Kings Buy Out J.J. Hickson
J.J. Hickson has received a buyout from the Kings, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Hickson was in the final year of his rookie contract, earning just $2.35MM, so the savings for Sacramento will be minimal.
For contenders in need of size, Hickson could be an intriguing pickup. After averaging 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in Cleveland last year, the 6'9" forward was dealt to the Kings for Omri Casspi and a first-round pick. His time in Sacramento was a disappointment — his averages slipped to 4.7 PPG and 5.1 RPG, and he eventually fell out of the rotation, appearing in just two games in March. But perhaps a change of scenery could put him back on the right track.
The Celtics reportedly discussed Hickson with the Kings before the trade deadline, so they figure to have interest again. The Heat have also been seeking frontcourt help, though they'd probably prefer a true center. As Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com points out (via Twitter), we'll have to see if Hickson clears waivers first. Given his low salary and potential upside, it's possible he'll be claimed.
Minor Moves: Graham, Harrison, Henry
We'll track the latest notable international and D-League-related signings right here:
- Joey Graham, a former 16th overall pick, has joined the D-League's Erie BayHawks, tweets Duane Rankin of the Erie Times-News. Graham is a six-year NBA veteran, having played for the Raptors, Nuggets, and, last season, the Cavaliers.
- Former Pacers first-round pick David Harrison has been claimed by the D-League's Reno Big Horns, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. The ex-University of Colorado big man played four seasons in Indiana after being drafted in 2004. The 29-year-old last appeared in an NBA game in April 2008.
- After playing just one game for the D-League's Iowa Energy, Xavier Henry has been recalled by the Hornets, the team announced today.
Wizards Sign Edwin Ubiles
SUNDAY: The Wizards made it official today, announcing the signing of Ubiles to a 10-day contract.
FRIDAY: The Wizards will sign Edwin Ubiles to a 10-day contract this weekend, according to Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside.
Ubiles, 25, has spent the season with the Dakota Wizards of the D-League, averaging 20.4 PPG on 50% shooting in 35 games for Dakota. The former Siena swingman has never been part of an NBA roster, though he was invited to Warriors' camp in December. Schroeder identified him earlier this week as a player who could get a shot at the NBA after the trade deadline.
The Wizards had a pair of open roster spots, so they won't have to make a corresponding move to clear room for Ubiles.
Nuggets Agree To Re-Sign Chandler
6:21 PM: According to Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy, Chandler's deal is officially for five years and $37MM. The remainder of this season counts as one of the five years, so they deal is realistically closer to four years and $37MM. Chandler was a restricted free agent.
5:26 PM: The Denver Nuggets have come to an multiyear contract agreement with restricted free agent Wilson Chandler, the team announced today. We saw yesterday that the sides were working to reach a deal by the end of the weekend. The specifics of the deal have yet to be released.
Chandler came to the Nuggets last year from the Knicks as part of the package that fetched superstar Carmelo Anthony. He averaged 15.3 points and 5.7 rebounds between the teams in what was his fourth season in the NBA. During the NBA lockout, the 6-foot-8 Chandler agreed to sign with the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association.
Masai Ujiri, Denver's executive vice president of basketball operations, issued the following statement about the acquisition in a team press release:
"It is great to have Wilson back on our roster. It was a very unique situation signing a talented free agent in the middle of the season, and we worked extremely hard to find an agreement that was best for everyone. Wilson will be an excellent addition for the rest of this season and for years to come."
After essentially acquiring JaVale McGee for Nene (and his contract) in one of the season's bigger trade deadline deals, Chandler is another addition to an already strong and deep Nuggets' roster. Beat writer Aaron Lopez tweets that Chandler should be able to play Monday against the Mavericks.
Rockets Buy Out Derek Fisher
Derek Fisher has officially reached a buyout agreement with the Rockets, and is expected to hit free agency once he clears waivers, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. In one of the more surprising deals that went down before the deadline, the 37-year-old point guard was dealt to Houston for Jordan Hill and a top-20 protected first round draft pick after the Lakers acquired Ramon Sessions in a separate move.
The Rockets appeared to be in need of another point guard while Kyle Lowry recuperates from a bacterial infection, but they instead chose to sign Courtney Fortson from the D-league.
At this stage in his career, Fisher is seen as one of the weaker guards in the league, but due to this experience in big games (five championships with the Lakers since 2000) he could sign on with a contender upon becoming a free agent. He'll be available to sign with any team except the Lakers due to a new rule in the CBA.
Nuggets Waive Ronny Turiaf
The Nuggets have waived center Ronny Turiaf after receiving the former Gonzaga star from the Wizards in the Nene trade that became official on Sunday. Turiaf, was acquired along with JaVale McGee and a second-round pick in a three-team trade with the Wizards and Clippers on March 15. He played four games with the Wizards this season, averaging 1.5 PPG and 3.1 RPG.
The 29-year-old Frenchman has played for the Lakers, Warriors, Knicks and Wizards over the course of his seven-year career. Per the new collective bargaining agreement, Turiaf may not return to the Wizards until after the season. There is no word on whether the former second-round draft pick by the Lakers plans to continue his NBA career or head overseas to play in Europe.
Nets Re-Sign Green For Remainder Of Season
11:45am: The Nets have officially come to terms with Gerald Green on a contract that will keep him in New Jersey for the rest of the 2011/2012 season.
8:52am: With his second 10-contract set to expire on Sunday, Gerald Green is close to signing a deal with the Nets that will keep him in Newark for the remainder of the season. Initial reports suggested that the contract would extend beyond this season, but both parties want to keep their options open moving forward, writes Fred Kerber of the New York Post. Green, 26, is averaging 18.6 PPG over his last five contests after spending the majority of the past two seasons playing overseas before signing with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of D-League prior to the start of the 2011/2012 season.
“I’ve seen a lot of players on 10-day contracts and I would say what he’s done, independent of tonight’s game, he’s been really good,” said coach Avery Johnson.
The former first-round draft pick by the Celtics in 2005 has had an inconsistent career ever since entering the league seven seasons ago. After a nondescript rookie season, Green showed signs of promise during his sophomore campaign where he averaged 10.4 PPG while grabbing 2.6 RPG. The former Mavericks forward has enjoyed a career renaissance during his 11-game stint with the Nets as he is currently averaging 11.7 PPG in 21.9 MPG.
Sixers Allow Nocioni To Explore Other Options
8:31pm: Nocioni is technically still on the team's active roster but will be allowed to look at other options in the NBA and overseas, coach Doug Collins told reporters (article from Associated Press).
"His official status is that I don't know if the paperwork is done, but we've worked out a deal with him to allow him to either go on with another team maybe, or if not, I talked to him last night, go to Argentina and get ready for the Olympics," Collins said.
8:13am: The 76ers bought out the contract of Andres Nocioni last night, a source tells Dei Lynam of CSNPhilly.com. The forward could look to catch on with a team for the home stretch of the season or possibly return to his home country of Argentina.
Nocioni, 32, was making $6.65MM in the final year of his contract with a $7.5MM team option that clearly was not going to be exercised. Nocioni played just 56 minutes across eleven games in 2011/12 for Philadelphia.
The Sixers acquired the Argentinian in June of 2010 from Sacramento along with Spencer Hawes for Samuel Dalembert. For his career, Nocioni has averaged 10.5 PPG and 4.5 RPG in eight NBA seasons.
Warriors Waive T.J. Ford
The Warriors have waived point guard T.J. Ford, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). Ford, who had been playing for the Spurs, announced his retirement this week and was included for financial reasons in the deal that sent Richard Jefferson to the Warriors and Stephen Jackson to the Spurs.
Ford was on a one-year minimum-salary contract for $1,223,166. He averaged 3.6 points and 3.2 assists in 13.6 minutes as a backup for San Antonio this season. In his eight-year career, he averaged 11.2 PPG and 5.8 APG before injuries drove him to call it quits just shy of his 29th birthday.
Rockets Sign Courtney Fortson
2:07pm: RealGM confirms that Fortson has signed. The 5'11", 185-pound former Arkansas Razorback averaged 4.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in a brief four-game stint with the Clippers earlier this year. As fate would have it, the Rockets and Clippers play this afternoon.
11:34am: The Rockets will sign free agent guard Courtney Fortson today, according to Mark Berman of MyFOXHouston.com. The former D-League standout played in four games for the Clippers this season before being waived in late January.
Signing Fortson fills one of two vacant roster spots for Houston and adds a guard to the fold in advance of their expected buyout of Derek Fisher. Fortson, 23, averaged 17 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 29 games for the Los Angeles D-Fenders this year.