Timberwolves point guard Jonny Flynn is expected to miss 3-4 months of action after he undergoes hip surgery next week, according to sources.
Flynn missed the Summer League in Las Vegas earlier this month.
Because of Flynn’s injury, Minnesota will likely use Luke Ridnour as their starting point guard.
The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent forward/center Kurt Thomas. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.
Thomas (6-9, 230), a 15-year NBA veteran, most recently played with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2009-10 campaign. Last year, he appeared in 70 games and averaged 3.0 ppg and 4.2 rpg in 15.0 mpg and shot .476 from the field and .800 from the line.
The Cavaliers have acquired guard Ramon Sessions, center Ryan Hollins and Minnesota’s second round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft from the Timberwolves in exchange for guards Delonte West and Sebastian Telfair, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced Monday. “In Ramon, we’re excited to add a young, multi-dimensional guard, and with Ryan, we’re adding a young, athletic center. We think both Ramon and Ryan are really good fits for this team. We’re also happy to add another asset for the future with the additional draft pick,” said Grant. “At the same time, we’d like to thank Sebastian and Delonte and wish them well in the future.”
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent center Theo Ratliff, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy terms of the contract were not released.
“I’ve had a long and very rewarding career, and joining a storied and legendary franchise such as the Lakers adds an even more special element,” Ratliff said. “I look forward to playing for Coach Jackson and with great players such as Kobe, Derek, Pau, Lamar, Ron Artest, Andrew Bynum and all my other new teammates, and hopefully to helping the Lakers win a third straight championship.”
Philadelphia GM Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has signed free agent center Tony Battie.
“We see Tony Battie as a player who can come in and give us additional depth in the front court while also providing a valuable veteran presence for our younger players both on and off the court,” Stefanski said.
Battie (6-11, 240) recently completed his 12th NBA season and is averaging 6.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.90 blocks in 772 career games with 418 starts. He has also appeared in 51 playoff games with 30 starts and was a member of the Orlando Magic’s Eastern Conference Championship team in 2008-09.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed free agent guard Royal Ivey to a contract, Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.
“We are pleased to welcome Royal to the Thunder organization,” Presti said. “His defensive mentality, competitiveness and well documented professionalism adds depth to our backcourt and strengthens the identity of our basketball team.”
Ivey, 28, has appeared in 378 NBA games over six seasons, averaging 3.6 points, 1.2 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per contest with Atlanta, Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Last season, the 6-4 guard, averaged 2.1
via. Real GM
According to a source with knowledge of his plan, Chris Paul has requested that the Hornets trade him to the Knicks, Magic or Lakers before the season begins.
“He wants out,” the source told Ken Berger of CBS Sports. “He wants to play with another superstar. He wants to follow LeBron’s model of teaming up with other great players.”
NBA sources say that members of Paul’s camp told them recently, “He’s not going to start the season in New Orleans.”
The Hornets will try to persuade Paul to remain based on the team’s new direction.
“Paul won’t go public with his trade request — if he did, he’d be subject to a fine under NBA rules — but those with knowledge of his plans believe his desire to pair up with another superstar (or two) has gained too much momentum to stop,” writes Berger.
The Knicks are preparing to make an attractive offer to acquire a superstar talent via trade.
“According to sources familiar with the Knicks’ strategy,” writes Berger, “part of the reason for orchestrating the sign-and-trade for David Lee — which yielded young talents Anthony Randolph and Kelenna Azubuike from Golden State — was to stock the roster with attractive assets that could be used to acquire such marquee players if the opportunities presented themselves.”
