Kings trade Shelden Williams, Bobby Brown to Wolves for Rashad McCants, Calvin Booth

The Sacramento Kings today acquired Rashad McCants and Calvin Booth from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Shelden Williams and Bobby Brown, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“We’re looking forward to having Rashad and Calvin join the team,” said Petrie. “Calvin is an experienced center and Rashad has had some terrific moments scoring the ball in the league. We also want to thank Shelden and Bobby for their contributions and wish them the very best.”

“Shelden Williams and Bobby Brown are both talented young players and we’re excited to get a better look at them,” Timberwolves General Manager Jim Stack said. “We’d like to thank Rashad and Calvin for their professionalism during their time with us and wish them all the best as they move forward with their careers.”

McCants, a 6-4, 215-pound guard, who is currently in his fourth NBA season, averaged 9.1 points (.360 FGs, .319 3FGs, .741 FTs) and 1.9 rebounds per game through 34 outings for the Timberwolves this season. A first round selection (14th pick overall) by Minnesota in the 2005 NBA Draft out of North Carolina, McCants has posted career averages of 9.9 points (.429 FGs, .369 3FGs, .735 FTs), 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game over 225 contests, of which he has started in 38.

Booth, a 6-11, 230-pound center, who is currently in his 10th NBA season, has played in only one game this season for the Timberwolves. He has amassed career averages of 3.3 points (.450 FGs, .222 3FGs, .748 FTs) and 2.8 rebounds per game through 359 outings, of which he has started in 83 for Washington, Dallas, Seattle, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Minnesota. Booth was a second round selection (33rd pick overall) by the Washington Wizards in the 1999 NBA Draft out of Penn State.

Williams, a 6-9, 250-pound forward/center, who is currently in his fourth NBA season, and second with the Kings, averaged 3.7 points (.449 FGs, .762 FTs) and 2.6 rebounds per game over 30 outings this season for Sacramento. The fifth overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks out of Duke, Williams has posted career averages of 4.6 points (.447 FGs, .250 3FGs, .732 FTs) and 4.1 rebounds per game through 175 contests with the Hawks and Kings.

Brown, a 6-2, 175-pound guard, who is currently in his rookie campaign, averaged 5.2 points (.381 FGs, .330 3FGs, .765 FTs) and 1.9 assists per game over 47 contests, of which he started in one. Upon a solid career at California State Fullerton, Brown was not drafted by an NBA team in the 2007 NBA Draft. He signed with the Kings as a free agent prior to the start of this season.

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

Pacers wonder if Mike Dunleavy is out for season

The Indianapolis Star (Mike Wells) reports: The Indiana Pacers have gone from being optimistic that swingman Mike Dunleavy will soon return to the lineup from his right knee problems to wondering if he’ll play again this season. “I don’t know,” coach Jim O’Brien said when asked about Dunleavy’s status. “I know when they say he’s out indefinitely, there is a chance he can come back. When that is, this year? I’m not sure. I don’t feel like we have all the (medical) information available to make that determination yet.” … O’Brien continues to team Jarrett Jack in the backcourt with T.J. Ford in Dunleavy’s place.

Larry Brown learns to chill

The Charlotte Observer (Rick Bonnell) reports: A kinder, gentler Larry Brown? Charlotte Bobcats guard Raja Bell sure thinks so. This is Bell’s second stint playing for Brown. Bell started his career with Brown and the Philadelphia 76ers from 2000 through 2002. “More mellow,” Bell said recently. “From the first couple of days (after Bell’s trade from Phoenix to Charlotte), I could see a different guy. When he needs to yell, he will. But in day-to-day demeanor, he’s a different guy.” Bell says Brown is no less an authority figure. But he’s more collaborative, less strident, less prone to overreact and wear out players with constant criticism.

Rodney Stuckey has fallen off

The Detroit Free Press (Vince Ellis) reports: Troubles continue for point guard Rodney Stuckey after his three-point, one-assist effort against the Bucks. He also fouled out. After averaging 14.3 points at one point, his scoring average has fallen to 13.4. Stuckey is a source of concern for coach Michael Curry. “We got to find a way to get Stuckey on track,” Curry said after Wednesday’s practice. “He kind of ignites everybody else. I think he spends a lot of time trying to make sure everybody else is OK on the court, but his natural instinct is to be aggressive, and we just want him to be himself.”

Suns likely to keep Amare Stoudemire

A source familar with Phoenix Suns discussions involving Amare Stoudemire tells InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner that there’s a very good chance the star power forward won’t be going anywhere this season.

There have been rumors involving Stoudemire and multiple teams around the league for much of the last month, and especially over the last two weeks.

And, talks have taken place. But the source tells InsideHoops.com that the Suns feel that the coaching change is probably enough for now.

Of course, it only takes one team to make an offer that the Suns, or anyone else, cannot refuse. But as of now, odds are Stoudemire stays in Phoenix for the time being.

–InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner

Superstar needed to win title, says Andre Miller

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Kate Fagan) reports: Andre Miller conceded that a team without a superstar probably cannot win a championship in the NBA. “Realistically, probably not,” Miller said. “That’s how the league has been for a long time.” Miller said that while the Sixers do not appear to have any superstars, Elton Brand was brought in to change that and Andre Iguodala is on the verge. “Iguodala is getting to that level,” Miller said. “But he doesn’t get the respect like the other guys.”

Lakers score 39 in 4th quarter, beat Warriors 129-121

The AP reports: Kobe Bryant scored 30 points, Pau Gasol added 24 points and 13 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers roared from behind in the final 5 minutes for their 13th victory in 15 games, 129-121 over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.

InsideHoops.com notes: The Lakers had 33 free throw attempts, hitting 28, while the Warriors had 19 attempts, connecting on 17. As a team the Lakers had a slight edge in rebounds and assists.

For the Warriors, Corey Maggette, coming off the bench as usual, shot 10-of-16 for 24 points and 4 assists. Stephen Jackson scored 24 but on just 10-of-24 shooting. He also had 6 assists, 9 assists and 2 blocks, but 6 turnovers. Jamal Crawford scored 23 and only needed 10 shots to do it.  Monta Ellis had 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. A nice story for the Warriors is Anthony Randolph, who started at power forward and shot 7-of-13 for 14 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Suns rout Clippers again, 142-119

The AP reports: Amare Stoudemire had 42 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 15-for-20 from the field and leading the Phoenix Suns to a 142-119 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. Steve Nash had 21 points and 12 assists for the rejuvenated Suns, who played their second game under interim head coach Alvin Gentry and are back to their old ways of up-tempo basketball following Monday’s firing of Terry Porter. Shaquille O’Neal had 16 points and six rebounds, helping complete a four-game sweep of the season series. Grant Hill played 21 scoreless minutes while shooting 0-for-5.

Bibby and Horford shine, Hawks beat Kings 105-100

The AP reports: Former Sacramento guard Mike Bibby scored 29 points to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the short-handed Kings 105-100 on Wednesday night. Kevin Martin had 32 points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento. Earlier in the day, the Kings acquired four players in a deal that sent starters Brad Miller and John Salmons to Chicago. The Kings received Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Michael Ruffin from Chicago. The Kings then sent Ruffin to Portland for Ike Diogu. To make room for the incoming players, the Kings waived Quincy Douby and Sam Cassell, the guard acquired from Boston on Tuesday… Kevin Martin had 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings, who have lost six straight, 14 of 15 and have the worst record in the NBA. Beno Udrih scored 18 points, Francisco Garcia had 15, and Spencer Hawes fouled out in the fourth quarter with 10 points and 14 rebounds.

B-Roy scores 24, Blazers beat Grizzlies 94-90

The AP reports: Brandon Roy had 24 points, including two key layups in the final minutes, and the Portland Trail Blazers held off the Memphis Grizzlies 94-90 on Wednesday night. After trailing by 16 points, the Grizzlies went ahead 86-84 with less than 5 minutes to go. But Roy’s layup followed by Travis Outlaw’s 3-pointer with 2:31 left put the Blazers up 90-86. Marc Gasol made a pair of free throws for Memphis before Roy had another layup to make it 92-88. Rookie O.J. Mayo’s finger-roll narrowed it to 92-90 with 5.4 seconds left. Roy, coming off his second All-Star game appearance, made a pair of free throws for the final margin.

InsideHoops.com note: Mike Conley was big for the Grizzlies with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 10 assists. O.J. Mayo had 19 but needed 19 shots to do it. Rudy Gay scored 20 on 17 shots but didn’t do a lot else.