Three-point specialist Navarro leaving Spain, heading to Wizards
Associated Press
BARCELONA, Spain -- Guard Juan Carlos Navarro, whose rights are owned by the Washington Wizards, will be allowed by his Spanish club to leave for the NBA.
Winterthur FC Barcelona and the 27-year-old Navarro came to an arrangement that allowed him to leave.
"I am extremely happy with the help the club has given me ... to allow me to make my dream of playing in the NBA," Navarro said. "I always believed that I could go to the NBA and play against the best players in the world. Now I will try to make all the [3-pointers] possible on the courts of the NBA."
Navarro is one of the Spanish league's best shooters from behind the arc, boasting a 40 percent career average. In nine seasons, Navarro averaged 12.6 points per game and helped guide the Catalan club to four league titles and one European trophy.
He was also a member of Spain's world championship team that beat Greece for the title last September.
Agent says Hill will sign with Suns
FOXSports.com
The Suns have found themselves another veteran.
Grant Hill informed Phoenix on Thursday that he would sign with the team for next season, his agent, Lon Babby, told the Arizona Republic.
Hill was offered the Suns' biennial exception, according to the report, meaning he will earn $1.83 million next year with a player option to return in 2008-09.
Money clearly wasn't the driving factor for Hill, who is coming off a seven-year, $92 million contract with the Orlando Magic.
"He established a number of criteria," Babby told the Republic. "His opportunity to contribute to a championship would be on the top of the list. He really thought it through and was diligent and concluded this is the best opportunity for his career. He's very, very excited about it."
Detroit, Orlando, San Antonio, Miami and Dallas were among the suitors for Hill, who was interested most in the chance to play for a championship-caliber team.
"The opportunity described to him is consistent with what he's looking for," Babby told the Republic. "He's not someone looking for anything granted to him but more that he'd have the opportunity to start."
Injuries have always been a concern for the 34-year-old Hill, but he is coming off one of his healtheir seasons, playing in 65 games last season for the Magic.
"His health is fine," Babby said. "There is every expectation that he will be healthy."
Babby said Phoenix didn't promise Hill a starting job, and he wasn't looking for one.
"I think all he was seeking was the opportunity to start," Babby said. "It was the same promise that was made to him when he went to Duke. Nobody guarantees you anything and he wasn't asking for guarantees."
The Magic knew Hill had an ankle injury when they traded Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins for him in 2000, but never expected it would take so long to heal. Hill appeared in just four games his first year with the Magic, 14 the next year and 29 the year after that. He missed the entire 2003-04 season.
Hill finally got on track in 2004-05, averaging almost 20 points and looking like the all-purpose player Orlando thought it was getting. Even then he couldn't stay off the injury list, missing 15 games with wrist and shin problems.
In 2005-06, it was a sports hernia and lower abdominal injuries for another 61 missed games.
Some fans wrote the 6-foot-8 star off as a pricey bench fixture, but others found Hill hard to dislike. He is widely considered one of pro basketball's nicest guys, and twice led the league in All-Star balloting (1995 and '96).
Hill proved again this season he could still play. The former Duke star averaged 15 points as Orlando was swept in the first-round by his former team, the Pistons, and just under that during the regular season. He was the Magic's best option driving the bucket, and at times seemed the only one playing with energy despite his age.
But Hill again missed 17 regular-season games this season with a knee sprain and other minor injuries.
For his career, Hill averages 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Despite all his success, he has never made it out of the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Mavs set to re-sign Stackhouse
July 6th, 2007
Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - The Dallas Mavericks have reportedly re-signed forward Jerry Stackhouse.
According to the Dallas Morning News, both sides have reached an agreement in principle on a three-year deal that will start at more than the mid-level exception.
Stackhouse averaged 12 points and 2.8 assists in 67 games coming off the bench last season for the Mavericks. The 12-year NBA veteran owns a career- average of 19.2 points with Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington and Dallas.
Report: Billups to stay in Detroit
July 6th, 2007
Auburn Hills, MI (Sports Network) - Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups reportedly agreed to a five-year, $60.5 million contract, with the fifth year a team option, on Friday.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the deal, which is the most lucrative for any Piston, cannot be made official until Wednesday when free agents can sign new deals.
Billups had opted out of his contract on June 25, making himself one of the top unrestricted free agents on the open market. He was in the final year of his six-year deal and was slated to make over $6 million in 2007-08.
Billups joined a free agent class that was short on standout point guards, meaning that he was in line for a big payday.
Originally the third overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft by Boston, Billups has averaged 14.5 points and 5.3 assists with the Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons.
He has found a home over the last five seasons in Detroit, guiding a Pistons team that has turned into perennial playoff contenders and won it all in 2004.
Free Agent Peterson visits Jazz
By Associated Press
Free agent swingman Morris Peterson was in Salt Lake City, looking forward to meeting with the Utah Jazz.
''I'm going to their facility in the morning to talk with ownership, general manager Kevin O'Connor and people on the coaching staff and in the front office,'' Peterson said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Sunday night. ''Since I have some control as a free agent, I really want to play with a winner, like the Jazz, and with a team that believes in me.''
Peterson, who turns 30 next month, said Detroit, New Jersey, Cleveland, New Orleans, Miami and Toronto have expressed an interest in him. He has spent his entire seven-season career with the Raptors.
The 6-foot-7, 220-pound Peterson, who can play shooting guard or small forward, has career averages of 12 points along with nearly four rebounds, two assists and a steal.
His production and playing time fell last season - averaging 8.9 points and 21.4 minutes - one season after career highs in scoring (16.8), rebounding (4.6), steals (1.3) and minutes (38) a game.
Peterson produced sporadically during a first-round series against the Nets in the 2007 playoffs. He scored 17 points in Toronto's Game 5 win, then had nine points, eight rebounds, two steals and a block in the next game when the Raptors were eliminated.
After helping Michigan State win the 2000 national championship, Peterson was drafted 21st overall by the Raptors. He averaged 14 points in his second and third NBA season and 12 1/2 in his fourth season.
As a restricted free agent in 2004, the New Orleans Hornets signed Peterson to a $15 million, three-year offer sheet and Toronto retained him by matching the deal.
As an unrestricted free agent, Peterson might get a contract for the midlevel exception that will pay as much as $6 million annually.
''Some of the big free agents like Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, Chauncey Billups have done their deals already, so I think it's going to start picking up for a lot of other free agents still out there,'' Peterson said. ''A lot of teams have contracts with their first-round picks done, too, so they can really start focusing on free agency.
''I don't have any other visits set up right now and I've got my basketball camp Tuesday back home in Flint, so I'm ready to find a comfortable fit wherever that may be for the next step in my career.''
Salary cap set at $55.63 million, moratorium period ends Wednesday
July 10th, 2007
New York, NY (Sports Network) - The NBA announced Tuesday that the salary cap for the upcoming season will be set at $55.63 million.
The cap, which will rise about $2.5 million from last season's $53.135 million, takes effect Wednesday, when the NBA's moratorium period ends and trades can resume. Negotiations with free agents has been allowed since July 1, however the deals could not be finalized until the new cap was determined.
The mid-level exception is also rising, from $5.2 million to $5.36 million, and the tax level is up from $65.42 million to $67.87 million. Teams must pay a $1 tax for every $1 by which they exceed that figure.
The minimum team salary is set at $41.72 million, 75 percent of the salary cap.
Report: Francis headed for free agency after Blazers buyout
July 11th, 2007
Portland, OR (Sports Network) - Steve Francis' stint as a Trail Blazer will be a short one, as Portland will waive the 30-year-old guard and agree to terms on a buyout of the final two years of his contract, multiple media sources reported Wednesday.
Francis was traded to Portland from the New York Knicks along with Channing Frye in exchange for Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau and Fred Jones in a draft night trade on June 28. The Trail Blazers, according to sources that include the Washington Post and Newsday, will buy out the remaining two years of Francis' contract for almost the full price, paying more than $30 million of the $34 million owed to Francis over the next two years.
The former all-star will become a free agent after he clears waivers next week. Francis averaged a career-low 11.3 points per game in New York last season, well below his career average of 18.4 points per game.
Pistons re-sign Billups
July 11th, 2007
Auburn Hills, MI (Sports Network) - The Detroit Pistons re-signed guard Chauncey Billups to a multi-year contract Wednesday.
Terms of the deal were not released, but last Friday, the Detroit Free Press reported Billups and the Pistons agreed on a five-year, $60.5 million contract with the fifth year being a team option.
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Chauncey Billups," said Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars. "We have said from day one that re-signing Chauncey was our top priority of the offseason and we are excited that he will be a Piston for years to come."
Billups had opted out of his contract on June 25, making himself one of the top unrestricted free agents on the open market. He was in the final year of his six-year deal and was slated to make over $6 million in 2007-08.
Last season, Billups averaged 17.0 points and 7.2 assists per game.
Originally the third overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft by Boston, Billups has averaged 14.5 points and 5.3 assists with the Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons.
He has found a home over the last five seasons in Detroit, guiding a Pistons team that has turned into perennial playoff contenders and won it all in 2004.
Sign-and-trade deal sends Lewis to Orlando
July 11th, 2007
Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - The Orlando Magic have landed one of the top members of this year's free-agent class in forward Rashard Lewis, who was acquired from the Seattle SuperSonics in a sign-and-trade deal on Wednesday.
Lewis was dealt in exchange for a future conditional second-round draft pick, according to Orlando general manager Otis Smith. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though a report in the Seattle Times last Tuesday said Lewis had agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract.
"Rashard is a young, athletic forward and a proven scorer in this league," said Smith. "We feel his skills will be a tremendous addition to our team and we are very excited to have him join the Magic family."
The six-foot, 10-inch Lewis, who turns 28 next month, averaged a career-high 22.4 points per game last season, and pulled down an average of 6.6 rebounds per game. He has averaged 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for his career.
Lewis, who turned pro after his senior year of high school and was a second-round selection by Seattle in the 1998 NBA Draft, was likely considered expendable by the Sonics after their selection of University of Texas phenom Kevin Durant, the number two overall pick in last week's draft, and the acquisition of Georgetown's Jeff Green, selected fifth overall by Boston.
Suns complete draft-day deal, send Jones to Portland
July 11th, 2007
Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - The Phoenix Suns completed their draft-day deal with the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, sending forward James Jones to Portland.
Jones was dealt along with the 24th overall selection in the June 28 draft, which was used by Portland to select Spanish guard Rudy Fernandez, in exchange for cash considerations.
Jones, a four-year veteran, averaged 6.4 points and 2.3 points in 76 games for the Suns last season. He came to Phoenix in a sign-and-trade deal from the Indiana Pacers in 2005, and has averaged 6.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game over his career.
Raptors sign Kapono
July 11th, 2007
Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - The Toronto Raptors have signed free agent forward Jason Kapono to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, financial terms were not disclosed.
The 6-foot-8 Kapono averaged 10.9 points while leading the NBA in three-point field goal percentage last season, connecting at a .514 clip with Miami. The single-season percentage was the fourth-highest in league history and best since the 1995-96 season when Tim Legler held a .522 mark for Washington.
"Jason is an ideal fit four our system and for our locker room," said Bryan Colangelo, president and general manager of the Raptors. "We anticipate he will contribute significantly to our team in a variety of ways."
"(Raptors head coach) Sam (Mitchell) loves his ability to knock down shots which spreads the floor and opens up scoring opportunities in the lane on dribble and penetrations and post-ups."
The 26-year-old holds a career average of 7.4 points, shooting at a .459 percentage rate from three-point range in four season with Cleveland (2003-04), Charlotte (2004-05) and the Heat (2005-07).
Report: Milicic headed to Memphis
July 12th, 2007
Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - The Memphis Grizzlies have reportedly agreed to a deal with forward/center Darko Milicic.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal, citing an NBA source, reported that the seven- foot unrestricted free agent has come to terms in principle on a three-year deal with a starting salary in the range of at least $6 million.
Milicic played 80 games for the Orlando Magic last season, starting 16, and averaged a career-best 8.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. He was acquired by Orlando in a trade from Detroit during the 2005-06 season.
The Pistons made Milicic the second overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft and he languished on the bench for most of his first three seasons. He played only 34 games his rookie year and averaged just 1.4 points, then played just 37 games the following season and saw limited action during 25 games in 2005-06 before being dealt to Orlando.
Milicic, just 22 years old, could have been a Grizzly from the start of his career. Detroit received Memphis' top pick in the 2003 draft as part of a trade a few years earlier.
Spurs sign Vaughn, Bonner
July 12th, 2007
San Antonio, TX (Sports Network) - The San Antonio Spurs re-signed guard Jacque Vaughn and forward Matt Bonner on Thursday.
Vaughn spent last season with the Spurs and won his first NBA Championship. He played in 64 games, averaging 3.0 points and 2.0 assists in 11.9 minutes a game. A 10-year veteran, Vaughn has also played for Utah, Atlanta, Orlando and New Jersey.
The 6-10 Bonner played in 56 games last season, netting 4.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11.7 minutes a game. Prior to joining the Spurs Bonner spent two seasons with the Toronto Raptors.
Spurs get Spanoulis in trade with Rockets
July 12, 2007
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -The NBA champion San Antonio Spurs acquired guard Vassilis Spanoulis from the Houston Rockets for center Jackie Butler and the draft rights to Luis Scola.
The Spurs will also get the Rockets' second-round pick in 2009, San Antonio said in a statement Thursday night.
Spanoulis, who averaged 2.7 points in 31 games as a rookie last year, has said he didn't want to return to the Rockets because he was homesick and wanted to remain in his native Greece.
Butler played in 11 games for the Spurs last year, averaging 3.7 points.
Nets waive Robinson
East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - After re-signing Vince Carter, the New Jersey Nets released 18-year veteran Clifford Robinson.
The 40-year-old Robinson appeared in 50 games for New Jersey last season, averaging 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds. He was the most tenured active player before his release.
In 2 1/2 seasons with the Nets, Robinson averaged 5.8 points and 3.0 rebounds.
The Buffalo, New York native owns career averages of 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals with Portland, Phoenix, Detroit, Golden State and New Jersey. Named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice (2001-02 & 1999-00), Robinson won the 1992-93 NBA Sixth Man Award when he played for the Trail Blazers.