Raptors, Celtics, Kings trade Will Solomon, Patrick O’Bryant; Kings waive Mikki Moore

The Sacramento Kings today acquired Will Solomon from the Toronto Raptors and cash considerations from the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade that sent Boston’s Patrick O’Bryant to Toronto and a protected Kings’ second round pick in 2014 to Boston, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. In a related move, Sacramento waived Mikki Moore.

“Considering the recent roster moves made over the last 24 hours, this trade allows us to bring in an experienced guard in Will, when you consider his time in the NBA, coupled with his extensive experience playing professionally overseas,” said Petrie. “We also want to thank Mikki for his contribution and wish him the best.”

Solomon, a 6-1, 185-pound guard, who is currently in his second NBA season, averaged 4.9 points (.436 FGs, .263 3FGs, .833 FTs), 3.2 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game through 39 outings with Toronto this season. He was originally selected in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies as an early entry candidate out of Clemson where he enjoyed a three-year collegiate career. Solomon played one season (2001-02) for the Grizzlies and has played overseas since 2002. He has amassed NBA career averages of 5.1 points (.375 FGs, .279 3FGs, .711 FTs), 2.1 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game over 101 contests, of which he has started in 13 with Memphis and Toronto.

Moore, a 7-0, 225-pound forward/center, who is currently in his 11th NBA season, averaged 3.5 points (.521 FGs, .810 FTs) and 3.3 rebounds per game through 46 outings, of which he started in 20 for the Kings this season. After a four-year collegiate career at Nebraska, Moore was not drafted by an NBA team in the 1997 NBA Draft. He has posted career averages of 5.9 points (.548 FGs, .154 3FGs, .744 FTs) and 3.9 rebounds per game over 510 contests, of which he has started in 161 for Detroit (1998-2002), Boston (2002-03), Atlanta (2002-03), New Jersey (2003-04 and 2006-07), Utah (2003-04), Los Angeles Clippers (2004-05), Seattle (2005-06) and Sacramento (2007-09).

Bulls trade Thabo Sefolosha to Thunder, who waive Saer Sene

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has traded guard Thabo Sefolosha to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2009 first-round draft pick.

Sefolosha (6-7, 215), in his third season in the NBA, has played in 43 games (14 starts) this season, and averaged 4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 17.1 mpg, .434 from the field, .300 from behind the arc and .840 from the line.  Originally drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round (13th overall) of NBA Draft 2006, his draft rights were traded by Philadelphia to Chicago for the draft rights to Rodney Carney (16th overall) and cash considerations (June 28, 2006).

Sefolosha has played in 183 regular-season contests (40 starts) with Chicago, and tallied averages of 5.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.4 apg and 16.6 mpg.  During his time in a Bulls uniform, he shot .428 from the field, .328 from behind the arc and .684 from the free-throw line.  Sefolosha, 24, also appeared in nine playoff games with the Bulls, and averaged 3.3 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 11.0 mpg.

“We are excited to add Thabo to our team,“ said Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. “With this trade we add another defensive-minded perimeter player that we feel has the opportunity to grow with our organization.”

Oklahoma City owns three first round picks in the 2009 NBA draft. The Thunder holds the rights to its own pick, the Denver Nuggets pick acquired in the Johan Petro trade and the San Antonio Spurs pick received in the Kurt Thomas deal. Chicago will get the least favorable of the Denver and San Antonio picks.

To make room for Sefolosha on the 15-man roster, the Thunder waived Mouhamed Sene.

Celtics recall J.R. Giddens from D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled rookie guard J.R. Giddens from their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash.

Giddens was reassigned to the Flash on February 5 and has appeared in three games since his second assignment with averages of 17.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game.  Giddens has appeared in 15 games for the Flash this season with season averages of 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.27 steals and 1.40 blocks per game.

Jarvis Hayes has thumb injury

An MRI examination of Nets’ forward Jarvis Hayes’ left thumb revealed partially torn ligaments, which he suffered during last night’s game at Dallas.  Hayes will wear a splint for a week after which time his status will be reevaluated.

A key bench contributor for the 22-31 Nets this season, Hayes in 25.3 minutes per game is averaging 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Danny Granger out 2-3 weeks

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday that forward Danny Granger will be out 10 days to three weeks with a partial tendon tear in the sole of his right foot. The injury occurred in the first half of Wednesday night’s game at Charlotte. An MRI conducted Thursday in Minneapolis revealed the tear.

As the heart of the Pacers, Granger this season in 36.2 minutes per game is averaging 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.54 blocks per game. Though he’s only shooting 43.4% from the field, Granger is nailing an impressive 39.8% of his three-point attempts.

With 22 wins and 34 losses, the Pacers are currently last in the Central division and are the 13th seed in the 15-team Eastern conference.

Manu Ginobili out 2-3 weeks

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that Manu Ginobili has a stress reaction of his distal right fibula. The injury was diagnosed after a series of examinations including X-rays, an MRI and a CAT scan.

Ginobili is expected to be out for two-to-three weeks.

For the season, Ginobili in 27.2 minutes per game is averaging 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.53 steals.

InsideHoops rumors page updating nonstop today

We’ve updated the InsideHoops.com NBA rumors page literally 20+ times today and it’s still going.

I was going to blog like crazy, but most of it would have been about deals that were discussed but didn’t actually materialize.

So, reload our rumors page constantly today. Literally every 15 minutes.

And notice the advertisments! They pay the bills. Go sponsors go!

Satire: Nate Robinson now addicted to jumping over Dwight Howard

The Onion (satire) reports: Since leaping over Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard to claim his second NBA dunk title Saturday, 5-foot-9 New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson has apparently dedicated himself to the sole task of jumping over Howard as the 7-footer goes about his daily life. According to Howard, Robinson bounded over him roughly two dozen times on Tuesday alone, most notably while the All-Star center was putting gas in his car, as he was standing in the checkout line at the grocery store, immediately after he woke up in the morning, two minutes later when he was taking a shower, and right afterward as he began to shave. “I can’t do anything without that guy jumping over me,” said Howard, who glanced over his shoulder every few seconds during his press conference Wednesday. “He’s everywhere. When I took my mom to her doctor’s appointment last Monday, at church communion, and every time I get off my couch to put in a new DVD. And I watch a lot of DVDs.”

Bulls trade Larry Hughes to Knicks for 3 players

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that guard Larry Hughes has been acquired from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for center Jerome James, guard Anthony Roberson and forward Tim Thomas.

Hughes, 6-5, 184-pounds, was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the eighth overall selection in the 1998 NBA Draft out of Saint Louis University. The St. Louis, MO-native has career averages of 14.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.50 steals in 648 career games (479 starts) over 11 NBA seasons with Chicago, Cleveland, Washington, Golden State and Philadelphia. Hughes, who was acquired by Chicago in a six-player deal on Feb. 21, 2008, averaged 12.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 68 games with Chicago and Cleveland during the 2007-08 season. He is averaging 12.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.20 steals over 26.4 minutes in 30 games (six starts) during 2008-09 campaign.

James, 7-1, 285-pounds, signed with the Knicks as a free agent on Aug. 2, 2005 after spending four seasons with the Seattle Supersonics. He averaged 2.5 points and 1.8 rebounds in 90 career games with New York. The Florida A&M product, who is in his 10th NBA season, has career averages of 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 358 games with New York, Seattle and Sacramento. He is averaging 3.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in two games during the 2008-09 campaign. On Jan. 18, James ruptured his right Achilles and is expected to be out for the remainder of the season.

Roberson, 6-2, 195-pounds, signed as a free agent with the Knicks on Jul. 24, 2008. The Saginaw, MI-native averaged 4.7 points and 11.0 minutes in 23 games this season.

Thomas, 6-10, 240-pounds, was acquired by the Knicks, with Cuttino Mobley, from the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 21 in exchange for Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins. Thomas averaged 9.6 points and 3.1 rebounds over 21.5 minutes in 36 games (one start) in his second stint with New York. The Villanova product, who also played for the Knicks from 2003-05 before being traded to Chicago on Oct. 4, 2005, has career averages of 11.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 788 games over 11 seasons with New York, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix, Chicago, Milwaukee and Philadelphia.

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

Thunder trade Chris Wilcox to Knicks for Malik Rose

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has acquired forward Malik Rose and cash considerations from the New York Knicks in exchange for forward Chris Wilcox.

“We are pleased to add Malik to our roster,“ said Presti. “He brings a wealth of experience and veteran leadership to our team.”

Rose (6-7/255), a two-time NBA champion currently in his 13th NBA season, owns career averages of 6.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 16.5 minutes in 793 NBA games. He has appeared in 18 games this season with the Knicks, averaging 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 8.9 minutes.

Rose is averaging 1.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 8.9 minutes in 18 games this season.

Wilcox, 6-10, 235-pounds, was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the eighth overall selection in the 2002 NBA Draft out of the University of Maryland. The Raleigh, NC-native has career averages of 9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.40 blocks in 423 career games (211 starts) over seven NBA seasons with Oklahoma City/Seattle and Los Angeles Clippers. Wilcox averaged 13.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 62 games (55 starts) with Seattle during the 2007-08 season. He is averaging 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds over 19.4 minutes in 37 games (six starts) during 2008-09 campaign.

“Chris is a gifted athletic big man that brings toughness and solidifies our interior defense,” Head Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “Larry fits nicely in our backcourt. He is extremely athletic and a tough defender with a solid overall game.”

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