NBA Teams – Page 1428 – NBA Blog

Denver Nuggets sign Ty Lawson to contract extension

The Denver Nuggets have signed point guard Ty Lawson to a multiyear contract extension, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today. According to the Denver Post, it is a four-year extension worth $48 million.

“We felt Ty was ready to take on a lot of responsibility last season and he proved he could handle it,” Ujiri said. “He is maturing as a leader on the court and in the locker room, so it was an easy decision for us to sign him to an extension.”

Lawson, 24, excelled in his first full season as a starter in 2011-12, averaging career-highs in nearly every statistical category, including points (16.4), assists (6.6), rebounds (3.7) and steals (1.34).

He shot .488 from the field, recorded nine double-doubles and led Denver in scoring a team-best 19 times.

Lawson, 5-11, 195, also performed well in the playoffs, averaging 19 points and six assists during the Nuggets’ seven-game series against the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Nuggets facing elimination in Game 6, he scored a playoff career-high 32 points on 13-of-18 shooting to help the Nuggets extend the series.

“We are thrilled to have reached an agreement on a contractual extension with Ty,” Nuggets president Josh Kroenke said. “This new contract is a reflection of his hard work and dedication throughout the past three seasons with our organization. Ty is a dynamic player, a wonderful person, and someone we expect to lead us into the future.”

Lawson, the 18th overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, has steadily improved in each of his three seasons since being acquired by the Nuggets in a draft-night trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 25, 2009.

He averaged 8.3 points and 3.1 assists as a rookie in 2009-10 and 11.7 points and 4.6 assists in 2010-11.

Given more responsibility last season, Lawson emerged as a reliable floor leader and scorer. During a three-game stretch immediately after the All-Star break, he averaged 20.7 points, 11.7 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 1.33 steals and was named Western Conference Player of the Week.

He became the first Nuggets player to average at least 20 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds over three games since Fat Lever in April 1989.

Lawson continued to produce as the Nuggets battled for a playoff spot late in the season. He scored 22 points and added a career-high 15 assists on March 2 at Houston and struck for 29 points and 10 assists in a playoff-clinching victory at Phoenix on April 21.

A year earlier, Lawson became the first NBA player to make his first 10 three-point attempts when he caught fire against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 9, 2011, at Pepsi Center. He finished 10-of-11 from long range en route to a career-high 37 points.

Sixers center Andrew Bynum still out recovering

As previously announced, new Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum has a bone bruise of the right knee.

While Andrew and the 76ers are both eager for him to resume game play as soon as possible, given the long regular season and playoffs, the team intends to act with caution as to the date of his return. Andrew has already commenced low impact conditioning, and will be re-evaluated by medical personnel on a continuous basis.

Tony DiLeo, the 76ers General Manager said, “With the team’s intriguing play in the pre-season leading to a 6-1 pre-season record, we are confident that the 76ers will be an exciting, talented and highly competitive team from day one. When Andrew Bynum rejoins for game play, that will take an already strong team to an even higher level.”

Timberwolves exercise third-year options on Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced that the team has picked up the third-year options on guard Ricky Rubio and forward Derrick Williams.

Rubio, a second-year guard from Spain, finished as runner-up in the NBA’s Rookie of the Year voting last season. He appeared in 41 games, averaging 10.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 8.2 assists. Rubio finished sixth in the NBA, and first among rookies, in assists last year. He finished with 12 point/assist double-doubles.

Williams, the second overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Arizona, appeared in all 66 games for the Wolves as a rookie, averaging 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He finished fifth among rookies in rebounding and seventh in scoring. In 15 starts, Williams averaged 11.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in 30.0 minutes per game.

Chicago Bulls exercise third-year option on Jimmy Butler

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has exercised its third-year option for the 2013-14 season for guard/forward Jimmy Butler. By exercising Butler’s option, he will be under contract with the Bulls for the 2013-14 season.

Butler (6-7, 220), appeared in 42 games during his rookie campaign and posted averages of 2.6 ppg and 1.3 rpg in 8.5 mpg. He also shot .405 from the floor and .768 from the line. Butler was selected by the Bulls in the first round (30th overall) in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Manu Ginobili to miss Spurs season opener

Manu Ginobili will miss the NBA season opener for the San Antonio Spurs due to a back ailment, the team said on Monday

The Spurs kick off their campaign on Wednesday at the New Orleans Hornets but they will do so without Argentine guard Ginobili.

The 35-year-old Ginobili, a three-times NBA champion and two-times All Star, will be re-evaluated in advance of Thursday’s game against Oklahoma City.

— Reported by Reuters

Warriors to start Harrison Barnes at SF

Warriors to start Harrison Barnes at small forward

Warriors coach Mark Jackson announced Monday that rookie Harrison Barnes will be his starting small forward.

Jackson said he was looking for the best fit and not necessarily the best player. Apparently, Barnes beat out forward Richard Jefferson and swingman Brandon Rush.

“Starting was definitely a goal of mine,” Barnes said. “Playing in the NBA and starting on opening night is a huge accomplishment. But my mindset is not going to change. I’m going out there and try to provide this team all of the little things I can to help us win.”

The Warriors have known four of their starters since they acquired center Andrew Bogut in March. The question since had been who would start at small forward. The options entering training camp were Barnes, the No. 7 overall pick, Jefferson and Rush. Barnes and Rush had emerged as front-runners early in training camp.

— Reported by Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group

Danny Granger out indefinitely with sore left knee

The Indiana Pacers announced Tuesday that forward Danny Granger has continued soreness in his left knee and will be out indefinitely.

He will get a second opinion and once that is received an update will be provided.

Granger in the playoffs last season averaged 17.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, though he shot just 39.7% from the field.

In the regular season for 2011-12, he averaged 18.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 1.8 apg while shooting 41.6% FG.

Read NBA fan reaction and share your opinion in this basketball forum topic.

Ty Lawson getting closer to contract extension with Nuggets

Ty Lawson getting closer to extension with Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are getting closer to making a deal with guard Ty Lawson on a contract extension before Wednesday’s deadline for 2009 Draft picks, according to a league source.

There is not a deal in place, but with the clock ticking, hopes are increasing that a deal can be made. The Nuggets and Lawson have been working on an extension for the past few weeks, and the fourth-year guard has been one of the few members of his Draft class that was given a decent chance to get something done. Lawson, who will turn 25 later this week, has become one of the league’s most dynamic point guards. He averaged 16.4 points and 6.6 assists last season, and his PER of 19.43 rated ninth among point guards. With Lawson pushing the ball, Denver became a lethal transition team and the Nuggets have hopes they can be even more efficient after acquiring forward Andre Iguodala from Philadelphia in August as part of the four-team trade that sent center Andrew Bynum from the Lakers to the 76ers.

— Reported by David Aldridge of TNT/NBA.com

Portland Trail Blazers name Chris McGowan President and CEO

The Portland Trail Blazers announced today that Los Angeles sports executive Chris McGowan will be the Trail Blazers’ new President and Chief Executive Officer. McGowan joins the Trail Blazers from his position as Chief Operating Officer of AEG Sports, where he has played prominent leadership roles in the reigning NHL champion Los Angeles Kings and the MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy.

“It is a great day for the Portland Trail Blazers as we welcome Chris to the Northwest,” said Trail Blazers Owner Paul Allen. “With his demonstrated leadership with the Kings and Galaxy, I am confident he will find ways to improve the Blazers’ business performance, which is key to the team’s overall success.”

McGowan replaces Larry Miller, who resigned as the team’s president in July to return to Nike, and joins General Manager Neil Olshey and Head Coach Terry Stotts, who were both hired earlier this year. He will assume his new position on November 12.

“With Chris now onboard, the Blazers’ new leadership team is complete,” Allen said.

“I am honored to take on this role,” said McGowan. “I have always admired the strength of the Trail Blazers’ brand and the passion of their fan base and am eager to join the staff as we continue building an organization the city can be proud of.”

McGowan will manage all business operations of the team and the Rose Garden. He will report to Peter McLoughlin, currently president of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and MLS’ Seattle Sounders FC, who is assuming the role of CEO of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment (VSE). VSE oversees the business operations of Allen’s sports franchises and facilities. McLoughlin will continue in his roles with the Seattle franchises as well as with First and Goal, Inc., which manages CenturyLink Field.

Olshey will continue to manage all basketball operations. He will report directly to Allen on basketball operations and collaborate with McGowan on budget and financial matters.

“I’m excited to work with Chris,” said Olshey. “I’m impressed with his leadership abilities and look forward to a successful collaborative effort.”

McGowan earned his degree in International Relations from the University of Delaware and began his career with AEG in 1996. His success in sales and his strong organizational and team-building skills propelled him up the ranks of AEG. In 2007, he was named Chief Operating Officer of the Kings, where he oversaw the team’s business operations and led the team to increased revenue from ticketing, sponsorships, concessions and other areas.

Earlier this year, McGowan was named COO of the newly formed sports division, AEG Sports. In addition to overseeing the Kings and the Los Angeles Galaxy, McGowan assisted with the operations for all of AEG’s sports teams around the world.

OKC Thunder exercise third-year option on guard Reggie Jackson

The Oklahoma City Thunder exercised its third-year option on guard Reggie Jackson, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Jackson (6-3, 208), who was the 24th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, averaged 3.1 points, 1.6 assists, 1.2 rebounds and 11.1 minutes in 45 games during his rookie campaign. This past summer, the Boston College product was named to the All-Summer League Second Team at the AirTran Airways Pro Summer League in Orlando after averaging 15.3 points, a team-leading 3.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 26.4 minutes in four games (all starts).