Salt Lake City, UT - The Utah Jazz have acquired center/forward Al Jefferson from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for center Kosta Koufos, the Memphis Grizzlies' protected 2011 first-round pick (obtained by the Jazz in a previous trade) and an additional future protected first-round pick.

Jefferson, who averaged 17.1 points and 6.9 rebounds last season, fills the void created by Carlos Boozer. He left via free agency to sign with the Chicago Bulls.

"We are happy to acquire a young power player who has developed into one of the best low post scorers in the league," Utah general manager Kevin O'Connor said. "We gave up significant assets to obtain Al and we look forward to watching him progress with our team."

In three seasons with the Timberwolves (2007-10), Jefferson started in 208 games and averaged 20.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.44 blocks while leading the team in scoring each season.

Originally selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round (15th overall) of the 2004 NBA Draft, Jefferson has averaged 15.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.25 blocks in 407 career games (276 starts) over six seasons with Boston and Minnesota.

Koufos, originally selected by the Jazz in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2008 draft, owns career averages of 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds in 48 games (seven starts).


Durant officially inks extension with Thunder
Oklahoma City, OK - Forward Kevin Durant has officially signed a multi-year contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The deal is reportedly for five years.

"Today is an exciting and important day in the growth of the Thunder organization," Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. "The mutual and substantial commitment by both Kevin and our ownership group comes by way of aligned values and vision. Kevin's consistent work ethic, humility, team-first mentality and strong community investment are just some of the reasons that today's commitments stretch beyond our franchise and throughout our community and the entire state of Oklahoma."

Durant's agent, Aaron Goodwin, earlier told the Oklahoman the deal is worth close to $85 million and runs through the 2015-16 season without a player option that would have allowed for free agency after the fourth year.

"I am excited to remain a part of the Thunder organization and the Oklahoma City community," said Durant. "This is a big day for my family and myself. I would like to thank God for putting me in this position, the Thunder for believing in me since I was drafted and my teammates for supporting and encouraging me everyday."

Durant is the reigning NBA scoring leader after averaging 30.1 points while appearing in all 82 regular-season games in 2009-10. He set a franchise record by scoring 30-plus points on 47 occasions last season and helped lead the team to the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

Also, his 756 made free throws were a franchise-best and the most recorded in a single season since Michael Jordan connected on 833 during the 1986-87 campaign.

Taken second overall by the defunct Seattle SuperSonics in the 2007 draft, Durant has averaged 25.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists for his career.

"Kevin Durant personifies what we are building with the Oklahoma City Thunder," said Thunder chairman Clay Bennett. "His dedication to his teammates, to continually working at his game, and to this community is at the core of what we want this organization to represent. We are excited to have the opportunity to continue to watch Kevin evolve as a player and just as thrilled to have someone of his personal character on our team."


David Lee on his way to Warriors in sign-and-trade
Oakland, CA - The Golden State Warriors have acquired forward/center David Lee in a sign-and-trade with the New York Knicks.

The Warriors sent forwards Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Randolph and Ronny Turiaf and a 2012 second-round draft pick to New York while signing Lee to a reported six-year, $80 million contract.

Lee, 27, has averaged a double-double three of the past four seasons and put up a career-high 20.2 points to go with 11.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 81 games for the Knicks during the 2009-10 campaign.

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound University of Florida product made the Eastern Conference All-Star team last year and owns career averages of 13.0 points and 9.6 boards over 368 contests -- all with New York.

"David Lee is a terrific basketball player and an All-Star," said Warriors general manager Larry Riley. "His skill-set addresses two areas where we need to improve: rebounding and passing, plus, we know he will score. He is a proven talent in this league and we like the way that his talents fit with the other core players on our roster."

Azubuike had his 2009-10 season cut short after suffering a torn patella tendon in his left knee nine games in. The 26-year-old was coming off a season in which he averaged 14.4 points and five boards.

Randolph, a 6-foot-11, 225-pounds forward, averaged 11.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in his second season with the Warriors after being selected 14th overall in the 2008 draft.

Turiaf, who has played in a reserve role through most of his five-year career, averaged 4.9 points and 4.5 rebounds in 42 games for the Warriors last season.


Clippers decide on Del Negro
Los Angeles, CA - The Los Angeles Clippers have decided to hire Vinny Del Negro as their next head coach.

Del Negro and Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Dwane Casey were finalists for the position and both had interviews on Monday. The Clippers released a statement Tuesday night saying they had reached an agreement in principle with Del Negro. The team said additional information will be made available on Wednesday,

The 43-year-old Del Negro had one season and about $2 million remaining on his contract with the Bulls when he was fired. He compiled an 82-82 regular season record to go with a 4-8 postseason record over two turbulent years with the team. The Bulls finished with a 41-41 mark in each season and were ousted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of this year's playoffs.

Prior to his coaching stint with Chicago, Del Negro spent 13 seasons in the NBA with Sacramento, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Phoenix and Golden State, averaging 9.1 points and 3.2 assists in 771 career regular season games. He also spent parts of three seasons playing in Italy.

The Clippers needed a replacement for interim head coach Kim Hughes, who was relieved of his duties following this past season. Hughes, who took over behind the bench after the resignation of Mike Dunleavy on February 4, finished the season with an 8-25 record as the Clippers went 29-53 and landed third in the Pacific Division.

The Clippers have not recorded a winning season since going 47-35 in 2005-06, which was the last time the club advanced to the postseason. That year, LA topped Denver in five games before falling in a seven-game Western semifinal against Phoenix.


Mavs lock up C Haywood
Dallas, TX - The Dallas Mavericks reportedly agreed to terms with center Brendan Haywood on a multi-year contract.

According to multiple reports, the deal is worth $55 million over six years.

The 29-year-old started the 2009-10 season with Washington before getting shipped to Dallas in a seven-player trade in February. He combined to total per-game averages of 9.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 77 games -- 67 starts last season.

For his career, the 7-footer has appeared in 607 contests, starting 469 and is averaging 7.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.


Nowitzki staying with Mavs
Dallas, TX - Nine-time All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki is staying with the Dallas Mavericks after coming to terms on a new four-year $80 million contract.

Nowitzki's adviser, Holger Geschwindner, told the Dallas Morning News that the one-time league MVP agreed to a contract, although a deal can't officially be finalized until Thursday when the free agent signing moratorium is lifted.

The newspaper reports the deal could be worth as much as $96 million for Nowitzki, who opted out of his contract just before free agency began on July 1. The Morning News reports the new contract is believed to include a no-trade clause that Nowitzki qualified for because of his years of service with the Mavs.

Nowitzki has been with the Mavericks since 1998-99 and has been their most productive player over the last decade. Last season, the 32-year-old averaged 25.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 81 games -- the 10th straight season in which he's averaged over 20 points and seven rebounds.

For his career, the Germany native has per-game averages of 22.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists.


Suns sign Frye, Warrick
Phoenix, AZ - Amare Stoudemire's days in Phoenix are over and the Phoenix Suns have re-signed forward Channing Frye and added free agent Hakim Warrick to the frontcourt.

Frye has reached a five-year, $30 million deal with the Suns.

Frye, the eighth overall selection in the 2005 NBA Draft, averaged a career- high 27 minutes during the 2009-10 campaign, his first season with the Suns. He came into his own as a three-point threat in the high-octane offense, shooting 43.9 percent from long range and scoring 11.2 points per game.

The 6-foot-11 University of Arizona product spent the first two years of his career with the Knicks, then had a pair of forgettable seasons for the Trail Blazers.

The 27-year-old owns career numbers of 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds over 359 games.

Joining him on the Suns is Warrick, who inked a four-year, $18 million contract with the club.

Warrick, 28, split time in Milwaukee and Chicago last season after a four-year stint in Memphis.

The Philadelphia native has averaged 10.1 points and 4.3 rebounds over 383 games during his five-year career.


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