The Boston Herald reports: The Cavaliers have picked up where the Celtics couldn’t get things done. The Cavs have signed restricted free agent swingman Jamario Moon to an offer sheet, the Miami Heat confirmed today. Miami has seven days to match the offer. The 6-foot-8 Moon played 25.9 minutes per game last season for the Heat and Raptors, averaging 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds.
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Toronto Raptors sign Jarrett Jack
The Toronto Raptors announced Monday they have signed restricted free-agent guard Jarrett Jack to an offer sheet. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed. We’ll add contract info later today.
The Indiana Pacers received the offer sheet today. Under the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, they will have seven days beginning Tuesday to match the Raptors’ offer.
Jack averaged a career-high 13.1 points, with 3.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 33.1 minutes in 82 games last season. He has appeared in 322 career games, averaging 10.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 28.6 minutes.
Jack, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, has averaged 80.5 games a season in his four-year NBA career with Portland and Indiana.
JULY 20 UPDATE: PACERS DECLINE TO MATCH OFFER
The Indiana Pacers announced Monday they will not match the offer sheet Toronto issued to restricted free agent guard Jarrett Jack.
“It was a very difficult decision because Jarrett proved last season what he can bring to a team,” said Pacers President of Basketball Larry Bird. “We thank Jarrett for his contributions to the Pacers, both on and off the court, and wish him the best in Toronto.”
Jack was acquired by the Pacers in a five-player trade July, 9, 2008. In his one season with the Pacers, Jack played in all 82 games, averaging a career-high 13.1 points.
Cleveland Cavaliers sign Anthony Parker
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed free agent guard/forward Anthony Parker to a contract, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the contract were not released. We will add contract details later today.
Parker, 34, played in 80 games (71 starts) this past season for the Toronto Raptors and averaged 10.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and career highs of 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.0 minutes per game. He tied for 10th in the NBA with a 0.88 steal per turnover ratio and recorded a career-high 100 steals. He was one of just 11 players in the NBA to total at least 750 points, 250 rebounds, 250 assists and 100 steals during the 2008-09 season. Against Orlando on January 4th, he posted a season-high 26 points, while shooting 13-16 (.813) from the field. On Nov. 11th, he went a perfect 5-5 from three-point range on his way to 19 points in a win over Miami.
“Anthony will be a solid addition to our roster. He is a very good, intelligent all-around basketball player,” Ferry said. “Our coaching staff will especially appreciate the good shooting and solid defense that Anthony brings to our team.”
The 6-foot-6, 210-pound guard/forward has played six years in the NBA, averaging 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 27.9 minutes per game in 290 NBA regular season games. He played five seasons with Maccabi Tel Aviv (2000-02, 2003-06) and one season with Virtus Roma (2002-03), winning five Israeli Premier League championships, five Israeli Cups and three Euroleague titles. Parker was named Euroleague MVP and first-team All-Euroleague in 2005. He averaged 12.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 148 career Israeli Premier League games and averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals in 90 Euroleague contests.
Memphis Grizzlies waive Jerry Stackhouse
The Memphis Grizzlies waived guard/forward Jerry Stackhouse, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.
The 6-6, 218 pound swingman was acquired on July 9 as part of a four-team, eight-player trade also involving the Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic.
The 13-year NBA veteran averaged 4.2 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16.2 minutes in 10 games (one start) last season, his fifth with the Mavericks. The two-time All-Star (2000, 2001) holds career averages of 18.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 33.4 minutes in 854 games (563 starts) with the Mavericks, the Washington Wizards, the Detroit Pistons and the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports: Stackhouse was due more than $7 million with the Mavericks next season. The Griz received enough money in the deal to buy out the $2 million Stackhouse is guaranteed in 2009-10.
Toronto Raptors sign 2009 first round draft pick DeMar DeRozan
The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have signed first-round draft pick DeMar DeRozan (duh-MAR duh ROSE-ann) from the University of Southern California to his rookie scale contract. He is under contract through the 2010-11 season, with two team option years to follow. The Raptors selected DeRozan with the ninth overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
All NBA first round draft picks are guaranteed a contract should they come to the league, so this is standard.
DeRozan is expected to see his first action as a member of the Raptors during the Las Vegas Summer Pro League presented by EA Sports in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 10-19. The Raptors’ entry will open play Friday, July 10 versus the Los Angeles Lakers.
DeRozan, 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, averaged 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in his lone season with the Trojans. He finished second on the team in field goal percentage (.523 – 8th in the Pac-10 Conference). His 485 points ranks third all-time for a USC freshman and his 201 rebounds ranks fourth.
DeRozan earned first-team Pac-10 All Freshman honours and was named Pac-10 Tournament MVP. He had 21 points and career-best 13 rebounds against UCLA in the tournament semifinal and a career-best 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting to lead the Trojans to a win over Arizona State in the tournament final.
As a senior at Compton High School (Compton, California), DeRozan earned first-team Parade All-America honours. He averaged 29.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.0 steals in his senior season leading Compton to consecutive Moore League championships.
Memphis Grizzlies renounce rights to Chris Mihm, Darius Miles and Mike Wilks
The Memphis Grizzlies have renounced their rights to free agents Chris Mihm, Darius Miles and Mike Wilks, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.
Mihm, a 7-0, 265-pound center, averaged 2.0 points and 1.9 rebounds in 5.8 minutes in 18 games last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Acquired by the Grizzlies along with cash considerations on Feb. 18 in exchange for a 2013 protected second round draft pick, Mihm did not appear in a game with Memphis and underwent successful right ankle surgery on March 3, ending his season. The eight-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in 436 games (256 starts) with the Lakers, the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Miles, a 6-9, 235-pound forward, averaged 3.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 8.8 minutes in 34 games last season with Memphis, who originally signed him as a free agent on Dec. 13, 2008. The seven-year NBA veteran owns career averages of 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in 446 games (190 starts) with the Grizzlies, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Wilks, a 5-10, 180-pound guard, was acquired by the Grizzlies on Feb. 19 from the Orlando Magic along with Orlando’s 2009 first round draft pick (DeMarre Carroll, 27th overall), Adonal Foyle and cash considerations as a part of a three-team trade (also including the Houston Rockets) that sent Kyle Lowry and Brian Cook to Houston and Rafer Alston to Orlando.
After signing with the Magic as a free agent on Sept. 25, 2008, Wilks tore his ACL in his right knee in a preseason game on Oct. 16, 2008 and missed the entire regular season. The seven-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 2.5 points and 1.2 assists in 229 games (11 starts) with the Atlanta Hawks, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Rockets, the San Antonio Spurs, the Cavaliers, the Seattle SuperSonics (twice), the Denver Nuggets and the Washington Wizards.
Per the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, a renounced player no longer counts toward team salary, so teams use renouncement to gain additional cap room. After renouncing a player, the team is still permitted to re-sign such player, but the team must either have enough salary cap room to fit the salary, or sign the player using the Minimum Salary exception. After renouncing a player, a team can still trade the player in a sign-and-trade agreement.
Four-team trade sends Shawn Marion to Mavericks, Hedo Turkoglu to Raptors
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The Orlando Magic have acquired a trade exception and cash considerations from the Toronto Raptors, and cash considerations from the Dallas Mavericks as part of a four-team trade, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. As part of a sign-and-trade deal, forward Hedo Turkoglu was traded to Toronto.
“This move allows us some potential flexibility in the future,” said Smith. “Hedo was a big part of our success and did a lot for our organization during his five seasons here. We wish him and his family nothing but the best.”
Also included as parts of the deal – Toronto sends Shawn Marion, Kris Humphries, Nathan Jawai and cash considerations to Dallas, while also sending a future second round draft pick to Memphis; Memphis sends Greg Buckner to Dallas; Dallas sends Jerry Stackhouse and cash considerations to Memphis, while also sending Devean George and Antoine Wright to Toronto.
TRADE SUMMARY
Orlando Magic get: Trade exception and cash considerations from the Toronto Raptors, and cash considerations from the Dallas Mavericks
Toronto Raptors get: Hedo Turkoglu, Devean George and Antoine Wright
Dallas Mavericks get: Shawn Marion, Kris Humphries, Nathan Jawai and cash considerations, Greg Buckner (from Memphis)
Memphis Grizzlies get: Future second round draft pick from Dallas, Jerry Stackhouse and cash considerations (from Dallas)
InsideHoops.com gets: Love and admiration from all basketball fans.
MORE ON EACH PLAYER
Marion (6-7, 215) is a 10-year veteran that holds career averages 17.8 points and 9.9 rebounds to go along with 2.0 assists, 1.83 steals, 1.31 blocks and 37.9 minutes in 745 games (730 starts). He has finished the season with a double-double average four times in his career with the most recent being in 2007-08 when he averaged 15.4 points and 10.2 rebounds in 63 games.
Marion has been named All-NBA Third Team two times (2005, 2006) and was a four-time All-Star with the Phoenix Suns (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007). He has appeared in 65 postseason contests averaging 17.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.52 blocks and 1.49 steals in 40.6 minutes. Marion has advanced to the Western Conference Finals two times and, in his most recent trip, fell to the Mavericks in 2006 as a member of the Suns. He was also a member of the bronze-medal winning Team USA at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Humphries (6-9, 235) is a former University of Minnesota standout drafted by the Utah Jazz with the 14th overall pick in the 2004 Draft. He holds career averages of 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 288 games. He averaged 3.9 points and 2.4 rebounds last season before fracturing his right fibula on Jan. 18 vs. Phoenix. Prior to his injury, Humphries was coming off his best year as a pro in 2007-08 when he averaged career highs of 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 13.7 minutes in a career-high 70 games.
Jawai (6-10, 280) just completed his rookie season for the Raptors seeing action in six contests. The Australian center scored his first career field goal on Feb. 18 vs. Cleveland. Jawai, the 41st overall pick of the Indiana Pacers in 2008, spent most of last season with the Idaho Stamped of the NBA Development League where he averaged 11.1 points and 6.4 rebounds in 24.0 minutes a game. No stranger to Texas, Jawai played one season of college basketball at Midland (Texas) College in 2006-07 where he averaged 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in 23.9 minutes a game.
Buckner (6-4, 210), a 10-year veteran out of Clemson, will be returning to Dallas for a third time. Originally a second-round draft choice of the Mavericks in 1998, Buckner played in Dallas from 1999-2002 before signing with the Philadelphia 76ers as a free agent. The native of Hopkinsville, Ky., returned to the Mavericks in 2006 when he signed as a free agent before getting traded to Minnesota before the start of the 2007-08 campaign. The veteran guard holds career averages of 5.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 570 games.
Cleveland Cavaliers to sign Anthony Parker
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The Cleveland Cavaliers, a legitimate contender to represent the Eastern conference in the 2009-10 NBA Finals, will soon add a crafty, veteran shooting guard.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Brian Windhorst), the Cavs have come to an agreement with guard Anthony Parker will likely sign a contract in the coming days.
The 6-6, 215-pound free agent played for the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic years ago, then enjoyed a healthy career overseas before returning to the NBA and playing the last three seasons as a member of the Toronto Raptors.
In 2008-09, Parker averaged 10.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 33 minutes per game. He’s an excellent three-point shooter and a smart player who makes teammates better. He turned 34 in June and should have a few more productive seasons.
UPDATE: The Cavs signed Parker.
Raptors sign Andrea Bargnani to contract extension
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The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have signed forward-centre Andrea Bargnani to a multi-year contract extension. The Raptors tipped-off a busy off-season for the club when Bargnani signed the contract at 12:01 a.m. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed. A few media outlets reported that the deal is for around 5 years and at least $50 million. This has not yet been confirmed.
“Andrea has worked very hard to establish himself as a top-flight, multi-dimensional big man in the NBA,” said Bryan Colangelo, Raptors President and General Manager. “He overcame a rough start last season to emerge as a primary scorer for us, and we anticipate quite a bit more from him in the future.”
Bargnani averaged career highs of 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.24 blocked shots and 31.4 minutes in 78 games in the 2008-09 season. He made 59 starts, averaging 17.7 points and 5.9 rebounds. He topped 20 or more points a career-best 23 times. He also scored in double figures in 41 of his final 45 starts, with 20 or more points in 24 of those contests.
Bargnani recorded a career-high 31 points January 14, 2009 versus Chicago. He also set an NBA record last season for the longest streak of consecutive games with two or more three-pointers by a starting centre with 10 consecutive games (December 31 – January 16).
The 7-foot native of Rome, Italy has posted career averages of 12.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 221 NBA regular season games. He has shot .831 (221-266) from the charity stripe in his three NBA seasons.
Bargnani became the first European-born player selected with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft when he was taken by the Raptors on June 28, 2006. During his first season in the NBA, Bargnani averaged 11.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 65 games. He was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team and captured T-Mobile Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honours in January and February.
InsideHoops.com editor says: Bargnani is young and promising, but there’s no way he’s earned a contract of this size yet. Assuming he signs this, I hope he works hard to keep improving, rather than relaxing and failing to live up to expectations.
Read basketball fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.
Hedo Turkoglu to sign with Raptors
The Toronto Star (Doug Smith) reports: To the mercenary professional athletes who ply their trades here, Toronto’s cozy ethnic neighbourhoods may as well be on Mars and “living” in the city means going from condo to arena to airport to an off-season home. To the newest Raptor, the city’s charm is the attraction. Hedo Turkoglu and his wife, Banu, who grew up high school sweethearts in their native Istanbul, should arrive here this week to officially sign a five-year contract worth about $53 million (U.S.) and – in a departure from the norm – it wasn’t the money that attracted them. It was the city and what it had to offer… The Portland Trail Blazers originally thought they were going to get Turkoglu on a five-year, $50 million contract, but the couple reconsidered the offer overnight Thursday and turned it down late Friday.