July 2017 – Page 13 – NBA Blog

Miami Heat sign Kelly Olynyk

The Miami HEAT they have signed power forward Kelly Olynyk.

According to multiple reports, the contract is for four years, paying around $50 million.

“As soon as Kelly Olynyk became an unrestricted free agent, we pursued him,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He is not only a post player, he can also play away from the basket. What we like the most is that he is a playmaker, tough defender and rugged rebounder. At just 26 years old, he fits in perfect with our young core that will play together in their primes.”

Olynyk appeared in 75 games (six starts) with Boston last season and averaged 9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 20.5 minutes while shooting 51.2 percent from the field, 35.4 percent from three-point range and 73.2 percent from the foul line where he set single-season career highs in assists (148), defensive rebounds (288), field goals made (260), field goal percentage, minutes (1,538) and games played. He became just the second seven-footer in NBA history, joining Dirk Nowitzki, to total at least 200 made three-point field goals and dish out at least 400 assists during his first four seasons in the league.

During last season’s playoff run, Olynyk appeared in 18 postseason games (two starts) and averaged 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 19.2 minutes of action. In Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against Washington he scored 26 points, all off the bench, on 10-of-14 shooting in under 30 minutes to help give his team the win and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Olynyk, a two-time All-Star Rising Stars Challenge selection, has appeared in 278 regular season games (36 starts) during his four-year NBA career and averaged 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 20.7 minutes while shooting 47.7 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from three-point range and 74.3 percent from the foul line. He has made the playoffs in three of his four seasons appearing in 26 postseason games (two starts) and averaging 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 19.2 minutes while shooting 51.2 percent from the field.

Pacers sign Darren Collison

The Indiana Pacers have signed free agent Darren Collison to a contract.

According to multiple reports, the deal is for two years, $20 million.

Collison returns to the Pacers where he played two seasons from 2010-12. In those two seasons with the Pacers he averaged 11.9 points and 5.0 assists over 139 games (135 starts). Collison also played in 16 playoff games in his two seasons with the Pacers, averaging 8.9 points and 3.3 assists per game.

“Having had Darren here in the past, we obviously knew what we were getting, both on the floor and in the locker room,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “When you bring in a player like Darren, you know you’re not only getting a point guard, you’re adding a veteran presence to your team.”

Collison was drafted as the 21st overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by New Orleans. As a rookie in New Orleans, he was named to the 2009-10 NBA All-Rookie First Team. He is an eight-year veteran of the NBA with career averages of 12.7 points and 4.8 assists per game. Prior to the NBA, he played four years at UCLA.

Pacers waive Rakeem Christmas

The Indiana Pacers have waived forward Rakeem Christmas.

Christmas appeared in 30 games and averaged 2.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per game over his two seasons with the Pacers.

Celtics trade Avery Bradley to Pistons for Marcus Morris

The Detroit Pistons have acquired guard Avery Bradley and a 2019 second-round draft choice from the Boston Celtics in exchange for forward Marcus Morris.

Bradley, 26, averaged career highs in points (16.3 ppg), rebounds (6.1 rpg), assists (2.2 apg) and minutes (33.4 mpg) over 55 games for the Celtics last season. He shot 46.3% from the field and 39.0% from three-point range. In 18 postseason games, he averaged 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 35.8 minutes per game.

Drafted 19th overall by Boston in the 2010 NBA Draft, Bradley has averaged 12.1 points (.442 FG, .366 3FG), 3.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 28.1 minutes in 413 career NBA games. The seven-year guard has averaged 15.0 points and shot better than 35% from beyond the arc in each of the last four seasons. He was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team in 2013, the All-Defensive First Team in 2016 and finished sixth in the 2015-16 voting for NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

The 6-2, 180-pound native of Tacoma, WA, played collegiately for one season at the University of Texas where he averaged 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists and was named to the 2009-10 Big 12 All-Rookie Team. As a high schooler, he led Las Vegas’ Findlay Prep to the National High School Championship as a senior and was named the ESPNRISE.com High School National Player of the Year. Bradley was also a McDonald’s All-American, Jordan All-American and First-Team Parade Magazine All-American.

“It’s no secret that Avery had been one of my favorite players, and on behalf of our entire organization, I’d like to thank him and Ashley for all of their contributions on and off the court,” said Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge. “Avery did a lot of the dirty work and often didn’t get the recognition that he deserved, but our coaches, staff, his teammates, and our fans who watched him play every night appreciated what a special player and person he is.”

Continued Ainge: “We are excited to add a high-quality player with the versatile skillset that Marcus possesses. He will be a great fit for our team.”

A six-year NBA veteran, Morris, 27, has averaged 10.8 points (42.8% FG, 35.5% 3-PT, 71.7% FT), 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 26.2 minutes over 416 career games (218 starts) with Houston, Phoenix and Detroit. He is one of 20 NBA players to have averaged at least 13.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and shoot at least 33.0% from beyond the arc in each of the last two seasons.

In 79 games with Detroit in 2016-17, Morris (6-9, 235 lbs) averaged 14.0 points (41.8% FG, 33.1% 3-PT, 78.4% FT), 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 32.5 minutes. The University of Kansas product and Philadelphia, PA native produced career highs in points (14.1 ppg), rebounds (5.1 rpg), assists (2.5 apg) and minutes played (35.7 mpg) with the Pistons in 2015-16. His 2,856 minutes played that season ranked fifth throughout the NBA.

Pistons withdraw qualifying offer to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Detroit Pistons have withdrawn their qualifying offer and renounced the rights to guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound shooting guard appeared in 76 games (75 starts) last season and averaged 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, a career-high 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Caldwell-Pope led the team in scoring 17 times and among NBA league leaders, he ranked 37th in minutes per game (33.3 mpg).

Selected by Detroit in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft (#8 overall), the Thomaston, Georgia native compiled averages of 11.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 30.2 minutes in 314 career NBA games (274 starts). Caldwell-Pope was selected to the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star 2015.

Hawks hire Chris Jent as assistant coach

The Atlanta Hawks have hired Chris Jent as an assistant coach, it was announced today by Head Coach Mike Budenholzer.

Jent, who spent last season as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Ohio State, is a veteran NBA coach, having been on staff with the Philadelphia 76ers (2003-04), Orlando Magic (2004-05, including a stint as interim head coach), Cleveland Cavaliers (2006-11) and Sacramento Kings (2013-14).

He served as head coach of the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA G League in 2015-16.

“Chris is a great fit with our coaching staff. Player development is at the core of our basketball program and he has a track record of improving players’ skill level and understanding of the game at every level,” Budenholzer said. “His experiences as a coach and former player will add to our group.”

Jent spent 10 seasons playing professionally, including two years in the NBA. He was a member of the 1994 NBA Champion Houston Rockets and also played for the New York Knicks during the 1996-97 season. Jent played five seasons in the CBA and also spent time playing overseas in Australia, Italy, Spain and Greece.

Jent grew up in Sparta, NJ before heading to Ohio State. He played four seasons (1988-92) and helped lead the Buckeyes to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments and back-to-back Big Ten championships.

Heat trade Josh McRoberts to Mavericks

The Miami Heat have traded forward Josh McRoberts, a 2023 second round draft pick and cash considerations to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for center AJ Hammons.

McRoberts (6-10, 240) played 22 games with 14 starts for the Miami Heat last season and averaged 4.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists in 17.3 minutes. He suffered a stress fracture in his left foot on 12/23 and missed the remainder of the season.

The 10-year career veteran has played for six teams (Portland, Indiana, L.A. Lakers, Orlando, Charlotte and Miami) after getting drafted 37th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2007. He has career averages of 5.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 19.2 minutes in 431 games (179 starts) while shooting a clip of 46.4% from the field and 70.5% from the line.

Hammons (7-0, 250) appeared in 22 games for Dallas as a rookie last season, averaging 2.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 7.4 minutes per game.

The 46th overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft also appeared in 15 games (14 starts) for the Mavericks G-League affiliate Texas Legends and averaged 12.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 25.7 minutes.

The center finished his four years at Purdue ranked on many of its all-time lists including rebounds (3rd), blocks (2nd) and scoring (17th). Hammons garnered Second Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors as a junior and was named Big Ten All-Freshman Team in his first collegiate season.

The Gary, Ind., native attended high school at basketball-power Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) where he was named a McDonald’s All-American.

Grizzlies sign Ben McLemore

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced that the team signed guard Ben McLemore to a multi-year contract.

Per multiple reports, the contract is a two-year, $10.7 million deal.

“We want to welcome Ben McLemore to the Grizzlies organization,” Wallace said. “Ben brings tremendous athleticism, significant upside and a tireless work ethic to our franchise, while adding more outside shooting to our rotation. We are confident he will continue his development as a player and thrive under head coach David Fizdale and his staff.”

McLemore (6-5, 195) has appeared in 293 games (216 starts) and averaged 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.5 minutes over a four-year NBA career with the Sacramento Kings. He owns career shooting percentages of 41.7 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from three-point range and 78.0 percent from the free throw line. Last season, the 24-year-old competed in 61 games (26 starts) and averaged 8.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 19.3 minutes while shooting a career-high 38.2 percent from three-point range.

The St. Louis native was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft following his freshman season at the University of Kansas, where he set the Jayhawks’ freshman record for scoring average (15.9 points) and was named First Team All-Big 12 and Second Team All-America by The Associated Press, National Basketball Coaches Association and United States Basketball Writers Association.

Raptors re-sign Kyle Lowry

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have re-signed three-time NBA All-Star Kyle Lowry to a multi-year contract.

“Kyle has been a valuable part of our team’s success the past five years,” said Raptors President Masai Ujiri. “He has grown as a player and person during his time in Toronto and we are excited that he wants to be here to help us continue building a championship program.”

Per multiple reports, Lowry signed a three-year contract worth $100 million.

In five seasons with Toronto, Lowry is averaging 18.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 35.0 minutes during 354 regular season games. He is also averaging 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 39 playoff appearances. Lowry is the Raptors’ all-time career leader with 828 made three-pointers, second in assists (2,405) and sixth in scoring with 6,430 points. Over the past four seasons he leads all Eastern Conference players with 727 three-pointers made.

A native of Philadelphia, Lowry is one of three players in team history to make three consecutive NBA All-Star appearances, joining Vince Carter and Chris Bosh. He was voted as a starter twice – 2015 in New York and 2016 in Toronto. Lowry earned Eastern Conference Player of the Month honours twice with the Raptors (December 2014 and January 2016) and named East Player of the Week three times (last: February 22-28, 2016).

Lowry averaged a career-high 22.4 points and shot a career-best .412 (193-468) from three-point range during 60 appearances in the 2016-17 season. He led the team in scoring 24 times and finished ninth in the NBA averaging 7.0 assists.

Lowry has made at least 100 three-pointers in five consecutive seasons with Toronto. He made a franchise-record and career-best 212 three-pointers during the 2015-16 season, which ranked fifth in the NBA.

The Raptors acquired Lowry from the Houston Rockets on July 11, 2012 in exchange for Gary Forbes and a first-round draft pick. He was a first-round selection (24th overall) by Memphis in the 2006 NBA Draft. Lowry has appeared in 713 regular season games (477 starts), averaging 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 30.9 minutes for Memphis, Houston and Toronto.

Raptors re-sign Serge Ibaka

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have re-signed free-agent forward-centre Serge Ibaka (Surge ee-BAK-ah) to a multi-year contract.

According to the Toronto Star, the deal is a “a three-year, $65 million (all figures US) contract.”

“We are thrilled with the skills and intangibles Serge brings to our team,” said Raptors President Masai Ujiri. “He is one of the top two-way power forwards in the NBA and his ability to stretch the floor is a valuable asset today’s game.”

Ibaka, 6-foot-10, 235 pounds, averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks (10th in the NBA) and 30.7 minutes in 79 games (all starts) last season between Orlando and Toronto. He shot a career-best .391 (124-317) from three-point range and set a single-season career high for three-point field goals. Ibaka averaged 14.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 30.7 minutes in 10 playoff games. The Raptors acquired him from the Magic on February 14 in exchange for Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick.

A native of the Republic of Congo, Ibaka owns career averages of 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 29.1 minutes in 603 career games (492 starts) with Oklahoma City, Orlando and Toronto. He posted career highs of 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds in 2013-14 with the Thunder.

Ibaka has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14) and led the League in blocks in four consecutive seasons (2010-14).

Ibaka scored a career-high 31 points November 13, 2016 at Oklahoma City. He set personal bests of 22 rebounds February 19, 2015 versus Dallas and 11 blocked shots February 19, 2012 versus Denver.
In the postseason, Ibaka is averaging 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 31.0 minutes in 99 career games (93 starts). He has reached the Western Conference finals four times with one NBA finals appearance in 2012.

Ibaka was selected 24th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics. The Magic acquired him from Oklahoma City on June 23, 2016 in exchange for Ersan Ilyasova, Victor Oladipo and the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis.

Prior to the NBA, Ibaka played professionally in Spain for three seasons (2006-09). He also captured a silver medal with Spain at the 2012 Olympics.