT), eight rebounds and three assists.

Lamar Odom traded to Clippers, Mo Williams to Jazz in 4-team deal

The Los Angeles Clippers today acquired forward Lamar Odom from the Dallas Mavericks as part of a four-team trade also involving the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets. The Clippers sent point guard Mo Williams to the Jazz and the draft rights to Furkan Aldemir, the Clippers’ second round selection (53rd overall) in the 2012 NBA Draft to Houston while the Jazz conveyed the draft rights of Tadija Dragicevic, Utah’s second round pick (53rd overall) in the 2008 NBA Draft to Dallas.

To complete the trade, Dallas sent the draft rights of Shan Foster, the Mavericks’ second round selection (51st overall) in the 2008 NBA Draft to the Jazz with Houston sending cash considerations to Dallas.

This marks a return to the Clippers for Odom, who was originally selected by Los Angeles with the fourth overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. In four seasons with the Clippers, Odom tallied 15.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 blocks and 36.0 minutes per game.

According to Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com, “Nine years is a lifetime in the NBA. Since leaving the Clippers as a callow talent brimming with potential, Odom established himself as the game’s premier multi-skilled big man, won two rings with the Los Angeles Lakers, used his celebrity as an adjunct Kardashian to cross over as a star on the shlock-ertainment circuit, consumed heaping amounts of refined sugar before games and, over time, emerged as one of the more interesting personalities in the league. Odom was devastated when was included in the post-lockout trade last December that would’ve sent him from the Lakers to New Orleans. He was so distraught that, when the deal wasn’t consummated, the Lakers felt compelled to send him away to Dallas for nothing rather than deal with the emotional fallout. In Dallas, Odom found another basketball hell, one of his own creation. After a series of incidents, the Mavericks finally told him to take a walk a few weeks before the playoffs. Mark Cuban called it “addition by subtraction.”

Odom left the Clippers as a restricted free agent, joining the Miami Heat prior to the start of the 2003-04 season. After one season in Miami, Odom was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers along with current Clipper forward Caron Butler in the multi-player deal that sent Shaquille O’Neal to the Heat.

The winner of the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award following a strong 2010-11 season with the Lakers, Odom has averaged 14.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.0 blocks and 34.7 minutes over his 13-year NBA career. Odom played a crucial role for the Lakers during their back-to-back NBA Championships in 2009 and 2010.

After seven seasons with the Lakers, Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks on December 11, 2011. Odom tallied 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 20.5 minutes in 50 games played for the Mavericks last season.

A 2009 NBA All-Star selection, Williams (6-1, 195, Alabama) is entering his 10th NBA season and has appeared in 589 career games (432 starts), owning career averages of 13.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 30.4 minutes with Utah, Milwaukee, Cleveland and the Clippers. He has also played in 41 career playoff games (25 starts) and averaged 12.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. This past season Williams saw action in 52 games (one start) for the Clippers, averaging 13.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 28.3 minutes while helping L.A. to the best record in franchise history and a trip to the Western Conference Semifinals.

The 29-year-old Jackson, Miss., native was originally selected by the Jazz in the second round (47th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft. As a rookie in 2003-04, his only season with the Jazz, Williams appeared in 57 games (no starts) and averaged 5.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 13.5 minutes. His best statistical NBA season came with Cleveland during the 2008-09 season, when he averaged a career-high 17.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists and hit .436 (183-420) from three-point range in 81 games (all starts) and was named an Eastern Conference All-Star before helping lead the Cavaliers to the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals.

Foster (6-6, 205) was the 51st overall selection of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Mavericks. He finished his four-year career at Vanderbilt as the school’s all-time leading scorer (2,011 points) and first in three-pointers made (367). He was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 2008. Foster spent last season playing overseas for Belfius Mons-Hainaut in Belgium.

Dragicevic (6-9, 246) was the 53rd overall pick in the 2008 Draft by the Utah Jazz. He is a native of Serbia and averaged 10.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game for Angelico Biella in Italy.

Rockets add 3 players in 2012 NBA Draft

The Houston Rockets used the 12th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft to select Connecticut guard/forward Jeremy Lamb. Houston then chose Iowa State forward Royce White with the 16th overall selection. The Rockets closed out their trio of first-round picks by drafting Kentucky forward Terrence Jones with the 18th overall pick.

Lamb (6-5, 180, Connecticut), who was an early entry candidate for the 2012 NBA Draft, was just the sixth sophomore in UConn history to score 1,000 career points (1,060). He was selected AP Honorable Mention All-America and All-Big East First Team as a sophomore after averaging 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Lamb also helped UConn to a National Championship as a freshman, recording 12 points in the title game vs. Butler and earning a spot on the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team. During the summer of 2011, Lamb played with Team USA at the U19 FIBA World Championships, pacing the team with 16.2 points per game and 18 steals in nine contests. His father, Rolando, also played college basketball for VCU.

Rockets Director of Scouting Arturas Karnisovas:

“Jeremy Lamb, who we selected first, is a very talented shooting guard from UConn. He can score and is very athletic. We were very happy to select him with our 12th pick.”

White (6-8, 260, Iowa State) was the only player in the country in 2011-12 to lead his team in scoring (13.4 ppg), rebounding (9.3 rpg), assists (5.0 apg), steals (1.2 spg) and blocks (0.9 bpg) during his lone season at Iowa State. Overall, White became just the second player in school history to top the team in scoring, rebounding and assists in one season. His sophomore year with the Cyclones was highlighted by AP Honorable Mention All-America honors, All-Big 12 First-Team accolades, selection to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team and being named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. White actually earned Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors three times in 2011-12. He was previously enrolled at Minnesota, but left the team in Dec. 2009 before playing in any contests of his freshman year.

Rockets Director of Scouting Arturas Karnisovas:

“We selected Royce White from Iowa State, who is a very talented combo forward who can create. He was a creator for Iowa State, is an elite passer and very explosive to the basket. We loved the way he ran the floor and created for others.”

Jones (6-9, 252, Kentucky), who was another of the early entry candidates for the 2012 NBA Draft, averaged 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 76 games over his two seasons with Kentucky. He was one of just six players in UK history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 140 blocks in a career. As a sophomore, Jones helped the Wildcats win the 2012 National Championship, while earning Second-Team All-SEC honors. In 2010-11, he was selected SEC Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-SEC and was a member of the SEC All-Freshman Team. The former McDonald’s All-American averaged 15.7 points and 8.8 rebounds as a freshman, leading the SEC in rebounding average and double-doubles (11), as well as ranking sixth in scoring and blocks per game (1.9 bpg).

Rockets Director of Scouting Arturas Karnisovas:

“With our third selection, we selected Terrence Jones from Kentucky, who is another talented combo forward who can score. He developed his inside game and feels comfortable facing up to the basket. Great defender, and as we saw, he was part of Kentucky’s championship team this year.

“We are confident that we’re going to run. We’re going to play fast and we’ve got lots of skilled young players, so we’re expecting to play exciting basketball and we’ll have time now to work on the synergy of the team.”