Muhammad, who was kicked out of the NBAs rookie transition

DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons officially announced the next step in their win-now plan Wednesday, acquiring point guard Brandon Jennings from the Milwaukee Bucks for guard Brandon Knight and two other players. "We believe Brandons talent and skill-set will complement the core group of players we have assembled on our roster in a positive way," Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement released by the team. The Pistons also gave up two seldom-used players, forward Khris Middleton and centre Viacheslav Kravtsov. Detroit has signed free-agents Josh Smith, Chauncey Billups and Luigi Datome this off-season after drafting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with the No. 8 overall pick, but it didnt have a standout point guard until agreeing to a deal with Milwaukee. The Pistons seem to have improved their chances of ending their four-year post-season drought with a series of moves this summer. The 23-year-old Jennings averaged 17.5 points and a career-high 6.5 assists last season, ranking among the leagues top 20 in both categories, and 2.5 turnovers. The restricted free agent has agreed to a $24 million, three-year contract with the Pistons. Milwaukee drafted Jennings 10th overall in 2009 out of Oak Hill Academy and he averaged 17 points, 5.7 assists and 2.4 turnovers over four seasons with the Bucks, who couldve matched any offer made to the restricted free agent this off-season. "We evaluated all of our options and we determined this was the best one for us at this time," Bucks general manager John Hammond said in a telephone interview. Detroit drafted Knight eighth overall in 2011 out of Kentucky. He averaged 13.1 points, 3.9 assists and 2.7 turnovers over the last two seasons. "Were excited about being able to add a young point guard, who we expect to have a long and successful career with us," Hammond said. Middleton, a second-round pick last year, averaged 6.1 points in 27 games with the Pistons. "This is going to be a great opportunity for Khris because hes going to have a chance to earn viable minutes and we hope he takes advantage of it," Hammond said. The 6-foot-11 Kravtsov averaged 3.1 points in 25 games last season as a rookie, and might not end up being on the opening-day roster with the Bucks. Milwaukee, coming off its first post-season in three years, signed free agent combo guard Gary Neal to a two-year deal worth just under $6 million on Tuesday. Neal will help add some scoring to a backcourt that will be without Monta Ellis and J.J. Redick next season. Philadelphia Phillies Pro Shop . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. 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Parker had 26 points and eight assists and San Antonio beat Toronto 112-99 Monday night. "We won that game because of Tony Parkers aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long.MINNEAPOLIS -- When it became clear to Kevin Martin that returning to Oklahoma City wasnt an option, one of his first thoughts was to reunite with Rick Adelman, the coach who got him started in the NBA in Sacramento and later helped him become an offensive force in Houston. As much as Martin wanted to play for Adelman, who will begin his third season as coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves in October, it still wasnt exactly clear to him if the desire to get back together was mutual. Adelman is one of the most accomplished coaches in the game, and also one of the hardest to read. He rarely shows much emotion and is known as much for a curmudgeonly demeanour as he is for his famed corner offence. That question was emphatically answered when Martin came to Minnesota in July to sign a four-year deal that will pay him nearly $28 million. "He gave me a hug," Martin remembered on Monday at his introductory press conference. "As we all know Rick, hes not the guy to do anything like that, so thats when it kind of hit the stamp on my decision." Martin played for Adelman during his first two seasons in the league with the Kings, then spent two more years getting coached by him in Houston. In their final season together, Martin averaged 23.5 points, shot 38 per cent on 3-pointers and attempted more than seven free throws a game for the Rockets. When Adelman left, Martin didnt fit in with new coach Kevin McHales system, and he averaged 14 points per game last year in a supporting role with the Thunder. Now back under Adelmans tutelage, and playing for a team that desperately needs more scoring punch in the backcourt, Martin is ready to resume his role as a go-to scorer. New Timberwolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders made adding size and 3-point range at shooting guard his biggest priorities, and it didnt take long for him to zero in on Martin after having discussions with O.J. Mayo and J.J. Redick as well. Martin shot a career-high 42.6 per cent from 3-point range last season and knows Adelmans offence -- built on an intricate web of passing and cutting without the ball -- as well as anyone. Saunders saaid Monday that they were looking for a guy who could give them 17-18 points a game at the spot next season after years of dealing with underperformance at that position.dddddddddddd "I have no pressure doing that," Martin said. "I feel I can do that in my sleep." Martin said it will be a challenge to get back to the 23.5 he averaged in Houston in 2010-11, but he is shooting for 22 per game. If the Wolves get that kind of production to go with Ricky Rubio, the healthy return of Kevin Love and the anticipated re-signing of restricted free agent Nikola Pekovic, their first playoff berth since 2004 could be well within reach. As much as Saunders is looking forward to Martins production on the court, he is also anxious to see the impact his presence has on a young locker room. The 30-year-old is entering his 10th season and has built a reputation as a hard worker and good locker room guy. Martin has already reached out to first-round draft pick Shabazz Muhammad, who was kicked out of the NBAs rookie transition program last week for violating event rules by bringing a woman to his hotel room. Saunders said the team wont impose any more discipline on Muhammad, who will have to attend the program again next year. "The biggest thing in any situation where there are rules and guidelines, you have to abide by them," Saunders said. "That shows discipline. As I explained to him, part of being successful at our level is being disciplined, both on and off the court." For now, Martin is headed back to Florida to start a six-week training program with longtime trainer David Thorpe and several other NBA players, including new teammate Corey Brewer. He knows that if he wants to play bigger minutes and have bigger responsibilities at his age, he cant afford to take any short cuts. "Im hungry for it," he said. Notes: Saunders has been granted permission by the Washington Wizards to talk to assistant GM Milt Newton about a position in the Timberwolves front office. ... F Robbie Hummel, G Othyus Jeffers and G Lorenzo Brown, have all received invites to training camp, Saunders said. ' ' '