Hello and welcome to the 6 O’Clock News.
As the NBA regular season dies down and the playoff races heat up, we’ll keep you updated every day at 6 O’Clock. What’s happening today?
Here’s the latest news around the league:
Knicks sign Quentin Richardson; Spurs sign McGrady for playoffs.
After receiving word that Tyson Chandler, Kenyon Martin, and Rasheed Wallace will all be available for the postseason, the New York Knicks decided to waive Solomon Jones on Monday. Today, with Jones’ roster space available, New York has agreed to terms with veteran guard Quentin Richardson. 
Richardson, a 12-year veteran, has not played for an NBA team this season. Richardson played four seasons in New York from 2005-2009 and will likely see limited (if any) action as a reserve in the postseason.
Ironically, when the Knicks first acquired Richardson back in 2005, they had to give up Kurt Thomas in the deal. Eight years later, the Knicks indirectly had to part with Thomas again last week to re-acquire Richardson today.
For his career, Richardson has averaged 10.3 points per game and 4.7 rebounds. He won the NBA’s 2005 Three-Point Shootout.
The San Antonio Spurs announced they have signed forward Tracy McGrady, who spent the past season in China.
He will occupy the roster spot left empty when the Spurs cut Stephen Jackson last week.
In 938 career NBA games, McGrady has averaged 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.21 steals in 32.7 minutes. The 6-8, 225-pound forward has suited up in 44 career playoffs games, averaging 25.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.16 steals in 38.5 minutes.
McGrady was named All-NBA First Team in 2002 and 2003, All-NBA Second Team in 2001, 2004 and 2007, and All-NBA Third Team in 2005 and 2008. He led the NBA in scoring in 2002-03 after averaging a career-high 32.1 points and again in 2003-04 with 28.0 ppg.
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The seven-time NBA All-Star was drafted by the Toronto Raptors with the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 1997 NBA Draft. He has also suited up for the Orlando Magic (2000-04), Houston Rockets (2004-10), New York Knicks (2010), Detroit Pistons (2010-11) and the Atlanta Hawks (2011-12).
The 33-year old spent the 2012-13 season playing for Qingdao of the Chinese Basketball League. In 29 games he averaged 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.55 steals in 31.6 minutes.
Shabazz Muhammad declares for NBA Draft.
According to the Associated Press, Shabazz Muhammad’s UCLA career will end after only one season in Westwood. The decision for Muhammad to declare for the draft does not come as much of a shock; Muhammad’s freshman season was surrounded by controversy, criticism, and an NCAA investigation. He was required to sit out the Bruins’ first three games of the season and was also forced to repay $1,600 dollars worth of impermissible benefits that he had received as a top recruit in high school.
It was also revealed last month that Muhammad, 20, is actually full year older than he and his family had been alleging all throughout his amateur career.
Still, Muhammad will reflect back on his time in Los Angeles with a smile.
“I am so thankful for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play at UCLA and will always be proud to be a Bruin,” Muhammad said in a statement released by the school. “From a young age, I have dreamed of playing in the NBA, and I believe that this is the right time for me to move to the next level.” 
Muhammad was the number two recruit in the country last season and led UCLA in scoring with 17.9 points per game. In the 14 games in which Muhammad scored more than 20 points this season, the Bruins went 12-2.
One major question mark for NBA teams in scouting Muhammad is whether he will be able to become more of a team player. He only averaged 0.8 assists per game and will undoubtedly need to develop a better basketball IQ if he hopes to succeed in the NBA. Regardless, Muhammad’s 6’6″ build and elite scoring ability will make him a likely lottery pick. We have him going eighth here.
Rick Carlisle rips O.J. Mayo’s effort.
While the Mavericks may be eliminated from playoff contention, Rick Carlisle is not willing to watch his team lie down and quit. Last night, Carlisle was especially displeased with O.J. Mayo’s sloppy play and lack of effort in Dallas’ loss to Memphis.
According to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com, Carlisle very publicly expressed his disappointment and frustration with Mayo’s performance. According to an unnamed player, Carlisle screamed at Mayo during an intermission and told him, “I called that timeout just to get you out of the game!”
After the game, Carlisle was candid to reporters:
“I just want to see him show up. I just want to see him show up and compete. He didn’t compete tonight. And I tell you, with all the time we’ve put into helping him develop and bringing him along, in the biggest game of the year — an opportunity to be a winning team — for him to show up like he did tonight, I was shocked.” 
This will be Dallas’ first playoff absence in 13 years. Moreover, Dallas has not finished below .500 since 1999-2000. With just one game left in the season, Dallas must win to finish the season at .500.
Mayo’s disappointing effort was especially surprising to Carlisle as Mayo was facing his former team.
“But I tell you what, if I was playing against my former team, I’d come out ready to go. I’d come out ready to go at them. But that’s me. You know, that’s me.”
Mayo has a player option for $4.2 million next season. It is widely speculated that Mayo will decline the option and pursue a more lucrative contract in the offseason.
