NBA-National Basketball Association roundup

Feb 28 (The Sports Xchange) - Former All-Star forward Danny Granger signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday after clearing waivers, the team announced. The San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks all showed interest in Granger, but he chose the Clippers because they offered him the best chance to play meaningful minutes for a contender. Granger, 30, hopes to make his Clippers debut on Saturday against New Orleans. He was officially waived by the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday after agreeing to a buyout of his contract. The 76ers had acquired him from the Indiana Pacers just before the trade deadline in exchange for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen. Granger played in 29 games with the Pacers this season after being hampered by knee and calf injuries. He averaged 8.3 points in 22 minutes, but his career average is 17.6 points a game. He will be a free agent after the season. - - - Forward Caron Butler, whose contract was bought out by the Milwaukee Bucks, plans to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder after he clears waivers on Saturday, according to ESPN.com. Butler agreed to a buyout and was placed on waivers by the Bucks on Thursday. - - - New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his right tibia. The team is not saying how long Holiday's recovery will take, but he is expected to be back with the Pelicans for the 2014-15 season. Holiday averaged 14.3 points, 7.9 assists and 1.6 steals in 34 games this season for New Orleans. - - - Atlanta Hawks forward/center Gustavo Ayon had surgery to repair a right shoulder injury and is out for the rest of the season, the team announced. He averaged 4.3 points on 51 percent shooting, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 block in 16.5 minutes per game over 26 games (14 starts). - - - Boston Celtics forward Gerald Wallace is likely to miss the rest of the season because of ankle and knee injuries, multiple media outlets reported. Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Wallace has been playing with bone spurs in his ankle and also has a torn meniscus in his knee. - - - Houston Rockets center Greg Smith had knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season, the Houston Chronicle reported. - - - The Dallas Mavericks recalled small forward Jae Crowder, center Bernard James and point guard Shane Larkin from the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League. (Editing by Andrew Both)