NBA Teams – Page 996 – NBA Blog

Lakers sign first round draft pick Julius Randle

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Julius Randle, the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Randle will be available to play in today’s NBA Summer League game in Las Vegas against the New Orleans Pelicans at 1:30 p.m.

In his lone season at Kentucky, Randle appeared in 40 games (all starts) for the Wildcats, averaging 15.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.8 blocks in 30.8 minutes per game en route to being named the SEC Freshman of the Year in addition to being a First Team All-SEC, SEC All-Freshman and SEC All-Tournament Team selection.

The Dallas, TX native led the nation with 24 double-doubles and had seven games of scoring 20+ points in 2013-14. The 19-year-old led Kentucky to the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship game with consecutive double-doubles in Sweet 16 and Elite Eight victories before scoring 16 points with five rebounds against Wisconsin in the Final Four and notching 10 points with six rebounds and four assists in the final.

Carmelo Anthony will stick with Knicks

Here’s ESPN.com reporting that Melo will stick with the Knicks:

Carmelo Anthony has reached a deal to remain with the New York Knicks.

The team announced Sunday that it had re-signed Anthony, but did not disclose terms.

The contract will be for more than $122 million but less than the five-year, $129 million max figure, a source told ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard on Saturday.

“After three months of questions around Carmelo Anthony’s return to the New York Knicks we are now happy to know that we have the cornerstone of what we envision as a ‘team of excellence,'” Knicks president Phil Jackson said in a statement. “… [Knicks general manager] Steve Mills and I have assured Carmelo through our conversations, that we share the vision and the determination to build this team.”

Paul Pierce set to join Wizards

Here’s ESPN.com reporting that Paul Pierce is leaving the Brooklyn Nets and linking up with John Wall and the Washington Wizards:

After a short stay in Brooklyn, Paul Pierce is heading to the Washington Wizards.

Sources close to the process told ESPN.com on Saturday that Pierce has committed to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Wizards, who moved swiftly to find a title-tested replacement for Trevor Ariza after Ariza struck an agreement earlier in the day to join the Houston Rockets.

The contract, sources said, has a player option after this season that will allow Pierce, 36, to return to free agency next summer if he chooses.

The short-term nature of the deal, meanwhile, could help Washington preserve some flexibility for its dream scenario of pursuing DC native Kevin Durant when the current Oklahoma City Thunder star is scheduled to be a free agent in the summer of 2016.

Kings hire Tyrone Corbin as assistant coach

The Sacramento Kings today hired Tyrone Corbin as an assistant coach on Head Coach Michael Malone’s staff, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

Corbin enjoyed two successful stints with the Kings in 1995-96 and 1999-00, teaming with current assistant coach Corliss Williamson during both seasons and played under Kings Assistant General Manager Mike Bratz, who served as an assistant coach during the 1995-96 season.

Before joining the Kings, Corbin served as head coach of the Utah Jazz for four seasons, compiling a 112-146 (.434) record. Named head coach on February 10, 2011 following Jerry Sloan’s resignation, Corbin guided the Jazz to a winning record in two of his three full seasons at the helm and a playoff appearance in 2011. Prior to his promotion to head coach, Corbin was an assistant coach for the Jazz under Sloan from 2004-2011. Corbin joined the Jazz after spending the 2003-04 season as manager of player development for the New York Knicks and two seasons as a player mentor for the North Charleston Lowgators of the NBA D-League.

A native of Columbia, S.C., Corbin played for nine NBA teams during a 16-year NBA career (1985-2001), averaging 9.2 points (.456 FG%, .299 3pt%, .791 FT%), 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 26.0 minutes per game in 1,065 career games, 458 of which he started. Originally drafted by San Antonio in the second round (35th pick overall) of the 1985 NBA Draft out of DePaul University, his career included stops with the Spurs, Cleveland, Phoenix, Minnesota, Utah, Atlanta, Sacramento, Miami and Toronto.

Hornets set to sign Marvin Williams

After losing out on Gordon Hayward, the Charlotte Hornets landed one of his former teammates with the Utah Jazz.

The Hornets agreed to a $14 million, two-year contract with free-agent forward Marvin Williams, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been made public. The person says it will be signed next week.

The 6-foot-9, 237-pound Williams has played nine seasons in the NBA with the Jazz and Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 9.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in 66 games for Utah last season, including 50 starts.

— Associated Press

Clippers sign first round draft pick C.J. Wilcox

The Los Angeles Clippers announced today that they have signed first round draft pick C.J. Wilcox.

All first round draft picks are guaranteed to receive an NBA contract from the team that selected them, assuming they wish to come to the league immediately. This signing is standard and was expected.

Wilcox, the 28th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, was a Second-Team All-Pac-12 performer for the second-straight year during his final season at Washington. The 6-foot-5 inch Wilcox averaged 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 32 games as a senior for the Huskies, hitting 90 3-pointers, leading the Pac-12 in 3-pointers per game (2.8), good for 32nd nationally.

Wilcox, 23, was the Huskies leader in scoring, minutes played and 3-pointers made in 2013-14. His 18.5 points per game ranked fourth in the Pac-12 and he also finished second in the conference in free throw percentage (.868).

A star at Pleasant Grove High School in Utah, Wilcox finished his collegiate career with 301 3-pointers, the most in Washington history, sixth in Pac-12 history and appeared in 131 total NCAA games. In his four seasons at UW, he was one of just three players in Pac-12 history to post 1,800 points, 275 made 3-pointers and 400 rebounds.

D-Wade comments on LeBron leaving Heat

Here’s ESPN.com reporting on Dwyane Wade, who is still a free agent, as former teammate LeBron James heads to Cleveland, while Chris Bosh is re-signing with the Heat:

Dwyane Wade wished LeBron James stayed in Miami.

And now he’s wishing him well regardless.

Wade released a statement Saturday calling James — who announced Friday he is leaving the Heat and returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers — “my brother,” and said he supports the four-time NBA MVP’s decision.

“As a friend and a teammate, I am sad to see my brother LeBron leave to begin a new journey,” Wade’s statement said. “In 2010, we decided to come together all for one goal — to win championships and we succeeded. We were friends when we first joined the league and created an unbreakable bond the past four years. Our collaboration will always be very special to me both personally and professionally.”

“We shared something unique and he will always be part of my family. LeBron made the right decision for himself and his family because home is where your heart is. I know this was not an easy decision to make and I support him in returning to his roots. As an organization, a community, and as individuals, we achieved the goals we set when we first signed on together. We are champions.”

LeBron James officially back with Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed free agent forward LeBron James, Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced today.

According to ESPN.com, “James signed a two-year, $42.1 million deal with the goal of re-signing with the Cavs before the 2016-17 season when a new television deal is expected to create a large jump in value of the maximum contract.”

“We could not be happier to welcome LeBron James home. Yesterday, LeBron, through his essay, told us he wasn’t going anywhere except Cleveland and that ‘Cleveland is where he always believed he would finish his career.’ These words and commitment put all of us, including LeBron, in the best position to build our franchise the right way and achieve the kind of goals we all know are possible. Expectations will be at the highest levels but no one should expect immediate and automatic success,” said Griffin.

“LeBron’s motivation to return home is clearly fueled by the kind of emotions and ideals that we can and should embrace. The contract and those details are secondary to his commitment to Northeast Ohio and the Cavaliers. It extends well beyond the boundaries of basketball and speak to his love and passion for his family, home, and our fans. He communicated his role and growth as a husband, father, teammate, community leader, and business person. This resonated in a special and personal way for all of us. LeBron put it well when he stated; ‘In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned.’ We can’t wait to get started and look forward to his leadership, on and off the court, for many years to come.”

The Akron, Ohio native returns to the Cavaliers where he remains the franchise’s leader in points scored (15,251), scoring average (27.8 PPG) field goals made (5,415) and attempted (11,403), free throws made (3,650) and attempted (4,917), steals (955) and minutes played (22,119). He also ranks second in team history in three-pointers made (771), second in assists (3,810), third in defensive rebounds (3,183), fourth in blocks (482), fifth in total rebounds (3,861) and is tied for seventh in games played (548).

An advocate for change and community responsibility, James launched the LeBron James Family Foundation in 2004 with a mission to positively affect the lives of children and young adults through education and co-curricular educational initiatives. In 2011, in partnership with the Akron Public Schools, his foundation launched its pillar program, “Wheels for Education”, with its mission to improve graduation rates in Akron. In 2012, James pledged $1 million to renovate his old stomping grounds at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School as the completion of The LeBron James Arena had its ceremonial grand opening on December 14, 2013. He and his foundation also work regularly with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, renovating a local Boys and Girls Club in every All-Star host city each year, an initiative that began in 2008 in New Orleans.

James is a four-time MVP (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), a two-time NBA champion (2012, 2013) and a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008, 2012). The 6-8 forward has also garnered other numerous achievements over his career including: Ten-time NBA All-Star (2005–2014), two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (2006, 2008), eight-time All-NBA First Team selection (2006, 2008–2014), two-time All-NBA Second Team selection (2005, 2007) and five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (2009–2013). James was originally drafted by the Cavs with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft and went on to earn the NBA’s Rookie of the Year Award in 2003-04.

James has played in 842 games (841 starts) with career averages of 27.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 39.5 minutes per game with Cleveland and Miami. LeBron has the third highest scoring average in NBA history to go along with 37 career triple-doubles and 267 career double-doubles. He has scored in double figures on 834 occasions, including 701 games with at least 20 points, 339 games with 30-or-more points, 52 40-point performances and 10 50-plus efforts. James will begin the 2014-15 season having scored in double figures a career-high 572 consecutive games, a streak that began on Jan. 6, 2007. He has scored over 2,000 points in nine of the last 10 seasons and has averaged at least 20 points in all 11 of his NBA seasons.

This past year, James was selected to the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive Second Team after averaging 27.1 points (ranked third in NBA) on a career-best .567 shooting from the field (fourth in NBA), 6.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 37.7 minutes over 77 games (all starts). He was the only player in the league to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and six assists. The two-time NBA Finals MVP also led Miami to its fourth straight NBA Finals appearance during the 2013-14 season. For his postseason career, he has appeared in 158 playoff contests with averages of 28.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.7 steals in 42.5 minutes per game.

Kings sign Darren Collison

The Sacramento Kings today signed free agent point guard Darren Collison to a multi-year contract, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

“Adding Darren provides veteran leadership in our backcourt,” said D’Alessandro. “His speed and quickness will undoubtedly increase our pace and he plays sound defense every night. We’re excited to have him join the team.”

Collison is entering his sixth NBA campaign after playing last season for the Los Angeles Clippers, where he averaged 11.4 points (.467 FG%, .376 3pt%, .857 FT%), 2.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 25.9 minutes per game in 80 games (started 35). He posted 13.3 points and 6.5 assists per contest during an 18-game stretch spelling an injured Chris Paul, helping the Clippers to a 12-6 mark during that span.

Originally selected by New Orleans with the 21st pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Collison has played five seasons with New Orleans (2009-10), Indiana (2010-11 – 2011-12), Dallas (2012-13) and Los Angeles. For his career, he is averaging 11.9 points (.464 FG%, .365 3pt%, .861 FT%), 2.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 28.7 minutes per game in 376 career contests.

Raptors re-sign Patrick Patterson

The Toronto Raptors announced Saturday they have re-signed restricted free-agent forward Patrick Patterson.

“We were very pleased with what Patrick brought to us both on the court and in the locker room last season,” said Raptors President and General Manager Masai Ujiri. “We are delighted that Patrick wanted to return to the Raptors and we look forward to his contributions as he helps us build a consistent winner in Toronto.”

Patterson averaged 9.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 23.3 minutes in 48 outings with the Raptors this past season. He shot .411 (46-112) from three-point range in a Toronto uniform. He scored in double figures on 20 occasions, including a season-high 22 points on seven-for-11 shooting from the field in his first start for the Raptors on February 10 versus New Orleans.

Patterson was acquired December 9, 2013 in a seven-player trade with Sacramento. He averaged 11.1 points and 5.4 rebounds during 16 games in January where he shot .514 (74-144) from the field and .452 (14-31) from three-point range.

In Toronto’s playoff series versus Brooklyn he upped his averages to 10.4 points, 6.7 rebounds (second on the team) and 28.5 minutes. He scored in double-digits three times and was a perfect five-for-five from the floor and six-for-six from the free throw line en route to 16 points in Game Seven.

The University of Kentucky product was selected in the first round by Houston in the 2010 NBA Draft. In 252 career games with Houston, Sacramento and Toronto, Patterson has averaged 8.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 22.5 minutes.