Grizzlies sign Jacobsen
July 24th, 2007
Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - The Memphis Grizzlies signed free agent guard/forward Casey Jacobsen on Tuesday. Per team policy, details of the deal were note disclosed.
Jacobsen, who has played three years in the NBA, spent last season playing professional basketball in Germany.
"We are pleased that Casey is coming to resume his NBA career in Memphis," said Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace. "Casey brings much-needed outside shooting to the team. He also provides size in the backcourt."
Jacobsen has averaged 5.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 234 NBA games with Phoenix and New Orleans.
Bucks re-sign Williams
July 24th, 2007
Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Bucks re-signed free agent guard Mo Williams to a multi-year contract on Tuesday.
Williams, 24, averaged career-highs in points (17.3), rebounds (4.8) and assists (6.1) in 68 games during the 2006-07 campaign with Milwaukee. He led the team in assists per game and was second in scoring average.
"This is a very big day for Mo, his family and for the Milwaukee Bucks," said general manager Larry Harris. "Mo has worked extremely hard to get to this point and we're thrilled to have him in a Bucks uniform for many years to come. We see him as a key piece of what we're trying to accomplish in Milwaukee, and that's to return to the playoffs and ultimately win an NBA championship."
In three seasons with the Bucks, Williams has averaged 13.1 points and 5.5 assists.
"I'm really glad this worked out for all parties," said head coach Larry Krystkowiak. "Mo has a coaching staff here that wants to get him to that next level and we're all going to work hard to see that he continues to develop into the player he wants to be. We're eager to move forward knowing that he'll be a part of this team."
Drafted out of Alabama by the Utah Jazz in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft, Williams spent his rookie season with the Jazz before signing with the Bucks in 2004.
Grizzlies sign free agent G Jacobsen
July 25, 2007
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -The Memphis Grizzlies signed free agent guard-forward Casey Jacobsen on Tuesday, marking his return to the NBA after playing two seasons in Europe.
Jacobsen spent last season in Germany with the Brose Baskets, who won the 2007 German Basketball Championship. He was named MVP of the finals.
He spent the 2005-06 season with TAU Victoria of the Spanish ACB League, before joining the Rockets last preseason, when he averaged 1.5 points and 1.8 rebounds in four games.
``We are pleased that Casey is coming to resume his NBA career in Memphis,'' general manager Chris Wallace said in a statement. ``Casey brings much needed outside shooting to the team. He also provides size in the backcourt.''
Jacobsen averaged 5.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 20.4 minutes in 234 games played with Phoenix and New Orleans in his three years in the NBA.
He was first drafted by Phoenix before the 2003-04 season, when he ranked ninth in the NBA in 3-point percentage (75-180, .417).
At Stanford, he ranks third on the school's career scoring list with 1,723 points.
Mavs sign pair of players
July 26th, 2007
Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - The Dallas Mavericks signed a pair of forwards Thursday. The team inked free agent Brandon Bass along with its second-round draft choice, Nick Fazekas. Per club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Bass spent two seasons with the New Orleans Hornets after being selected with the 33rd overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. In 50 career NBA games, he has averaged 2.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per contest.
The Mavericks selected Fazekas as the 34th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft after he finished his four-year career at Nevada as the school's all-time leading scorer (2,464 points) and shot blocker (192).
Fazekas was named the WAC Player of the Year three times (2005, 2006, 2007) and was a consensus second team All-American as a senior when he averaged 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds.
Heat sign Smush Parker
July 27th, 2007
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - The Miami Heat signed free-agent journeyman guard Smush Parker on Friday. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"We are excited to bring Smush to Miami," said Heat general manager Randy Pfund. "He a talented young player who brings good size and athleticism to our point guard position. Smush has been the starting point guard of a playoff team the past two seasons and we believe he has his best years ahead of him."
Parker averaged 11.1 points, 2.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.45 steals last season for the Lakers. He led the team in steals with 119.
The Heat will be Parker's fifth team in five years in the NBA. He has also logged time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, and Phoenix Suns.
Celtics waive guard Allan Ray after one season
July 27, 2007
BOSTON (AP) -The Boston Celtics waived guard Allan Ray on Friday after he averaged 6.2 points in his first NBA season.
Ray, an undrafted free agent out of Villanova, signed last July and played in 47 games for Boston, including five starts. He averaged 15.1 minutes, getting extra playing time because of injuries to guards Wally Szczerbiak and Tony Allen and swingman Paul Pierce.
He started all five games for the Celtics summer league team in Las Vegas, averaging 10 points in 22.6 minutes.
Warriors sign free agent Croshere, '06 pick Perovic
August 3rd, 2007
Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - The Golden State Warriors made a pair of roster moves Friday, signing veteran free agent forward Austin Croshere and 2006 second-round draft pick Kosta Perovic. Per team policy, the terms of the deals were not yet disclosed.
Croshere, a 6-foot-10, 235-pound forward entering his eleventh season out of Providence, spent last season with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 3.7 points and three rebounds per game. It was the lowest scoring output since his second year in the league. The Santa Monica, Cal., native has posted career averages of 7.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, and was a teammate of Warriors guard Baron Davis at Crossroads High School.
Croshere spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Indiana Pacers, the team that drafted him, before signing with Dallas prior to the 2006-07 season. Croshere did appear in three of Dallas' five playoff games against Golden State, but scored just 15 points in 34 total minutes as the eighth- seeded Warriors upset the top-seeded Mavericks.
The 22-year old Perovic was selected by the Warriors with the 38th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. He spent last season playing professionally in his native Serbia & Montenegro. The 7-foot-2, 240-pound center led Partizan Belgrade to the Adriatic League championship, averaging 12 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
"We are excited that Kosta will be joining our team this season," said Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin. "He is a very skilled player and we think that he has tremendous potential."
Clippers' Brand injures Achilles
August 3rd, 2007
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand ruptured his left Achilles tendon on Friday during his regular daily workout.
Brand, 28, plans to undergo surgery to repair at a later date with details being made available by the club as soon as they are finalized.
The Duke product averaged 20.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 80 games last season. The two-time All Star holds career averages of 20.3 points, 10.2 boards and 2.1 blocks per game.
Timberwolves, Hudson reach buyout agreement
August 3rd, 2007
Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - The Minnesota Timberwolves requested waivers on guard Troy Hudson on Friday after reaching a contractual buyout agreement. Terms of the buyout were not released.
In five seasons with the Timberwolves, Hudson averaged 10.0 points and 3.8 assists per game.
"This decision is in the best interest of both the organization and Troy," said Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale. "Looking at our roster and what would have been Troy's role on the Timberwolves, this was the most amicable way to move forward for both parties. We wish Troy the best in the future."
In 10 seasons in the league with Utah, the Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando and Minnesota, Hudson owns career averages of 9.1 points and 3.4 assists per game.
Mavericks agree to 2-year deal with swingman Eddie Jones
August 3, 2007
DALLAS (AP) -The Dallas Mavericks agreed to a two-year, $4 million deal with guard-forward Eddie Jones, his agent said Friday.
The unrestricted free agent will receive about $1.87 million in the first year from the Mavericks' biannual exception, agent Leon Rose said. The 35-year-old Jones, a three-time All-Star, is expected to be in Dallas on Monday to take a physical and sign the agreement.
The 6-foot-6, 200-pound swingman has averaged 15.4 points per game in 13 NBA seasons.
Report: Pollard agrees to deal with Celtics
August 7th, 2007
Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Veteran forward Scot Pollard reportedly agreed to terms with the Boston Celtics Tuesday on a one-year deal worth $1.2 million.
According to the Boston Globe, the 6-foot-11, 265-pound Pollard will receive the NBA veteran minimum for a player with ten years of service or more. The 32-year-old post player spent last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, playing sparingly during the team's run to the NBA Finals.
Following a solid career at Kansas, where he played alongside Paul Pierce and Raef LaFrentz, Pollard was drafted with the 19th overall pick in the 1997 draft by Detroit. After one year with the Pistons, Pollard spent five seasons in Sacramento and three in Indiana before his one-year stop in Cleveland.
Pollard's best statistical seasons came in 2000-01 and 2001-02 with the Kings, when he averaged 6.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game over the two years. He was also a key contributor for the Kings off the bench in 47 playoff games. For his career, Pollard has posted averages of 4.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
In 24 games in 2006-07 with Cleveland, Pollard averaged one point and 1.3 rebounds in 4.5 minutes per game.
Bucks impressed by Storey, sign veteran guard-forward
August 7, 2007
MILWAUKEE (AP) -The Bucks signed guard-forward Awvee Storey to a multiyear contract on Tuesday.
Storey impressed general manager Larry Harris and the Milwaukee coaching staff in Las Vegas, where as a member of the Bucks' summer league team he averaged 11 points and 4.2 rebounds in five games.
``Awvee is a hard-nosed, aggressive player who brings depth to our roster at the guard and small forward positions,'' Harris said in a statement. ``He's an excellent athlete and a solid defender who will be a good addition to our team.''
Undrafted out of Arizona State, Storey, 30, spent most of the last five seasons playing overseas, most recently in the German League. He has also played in the NBA, the NBA Development League, the CBA and the United States Basketball League.
In 2005-06, Storey played in 25 games for the Washington Wizards. He played nine games for the New Jersey Nets the year before and has also played professionally in Venezuela and Korea.
Heat sign Penny Hardaway
August 9th, 2007
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - The Miami Heat signed free agent guard/forward Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway on Thursday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
The 36-year-old Hardaway last played with the New York Knicks in 2005-06 when he appeared in just four games due to injury.
"Penny is a player who has been an All-Star and has enjoyed an illustrious career," said Heat president and head coach Pat Riley. "We have been impressed at his hard work and dedication this summer to get back in shape and return to the NBA. He is a skilled player who can help us in multiple positions."
In 13 seasons with Orlando, Phoenix and New York, Hardaway has averaged 15.4 points, 5.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Pollard, House sign with Celtics
August 9th, 2007
Boston, MA (Sports Network) - The Boston Celtics agreed to terms with center Scot Pollard and guard Eddie House on Thursday.
Pollard, 32, spent last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, playing sparingly during the team's run to the NBA Finals. In 24 games, Pollard averaged one point and 1.3 rebounds in 4.5 minutes per game.
Pollard's best statistical seasons came in 2000-01 and 2001-02 with the Kings, when he averaged 6.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game over the two years. He was also a key contributor for the Kings off the bench in 47 playoff games. For his career, Pollard has posted averages of 4.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
House, a seven-year veteran, played for the New Jersey Nets last season and averaged 8.4 points in 16.9 minutes per game. House shot 43 percent from three-point range last season, which ranked 10th overall in the NBA.
Clippers sign Brevin Knight
August 13th, 2007
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Clippers signed free agent point guard Brevin Knight on Monday.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Knight played in just 45 games last season with Charlotte, averaging 9.1 points and 6.6 assists. He appeared in 180 games over three seasons for the Bobcats and averaged 10.8 points, 8.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 30.8 minutes. Charlotte waived Knight on June 29.
"Brevin is one of the better defensive point guards in the league," said Clippers vice president of basketball operations Elgin Baylor. "He's also a gifted floor leader with a great assist-to-turnover ratio. We like that he is good at running the offense and that he always looks to get his teammates involved."
A 10-year NBA veteran, Knight has averaged 8.3 points, 6.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 581 career games with Cleveland, Atlanta, Memphis, Phoenix, Washington, Milwaukee and Charlotte. Over his career, he has averaged at least 1.25 steals in each of his 10 seasons.