Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Bulls interested in Caron Butler

Here’s the Chicago Tribune reporting on Caron Butler, who has not had particularly good seasons these last few years, but is still probably worthy of being in a good team’s rotation:

Bulls interested in Caron Butler

The Bulls continue to cast a wide net in the stronger-than-usual pool of bought-out and waived players and have contacted the representatives for Caron Butler, who completed his buyout from the Bucks.

The Bulls hope to sign a 13th player to a prorated portion of the veteran’s minimum contract for the stretch run. They also are one of five teams in play for Danny Granger, although several reports have him leaning towards the Clippers or Spurs.

Yahoo Sports reported Butler, who averaged 11 points per game this season in 34 games with the Bucks, is strongly considering returning to the Heat.

DeMarcus Cousins suspended and fined

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has been suspended one game without pay and fined $20,000 for his actions in separate incidents, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

Cousins has been suspended for punching Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley in the stomach with 9:44 remaining in the first quarter of the Kings’ 129-103 loss to the Houston Rockets on Feb. 25, at Sleep Train Arena.

In addition, Cousins has been fined for verbally abusing a game official and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection with 8:21 remaining in the third quarter of the same game.

Cousins will serve his suspension on Friday, Feb. 28, when the Kings visit the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.

To view the play, click on this link.

Atlanta Hawks sign Mike Muscala

Atlanta Hawks sign Mike Muscala

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward/center Mike Muscala to a contract, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry.

Prior to signing with the Hawks, Muscala had played the 2013-14 season with Blusens Monbus Obradoiro of the ACB League in Spain. The 6-foot-11, 230-pounder had averages of 14.6 points (seventh in the ACB) on .546 shooting, a league-leading 7.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 26.3 minutes per game through 20 games.  He shot .871 from the free throw line and ranked sixth in the league (17.0) in Performance Index Rating, a Euroleague basketball statistic similar to the NBA’s PER.

“We are really excited that Mike was available to join our team. We’ve closely monitored Mike and his progress throughout the ACB season.  Coach Fernandez and his Obradoiro CAB club did an excellent job with his continued development,” Ferry said. “Due to our current injuries, Mike’s representatives presented the concept of Mike joining us for the remainder of the season. With our roster situation and his strong play, we felt now was a good time to add Mike to our program,” Ferry said.

The Hawks acquired the draft rights to Muscala (44th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft) in a trade with Dallas on June 28, 2013. He will wear No. 31.

A four-year letterman at Bucknell (2009-2013), Muscala (muss-KAL-uh) finished his career first on the school’s all-time scoring list (2,036 points), and second in rebounds (1,093) and blocks (271).  He was named the Patriot League Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, while also garnering First Team All-Patriot League and Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America honors, after averaging 18.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 2.3 assists in 31.7 minutes in 34 games (.509 FG%, .453 3FG%, .789 FT%).  In 133 career games, the 6-11 forward/center tallied 15.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.6 in assists in 28.7 minutes (.501 FG%, .435 3FG%, .819 FT%). Muscala, 22, is a native of St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Grizzlies claim Beno Udrih off waivers

grizzlies sign beno udrih

The Memphis Grizzlies claimed guard Beno Udrih (BEYN-oh OO-dreeh) off waivers, the team announced today.

Udrih (6-3, 205) joins Memphis with career averages of 8.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists on .461 shooting in 23.3 minutes in 659 games (255 starts) over 10 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs (2004-07), Sacramento Kings (2007-11), Milwaukee Bucks (2011-13), Orlando Magic (2012-13) and New York Knicks (2013-14).

The 31-year-old averaged 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists on .425 shooting in 19.0 minutes in 31 games (12 starts) with New York this season before being waived on Feb. 24.

A two-time NBA champion with San Antonio (2005, 2007), Udrih owns career postseason averages of 2.9 points and 0.9 assists in 8.6 minutes in 36 playoff appearances.

The Celje, Slovenia native was drafted by San Antonio in the first round (28th overall) of the 2004 NBA Draft. Prior to his NBA career, he played internationally in Slovenia (1998-2002), Israel (2002-03), Italy (2003-04) and Russia (2003-04).

The Grizzlies’ roster now stands at 15 players.

Knicks sign Shannon Brown, Earl Clark to 10-day contracts

shannon brown

New York Knicks President and General Manager Steve Mills announced today that the team has signed guard Shannon Brown and forward Earl Clark to 10-day contracts.

Brown, 6-4, 210-pounds, holds career averages of 8.0 points and 1.9 rebounds over 18.5 minutes in 384 games (58 starts) over eight seasons with Cleveland, Chicago, L.A. Lakers, Charlotte, Phoenix and San Antonio. He appeared in 10 games (one start) for San Antonio this season, averaging 2.3 points and 1.3 rebounds over 10.3 minutes. The two-time NBA Champion (2009, 2010) with the Lakers was originally selected following junior season at Michigan State University by Cleveland in the first round (25th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft.

Clark, 6-10, 234-pounds, holds career averages of 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds over 14.3 minutes in 242 games (54 starts) over five seasons with Phoenix, Orlando, L.A. Lakers and Cleveland. He averaged 5.2 points and 2.8 rebounds over 15.5 minutes in 45 games (17 starts) with Cleveland this season before he was acquired by Philadelphia on Feb. 20. He was originally selected following his junior season at the University of Louisville by Phoenix in the first round (14th overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft.

Clippers, Spurs reportedly want Danny Granger

Here’s ESPN.com reporting on teams potentially interested in landing the services of Danny Granger:

Clippers, Spurs reportedly want Danny Granger

The Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs are locked in a battle to secure the services of [former] All-Star Danny Granger after the Philadelphia 76ers and Granger completed a contract buyout Wednesday, according to sources close to the process.

Granger is scheduled to clear waivers at 5 p.m. ET Friday. He and the Sixers parted ways less than a week after the 30-year-old swingman was acquired from the Indiana Pacers just before the trade deadline for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen.

ESPN.com reported Tuesday night that the Spurs and Granger share a mutual interest, but sources said Wednesday that the Clippers — having lost starting shooting guard J.J. Redick for long stretches this season because of a variety of injuries — hold the advantage of having more playing time to offer. Granger also has an offseason home in Los Angeles.

Derrick Rose health update: he is now able to run again

derrick rose health update

Injured Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose has started running, although coach Tom Thibodeau says he’s nowhere near ready to practice.

The former MVP point guard tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. He sat out last year while recovering from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

— Associated Press

Tony Parker should return soon for Spurs

Here’s the San Antonio Express-News with some good news for the Spurs:

Tony Parker should return fairly soon for Spurs

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said All-Star point guard Tony Parker is expected to be back by Sunday’s game against Dallas after skipping the past five games resting his ailing body.

The Spurs play Charlotte at home on Friday before hosting the rival Mavericks. Parker’s return will give the Spurs a full roster for the first time since their home loss to New York on Jan. 2, in which time they’re 15-9.

“We’re getting closer to the normal lineup,” Popovich said.

Sixers, Danny Granger agree on buyout

Sixers, Danny Granger agree on buyout

According to Philly.com, “The Danny Granger Era in Philadelphia ended quicker than Andrew Bynum’s. As expected, the 76ers and Granger agreed to a contract buyout on Wednesday. The team announced the deal before the 76ers took the floor against the Orlando Magic at the Wells Fargo Center.”

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, “The 76ers negotiated a buyout of what’s left of the forward’s expiring contract on Wednesday, six days after he was acquired in a trade with the Indiana Pacers. Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie wouldn’t disclose the buyout amount. Granger, however, was slated to receive around $4 million for the rest of the season. Assuming he clears waivers by 5 p.m. Friday, the 6-foot-9, 228-pounder can sign with a team of his choice. He is reportedly looking at championship contenders: the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, and San Antonio Spurs.”

And, here’s a statement from 76ers President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Sam Hinkie, regarding Danny Granger:

“His accomplishments and accolades to this point of his NBA career more than speak for themselves, so I would like to express that I have a great deal of respect for Danny Granger as a person. The manner with which he carried himself throughout this process was professional, courteous and respectful, and speaks volumes about his character.

“Following the completion of the trade on Thursday night, Danny traveled to Philadelphia and we had an opportunity to meet with him here. These were in addition to the open lines of communication with his agent Aaron Mintz and CAA while we worked through the next steps.

“Given Danny’s future goals and his desire to pursue them, we worked to fulfill his requests and have come to a resolution that we feel is mutually beneficial to both Danny and our organization.

“We wish Danny the best in the next phase of his career.”