Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Former Mavs center Roy Tarpley dies

Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting, sadly, that former Mavericks center Roy Tarpley has passed away:

Former Mavericks’ center Roy Tarpley has died at age 50. Cause of death was not immediately known although when the Mavericks arrived in Los Angeles for their game Saturday against the Clippers, several members of the traveling party had been informed that liver failure was at least partly to blame.

The 6-11 Tarpley was the seventh pick in the 1986 draft by the Mavericks out of Michigan. In his second season, he was the NBA’s sixth man of the year before drugs and controversy shrouded the rest of his six seasons in the league.

According to a medical examiner’s report, Tarpley’s death happened at Texas Arlington Health Memorial Hospital. It is a sad ending to one of the most gifted talents ever to play for the franchise. Tarpley had a rare combination of strength and speed that made him one of the best athletes of his era.

Grizzlies may trade for Jeff Green

The Boston Celtics keep making moves. A few minutes ago they sent Brandan Wright to Phoenix for a draft pick. Now they are in talks to move Jeff Green to Memphis. Nothing official yet. Here’s Yahoo Sports reporting:

Grizzlies may trade for Jeff Green

In a move to strengthen themselves for a push into the Western Conference playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies are finalizing a deal to acquire Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Memphis will send Tayshaun Prince and a first-round draft pick to the Celtics, league sources said. The protected pick likely won’t be available until 2018 or ’19, sources said.

The Celtics and Grizzlies are awaiting final authorization from a third team involved in the deal to complete the trade, league sources said.

Celtics trade Brandan Wright to Suns

Celtics trade Brandan Wright to Suns

Celtics trade Brandan Wright to Suns

The Phoenix Suns have acquired forward Brandan Wright from the Boston Celtics in exchange for a protected 2015 first round draft pick via Minnesota.

The Suns have also waived forward Tony Mitchell. Mitchell was acquired by Phoenix in a trade with the Detroit Pistons on December 24 last month.

Phoenix dealt to Boston its right to Minnesota’s protected 2015 first round pick. The pick is top-12 protected in 2015 and 2016, and if the first round pick has not been conveyed by 2016, Minnesota will instead convey its second round picks in 2016 and 2017.

“I have known Brandan since he entered the NBA in 2007,” said President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. “He is a person of the highest character who will fit perfectly into our burgeoning Suns culture. We look forward to welcoming him to Phoenix.”

“We are excited to add Brandan to our roster,” said General Manager Ryan McDonough. “His length, athleticism and finishing ability make him a great fit for our style of play. He is one of the most efficient scorers in the league and his shot blocking ability will help anchor our defense.”

The 6-10, 210-pound Wright is averaging 7.5 points on 72.4 percent shooting, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 35 games with the Celtics and Dallas Mavericks in this his seventh NBA season. In 58 games with Dallas last season, Wright averaged career-highs of 9.1 points, 67.7 percent shooting (224-of-331), 4.2 rebounds and 18.6 minutes. Wright’s 67.7 percent mark from the field in 2013-14 was the highest mark in the NBA among players with at least 100 field goal attempts for the season.

The eighth overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft out of the University of North Carolina, Wright holds career averages of 7.1 points on 60.9 percent shooting, 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 15.8 minutes in 320 games with Golden State, New Jersey, Dallas and Boston. Wright played in eight games with the Celtics after being acquired in a trade with Dallas on December 18 last month.

With Wright (3.82 blocks per 48 minutes in 2014-15) and center Alex Len (3.77 blocks per 48 minutes), the Suns now have two of the league’s top five in blocks per 48 minutes this season among players who qualify for the blocks per game leaderboard.

The Suns’ roster remains at 15 players.

Pelicans assign Russ Smith to D-League again

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has assigned rookie point guard Russ Smith to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League. This will be Smith’s third assignment of the season.

In his most recent assignment, Smith, 6-0, 185, appeared in four games for Fort Wayne, averaging 17.5 points, and 7.8 assists. Overall, Smith has appeared in six games with Fort Wayne, averaging 16.5 points, 6.2 assists and 1.8 steals.

Smith has appeared in six games for New Orleans, averaging 0.8 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Smith appeared in six preseason contests for the Pelicans, averaging 5.0 points, 1.2 assists and 0.8 rebounds.

Drafted out of the University of Louisville by Philadelphia with the 47th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, Smith was acquired by New Orleans in a draft night trade.

Deron Williams out with rib fracture

deron williams

Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams has been diagnosed with a fracture of the cartilage portion of the left 12th rib following an MRI today, General Manager Billy King announced.

Statement from Nets Medical Director Dr. Riley Williams III

“Deron reported some soreness above this area over the weekend and as a result underwent imaging studies on Monday, which were negative. Yesterday during the game he reported a new onset of symptoms below the prior area of soreness. New imaging studies done today demonstrated the fracture. There is no timetable for his return. He will be re-assessed in one week.”

Williams has appeared in 32 games (25 starts) this season, averaging 13.9 points, 6.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per game. He ranks 14th in the NBA in assists per game.

According to New York Newsday, “Williams’ diagnosis caps a rollercoaster last few days. After Sunday’s game, he said his left side locked up and he was told he had something akin to a severe cramp and that electrolytes would help. He was listed as probable leading into Monday’s loss to the Mavericks, but word came down before tipoff that he was instead out.”

Cavaliers waive A.J. Price

Cavaliers waive A.J. Price

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard A.J. Price, it was announced today by Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin.

Price, who was received by waiver claim (waived by Indiana) on Nov. 30, played in 11 games for the Cavaliers this season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game. The 6-2 guard was also part of the 2014 Cavs training camp and preseason roster, appearing in six preseason games with Cleveland in October, averaging 7.2 points and 1.5 assists in 13.3 minutes per game. He was inactive for the Cavs first two regular season games before also being waived on November 1.

Knicks sign Langston Galloway to 10-day contract

The New York Knicks signed guard Langston Galloway of the NBA Development League’s Westchester Knicks, to a 10-day contract today, President Phil Jackson announced. This marks Westchester’s first-ever Call-Up. Galloway, who was named as one of the franchise’s Affiliate Players after attending training camp with New York, is the league’s 14th overall NBA Development League Call-Up this season.

Galloway, 6-2, 200-pounds, averaged 16.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.68 steals over 36.8 minutes in 19 games (all starts) for Westchester this season. The Baton Rouge, LA-native, was originally signed by New York on Sep. 9 and waived on Oct. 25, following four seasons at Saint Joseph’s University.

Knicks waive Lou Amundson, Lance Thomas, Alex Kirk

The New York Knicks have waived forwards Lou Amundson and Lance Thomas and center Alex Kirk, President Phil Jackson announced. All three players were acquired as part of a three-team trade on January 5, 2015.

After a season of struggle that has led to a lot of losing, the Knicks appear to be in full rebuild mode, parting ways with Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith. The question is if Amar’e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani or even Carmelo Anthony will remain on the roster. It’s likely that the team will keep Melo, while attempting to say goodbye to almost anybody else who makes more than a minimum salary.