Sixers sign Ariel Hukporti

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey announced today that the team has signed Ariel Hukporti.

In 54 games for the New York Knicks last season, Hukporti, 24, averaged 2.2 points on 56.3-percent shooting and 2.9 rebounds in 9.2 minutes.

The 7-0 center notched career highs in rebounds (16), assists (4), and blocked shots (4), to go along with eight points against Atlanta on Jan. 2, 2026. Hukporti registered a career-high 12 points and added nine boards and two blocks against Washington on Feb. 3, 2026.

Hukporti appeared in 10 playoff games for New York during its championship run, averaging 1.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 7.6 minutes.

Heat sign Tim Hardaway Jr

The Miami HEAT have signed guard Tim Hardaway Jr.

“Hardaway is obviously a great name around here,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “Tim Jr. is one of the most explosive shooters in the league and a player we have long coveted. We are thrilled to finally be able to bring him home.”

Hardaway Jr., who finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting, appeared in 80 games (six starts) with Denver last season and averaged 13.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 26.6 minutes while shooting 44.7 percent from the field, a career-high 40.7 percent from three-point range and 81.1 percent from the foul line. He made 224 three-point field goals, the second-most during a single season in Nuggets franchise history. He scored in double-figures 57 times, including 17 20-point games and one 30-point performance. He led the team in steals 10 times, in blocks on four occasions and in points once. Hardaway Jr. connected on multiple three-point field goals 57 times, including 13 contests with at least five made. Additionally, he made at least seven treys while playing under 28 minutes a career best three times last season, now doing so on eight occasions in his career, helping his teams to a perfect 8-0 record over that span.

Heat sign Andrew Wiggins to contract extension

The Miami HEAT have signed forward Andrew Wiggins to a contract extension.

“Andrew Wiggins has proven to us that he is the quintessential small forward who fits perfectly with this roster,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “We feel he will be a critical part of what we’re trying to achieve with this team going forward and we feel fortunate that we were able to extend him.”

Wiggins started in all 68 games he appeared in last season with the HEAT and averaged 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.12 steals, 1.01 blocks and 30.3 minutes, becoming the only Miami player last season to average at least each of those totals. He shot 47.5 percent from the field, 41.4 percent from three-point range and a career-high 78.4 percent from the foul line. He scored in double-figures 60 times, including 14 20-point games and one 30-point performance. He led the team in scoring seven times, plus/minus six times, rebounds three times and assists twice. Additionally, he hit the game-winning basket on November 10 vs. Cleveland, his third career game-winner, and scored the 15,000th point of his career on February 21.

Nets sign Keon Ellis

The Brooklyn Nets have signed guard Keon Ellis to a multi-year contract.

Ellis (6’4”, 175) has appeared in 225 career games (60 starts) across four seasons with the Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers, holding career averages of 6.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 19.9 minutes per contest. Undrafted out of Alabama in 2022, Ellis signed a two-way contract with Sacramento ahead of the 2022-23 season and was traded to Cleveland at the 2026 trade deadline. The Eustis, Fla., native shot over 40.0 percent from 3-point distance in each of his first three seasons, holding career shooting marks of 46.5 percent from the floor, 40.7 percent from deep and 77.8 percent from the free throw line. In 29 games with the Cavaliers to end last season, Ellis averaged career-highs of 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and a 49.1 percent rate from the floor.

Spurs sign Tobias Harris

The San Antonio Spurs have signed Tobias Harris.

Harris, 6-8/230, appeared in 63 games (all starts) for the Detroit Pistons last season and averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.92 steals in 27.7 minutes per game. Over the course of the season, he scored 20+ points 10 times and 15+ points 24 times and posted three double doubles. Harris helped lead the Pistons back to the postseason and win their first playoff series since 2008, averaging 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.50 steals in 34.6 minutes during the Pistons run.

Rockets trade Dorian Finney-Smith to Hornets

The Houston Rockets have traded forward Dorian Finney-Smith to Charlotte along with three second round draft picks (Memphis’ in 2027; Houston’s in 2028 and 2033) in exchange for cash considerations.

In 10 NBA seasons, Finney-Smith has appeared in 628 games with 445 starts while averaging 8.0 points and 4.4 rebounds. He played in 37 games for the Rockets last season.

Lakers hire Yao Williams II as Vice President and Head of Global Partnerships

The Los Angeles Lakers recently named Yao Williams II Vice President and Head of Global Partnerships.

Williams will lead the Lakers global partnerships team, including partnership sales, business solutions and partnership activation, driving revenue-generating opportunities and creating innovative programming and platforms to maximize brand value. Williams has a proven track record of securing both domestic and international large-scale deals while leading high-performing sales teams.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have Yao Williams join the Lakers business and lead our global partnership team,” said Los Angeles Lakers President of Business Operations Lon Rosen. “Yao is an engaging leader with an appetite for innovation that will help drive performance and deliver best-in-class experiences for Lakers partners.”

Williams brings two decades of experience in global sales and brand partnerships across the sports and entertainment industries, including time at the National Basketball Association and Manchester City Football Club. Most recently, Williams co-led global partnerships at Elevate Sports Ventures.

Lakers name Elaine Shen as new Chief Financial Officer

The Los Angeles Lakers have named Elaine Shen Chief Financial Officer.

Shen will oversee all financial aspects of the Los Angeles Lakers, shaping strategic growth, driving profitability and creating continued value for the global franchise. In a related move, Joe McCormack will shift to an executive advisory role as Senior Vice President of Finance for the Lakers.

Shen joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016 and has held a variety of strategic roles across the organization in both business and basketball operations. Most recently, Shen served as the Lakers Associate Chief Financial Officer.

“Elaine Shen is an exceptional leader and catalyst for success,” said Los Angeles Lakers President of Business Operations Lon Rosen. “She brings an artful and considerate approach to every table, combined with the ability to build consensus and make tough decisions. Elaine is a trusted advisor and the perfect modern CFO to help lead the next stage of transformation for the Los Angeles Lakers.”

Prior to the Lakers, Shen worked at Aon and Wachovia Bank. Shen is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and earned her Master of Business Administration at UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Hawks sign Head Coach Quin Snyder to contract extension

The Atlanta Hawks and Head Coach Quin Snyder have agreed to a multi-year contract extension.

Snyder led the Hawks to a 46-win regular season in 2025-26, a six-win improvement from 2024-25, and the Southeast Division title. It also marked the club’s most wins since the 2015-16 season, while advancing to the Eastern Conference Playoffs for the first time since 2022-23 and the 50th time in franchise history. Atlanta averaged a franchise-best, and league-leading, 30.1 assists per game during the 2025-26 regular season, the ninth-most assists per game in a single season in NBA history.

“Quin has been a phenomenal leader for our team, and extending his contract reflects our commitment to stability and sustained growth as we build toward high-level success,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh. “Over the past three seasons and amid an evolving roster, we’ve seen clear, measurable progress, which is a testament to the culture he’s established and the leadership he brings every day. He has created an environment where our players are challenged, supported, and empowered to grow, and that focus on player development has elevated our entire program.”

“I am grateful to the Ressler family and humbled to continue leading this team. I love this group of players, love coaching this team and am fortunate to have a tremendous coaching staff. Atlanta has truly been home for my family, and I am excited to continue this journey,” Snyder said. “Tony, Jami and the entire Ressler family are deeply committed to providing us every resource we need for success and the partnership Onsi and I have developed is strong, with the shared focus of bringing Hawks fans the success they deserve.”

Heat extend broadcast deal with WPLG Local 10

The HEAT and WPLG Local 10 today announced a newly expanded media rights agreement, making the South Florida station home of HEAT basketball during the 2026-27 season.

Beginning in October, Local 10 will air all non-nationally televised HEAT games on free, over-the-air television. This agreement allows millions of viewers across South Florida access to HEAT games throughout WPLG’s full broadcast reach. In addition, WPLG will provide Spanish language audio via Secondary Audio Programming (SAP).

“We’re very excited to be on Local 10 this upcoming season,” said Michael McCullough, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Miami HEAT. “Last season was a great experience not only for the HEAT and Local 10, but the fans as well. The increased viewership proved the strength of this partnership and the benefit of having the local reach of WPLG was unmistakable. We’re looking forward to taking this to the next level this upcoming season and giving HEAT Nation a truly special viewing experience.”