Celtics Sign Terrence Williams To Multi-Year Deal
SUNDAY, 11:35am: The Celtics officially announced Williams' multi-year deal in a press release. The team didn't disclose financial specifics, but Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald reports the contract includes triggers that would guarantee the deal for next season in stages.
FRIDAY, 2:52pm: Wojnarowski confirms that the contract is for the minimum salary and that it isn't fully guaranteed for 2013/14.
2:01pm: Terrence Williams' 10-day contract with the Celtics is set to expire after tonight's game, but Boston will re-sign the former 11th overall pick for the rest of the season, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). According to Wojnarowski, the Celtics will also sign Williams conditionally for 2013/14, which I assume means '13/14 won't be fully guaranteed.
Williams was one of three players signed to 10-day contracts by the Celtics after returning from China. D.J. White and Shavlik Randolph, who also spent the season in the CBA, are expected to be in uniform for the first time tonight. So far, Williams has appeared in three games for the Celtics, including playing nearly 25 minutes last Friday against the Suns, recording nine points, four boards, and four assists.
When Williams' contract becomes official, the Celtics will have 13 players on guaranteed contracts this season. For next year, Boston currently has 10 players on fully guaranteed deals. Paul Pierce also has a player option, while Williams will presumably have either a non-guaranteed or partially-guaranteed deal.
As I detailed earlier this week, the Celtics are already projected to be taxpayers this season. So even though Williams' contract will almost certainly be for the minimum salary, it will cost Boston twice as much as usual, once the tax penalty is considered.
Hornets Sign Henry Sims To 10-Day Contract
The Hornets have signed Henry Sims to a 10-day contract, the team announced in a press release. John Reid of The Times-Picayune reported yesterday that the move was expected. The 7-footer was with the Knicks in training camp this past fall, and before the Hornets got in the mix a source told Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com that the Knicks might entertain the idea of bringing him back this season.
The 22-year-old went undrafted this past June after four years at Georgetown. Sims has seen extensive time with the Erie BayHawks of the D-League this year, starting all 36 of the team's games and averaging 17.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest. When Jimmy Smith of The Times-Picayune reported Friday that the Hornets were looking for a center, I speculated that Sims might be someone they consider.
New Orleans made liberal use of 10-day contracts last season, and with big man Jason Smith out for the season with a torn labrum, Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors wrote that more short-term deals might be coming. The addition of Sims gives the Hornets 14 players on their roster, leaving one more spot open should they decide to pursue more depth.
Cavs Recall Kevin Jones From D-League
We'll keep track of today's D-League assignments and recalls here, with any additional moves added to the top:
- The Cavs have recalled Kevin Jones from the D-League after a one-day stint, the team announced on its website. Jones has bounced back and forth between the Cavs and the Canton Charge this week, as it's the fourth straight day the team has either assigned or recalled the power forward. Jones put up 17 points and 12 rebounds in 27 minutes for Canton last night, and is averaging 22.4 PPG and 12.1 RPG in nine games for the Charge this season. The Cavs, sole owners of the Charge, have taken advantage of the geographic proximity of their affiliate, sending Jones down on five occasions this season after signing him November 29th.
Maggette, Pistons Have Mutual Interest In Return
Corey Maggette dropped hints about retirement earlier this season, but now he's certain he wants to play next year, and he's entertaining the idea of re-signing with the Pistons as a free agent in the summer, writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. The Pistons haven't found much use for Maggette on the floor this year, but the team is open to bringing him back, according to Ellis.
Maggette said he didn't want a buyout last week, a stance Ellis believes is surprising, since Pistons officials believe other teams would have interest in bringing the 33-year-old swingman aboard. That Maggette wouldn't entertain a buyout may have more to do with his unwillingness to forfeit any of his $10.9MM salary for this season than a lack of desire to play elsewhere. "I'm not a firm believer in giving up money anyway," Maggette said.
Wherever he signs his next contract, the money won't come close to his current deal, but the Duke product seems intrigued by the idea of continuing to provide a veteran influence for his younger Piston teammates. His leadership is what the team is most interested in Maggette providing, Ellis notes.
The 14th year veteran, who entered the league as the No. 13 pick in the 1999 draft, is averaging career lows in points (5.3), field goal percentage (35.5%) and minutes (14.3) per game this season. Still, he's only one year removed from notching 15.0 PPG in 27.5 MPG for the Bobcats in 2011/12, numbers just slightly below his career averages.
Magic To Pursue Glen Davis Trades
The Magic will shop Glen Davis in the offseason or before next year's trade deadline, according to Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link). The 27-year-old big man still has two years and $13MM remaining on his contract after this season. He's likely out for the rest of 2012/13 with a broken left foot, though as fellow Sentinel scribe Josh Robbins points out, Magic team officials haven't ruled out his return before the end of the season.
Big Baby was enjoying a career year before suffering the injury on January 30th in a game against the Knicks. The 6'9" LSU product was putting up 15.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in his first season as a full-time starter. His PER of 15.1 this year tabs him as an average NBA player this year, the first time in his six NBA seasons that he's had a PER of more than 13.2.
Before the broken foot, Davis missed almost a month with a shoulder injury. Since Davis went down the first time, the Magic are 4-30, as Robbins points out, with Davis appearing in just nine of those games.
Davis' name appeared in a few trade rumors earlier this season, so it's no surprise to hear the team will continue to see what it can get in return for him, particularly given his contract. Still, Orlando may have a tough time finding takers for a player set to make $6.4MM next year, despite spending most of his career as a reserve.
Davis, for his part, seems focused on returning next year and blending in with the Magic's younger players.
"When I look at the game, I want to see bumps and bruises," Davis said to Robbins."I want to see guys who are going through the grit of the NBA and are understanding what it takes to win, and that's what these guys are doing now. This time right here for them is unbelievable because next year you can't sit here and tell me with the way we worked and the way we played, we won't be a better team because of these guys and their approach."
Odds & Ends: Lakers, Brooks, Morris Twins, Raptors
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Saturday evening:
- Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com wonders whether the Lakers are on the same page as head coach Mike D'Antoni.
- Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times writes that late owner Jerry Buss' legacy will be felt for years to come.
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld tweets that the Kings explored trades for Aaron Brooks before the trade deadline but ultimately bought him out instead.
- Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic examines the bond between brothers Markieff and Marcus Morris, newly teammates on the Suns.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun wonders whether the Raptors will extend GM Bryan Colangelo's contract.
- Keith Langolis of Pistons.com praises the Pistons' new backcourt of Jose Calderon and Brandon Knight.
- Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News writes that Knight is committed to fitting into Lawrence Frank's system.
Northwest Links: Hayward, Batum, Wolves, Smith
Brandon Roy returned to Portland for the first time as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Although he did not play, he did address the media. Here's what else is going on in the Northwest Division:
- Gordon Hayward was mentored by fellow Jazz guard Mo Williams during his recovery from his recent shoulder injury, writes Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune.
- Hayward has also served as a sparring partner in practice for Enes Kanter, Jody Genessy of the Desert News writes.
- Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune talks to Nicolas Batum about his free agency and near-signing with the Timberwolves this past offseason.
- Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune wonders whether Flip Saunders is in line to be the next GM of the Wolves.
- John Canzano of the Oregonian chronicles the bond between Blazers guard Nolan Smith and Duke's Quinn Cook.
Brandon Roy Talks Future, Rehab, Lillard
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Roy, who has missed most of the season after undergoing knee surgery, addressed media in Portland before the Wolves faced off against the Trail Blazers. Roy reflected on his five seasons in Portland as well as updating on the status of his rehab and the future of his career. Ben Golliver of BlazersEdge has a full transcript of Roy's comments.
On the status of his rehabilitation from knee surgery:
I'm doing good. I've been doing good for a few weeks now. Working without any setbacks. I'm getting closer to getting back out there on the court. I was talking to Kevin [Love] and Chase [Budinger] and those guys, once they're healthy, I'll be that much closer and we'll give ourselves a good look at what we could have been had we been healthy. Maybe it's just timing also.
On how many more years he plans to play:
I'm not sure. My body has a lot to say about that. At the end of the year, I'll do some reflecting on how this season went and if I want to continue. I made the commitment at the beginning of the year that I'm going to stick with this season no matter what through the ups and downs and at the end of the year I'll reflect on things and do I still want to go forward. I'm not going to make that decision now, I know maybe people want me to. I made a commitment and I'm going to stick it out.
Thoughts on Blazers rookie guard Damian Lillard:
He's a good player. Being in Minnesota I don't get to watch as many Portland games, but the games I've watched, he's a really tough player. I didn't know he could shoot the ball that good. He's a really good three-pointer shooter. He's just tough on the court and he makes big shots, timely shots. He's going to be a special player in this league.
He's solid. I've never really been one to compare guys to myself but I see a lot of Chauncey Billups in him. Chauncey wasn't at that level so early but you could see a lot of similarities. He just comes down and makes timely baskets. Playing against guys like Chauncey, that's what they did. He's going to be a really good player in this league.
Reflections on the would-be dynasty in Portland with LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden:
I never really do it. But people will sit around and watch games and go, 'man, if you guys could have stayed healthy,' and they will mention Greg, me and LaMarcus, we had a lot of young talented pieces. Some people say you guys could have been this, you could have been that. I'm the type where unless you work and actually get that, it's just a what if. If you think too hard on the what ifs, it takes too much credit from the teams that are actually going out and doing it.
Southwest Notes: Vasquez, White, Mavs, Dirk
With the Spurs attempting to mitigate Tony Parker's ankle injury, the Grizzlies and Rockets firmly in the playoff picture, and the Mavericks attempting to stay out of the lottery, the Southwest Division is one of the more fascinating in the league currently. Here is a roundup of the latest updates:
- Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune writes that Grievis Vasquez is thriving in an increased role for the Hornets.
- Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune profiles Rockets rookie Royce White, who is attempting to carve out an NBA career for himself while managing an anxiety disorder.
- Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is demanding accountability from his rookies, writes Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News.
- Dirk Nowitzki is excited to have another native German in the NBA in Rockets rookie Tim Ohlbrecht, Sefko writes.
- Jan Hubbard of SheridanHoops.com writes that Jerry Colangelo should hire Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich to coach Team USA.
Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Sheed, Martin, Bynum
The latest news and notes from around the Atlantic Division:
- Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com writes that the Knicks chose not to waive Rasheed Wallace because they want him to have the option to come back in time for the playoffs.
- Marc Berman of the New York Post tweets that head coach Mike Woodson believes Wallace's surgery was successful and there is a chance he could still play this season.
- Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida notes that Kenyon Martin is the first top overall pick in NBA history to sign a 10-day contract.
- Ric Bucher of CSN Bay Area reports that Andrew Bynum's knees have a degenerative condition.