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Celtics sign Semih Erden

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed center Semih Erden. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. It’s rumored to be a one-year deal, but we assume it’s nonguaranteed.

Erden, a 7’0” 240lbs center, was selected by the Celtics with the 60th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. The native of Gaziosmanpasa, Turkey was a starter for Fenerbahce Ulker this past season when they won the Turkish League championship and averaged 8.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Erden shot an impressive 62.4% from the field during the 42 Turkish League games that he played in last season. Erden will be competing for Turkey in the upcoming 2010 FIBA World Championships to be played in his native country.

Clippers meet with Mike Miller

Frank Burlison of the Los Angeles Daily News reports:

Some 24 hours after meeting with the star of the most publicized period of free agency in NBA history, the Clippers had another discussion with a member of the class Saturday.

Mike Miller, a 6-foot-8, 30-year-old forward who averaged 10.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game with the Washington Wizards during his 10th season in the league, met with team president Andy Roeser and general manager Neil Olshey at the team’s complex…

Miller, who hit .480 on 3-pointers and .501 overall, averaged a career-best 18.5 points per game for Memphis during the 2007-08 season.

Dirk Nowitzki will stay with Mavericks

The AP reports:

Dirk Nowitzki is sticking with the Dallas Mavericks.

Next question: Will he and Jason Kidd be able to lure anyone to join them?

Nowitzki’s adviser, Holger Geschwindner, told The Associated Press late Saturday night that Nowitzki and Mavs owner Mark Cuban have agreed “to get it done.” Teams and free agents can strike deals at any time, but can’t sign them until Thursday.

According to a person familiar with negotiations, the deal is for more than $80 million over four years, with a no-trade clause. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the NBA’s moratorium until Thursday. Team officials couldn’t comment because of that same rule…

Although Dallas lacks the salary cap room to sign the big names, the club has all sorts of desirable pieces piled up to make sign-and-trade deals. Nowitzki helped free up some money by not pushing for his maximum deal, which would’ve been $96 million.

Paul Pierce will re-sign with Celtics

Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe reports:

Celtics fans no longer have to be concerned about or debate the future of Paul Pierce. He will remain in Boston for at least four more years after his agent, Jeff Schwartz, and team president Danny Ainge agreed on a deal late last night.

Pierce, 32, will earn more than the expected $61 million over the life of the contract. The eight-time All-Star and 2008 NBA Finals MVP will likely retire as a Celtic, which is something he said was a goal.

Pierce wasn’t a free agent for long after opting out of the last year of his previous contract…

Pierce earned $19.7 million last season and was eligible for a maximum contract, beginning at $20.78 million, but he accepted $5 million less to stay home and retire a Celtic.

Richard Hendrix signs in Israel

Euroleague.net reports:

Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv announced another addition to its roster with the signing of Richard Hendrix for the power forward spot. Hendrix (203, 23) signed a two-year deal with the Israeli powerhouse. He joins Tal Burstein, Elishay Kadir and Jeff Foote, who were signed earlier in the offseason.

Hendrix arrives after a great season with Spanish side CB Granada, where he posted 13.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 26 minutes per game.

InsideHoops.com says:

Hendrix seems like he could still eventually claw his way into the NBA someday. Maybe a 10-day contract, someplace, in a season or two. But for now, his career will obviously be overseas and he gets to enjoy Israel for a while.

Cavs meet with free agent LeBron

Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

LeBron James’ free agent meetings are in the homestretch, the Cavaliers hoping the focus is on the “home” part.

The Cavs met with James for around 90 minutes Saturday, making perhaps their final pitch to re-sign him in a meeting that focused on the team’s familiarity with the star and his comfort level with the franchise.

New coach Byron Scott, general manager Chris Grant, assistant general manager Lance Blanks and owner Dan Gilbert were the principals in the meeting. In addition to presentations from Scott and Grant about their plans, sources said the Cavs also planned to show James a cartoon featuring him and his friends as characters.

It was made in a Family Guy style, which is one of James’ favorite shows, and featured some inside jokes related to the team. Those who know James personally know that he loves cartoons, inside jokes and cheap laughs. The central part of the Cavs’ pitch is that they know him the best.

Does adding Amare Stoudemire, losing David Lee help Knicks?

Jonathan Abrams of the New York Times reports (via blog):

Stoudemire is the more dynamic and explosive of the two by a wide margin. He averaged 23.1 points and 8.9 rebounds last season. Stoudemire, though, played on Phoenix teams that had Steve Nash at point guard. Nash generated a large dose of Stoudemire’s offense through pick-and-rolls, and defenses had to respect Nash’s jump shot and ability to penetrate.

Lee, meanwhile, scored his points while playing with Chris Duhon at the point. Duhon struggled with his jump shot through much of his tenure with the Knicks, which allowed defenses to key on his drives and Lee’s rolls. In response, Lee developed a reliable jump shot.

In economic terms, Stoudemire will make $20 million a season if he joins the Knicks. Lee found a timid market last off-season, when he was a restricted free agent, and ended up staying with the Knicks for about $7 million. He is due for a raise with another organization, but will not approach Stoudemire’s figure.

Clippers statement on LeBron James meeting

“We can only surmise how the meeting went from our standpoint, and from our standpoint, it went very well. We approached it in a very honest and direct way, and we felt that their reaction was considerate and receptive.”

“We’re not going to go into any details about the meeting’s specifics. But it was our goal to present tangible and very obvious reasons as to why we think LeBron choosing our organization is his best option: we clearly have the best team already in place for him to join, we have the best city, the best arena, the best practice facility – overall the best situation.”

“By communicating all of that in a sincere way, we accomplished our preliminary goal.”

“Now what we can do is wait and see how it all resonates, plus continue to be comprehensive in our efforts to improve our team for the upcoming season.”

“No matter what, we’re getting at least one great new player this summer: his name is Blake Griffin.”

Gilbert Arenas new jersey number is 9

CSN Washington reports:

Washington Wizards Gilbert Arenas has chosen a new number for the 2010-2011 season. Arenas is listed as No.9 on the Wizard’s website.

Agent Zero wanted to change his jersey from No. 0, a number he has worn since college, in hopes for a fresh start and a new image after a tumultuous season of a 50-game suspension and a felony conviction for bringing guns into the locker room.

InsideHoops.com editor says:

There are only a small number of gun names/references that pretty much everyone knows. Bigger guns like an Ak-47, M-16. A medium-sized one like an Uzi. And smaller ones like a 45 or a 9. That’s all I can think of. So, really, is 9 the best choice for a guy who was just suspended for gun-related issues?

Anyway, I don’t care much about jersey numbers. I’m about basketball. So, here’s hoping that Gilbert has a great return to the NBA. The combo of John Wall at point and Arenas as a scoring guard should be terrific to watch and that’s what I’ll be anticipating next season.

Celtics sign rookie Avery Bradley

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed guard Avery Bradley. All rookies selected in the first round of the NBA Draft are guaranteed to receive a contract, so this is a standard, expected signing that must adhere to the rookie salary structure.

Bradley, a 6’2” guard, was the team’s First Round pick (19th overall) in the 2010 NBA Draft. The former Texas Longhorn averaged 11.6 points, 1.29 steals and shot 37.5 percent from beyond the three point arc during his only season in college. The Tacoma, Washington native was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team and also was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. As a senior at Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, Bradley led the team to a 33-0 record was named ESPNRISE.com High School National Player of the Year and was ranked the number one prospect nationally by ESPNU.