Celtics Sign Darko Milicic

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent forward/center Darko Milicic. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Milicic, a 7’0 center/forward, appeared in 29 games last season for the Minnesota Timberwolves and averaged 4.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 16.3 minutes per game. Milicic tied his career-high with seven blocks against the Dallas Mavericks on January 25. Beginning his 10th season, Milicic recorded a career-high of 8.8 points per game during the 2010-11 season with the Timberwolves and finished 5th in the NBA in blocked shots per game (2.03). The second overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft was a member of the 2004 NBA Championship Detroit Pistons during his rookie season. He has posted career averages of 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.31 blocks in 467 career games.

John Wall Out With Knee Injury

The Washington Wizards just announced that John Wall will miss 8 weeks with a stress injury in his left knee.

Knicks to Sign Rasheed Wallace

Source close to Knicks: All the players expect a Rasheed Wallace signing to become official. He took his physical w/ the team yesterday september 27th.

Channing Frye Optimistic About Returning

News of Channing Frye’s medical condition has a lot of Suns fans worried he won’t play again. But he’s hoping it won’t be too long before he’s back in the game.
“It’s not a good situation but at the same time I do have hope,” said the Suns forward.
Frye has just been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and it likely means he’ll be sitting out the entire season.
“I look at it as a rare opportunity to spend time with my family that I may not get again, especially with my kids so young, and see how everything goes behind the scenes especially during the season,” said Frye.
The Suns cardiologist Dr. Tim Byrne said the heart condition was discovered during a routine physical required by the NBA, and Frye is lucky the sometimes fatal condition was caught so early.
“The most likely cause is a virus and many times those do improve and get better so yes there is a very real chance he could return to normal function and a normal lifestyle,” said Dr. Tim Byrne.
But as far as ever playing professional basketball again, doctors said it is possible and Frye is confident he will.
“You know I’m not done yet I still have a lot to prove,” said Frye. “I feel great. Coming in I was ready to drain some threes and post up a little bit you know.”

Where Will Derek Fisher End Up?

Was there any hope of keeping the free-agent guard?
“There still is,” Brooks said. “Everything is still fluid.”

Nonetheless, Fisher remains unsigned. I’ve been told the Los Angeles resident routinely practiced at both the Lakers and Clippers practice facilities this offseason. Meanwhile, the Oklahoman’s John Rohde reported the Thunder would only re-sign Fisher at the veteran’s minimum. Sports illustrated’s Sam Amick quoted an unnamed source saying FIsher’s chances of joining the Thunder are “remote” since the team already features three point guards in Russell Westbrook, Eric Maynor and Reggie Jackson.  Brooks also mentioned in general terms that he leaves personnel decisions to Thunder General Manager Sam Presti.

Still, Brooks gushed plenty about Fisher’s four-month stint with the Thunder. Even though Fisher averaged a career-low 4.9 points on 34.3% shooting through 20 regular-season games with the Thunder, Brooks marveled at how the 38-year-old’s playoff experience and leadership boosted an otherwise youthful team. Laker fans have always remained split on a similar role he provided when he helped the Purple & Gold to five NBA titles.
“He knows how to play. He was terrific for us,” Brooks said. “I tell him all the time, ‘Derek, don’t get into coaching. Don’t get into sports.’ This guy is bigger than that. I always tease him, ‘Run Apple.’ You’re smart. You can lead. That guy is a leader. One day he could probably be the commissioner.”

Gordon Hayward Expects Jazz to Improve

Hayward has high hopes for the Jazz. He believes his personal progression mirrors the Jazz’s improvement trajectory — in part because of how many solid players are loaded into each position.
“I expect us to do better than we did last year,” he said, reflecting back on a better-than-expected 36-30 record and first-round playoff appearance in the lockout-shortened campaign.
“I think as a player you kind of want to improve both as a team and individually from year to year,” Hayward added. “I’ve done that from my rookie to sophomore year. Hopefully I’ll do that again this year. Same goes for the team. We missed playoffs first year (39-43 in 2010-11), made it barely the second year, so this year needs to be better than that.”

NBA Returning to Seattle?

The Seattle City Council is expected to approve a deal Monday that would help build an arena to bring NBA and NHL teams to the city.
Members of the council have indicated they’re ready to sign off on investor Chris Hansen’s plan to build a $490 million arena near the Seahawks and Mariners stadiums in the SoDo area, south of downtown. The plan calls for $200 million in public investment.
Changes in the plan still must be approved by the King County Council, and it must pass an environmental review. But, Hansen says city approval will allow him to start looking for a team that would replace the Sonics. After four decades in Seattle, the Sonics were moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Thunder.