Basketball Blog

The Los Angeles Lakers have requested waivers on Elton Brown, Andre Patterson and Larry Turner, it was announced today.

Brown, a 6-9 forward out of the University of Virginia, played for the NBA Development League’s Colorado 14ers during the 2006-07 season, averaging 18.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 50 games.  In three preseason games with the Lakers, Brown tallied one point, two rebounds and one assist in 10 total minutes.

Patterson, a former UCLA Bruin who transferred to Tennessee for his junior and senior years of eligibility, played last season for the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League.  In 50 games including 36 starts with the D-Fenders, Patterson averaged 10.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.62 blocked shots in 32.3 minutes.  Patterson also played for the Lakers 2007 Summer-Pro League team, averaging 4.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in four games.  Patterson recorded two points, six rebounds, three steals and four blocks in 25 minutes over three preseason games with the Lakers.

Turner, a 6-11 center from Tennessee State, averaged 5.8 points and 6.1 rebounds last year as a senior.  A member of the Lakers 2007 Summer-Pro League team, Turner averaged 7.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in five games.  In two preseason games with the Lakers, Turner posted five points, six rebounds and one assist in 11 total minutes.

InsideHoops.com NewsWire: Los Angeles Clippers’ forward Elton Brand had his surgically repaired left Achilles tendon re-examined today by Dr. Craig Morgan at Christiana Care’s Wilmington Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware.  During the examination Brand was advised by Dr. Morgan that he no longer needed to remain in the walking boot he has worn since September 18th.

Brand has been cleared to take part in advanced cardiovascular work which includes elliptical and treadmill cardiovascular conditioning in addition to aqua-therapy.  Brand will also continue his upper body strength program and localized rehabilitation of the injury.  He will be re-evaluated by Dr. Morgan in six weeks to determine further progress and treatment protocols.

Brand originally sustained the injury during his daily workout on Friday, August 3rd at the Spectrum Club South Bay in El Segundo, California.  Dr. Morgan performed the surgery to repair the injury on Tuesday, August 7th.

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have requested waivers on F/C Jamal Sampson.

Sampson (6-11/235) appeared in three preseason games and averaged 1.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 3.7 minutes before spraining his left ankle. He signed as a free agent on October 1.

The Mavericks roster now stands at 17 players.

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has waived F Mike Harris.  Harris, who signed with the Rockets as a rookie free agent on 7/13/07, averaged 5.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while playing in the team’s first two preseason games.

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has waived guard Andre Barrett and forward/center Jared Homan.

Barrett (5-10, 173) appeared in three preseason games with the Bulls and averaged 2.3 ppg and 1.0 apg in 8.3 mpg.

Homan (6-10, 250) saw action in five preseason contests.

Chicago’s preseason roster now stands at 15.

Philadelphia 76ers President Billy King announced today that the team has waived guard/forward Derrick Byars.

Byars, a rookie from Vanderbilt, averaged 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in one preseason appearance with the Sixers. Originally selected by Portland with the 42nd overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Byars was acquired by Philadelphia in a draft night trade (6/28/07) for the rights to Petteri Koponen (30th overall pick) and cash considerations.

The Sixers roster now stands at 15 players.

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived guard Donell Taylor and center Tony Massenburg.

Taylor appeared in five preseason games and averaged 5.8 points and 1.3 steals in 13.8 minutes per game.  He played in 98 career games (two starts) over two seasons with the Wizards and averaged 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 8.5 minutes per game as a professional. Taylor originally signed with the Wizards on August 16, 2005 as an undrafted free agent out of UAB.

Massenburg appeared in four games and averaged 2.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game.  Massenburg, a 13-year veteran, originally signed with the Wizards on October 1.

The Wizards roster now stands at 14.

The Denver Nuggets have suspended guard J.R. Smith for the first three games of the regular season for conduct detrimental to the team.

Smith will miss Denver’s games vs. Seattle on Oct. 31, at Minnesota on Nov. 2 and vs. New Orleans on Nov. 4.

“I take full responsibility for my actions that led to this suspension,” said Smith.  “I realize that the organization wants to help me become not only a better player but also the best person I can off the court.  I apologize to my teammates, the coaching staff, my family and Nuggets fans.  I promise to learn from this situation and look forward to returning shortly and being the best teammate I possibly can.”

New York Knickerbockers guard Allan Houston has decided to end his comeback with the team.

“After much consideration, I have decided to end my comeback with the Knicks,” Houston said. “While my body and my knees, in particular, feel fine, I know what is required for me to be truly effective in the NBA again, and it involves a timing and progression that would not be fair to Isiah and the Knicks right now. With the season opening less than two weeks away, I think it is best for the team to move on without me. I appreciate the opportunity that Isiah and the Knicks have given me, and I wish the team nothing but success.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: Houston was going to be cut anyway, so out of respect for him it’s being announced that he is the one who decided to end his comeback attempt with the team.

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has picked up the options on the 2008-09 contracts of forward Tyrus Thomas and guard Thabo Sefolosha. The announcement means that both players will be under contract to the Bulls for the 2008-09 season.

Thomas (6-9, 215) appeared in 72 games (four starts) last year and averaged 5.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 1.06 bpg in 13.4 mpg; he shot .475 from the field and .606 from the line. Selected to the 2006-07 T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie Second Team, Thomas was drafted in the first round (fourth overall) by Portland in NBA Draft 2006 and was traded to the Bulls, along with Viktor Khryapa, for the draft rights to LaMarcus Aldridge.

Sefolosha (6-7, 215) played in 71 games (four starts) last year and posted averages of 3.6 ppg and 2.2 rpg in 12.2 mpg and shot .426 from the field, .357 from behind the arc and .511 from the line. Sefolosha was selected in the first round (13th overall) by Philadelphia in NBA Draft 2006 and was traded to the Bulls in a draft-day deal for the draft rights to Rodney Carney and cash considerations.