By: Tyler Ward
The last few days have been rather busy and with the aftermath of the major signings, there haven't been many notable transactions. But, there have still been moves and it is my duty to bring the transactions to your computer. So, with that being said, here's what has happened the last week or so.
- Cleveland trades SG Delonte West and PG Sebastian Telfair to Minnesota for PG Ramon Sessions, C Ryan Hollins, and a future 2nd round pick
In a not-so-stunning move, point guard Ramon Sessions was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with seldom-used center Ryan Hollins. The Timberwolves receive Delonte West and Sebastian Telfair, both of whom are expected to be cut. West's $5 million salary for the upcoming season can be waived if he is released before August 5th.
The Timberwolves are expected to cut West because he would have no playing time, thanks to Minnesota's stacked backcourt. Minnesota already has Jonny Flynn and Luke Ridnour under contract, along with the rights to Ricky Rubio. Rubio will play for Spain this season and it is uncertain when he will come to the United States. The disgruntled West had been the subject of trade rumors recently and his release or trade was inevitable. The Boston Celtics, who he was originally drafted by, has expressed interest in bringing West back.
Telfair, who went straight from high school to the NBA, was traded from Boston to Minnesota in 2007 as part of the Kevin Garnett trade. He spent two seasons with the Timberwolves, before going to the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to media outlets, Telfair butted heads with Minnesota's front office numerous times, leading to his departure. He played sparingly for Cleveland last season, competing in only four games. Telfair will more than likely be traded or bought out and will not play a single game for the team.
Ramon Sessions is expected to back-up Mo Williams for the Cavaliers, giving them a great combination at the position. Sessions had been thought to be traded, after Flynn outplayed him last season. Prior to last season, Sessions signed a 4-year/$16 million contract with the Timberwolves. Cleveland signed point guard Kyle Lowry to a 3-year/$23 million offer sheet, but Houston matched it, thus leading to the acquisition of Sessions. Sessions played a career-low 21.1 minutes per game last season, averaging 8.2 points and 3.1 assists per game.
The acquisition of Hollins also benefits the Cavaliers, after becoming weak at the center position. Zydrunas Ilgauskas signed with the Miami Heat earlier this offseason, with Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal being a free agent. Hollins is expected to play a somewhat major role for the Cavaliers after averaging 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game last season.
- Los Angeles Clippers sign SG Rasual Butler to a one-year contract
The Clippers announced earlier this week that they had re-signed sharpshooter Rasual Butler to a one-year contract. Full terms of the contract haven't been disclosed.
Los Angeles acquired Butler from New Orleans last year. Known particularly as a three-point shooter, Butler has made 255 three-pointers the last two seasons, including a Clipper franchise record 145 last season. Butler also averaged a career-high 11.9 points per game.
The signing of Butler fills a huge void for the Clippers, with Eric Gordon being the only shooting guard under contract for next season. He is expected to back-up Gordon, who has been quite the surprise for a mediocre Clippers squad.
However, Butler can also play small forward, a position that he was forced to play last season. With the addition of Al-Farouq Aminu, Butler is not expected to start at small forward. But, with the possible rookie curves that Aminu faces, it is entirely possible that Butler could see some playing time in front of the rookie.
Butler was initially drafted by the Miami Heat with the 53rd overall pick in 2002. A long shot to make the team, Butler surpassed expectations and became a valuable role player for the Heat. He was part of the major 5-team trade in 2005 that netted Jason Williams and James Posey in Miami, leading them to the NBA championship that season. He was dealt to Los Angeles in 2009 for a second round pick.
He has averaged 8.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game for Miami, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.
- Washington re-signs SF Josh Howard to a one-year contract
A source close to Howard reported that the Wizards have re-signed the former Maverick, Josh Howard. Full terms have not been disclosed.
At last season's trade deadline, Howard, along with Drew Gooden, James Singleton, and Quinton Ross were traded to Washington in exchange for Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, and Deshawn Stevenson. After playing just four games for the Wizards, Howard tore his ACL and was out for the rest of the season.
Howard's conduct was detrimental to the team to the Mavericks, which made his trade or release inevitable. He reportedly showed up to a game with a hangover against those very same Washington Wizards. His off-the-court antics led the Mavericks to force his hand and deal him away. After a tumultuous season with the Mavericks, he was dealt in that seven-player trade in February. He had surgery in March and the expected time of recovery is six to eight months, which means he could miss the start of the 2010-11 season.
The Wizards declined to pick up the option on Howard, which forced him to take a lower salary if he returned to the up-and-coming Wizards team.
Washington only has one other natural small forward on the team, Al Thornton. Howard is expected to back-up Thornton and possibly compete for a starting role.
For Washington and Dallas last season, Howard averaged 12.7 points per game, his lowest since his sophomore season in 2004-05. He also set a career-low in games played, participating in only 35 games total last season. In his seven seasons, Howard has career averages of 15.3 points and 6 rebounds per game with the Mavericks and Wizards.
- Detroit re-signs PG Will Bynum to a 3-year/$10 million contract
As expected, the Pistons said Wednesday that they had officially re-signed former Georgia Tech standout Will Bynum to a three-year deal worth approximately $9.75 million.
Bynum was a restricted free agent, which means that if he signed with a team, Detroit would have seven days to match the offer sheet. However, Bynum felt that his heart was in Detroit and thus, re-signed with the team that he had grown up idolizing.
He has proven to be an electric player at some points, even dishing out twenty assists in one game against the Washington Wizards. The last Pistons player to get at least twenty assists was Bynum's boyhood idol, Isiah Thomas.Bynum spent 2006-08 with the Euroleague team, Maccabi Tel Aviv. Originally a rookie in 2005-06, Bynum played 15 games for the Golden State Warriors, being limited to an average of ten minutes per game. He was brought in prior to the 2008-09 season, playing in 57 games. He played more last season with Detroit, even exploding for 25 points in one quarter against the Charlotte Bobcats, a Pistons record. For the Pistons last season, Bynum averaged 10 points and 4.5 assists per game.
Bynum will have more than enough ample opportunity to get playing time this year as the Pistons are far from stacked at the point guard position. Starting point guard, Rodney Stuckey, has been playing out of position and is more of a shooting guard, which could lead to Bynum starting at some point during the regular season. He is expected to play a much more larger role, as the Pistons look to regain their championship form.
- Houston trades C David Andersen to Toronto for a future 2nd round pick and cash considerations
After one season in Houston, David Andersen has been acquired by the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a future second round pick and cash considerations. Andersen's rights were traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Rockets before the 2009-10 started. After Yao Ming announced that he would undergo surgery, Andersen was forced into a role that he shouldn't have after never playing in an NBA game.
Andersen was chosen in the second round of the 2002 NBA draft by the Hawks. He spent the majority of his career playing overseas. He spent last season playing for the Spanish League team, FC Barcelona.
In his lone season in the NBA, Andersen averaged 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 63 appearances.
Other transactions:
- Atlanta signs PF Josh Powell to a one-year contract
- Boston re-signs SG Marquis Daniels to a contract (terms not disclosed)
- Miami signs PF Shavlik Randolph and PG Kenny Hasbrouck to contracts
