OKC Thunder Blog – Page 68 – NBA Blog

Thunder assign Ryan Reid to D-League

The Oklahoma City Thunder today assigned forward Ryan Reid to the Tulsa 66ers, the Thunder’s NBA D-League affiliate. The assignment marks the 22nd time and NBA player has been assigned to an NBA D-League affiliate during the 2011-12 season. It is the first assignment for Reid this season.

Reid (6-8, 235) has appeared in two games with the Thunder since earning a GATORADE Call-Up from the 66ers on Dec. 13, 2011, scoring three points in five minutes of action.

In eight games, all starts, with the 66ers before joining the Thunder, Jones averaged 11.8 points and 8.9 rebounds in 34.3 minutes.

A rookie from Florida State, Reid is expected to be available tonight when the 66ers host the Canton Charge in Tulsa.

Jeff Green has successful heart surgery

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said the team was informed Monday afternoon that Jeff Green’s surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm “went great” and that he hopes the process will allow Green to return to an NBA court at some point.

“Surgery went well, he had surgery today — they’re saying it went great,” Rivers said. “Obviously our thoughts, our prayers and every part of our being is with Jeff right now.

“The second news we want to hear is that he’ll be able to play again. That would be terrific. I don’t care if it’s with us — I want it to be with us — [but] I just want him to. Really, at the end of the day, that’s what we want.”

Rivers said he talked with Green on Friday to wish him well with Monday’s procedure at the Cleveland Clinic. Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge visited the team’s afternoon practice session to relay the encouraging news that surgery went well.

— Reported by Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston

Thunder guard Eric Maynor out for season with torn ACL

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti issued the following statement on the injury status of guard Eric Maynor:

“After further tests and evaluation this morning, it was revealed that Eric Maynor tore his right Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in the fourth quarter of last night’s game in Houston. The injury will require surgery and Eric will miss the remainder of the 2011-12 season.

It is unfortunate to lose a player like Eric, whose work ethic and leadership has contributed to the culture of our organization. Knowing him and the mental toughness he possesses, we are confident that he will do everything necessary to come back from this injury and be prepared for the 2012-13 season. Injuries are part of the NBA, and although it is tough to lose Eric, we must move forward and focus on our continued improvement as a basketball team.”

Kevin Durant wanted Shane Battier to sign with Thunder

In his first game back in Memphis since Game 6 of the second round of the playoffs, Durant admitted that his lobbying last month for former Grizzlies forward Shane Battier was real.

“I was dead serious,” said Durant, who used Twitter in late November to attempt to recruit Battier. “I wanted him since last year, after we beat them in the playoffs. I was telling a few of the guys, ‘Shane would be a good fit here for us.’ He was a guy I was looking forward to playing with, but Miami jumped in and took him.”

Durant said he understood why Battier chose to sign with the Heat.

“Let’s be real,” Durant said. “Guys like LeBron (James) and D-Wade and (Chris) Bosh, they’re lobbying for you as well. And it was me and Nazr Mohammed and Nick Collison lobbying for him. And you look at the names there, you look at Miami, the weather and just that whole aura around those guys and of course he’s going to pick them. But it’s a decision that he made for him and his family. You can’t really be upset about it.

“Shane’s an unbelievable player, a great teammate from what I’ve heard. I wish him the best. If he would have come here it would have been perfect for us.”

— Via Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman

Thunder trade Byron Mullens to Bobcats

Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has acquired a 2013 2nd round draft pick from the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for center Byron Mullens and cash considerations.

“While we believe that Byron will be a productive player in this league, it became apparent that in the near future it would be difficult for him to continue his development and have the opportunity to make a significant impact on our club because of the current make-up of our roster,” Presti said. “This trade allows us the opportunity to create both future financial and roster flexibility while providing us with an additional draft pick in 2013.”

In two seasons with the Thunder, Mullens has appeared in 26 games and posted averages of 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 5.3 minutes per contest.

Oklahoma City originally acquired the draft rights to Mullens from the Dallas Mavericks on draft night after he was selected in the 1st round (No. 25 overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft.

The former Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year at Ohio State saw action in 41 games for the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA D-League during the past two seasons. With the 66ers, Mullens recorded averages of 15.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots in 30.2 minutes per game.

Celtics forward Jeff Green will miss entire 2011-12 season

The Boston Celtics announced today that forward Jeff Green will undergo surgery on Monday January 9, 2012 at the Cleveland Clinic and will miss the 2011-12 season.

A team of leading cardiac specialists who consulted with Green and the Celtics indicated that surgery should completely repair Green’s condition and that he can expect to resume his NBA career next season.

During his team physical Friday, December 9th, an aortic aneurysm was detected. As a precautionary measure, Green underwent extensive additional testing, after which doctors recommended surgery.

“While we are saddened that Jeff will not be able to play this season, the most important thing is his health, and we were fortunate to have access to an amazing team of specialists to evaluate Jeff’s case,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “The entire Celtics family supports Jeff during this difficult time in his career.”

At Jeff’s request, neither Jeff nor the Celtics will have any additional comment at this time.

Russell Westbrook not worried about a new contract

Russell Westbrook transformed from the most turnover-prone player in the NBA into an All-Star who helped lead his team to the conference finals.

Heading into his fourth season, he has positioned himself for a big payday. It’s just not the center of his focus right now.

Westbrook would be a restricted free agent at the end of the season if he doesn’t reach a new deal, meaning the Thunder would still have the right to match any offer he gets from another team.

“It’s not a distraction at all,” Westbrook said Tuesday at the team’s media day. “I’m looking forward to this year and looking forward to big things out of my team and my teammates.”

Westbrook was a second-team all-NBA selection last season when averaged 21.9 points and 8.2 assists—both good enough to place him in the top 15 in the league. He still was worst in the NBA with 3.9 turnovers per game, but all his positive plays overshadowed the negative.

“We love what Russell brings us. He’s a tough point guard. He’s one of the best in the league,” coach Scott Brooks said.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Timberwolves trade Lazar Hayward to Thunder for Robert Vaden

Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has acquired forward Lazar Hayward from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for guard Robert Vaden and two conditional second-round picks.

“We are excited to be able to add Lazar to our organization,” Presti said. “Lazar is someone who we followed closely through the draft process and identified as a potential fit for the culture and identity that we are continuing to build in Oklahoma City. His toughness, length and shooting are attributes that will add depth to our roster, while his professionalism and competitiveness embody the intangibles that we value as an organization.”

Hayward (6-6, 225), originally drafted by the Washington in the 2010 NBA Draft (30th overall) was acquired by Minnesota in a draft night trade. The Marquette University product saw action in 42 games during his rookie campaign, averaging 3.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per contest.

The Oklahoma City Thunder roster now stands at 19.

Celtics re-sign forward Jeff Green

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have re-signed forward Jeff Green. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“It is great to have Jeff back with us,” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations. “We love the versatility that he brings to our roster and we think he will be an important part of the success that this team will have this season.”

Green, a 6’9” forward, averaged 13.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 32.4 minutes per game last season split between Boston and Oklahoma City. The former Georgetown Hoya was acquired by the Celtics from the Oklahoma City Thunder along with Nenad Krstic and a future first round draft pick from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson on February 24, 2011. Green recorded a double-double in his first start as a Celtic against Washington on April 11 recording 20 points, a career-high-tying 15 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Green improved his field goal percentage after the trade to the Celtics, shooting 48.5 percent from the floor in 26 games with the C’s after shooting 43.7 percent with the Thunder. Green has posted career averages of 13.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 315 games. Green recorded a career-high 37 points against New Jersey last season on December 1, 2010.

Thunder re-sign guard Daequan Cook

The Oklahoma City Thunder have re-signed guard Daequan Cook, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Cook ranked 11th in the NBA in three-point field goal shooting during the 2010-11 campaign, as he connected on 42.2% of his three-point attempts (65-of-154). The Ohio State product appeared in 43 games for Oklahoma City and registered averages of 5.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per contest.

“We are excited that we were able to reach an agreement that will keep Daequan a part of our core group moving forward,” said Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. “Daequan’s commitment to his own development and willingness to accept a role within our team, makes him a valuable member of our organization. At twenty-four years old, we believe Daequan’s best basketball is ahead of him. His desire to remain a part of the Thunder organization and the Oklahoma City community is what ultimately allowed us to reach this agreement.”

During the 2010-11 season Cook matched a career-high with six three-point field goals in 19 minutes during the Thunder’s win over the Washington Wizards (Mar. 14). He scored in double-figures seven times during the season and finished the year shooting 45.2% from three-point range (56-of-124) in the final 35 games of the season.

In four NBA seasons, Cook has appeared in 222 career games (26 starts) and posted averages of 7.5 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 36.9% from three-point range (337-of-913).