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Memphis Grizzlies sign Marcus Williams

INITIAL JULY 29 NEWS (SEE UPDATE BELOW): The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports: Marcus Williams, who opened some eyes playing for the Grizzlies’ summer league team in Las Vegas earlier this month, could be joining the team in a more official capacity within the next few days. Calvin Andrews, Williams’ agent, said this afternoon that he feels “confident” that Williams will sign a 1-year deal with the Grizzlies. “We’re very close,” Andrews said. “They like some of the things he can do to help the team, to get the ball in the right places.”

AUGUST 6 UPDATE: GRIZZLIES SIGN MARCUS WILLIAMS

grizzlies sign point guard marcus williams

The Memphis Grizzlies added depth to the team’s backcourt by signing free agent point guard and 2009 NBA Summer League standout Marcus Williams, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

“The addition of Marcus Williams not only adds depth to our point guard position, but also gives the team a very skilled passer,” Wallace said. “Marcus excels at getting easy baskets for his teammates. His teammates will enjoy playing with him.”

The three-year NBA veteran averaged 13.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and a league-leading 8.2 assists (shared with Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings) in helping lead the Grizzlies to a perfect 5-0 record in the 2009 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas last month.

The 6-3, 205-pound guard began and finished his summer league in memorable fashion, recording a Vegas-record 17 assists in the opener on July 12 vs. Oklahoma City and then made the game-winning field goal with 0.4 seconds remaining in the summer finale on July 19 vs. San Antonio.

The 23-year-old playmaker holds career averages of 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 15.8 minutes in 141 games (nine starts) with the New Jersey Nets (2006-08) and Golden State Warriors (2008-09). Williams was originally selected by New Jersey with the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft and was named to the 2006-07 NBA All-Rookie Second Team after recording 6.8 points and 3.3 assists in 79 games in his rookie season.

Last season, Williams averaged 1.3 points and 1.4 assists in 6.0 minutes in nine games for the Warriors before finishing the year in Puerto Rico, recording 16.8 points and a league-best 9.0 assists in 33.5 minutes in 34 games with the Quebradillas Pirates.

The Los Angeles, Calif. native averaged 9.0 points and a school-record 7.3 assists in 26.1 minutes in 70 games (51 starts) over three seasons (2003-06) at the University of Connecticut, where he teamed with current Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay for two seasons (2004-06). While at UConn, Williams posted the first-ever triple-double for a Huskies player in conference play with 18 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds on Feb. 21, 2006 vs. Notre Dame.

Williams also joined Gay as part of the 2005 USA Men’s U21 World Championship Team, where he led the squad in minutes (20.4) and averaged 4.1 points and 4.1 assists in eight games.

The Grizzlies’ roster now stands at 12 players.

Richard Jefferson breaks off wedding

NBA small forward Richard Jefferson, formerly of the New Jersey Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, recently traded to the San Antonio Spurs, is now a single man. The New York Post reports:

Former Net star Richard Jefferson admitted yesterday that he told his beautiful bride-to-be that their wedding was off in an e-mail — stunning her just days before their planned posh nuptials.

Kesha Ni’Cole Nichols got the heart-wrenching message after a tense Fourth of July weekend, Jefferson told The Post.

“There was a lot of stress and tension in the relationship. We’ve been through a lot — but we just couldn’t continue,” said Jefferson, sounding upset during a telephone interview.

But at least Nichols got a nice parting gift — Jefferson, who was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the San Antonio Spurs last month, said he’s giving her a “six-figure” settlement so she can start a new life.

In speaking with the Post, Jefferson also took a moment to clear something else up:

He insisted a rumor he’s gay had nothing to do with the breakup.

“I’m not gay,” Jefferson said. “That couldn’t be any further from the truth. I have nothing to hide.”

Nets sign first round draft pick Terrence Williams

The New Jersey Nets have signed their first round selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, Terrence Williams, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

This is basically just a formality, as first round draft picks are guaranteed a contract.

Williams, selected by the Nets in the first round with the 11th overall pick, earned Third Team All-America and First Team All-Big East honors after averaging 12.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 5.0 apg last season. Williams helped lead Louisville to their first Big East regular season and tournament titles while claiming the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The senior guard/forward was the only player in Louisville history to tally 1,500 points, 900 rebounds, 500 assists and 200 steals. He finished his career ranked 18th in school history with 1,564 points, second in assists (541), seventh in rebounding (966), fourth in three-point field goals made (195), fifth in steals (210) and second in minutes played (4,486).

Jason Kidd to re-sign with Dallas Mavericks

Free agent point guard Jason Kidd will re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks, according to several ESPN reporters.

The deal will reportedly be for three years and in the neighborhood of $25 million.

The NBA’s free agent negotiation period began Wednesday, July 1. Players can sign contracts beginning Wednesday, July 8.

Kidd, who turned 36 in March, averaged just 9.0 points per game last season, the lowest of his entire NBA career. He shot 41.6%, slightly above his career average. Kidd has been shooting very well from three-point range in the two seasons he’s been on the Mavericks.

Last season he also averaged 6.2 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game.

Kidd has shown his age in the past year or two, especially on the defensive end, and should continue to slow down next season. It’s surprising to me that the Mavericks will keep him for three years. I thought if they were going to re-sign him it would be for perhaps one year, two at the most.

Former Maverick Devin Harris, traded to the Nets for Kidd, has done very well in New Jersey, though the Nets offense really centered almost entirely around the young, scoring point guard, so his stats were slightly inflated. But still, while Harris looks like he will flirt with making the NBA All-Star team for years to come, Kidd’s career is wrapping up.

NBA team, D-League team affiliations announced

The National Basketball Association and the NBA Development League, the official minor league of the NBA, today announced the affiliation system for the 2009-10 season, including the announcement of a direct single-affiliation partnership between the Houston Rockets and Rio Grande Valley Vipers. For the fifth consecutive year, each NBA team has one NBA D-League affiliate to which it may assign players in their first or second NBA season.

The Rockets became the first NBA team to enter into a direct single-affiliation partnership with an NBA D-League team, granting the Rockets full control over the basketball operations of the Vipers. With the move, the Rockets will be the only parent-club of the team.

In a structure similar to other minor leagues, this new partnership model, previously referred to as the “hybrid affiliation,” allows for NBA teams to secure control over and cover the expenses related to the basketball operations of an NBA D-League team, while partnering with existing local ownership, who maintain responsibility for the off-the-court business operations of the team.

The list of affiliations is on our NBA D-League page.

Nets exercise Jarvis Hayes option

The New Jersey Nets have exercised the team option on the contract of forward Jarvis Hayes for the 2009-10 season, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today.

“Jarvis was a key member of our rotation last season, providing instant scoring and the ability to stretch the defense,” said Thorn. “We are pleased to have him continue as a member of our roster, and look forward to a similar contribution this season.”

Hayes, a 6-8 forward from the University of Georgia, signed as a free agent with the Nets on July 16, 2008. In 2008-09, he played in 74 games including one start. Hayes averaged 8.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 24.8 minutes per contest while shooting a career-high .445 (257-577) from the field, a career-high .385 (94-244) from three-point range and .692 (36-52) from the line.

Nets trade Vince Carter to Magic

The Orlando Magic have acquired eight-time NBA All-Star guard Vince Carter and forward Ryan Anderson from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for guard Rafer Alston, forward-center Tony Battie and guard Courtney Lee, General Manager Otis Smith announced this evening.

“Vince (Carter) gives us a veteran, go-to scoring presence, especially at the end of games,” Smith said. “Our goal remains the same – to win a championship. Any time you can add an All-Star to help you reach your goals, you have to do it. Vince has been a bonafide scorer in this league for 11 seasons and we are excited to add both him and Ryan (Anderson) to our team. We thank Rafer, Tony and Courtney for their efforts and wish them success in the future.”

Carter (6’6”, 220, 1/26/77) played in 80 games last season for New Jersey, averaging 20.8 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 4.7 apg. and 1.03 stlpg. in 36.8 minpg. He scored in double figures 71 times, had 20+ points 44 times, scored 30+ points 13 times and had 40+ points once, a season-high 41 points on Mar. 15 at L.A. Clippers. Carter led (or tied) the Nets in scoring 35 times, in rebounding 17 times and in assists 23 times. He recorded eight double-doubles and one triple-double last season. Carter ranked 16th in the NBA in scoring, tied for 26th in minutes played and tied for 30th in assists.

This is an interesting trade. It helps the Nets save some money, as they were going to say goodbye to Carter in the future anyway and aren’t winning much with him. Out with the old, in with the new. The team is basically building around Devin Harris and youth.

As for the Magic, with a healthy Jameer Nelson, Alston would have come off the bench and played limited minutes. Tony Battie is replaceable. But losing Courtney Lee’s hustle may actually hurt. Vince won’t bring that. But the Magic must feel that the scoring and defensive attention Carter draws adds more to their team than what they’re giving up.

More on this tonight. Hit our board to discuss it.

2011 NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, a city with a reputation for producing highly successful sequels, and STAPLES Center, considered one of the world’s best arenas for sports and entertainment, have been selected to host NBA All-Star 2011, marking the fifth time The City of Angels and the second time STAPLES Center will be the site of the annual celebration, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced at a press conference today in Los Angeles. AEG President and CEO Timothy J. Leiweke and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined Stern at the announcement.

The 60th NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, February 20 at STAPLES Center which will also host the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam and NBA All-Star Saturday Night. NBA All-Star Jam Session, the hugely successful interactive basketball celebration, will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center. Additionally, the NBA has the ability to activate the great hospitality and event spaces across the street from STAPLES Center within L.A. LIVE including the new Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels. Los Angeles becomes the first city to host five NBA All-Star Games.

“Its state-of-the-art facilities, passionate fans, and first-class hospitality and entertainment options make Los Angeles an ideal host for NBA All-Star,” said Commissioner Stern. “We thank the city and STAPLES Center for welcoming us once again.”

The 2010-11 season will mark the 27th year that Turner Sports will provide NBA All-Star coverage, and the ninth consecutive year the All-Star Game will be televised in primetime on TNT. The All-Star Game will be seen by a worldwide television audience in more than 200 countries and will be broadcast in more than 40 languages.

“L.A. LIVE was truly designed to be a home for great events like the NBA All-Star game,” said Leiweke, President & CEO AEG, owners of STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE. “We are fortunate that this will be the second All-Star weekend STAPLES Center will host in the last ten years and our ability to incorporate one of the best weekends in all of sports into our 100-acre campus is exactly what L.A. LIVE was created for. We are privileged to be partners with the NBA and welcome them back to Los Angeles and L.A. LIVE.”

“There is no better place to host the action and drama of the NBA All-Star Game than the stage of so many award winning performances,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “On behalf of the City of Los Angeles, we look forward to welcoming NBA fans and players from across the country and around the globe to the entertainment capital of the world.”

STAPLES Center last played host to NBA All-Star in 2004, when the Los Angeles Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant combined for 44 points as the West edged the East 136-132. O’Neal earned MVP honors with 24 points and 11 rebounds. L.A. also hosted the All-Star Game in 1963, 1972 and 1983. The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena hosted All-Star in 1963, while the Forum hosted the other ’72 and ’83 games. The 1972 classic saw the Lakers’ Jerry West thrill the hometown fans with a last-second jumper that gave the West a 112-110 victory and netted him MVP honors.

NBA All-Star competitions will get underway on Friday, Feb. 18, as the league’s top rookies and second-year players square off in the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. The following day’s festivities will feature an

all-inclusive skills showcase known as NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which is comprised of Haier Shooting Stars, a competition featuring NBA and WNBA players and NBA Legends; PlayStation® Skills Challenge, a contest of

top guards working against the clock to complete a series of passes, free throws, lay-ups and agility drills; the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, a long-standing staple of the evening; and the ever-entertaining Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.

During NBA All-Star 2011, the NBA will continue to celebrate its tradition and commitment to social responsibility with a schedule of NBA Cares events. NBA Cares will partner with schools, government, and local non-profit organizations in Los Angeles and surrounding areas to highlight the league’s grassroots and community initiatives that reach millions of young people and their parents while providing critical resources to community-based programs.

One of the event’s most popular attractions is NBA All-Star Jam Session, which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. At Jam Session, fans can have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of participating in the NBA All-Star excitement, with the chance to meet and collect free autographs from NBA Players and Legends. Jam Session is nonstop basketball action, as fans can shoot, slam, dribble, and drive all day; compete against their friends in skills challenges; or get basketball tips from NBA Players and Legends. Young fans can hang out at Kids Zone – with hoops and interactive activities that are the perfect size for kids’ slam dunks, three-pointers, and jump shots. For fans who want NBA entertainment, Jam Session features the NBA’s favorite players, celebrities, mascots, and dance teams as they hit Center Court in a variety of basketball competitions, including the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and the NBA All-Star Practice.

NBA luxury tax to continue

The Deseret News (Tim Buckley) reports: If the Jazz choose to wade into NBA luxury-tax territory — something they’ve said they’re willing to do if need be next season — they won’t be getting a bailout. League Commissioner David Stern told reporters covering the NBA Finals in Los Angeles this week that there are no plans to temporarily shelve the tax, even in light of the country’s current economic plight. “No,” Stern said when asked at his annual Finals news conference, “there’s no contemplation of eliminating or reducing luxury tax.” The tax — part of the current collective-bargaining agreement between the NBA and its players union — is levied upon teams that exceed the league’s maximum team-payroll threshold, which has not yet been determined for next season. It amounts to a fine of $1 for every dollar over the threshold, plus a ban from sharing with under-the-threshold teams in distribution of the taxes that are collected.

Frank Gehry no longer architect for Brooklyn Nets arena

The New York Times (Charles V. Bagli) reports: It’s official. Frank Gehry is out as the architect for the Barclays Center, an exotic, $1 billion glass-walled arena that is the centerpiece of the long-delayed and financially challenged Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, according to government officials and real estate executives who have been briefed on the plans. The design by Mr. Gehry, the award-winning architect behind the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, has been replaced with a less-expensive, $800 million arena. The new design comes from Ellerbe Becket, an architectural firm based in Kansas City, Mo., that specializes in convention centers, stadiums and arenas, and designed Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where the Indiana Pacers play.