'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 27

[nasty daddy]

Link to volume 26: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=879831&p=18680689#p18680689

This thread will contain Pistons news, injuries, free agent signings, trades and news throughout the NBA, plus scores from both the NBA and college.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11643

Detroit Pistons: One Western Conference executive mentioned privately a few months back that Detroit's move to land Allen Iverson was more about financial flexibility than winning now. If the Pistons with Iverson flourished, that'd be a bonus.

Unfortunately Detroit is in disarray. They've lost seven of their last 10 and face the San Antonio Spurs at home before a brutal road trip (Cleveland, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando and Boston). When they finally return home they get the Nuggets. It'll take a below .500 team to play exceptionally well for the Pistons to miss out on the playoffs altogether but it is what is . . .

Detroit is gearing up to spend this coming summer, possibly on Carlos Boozer (should he opt out of his contract in Utah). Kwame Brown for a last year, anyone?

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_16562

Kings, Wolves Make Trade
The Kings have agreed on a trade to send forward Shelden Williams and point guard Bobby Brown to Minnesota in exchange for fourth-year guard Rashad McCants and veteran big man Calvin Booth, according to two league sources.

On the financial front, the deal - which is done but pending league approval - takes the Kings off the hook for the $736,420 owed to Brown next season (player option) while giving them two players who have expiring contracts in McCants ($2.6 million, restricted free agent this summer) and Booth ($1.1 million).

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_16562

Pistons Believe They'll Land Boozer
When the Detroit Pistons sheered nearly another $1 million in salary-cap space with the trade of Alex Acker to the Los Angeles Clippers this week, GM Joe Dumars further solidified his franchise as the favorite to sign Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer as a free agent this summer.

The Pistons expect to have nearly $23 million available to spend this summer on free agents. Boozer has said he will likely opt out of his contract with the Jazz this summer.

Most believed that Boozer was destined for the Miami Heat, but Heat president Pat Riley chose to take on Jermaine O’Neal’s $22 million contract for the 2009-10 season. The Jazz and Boozer have grown tired of each other, and league executives believe Utah is more inclined to re-sign power forward Paul Millsap to a long-term contract.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_16562

Wilcox to NY for Malik Rose
The Knicks agreed to a minor trade Thursday with the Oklahoma City Thunder, swapping Malik Rose for Chris Wilcox.

A source with knowledge of the trade disclosed it to ESPN.com, saying it was agreed to early Thursday afternoon. It was unclear whether there were any additional parts involved in the trade.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16809

Return from knee injury uncertain for Pacers' Dunleavy
The Indiana Pacers reportedly are uncertain if forward Mike Dunleavy will play again this season due to a right knee injury.

Dunleavy, who missed the first 34 games of the season with the injury, did not travel with the team for Wednesday's 103-94 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. The Pacers play at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. "I don't know," Pacers coach Jim O'Brien told the Indianapolis Star when asked about Dunleavy's status on Thursday. "I know when they say he's out indefinitely, there is a chance he can come back. When that is, this year? I'm not sure. I don't feel like we have all the (medical) information available to make that determination yet."

A former third overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Golden State Warriors, Dunleavy has averaged 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists since returning to the lineup. Indiana All-Star forward Danny Granger also is having health concerns. He underwent an MRI on his right foot Thursday, but the results have yet to be released.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_16562

Magic get Rafer Alston In 3-Way Deal
NBA front-office sources tell ESPN.com that Orlando is acquiring Rafer Alston from Houston to fill the void created at point guard by Jameer Nelson's shoulder injury.

The Rockets will receive Memphis guard Kyle Lowry, Orlando forward Brian Cook and perhaps two other minimum-salaried players to make the finances work.

The Grizzlies will receive a first-round pick from Orlando.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_16562

Celtics Acquire Solomon For O'Bryant
The Celtics have dealt center Patrick O'Bryant to the Toronto Raptors for point guard Will Solomon, according to an NBA source. A second-round pick and cash considerations are expected to be involved as well. Formal details of the trade should be released soon.

Solomon, 30, is averaging 4.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game in 39 games during his second NBA season. The 6-foot-1-inch, 180-pound Hartford native -- who is nicknamed "The King" -- had perhaps his top performance Nov. 16 versus Miami, with 15 points and 11 assists.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_16562

Thunder Acquires Thabo Sefolosha
Chicago is dealing Thabo Sefolosha to Oklahoma City for a 2009 first-round pick, a league source said. The Thunder own the first-round picks of the Suns and Nuggets, and will send the least valuable pick to Chicago in exchange for Sefolosha.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStori ... TORY_16562

Ginobili Out 2-3 Weeks
The test results are in on Manu Ginobili, and the news is not as dire as it could have been.

He has a stress reaction in his right fibula, diagnosed today after a series of tests including X-rays, and MRI and a CAT scan, and is expected to miss two to three weeks.

Ginobili has been battling soreness in his ankle since a Feb. 2 game at Golden State. The team's medical staff believes rest to be the best cure at this point.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16808

Report: Celtics deal O'Bryant in three-team deal
The Boston Celtics may not have made a splash at the trade deadline on Thursday, but they did add a bit of depth to their backcourt in a three-team trade. According to multiple reports, the Celtics have dealt little-used center Patrick O'Bryant to the Toronto Raptors. Point guard Will Solomon and cash considerations were sent to the Sacramento Kings, who sent a conditional future second-round pick back to Boston.

Depth behind starting point guard Rajon Rondo has been a major concern for the Celtics, as Sam Cassell never worked out and was dealt to Sacramento earlier this week. Current backup Eddie House is not considered a true point guard. Solomon has posted 5.0 points, 3.2 assists and 14 minutes per contest while backing up Jose Calderon in Toronto.

The 7-foot O'Bryant has not worked out since being selected ninth overall by the Golden State Warriors out of Bradley in 1996. He has played just four minutes per game, putting up 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... tics_blog/

The Celtics have dealt center Patrick O'Bryant to the Toronto Raptors for point guard Will Solomon, according to an NBA source. A second-round pick and cash considerations are expected to be involved as well. Formal details of the trade should be released soon.

Solomon, 30, is averaging 4.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game in 39 games during his second NBA season. The 6-foot-1-inch, 180-pound Hartford native -- who is nicknamed "The King" -- had perhaps his top performance Nov. 16 versus Miami, with 15 points and 11 assists. Solomon declared himself eligible for the 2001 NBA Draft after his junior year at Clemson University and was selected 32d overall by the Vancouver Grizzlies. He played for the Grizzlies in the 2001–02 season and averaged 5.2 points in 62 games. He then played overseas -- including in Turkey, Israel, and Greece -- until Toronto signed him before this season.

He is making $711,517 this season, the final year of his contract.

[nasty daddy]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... ml?eref=T1

Bulls send Sefolosha to Thunder
Chicago is dealing Thabo Sefolosha to Oklahoma City for a 2009 first-round pick, a league source said. The Thunder own the first-round picks of the Suns and Nuggets, and will send the least valuable pick to Chicago in exchange for Sefolosha.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16814

Bulls acquire first-rounder for G-F Sefolosha
The Chicago Bulls were the busiest team of all at this year's trade deadline. After re-stocking their current roster with a pair of big deals in a 24-hour span, the Bulls kept an eye on their future as well.

The club closed a busy week by trading swingman Thabo Sefolosha to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a first-round pick in this year's draft, according to multiple published reports Thursday. The Thunder owned five first-rounders over the next two seasons, including the 2009 selections of the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns. The Bulls will reportedly get the lowest of those two picks.

Sefolosha began the season in the starting lineup for the Bulls but has fallen out of favor since then. His playing time has been sporadic for most of the campaign. In 43 appearances this year, he is averaging 4.5 points and 2.9 boards while logging 17 minutes per contest.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16812

Nets F Hayes has torn ligaments in left thumb
New Jersey Nets forward Jarvis Hayes has partially torn ligaments in his left thumb, an MRI revealed Thursday.

Hayes was injured in Wednesday's 113-98 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. He will wear a splint for a week after which time his status again will be evaluated.

The 6-8 Hayes has averaged 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 50 games for the Nets this season. In his sixth campaign, the former 10th overall pick of the Washington Wizards has averaged 8.3 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Wizards, Nets and Detroit Pistons.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16811

Pacers F Granger out up to three weeks with torn foot tendon
Indiana Pacers All-Star forward Danny Granger could miss three weeks with a partially torn tendon in his right foot, the team announced Thursday.

Granger, who suffered the injury in Wednesday's loss to Charlotte, underwent an MRI Thursday in Minneapolis that revealed the tear. The Pacers released a statement saying that Granger, the NBA's sixth-leading scorer, will be sidelined between 10 days and three weeks.

Coming off his first career All-Star appearance, Granger is averaging 25.3 points this season.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16806

Spurs G Ginobili out 2-3 weeks
San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili will miss at least two weeks with an injured right leg, the team announced Thursday.

Ginobili, who missed Tuesday's overtime loss to the New York Knicks, underwent X-rays and an MRI that revealed a stress reaction of his distal right fibula. The Spurs, who own a three-game lead atop the Southwest Division, expect Ginobili to be sidelined two to three weeks.

Ginobili had been bothered by the injury prior to the All-Star break. The Argentine swingman underwent surgery on his left ankle prior to the season. Ginobili is averaging 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 38 games this season for San Antonio (35-17), which visits the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16810

Blazers C Oden to miss Friday's game
Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden will miss Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks to rest his injured left knee.

On Wednesday, the Blazers announced Oden has a chipped patella, the latest setback in the former No. 1 overall draft pick's injury-plagued career. Joel Przybilla will start in his place.

Oden has had a rocky start to his career. He was selected first overall in the 2007 draft but missed all of last season after undergoing microfracture knee surgery. The 7-foot Oden returned healthy for the start of this campaign only to suffer a sprained right foot in the season opener. He missed more than three weeks before returning in late November and has averaged 9.0 points and 7.2 rebounds in 46 games.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16807

Report: Magic acquire G Alston in three-team deal
The transition to the post-Jameer Nelson era has not been an especially pretty one for the Orlando Magic. But at the eleventh hour, they've taken a big step to remedying the situation. According to a report on ESPN.com on Thursday, the Magic have acquired point guard Rafer Alston from the Houston Rockets in a three-team deal that also includes the Memphis Grizzlies.

In the reported deal, the Grizzlies would send guard Kyle Lowry to Houston and would receive a first-round draft pick from Orlando. The Rockets would also receive Orlando forward Brian Cook. Nelson, who was selected to his first career All-Star Game this season, went down with a torn labrum in his right shoulder earlier this month. The Magic are just 3-3 without him, including an embarrassing, 117-85 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday. The discipline that Nelson brought to the table and the balance he created between Dwight Howard's inside game and the team's proclivity for long-range shooting had been visibly missing. Fill-ins Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue hadn't quite done the trick.

In Alston, the Magic would receive a 10th-year veteran who has quarterbacked playoff teams in Houston for the last two seasons. He has had an up-and-down 2008-09 campaign, averaging 11.5 points and 5.4 assists while shooting just 37 percent from the floor. Lowry, a third-year combo guard out of Villanova, had fallen out of favor in Memphis in recent weeks as Mike Conley solidified his hold on the point-guard spot to team with leading scorer O.J. Mayo in the backcourt. He is averaging 7.6 points and 3.6 assists. Cook has played sparingly for the Magic this season, putting up 3.0 points and 1.3 boards per contest.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16804

Timberwolves trade G McCants to Kings for F Shelden Williams
The Minnesota Timberwolves sent Rashad McCants to the Sacramento Kings for Shelden Williams in a swap of disappointing lottery picks prior to Thursday's trade deadline. Sacramento also included guard Bobby Brown in the deal, while veteran forward Calvin Booth will leave Minnesota.

Williams was acquired by the Kings last February in the deal that sent Mike Bibby to the Atlanta Hawks. "Shelden Williams and Bobby Brown are both talented young players and we're excited to get a better look at them," Timberwolves general manager Jim Stack said. "We'd like to thank Rashad and Calvin for their professionalism during their time with us and wish them all the best as they move forward with their careers." The 14th overall pick in the 2005 draft, McCants has averaged 9.9 points in 34 games over three-plus seasons in Minnesota, which has a glut of guards and has reduced McCants to a role player.

Williams was the fifth overall selection in 2006, when the Atlanta Hawks took him one spot ahead of All-Star Brandon Roy. He has averaged 4.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in two-plus campaigns with the Hawks and Kings. An undrafted free agent, Brown signed with the Kings in July after impressing for New Orleans' summer league team. He has averaged 5.2 points and 1.9 assists in 47 games this season. Booth, who was acquired by the Wolves from the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer, is in his 10th season. He appeared in one game for Minnesota this season, logging just one minute.