Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Cavaliers sign Kaniel Dickens, Billy Thomas

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Kaniel Dickens and guard Billy Thomas from the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. The signings of Dickens and Thomas mark the 13th and 14th D-league-to-NBA call-ups of the 2007-08 D-League Season.

In 29 games (28 starts), Dickens has averaged 20.4 points on .472 shooting, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 31.3 minutes per game. Thomas is averaging 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 27 games (all starts).

Daniel Gibson out 4-6 weeks

Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson suffered a left high ankle sprain during the second quarter of last night’s game at Indiana. An MRI taken today at The Cleveland Clinic by Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker confirmed the injury. He is expected to be out four to six weeks. His status will be updated as appropriate.

Nene to have one chemotherapy treatment

Denver Nuggets F Nenê will undergo one treatment of chemotherapy on Tuesday, Feb. 26.  The treatment is preventative and essentially eliminates the odds of a recurrence.

Following chemotherapy, Nenê will have a short period of recovery, after which he is cleared by physicians to begin working his way back to the court.  However, there remains no exact timetable for his return.

Nenê had surgery on Jan. 15 to remove a malignant testicular tumor and has been out since taking a medical leave of absence on Jan. 11.

Nuggets likely keeping Linas Kleiza

The Rocky Mountain News (Chris Tomasson) reports: With the NBA trade deadline at 1 p.m. MST Thursday, Nuggets coach George Karl called it a “1 percent chance” Kleiza will be moved. Karl said he’s “betting” against the Nuggets making any trade.
Kleiza, who returned after being hurt in the first half Tuesday against Boston and is expected to play Friday at Chicago, has been a possibility to be dealt with forward Eduardo Najera to Sacramento for forward Ron Artest.

Rumor: Suns want Quinton Ross

The East Valley Tribune (Jerry Brown) reports: With only second-round picks (or perhaps cash, or both) the Suns are trying to pry 6-foot-6 guard Quinton Ross away from the Los Angeles Clippers. Ross makes only $824,000 this year and will be a free agent at the end of the season. He is a strong defender and rebounder who started against Phoenix in the Western Conference Quarterfinals two years ago. His offensive capability is limited, but the Suns won’t be asking him to score.

Suns want wing

The Arizona Republic (Paul Coro) reports: Phoenix could know by the end of the night whether they can work out a deal for a player like the Los Angeles Clippers’ Quinton Ross, Denver’s Yakhouba Diawara or Seattle’s Mickael Gelabale. Golden State’s Mickael Pietrus is also an outside possibility but he would come at a costlier price tag with a salary this season of about $3.5 million, which would be prorated for the season’s remainder but would also add to the Suns’ luxury tax hit. Phoenix is seeking a wing player who is a versatile, strong defender and Ross fits that bill at a great price.

Suns may want Brent Barry from Sonics

The East Valley Tribune (Scott Bordow) reports: The Suns may not be done wheeling and dealing. A team source said that Phoenix would like to find a way to acquire veteran sharpshooter Brent Barry, who was traded Wednesday from the San Antonio Spurs to the Seattle SuperSonics. For Barry to become a Sun, the Sonics would have to buy out his contract, the source said.

Ron Artest may stay

New York Newsday (Ken Berger) reports: So much for the Spurs’ interest in Ron Artest, which created some buzz this afternoon but fizzled with the Thomas deal. Artest had been rumored to be going to San Antonio for Elson and Barry. No dice. Other than that, a person close to Artest says things are quiet. Clearly, though, he has to get out of Sacramento and the Kings have to get him out of there.