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Bobcats sign guard Ramon Sessions

Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has signed free agent guard Ramon Sessions.

“Ramon is a quality point guard who can both distribute and score,” Higgins said. “We are excited to be adding a player of his caliber and ability to our franchise.”

A five-year NBA veteran, the 6-3 Sessions has played in 323 career games with the Bucks, Timberwolves, Cavaliers and Lakers, posting averages of 11.1 points, 5.0 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 25.4 minutes. The Myrtle Beach, SC, native was originally selected by Milwaukee with the 56th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft after three seasons at the University of Nevada, where he helped the Wolf Pack to three straight Western Athletic Conference championships.

Sessions split the 2011-12 season between the Cavaliers and Lakers, with overall averages of 11.3 points, 5.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 26.7 minutes. He also shot a career-best .443 from beyond the three-point line, making 43 three-point field goals on the season after totaling only 13 in his first four NBA seasons combined. Following a trade to the Lakers on March 15, Sessions averaged 12.7 points, 6.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 30.5 minutes, starting 19 of his 23 regular-season games with Los Angeles. While with the Lakers, Sessions shot .479 from the field and .486 from beyond the three-point line.

Sessions’ first name is pronounced ruh-MAHN.

Suns sign-and-trade Steve Nash to Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired two-time MVP Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for first round draft picks in 2013 and 2015 as well as second round draft picks in 2013 and 2014, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

According to multiple reports, Nash landed a three-year contract worth around $27 million.

Nash, who earned NBA Most Valuable Player honors in back-to-back seasons with the Suns (2005 and 2006), is an eight-time NBA All-Star and six-time All-NBA Team selection (First Team 2005-07, Second Team 2008, Third Team 2002-03). The second best free throw shooter in NBA history (.9035) behind Mark Price (.9039) and eighth most accurate three-point shooter of all-time (.428), the 6’3” guard currently ranks fifth on the NBA’s all-time assists list (9,916).

Last season, Nash averaged 12.5 points on .532 shooting from the field while handing out 10.7 assists in 31.6 minutes. Leading all guards in double-doubles (28), Nash also ranked among league leaders in assists (2nd), field goal percentage (10th), 3-point field goal percentage (31st) and free-throw percentage (4th).

The recipient of the 2007 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, Nash is the only player in NBA history to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the free-throw line in four different seasons after doing so in 2005-06, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 (only Nash and Larry Bird have done so at least twice).

Originally selected by the Phoenix Suns in the first round (15th overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft two picks after the Charlotte Hornets’ selection of new teammate Kobe Bryant, Nash, a 16-year NBA veteran, has career averages of 14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 8.6 assists in 31.4 minutes.

Grant Hill interested in Heat, Thunder, Lakers

Free agent forward Grant Hill is still considering at least two other teams–the two teams in last month’s Finals, Miami and Oklahoma City–as well as the Lakers as he decides where he’s going to play next season, according to a source with knowledge of the 39-year-old forward’s thinking.

Reports Tuesday indicated that Hill has decided either to play for the Lakers or retire. But the source strongly indicated that Hill has not limited himself to Los Angeles as he makes up his mind. The Lakers emerged as a strong favorite for Hill after they agreed to terms with the Suns last week on a sign-and-trade deal that will send Steve Nash to the Lakers after the end of the July Moratorium on the 11th for four Draft picks and $3 million. But Hill is looking at the Heat and Thunder as well.

— Reported by the NBA.com Hangtime blog

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Jerry Buss hospitalized for dehydration

Famed L.A. Lakers owner Jerry Buss was rushed to an L.A. hospital last night, where he was treated for severe dehydration — Buss family sources tell TMZ.

According to sources, 78-year-old Buss fell ill at his home around 9pm and someone inside the house called 911. The L.A. City Fire Department responded and paramedics rushed Jerry to a local L.A. hospital.

— Reported by TMZ

Update from Lakers: Lakers spokesman John Black issued the following statement this morning on behalf of the team: “In response to media inquiries and to dispel rumors and inaccurate reports, we’d like to state that Dr. Buss is in a local hospital where he is being treated for dehydration. He is recovering and is expected to be released soon.”

Mavs reach out to Ramon Sessions

The Dallas Mavericks, in the aftermath of Thursday’s stunning departure of point guard Jason Kidd, have reached out for a second time t

o Ramon Sessions, this time with a starting job to pitch.

A source close to the situation said the Mavs initially contacted Sessions’ representatives prior to Kidd opting to pass on a three-year, $9 million offer from Dallas and instead agreeing to a similar deal to join the New York Knicks.

After Kidd reached his decision to move on, the Mavs again reached out to Sessions, the 26-year-old point guard that was traded from Cleveland to the Lakers at the trade deadline last season. Sessions, the source said, is seeking a starting job and security.

The source said another round of talks with the Mavs are set for Friday.

— Reported by Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/_/id/8133677/source-dallas-mavericks-turn-attention-point-guard-ramon-sessions

Lakers might keep Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum

Lakers might keep Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum

A source familiar with the Lakers’ thinking told ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Dave McMenamin the team intends to keep its core of Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum together next season now that Nash will be in the fold.

“It will be a huge honor to play alongside Steve,” Gasol said in a video chat Wednesday night. “Obviously I know him for many years now, and he’s been one of the elite point guards in the league for as long as I can remember, as long as I’ve played in the NBA. It will be a true pleasure to play with Steve. He’s one of the best point guards that has ever played the game, and still has a lot of juice in him. So I look forward to that.

In addition, the Lakers are no longer trying to retain point guard Ramon Sessions, who opted out of the final year and $4.55 million of his contract to become a free agent, a source told ESPNLosAngeles.com’s Ramona Shelburne.

Sessions was hoping for the security of a longer term contract, but while discussions with the Lakers were positive, they never progressed toward a multiyear deal, the source told Shelburne.

— Reported by Marc Stein of ESPN.com

Suns sign-and-trading Steve Nash to Lakers

Veteran star point guard Steve Nash is taking his talents from the Phoenix Suns and heading to the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade agreement.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, “Sources told ESPN.com that the Nash, with the New York Knicks also pressing hard to complete a simiilar sign-and-trade deal, was swayed to join the Lakers after a determined push from Bryant and because the move not only keeps him in the title hunt but will allow Nash to stay in close proximity to his three children in Phoenix. Nash will receive a three-year deal in excess of $25 million, sources said, because the Suns ultimately agreed to sign-and-trade him to the Lakers, who can absorb Nash via the trade exception they created by dealing Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks in December.”

Per Elliot Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News: “Nash joins a team that was in flux last season in Mike Brown’s first year as coach. The Lakers believed they had secured their point guard of the future when they acquired Ramon Sessions from the Cleveland Cavaliers and dealt Derek Fisher to the Houston Rockets. But Sessions opted out of his Lakers contract for next season to become a free agent. it’s unlikely the Lakers would continue their attempts to re-sign Sessions. It was believed Nash was bound for either the Toronto Raptors or the New York Knicks or perhaps with the Dallas Mavericks to re-unite with Dirk Nowitzki. The two-time NBA most-valuable player reportedly received a three-season, $36-million offer from the Raptors. Word leaked early Wednesday that he would not take it, however.”

Per Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic, “In the Nash sign-and-trade, the #Suns will get 2013 & 2015 first-round picks and 2013 & 2014 second-round picks.”

The 38-year-old Nash averaged 12.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 10.7 assists on 53.2% shooting last season for the Suns.

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Lamar Odom withdraws from 2012 USA Basketball National Team

The following has been known for days, but just became official today:

Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Clippers) has informed USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo and USA Basketball Men’s National Team head coach Mike Krzyzewski that he will be unavailable to play for the USA Basketball National Team this summer.

“Lamar has told us that he is unable to play for the United States this summer. While it is unfortunate to have lost the players we have, Coach Krzyzewski and I remain extremely confident with the group of players we’ll have at our training camp in Las Vegas. We believe that we will still have an outstanding collection of talent and that ultimately we will have another team that all Americans will be excited about and proud of,” said Colangelo.

The 15 USA finalists will assemble July 5 in Las Vegas, Nev., for the start of the 2012 USA National Team training. The USA’s 12-man roster will be announced after the team’s practice on July 7. Finalists contending for a roster spot include: Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks); Anthony Davis (New Orleans Hornets); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (New Orleans Hornets); Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); LeBron James (Miami Heat); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder); and Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets).

Darius Morris signs qualifying offer from Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers guard Darius Morris, who was tendered a qualifying offer from the team on June 29, signed the qualifying offer today.

Morris, who was selected by the Lakers with the 41st pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, averaged 2.4 points, 0.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19 games last season.

He recorded a career high 9 points, career high 5 assists and career high-tying 3 rebounds on April 26 at Sacramento.

Lakers extend qualifying offers to Devin Ebanks and Darius Morris

The Los Angeles Lakers have extended qualifying offers to forward Devin Ebanks and guard Darius Morris, making them both restricted free agents, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

A second year player out of West Virginia, Ebanks was selected by the Lakers in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft. The 6-9 forward appeared in 24 games (12 starts) with the Lakers last season, averaging 4.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 16.5 minutes. Ebanks also appeared in three games for the D-Fenders, averaging 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 32.0 minutes.

Ebanks has career averages of 3.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.30 assists in 44 games.

Selected by the Lakers in the second round (41st overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft, Morris appeared in 19 regular season games for the Lakers last season, averaging 2.4 points and 1.1 assists in 8.9 minutes. In addition to his role with the Lakers, Morris played in one game with the D-Fenders, where he recorded 21 points, one rebound and four assists in 28 minutes of play.

The 6-4 guard out of the University of Michigan, played two seasons for the Wolverines where he averaged 9.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists. An All-Big Ten Third Team selection during his sophomore year, Morris also set a Michigan record for assists in a single season (235).

In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, in order for a team to retain its right of first refusal with respect to a restricted free agent, the team must tender the player a qualifying offer prior to June 30. A restricted free agent may sign an offer sheet with any team, but is subject to a right of first refusal with the team for which the player last played.