Atlantic Notes: Brackins, Raptors, Prokhorov
Let's check out some afternoon items out of the Atlantic Division…
- The 76ers announced today they've assigned Craig Brackins to the Maine Red Claws of the D-League. Brackins, who was drafted 21st overall in 2010, was traded twice before beginning his rookie season. In two years with the Sixers, he's played in just 11 games.
- The Raptors have considered the benefits of drafting or acquiring a young Canadian-born player, writes Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com. "I think clearly it could affect business to some degree on a positive note," GM Bryan Colangelo said. "But there's no telling. It just all depends on who that individual is."
- Mikhail Prokhorov suggested that he'd sell the Nets franchise along with his other assets if he were to win the presidency in Russia, according to a Bloomberg report. There doesn't appear to be much chance of that happening though, as Vladimir Putin is the heavy favorite to be elected.
Cavaliers Waive Mychel Thompson
The Cavaliers have officially waived Mychel Thompson, according to the team. Tom Reid and Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer first reported (via Twitter) that the Cavs intended to waive the 23-year-old.
Thompson signed with the Cavs as an undrafted rookie out of Pepperdine, and worked his way into the starting lineup in the last week. He struggled in his three starts, making just five of 21 shots from the field (23.8%) and averaging 4.7 points in just under 27 minutes per game.
Thompson's contract would have become guaranteed for the rest of the season on Friday had he remained on the roster, so the move gives the Cavs some extra flexibility. Their roster now stands at 14.
Warriors Waive Earl Barron
The Warriors have waived Earl Barron, according to a team release. Golden State has recalled Chris Wright from the D-League to take Barron's roster spot.
Barron, 29, has seen action with six NBA teams since 2005. The Warriors signed him following Kwame Brown's pectoral injury in January, though Barron appeared in just two games for Golden State.
Wright, 23, signed with the Warriors as an undrafted free agent prior to the season. He played in five games for Golden State before being sent to the D-League's Dakota Wizards. In three games for Dakota, he averaged 20.7 PPG and 10.0 RPG.
Hornets Sign Lance Thomas To 10-Day Contract
The Hornets have officially signed Lance Thomas to a 10-day contract, the team announced today. The 23-year-old Thomas participated in New Orleans' training camp earlier this year, and was waived on December 31st.
Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans Times-Picayune first reported that the team would sign Thomas to serve as a replacement for Carl Landry, who announced Sunday that he's suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Landry's injury could have a significant impact on the Hornets going forward, as Sean Highkin of Hoops Rumors wrote yesterday.
Today marks the first day of the season that teams can sign players to 10-day contracts. For an idea of what other players could sign 10-day contracts in the near future, and a refresher on how these deals work, check out our 10-day contract primer.
Nuggets Waive DeMarre Carroll
The Nuggets have waived small forward DeMarre Carroll, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). Carroll joined Denver as a non-guaranteed training camp invite in December.
Carroll, 25, was drafted 27th overall by the Grizzlies in 2009 but has bounced around the league ever since. The University of Missouri product appeared in four games for the Nuggets this year for a total of 21 minutes.
Odds & Ends: Morris, Hibbert, Knicks, Bulls
A few odds and ends for Friday afternoon:
- The Rockets have assigned Marcus Morris to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, their D-League affiliate, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston.
- Roy Hibbert's play over the rest of the season could drive up his price tag for the cost-conscious Pacers, as this RealGM.com report suggests.
- Playing against the Knicks, Derrick Rose showed New York exactly the kind of player they need, says Ken Berger of CBSSports.com.
- Sam Smith answers readers' questions in a Bulls.com mailbag, and many of them surround around a possible Dwight Howard trade.
- Speaking of Howard, Michael Lee of the Washington Post says D12 will have to live with "the inevitable backlash" of his trade demand in Orlando. Check out the rest of today's Howard updates here.
- In an Insider piece, Chad Ford of ESPN.com runs through teams with a chance at the second overall pick and predicts whether they'd select Harrison Barnes, Andre Drummond, or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The team with the first pick is expected to select Kentucky's Anthony Davis, of course.
Clippers Agree To Sign Kenyon Martin
The Clippers and Kenyon Martin have reached an agreement on a contract, reports Mike James of the Los Angeles Times. The Clippers will use their $2.5MM room exception to sign Martin, finalizing the deal after he passes a physical.
Earlier today, we heard that CBA officials were fighting to reverse the letter of clearance FIBA awarded Martin. The 34-year-old's contract had stipulated that he couldn't sign and play with an NBA team until the end of the Chinese season, but the international basketball federation decided to clear Martin yesterday. For now it appears the power forward will be able to join the Clippers once his new contract becomes official, though Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports tweets that the CBA will still try to delay his debut.
The Heat, Hawks, Spurs, Knicks, and Lakers also had interest in signing Martin, who should see consistent minutes behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in the Clippers' frontcourt. Chauncey Billups, Martin's former teammate in Denver, played a large role in getting his friend to Los Angeles.
"If the Clippers end up getting him, Chauncey should get all the credit," a source told Ramona Sherbourne of ESPNLos Angeles.com yesterday. "Chauncey has been the guy talking to him."
Bucks Waive Darington Hobson
The Bucks have waived Darington Hobson, the team announced today (via Twitter). Hobson will become a free agent when he clears waivers.
Hobson, 24, has shuttled back and forth between Milwaukee and the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the D-League this season. The five games he played for the Bucks represented the first NBA action of his career. In 39 total minutes, the 6'7" guard recorded four points and six assists.
Milwaukee's roster now stands at 14 players, but coach Scott Skiles tells Bucks broadcaster Jim Paschke that there are no moves imminent to fill the open spot (Twitter link).
Kenyon Martin Granted Unrestricted Free Agency
NBA teams were informed today that Kenyon Martin has become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein (via Twitter). Martin's former Chinese team, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, failed to reply to a request for a letter of clearance, so FIBA made the decision to clear him, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
The Heat have already extended an offer to Martin, while the Clippers intend to make him a formal offer as well. The Hawks also met with the the 34-year-old's representatives this week, reports Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Stein hears that West teams probably have an edge based on the minutes they could offer (Twitter link), and the Clips "like their chances," according to Broderick Turner of the L.A. Times. However, Martin is intrigued by the role he could play in Atlanta, Wojnarowski tweets.
Since the restrictions on Martin's availability were lifted earlier than expected, Monday's report suggesting he'll decide where to sign by this weekend seems more logical. The Lakers, Spurs, and Knicks are among the other teams who have some interest in the power forward.
Magic Sign Ish Smith
The Magic have finalized their signing of Ishmael Smith, as Scott Schroeder of Ricidulous Upside writes. Yahoo's Marc Spears first reported last night that Orlando was expected to add the recent D-League signee today.
Smith, 23, signed a contract with the D-League earlier this week, but didn't even play a single game before the Magic plucked him off the roster of the Los Angeles D-Fenders. Orlando is his third NBA stop so far this season, after he was cut by the Grizzlies and Warriors earlier in the year.
Smith's contract likely isn't guaranteed yet, Schroeder adds. The Magic waived Larry Hughes to clear a roster spot for Smith.