NBA Teams – Page 1587 – NBA Blog

Rockets re-assign Greg Smith to D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has re-assigned center/forward Greg Smith back to Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley. This marks the second assignment of Smith’s career.

Smith (6-10, 250, Fresno State) has averaged 0.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.71 blocks in seven games with the Rockets this season. Signed from Rio Grande Valley on Feb. 8, Smith was originally assigned to the Vipers on Feb. 9. He was recalled by Houston from Rio Grande Valley on Feb. 19. Selected as a 2012 NBA D-League All-Star, Smith has averaged 16.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.33 blocks in 21 games (17 starts) with the Vipers in 2011-12. At the time of his last recall, Smith was the D-League leader in field goal percentage (.664, 150-226 FG), was tied for sixth in the league in double-doubles (eight), 10th in rebounding average (7.9), 13th in scoring (16.7) and 14th in blocks per game (1.33).

In his first stint with the Rockets, Smith averaged 1.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in two preseason games with Houston before being waived on Dec. 22, 2011. In college, Smith averaged 11.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game as a sophomore last season at Fresno State. He was also the 2009-10 WAC Freshman of the Year, which was voted on by the WAC head coaches.

Jeff Foster retires from the NBA

After 13 seasons in the NBA, all with the Indiana Pacers, forward/center Jeff Foster announced his retirement Wednesday due to chronic back problems.

“It’s with deep regret that I have to conclude my basketball career,” said Foster. “I’ve given my all to the Pacers and the community the last 13 years. I had hoped to be able to finish the season, but unfortunately my back problems prevented that from occurring. I want to thank the Simon family and the Pacers’ organization for 13 memorable years.”

Foster played in just 11 games this season, averaging 2.3 points per game. One of the more popular players in team history for his on-court hustle, he retires in the Pacers’ top 10 career list in 11 different categories in the team’s NBA history, eight different categories in franchise history.

The 35-year-old Foster had career averages of 4.9 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game.

“Jeff has meant a lot to the team and the community for 13 seasons,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “He played hard every night, he always gave his all. He is a great role model for our younger players and we can’t thank him enough for his contributions on and off the court.”

Kings sign Terrence Williams to 10-day contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed free agent guard/forward Terrence Williams to a 10-day contract, President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie announced today.

Williams averaged 4.5 ppg (.351 FG%, .421 3PT%, .500 FT%), 2.3 rpg, 0.8 apg and 15.1 mpg in 12 contests for the Houston Rockets this season before being waived on March 16th.

The 11th overall pick out of Louisville in the 2009 NBA Draft by New Jersey, Williams has posted career averages of 7.4 ppg (.394 FG%, .319 3PT%, .695 FT%), 3.8 rpg, 2.4 apg and 20.1 mpg through three seasons with the Nets and Rockets.

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Charlotte Bobcats waive Boris Diaw

The Charlotte Bobcats and forward Boris Diaw have decided that it is time to say goodbye to each other. Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has waived Diaw.

The Charlotte Observer reported earlier today that the two sides agreed to a buyout. It’s not year clear what the financial arrangements were. As details emerge, they’ll be added to this page.

Diaw appeared in 37 games for the Bobcats this season, averaging 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 27.5 minutes. Acquired by the Bobcats from Phoenix on Dec. 10, 2008, Diaw saw action in 260 total games for Charlotte, with averages of 11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 34.3 minutes.

The Bobcats roster now stands at 14 players.

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Grant Hill has no retirement plans yet

Hill, 39, is in his fifth season with the Suns, and the seven-time All-Star said he plans to be back next season.

“I definitely think I can go another year, maybe two,” Hill said before scoring a team-high 19 points in Tuesday’s 99-95 loss to Miami at AmericanAmerican Arena. “If the season were to end right now, and I would sort of evaluate the season, I would definitely want to come back and play next season.”

Hill, averaging 10.6 points, signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal before the season. He hopes to end his career with the Suns and says “Hopefully, they feel the same way.”

Hill turns 40 on Oct. 5, making him the second-oldest player in the NBA after Portland’s Kurt Thomas, who is one day older. Hill’s longevity is pretty impressive considering he was devastated by ankle injuries when playing from Orlando from 2000 to 2007, and didn’t figure he would stick around Phoenix too long after playing his first game for the Suns at 35.

— Reported by Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida

Boris Diaw, Charlotte Bobcats agree to buyout

Power forward Boris Diaw and the Charlotte Bobcats have agreed on a buyout of his remaining contract that should be completed in time for Diaw to be eligible for another team’s playoff roster.

Bobcats vice president of basketball operations Rod Higgins confirmed that early Wednesday morning to the Observer. The buyout, which should be completed sometime today, would make Diaw a free agent in time to sign with a contender. Meanwhile the Bobcats open one of 15 roster spots and save some of what’s left of Diaw’s $9 million salary.

It’s not known just how much money Diaw agreed to give up for his freedom.

— Reported by Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer blog

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Bench scoring helps Pacers beat Clippers

In a 2-minute span in the second quarter, Leandro Barbosa showed Indiana Pacers fans why the team traded for him last week. Barbosa scored 12 points in 18 minutes in his Pacers debut, and Indiana beat the Los Angeles Clippers 102-89 on Tuesday night.

Barbosa, acquired in a trade with Toronto, relishes his role as a reserve on what he considers a promising team…

Reserves Barbosa, Tyler Hansbrough and George Hill led a bench that outscored the Clippers’ reserves 50-23. Hansbrough scored 17 points and Hill had 15…

Hill made 6 of 7 shots and had six assists…

Hansbrough made 7 of 10 field goals, helping the reserves make 21 of 35 shots. The bench supported Danny Granger, who led the way with 25 points…

Blake Griffin had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Paul added 16 points and eight assists for Los Angeles. The Clippers made just 9 of 20 free throws while the Pacers made 24 of 26. Griffin made 2 of 7.

— Reported by the Associated Press

76ers waive forward Andres Nocioni

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that the team has waived forward Andres Nocioni.

“We want to sincerely thank Andres for his contributions to our team and maintaining a true level of professionalism throughout his time here,” Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn said. “We wish him the best of luck as he pursues future opportunities.”

Nocioni (6-7, 225) is in his eighth NBA season and his second with the Sixers. He was acquired via trade from Sacramento, along with Spencer Hawes, in exchange for Samuel Dalembert on June 17, 2010.

In 11 games with one start this season, Nocioni averaged 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 5.1 minutes per game.

The Sixers roster now stands at 13.

Memphis Grizzlies sign Gilbert Arenas

Once a beloved star in the NBA, free agent guard Gilbert Arenas has a new chance to prove to the basketball masses that he can help a team win.

The Memphis Grizzlies signed Arenas today, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, “Arenas, who was in Memphis the past two days, passed a physical and signed a one-year contract for the veteran’s minimum. Memphis will pay him a prorated salary worth about $300,000.”

A three-time All-Star (2004-07), Arenas holds career averages of 21.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.63 steals on .421 shooting in 35.8 minutes in 535 career games (455 starts) over 10 seasons (2001-11) with the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic. Selected by Golden State in the second round (30th overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft, Arenas’ career scoring average ranks ninth among active players (34th in NBA history).

During his time with the Wizards, the Los Angeles native developed into one of the league’s most dynamic guards, averaging 27.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists over a three-year stretch (2004-07) in which he was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2007 and the All-NBA Third Team in 2005 and 2006. The 2002-03 NBA Most Improved Player ranked third in the league in points per game during the 2006-07 season (28.4), fourth in 2005-06 (29.3) and seventh in 2004-05 (25.5).

Most recently, the 30-year-old former University of Arizona standout split the 2010-11 season with Washington and Orlando, averaging 10.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 25.7 minutes in 70 games (16 starts).

The Grizzlies’ roster currently stands at 14 players. Memphis begins a four-game West Coast road trip tonight at 9 p.m. CT against the Sacramento Kings at the Power Balance Pavilion.

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Cavaliers waive center Ryan Hollins

The Cleveland Cavaliers have decided they no longer require the services of center Ryan Hollins.

The team waived Hollins today, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced.

Hollins, 27, has averages of 3.7 points on .500 shooting and 2.3 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game in 24 games (seven starts) this season. He has career averages of 4.2 points on .554 shooting and 2.3 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game in 299 games (54 starts).

The Cavaliers roster now stands at 14.