Month: July 2018

Celtics re-sign Aron Baynes

The Celtics appreciate Aron Baynes’ hustle. Maybe even his hairstyle. And yesterday, the Celtics re-signed the center to a reported two-year, $11 million contract.

Baynes, 31, started in 67 of his 81 games played during his first season with the Celtics in 2017-18, averaging 6.0 points (47.1% FG, 75.6% FT) and 5.4 rebounds in 18.3 minutes. He anchored the Celtics league-leading defense, which allowed just 97.6 points per 100 possessions with him on the court (3rd best among players who played in half of their team’s games).

“Aron was a big part of our success this past year and we’re thrilled to have him back,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “He’s a great teammate and an anchor to our defense. The energy and passion that he brings to the table are contagious.”

The Australian native capped off last season with a career-high 26-point (12-23 FG), 14-rebound performance against Brooklyn on April 11, making him the first Celtics center to produce 25+ points and 14+ rebounds in a single game since Kevin Garnett (12/3/08).

Baynes played in all 19 of Boston’s postseason games in 2018 (12 starts), averaging 6.0 points (50.6 FG, 72.2% FT) and 6.2 rebounds in 20.5 minutes. He also shot a team-best 11-for-23 from beyond the arc (47.8% 3-PT) throughout the NBA Playoffs.

A six-year NBA veteran, Baynes has averaged 5.4 points (50.2% FG, 80.2% FT), 4.4 rebounds and 15.0 minutes in 376 career games (91 starts) with San Antonio, Detroit and Boston.

Three-team trade sends Bismack Biyombo to Hornets, Jerian Grant to Magic

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today that the team has acquired center Bismack Biyombo and two second-round draft picks from the Orlando Magic.

In a three-team trade with the Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls, Charlotte received center Bismack Biyombo and two future second-round picks in the 2019 and 2020 NBA Drafts while sending Timofey Mozgov to the Magic and Julyan Stone to the Bulls.

Additionally, Orlando received guard Jerian Grant from Chicago in the deal.

Biyombo played in all 82 regular-season games with Orlando last season (25 starts), averaging 5.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and a team-high 1.2 blocks in 18.2 minutes per contest. With 95 blocked shots in 2017-18, he ranked 19th in the NBA. Biyombo scored in double figures 14 times, including a career-high 21 points at Washington on Jan. 12. He also recorded seven double-doubles last season.

The seventh-year center began his NBA career in Charlotte after being selected by Sacramento in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft and sent to Charlotte in a draft night trade. Biyombo has appeared in 529 career NBA regular-s‎eason games (210 starts) with Charlotte, Toronto and Orlando, averaging 5.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 20.9 minutes per game, while shooting .513 (992-1933) from the floor. He has also played in 23 career NBA playoff contests (11 starts), averaging 5.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 24.1 minutes per game.

Biyombo, who played for Charlotte from 2011-14, remains fifth in Hornets history in career blocks (443) and blocks per game (1.6), and ranks seventh in career offensive rebounds (571).

Mozgov was acquired by the Hornets in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets on July 6, 2018. Mozgov holds career averages of 6.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game over the course of eight NBA seasons with the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.

Stone (6-6, 200) has played in the NBA for four seasons with career averages of 1.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He went undrafted in 2011, but signed with the Denver Nuggets as a free agent and made his NBA debut on Jan. 11, 2012. Stone has also seen time with the Toronto Raptors (2013-14), and most recently with the Hornets, where he played in 23 games in the 2017-18 season. He also has G League experience with the Idaho Stampede, Iowa Energy and Greensboro Swarm.

Grizzlies hire David Crewe as Head Athletic Trainer

The Memphis Grizzlies have hired David Crewe as Head Athletic Trainer.

Crewe joins the Grizzlies following eight seasons (2010-18) with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he served the last two as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach/Assistant Athletic Trainer and was named the David Craig Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year by the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA) after the 2016-17 season.

In addition, Crewe has served on the board of the NBATA as a Western Conference Assistant Athletic Trainer Representative and was a member of the communications committee for the National Basketball Strength and Conditioning Association (NBSCA).

Prior to his time with the Timberwolves, Crewe spent three years with the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs, working in the team’s athletic training department.

Mavericks waive Kyle Collinsworth

The Dallas Mavericks waived Kyle Collinsworth today.

Collinsworth (6-6, 210) was most recently signed by the Mavericks on Feb. 8, 2018 and remained on the roster for the duration of the season. During his 2017-18 campaign with Dallas, he averaged 3.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 15.0 minutes in 32 games (2 starts).

The former BYU guard has also played in 56 games (35 starts) for the Mavericks’ G-League affiliate, the Texas Legends, over the past two seasons (2016-18). In 20 games (19 starts) for the Legends in 2017-18, he averaged 11.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.8 steals in 35.6 minutes per game.

A native of Provo, Utah, Collinsworth played four years at BYU and averaged 12.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 30.9 minutes per game in 140 games. He was a three-time First Team All-WCC selection (2014-16) and set the NCAA career triple-double record with 12.

Lakers sign rookie Isaac Bonga

Lakers sign rookie Isaac Bonga

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Isaac Bonga.

The 39th overall pick in this years’ NBA Draft, Bonga was acquired from Philadelphia today in exchange for a 2019 second round draft pick and cash considerations. Bonga joins the Lakers from Fraport Skyliners in Germany and has competed internationally with the German National Team in qualifying rounds of the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Bonga is expected to join the Lakers summer league team in Las Vegas for their opening contest versus Philadelphia, tomorrow at 8:30 p.m.

Dallas Mavericks sign DeAndre Jordan

Center DeAndre Jordan almost became a Dallas Maverick years ago. Then backed out when players aren’t supposed to back out. Caught a lot of flack for it. But now once again committed to the Mavs, stuck with it, and this time it’s official.

The Mavs signed Jordan today. According to the Dallas Morning News, “Jordan’s deal is believed to be worth about $23-million for one season.”

Jordan (6-11, 265) is a 10-year NBA veteran who has spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Clippers. He holds career averages of 9.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 28.1 minutes in 750 games (638 starts). Jordan has been named All-NBA three times (First Team in 2016), NBA All-Defensive First Team twice (2015, 2016) and an NBA All-Star (2017). He has twice led the league in rebounds and has played in 80 or more games five times in his career, playing in all 82 games on three occasions.

The Humble, Texas native was originally selected in the second round (35th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Clippers after spending one season at Texas A&M. In his decade with the Clippers, the team enjoyed one of the franchise’s most successful runs when it clinched six consecutive playoff berths and advancing to the Western Conference semifinals three times. He departs Los Angeles as the Clippers’ franchise leader in rebounds (7,988), blocks (1,277), field goal percentage (.673) and games (750).

Last season, Jordan averaged 12.0 points, 15.2 rebounds (ranked second in the NBA), 1.5 assists and 31.5 minutes in 77 games (all starts). He shot .645 from the floor, ranking second in the NBA.

Jordan has led the NBA in field goal percentage five seasons and ranks first in NBA history and among active players in career field goal percentage (.673). He most recently led the league in shooting in 2016-17 when he finished the season .714 from the floor, helping him earn his first All Star appearance.

As a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team, Jordan won a gold medal alongside current Maverick Harrison Barnes. Jordan played in all eight games, starting three times, in Rio de Janeiro and averaged 7.4 points and team-high 6.1 rebounds.

Thunder sign Nerlens Noel

Nerlens Noel is still trying to establish himself in the NBA and live up to his potential. The The Oklahoma City Thunder are giving him a chance to do this, and signed the forward/center today.

According to the Oklahoman, “it’s a two-year deal — the second year is a player option — expected to be at the veteran minimum, which would pay Noel about $1.7 million next season. It’s a surprisingly low price for a 6-foot-11 former lottery pick who last season turned down a reported four-year, $70 million deal with the Mavericks, and that makes the appeal obvious.”

Noel (6-11, 220) has appeared in 223 career games (158 starts), averaging 9.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.56 steals and 1.41 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game while shooting 51.2 percent (847-1654) from the field with Philadelphia and Dallas. The Malden, Mass. native is one of two players in the league to average 1.5+ steals and 1.4+ blocks over the last four seasons (DeMarcus Cousins).

“We are excited to bring Nerlens to the Thunder,” said Presti. “In addition to being a multi-faceted defender‎, he moves the ball at a high level for a player at his position, which complements our existing core.”

The Kentucky product was originally selected sixth overall by New Orleans in the 2013 NBA Draft and was later named to the All-Rookie First Team.

In one year as a Wildcat, the 2013 SEC Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year started in all 24 games he appeared in and averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 4.42 blocks and 2.08 steals in 31.9 minutes per contest. Noel led the conference in total blocks with 106 on the season en route to being named to the All-SEC First Team.

Knicks sign Luke Kornet

The New York Knicks have signed center Luke Kornet, who first joined the team as a two-way player last July and played for the Knicks and Westchester (G-League) last season.

“Luke had a very successful first year playing across Westchester and the Knicks, displaying impressive growth throughout the season,” said Scott Perry, General Manager. “Luke is a versatile player who can play inside and away from the basket. He brings a relentless work ethic and commitment to the team that fits with Coach Fizdale’s system and style.”

Kornet, 7-1, 250-pounds, appeared in 20 games for the Knicks (one start), averaging 6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds over 16.3 minutes. He recorded a season high 23 points in the season-finale on April 11 at Cleveland. He played in 36 games (35 starts) for Westchester (G-League), averaging 16.1 points and 6.2 rebounds over 32.4 minutes and was named to the 2017-18
All NBA G-League third team.

The 22-year old Lantana, TX-native, was one of two Knicks two-way players last season. He was originally signed by New York as an undrafted free-agent on July 3, 2017. He played collegiately for four seasons at Vanderbilt University.

Sixers re-sign JJ Redick, trade for Wilson Chandler

The Philadelphia 76ers have re-signed guard JJ Redick.

And in a separate move, Philadelphia acquired forward Wilson Chandler, a 2021 second-round pick and the right to swap 2022 second-rounders with the Nuggets.

The 76ers also traded the draft rights to forward Isaac Bonga (No. 39 overall) to the L.A. Lakers in exchange for Chicago’s 2019 second-round pick (via the Lakers) and cash considerations.

“Our ability to retain JJ is big for us and his obvious shooting skills are only a part of his importance to our team,” Brown said. “His leadership and professionalism add to the overall special package that he brings to our team, and all of this makes him incredibly valuable. Our ability to maintain continuity will strengthen the team’s continued growth and certainly puts us in better shape as the season begins.”

“Wilson’s veteran experience in the NBA, along with his inherent skill package, makes him a tremendous acquisition for our young team,” Brown said. He is a modern-day player, takes tremendous pride in playing defense and his ability to shoot from the perimeter is exactly what we are looking for. We are excited to welcome Wilson into our 76ers family.”

Redick, who originally signed with the 76ers in July 2018, averaged a career-high 17.1 points per game this past season as he helped Philadelphia to a 52-30 record, the team’s best since 2000-01. In his 12th NBA season, Redick shot a team-best .420 from three-point range (min. 65 attempts), while his 193 makes rank fourth in single-season franchise history, behind only Kyle Korver (226 in 2004-05), Robert Covington (203 in 2017-18) and Dana Barros (197 in 1994-95)..

“My family and I are thrilled to return to the 76ers,” Redick said. “I’m so grateful to play for this organization and this city. I can’t wait for the season to start and for our team to continue our pursuit of an NBA championship.”

Chandler, who has spent the last six-plus seasons with Denver, appeared in 74 games (71 starts) with the Nuggets this past season, posting 10.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 31.7 minutes per contest. He was one of four Nuggets to average double-figure points while also averaging at least 5.0 rebounds per game. Chandler shot .445 from the field, .358 from three-point range and .772 from the free-throw line as he helped lead the Nuggets to a 46-36 regular-season record, the team’s best since 2012-13.

“I’m very excited to join the 76ers,” Chandler said. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about the organization from top to bottom. They have a good mix of young talent who’ve shown they can compete on the brightest of stages and some proven veterans who have had a lot of success in this league. This team is built to compete for a ring, and I look forward to helping them achieve that goal. I know how passionate this city is about basketball and I can’t wait to suit up and play for the 76ers and their fans.”

For his career, Redick has played in 760 games (389 starts) with Philadelphia, the L.A. Clippers Milwaukee and Orlando and holds averages of 12.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 25.4 minutes per game. He’s shot .449 percent from the field and .415 percent from three-point range. Redick’s .890 career free-throw percentage is ninth in NBA history and second among active players.

Redick ranks within the NBA’s top 15 all-time in career three-point percentage at .415 and has shot no lower than .420 in any of the past four seasons. The Duke product was originally selected by Orlando with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft after he was named 2006 Associated Press Collegiate Player of the Year.

A veteran of 10 NBA seasons, Chandler has played in 590 career games (447 starts) with Denver and New York. He holds lifetime averages of 13.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 31.1 minutes per game, while shooting .445 from the field, .341 from three-point range and .769 from the free-throw line.

Chandler also spent the 2011-12 season playing professionally overseas for the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association. In his first CBA game, he posted 43 points along with 22 rebounds and four assists in 51 minutes in a 118-115 double overtime win over Tianjin Ronggang. In all, he appeared in 32 games (29 starts) for Zhejiang, averaging 26.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 34.9 minutes per contest.

The Benton Harbor, Michigan native was originally selected No. 23 overall by New York in the 2007 NBA Draft after two seasons at DePaul. In his second season with the Blue Demons, Chandler led the team with averages of 14.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game and was named Second Team All-Big East. He led the team to a 20-14 record, the school’s only 20-win season over the past 13.