Sacramento Kings Blog – Page 85 – NBA Blog

Boston Celtics sign Mikki Moore

The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has signed free agent center/forward Mikki Moore. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Mikki’s length, energy, skill and experience, along with his enthusiasm to come to Boston, will be a great boost for us.” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations.

Moore, a 7’0”, 225lb center/forward, is in his 11th NBA season. Moore has posted career averages of 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 54.8 percent from the field. This is Moore’s second stint with the Celtics after he spent a portion of the 2002-03 season with the team. The former Nebraska Cornhusker has posted career playoff averages of 10.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 15 games. He also shot 54.5 percent from the field in those 15 games.

Moore will wear #7.

Paul leads Hornets past Kings 112-105

The AP reports: Rejected after failing a physical that nullified a trade to Oklahoma City last week, Tyson Chandler enjoyed a nice welcome back party Monday night with his New Orleans teammates. It was Hornets point guard Chris Paul making sure Chandler’s return was a happy occasion. The all-star point guard had 27 points and 13 assists for the Hornets, who held off a fourth-quarter rally by the Sacramento Kings in a 112-105 victory… David West had 24 points and nine rebounds for the Hornets, who had lost two straight and eight of 12. Stojakovic had 18 points, James Posey made four 3-pointers and scored 13, and Rasual Butler contributed 12 points. Kevin Martin scored 24 of his 32 points in the fourth period for the Kings, setting an Arco Arena record for points in a quarter and was one point short of tying Mitch Richmond’s 25-point effort that is a Sacramento-era mark. Andres Nocioni scored 19 points, Francisco Garcia had 17 and Spencer Hawes added 13 points and 14 rebounds.

Bass and Singleton shine, Mavericks beat Kings 116-95

The AP reports: One night after logging major minutes in a loss to Houston, the Dallas Mavericks’ starters were able to take to take it easy. Brandon Bass scored 16 of his season-high 20 points in the second quarter and Dallas’ reserves contributed 54 points to lift the Mavericks past the Sacramento Kings 116-95 on Saturday night… Josh Howard scored 20 points, Nowitzki had 12 and Singleton grabbed 12 rebounds for the Mavericks, who have won 11 straight home games over the Kings in the regular season. Dallas pulled all their starters early in the fourth quarter. Beno Udrih had 18 points, and Spencer Hawes and Francisco Garcia each scored 17 for the Kings, who have the NBA’s worst record at 12-45.

Raptors, Celtics, Kings trade Will Solomon, Patrick O’Bryant; Kings waive Mikki Moore

The Sacramento Kings today acquired Will Solomon from the Toronto Raptors and cash considerations from the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade that sent Boston’s Patrick O’Bryant to Toronto and a protected Kings’ second round pick in 2014 to Boston, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. In a related move, Sacramento waived Mikki Moore.

“Considering the recent roster moves made over the last 24 hours, this trade allows us to bring in an experienced guard in Will, when you consider his time in the NBA, coupled with his extensive experience playing professionally overseas,” said Petrie. “We also want to thank Mikki for his contribution and wish him the best.”

Solomon, a 6-1, 185-pound guard, who is currently in his second NBA season, averaged 4.9 points (.436 FGs, .263 3FGs, .833 FTs), 3.2 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game through 39 outings with Toronto this season. He was originally selected in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies as an early entry candidate out of Clemson where he enjoyed a three-year collegiate career. Solomon played one season (2001-02) for the Grizzlies and has played overseas since 2002. He has amassed NBA career averages of 5.1 points (.375 FGs, .279 3FGs, .711 FTs), 2.1 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game over 101 contests, of which he has started in 13 with Memphis and Toronto.

Moore, a 7-0, 225-pound forward/center, who is currently in his 11th NBA season, averaged 3.5 points (.521 FGs, .810 FTs) and 3.3 rebounds per game through 46 outings, of which he started in 20 for the Kings this season. After a four-year collegiate career at Nebraska, Moore was not drafted by an NBA team in the 1997 NBA Draft. He has posted career averages of 5.9 points (.548 FGs, .154 3FGs, .744 FTs) and 3.9 rebounds per game over 510 contests, of which he has started in 161 for Detroit (1998-2002), Boston (2002-03), Atlanta (2002-03), New Jersey (2003-04 and 2006-07), Utah (2003-04), Los Angeles Clippers (2004-05), Seattle (2005-06) and Sacramento (2007-09).

Kings trade Shelden Williams, Bobby Brown to Wolves for Rashad McCants, Calvin Booth

The Sacramento Kings today acquired Rashad McCants and Calvin Booth from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Shelden Williams and Bobby Brown, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“We’re looking forward to having Rashad and Calvin join the team,” said Petrie. “Calvin is an experienced center and Rashad has had some terrific moments scoring the ball in the league. We also want to thank Shelden and Bobby for their contributions and wish them the very best.”

“Shelden Williams and Bobby Brown are both talented young players and we’re excited to get a better look at them,” Timberwolves General Manager Jim Stack said. “We’d like to thank Rashad and Calvin for their professionalism during their time with us and wish them all the best as they move forward with their careers.”

McCants, a 6-4, 215-pound guard, who is currently in his fourth NBA season, averaged 9.1 points (.360 FGs, .319 3FGs, .741 FTs) and 1.9 rebounds per game through 34 outings for the Timberwolves this season. A first round selection (14th pick overall) by Minnesota in the 2005 NBA Draft out of North Carolina, McCants has posted career averages of 9.9 points (.429 FGs, .369 3FGs, .735 FTs), 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game over 225 contests, of which he has started in 38.

Booth, a 6-11, 230-pound center, who is currently in his 10th NBA season, has played in only one game this season for the Timberwolves. He has amassed career averages of 3.3 points (.450 FGs, .222 3FGs, .748 FTs) and 2.8 rebounds per game through 359 outings, of which he has started in 83 for Washington, Dallas, Seattle, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Minnesota. Booth was a second round selection (33rd pick overall) by the Washington Wizards in the 1999 NBA Draft out of Penn State.

Williams, a 6-9, 250-pound forward/center, who is currently in his fourth NBA season, and second with the Kings, averaged 3.7 points (.449 FGs, .762 FTs) and 2.6 rebounds per game over 30 outings this season for Sacramento. The fifth overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks out of Duke, Williams has posted career averages of 4.6 points (.447 FGs, .250 3FGs, .732 FTs) and 4.1 rebounds per game through 175 contests with the Hawks and Kings.

Brown, a 6-2, 175-pound guard, who is currently in his rookie campaign, averaged 5.2 points (.381 FGs, .330 3FGs, .765 FTs) and 1.9 assists per game over 47 contests, of which he started in one. Upon a solid career at California State Fullerton, Brown was not drafted by an NBA team in the 2007 NBA Draft. He signed with the Kings as a free agent prior to the start of this season.

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Bibby and Horford shine, Hawks beat Kings 105-100

The AP reports: Former Sacramento guard Mike Bibby scored 29 points to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the short-handed Kings 105-100 on Wednesday night. Kevin Martin had 32 points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento. Earlier in the day, the Kings acquired four players in a deal that sent starters Brad Miller and John Salmons to Chicago. The Kings received Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Michael Ruffin from Chicago. The Kings then sent Ruffin to Portland for Ike Diogu. To make room for the incoming players, the Kings waived Quincy Douby and Sam Cassell, the guard acquired from Boston on Tuesday… Kevin Martin had 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings, who have lost six straight, 14 of 15 and have the worst record in the NBA. Beno Udrih scored 18 points, Francisco Garcia had 15, and Spencer Hawes fouled out in the fourth quarter with 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Kings land Ike Diogu from Bulls

As part of a three-way trade with Sacramento and Chicago, the Portland Trail Blazers have acquired forward Michael Ruffin from Chicago in exchange for forward Ike Diogu, who is sent to Sacramento, General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced today.

The Trail Blazers also gain a $3 million trade exception, which they can use for one calendar year.

“We want to thank Ike for his time with the Trail Blazers, and hopefully this trade will give him an opportunity to play more minutes in Sacramento,” said Pritchard. “This move will give us trade flexibility going forward with the $3 million trade exception we gained in the deal.”

An eight-year veteran, Ruffin, 32, averaged 1.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 403 career games with Chicago, Philadelphia, Utah, Washington and Milwaukee. He has not appeared in a game for Chicago this season.

Diogu, 25, played in 19 games for Portland this season, averaging 1.4 points and 0.9 rebounds in 3.8 minutes per game. He was acquired by the Trail Blazers from the Indiana Pacers along with the draft rights to Jerryd Bayless on July 9, 2008. Diogu has posted averages of 5.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in 177 games during his four-year NBA career.

Kings trade Brad Miller, John Salmons to Bulls for Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Michael Ruffin

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has acquired center/forward Brad Miller and guard/forward John Salmons (pronounced SAL-mons) from the Sacramento Kings for forward Andrés Nocioni, forward/center Drew Gooden, forward Cedric Simmons and forward/center Michael Ruffin (In a related transaction, Sacramento traded Michael Ruffin to the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Ike Diogu.). With this deal, Chicago’s roster now stands at 12.

“When we signed Andrés in 2004, he brought a toughness to our basketball team. He’s been a warrior, and a professional, since the day that he arrived. He has been one of my favorites to ever wear a Bulls uniform; and personally, it was difficult for me to move him,” said John Paxson, Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. “Drew played really well for us in the short time that he was here. It’s a tough part of the business when you are traded, and Drew has been traded a few times now, and that is never easy.”

“Brad Miller is a skilled big man, who we feel will fit into many of the things that we run offensively. He is a good shooter and passer, and has a natural feel for how to play the game. We feel that he will be a good complement to Joakim, Tyrus and Aaron on our front line,” added Paxson. “John Salmons will bring us tremendous versatility in the backcourt, and at the small forward position. He has good size and length, and has shown the ability to score this year. We feel he’s one of the most improved players in the league at this point of the season.”

Miller (7-0, 261) has averaged 11.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 31.5 mpg, and shot .465 from the floor and .801 from the line, in 43 games this season. He has started every game that he has appeared in and has posted 12 double-doubles on the year. This trade marks Miller’s second stint with the Bulls, as he appeared in 105 games with Chicago from 2000-01 to 2001-02. During his first tour with the Bulls, he averaged 10.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, 26.9 mpg, .449 field-goal shooting, and .752 from the line. In his 11th season in the NBA, Miller has appeared in 684 regular-season games (555 starts) and holds career averages of 12.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.0 apg, 30.2 mpg and has shot .488 from the field and .799 from the line. He also has played in 38 playoff games (21 starts) over his career and has posted postseason averages of 9.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 2.5 apg in 27.6 mpg. Undrafted following his senior season at Purdue, the 32-year old Miller has also played for the Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers.

Salmons (6-6, 207), has appeared in 53 games (all starts) this year, and has averaged a career-high 18.3 ppg (29th in the NBA), 4.2 rpg, 3.7 apg and 1.09 spg (43rd) in 37.4 mpg (21st). He has shot .472 from the floor, .418 from downtown (24th) and .823 from the line (48th). In his seventh season in the NBA, the 29-year old Salmons has played in 494 regular-season games (170 starts), and averaged 8.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.4 apg, 23.9 mpg, .446 from the field, .354 from behind the arc and .795 from the stripe. Selected by the San Antonio Spurs out of the University of Miami in the first round (26th overall) of NBA Draft 2002, Salmons was then sent to the Philadelphia 76ers in a draft-night deal. Prior to his stint with the Kings, he played four years with the 76ers and was a member of two playoff teams.

Nocioni (6-7, 225), in his fifth season in the NBA, has played in 53 games (two starts) this season, and averaged 10.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 24.1 mpg, .414 from the field, .378 from behind the arc and .806 from the line. Originally signed by the Bulls as a free agent on Aug. 11, 2004, he played in 351 regular-season contests (141 starts) with Chicago, and tallied averages of 11.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.3 apg and 25.2 mpg. During his time in a Bulls uniform, he shot .437 from the field, .367 from behind the arc and .813 from the free-throw line. Nocioni, 29, also appeared in 22 playoff games (12 starts) with the Bulls, and averaged 13.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 1.4 apg in 28.6 mpg.

Gooden (6-10, 250) has averaged13.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.4 apg and 29.6 mpg in 31 games (27 starts) this year. In his seventh season out of Kansas, he has appeared in 490 contests (395 starts) and owns career averages of 12.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 28.5 mpg and has shot .470 from the field and .730 from the line. He has also appeared in 40 career playoff games and has posted playoff averages of 10.8 ppg and 8.7 rpg in 28.0 mpg. Selected in the first round (fourth overall) of NBA Draft 2002 by the Memphis Grizzlies, the 27-year old Gooden has also played for the Grizzlies, the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Gooden joined the Bulls on Feb. 21, 2008, in Chicago’s three-team trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder).

Simmons (6-9, 235) also came to the Bulls, from the Cleveland Cavaliers, in last February’s three-team trade. In his third season in the NBA, he has played in 68 games (four starts) and posted averages of 2.4 ppg and 2.0 rpg in 10.0 mpg. Simmons, 23, was selected in the first round (15th overall) of NBA Draft 2006 by the New Orleans Hornets after playing two seasons at North Carolina State.

Ruffin (6-8, 248) did not make a regular-season appearance with the Bulls this season, after suffering a sprained left ankle in the preseason. In his ninth year out of Tulsa, Ruffin has played in 403 games (58 starts), and owns career averages of 1.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 14.7 mpg.

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NBA to borrow $175 million

The Sports Business Journal (Daniel Kaplan and John Lombardo) reports: The NBA is set to borrow $175 million Feb. 26, marking one of the first league financings since the implosion of the credit markets last fall. The money, which will be available to 15 teams, supplements an existing $1.7 billion leaguewide credit facility that uses the NBA’s media contracts as collateral to secure loans for the clubs. The NBA surveyed its teams, and 15 responded they would like to tap into the new borrowing. While the league said it is pleased to borrow in an extremely illiquid credit market, the deal came at a cost, with interest rates up to 8.27 percent, hammering home the notion that the era of cheap money in sports is over. The 15 teams can use the money for any purpose, but covering operating losses may be high on the list.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Loan me three fiddy. I want some ribs.

Celtics trade Sam Cassell to Kings

The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has traded guard Sam Cassell and cash considerations to the Sacramento Kings for a future conditional second round draft pick.

“Sam was an important piece of our championship team last season. His profound knowledge of the game and his infectious personality will be missed from our locker room. We wish Sam the best of luck.” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations.

Cassell, a 6’3”, 193lb guard, is in his 16th NBA season. The former Florida State Seminole had yet to appear in a game for the Celtics this season. He averaged 4.5 points and 1.2 assists in 12.6 minutes per game during the 2008 NBA playoffs in which the Celtics won their NBA-record 17th title.