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Chicago Bulls sign Nazr Mohammed

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent center Nazr Mohammed (first name is pronounced “NAH-zee”).

Mohammed (6-10, 250), a 14-year NBA veteran, most recently played with the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2011-12 campaign. Last year, he appeared in 63 games and averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 11.0 mpg.

The Chicago native has enjoyed stints with the Thunder (2010-12), the Charlotte Bobcats (2007-10), the Detroit Pistons (2006-08), the San Antonio Spurs (2004-06), the New York Knicks (2003-05), the Atlanta Hawks (2000-04) and the Philadelphia 76ers (1998-01). In 834 career games, he has posted averages of 6.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 0.69 bpg in 17.4 mpg. He owns career shooting averages of .493 from the field and .639 from the line.

Originally selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round (29th overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft, the 35-year old Mohammed has been a member of eight playoff teams, including the 2005 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs. In 66 playoff games, he has averaged 4.8 ppg and 4.0 rpg in 15.2 mpg.

Suns trade Robin Lopez, Hakim Warrick to Hornets in 3-team deal

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired center Robin Lopez, forward Hakim Warrick, and cash considerations from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for guard Jerome Dyson, center Brad Miller and two 2nd round picks (Brooklyn’s 2013 second round selection and Minnesota’s 2016 second round draft choice) as part of a three-team trade along with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Phoenix receives Brad Miller and Jerome Dyson from the Hornets as well as Wesley Johnson and a 1st round pick from Minnesota. Minnesota receives Brooklyn’s 2013 2nd round pick and their own 2016 2nd round pick from New Orleans.

“We are very excited about this trade that brings us two quality people and basketball players to help strengthen our foundation as a team,” Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said. “This move gives us a true center in Robin Lopez who brings youth and is a tough, inside rebounder. In Hakim, we get an experienced, versatile forward who will bring a veteran presence to our team.”

Lopez (7-0, 255), was drafted with the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Suns. He averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds for the Suns last season in 14.0 minutes over 64 games. During the 2010-11 season, Lopez started 56 of 67 regular season games, averaging 6.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.8 minutes of action. In four NBA seasons in Phoenix, the Stanford product has career averages of 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds in 14.4 minutes over 242 games (94 starts). The Fresno, California native enjoyed a two-year collegiate career at Stanford, averaging 8.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 67 career games for the Cardinal. Robin’s twin brother, Brook, plays for the New Jersey Nets.

Warrick, (6-9, 219), who was the 19TH overall of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, averaged 6.4 points and 2.6 rebounds for the Suns last season over 35 games. The versatile forward has played for four NBA teams (Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and Suns) over seven seasons, with career averages of 9.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 498 games (94 starts). The Philadelphia native starred for Syracuse University, playing four seasons for the Orange, averaging 15.4 points and 7.6 rebounds over 135 career games. Warrick also helped Syracuse capture their first-ever National Championship in 2003.

Dyson (6-3, 180), appeared in nine games (one start) for the Hornets last season. Miller (7-0, 261) and the two 2nd round picks were originally acquired by the Hornets on July 13 from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the Hornets’ protected 2017 second round pick. Miller, a 14-year NBA veteran with the Bulls, Pacers, Kings, Rockets and Timberwolves began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Hornets on January 21, 1999.

Robin Lopez Suns trade remains up in air

The chances of the Suns completing a trade that sends away Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick and brings in Wesley Johnson and a first-round pick improved Thursday, but its completion remained tenuous with resolution expected Friday.

The three-way agreement among Phoenix, New Orleans and Minnesota did not completely fit collective bargaining agreement rules regarding what the Suns were receiving.

In the deal, Lopez and Warrick would go to New Orleans and Minnesota would send a conditional first-round pick, either its own or one owed them by Memphis, to the Suns along with Johnson, a third-year swingman. The draft pick would have top-14 protection for coming years.

The Suns would take Brad Miller’s contract from New Orleans and pay his $800,000 buyout because he is retiring while also sending cash to New Orleans.

— Reported by Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic

Ronnie Brewer might start at SG for Knicks

Many believe Brewer will start at shooting guard ahead of J.R. Smith, who is more suited for a bench role. But Brewer was noncommittal when asked about his role on Thursday.

He said he’ll do whatever Woodson needs him to do.

Brewer prides himself on being a ‘hustle player’ and a lockdown perimeter defender — two aspects of the game that the Knicks need while Iman Shumpert works his way back from a knee injury.

“A lot of people want to play defense but some people just don’t have the ability to do it,” the 6-7 veteran said. “… I take pride in defense and, in my opinion, I think defense wins championships.”

— Reported by Ian Begley of ESPN New York

Brendan Haywood happy to join Bobcats

Haywood, who grew up in Greensboro, made it clear he’s coming back to the Carolinas with the goal of helping the Charlotte Bobcats turn things around after they finished with the worst record (7-59) in the NBA last season.

Claimed off waivers last week from the Dallas Mavericks, the 7-foot Haywood was introduced Thursday at a news conference along with free-agent acquisition Ramon Sessions, a point guard who opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers to sign with the Bobcats.

“Myself and Ramon will be great additions to this team,” Haywood said. “We’re looking forward to getting this thing started and help this team be better than it was last season.”

Haywood still owns a home in Charlotte and has frequently worked out at the Bobcats facility in the past during the offseason.

He called returning to Charlotte “a blessing.”

— Reported by the Associated Press

Neil Reed, player Bob Knight choked in 1997, dead of cardiac arrest

Neil Reed, the former Indiana University basketball player who went public with a claim that Bob Knight choked him in practice, died Thursday of cardiac arrest at age 36.

His death was confirmed by the sports editor of the Santa Maria (Calif.) Times. Reed spent the last three seasons as the freshman basketball coach at Pioneer Valley High School in Santa Maria.

Late Thursday afternoon a vigil was being held at the school for Reed.

Reed played high school basketball at East Jefferson High School in Metairie, La. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Reed died Thursday in Nipomo, Calif., after suffering a massive heart attack on Wednesday. That information was confirmed by former East Jefferson Coach Jim Robarts. Nipomo is located about 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles in San Luis Obispo County.

— Reported by Terry Hutchens of the Indianapolis Star

Warriors sign Kent Bazemore

The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent guard/forward Kent Bazemore to a contract, the team announced today.

We would guess that this is just a training camp contract and that Bazemore is not guaranteed to make the regular season roster. But we are not sure, and will check on this tonight and tomorrow morning and then update this page.

Bazemore, 23, signs with the Warriors after playing for the team’s Summer League squad at the recently-completed NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Bazemore started the final three Summer League games for Golden State, averaging 10.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 2.00 steals and 2.33 blocks in 27.0 minutes over that stretch. On July 20 vs. Chicago, he recorded 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and seven blocked shots in 36 minutes, marking the most blocked shots by a Warriors player ever at the Las Vegas Summer League. Overall in four summer league games (DNP-CD in the first game and played one minute in the second game), Bazemore averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.50 steals and 1.75 blocks in 20.5 minutes per contest.

A 6’5” swingman, Bazemore is coming off a four-year collegiate career at Old Dominion, where he was named Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year in both his junior and senior seasons. Following his senior campaign, in which he averaged 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.11 steals, the Kelford, NC, native was named First Team All-CAA. Overall, for his career at ODU, Bazemore averaged 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.79 steals in 26.3 minutes in 140 games. He left school having appeared in the most games in team history and as the all-time CAA leader in steals (250).

Bazemore will wear uniform #20.

Rockets sign rookies Jeremy Lamb, Royce White, Terrence Jones

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced that the team now has all three of its first-round selections from the 2012 NBA Draft under contract, which includes Connecticut guard/forward Jeremy Lamb (12th overall), Iowa State forward Royce White (16th overall) and Kentucky forward Terrence Jones (18th overall).

Lamb (6-5, 180, Connecticut) was recently named an NBA Summer League 2012 All-Star after topping the Rockets entry in scoring and finishing eighth overall in points per game (20.0). An early entry candidate for the 2012 NBA Draft, Lamb was just the sixth sophomore in UConn history to score 1,000 career points (1,060). He was selected AP Honorable Mention All-America and All-Big East First Team as a sophomore after averaging 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Lamb also helped UConn to a National Championship as a freshman, recording 12 points in the title game vs. Butler and earning a spot on the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team.

White (6-8, 260, Iowa State) showed his all-around game at the 2012 NBA Summer League by averaging 8.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists with the Houston squad in Las Vegas. He came to the Rockets as the only player in the country in 2011-12 to lead his team in scoring (13.4 ppg), rebounding (9.3 rpg), assists (5.0 apg), steals (1.2 spg) and blocks (0.9 bpg) during his lone season at Iowa State. Overall, White became just the second player in school history to top the team in scoring, rebounding and assists in one season. His sophomore year with the Cyclones was highlighted by AP Honorable Mention All-America honors, All-Big 12 First-Team accolades, selection to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team and being named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.

Jones (6-9, 252, Kentucky) averaged 18.2 points and 8.6 rebounds with the Rockets at 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, finishing tied for sixth in rebounds per game and 15th in scoring. Another of the early entry candidates for the 2012 NBA Draft, Jones averaged 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 76 games over his two seasons with Kentucky. He was one of just six players in UK history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 140 blocks in a career. As a sophomore, Jones helped the Wildcats win the 2012 National Championship, while earning Second-Team All-SEC honors. In 2010-11, he was selected SEC Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-SEC and was a member of the SEC All-Freshman Team.

Dallas Mavericks re-sign Delonte West

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have re-signed free agent guard Delonte West.

West (6-3, 180) was originally signed by the Mavericks as a free agent on Dec. 13, 2011. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 24.1 minutes in 44 games (33 starts) last season despite suffering a fractured and dislocated right ring finger on Feb. 15 against the Denver Nuggets. The injury forced West out of 21 games, but he returned to start the final 13 games of the regular season.

“We are thrilled that Delonte is returning to the Mavericks,” President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson said. “Delonte is a great fit on our roster. We are excited that he will bring the same toughness and versatility on both ends of the court as he did last year.”

Originally the first round draft pick (24th overall) of the Boston Celtics in the 2004 NBA Draft, West is an eight-year veteran who owns career averages of 9.7 points, 3.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 432 games (258 starts) for Boston, Seattle, Cleveland and Dallas.

The Washington D.C., native attended St. Joseph’s University where, as a junior, he teamed with Jameer Nelson to lead his school to an undefeated 27-0 regular season and an Elite Eight appearance. He was named Honorable Mention All-America by Associated Press and All-Atlantic 10 First Team.

Alonzo Gee hopes to stay with Cavs

The free-agent forward, in town for one of the Cavs’ basketball camps put on by the National Basketball Academy, smiled. Although he’s not currently under contract with the team, he made it clear where he’d like to be.

“I want to be in Cleveland,” he said. “This is where I want to be. I love the coaches and my teammates. This is where I want to be.”

Although he remains unsigned, Gee said the uncertainty during this summer has not been difficult.

— Reported by Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer