Quincy Pondexter is moving north.
The former University of Washington star was traded by the New Orleans Hornets to the Memphis Grizzlies for backup point guard Greivis Vasquez on Saturday.
A native of Fresno, Calif., Pondexter left the Huskies as the school’s career leader in games played (136) and third all-time in scoring (1,786 points), after averaging 19.3 points and 7.4 rebounds on .528 shooting in 36 games as a senior.
Originally selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round (26th overall) of the 2010 NBA draft, Pondexter’s rights were acquired by New Orleans in a draft-night deal on June 24, 2010.
The Grizzlies project the 6-foot-6 Pondexter as the backup at small forward behind starter Rudy Gay.
Pondexter had 14 points, 12 rebounds and two steals against the Grizzlies during an exhibition game Wednesday. He appeared in 66 games and started six for the Hornets last season, averaging 11.1 minutes per game along with 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest.
Vasquez, the No. 28 overall pick in 2010 out of Maryland, was a star for Memphis during last season’s first-round playoff upset of San Antonio.
ROBINSON CUT
The Oklahoma City Thunder waived guard Nate Robinson.
The former Washington Huskies star was a midseason acquisition from the Boston Celtics last season and appeared in four games for the Thunder. He averaged 3.3 points and 1.5 assists in 7.5 minutes per game.
Robinson, at 5-9, won the NBA Slam Dunk contest at the All-Star Game in 2006, ’09 and ’10.
Robinson was the No. 21 overall pick by Phoenix in 2005.
DURANT’S TWEETS
When you have more than a million followers on Twitter, traffic jams are to be expected.
Durant’s tweets caused a few traffic jams in Oklahoma City streets when the Oklahoma City Thunder star informed his more than 1 million Twitter followers he would be giving out shoes at various locations in Oklahoma City.
“Aight I’m headed out in the van to spread some holiday hoop cheer in OKC,” Durant tweeted. “Meet up if u wanna make sure #basketballneverstops next yr.”
Durant then gave away backpacks in Santa Monica, Calif., on Saturday.
Durant likes to give away gifts during the Christmas season. Durant surprised about 120 foster children last year with a visit and gifts.
Durant was the No. 2 overall pick by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007.
FASTBREAKS
Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant said he was OK but declined to answer any questions about the torn ligament in his right wrist. “I’m fine,” Bryant said after the Lakers practiced for today’s opener against Chicago. “I’m not talking about my injury.” … The Grizzlies signed forward Dante Cunningham after the Charlotte Bobcats declined to match Memphis’ offer to the restricted free agent. … The Miami Heat decided to keep rookie free agents Mickell Gladness and Terrel Harris and released veteran guard Eddie House, a second-round pick in 2000 out of Arizona State.
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