Hoops News Blog

Los Angeles Clippers center Blake Griffin didn't wait long Monday night to show why he was the top pick in last month's NBA draft. Griffin scored seven points in the opening 75 seconds of the Clippers' first NBA Summer League game and finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds in a 93-82 victory over the [...]

Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner has interviewed to become the next coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The interview took place Monday in Las Vegas and lasted a couple of hours, Turner told KRIV-TV in Houston. Turner has worked as an assistant in Sacramento and Portland and was a candidate for the Phoenix Suns coaching job [...]

The Phoenix Suns have reached a contract agreement with free-agent center Channing Frye. The team scheduled a news conference Tuesday to introduce the former University of Arizona star. Frye agreed to a two-year contract with the second year at his option. He will earn about $2 million next season. The 6-foot-11 Frye is entering his [...]

The Orlando Magic have retained backup center Marcin Gortat, matching the $34 million, five-year deal offered by the Dallas Mavericks to the restricted free agent. The Magic made the announcement Monday. Gortat averaged 3.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in about 12 minutes per game last season as a solid backup to Dwight Howard.

The Atlanta Hawks have officially announced new deals to re-sign unrestricted free agents Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia. Hawks coach Mike Woodson said the two are returning to "finish what we started" after leading the team to two straight playoff appearances. Terms of the deals, first reported last week, were not announced Monday.

Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady will swap his No. 1 uniform number for No. 3. McGrady's old number will go to new teammate Trevor Ariza, the Lakers forward who agreed to a multiyear deal with Houston on July 2. McGrady wore No. 3 in high school. He is making the switch to promote his humanitarian [...]

The Denver Nuggets acquire Arron Afflalo and Walter Sharpe from Detroit in exchange for a future second-round draft pick. The Nuggets also received cash in Monday's deal. The Pistons freed up close to $1.8 million in salary cap space. Afflalo averaged 4.9 points in 74 games last season. The former UCLA star scored a career-high [...]

Broadcaster Doug Collins and sports writer Peter Vecsey will receive this year's Curt Gowdy Media Awards from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The awards, given annually to members of the print and electronic media who have made a significant contribution to the game of basketball, will be presented during the Hall of Fame's [...]

Free agent guard Jannero Pargo has signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bulls. Terms were not disclosed Monday. The 6-foot-1 guard, known for his outside shooting, was also with Chicago from 2003-06. Pargo played in Russia and Greece last season. He is a six-year NBA veteran, having also spent time with the Lakers, Raptors [...]

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed veteran free-agent Anthony Parker to add depth to the backcourt. The 34-year-old Parker played in 80 games for the Toronto Raptors last season and averaged 10.7 points and 3.4 assists. Terms were not disclosed. Cavs general manager Danny Ferry says Monday that Cleveland went after the 6-foot-6 guard/forward for his [...]