NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog – Page 2199 – NBA Blog: The NBA basketball news blog section of Inside Hoops

Boston Celtics sign Shelden Williams

The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has signed free agent center/forward Shelden Williams to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Williams, a 6’9”, 250 lbs center/forward, was originally drafted with the fifth overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. The former Duke Blue Devil has posted career averages of 4.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game. After being acquired by the Minnesota Timberwolves from the Sacramento Kings on February 19, 2009, he appeared in 15 games for his new team and averaged 4.9 points and 5.0 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I haven’t seen that Williams is a particularly good backup yet. Usually I’m able to at least say that a guy helps a team’s bench. I’m not saying that isn’t the case with Shelden, but he hasn’t really shown much so far. Still, he’s a young player and hopefully still improving.

Nuggets trade Steven Hunter to Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies received a protected 2010 first round draft pick, along with center Steven Hunter and cash considerations from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a future conditional second round draft pick, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

ESPN reports that, factoring in the luxury tax, removing Hunter’s $3.7 million dollar salary will save the Nuggets $7.4 million next year.

The future protected first round draft pick from Denver could potentially give the Grizzlies three first round selections in next year’s NBA Draft. In addition to its own pick, Memphis is owed the Lakers’ 2010 first round draft pick to complete the Pau Gasol trade with the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1, 2008.

“This trade provides us with a probable 2010 first round pick that will bring our total to three first round picks in hand for the next draft,” Wallace said. “We are a team which emphasizes the draft and next year’s draft is projected to be strong. This draft pick from Denver provides us with increased options for the future.”

Hunter, a seven-year NBA veteran, holds career averages of 4.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 15.4 minutes in 379 games (130 starts) with the Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic. The 7-0, 240-pounder from DePaul sat out the 2008-09 season after undergoing successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Nov. 14, 2008.

Originally selected by the Magic with the 15th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, the Maywood, Ill. native was a key reserve on the Phoenix Suns’ franchise record-tying 62-win team in 2004-05, averaging 4.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and a career-best 1.3 blocks in 13.8 minutes in a career-high 76 games (three starts).

The 27-year old enjoyed his best statistical season with the Sixers in 2006-07, posting career highs in points (6.4 ppg), rebounds (4.8 rpg), minutes (22.9) and starts (41). The Sixers traded him to the Nuggets along with Bobby Jones in exchange for Reggie Evans and the draft rights to Ricky Sanchez on Sept. 10, 2007.

The Grizzlies’ roster now stands at 13 players, including an NBA-high four players (Hunter, Marc Gasol, Hamed Haddadi and Hasheem Thabeet) who are 7-0 or taller.

Read basketball fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

LeBron James unlikely to accept contract extension

The AP reports: LeBron James is unlikely to accept a contract extension from the Cleveland Cavaliers until after the 2009-10 season, when he can become a free agent… “I signed a contract in 2006 with an option,” he said. “It would make no sense for me to sign that contract if I didn’t keep my options open. I’ll let you fill in the blanks.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: This is entirely unsurprising. Most other players would be advised to sign the extension. But LeBron is doing the right thing for himself. I still think he’s going to wind up staying with the Cavs, unless he and some other top 2010 free agent agree to play together on the Knicks or some other team.

Atlanta Hawks re-sign Marvin Williams

The Atlanta Hawks today re-signed restricted free agent forward Marvin Williams, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. ESPN reports that the deal is likely a five year, $37.5 million contract.

“Marvin is an important part of our core, and we’re very pleased to keep him in a Hawks uniform,” Sund said. “As one of our talented and versatile young veterans, he’s shown improvement every year in the league, and we look for that trend to continue. A big priority this summer was to retain as many of our free agents as possible and keep our nucleus intact, so Marvin’s return is significant for us.”

The 23-year-old Williams, entering his fifth year with the Hawks, averaged 13.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 1.3 apg in 34.3 mpg (.458 FG%, .355 3FG%, .806 FT%) last season, playing in 61 games (59 starts).

Williams knocked down 55 three-pointers on the season after making just 25 in his first three seasons combined. He ranked second on the team in FTM (220), 3rd in rpg and 4th in ppg, FT% and 3FG%. He scored in double-figures 46 times, including 10 20-point outings, compiling six double-doubles.

In 284 career games, Williams is averaging 12.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 1.4 apg in 31.7 mpg (.450 FG%, .801 FT%). He’s also seen action in 13 postseason contests (10 starting assignments), putting up 8.5 ppg.

Williams was originally selected by Atlanta with the second overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft.

Detroit Pistons sign 2009 draft picks Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed draft selections Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko to contracts. Daye received the standard first round draft pick deal. And according to the Detroit News, Summers and Jerebko each signed 2-year deals worth $457,000 per year.

Daye was drafted by Detroit with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. A 6-foot-11 sophomore forward from Gonzaga, he averaged 12.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in 34 games (33 starts) last season. Daye shot 48% (159-333) from the field and 43% (36-84) from beyond the arc. He also finished the season with 70 blocks, the third-best single season total in program history, and scored a career-high 28 points against Santa Clara, shooting 10-for-13 from the field and 3-for-4 from three-point range. As a freshman, Daye, the son of former NBA player Darren Daye, averaged 10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 33 games (one start). He recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds in his collegiate debut against Montana State and finished the season with 54 blocks, the fourth-best single season total in program history.

Summers was selected with the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft. He started 98 of his 101 games at Georgetown University and finished his collegiate career with averages of 11.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Summers averaged a career-best 13.6 points last season and scored in double figures 25 times, including a streak of 19 consecutive games. Summers finished his career ranked 29th in scoring at Georgetown with 1,129 points and seventh in three-pointers made with 141. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, he led the Hoyas to three straight postseason appearances (two NCAA Tournaments, one NIT).

Jerebko was selected with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft. A native of Sweden, he played professionally in Italy the last two seasons. Jerebko averaged 9.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in 23 games for Angelico Biella last season. Prior to his stint in Italy, Jerebko played two seasons in the Swedish league where he averaged 10.0 points in 2006-07 and 20.0 points and 11.6 rebounds in 2005-06. He also represented Sweden on both the junior and senior men’s national team.

NBA suspends Rashard Lewis 10 games

Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic has been suspended without pay for ten games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program by testing positive for an elevated testosterone level, it was announced today by the NBA.

Lewis’ suspension will begin with the first game of the 2009-10 NBA regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.

Rashard Lewis Statement

“First and foremost I take full responsibility for the situation and accept the corresponding penalty.

Toward the end of the season I took an over-the-counter supplement which at the time I did not realize included a substance banned by the NBA.

I apologize to Magic fans, my teammates and this organization for not doing the research that should come with good judgment.

I hope this unintentional mistake will not reflect poorly on our team and its great character.

I hope every athlete can learn from my mistake that supplements, no matter how innocent they seem, should only be taken after consulting an expert in the field.”

The Orlando Sentinel reports:

Lewis, who will turn 30 on Saturday, said he took an over-the-counter supplement near the end of last season which he did not know contained the banned substance. He told the Sentinel the substance was in powder form and he mixed it into smoothies. He got it at a nutritional store, but did not specify the name of the store.

According to an NBA source, Lewis failed one drug test during the playoffs last season and was so surprised by the outcome he asked to be tested again during the Finals. Lewis also failed that test.

“The biggest thing I told him is we’re a team, we’re a family, we all do crazy stupid things and sometimes we have to make adjustments,” Magic General Manager Otis Smith said. “That’s what kids do, sometimes they make mistakes. I don’t know if it was a knowing mistake, I don’t think it was.”

Hornets hire Robert Pack as assistant coach

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that New Orleans Pack has been named an assistant coach for the 2009-10 season.

Pack, 40, joins Byron Scott’s staff after a one-year assistant coach stint with the NBA Developmental League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The Vipers finished 21-29 last season.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to coach in the NBA,” Pack said. “It’s always been my dream and to have the chance to do so in my hometown is something I’m really grateful for. I’m really excited for the season to start and I just have to thank Coach Scott for such a great opportunity.”

Pack played 13 seasons as a point guard in the NBA. During the 2002-03 season, he played in 28 games and had four starts for the Hornets, averaging 5.2 points and 2.9 assists. Pack was a former high school standout at Lawless and played in college at USC.

Nicknamed “Pac-Man”, Pack played for seven different teams during his career—the Hornets, Denver, Portland, New Jersey, Washington, Dallas and Minnesota. Pack holds averages of 8.9 points, 4.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds over 552 career games.

Pack was a member of the 1991-92 Portland team that advanced to the NBA Finals, while with Denver, he was a member of the 1993-94 squad that made NBA history as the first No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Pack also participated in the 1994 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Minneapolis, finishing second in the event.

At USC, Pack finished fourth on the Trojans all-time assists list (319) in just two seaons, while also becoming just the fourth player in school history to record back-to-back 100-assist seasons. He averaged 13.4 points and 5.6 assists per game while at USC. Prior to playing at USC, he played two seasons at Tyler (Texas) Junior College, earning All-State honors, and leading the Apache to a 50-11 combined record.

Ron Artest donates diamond watch to Chinese student

Xinhua reports: Los Angeles Lakers star Ron Artest has donated his diamond watch to a high school student in Wuhan Wednesday to support his education. Zheng Fengyu, 15, is the captain of Wuhan NO.1 middle school’s basketball team. Ron played basketball with Zheng Wednesday afternoon, and gave the boy later his watch, which is worth 45,000 U.S. dollars (about 300,000 yuan), according to a report by local media.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Stories like this are awesome. The scene sounds like something from a movie. Wish we could have seen it happen.

Trail Blazers sign Brandon Roy to extension

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed star guard Brandon Roy to a multi-year contract extension, it was announced today by General Manager Kevin Pritchard. Several media outlets reported it was likely going to be a five year deal, totalling around $82-85 million. We’ll update that info later tonight.

“This is one of the most exciting and important days in Trail Blazers history,” said Pritchard. “No one has played a bigger role in the rebirth of the franchise, both on and off the court, than Brandon Roy. While he’s a great player, he’s an even better person and I’m happy and proud to report that he’s going to be a Portland Trail Blazer for many years to come.”

Roy, 25, holds career averages of 19.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.12 steals, 36.9 minutes and a 46.5% mark from the floor in three seasons with the Trail Blazers. The 2006-07 NBA Rookie of the Year and two-time NBA All-Star, Roy is one of two players this decade (LeBron James) to be named Rookie of the Year and appear in two All-Star Games in his first three NBA seasons.

“First and foremost, I want to thank our great fans and my family and friends for all of their support,” said Roy. “I also want to thank Paul Allen, Larry Miller, Kevin Pritchard, Coach McMillan, my teammates and the entire Trail Blazers organization. Each year they’ve made me feel more and more at home here in Portland and now this really does feel like home and will be for a long time to come. I’m just really excited to get to back to work and focused on helping bring another NBA Championship to Portland.”

Roy posted team highs of 22.6 points, 5.1 assists, 1.13 steals and 37.2 minutes to go with 4.7 rebounds in 78 games (all starts) last season, helping lead the Trail Blazers to a 54-28 record, a share of the Northwest Division title and the team’s first trip to the playoffs in six seasons. Among NBA leaders, Roy ranked 10th in scoring, 17th in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.63) and 23rd in assists.

Roy’s inclusion on the 2008-09 All-NBA Second Team marks the first time a Trail Blazer has earned All-NBA honors since Clyde Drexler in 1991-92.

The 6-6, 211-pound Roy started all six games for Portland in the 2009 NBA Playoffs, where he averaged a team-best 26.7 points to add to 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.33 steals and 39.7 minutes. His scoring average ranked seventh among all players in the 2009 NBA playoffs and ranked fourth all-time by a Trail Blazer in a single postseason.

Acquired by the Trail Blazers in a draft day trade on June 28, 2006, Roy was originally selected by Minnesota with the sixth overall pick out of the University of Washington in the 2006 NBA Draft.

Allen Iverson needs a job

Super-scoring guard Allen Iverson needs a job and at this point it’s tough to say which teams he’s going to sign with.

There had been rumors that the Memphis Grizzlies had interest, but considering the young guards they already have it’s possible that adding Iverson would merely stunt the growth of talented shooting guard O.J. Mayo and possibly point guard Mike Conley as well.

Iverson’s time on the Denver Nuggets was OK at best. Chemistry with Carmelo Anthony and others wasn’t great, and the team got better once they traded him to the Detroit Pistons for point guard Chauncey Billups.

On the Pistons things didn’t work out at all. Detroit was happy to say goodbye.

Now 34 years old, Iverson’s best role would be as a team’s prime bench scorer. Like a Leandro Barbosa for the Phoenix Suns (of a few years ago when they were really good).

The question is if he’d accept such a job, and which team would go for him.

At this point, I’d love to now tell you who the favorites are to land him. But so far there aren’t any.

Could he reunite with Larry Brown and join the Charlotte Bobcats? Or head back to the Philadelphia 76ers now that Andre Miller is gone and the best point guard they have is Lou Williams?

Or, will rumors of an overseas team offering him a relatively fat contract come true? Only Iverson knows if he’d consider crossing over the pond.

We’re over a month into free agency and Iverson’s future seems wide open.

Someone will sign him, right?