Needing knee surgery, Blake Griffin officially withdrew from the Olympics and Anthony Davis was added to the US basketball team roster for the London Games.
Griffin has torn cartilage in his left knee, joining a lengthy list of American stars that are sidelined this summer. ‘‘I’m disappointed I can’t be with the guys in London,’’ Griffin said. ‘‘I want to wish them all the best in their pursuit of the gold medal.’’
Davis replaced Griffin in the Americans’ 113-59 exhibition victory over the Dominican Republic Thursday night in Las Vegas, scoring 9 points in the fourth quarter. The No. 1 overall draft pick couldn’t be put on the 12-man roster for London until Griffin had withdrawn Friday.
Davis sprained his ankle during a workout with the Hornets and was unable to scrimmage when the Americans opened training camp last Friday, ruining any chance he had of making the original 12-man roster. But USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo asked the 6-foot-10-inch forward to stick around with the select team of young players training against the national team, knowing he could be called upon as a replacement in case of injury.
Rockets clear space
Houston waived forward Luis Scola, clearing more salary space with a major move in mind. The Rockets have torn apart their 2011-12 roster as they reportedly push Orlando to deal them All-Star center Dwight Howard.
Cutting Scola via the amnesty clause — his remaining contract doesn’t count against the team’s salary cap or luxury tax — allows Houston to absorb multiple undesirable contracts from Orlando in a potential deal. Scola is due to make about $21 million over the next three seasons.
The Rockets are hoping Howard will be catching passes from Jeremy Lin, who officially signed an offer sheet with Houston, a person with direct knowledge of the signing told the AP. Another person familiar with the negotiations said it’s a three-year deal worth about $25 million. Lin is a restricted free agent, so the Knicks have three days to match the offer.
Brand to Mavericks
The Mavericks won the bidding to obtain Elton Brand off waivers. ESPN, citing anonymous sources, reported the winning bid as $2.1 million. Any team under the salary cap was eligible to bid for Brand, who was cut by Philadelphia as an amnesty player. Brand will still get the full $18.1 million salary he is owed, with the 76ers paying the difference. Dallas also completed a one-year deal with center Chris Kaman . . . The Timberwolves traded center Brad Miller and two second-round picks to New Orleans and waived swingman Martell Webster as they continue their pursuit of Portland restricted free agent Nicolas Batum. The Wolves received a conditional second-round pick from the Hornets for Miller, who has said he will retire . . . The Pacers officially re-signed center Roy Hibbert and guard George Hill and signed free agent guard D.J. Augustin to an undisclosed contract . . . The 76ers agreed to a $6 million, two-year contract with Kwame Brown, reuniting the center with his first NBA coach, Doug Collins . . . 76ers guard Xavier Silas needs surgery on several sinus fractures following a collision with a teammate in an Orlando Summer League game . . . In the Nets’ final game of the Orlando Summer League, Marshon Brooks tied the all-time OSL record with 34 points in a 90-77 win over the Pacers. The former Providence star shot 13 of 27 from the field.