Clippers trade Jared Cunningham to Sixers

The Los Angeles Clippers announced today they have traded guard Jared Cunningham, the draft rights to Cenk Akyol and cash considerations to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the draft rights to Serhiy Lishchuk.

Cunningham, who signed with the Clippers as a free agent on Sept. 29, 2014 appeared in 19 games this season averaging 1.8 points and 0.5 assists in 4.7 minutes. The 24th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by Cleveland, Cunningham has appeared in 40 career NBA games in three seasons. He holds career averages of 1.9 points and 0.5 assists in 4.9 minutes with four NBA teams (Dallas, Atlanta, Sacramento and Los Angeles).

Akyol, 27, was originally drafted by the Hawks with the 59th overall selection in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft. The 6’6” guard from Turkey is a member of Galatasaray Liv Hospital of the Turkish Basketball League and has averages of 6.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.0 minutes per game.

Lishchuk, 32, was originally drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 49th overall selection in the second round of the 2004 NBA Draft. The 6’11” forward from the Ukraine is a member of Valencia Basket Club of the Spanish League and has averages of 6.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 15.6 minutes per game in eight games played this season.

Cavaliers waive A.J. Price

Cavaliers waive A.J. Price

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard A.J. Price, it was announced today by Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin.

Price, who was received by waiver claim (waived by Indiana) on Nov. 30, played in 11 games for the Cavaliers this season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game. The 6-2 guard was also part of the 2014 Cavs training camp and preseason roster, appearing in six preseason games with Cleveland in October, averaging 7.2 points and 1.5 assists in 13.3 minutes per game. He was inactive for the Cavs first two regular season games before also being waived on November 1.

Knicks sign Langston Galloway to 10-day contract

The New York Knicks signed guard Langston Galloway of the NBA Development League’s Westchester Knicks, to a 10-day contract today, President Phil Jackson announced. This marks Westchester’s first-ever Call-Up. Galloway, who was named as one of the franchise’s Affiliate Players after attending training camp with New York, is the league’s 14th overall NBA Development League Call-Up this season.

Galloway, 6-2, 200-pounds, averaged 16.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.68 steals over 36.8 minutes in 19 games (all starts) for Westchester this season. The Baton Rouge, LA-native, was originally signed by New York on Sep. 9 and waived on Oct. 25, following four seasons at Saint Joseph’s University.

Knicks waive Lou Amundson, Lance Thomas, Alex Kirk

The New York Knicks have waived forwards Lou Amundson and Lance Thomas and center Alex Kirk, President Phil Jackson announced. All three players were acquired as part of a three-team trade on January 5, 2015.

After a season of struggle that has led to a lot of losing, the Knicks appear to be in full rebuild mode, parting ways with Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith. The question is if Amar’e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani or even Carmelo Anthony will remain on the roster. It’s likely that the team will keep Melo, while attempting to say goodbye to almost anybody else who makes more than a minimum salary.

Jazz sign Elliot Williams to 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed guard Elliot Williams of the NBA Development League’s Santa Cruz Warriors to a 10-day contract. Williams becomes the NBA’s 13th overall NBA D-League Call-Up of the 2014-15 season and the 11th different player to be called up. Per team policy, financial terms were not released. Following the move, the Jazz roster now stands at 15 players.

The 25-year-old Williams (6-5, 190, Memphis) appeared in 16 games (all starts) for Santa Cruz this season, averaging 21.3 points (ninth in the D-League), 4.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists (sixth in the D-League) and 1.3 steals in 37.2 minutes per contest. He recorded five double-doubles and scored in double figures in all 16 games. Williams scored 20-plus points in 10 games and 30-or-more points twice. Williams attended 2014 training camp with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 11.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals in five games (three starts), before being waived on Oct. 27.

Williams spent the 2013-14 season with the 76ers. He appeared in 67 games (two starts), averaging 6.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He recorded 10-plus points on 17 occasions.

Originally selected in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Williams has played in 91 games (two starts) with Portland and Philadelphia, averaging 5.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game.

A native of Memphis, Tenn. and former McDonald’s All-American, Williams played one season at Duke (2008-09) before transferring to the University of Memphis (2009-10). He averaged 17.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.3 minutes his sophomore season at Memphis. Williams was named the 2010 Conference USA Newcomer of the Year and earned 2010 Conference USA First Team honors before becoming an early entry into the NBA Draft.

Williams becomes the 14th D-League Call-Up in Jazz history, and the third this season.

He will wear uniform #25 for the Jazz.

Jazz waive Patrick Christopher

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has waived guard/forward Patrick Christopher.  Following the move, the Jazz roster now stands at 14 players.

Christopher (6-5, 219, California) was called up by Utah from the NBA Development League’s Iowa Energy on Dec. 10 and appeared in four games (one start) for the Jazz, averaging 1.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.3 minutes.

Heat waive guard Andre Dawkins

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have waived guard Andre Dawkins.

Dawkins appeared in four games with the HEAT this season totaling three points, two rebounds and one assist in 22 minutes of action while shooting 1-of-6 from the field, all from downtown. He was originally signed as a free agent by Miami on September 23, 2014.

Another NBA scoring milestone for Dirk Nowitzki

The Dallas Mavericks handled the Nets in Brooklyn Monday. And in that victory, their living legend kept rising on a historical level. Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on forward Dirk Nowitzki, who continues to move up the all-time NBA scoring list:

Another NBA scoring milestone for Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki labored offensively all night – until he decided it was time to ice the game. It was absolutely fitting that Nowitzki passed Moses Malone for seventh place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with a 3-pointer in the final minute of overtime. Think about that. Of the nearly 4,000 players who have ever slipped on an NBA jersey, only six have scored more points than Nowitzki. The list is a bunch of one-name wonders: Kareem, Mailman, Kobe, Michael, Wilt and Shaq. And then Dirk. Simply remarkable.