October 2017 – Page 11 – NBA Blog

Sixers convert Jacob Pullen contract, sign Andrew Andrews, Marc Loving and James Webb III.

The Philadelphia 76ers have converted guard Jacob Pullen’s contract to a two-way contract, 76ers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo announced today.

And in separate moves, Philadelphia has agreed to terms with guard Andrew Andrews, forward Marc Loving and forward James Webb III.

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to sign two players to two-way contracts in addition to the 15-man NBA regular-season roster. A two-way player for the Sixers will provide services to the team’s G League affiliate – the Delaware 87ers – but can spend up to 45 days with the Sixers, not including any time spent with the Sixers prior to the start of Sevens’ training camp or following the conclusion of the Sevens’ regular season. Pullen is the second player that the Sixers have signed to a two-way contract, joining James Michael McAdoo.

Pullen appeared in four preseason games with the Sixers, posting averages of 2.8 points and 1.0 assist in 6.8 minutes per game. He most recently played professionally for BC Khimki of the VTB United League in Russia. Across VTB and Eurocup play, Pullen appeared in 40 games and averaged 10 points and two assists per contest. Since 2011, he has played professionally in Italy, Israel, Spain and Croatia in addition to his most recent season in Russia.

A 6-foot-1-inch guard, Pullen starred at Kansas State from 2007-11, averaging 16 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals across 135 games (67 starts). As a senior in 2010-11, he posted 20 points and four assists per game as he was named First Team All-Big 12; an honor he also earned as a junior. The Wildcats reached the NCAA Tournament in three of Pullen’s four seasons at the school, including an appearance in the 2010 Elite Eight.

Andrews spent last season playing for Best Balikesir Basketbol Kulubu in the Turkish Basketball Super League. He appeared in 19 games (18 starts) and averaged 14.2 points on .431 shooting along with 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Andrews was undrafted in 2016, following a four-year career at University of Washington, which included 2016 Pac-12 All-Conference First Team honors after leading the league in scoring (20.9 ppg). The Portland, Oregon native spent 2016 training camp with the Charlotte Hornets, appearing in three preseason games.

Loving was undrafted in 2017. He played four seasons at Ohio State University, appearing in 134 games (86 starts) for head coach Thad Matta. For his career, Loving averaged 10.0 points on .419 shooting with 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 25.5 minutes for the Buckeyes. As a junior, he helped Ohio State reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament, earning 2016 All-Big Ten honorable mention honors. Loving is a native of Toledo, Ohio.

Webb III spent the 2016-17 season with the Delaware 87ers of the NBA G League, appearing in 39 games (all starts) averaging 13.1 points on .447 shooting and 9.3 rebounds in 34.8 minutes per contest. The Augusta, Georgia native was on the Sixers 2016 training camp roster, appearing in six preseason games before joining the Sevens for the regular season. Webb III was undrafted 2016 after three standout seasons with the Boise State University basketball program where he was named Mountain West All-Conference First Team as a senior.

Sixers waive Emeka Okafor, Kris Humphries and James Blackmon Jr

The Philadelphia 76ers have waived guard James Blackmon Jr., forward Kris Humphries and center Emeka Okafor, 76ers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo announced today.

Blackmon Jr. originally signed with Philadelphia on Aug. 30 after spending time with the Sixers Summer League teams in Utah and Las Vegas. He appeared in four preseason games and averaged 3.0 points in 5.6 minutes per game.

Humphries and Okafor both signed with the Sixers on Sept. 26. Humphries played in three preseason games, while Okafor appeared in four.

Grizzlies waive Durand Scott

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced that the Grizzlies waived guard Durand Scott.

Scott (6-5, 203) appeared in one preseason game after signing with the Grizzlies on Oct. 8, recording two points, one assist and one steal in seven minutes in the team’s preseason finale on Oct. 13 vs. New Orleans.

The 27-year-old New York City native has played professionally in Spain, Israel, Puerto Rico and Italy following a four-year collegiate career at the University of Miami.

Hawks exercise contract options on DeAndre` Bembry and Taurean Prince

The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the third-year (2018-19) options on the contracts of DeAndre’ Bembry and Taurean Prince, the team announced today.

Bembry, the 21st overall pick by the Hawks in the 2016 NBA Draft, averaged 2.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.8 minutes (.480 FG%) last season. He compiled 17.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 26.3 minutes (.565 FG%) in four games at the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2017 in Las Vegas.

Prince, acquired by the Hawks from the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade on July 7, 2016, was originally the 12th overall pick by Utah in the 2016 NBA Draft. As a rookie, he put in 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16.6 minutes in 59 games (10 starts). He started all six games of Atlanta’s first round playoff series with Washington last season, recording 11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 31.2 minutes (.558 FG%, 1.000 FT%).

Hawks trade for Kay Felder, Richard Jefferson, then waive both players

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired Kay Felder, Richard Jefferson, two future second-round draft picks and cash considerations from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for the rights to Dimitrios Agravanis and Sergiy Gladyr, the team announced today.

The picks include the lesser of the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2019 second-round picks, and a protected 2020 Portland Trail Blazers’ second-rounder.

“These situations and decisions are some of the toughest to be in and have to make. Certainly, both RJ and Kay are two guys we also wanted to have here with us this season,” said Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman.

“RJ embodies all of the things you could want in a veteran player and teammate. His consistent success at a very high level over many years is a reflection of the kind of high quality player and person he is. His steady leadership, great attitude, dependability and performance helped us win an NBA Championship and we are grateful for all of his contributions on the court and within our locker room. Kay is a young, hard-working, talented player who has the potential for a bright and long future in this league as well. His daily dedication and hard work are going to help him greatly.”

“We thank RJ and Kay and wish them the very best as they move on to the next chapter of their NBA careers.”

The two draft picks that Cleveland is sending to Atlanta in the deal are Portland’s 2020 second round pick, provided such pick falls between 56-60, and the more favorable of Minnesota’s own 2019 second round draft pick and the Los Angeles Lakers’ own 2019 second round draft pick.

Agravanis (6-10, 235) has played for Olympiacos in the Greek Basketball League since 2013 and was the 59th overall pick by the Hawks in the 2015 NBA Draft. In 2016-17, he played in 51 total games (nine starts) for Olympiacos in Greece and Euroleague play with averages of 4.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. Over his career, the 22-year-old has helped his teams capture the FIBA Intercontinental Cup (2013) and two Greek League titles (2015, 2016).

Gladyr (6-5, 190) was selected by Atlanta with the 49th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and has spent the past two seasons with the French League club AS Monaco Basket. Gladyr, who also participated in Summer League with the Hawks in 2010 and 2013, averaged 9.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 20.5 minutes over 53 total games (nine starts) for Monaco in the French League, Basketball Champions League and Leaders Cup during the 2016-17 season. He is a two-time Leaders Cup winner (2016, 2017), Leaders Cup MVP (2017) and French Cup winner (2014).

Jefferson (6-7, 233) spent the previous two seasons with the Cavaliers, playing in 153 games (18 starts) with averages of 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds in 19.2 minutes. A member of the Cavaliers’ 2016 NBA championship team, Jefferson appeared in 35 postseason games for Cleveland and averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.0 minutes. The 16-year veteran originally signed with the Cavaliers on August 5, 2015.

Felder (5-9, 176) appeared in 42 games for Cleveland in 2016-17, averaging 4.0 points and 1.4 assists in 9.2 minutes. He was the No. 54 pick of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks and was acquired by the Cavaliers on draft night.

UPDATE: The Atlanta Hawks have already requested waivers on Kay Felder and Richard Jefferson.

Suns waive Tidjan Keita

The Phoenix Suns have waived forward Tidjan Keita (pronounced tid-JON kay-EE-tah).

Keita had just signed with the Suns yesterday, October 13. Hopefully he at least got a free t-shirt.

The Suns’ roster now stands at 18 players.

Knicks waive Trey Burke, Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Nigel Hayes

The New York Knicks have waived guards Trey Burke and Xavier Rathan-Mayes and forward Nigel Hayes.

Burke, 6-1, 190-pounds, was originally signed on Oct. 11 and did not appear in the preseason. Rathan-Mayes, 6-4, 205-pounds, was originally signed on Aug. 18 and appeared in three preseasons games, scoring two points in 28 minutes. Hayes, 6-8, 240-pounds, was originally signed on Aug. 18 and appeared in four preseason games, scoring nine points in 33 minutes.

Bucks waive Brandon Rush, Joel Anthony and Gary Payton II

The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on Joel Anthony, Gary Payton II and Brandon Rush.

Anthony signed with the Bucks on Sept. 24 and appeared in four preseason games and averaged 1.8 points and 4.0 rebounds.

Payton originally signed with Milwaukee on April 2 and played in six games during the 2016-17 season where he averaged 3.3 points, 2.2 assists and 2.0 rebounds. He appeared in four preseason games and averaged 7.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

Rush signed with Milwaukee on Sept. 19. He appeared in three games and averaged 2.7 points per contest.

The Bucks roster now stands at 15 players.

Glenn Robinson III out 3-4 months

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Glenn Robinson III underwent surgery Friday for a repair of medial and lateral ligaments in his left ankle. The surgery was performed by the Pacers’ medical staff at Orthopedic Indiana Hospital.

Robinson III is expected to return in approximately three to four months.

This evaluation will be updated as warranted through the rehabilitation process.

Trail Blazers waive Isaiah Briscoe, Archie Goodwin and Anthony Morrow

The Portland Trail Blazers have waived guards Isaiah Briscoe, Archie Goodwin and Anthony Morrow, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey.

All three players were signed to training camp contracts last month.

Briscoe, 21, averaged 6.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 11.1 minutes in six games (one start) for the Trail Blazers this preseason.

Goodwin, 23, posted preseason averages of 6.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 10.4 minutes in five games.

Morrow, 32, finished the preseason averaging 4.8 points, 0.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 10.2 minutes in five games.

Portland’s roster stands at 14 players entering the season opener on Oct. 18 at Phoenix.