Raptors sign Andrea Bargnani to contract extension

Raptors sign Andrea Bargnani to contract extension

The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have signed forward-centre Andrea Bargnani to a multi-year contract extension. The Raptors tipped-off a busy off-season for the club when Bargnani signed the contract at 12:01 a.m. Per team policy, financial details were not disclosed. A few media outlets reported that the deal is for around 5 years and at least $50 million. This has not yet been confirmed.

“Andrea has worked very hard to establish himself as a top-flight, multi-dimensional big man in the NBA,” said Bryan Colangelo, Raptors President and General Manager. “He overcame a rough start last season to emerge as a primary scorer for us, and we anticipate quite a bit more from him in the future.”

Bargnani averaged career highs of 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.24 blocked shots and 31.4 minutes in 78 games in the 2008-09 season. He made 59 starts, averaging 17.7 points and 5.9 rebounds. He topped 20 or more points a career-best 23 times. He also scored in double figures in 41 of his final 45 starts, with 20 or more points in 24 of those contests.

Bargnani recorded a career-high 31 points January 14, 2009 versus Chicago. He also set an NBA record last season for the longest streak of consecutive games with two or more three-pointers by a starting centre with 10 consecutive games (December 31 – January 16).

The 7-foot native of Rome, Italy has posted career averages of 12.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 221 NBA regular season games. He has shot .831 (221-266) from the charity stripe in his three NBA seasons.

Bargnani became the first European-born player selected with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft when he was taken by the Raptors on June 28, 2006. During his first season in the NBA, Bargnani averaged 11.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 65 games. He was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team and captured T-Mobile Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honours in January and February.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Bargnani is young and promising, but there’s no way he’s earned a contract of this size yet. Assuming he signs this, I hope he works hard to keep improving, rather than relaxing and failing to live up to expectations.

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Denver Nuggets re-sign Chris Andersen

Chris Andersen to re-sign with Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets have re-signed F/C Chris Andersen to a multi-year contract, Nuggets Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released. The Denver Post had reported the deal would possibly be for five years and up to $26 million.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring Chris back,” said Warkentien.  “He was a big part of our success last season and we believe he will be a big part of our future success as well. We love his energy and hustle and we know Nuggets fans echo that sentiment.”

Andersen, 31, has career averages of 5.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 1.59 bpg in 329 regular season games with the Nuggets (two stints) and New Orleans. He began his NBA career with the Nuggets in 2001 as the first-ever “call-up” from the NBA Development League.

This past season, Andersen helped the Nuggets advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 1984-85 season, posting 6.4 ppg and career high averages of 6.2 rpg and 2.46 bpg. His 2.46 bpg ranked second in the entire NBA, despite averaging just 20.6 minutes per contest off the bench. He also led the NBA with 5.76 blocks per 48 minutes.

Andersen was signed as a free agent last summer, returning to the Nuggets on July, 24, 2008.
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Dallas Mavericks sign first round draft pick Rodrigue Beaubois

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed rookie Rodrigue Beaubois. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Beaubois (6-2, 182) was selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He was acquired, along with a second round pick, from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the Mavericks’ 24th overall selection B.J. Mullens.

The Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe native appeared in 29 French Pro A games in 2008-09 and averaged 10.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 22.3 minutes per game. Beaubois showed marked improvement from his 2007-08 campaign when he averaged 5.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 15.1 minutes per contest.

Beaubois is a member of the Mavericks Summer League Team. Dallas will play in the 2009 NBA Summer League presented by EA Sports. The squad will see its first action on Friday, July 10 when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks at COX Pavilion in Las Vegas.

Hedo Turkoglu to sign with Raptors

The Toronto Star (Doug Smith) reports:  To the mercenary professional athletes who ply their trades here, Toronto’s cozy ethnic neighbourhoods may as well be on Mars and “living” in the city means going from condo to arena to airport to an off-season home. To the newest Raptor, the city’s charm is the attraction. Hedo Turkoglu and his wife, Banu, who grew up high school sweethearts in their native Istanbul, should arrive here this week to officially sign a five-year contract worth about $53 million (U.S.) and – in a departure from the norm – it wasn’t the money that attracted them. It was the city and what it had to offer… The Portland Trail Blazers originally thought they were going to get Turkoglu on a five-year, $50 million contract, but the couple reconsidered the offer overnight Thursday and turned it down late Friday.

Boston Celtics sign Rasheed Wallace

Boston Celtics sign Rasheed Wallace

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent center/forward Rasheed Wallace.  Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Multiple media outlets had reported that the deal would be for two years and the mid-level exception (around $5.7 million per year).

“We are ecstatic to be able to add a player the caliber of Rasheed Wallace to our team,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations, Danny Ainge.  “It is not every day that you can add a four-time All-Star and a player with championship experience.”

Wallace, a 6’11”, 230lbs center/forward, has averaged 15.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 33.9 minutes per game over his 14-year career.  The former UNC Tar Heel has recorded 14 straight seasons of averaging 10 or more points, a tie for second most among active players along with new teammate Kevin Garnett and behind only Shaquille O’Neal. Wallace is one of 13 players in NBA history to make 13 consecutive appearances in the playoffs along with the likes of Kevin McHale, Bob Cousy, Robert Parish and Bill Russell.  Wallace also is one of only three players in NBA history to have recorded 150 three-point field goals, 150 blocks and 100 steals in his postseason career joining Scottie Pippen and Robert Horry.

The fourth overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft has made four All-Star teams in his career (2000, 2001, 2006, 2008).  Wallace has made two trips to the NBA Finals with the Detroit Pistons (2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons) winning the NBA Championship in the 2003-04 season.  Wallace joins Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan as the only four active players that have posted 15,000 points, 5,000 rebounds, 1,500 assists and 1,000 blocks in their careers.

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Shannon Brown re-signs with Lakers

Shannon Brown to re-sign with Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent guard Shannon Brown, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.  Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Brown, who was acquired by the Lakers on February 7, 2009 as part of a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats, appeared in 18 regular season games with Los Angeles, averaging 3.2 points and 1.1 rebounds in 7.6 minutes.  In six games in April, however, Brown nearly doubled his averages with 6.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 14.5 minutes.

In the postseason, Brown appeared in 21 games, averaging 4.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 13.1 minutes while posting three double-figure scoring games and converting 12-of-25 three-point field goals (.480).

Originally selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 25th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Brown, a 6’4” guard out of Michigan State, has appeared in 92 games over three NBA seasons, averaging 4.2 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 10.0 minutes.

Dwyane Wade wants to stay with Heat provided they’re championship contenders

The AP (Tim Reynolds) reports on Dwyane Wade: The reigning NBA scoring champion, who can opt out of his Heat contract after the 2009-10 season, said Monday that simply getting to the playoffs “is not enough” to satisfy him anymore, and that his long-term commitment to Miami hinges entirely on the franchise getting back into the mix for the title trophy he hoisted just three years ago. “I’m going to listen. I owe the Miami Heat that much. I’m going to listen to what they have to say and I’m going to think about it,” Wade told The Associated Press. “But right now, the way I feel, I want to make sure that we’re on track to where I want us to be on track to before I sign back.” Wade made clear that he would like to stay with the Heat, reiterating something he’s said countless times in recent months.

Nets sign first round draft pick Terrence Williams

Nets sign first round draft pick Terrence Williams

The New Jersey Nets have signed their first round selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, Terrence Williams, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today.  Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

This is basically just a formality, as first round draft picks are guaranteed a contract.

Williams, selected by the Nets in the first round with the 11th overall pick, earned Third Team All-America and First Team All-Big East honors after averaging 12.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 5.0 apg last season.  Williams helped lead Louisville to their first Big East regular season and tournament titles while claiming the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.  The senior guard/forward was the only player in Louisville history to tally 1,500 points, 900 rebounds, 500 assists and 200 steals.  He finished his career ranked 18th in school history with 1,564 points, second in assists (541), seventh in rebounding (966), fourth in three-point field goals made (195), fifth in steals (210) and second in minutes played (4,486).

San Antonio Spurs sign Marcus Haislip

The San Antonio Spurs announced today that they signed forward Marcus Haislip.  Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Haislip, 6-10, 230 lbs., has spent the past two seasons playing in Spain with the Unicaja Malaga in the Spanish ACB League and in Euroleague competition. Last year he appeared in 35 games in Spanish League play, averaging a team-high 15.8 points and 5.0 rebounds in 28.0 minutes.  He shot .555 (117-211) from the field and .394 (65-165) from three-point range.  In 14 Euroleague games, he averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in 27.5 minutes.  In 2007 Haislip helped lead Efes Pilsen Istanbul to the Turkish National Championship.

Originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 13th overall pick in 2002 NBA Draft, Haislip spent three seasons in the NBA before making the move overseas.  He played two seasons with the Bucks before singing with the Indiana Pacers for the 2004-05 season.  For his NBA career Haislip has appeared in 79 games, averaging 3.6 points and 1.5 assists in 10.3 minutes.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Haislip disappeared as fast as any lottery pick selected in the 2000’s. What was interesting was how he fell out of the league and simply didn’t return, until now, assuming this signing happens.

Jason Kidd to re-sign with Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd to re-sign with Dallas Mavericks

Free agent point guard Jason Kidd will re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks, according to several ESPN reporters.

The deal will reportedly be for three years and in the neighborhood of $25 million.

The NBA’s free agent negotiation period began Wednesday, July 1. Players can sign contracts beginning Wednesday, July 8.

Kidd, who turned 36 in March, averaged just 9.0 points per game last season, the lowest of his entire NBA career. He shot 41.6%, slightly above his career average. Kidd has been shooting very well from three-point range in the two seasons he’s been on the Mavericks.

Last season he also averaged 6.2 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game.

Kidd has shown his age in the past year or two, especially on the defensive end, and should continue to slow down next season.  It’s surprising to me that the Mavericks will keep him for three years. I thought if they were going to re-sign him it would be for perhaps one year, two at the most.

Former Maverick Devin Harris, traded to the Nets for Kidd, has done very well in New Jersey, though the Nets offense really centered almost entirely around the young, scoring point guard, so his stats were slightly inflated. But still, while Harris looks like he will flirt with making the NBA All-Star team for years to come, Kidd’s career is wrapping up.