Dallas Mavericks re-sign Jason Kidd

The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have re-signed point guard Jason Kidd. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Several media outlets reported that the deal was for three years and at least $25 million.

Kidd (6-4, 210) remains a Maverick and will continue his second stint with Dallas after being acquired from New Jersey in a 2008 trade deadline deal. In helping the Mavericks to a 50-32 regular season record, Kidd averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 35.6 minutes in 81 starts last season. He became only the fourth player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career assists when he recorded 15 vs. Toronto (3/1/09). He finished the 2008-09 campaign ranked sixth in assists per game (9.2), third in total assists (10,199), third in triple-doubles (103) and seventh in total steals (2,198) among the league’s all-time leaders.

Kidd, who was originally drafted by the Mavericks in the 1994 NBA Draft with the second overall pick, made Mavericks history in 1995 when he was named NBA Co-Rookie of the Year. During his first stay in Dallas, Kidd averaged 13.7 points, 8.7 assists and 5.9 rebounds in 182 games. The nine-time All-Star has started five midseason classics (1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2008) and in 1996 became the first Maverick to start an All-Star Game.

Kidd, a 15-year pro, has been named All-NBA First Team five times, while making the All-Defensive Team an additional seven times. Kidd holds career averages of 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 2.0 steals in 1,107 games. Kidd, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, most recently was a member of Team USA at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China after serving as tri-captain at the 2000 summer games in Sydney, Australia.

A former standout at the University of California-Berkeley, Kidd is a native of Alameda, Calif.

New York Knicks sign 2009 first round draft pick Jordan Hill

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that forward Jordan Hill,  the eighth overall selection by New York in the 2009 NBA Draft, has been signed to a contract.

Hill, 6-10, 235-pounds, averaged 18.3 points and 11.0 rebounds in his junior year at the University of Arizona, and set a school record for boards in a single season (375). The Newberry, SC-native finished as the Pac-10 leader in point-rebound double-doubles (20), ranked second in rebounding and blocked shots (1.71) and third in scoring. He also became the first Wildcat in 30 years to average double figures in both scoring and rebounding in the same season.

Hill is expected to play for the Knicks’ entry in the 2009 NBA Summer League presented by EA Sports in Las Vegas, NV from July 14-19.

Mike Sweetney comeback an uphill battle

The Boston Herald reports: The week collapsed before Mike Sweetney could start his comeback. After spending roughly 1 years away from basketball, the veteran power forward signed on with the Celtics for a stint in this week’s summer league in Orlando, Fla. But Sweetney pulled a hamstring 15 minutes into his first game Monday, and spent the rest of his week getting treatment. Not surprisingly, Sweetney responded with gracious relief when Celtics assistant Clifford Ray walked over and told him there was a chance he could work out at the C’s practice facility next week… Sweetney now is listed at 275 pounds, though that may be an old number. He said he’s lost 40 pounds, though he’s not letting on to his actual weight.

Trail Blazers sign Paul Millsap to offer sheet

Trail Blazers sign Paul Millsap to offer sheet

The Portland Trail Blazers signed restricted free agent forward Paul Millsap to an offer sheet, it was announced Friday by General Manager Kevin Pritchard. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. We’ll post reported contract info later tonight.

The Utah Jazz have seven days upon receipt of the offer sheet to match Portland’s offer.

Millsap last season averaged 13.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 30.1 minutes per game, shooting 53.4% from the field.

Trail Blazers exercise option to extend Nate McMillan contract

The Portland Trail Blazers exercised their option on Head Coach Nate McMillan, extending his contract through the 2010-11 season, it was announced today by General Manager Kevin Pritchard.

“I’m excited that the option year on my contract has been picked up,” said McMillan. “We have a great team, first-class organization and the fan support has been incredible. I would also like to credit the coaching staff for their hard work, and we’re all looking forward to working towards our goal of bringing a championship back to the city of Portland.”

McMillan, 44, led the second youngest team in the NBA to the playoffs with a 54-28 record last season, which ranks as the sixth best mark in franchise history.

“Nate has proven himself one of the great coaches in the NBA,” said Pritchard. “The manner in which he’s developed and grown this young team is a testament to his hard work, intelligence and passion for the game. He’s done an amazing job, and we’re lucky to have him.”

He becomes just the second coach in NBA history to improve a team by at least nine or more wins in three consecutive seasons, as Portland has increased its win total by 33 games since McMillan’s first season in the Rose City.

With an all-time record of 360-363 (.498) over his nine-year coaching career with Portland and Seattle, McMillan stands as the third-youngest coach in NBA history to reach the 300 win mark.

Orlando Magic sign Brandon Bass

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Brandon Bass, General Manager Otis Smith announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. We’ll post contract info later tonight.

“Brandon (Bass) is a physical, athletic frontline player,” said Smith.  “He will fit in well with our young core and we are excited to have him join the Magic family.”

Bass (#30, 6’8”, 250, 4/30/85) played in 81 games last season with Dallas, averaging 8.5 ppg. and 4.5 rpg. in 19.4 minpg.  He shot .496 (252-508) from the field and .867 (182-210) from the free throw line, which was tied for 19th in the NBA.  Bass also appeared in 10 postseason outings, averaging 9.4 ppg. and 4.1 rpg. in 19.2 minpg., shooting .550 (33-60) from the field and .903 (28-31) from the charity stripe.  He scored in double figures 31 times, including a season-high 20 points on Feb. 21 vs. Sacramento.  Bass also recorded four double-doubles.

Originally selected by New Orleans during the second round (33rd overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft, Bass has played in 210 career NBA regular season games with New Orleans and Dallas, averaging 6.9 ppg. and 3.9 rpg. in 17.0 minpg.  He has also appeared in 15 career playoff games, averaging 10.1 ppg. and 5.0 rpg. in 21.7 minpg.

Sacramento Kings sign 2009 first round draft pick Omri Casspi

Sacramento Kings sign 2009 first round draft pick Omri Casspi

The Sacramento Kings today signed Omri Casspi to a contract, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

All NBA first round draft picks are guaranteed a contract, provided they elect to join the league right away. So, this is standard.

Casspi was selected by the Kings in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft. He is the first player from Israel to be drafted by an NBA team in the first round.

Amar’e Stoudemire has routine eye surgery

Phoenix Suns forward Amar’e Stoudemire this afternoon underwent routine outpatient surgery on his right eye.

Commenting on the surgery, Suns’ team ophthalmologist Dr. Jay Schwartz said, “Amar’e today underwent a procedure that is a standard part of his continued recovery process.  It was a routine drainage of a small amount of residual fluid that was simply the next step.”

Stoudemire originally underwent surgery to repair a partially detached retina in his right eye on Feb. 20, 2009.

San Antonio Spurs sign Antonio McDyess

The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they have signed forward/center Antonio McDyess.  Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

McDyess, 6-9, 245 lbs., has spent the past five seasons with the Detroit Pistons.  Last year he appeared in 62 games (30 starts), averaging 9.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 30.1 minutes while shooting .510 (268-525) from the field and .698 (60-86) from the foul line.  As a starter McDyess averaged 12.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.17 blocks in 34.9 minutes compared to 7.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 0.47 blocks in 25.6 minutes in 32 games off the bench.  For the season he posted a team-high 16 double-doubles and pulled down 10-or-more rebounds in 31 games.

In the playoffs, he averaged 13.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in 34.0 minutes in the Pistons first round series with Cleveland.  At the beginning of the season McDyess was traded to Denver as part of the Allen Iverson/Chauncey Billups deal on Nov. 3, but re-signed with Pistons on Dec. 9 after being waived by the Nuggets.  During that stretch he missed 17 games.

Originally selected by the L.A. Clippers with the second overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft (draft rights were traded to Denver), McDyess has played for four different teams over his 14-year career (Denver, Phoenix, New York and Detroit).  He was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 1999 (Denver) and was selected to the All-Rookie First Team in 1996 (Denver).  In 2001 he was named an NBA All-Star (Denver).  McDyess was also a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team that captured the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics.

For his career, McDyess has appeared in 865 games, averaging 13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists 29.4 minutes.  He averaged double-figure scoring in his first seven seasons, highlighted by a career-high 21.2 points per game in 1999 with the Nuggets.  During the 2000-01 season he averaged 20.8 points and a career-high 12.1 rebounds in 70 games with Denver.  McDyess has scored in double figures in 554 of his 865 career games (64.1%), including 90 consecutive from 4/19/98-1/28/00.  The former University of Alabama standout has posted 40-plus points in three games, including a career-high 46 vs. Vancouver on 2/28/99, nine 20-plus rebound games and five 20-20 games.

Phoenix Suns sign 2009 first round draft pick Earl Clark

Phoenix Suns sign 2009 first round draft pick Earl Clark

The Phoenix Suns today announced the signing of first-round selection Earl Clark, taken with the 14th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

In Clark, the Suns add a versatile three-year performer from Louisville, who averaged a team-best 14.2 points and team-leading 8.7 rebounds in his final season as a junior in 2008-09.  The 6-9, 225-pound Clark earned All-Big East Third Team honors in his final collegiate season and helped to lead Louisville to the No. 1 overall seed in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.  Clark, who will make his Suns debut at the 2009 Las Vegas Summer League, was the 17th early entry candidate selected by the Suns in franchise history and the fourth Louisville product drafted by Phoenix, first since Charles Jones in 1984 (36th pick overall, second round).

An established big-game performer, the 21-year-old Clark averaged 15.0 points and 8.0 rebounds and shot 56.8 percent from the field in NCAA Tournament games during his final two seasons at Louisville.  The 2006 McDonald’s All-American led the Cardinals to the school’s first Big East Tournament title in 2009 by averaging 18.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists in conference tournament play.  Overall, Clark averaged 10.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in 104 career games (63 starts) for Louisville, where he notched 27 career double-doubles.

The Suns begin their five-game Las Vegas Summer League slate at 3 p.m. Monday, July 13 against the Dallas Mavericks at COX Pavilion.