Utah Jazz Blog – Page 45 – NBA Blog

Utah Jazz claim Malcolm Thomas off waivers

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has claimed third-year forward Malcolm Thomas off waivers.

The 25-year-old Thomas (6-9, 225, San Diego State) was waived by San Antonio on January 23 after appearing in one game this season, scoring two points, grabbing nine rebounds with two blocks in 15 minutes vs. Milwaukee on January 19. He also appeared in 10 games while on assignment with the Spurs’ NBA Development League affiliate, the Austin Toros, where he averaged 15.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.40 blocks. Thomas was signed by the Spurs on Dec. 3 as a D-League call-up from the Los Angeles D-Fenders, for whom he appeared in two games and was averaging a league-best 33.5 points and 15.5 rebounds.

The former San Diego State Aztec has appeared in a total of 16 career NBA games over three seasons with San Antonio, Golden State and Chicago, averaging 1.1 points and 1.8 rebounds in 5.4 minutes. He previously saw action in three games for the Spurs during the 2011-12 season, and spent time with both the Warriors (five games) and Bulls (seven games) in 2012-13. Thomas also appeared briefly in three games for the Bulls in the 2013 NBA Playoffs.

Following the move, the Jazz roster now stands at 15 players.

Utah Jazz waive forward Mike Harris

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has waived forward Mike Harris. Following the move, Utah’s roster now stands at 14 players.

Harris (6-6, 242, Rice) appeared in 20 games this season for Utah, averaging 4.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game. Harris was signed as a free agent on September 26.

At 11-25 through Monday’s games, the Jazz have the third worst record in the NBA. They are in a state of rebuild, with a current core of Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Trey Burke, Alec Burks, Enes Kanter, Richard Jefferson and Marvin Williams. The team simply needs an upgraded roster, and that will take time. But as for now, Mike Harris moves on.

Utah Jazz re-assign Ian Clark and Rudy Gobert to D-League

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has assigned rookie guard Ian Clark and rookie center Rudy Gobert to its NBA Development League (D-League) affiliate, the Bakersfield Jam. Both are expected to be in uniform for the Jam’s game Saturday at the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

This will be the second assignment this season for both Clark and Gobert, who were previously assigned to Bakersfield from December 14-21. In three games (all starts) with the Jam, Clark averaged 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 35.1 minutes. Gobert also appeared in three games (all starts) and averaged 14.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 4.3 blocks while shooting .750 (15-20) from the field in 30.8 minutes.

A 6-3, 173-pound guard out of Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Clark was named 2013 NBA Summer League Championship Game Most Valuable Player and was signed by the Jazz as an undrafted rookie free agent on July 29. The 22-year-old has appeared in eight games as a reserve for the Jazz, averaging 2.8 points in 8.8 minutes.

Gobert, a 7-1, 245-pound center, was a 2013 first-round draft pick (27th overall) whose rights the Jazz acquired in a draft-night trade with Denver that sent the Nuggets the rights to the 46th overall pick and cash considerations. The 21-year-old native of Saint Quentin, France, has made 17 appearances for the Jazz in a reserve role, averaging 2.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.82 blocks in 10.7 minutes.

Clark and Gobert were the seventh and eighth different players in Jazz history to be assigned to the D-League. Other players on the current Jazz roster with D-League experience include Jeremy Evans, Diante Garrett, Mike Harris and John Lucas III.

Utah Jazz recall Ian Clark and Rudy Gobert from D-League

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has recalled guard Ian Clark and center Rudy Gobert from its NBA Development League (D-League) affiliate, the Bakersfield Jam. Both are expected to be available for the Jazz’s game Saturday at Charlotte Bobcats (5 p.m. MT, TV: ROOT Sports, Radio: 1280/97.5 The Zone).

In three games (all starts) with the Jam, Clark averaged 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 35.1 minutes. Gobert also appeared in three games (all starts) and averaged 14.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 4.3 blocks while shooting .750 (15-20) from the field in 30.8 minutes. They both began their assignment with the Jam on December 14.

Clark and Gobert became the seventh and eighth different players in Jazz history to be assigned to the D-League. Other players on the current Jazz roster with D-League experience include Jeremy Evans, Diante Garrett, Mike Harris and John Lucas III.

Utah Jazz assign Ian Clark and Rudy Gobert to D-League

Clark and Gobert become the seventh and eighth different players in Jazz history to be assigned to the D-League. Other players on the current Jazz roster with D-League experience include Jeremy Evans, Diante Garrett, Mike Harris and John Lucas III.

Jazz center Enes Kanter day-to-day with sprained right ankle

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter, who was injured during the fourth quarter of Sunday night’s game at Oklahoma City:

Kanter was examined by the Utah Jazz medical staff and underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test on his right ankle Monday in Salt Lake City. The MRI findings confirmed Kanter has an inversion sprain of his right ankle.

Kanter will not play in tonight’s game vs. Chicago and is considered day-to-day. He will be a game-time decision for Friday’s game vs. Phoenix.

Kanter (6-11, 247, Kentucky) has played in all 15 games (14 starts) for the Jazz in 2013-14, ranking second on the team in both scoring (13.8 points) and rebounding (7.0 rebounds) in 31.9 minutes per game. He has scored in double figures in 11 of his 15 games this season, reaching 20-plus points four times, and also has three double-digit rebounding efforts. The 21-year-old native of Turkey was originally selected by the Jazz in the first round (third overall selection) of the 2011 NBA Draft.

Marvin Williams suffers broken nose, will return for Jazz soon

The following is a medical update on Utah Jazz forward Marvin Williams, who suffered a fractured nose during the first half of the Jazz’s November 15 game vs. San Antonio and has played in each of the two subsequent Jazz games:

Williams did not accompany the team Tuesday to New Orleans, remaining in Salt Lake City to be fitted for a customized protective face mask. Following a medical consultation, it was determined that Williams will undergo a procedure to reduce the nasal fracture on Thursday in Salt Lake City. The outpatient procedure will be performed by Dr. Demetrios Skedros.

Williams will miss the Jazz’s game Wednesday at New Orleans, but is expected to re-join the team and be available for Friday’s game at Dallas.

Williams (6-9, 237, North Carolina) has played in seven games for the Jazz in 2013-14, averaging 7.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game. The 27-year-old Jazzman was originally selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round (second overall selection) of the 2005 NBA Draft, and has appeared in 567 career games (430 starts) and owns averages of 10.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assist in 29.5 minutes. He was acquired by the Jazz in a trade with the Hawks in exchange for guard Devin Harris on July 11, 2012.

Diante Garrett off to great start for Jazz

Here’s the Deseret News on a nice surprise the Utah Jazz got to enjoy the other day.

Diante Garrett, a suddenly familiar name in Utah, didn’t hit an unbelievable 3-point shot to beat LeBron James’ team. He didn’t end up celebrating on the scorer’s table at EnergySolutions Arena, either.

He hasn’t quite reached Sundiata Gaines status as a D-League call-up legend.

But the 25-year-old made one heck of a first impression with the Utah Jazz and fans Wednesday night in the team’s 111-105 victory over New Orleans.

“I’m shocked,” Jazz center Enes Kanter admitted. “He came (Tuesday), and then he played (Wednesday). … He played unbelievable. I appreciate him. He stepped up big time and played big.”

And he did it only hours after signing with the Jazz.

Not long after telling media about how he learned of his new opportunity while shopping at Wal-Mart late Monday night, Garrett scored seven points, had five assists and played a key role in Utah’s first win of the 2013-14 season.

Utah Jazz sign guard Diante Garrett

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed guard Diante Garrett of the NBA Development League’s Iowa Energy, marking the NBA’s first D-League Call-Up of the 2013-14 season. Per team policy, financial terms were not released. Following the move, the Jazz roster now stands at 15 players.

The 23-year-old Garrett (6-4, 190, Iowa State) was participating in training camp with the Energy after spending the 2013 NBA training camp and preseason with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he averaged 3.2 points and 1.5 assists in 10.2 minutes in six preseason games before being waived on October 25. Garrett spent the 2012-13 season with the Phoenix Suns, appearing in 19 games (all as a reserve), averaging 2.1 points and 1.6 assists in 7.8 minutes of action. Garrett also saw action last season with the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League while on assignment from the Suns, playing in eight regular season games (six starts) and averaging 17.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.63 steals while shooting .491 (54-110) from the floor and .619 (13-21) from three-point range, in 32.6 minutes per contest. In addition, Garrett started two games in the 2013 D-League Playoffs for the Jam, producing 21.0 points on .500 (17-34) shooting, while contributing 6.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 34.5 minutes per game. He also played for KK Zagreb in Croatia and JSF Nanterre in France during the 2011-12 season.

The Milwaukee native played four collegiate seasons at Iowa State University (2007-11), and finished his career as the Cyclones’ all-time leader in games played (128), ranking second in career assists (611), ninth in steals (153), 13th in three-pointers (98) and 16th in scoring (1,364). His 611 assists also rank fifth in Big 12 Conference history and he is one of only three players in Big 12 history to amass at least 1,300 points and 600 assists (Kirk Hinrich, Kansas; John Roberson, Texas Tech).

As a senior (2010-11), Garrett earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors after averaging 17.3 points, 6.1 assists and 1.7 steals and was one of only two players in the nation (Nate Wolters, South Dakota St.) to average at least 17.0 points and 6.0 assists. He is also one of only nine players in Big 12 history to rank in the top five in the conference in both assists (first) and scoring (fifth).

The son of former NBA player Dick Garrett (1969-74), Garrett’s first name is pronounced “Dee-ahn-tay,” and he will wear uniform #8 for the Jazz.

Utah Jazz waive Jamaal Tinsley

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has waived guard Jamaal Tinsley. Following the move, Utah’s roster now stands at 14 players.

Tinsley (6-3, 188, Iowa State) appeared in eight games this season for Utah, averaging 1.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 13.8 minutes per game.

Tinsley was signed as a free agent on October 26.

This could be one of Tinsley’s final stops in the NBA. We won’t be surprised if another team picks him up, though. But this certainly feels close to the end of the road for the crafty point guard.