Ed Davis hopes for long-term deal with Lakers

Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News reporting on Lakers forward Ed Davis:

Ed Davis hopes for long-term deal with Lakers

Davis said in an interview with the Los Angeles News Group that he will opt out of his player option worth around $1 million that would secure his Lakers’ future for the 2015-16 season for one specific reason.

“I’m hoping for a long-term deal,” said Davis, who has until June 25 before formally deciding his move. “I’d love to return here. I know this will turn around eventually.”

The Lakers may keep Davis. But it appears their offseason priority involves the NBA draft and attracting a marquee star once free agency begins July 1. Of course, Davis’ future could hinge on what offers he attracts from other teams…

“This is definitely my first option,” Davis said of the Lakers. “They’re a team that gave me a look last summer when not too many teams were calling. This is definitely where I want to be at. Hopefully I can stay here for the rest of my career.”

Sixers sign Tim Frazier to 10-day contract

Sixers sign Tim Frazier to 10-day contract

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced they have signed guard Tim Frazier to a 10-day contract. Frazier is the 31st Call-Up of the 2014-15 NBA Development League season.

In 27 games with 26 starts for the Maine Red Claws of the D-League this season, Frazier averaged 16 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals. At the time of his call-up, Frazier ranked third in the D-League in assists and tied for fourth in steals. A two-time D-League Performer of the Week, Frazier was also selected to the D-League All-Star Game and earned 2015 NBA D-League Showcase Third Team honors.

Back in July, Frazier competed for the Sixers in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, appearing in five games with four starts. Frazier also saw action in four preseason games for Boston before signing with the Celtics D-League affiliate, Maine.

Frazier was eligible for the 2014 NBA Draft following a standout career at Penn State. He finished his career as the Lions all-time leader in assists and became the second player in conference history to record 1,000 points, 600 assists and 500 rebounds. Former Sixer Calvin Booth, who finished his career in 2008-09, was the last Penn State player in the NBA.

Orlando Magic fire coach Jacque Vaughn

Orlando Magic fire coach Jacque Vaughn

Orlando Magic fire coach Jacque Vaughn

The Orlando Magic have relieved Jacque Vaughn from his head coaching duties, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. In addition, James Borrego has been named interim head coach.

“Jacque (Vaughn) has been a trusted friend and colleague,” said Hennigan. “We thank him immensely for his contributions and sacrifices in bringing our team to this point, and we greatly appreciate his unwavering commitment to our organization. We have tremendous respect for Jacque and certainly wish him the best as he embarks on the next phase of his career.”

Vaughn was named head coach on July 27, 2012. He became the tenth head coach in franchise history and was the second youngest coach in the NBA at the time of his hiring. During his two-plus seasons in Orlando, Vaughn compiled a record of 58-158 (.269 win pct.), including 15-37 this season.

Prior to joining the Magic, Vaughn spent two seasons (2010-12) as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs. During his two seasons on San Antonio’s staff, the Spurs compiled a regular season record of 111-37. He was also a member of the 2006-07 Spurs’ NBA Championship team as a player.

Borrego is in his third season with the Magic. He spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach with New Orleans. Prior to joining New Orleans, Borrego spent seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs from 2003-10. He started as an assistant video coordinator in the summer of 2003 and finished his tenure as an assistant coach. During those seasons, Borrego was a part of two NBA Championships teams in 2005 and 2007.

During the summer of 2013, Borrego served as head coach for the Magic’s summer league team. He also coached the New Orleans summer league team in 2012. Borrego has participated in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program in both Tokyo, Japan and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Borrego began his coaching career at the University of San Diego, where he was an assistant coach for two seasons from 2001-03. During the 2002-03 campaign, San Diego captured the West Coast Conference Championship and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Borrego played three seasons at the University of San Diego, and during his senior season (2000-01) he was named to the West Coast Conference All-Academic Team. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in leadership studies.

Born and raised in Albuquerque, N.M., Borrego led Albuquerque Academy to a pair of state championships. He and his wife, Megan, have a daughter and two sons.

Pelicans sign Toney Douglas to 10-day contract

Pelicans sign Toney Douglas to 10-day contract

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has signed guard Toney Douglas to a 10-day contract.

Douglas, 6-2, 185, most recently played for the Jiangsu Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association, appearing in 35 games while averaging 19.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals. Drafted 29th overall out of Florida State in 2009 by the Los Angeles Lakers, Douglas has appeared in 297 career NBA games with New York, Houston, Sacramento, Golden State and Miami, averaging 7.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

Douglas will be available for tonight’s game against Oklahoma City. He will wear #16 for the Pelicans. New Orleans’ roster now stands at 14.

Hornets sign Elliot Williams to 10-day contract, waive Jannero Pargo

Hornets sign Elliot Williams to 10-day contract, waive Jannero Pargo

Hornets sign Elliot Williams to 10-day contract, waive Jannero Pargo

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed guard Elliot Williams to a 10-day contract and waived guard Jannero Pargo. Williams joins the Hornets from the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA D-League, becoming the 30th Call-Up this season. He will wear No. 4. The Hornets roster remains at 15 players.

The 6-5 Williams has seen action in 19 games for the Warriors this season, averaging 20.1 points, 7.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 36.3 minutes. He ranks fourth in the D-League in assists, tied for eighth in scoring and 10th in minutes played. Williams has scored in double figures in all 19 games and has handed out 10 or more assists five times, tallying five double-doubles. He has scored 20 points or more 10 times, including eight straight games from Nov. 28-Dec. 20.

Williams earlier this season signed a pair of 10-day contracts with the Utah Jazz, where he saw action in five games and averaged 3.6 points in 8.4 minutes.

Williams was initially selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, playing one season with the team in 2011-12 after missing the entire 2010-11 season due to a pair of knee surgeries. He has played in 96 career NBA games with the Trail Blazers, 76ers and Jazz, with career averages of 5.3 points 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 14.0 minutes.

Pargo originally signed with Charlotte on March 14, 2013. He played in a total of 56 games for the franchise, averaging 5.9 points and 1.7 assists in 10.8 minutes. Pargo saw action in nine games for the Hornets this season, his 11th in the NBA, averaging 4.6 points in 8.1 minutes. He missed the last 19 games due to low back soreness.

Sixers name Chad Biggs Senior VP of Corporate Development and Activation

The Philadelphia 76ers today announced that Chad Biggs has been named Senior Vice President of Corporate Development & Activation, effective immediately. In this role, Biggs will oversee all corporate partnership sales, retention and activation for the team’s burgeoning roster of partners, which includes Philadelphia 76ers Patriot Partners StubHub, partypoker, DraftKings and the Rothman Institute at Jefferson.

“Chad has been at the forefront of revolutionizing corporate partnerships in sports throughout his career, something we are entirely committed to doing here at the Sixers,” said Sixers Chief Revenue Officer Chris Heck. “With a broad base of experience spanning corporations, agencies and the NBA’s New York and China offices, we believe he will lead our outstanding team to even greater success as we create mutually-beneficial partnership solutions this season and beyond.”

Tony Wroten undergoes knee surgery

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tony Wroten underwent successful surgery to repair the partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee earlier today. The procedure was performed by Dr. James R. Andrews of the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

The Sixers will now work with Tony, his representatives and the team’s medical and sports performance staff to put in place a comprehensive recovery plan which outlines his next steps.

Clippers sign Dahntay Jones for remainder of season

The Los Angeles Clippers have signed guard Dahntay Jones for the remainder of the season.

Jones, 34, has appeared in nine games for Los Angeles and is averaging 0.4 points, 0.1 rebounds and 0.2 steals in 3.2 minutes. He originally signed with the Clippers on Jan. 14, the first of two consecutive 10-day contracts.

Jones, who was the 16th GATORADE call-up of the 2014-15 season, appeared in 19 games (15 starts) for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League and averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 29.2 minutes.

A 10-year NBA veteran who has appeared in 597 career games (157 starts), has averaged 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 16.2 minutes with Memphis, Sacramento, Denver, Indiana, Dallas, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Originally drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft, Jones was traded to Memphis on Draft Day and spent four seasons with the Grizzlies.

A New Jersey native, the 6-foot-6 inch guard/forward played two seasons at Rutgers before transferring to Duke for his junior and senior season, where he and Clippers guard J.J. Redick were teammates during the 2002-03 season.

adidas Futurestar Boost basketball shoe

Today, adidas unveiled the Futurestar Boost basketball shoe, a new model that the company says pays homage to the iconic adidas Pro Model.

Designed in tandem with the 2015 NBA All-Star uniforms, adidas says that the Futurestar Boost design is inspired by the attitude and culture of New York City basketball, music and fashion.

The InsideHoops.com take is, these look cool. A simple, clean color scheme.

Deron Williams back in action for Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have been in need of a serious boost, and they got one in the form of Deron Williams Monday. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

Deron Williams made his return for the Nets on Monday night, coming off the bench after missing almost the entire month of January with fractured rib cartilage.

Williams played for the first time since playing just a few minutes against the Celtics. Jan. 7, before missing the next 11 games as the Nets went a dismal 3-12 in January.

But despite the lengthy layoff, it looked as if Williams had never left the court, as he finished with 15 points, three rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes off the bench, giving the Nets another creator on the perimeter and, more importantly, another 3-point threat for a team lacking them.

“It was good to be out there, but it was better to get a win,” Williams said after the 102-100 victory over the Clippers. “We didn’t get a win in all of January at home, so this one felt really good.”