Utah Jazz Blog – Page 53 – NBA Blog

Utah Jazz name Dennis Lindsey new General Manager

Utah Jazz president Randy Rigby announced today that the team is adding to its front office staff by bringing on Dennis Lindsey as the team’s General Manager while Kevin O’Connor will remain as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations.

“I am honored that we have one of the league’s preeminent basketball minds in Kevin O’Connor working as our Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. The addition of Dennis to the Jazz front office staff further demonstrates the Miller family’s commitment to this franchise,” said Utah Jazz president Randy Rigby. “He will be a key element of our basketball operations staff that we already believe is the best in the league. In addition, he brings with him valuable experience from two championship-level organizations and we appreciate the Spurs allowing us the opportunity to interview him.”

Lindsey spent the past five seasons with San Antonio as the Spurs’ vice president and assistant general manager. Lindsey’s responsibilities with the Spurs included directing all of the team’s player personnel matters, leading all draft-related efforts, managing the Spurs’ professional, college and international scouting aspects and overseeing the team’s analytical department, as well as handling the day-to-day management of basketball operations including salary cap management and interfacing with the NBA, coaches and player agents.

During Lindsey’s tenure, San Antonio compiled a 271-123 (.688) regular season record, third-best in the NBA during that span. The Spurs won 50-plus games and advanced to the NBA Playoffs all five seasons, winning three Southwest Division titles, twice finishing with the best record in the Western Conference, and reaching two Western Conference Finals (2008, 2012).

“The addition of Dennis improves the Jazz not only for the upcoming season, but for many years to come,” said Greg Miller, CEO of the Utah Jazz. “Dennis is an outstanding fit for the Jazz family as well as our community.”

Prior to joining the Spurs, Lindsey spent 11 seasons with the Houston Rockets, serving as the team’s vice president of basketball operations and player personnel from 2002-07. Lindsey originally joined the Rockets as video coordinator/scout in 1996, later serving as director of basketball development and then director of player personnel. Before joining the Rockets, Lindsey worked as an assistant coach at Fort Worth Southwest High School and Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College.

“Dennis is a proven talent evaluator whose experience will be a real asset to the Jazz organization,” said Kevin O’Connor, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. “He is a high-character individual who is well respected around the league and I look forward to working with him on a daily basis.”

A native of Freeport, Texas, Lindsey earned his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University in 1992 and a graduate degree in sports management from the U.S. Sports Academy in 1994. Lindsey played guard on the Baylor basketball team for four seasons (1988-92), teaming with future NBA players David Wesley and Micheal Williams to lead the Bears to the 1988 NCAA Tournament.

Utah Jazz, Paul Millsap talking extension

All signs continue to point toward 21-year-old big man Derrick Favors as a major centerpiece of the Jazz’s future.

While Favors crisscrossed Utah this week, strengthening his bond with fans by visiting remote towns as part of the annual Junior Jazz program, initial contract negotiations quietly began between the small-market organization and longtime power forward Paul Millsap.

The sturdy six-year veteran was offered a three-year extension worth about $25 million, The Salt Lake Tribune has learned, which is the maximum extension Millsap can receive under the new collective bargaining agreement. The proposed deal features an annual 7.5 percent raise, would kick in after Millsap’s current contract expires June 2013, and could keep the career Jazzman in a Utah uniform through June 2016.

Initial indications are Millsap won’t agree to the extension, though, preferring to enter free agency in 2013 with plans to cash in on an inflated 2012 market that saw mid-tier forwards such as Gerald Wallace, Andrei Kirilenko, Nicolas Batum and Ryan Anderson recently receive lucrative multiyear contracts.

— Reported by Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune

C.J. Miles likely joining the Cavs

Unrestricted free agent small forward C.J. Miles has agreed to terms with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a league source told The Salt Lake Tribune on Friday.

Miles is expected to sign a two-year deal with Cleveland and compete for a starting spot during the 2012-13 season.

Miles, 25, drew interest from several teams during free agency, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas, Milwaukee and Houston. His growing bond with Cavaliers coach Byron Scott and the opportunity Cleveland presented him heavily factored into his decision.

“He’s so happy,” the source said.

— Reported by Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune Blog

Lakers have interest in C.J. Miles

Unrestricted free agent small forward C.J. Miles has narrowed his options down to a few teams, a league source told The Salt Lake Tribune on Tuesday, and the longtime Jazzman is drawing serious interest from the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 6-foot-6, 222-pound Miles could make a decision during the next 2-3 days. If he signs with the Lakers, the source said, it’ll likely be a one- or two-year deal via Los Angeles’ mini mid-level exception.

Miles, 25, has already met with Dallas and Cleveland since free agency started July 1.

He averaged 8.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists for Utah from 2005-12, playing in 389 games (159 starts).

— Reported by Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune (Blog)

Andrei Kirilenko scores 35 for Russia

Slashing to the rim, blocking shots and getting out in transition in Russia’s first game of the Olympics, Andrei Kirilenko looked every bit the all-around force he was as a young man with the Utah Jazz.

“I feel great,” Kirilenko said after scoring 35 points on 14-for-17 shooting against Britain on Sunday. “Look at me. I’m running like a young deer.”

The only people happier with his performance than the Russians had to be the Minnesota Timberwolves. After skipping last season to play in his native Moscow, Kirilenko signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Wolves on Friday.

Kirilenko will be bringing Russian teammate Alexey Shved with him to the Timberwolves next season. Shved had 16 points and 13 assists against overmatched Britain.

“If I’m the Minnesota Timberwolves, I have a big, fat smile on my face,” Russian coach David Blatt said.

— Reported by the Associated Press

Utah Jazz agree to sign Randy Foye

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free-agent guard Randy Foye, pending the outcome of a physical. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

The 28-year-old Foye (6-4, 213, Villanova) is entering his seventh NBA season and has played in 389 career games (214 starts) with Minnesota, Washington and the Los Angeles Clippers, owning career averages of 11.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 27.1 minutes. A career 86.1-percent free-throw shooter, Foye twice has finished in the NBA’s top 10 in free-throw percentage (2009-10, 2010-11).

This past season Foye saw action in 65 of a possible 66 games (48 starts) for the Clippers, averaging 11.0 points, 2.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 25.9 minutes while helping L.A. to the best record in franchise history and a trip to the Western Conference Semifinals. Foye led the Clippers in three-pointers made and attempted (127-329, .386) last season, ranking seventh in the NBA in both categories, and scored 20-plus points on nine occasions, including equaling a Clipper franchise-record with eight made threes (8-15 3FG, 10-19 FG) in a 28-point effort at Dallas on April 2, 2012. Foye led the NBA with 46 made three-pointers from March 30 through the end of the regular season and averaged 15.3 points over the final 15 games of the season, hitting the 20-point mark five times in that span. He also had a streak of 21 straight games with at least one three-pointer from March 17 – April 22. Foye was teammates with recent Jazz addition Mo Williams the last two seasons in L.A.

Originally selected by the Boston Celtics in the first-round (seventh overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Foye was traded to Minnesota on a draft-night deal and was selected to the 2007 NBA All-Rookie First Team. He played for the Timberwolves from 2006-09, the Washington Wizards in 2009-10, and the Clippers from 2010-12.

Prior to the NBA, the Newark, N.J., native played four seasons at Villanova University (2002-06), where he averaged 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.51 steals in 131 games (128 starts). He finished his career as the eighth-leading scorer in Villanova history (1,966 points) and was an Associated Press First Team All-American his senior year as he led the Wildcats to a No. 1 seed in the 2006 NCAA Tournament and Elite Eight appearance.

Foye operates a charitable foundation, the Randy Foye Foundation (www.randyfoye.org), which raises funds and develops programs and projects aimed directly at improving the lives of the people, especially the kids, of Newark.

Timberwolves sign Andrei Kirilenko

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed free-agent forward Andrei Kirilenko. We’ll post contract details on this page later today.

“We are pleased that Andrei has decided to resume his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “Over his time in the NBA he has proven to be one of the best defensive players in the world. His ability to play multiple positions and big-game experience will be wonderful assets to our team. He is coming off an MVP season in Europe, on what many believe was the best team in Europe, CSKA Moscow. We are excited to see him in a Timberwolves uniform and wish him well in the upcoming Olympics, where he will be the star player for the Russian National Team.”

“I’m excited to be returning to the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves,” Kirilenko said. “The Wolves have one of the best coaches in the league in Rick Adelman and I feel my game fits in well with his style of play. I also like the talent that Minnesota has on the team with star players like Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio.”

Kirilenko, 31, has spent parts of 10 seasons in the NBA, all with the Utah Jazz. In 681 career games (478 starts) the St. Petersburg, Russia, native holds averages of 12.4 points (.470 FG, .312 3FG, .763 FT), 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.0 blocks in 30.8 minutes per game. In 45 career playoff games (36 starts), the 6-9 forward owns averages of 10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. Most recently Kirilenko averaged 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks in 31.2 minutes per game for Utah during the 2010-11 season. The Jazz selected Kirilenko with the 24th overall pick of the 1999 NBA Draft.

Kirilenko posted perhaps his best season in 2003-04 when he averaged 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals – all career high figures – and 2.8 blocks per game en route to being named a 2004 All-Star reserve. Among his best games that season were two 5X5 lines (recording five or more points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks in same contest), when he posted 19 points, five rebounds, seven assists, eight steals and five blocks at Houston on Dec. 3 and 10 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, six steals and five blocks vs. New York on Dec. 10. In 2005-06 he became just fourth player in NBA history, and first since 1993-94, to average 15+ points, 8+ rebounds, 4+ assists and 3+ blocks in single season (Abdul-Jabbar six times, Bob Lanier – 1973-74, David Robinson – 1993-94). Included in that season was his third career 5X5 game, a 14-point, eight-rebound, nine-assist, seven-block and six-steal performance vs. the L.A. Lakers on Jan. 3. He became only the second player in NBA history with 6+ in each category (A. Olajuwon, March 10, 1987 – Houston vs. Seattle).

Regarded as one of the best defensive players during his 10 years in the NBA, Kirilenko has totaled 1,380 blocks and 960 steals over his NBA career. A three-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection (1st – 2005-06; 2nd – 2003-04, 2004-05), Kirilenko led the NBA in blocked shots per game over the 2004-05 season (3.32 bpg – a career high) and total blocks (220) in 2005-06. He has recorded 62 games of 5+ blocks and 14 games of 5+ steals over his career (5+ blocks and steals in the same game three times). He blocked a career-high 10 shots on March 25, 2006 vs. Sacramento and swiped a career-high eight steals Dec. 3, 2003 at Houston.

Kirilenko spent the 2011-12 season in Russia playing for CSKA Moscow, where he teamed up with current Timberwolves guard Alexey Shved. In 17 Euroleague games, Kirilenko averaged 14.1 points on .598 shooting (.417 from three), to go along with 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.9 blocks. He was named 2012 Euroleague MVP and 2012 Euroleague Best Defender for his efforts. Before starting his NBA career he played five seasons professionally in Russia, beginning his basketball career with Spartak St. Petersburg (Russia) in 1996-97 at the age of 15 (the youngest ever in the Russian League). Kirilenko has also starred on the international stage for the Russian National Team, which he has played on since the age of 19. Most recently he competed at the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, averaging 16.2 points (.512), 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.25 steals per game in leading the Russian National Team to a 2012 Olympic berth. The 2012 London Olympics will be his third (2000, 2008) such competition.

Hawks trade Marvin Williams to Jazz for Devin Harris

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that the team has acquired forward Marvin Williams from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guard Devin Harris, pending the outcome of physicals.

Williams (6-9, 245, North Carolina) is entering his eighth NBA season and has played in 487 career games (379 starts), all with Atlanta, owning career averages of 11.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30.4 minutes. He helped the Hawks advance to the playoffs for the last five seasons, appearing in 42 playoff games (27 starts), after the franchise had failed to make the postseason the previous eight years. Williams saw action in 57 games (37 starts) for the Hawks in 2011-12, averaging 10.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 26.3 minutes while shooting a career-high .389 (58-149) from three-point range. He averaged double-figure scoring for the sixth straight season, posting 32 games with 10-plus points including 20-plus twice, and registered two double-doubles.

Originally selected by the Hawks in the first-round (second overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft, Williams was selected to the NBA’s 2006 All-Rookie Second Team. He was also a two-time recipient (2008, 2011) of the Hawks’ Jason Collier Memorial Trophy for his work as a community ambassador.

Prior to the NBA, the 26-year-old Bremerton, Wash., native played one season at the University of North Carolina (2004-05), where he was a member of the Tar Heels’ 2005 NCAA Championship team. Williams’ tip-in with 1:26 remaining in the 2005 NCAA title game vs. Illinois broke a 70-70 tie, propelling UNC to a 75-70 victory. He earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors and was a unanimous selection to the ACC All-Freshman Team in his lone college season.

An eight-year veteran, Harris’ tenure in Utah consisted of 80 games after he was traded by the Nets (along with Derrick Favors and other considerations) on February 23, 2011. He helped lead the Jazz to the first round of the playoffs before they were eliminated in four games by Dallas. In 63 games this year, Harris tallied 11.3 points and 5.0 assists, and made 44.5% of his FG attempts while shooting 75 percent from the free throw line.

Selected as a reserve on the Eastern Conference’s All-Star team in 2009, Atlanta will be Harris’ fourth team since coming into the NBA in 2004. Picked fifth overall by Washington, he was traded to Dallas on draft night and played three and a half seasons for the Mavericks before he was traded to New Jersey on February 19, 2008.

In three-plus seasons with the Nets, Harris’ career numbers continued to improve, topped by a personal-best 21.3 ppg average in 2008-09. It was the fifth straight season in which his scoring totals increased, to go along with career highs in rebounds (3.3 rpg) and steals (1.6 spg). Harris brings career averages of 13.1 points, 5.0 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals to Atlanta, and he has connected on .441 FG%, .315 3FG% and 80.1 percent of his FTs.

Utah Jazz re-sign forward Jeremy Evans

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today that the team has re-signed forward Jeremy Evans. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

The 2012 NBA Slam Dunk Champion, Evans (6-9, 194, Western Kentucky) has appeared in 78 games (three starts) over his first two NBA seasons with the Jazz, averaging 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds while shooting .656 from the field. A 2010 second-round draft pick (55th overall) by the Jazz, 74 of Evans’ 103 made shots over his first two years have been dunks, 32 of those on alley-oops. His dunk percentage of 71.8 percent is the highest in the NBA over the last two seasons. On February 25, 2012 during NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando, Fla., Evans became the first player in Jazz franchise history to win the league’s slam dunk contest.

The 24-year-old native of Crossett, Ark., is the only Jazz draft pick ever from Western Kentucky, where he played four seasons (2006-10) and finished as the Hilltoppers’ all-time leader in blocked shots and field goal percentage.

Brooklyn Nets re-sign Deron Williams

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed three-time NBA All-Star and USA Basketball guard Deron Williams, Nets General Manager Billy King announced tonight. According to multiple reports, the deal is for five years and $98 million.

“We are obviously thrilled that Deron will lead the Nets into our new home in Brooklyn,” said King. “Deron is in my opinion the top point guard in the NBA. With his leadership and guidance on and off the court, the fans of Brooklyn should be proud.”

“I am really excited to be able to officially say that Brooklyn is home,” said Williams. “It is an incredible time to play in Brooklyn and to be a part of this organization, the first sports team to call Brooklyn home in over 50 years. I believe in the team and what we are going to be able to accomplish on the court, as well as in the community. My family and I have come to know New York and the more we do, the more we love it. I look forward to going to London to represent the United States in the Olympics and then coming back to Brooklyn to open Barclays Center.”

Williams appeared in 55 games with the Nets in 2011-12, and averaged a career-best 21.0 points (9th in NBA), 3.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists (5th in NBA) and 1.2 steals in 36.3 minutes. He tallied 22 double-doubles (3rd in NBA) along with scoring a career-high/Nets franchise-high 57 points, 16-29 FG’s and 21-21 FT’s, in 38 minutes at Charlotte on March 4, 2012.

Williams, (6-3, 209), was selected third overall in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft by Utah. The Illinois product and seven-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 17.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 35.7 minutes per game.

In 506 career games, including 473 starts, Williams has shot .455 (3,175-6,978) from the field, .351 (642-1,828) from three-point range and .812 (1,918-2,361) from the free throw line.

In 44 career postseason games, Williams has averaged 21.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 9.6 assists and 1.2 steals 40.4 minutes, while shooting .458 (308-672) from the field and .796 (238-299) from the line.

Williams is a three-time All Star (2010, 2011, 2012), made the All-NBA Second Team in 2008 and 2010, won a gold medal as part of Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, was a member of the All-Rookie First Team in 2006 and became only the third player in NBA history to have 1500+ points and 800+ assists while shooting .500+ from the field in a single season in 2007-08 (Magic Johnson, 1986-87, 1988-89 and Kevin Johnson, 1988-89). Williams will make his second Olympic appearance this summer in London as a member of Team USA.