OAKLAND, Calif. — The Warriors signed Corey Maggette on Thursday, grabbing the Clippers’ leading scorer with a lucrative free-agent deal.
A person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press that Maggette is getting a five-year deal worth about $50 million to leave the Clippers, who signed Golden State’s Baron Davis on Thursday in what is in effect a swap of high-scoring stars.
The Warriors made another aggressive move Thursday, signing Lakers forward Ronny Turiaf to an offer sheet. The Lakers have seven days to decide whether to match Golden State’s four-year, $17 million contract offer, which would boost Los Angeles’ payroll past the luxury tax.
Turiaf averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 78 games with the Western Conference champions last season, starting 21 games.
Maggette, a 6-foot-6 swingman, is expected to be a good fit for Warriors coach Don Nelson’s frenetic, fast-paced style of play. Maggette appeared in 70 games last season with the Clippers, averaging 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists — all just off his career highs.
Davis opted out of a $17 million deal for next season to accept a smaller salary to play in his hometown with Elton Brand and perhaps Maggette, who both opted out of their own contracts with the Clippers. Brand then signed with the 76ers on Wednesday, spurning a larger offer from Golden State — but the Warriors moved swiftly to sign Maggette, who received interest from five other teams, including Boston and San Antonio.
Kings’ Miller suspended
NEW YORK — Kings center Brad Miller was suspended for five games by the NBA because he violated the league’s drug program. The ban will begin with the first game of the 2008-09 season.
Footnotes.
The Rockets signed free-agent guard Brent Barry to a two-year contract, joining father Rick and brother Jon as the third member of the family to join the franchise. Brent Barry shot 43 percent (48-for-112) from 3-point range last season with the Spurs.
• JamesOn Curry was suspended for one game by the NBA after the Bulls guard pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors in Idaho. Curry was arrested in January and pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and urinating in public.
• The Spurs and unrestricted free agent guard Roger Mason, who averaged a career-high 9.1 points and 1.7 assists last season with the Wizards, have agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth more than $7 million.
• Dee Brown was signed to an offer sheet by the Wizards after spending last season in Turkey. The Jazz, which retained Brown’s NBA rights while he was overseas, has seven days to match the offer.
The Associated Press
