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Bulls sign Ronnie Brewer

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent guard Ronnie Brewer. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.

“We’re very happy to add a player of Ronnie’s ability to our team. He brings great versatility on both ends of the floor and will be an excellent addition to our backcourt,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman.

Brewer (6-7, 236), a four-year NBA veteran, comes to the Bulls after spending last season with both the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies. Drafted out of Arkansas in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft (14th overall) by the Utah Jazz, Brewer spent three-plus seasons with the Jazz before being dealt to the Grizzlies at last season’s trade deadline.

Last season with the Jazz, Brewer appeared in 53 games (all starts) and averaged 9.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.8 apg and 1.60 spg in 31.4 mpg. He shot .495 from the field and .633 from the line. He was limited to only five games with the Grizzlies due to a partially torn right hamstring.

A native of Fayetteville, Ark., the 25-year old Brewer has played in a career 271 regular season games (223 starts) and posted averages of 10.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.46 spg, 26.2 mpg, .521 field goal shooting, .234 three-point shooting and .707 from the line. During the 2008-09 campaign, he posted career highs in points per game (13.7) and rebounds per game (3.7), while ranking first in the NBA in steals-per-turnover ratio (1.87) and seventh in field goal percentage (.558). He also ranked in the NBA’s Top 10 in total steals during the 2008-09 and 2007-08 seasons. In his four seasons in the NBA, his teams have advanced to the playoffs three times, where he has appeared in 25 games (17 starts) and averaged 7.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 20.1 mpg and shot .490 from the field and .685 from the line.

Heat re-sign James Jones

The Miami Heat announced today that they have re-signed forward James Jones. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are happy to bring back James Jones, whose abilities on and off the court epitomize what the Heat organization stands for,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “He is a consummate professional and a proven three-point threat that will help stretch the floor. As our roster fills out, his ability to shoot the ball will be a valuable asset to our team.”

Jones has appeared in 366 career games (65 starts) over seven seasons. During his NBA career, with four different teams, he has averaged 6.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 18.9 minutes, while shooting 39.8 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three-point range, and 86.1 percent from the foul line. He has scored in double-figures on 101 occasions, and has shot at least 82.0 percent from the foul line every season of his career.

During the last two seasons with the Heat, Jones appeared in 76 games (seven starts), averaging 4.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 14.9 minutes, while shooting 36.6 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from three-point range and 83.1 percent from the foul line.

Jones originally signed with the Heat as a free agent on July 9, 2008. He was waived by the club on June 29, 2010.

Trail Blazers hire Rich Cho as general manager

The Portland Trail Blazers have named Rich Cho as the team’s new general manager, Trail Blazers President Larry Miller announced today. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed.

“Rich is the perfect fit for our organization,” said Miller. “He has the right balance of basketball knowledge, business acumen and tremendous people skills. Everyone I spoke to about Rich commented not just on his qualifications but on who he is as a person. He is well known for his ability to connect genuinely with people. Rich will be a great fit for our organization and for Portland. He is an executive on the rise and we’re thrilled to have him as a Trail Blazer.”

Cho, who becomes the ninth general manager in Trail Blazers history, joins the Trail Blazers after spending the past nine seasons as assistant general manager of the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder.

“I am extremely humbled and grateful for this opportunity, and I will do everything I can to help this great team get even better,” said Rich Cho. “When I met with Mr. Allen, Larry Miller, and coach McMillan, it was immediately apparent to me that this organization has an incredible commitment to winning. As someone who grew up in the northwest, I’m aware of the unbelievable passion and support that Trail Blazers fans have, and I’m excited to be a part of this rich tradition.”

Celtics re-sign Nate Robinson

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have re-signed guard Nate Robinson. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“It is great to have Nate back and we think that he can contribute more significantly this upcoming season after a full training camp with the team,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations, Danny Ainge. “He helped us win some crucial playoff games this past postseason and we believe that we will see great things from him this coming season.”

Robinson, a 5’9″ guard, averaged 10.1 points, 2.9 assists and shot 39.0% from three-point distance last season between the Celtics and the New York Knicks. After joining the Celtics, Robinson shot 41.4% from beyond the arc in the 26 contests he played for the C’s. The former Washington Husky netted a season-high 41 points against Atlanta on January 1 and scored 20 or more points seven times in his combined 56 games last season. Originally drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the 21st pick in the 2005 Draft, he was acquired by the Celtics on February 18 along with Marcus Landry from the Knicks in exchange for Eddie House, J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker.

Heat re-sign Jamaal Magloire

The Miami Heat announced today that they have re-signed center Jamaal Magloire. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Re-signing Jamaal is a testament to his work ethic and his desire to win,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “Over the past two seasons in Miami, he has been an asset to this team, in terms of being a role model for our younger players, with his professionalism and his strong locker room presence.”

Magloire has appeared in 628 career games (313 starts) over 10 seasons. He has averaged 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 0.94 blocks and 22.4 minutes while shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 64.5 percent from the foul line. He was named a reserve for the Eastern Conference for the 2004 All-Star game and was a one-time selection as Eastern Conference Player of the Month in April 2004.

During the 2009-10 season, Magloire averaged 2.1 points and 3.4 rebounds, while shooting 50.4 percent from the field in 23 games as a reserve. His 16.2 rebound average per 48 minutes was tops on the Heat.

Magloire was originally signed by the Heat as a free agent on Sept. 2, 2008 and re-signed again on July 22, 2009. The Canadian native was originally drafted in the first round (19th overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets.

Nets name Sam Mitchell, Larry Krystkowiak, John Loyer, Popeye Jones, Tom Barrise assistant coaches

The New Jersey Nets have named Sam Mitchell, Larry Krystkowiak, John Loyer, Popeye Jones and Tom Barrise as assistant coaches, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

“Avery has assembled a staff that brings a wealth of NBA experience to the sidelines,” said King. “Their collective knowledge of the game, gained from both playing and coaching in the league, will be an invaluable asset to the head coach as well as our players.”

Sam Mitchell, the 2006-07 NBA Coach of the Year, brings four-plus seasons of head coaching experience and will be the lead assistant on Avery Johnson’s staff. Mitchell led the Toronto Raptors to two playoff appearances as head coach, including the 2006-07 campaign in which he guided the team to a 47- 35 record, a 20 game improvement from the previous season. Prior to his time in Toronto, Mitchell served as an assistant coach on George Karl’s staff in Milwaukee for two seasons (2002-2004). The 13-year NBA veteran split his playing career between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers. He appeared in 994 regular season games and 59 postseason contests, missing just 40 games to injury or illness throughout his career and posting averages of 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

Larry Krystkowiak comes to the Nets after 12 years of coaching experience in the NBA, CBA and NCAA. Krystkowiak was most recently with Milwaukee Bucks as their head coach after taking over for Terry Stotts in 2006-07 and controlling the sideline for the entire 2007-08 campaign. He holds a career record of 31-69 (.310) after finishing 5-13 (.279) in 2006-07 while going 26-56 (.317) in 2007-08. The University of Montana alum got his first coaching job at his alma mater as an assistant in 1998. After two years at Montana, he left to become an assistant at Old Dominion for the 2001-02 season. He received his first opportunity as a head coach with the CBA’s Idaho Stampede in 2003-04. In his sole season with Idaho, he led the Stampede to a 37-16 record and a spot in the CBA championship game. In May of 2004, he was hired as the head coach at the University of Montana and amassed a 42-40 (.512) record in two seasons at the helm. In June of 2006, Krystkowiak joined Stotts’ staff as an assistant in Milwaukee. After being selected by Chicago in the second round (28th overall) of the 1986 NBA Draft, Krystkowiak spent nine seasons in the NBA with Chicago, Milwaukee, San Antonio, Utah, Orlando and the Los Angeles Lakers. Krystkowiak’s best season came in 1988-89 when he averaged 12.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30 minutes per game for Milwaukee. He holds career averages of 8.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest.

John Loyer returns for his second season as an assistant coach for the Nets, following four seasons in the same position for the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to his time in Philadelphia, Loyer spent a total of five seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers as the team’s video coordinator (2000-01), advance scout (2001-03) and assistant coach (2003-05). Before joining the Trail Blazers staff in 2000, Loyer spent 12 years in the collegiate coaching ranks with stops at Wabash Valley College (1999-00), University of Akron (1987-89) and the University of Cincinnati (1989-99). He was an assistant at Cincinnati for 10 years during which time the Bearcats made it to the Final Four once and twice to the Elite Eight.

Popeye Jones joins the Avery Johnson’s staff after spending four seasons as a member of the player development staff in Dallas. Jones enjoyed an 11-year NBA career after being selected by Houston in the second round (41st overall) of the 1992 NBA Draft. He played one season in Europe before beginning his first of two stints with Dallas in 1993. Jones’ best season came in 1995-96 when he averaged 11.3 points and 10.8 rebounds. He holds the record for most rebounds by a Maverick in a game (28 vs. IND on 1/9/96). Jones holds career averages of 7.0 points and 7.4 rebounds in 535 career games with Dallas, Toronto, Boston, Denver, Washington and Golden State.

Tom Barrise returns for his 15th season with the Nets and his seventh full season as an assistant coach. Tom joined the assistant coach ranks in January of 2004 when Lawrence Frank took over as head coach. Prior to his current position, Barrise served as the Nets’ advance scout for eight seasons. Prior to joining the Nets, Tom was the head basketball coach for three seasons (1992-95) at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey, while also performing advance scout duties for the Cleveland Cavaliers (1992-96). His basketball coaching odyssey also includes stints at St. Peter’s College, Fairfield University, East Carolina University, Jacksonville University, William Paterson College and Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Andre Iguodala can grow his name internationally this summer

Tom Moore of The Intelligencer reports:

Andre Iguodala has a chance to make a name for himself internationally this summer.

With most of the elite NBA stars – namely LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Tayshaun Prince and Carlos Boozer – withdrawing from competition in 2010 for various reasons, Iguodala could make the USA Basketball National Team and play a key role at the FIBA World Championships beginning Aug. 28 in Turkey.

Iguodala’s versatility is probably his biggest asset.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for him,” said Sixers president Ed Stefanski. “When you’re putting a team together to go overseas to play, a guy like that who can guard 1s, 2s and 3s and play multiple positions at the offensive end is a guy that they’ll look at closely. But there’s competition.”

Marc Iavaroni leaves Raptors to be Clippers assistant coach

Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reports:

The Raptors gained a player and lost a coach as the Summer of Change continues.

On the day the Denver Nuggets didn’t match an offer sheet extended to restricted free agent forward Linas Kleiza, assistant coach Marc Iavaroni is leaving Jay Triano’s staff to join new head coach Vinny Del Negro with the Los Angeles Clippers…

The news on Kleiza, who has a four-year, $18.8 million deal with the Raptors, is hardly surprising; the Nuggets were never expected to match the offer.

But the departure of Iavaroni, hired a year ago as ostensibly Toronto’s defensive guru, is mildly surprising.

Even after the addition of P.J. Carlesimo to Triano’s staff in May, there were no other staff changes planned until the 53-year-old former head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies decided to leave for Los Angeles.

Brad Miller joining Rockets

With center Yao Ming suffering injuries on a regular basis, the Houston Rockets are always in need of a good backup at the five-spot.

Finally, mission accomplished. The AP reports:

Free agent center Brad Miller has agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract with the Houston Rockets.

The 7-foot Miller averaged 8.8 points and 4.9 rebounds for Chicago last season. Miller played in Sacramento from 2003-09, including three seasons playing for current Houston coach Rick Adelman.

Agent Mark Bartelstein said in a phone interview on Saturday that reuniting with Adelman was a major factor in Miller’s decision.

“Coach Adelman was a huge part of it,” Bartelstein said. “He had a great time playing for him, and he thinks he’s a great, great coach.”

Miller does not have a lot left in the tank, but as a primary backup center only needed to play limited minutes he’s as good as it gets.

Knicks get younger

The New York Knicks are rebuilding themselves and attempting to become relevant again in the NBA playoff picture.

Baby steps, people.

At the least, they’ve gotten both better and younger.

Howard Beck of the New York Times reports:

The Knicks are much younger now, with an average age of 24 and no player in his 30s. Amar’e Stoudemire, Ronny Turiaf and Eddy Curry are the oldest, at 27. Aside from Stoudemire, the Knicks’ most talented players are the two youngest: Danilo Gallinari, 22, and Anthony Randolph, 21.

“The weakness we have is experience and youth,” D’Antoni said. “And that’s something that with time we’ll take care of. But we do have a lot of young guys out there. You never know how they’ll react to everything.”

It is an almost entirely new roster, with just four players left from opening night in 2009, and just two holdovers from April 2008, when D’Antoni and Walsh arrived.

“It’s exciting,” D’Antoni said. “I think we have a lot of talent.”

Stoudemire and Felton are nice additions. But ideally, one more player capable of scoring 18 or 20 gets added to the rotation before the season starts.