July 2018 – Page 4 – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

Cavs sign Kevin Love to contract extension

Kyrie Irving is long gone. LeBron James is recently gone. But the Cleveland Cavaliers are keeping Kevin Love for years to come

The Cavs and Love signed a new multi-year contract extension today. Per multiple reports, the deal is for four years and $120 million.

“We are very excited to announce Kevin’s long-term commitment to the Cavaliers and Cleveland. This quickly became a partnership the second we began these discussions. Collaboration and winning matter greatly to Kevin and that was reflected in this extension,” said Cavs General Manager Koby Altman. “Kevin’s talent and character are both at a very high level and he has earned his role at the center of what we want to do moving forward. As a five-time All-Star and NBA Champion, Kevin has a special understanding of exactly what success and winning require.”

“When I first came to Cleveland, I came with a long-term mindset,” said Love. “I came here to win. We developed a culture here that reflects that. I’m super excited and I couldn’t be happier. It’s a big commitment for me and it’s a big commitment from the Cavaliers, so I want to thank Dan Gilbert, Koby Altman and the entire organization. I enjoy playing here, I’m excited about the team that we have and look forward to our future together. Cleveland fans have been special from day one and I’m also looking forward to continuing to be a part of this great community.”

According to USA Today, “Extending Love signals Cleveland’s decision to avoid a rebuild in the post-LeBron era. Instead of trading Love for younger players and draft picks, the Cavs made it clear – at least in the short term – they want to see if they can remain competitive in the East without James, who signed a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month.”

And according to CBS Sports, “From Love’s perspective, this is easy to understand. It’s a hell of a lot of money, and it gives him the opportunity to be the No. 1 option for the first time since the 2013-14 season. His last four seasons with LeBron James have had wild ups and downs, and while he learned how to function as a complementary player — and quietly had the most efficient season of his career last year — he never fully got to be himself. Now, whether or not he finishes this contract in Cleveland, he will at least get to prove that he can still carry an offense … while being compensated handsomely.”

Love (6-10, 251) was an NBA All-Star this past season, appearing in 59 games (all starts) for Cleveland and averaging 17.6 points and a team-high 9.3 rebounds in 28.0 minutes per game. He also shot .415 from beyond the arc and a career-high .880 from the foul line. Love was one of just four NBA players to make at least 100 three-pointers while averaging at least 9.0 rebounds in 2017-18 (Karl-Anthony Towns, Nikola Jokic, DeMarcus Cousins). In addition, he recorded 31 double-doubles and scored 20 points or more on 26 occasions, including a season-high 38 points in just 25 minutes versus Miami on Nov. 28. He posted 17 outings of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The 6-10 forward was originally acquired by the Cavs in a three-team trade with Minnesota and Philadelphia on August 23, 2014. Over the past four seasons, Love has appeared in 271 games (all starts) with Cleveland, while averaging a double-double with 17.1 points and 10.0 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per contest. Since the 2014-15 season, he leads the team in total rebounds (2,705), double-doubles (145) and three-pointers (584). In Cavaliers history, Love already ranks fourth in three-pointers made, 10th in defensive rebounds (2,165) and 12th in total rebounds. He has also helped the Cavs reach the postseason in all four years, which includes winning an NBA Championship in 2016. Over his 63 career playoff games (62 starts) with Cleveland, Love has averaged 15.3 points and 9.7 rebounds in 31.1 minutes per game, while recording 27 double-doubles and shooting .404 from beyond the arc and .854 from the charity stripe.

Love, who is a 10-year NBA veteran, is one of only eight players in NBA history to accumulate 11,000 points, 7,000 rebounds and 1,000 three-pointers (Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Rasheed Wallace, Antawn Jamison), as well as the only player to ever hold a career average at least 10.0 rebounds and knock down 1,000 three-pointers or more. In 635 regular season games (553 starts) with Minnesota and Cleveland, Love has averaged 18.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 32.2 minutes per game. Since entering the league in 2008-09, he has registered the second-most double-doubles with 401 (Dwight Howard-498) and has gone on to average at least 9.0 rebounds in all 10 of his NBA seasons. The UCLA product has also earned five NBA All-Star selections (2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018), two All-NBA Second Team honors (2012, 2014), an Olympic gold medal (2012) and was winner of the league’s Most Improved Player award (2011) and Three-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend in Orlando (2012).

Mavs sign Ding Yanyuhang, who has played professionally in China for years

The Dallas Mavericks yesterday signed guard-forward Ding Yanyuhang (pronounced yin-you-hong).

Ding (6-7, 205) has spent the last seven seasons playing professionally for China’s Shandong Golden Stars. In 45 games for Shandong in 2017-18, he averaged 26.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game en route to winning his second consecutive Chinese Basketball Association Domestic MVP award.

Ding played on the Mavericks’ Orlando and Las Vegas summer league teams in 2017.

The Xinjiang, China native has represented the Chinese national team in international competition, including the 2016 Olympic Games.

Kings sign Yogi Ferrell, who had been with Mavs

The Sacramento Kings yesterday signed free agent guard Yogi Ferrell.

Ferrell joins the Kings after spending most of the last two seasons with Dallas, posting 10.2 points (.426 FG%, .373 3pt%, .796 FT%), 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 27.8 minutes per game en route to appearing in all 82 contests last season for the Mavericks. He concluded the campaign having scored 10-plus points on 40 occasions and 20 or more in five games, including a season-high 24 points (9-11 FG, 6-11 3pt) to accompany four rebounds, two assists, one steal and a block in 38 minutes versus Denver (3/6).

Undrafted out of Indiana University, the 6-0, 180-pound guard spent time between the Brooklyn and Long Island Nets as an affiliate player following summer league, making his NBA debut on Nov. 30, 2016. He totaled 10 NBA appearances with Brooklyn between G-League assignments, registering 5.4 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 15.1 minutes per game before earning a 10-day contract from the Mavericks in late January. In 36 contests to conclude the 2016-17 season, Farrell increased his scoring average by nearly six points a game and made 29 starts, averaging 11.3 points (.412 FG%, .403 3pt%, .877 FT%), 2.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.14 steals and 29.1 minutes per game, highlighted by a career-best 32 points on 9-of-11 three pointers made (becoming the third undrafted rookie in league annals to post a 30-point effort within his first 15 games). For his efforts in contests played during February of 2017, Ferrell was named the Western Conference Player of the Month and ultimately a nod on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team by season’s end.

Ferrell enjoyed a four-year collegiate career at Indiana, earning Second-Team All American, First Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive team accolades following his senior season (2015-16). His name peppers the IU record book, where he ranks first in school history with 633 career assists and holds the Hoosiers all-time mark of 68 consecutive games with a three-pointer made.

Nets sign Ed Davis, who had been with Blazers

The Brooklyn Nets yesterday signed forward/center Ed Davis.

Davis is considered a better player than his stats suggest. By many, including us. He’s a role player, but a good one.

Davis (6’10”, 225) joins the Nets after spending the last three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. In the 2017-18 campaign, Davis saw action in 78 games, posting averages of 5.3 points (58.2 percent from the field) and 7.4 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game while finishing fifth in the league in offensive rebound percentage (13.9 percent) and sixth in total rebound percentage (21.4 percent). The 6’10, 245-pound Davis registered more rebounds off the bench (575) than any other player in the NBA, and his six double-doubles off the bench were tied for the fourth-most in the league.

In 559 career games (94 starts) split between the Trail Blazers (2015-18), Lakers (2014-15), Grizzlies (2012-14) and Raptors (2010-13), the eight-year veteran has recorded averages of 6.6 points (56.4 percent from the field) and 6.5 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per contest. The Richmond, Va., native was originally selected by Toronto with the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft after spending two years at the University of North Carolina, helping to lead the Tar Heels to the 2009 NCAA Championship.

Nets re-sign Joe Harris

The Brooklyn Nets re-signed guard/forward Joe Harris today.

Harris, who originally signed with Brooklyn on July 19, 2016, returns to the Nets after spending the last two seasons in Brooklyn. The 2017-18 campaign saw Harris average 10.8 points (49.1 percent from the field, 41.9 percent from 3-point range and 82.7 percent from the free-throw line), 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 25.3 minutes per contest in 78 games (14 starts), all of which represented career highs. The Chelan, Wash., native finished 17th in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, including shooting 46.7 percent from distance from Jan. 1 through the end of the season, which was the second-best mark in the league in that timeframe. He also set the Nets record for 3-pointers made off the bench in a season with 118, finished seventh in the franchise’s single-season history in 3-pointers made with 150 and now ranks 11th in Nets history in career 3-pointers made with 235.

Among the other highlights of Harris’ most recent season in Brooklyn, he led the league in field goal percentage on drives and finished sixth among all players in effective field goal percentage and 11th in true shooting percentage. The four-year veteran also finished the season on a high note, recording averages of 11.9 points (54.3 percent from the field and 47.8 percent from 3-point range) and 2.0 assists in 25.7 minutes per game after the All-Star break.

Harris was originally selected with the 33rd overall pick (second round) in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Cavaliers and spent his first two NBA seasons with Cleveland. In 186 career games split between Brooklyn and Cleveland, the University of Virginia alum has registered averages of 7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.5 minutes per contest.

Lakers sign Michael Beasley

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Michael Beasley.

The agreement had been reported earlier in July, but the signing became an official transaction today. According to the Los Angeles Times, the deal is for one year, $3.5 million.

Beasley played in 74 games (30 starts) for the Knicks last season, averaging 13.2 points (.507 FG%), 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 22.3 minutes per game. Named to the 2008-09 All-Rookie First Team, Beasley has appeared in 583 career games (236 starts) for the HEAT, Timberwolves, Suns, Rockets, Bucks and Knicks, with averages of 12.7 points (.464 FG%), 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 23.4 minutes.

“Michael adds another component of versatility to our deep roster,” said Pelinka. “His length and ability to guard multiple positions, stretch the floor, play-make and create his own shot are all essential characteristics for us. Coming off one of the finest years of his career, we think Michael is poised to have a very exciting and strong season for us.”

More from the Los Angeles Times: “Beasley joins a rebuilt roster headlined by LeBron James, along with three other veteran additions the Lakers signed to one-year deals: guards Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson and center JaVale McGee. The Lakers also brought back guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a second one-year deal. They’ll join a young group led by second-year players Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart, and third-year forward Brandon Ingram.”

A native of Prince George’s County, MD, Beasley went on to play one season collegiately at Kansas State, earning consensus First Team All-America honors in 2007-08. The Big 12 Player of the year started all 33 games, tallying 26.2 points (.532 FG%), an NCAA-leading 12.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.2 assists in 31.5 minutes per game.

Celtics, Thunder trade Abdel Nader, Rodney Purvis

The Boston Celtics have traded forward Abdel Nader and cash considerations to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for guard Rodney Purvis.

Nader (6-6, 220) appeared in 48 games (one start) for Boston and averaged 3.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game. Drafted 58th overall by the Celtics in the 2016 NBA draft, the Iowa State product was named the 2016-17 NBA G League Rookie of the Year, after playing in 40 games (all starts) with the Maine Red Claws and averaging 21.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 33.5 minutes per game.

Purvis, acquired last week by Oklahoma City, played in 16 games (two starts) last season with the Orlando Magic and averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 18.1 minutes per game.

Grizzlies, Magic trade Dakari Johnson, Tyler Harvey, Jarell Martin

The Memphis Grizzlies have acquired center Dakari Johnson and the draft rights to guard Tyler Harvey in a trade with the Orlando Magic for forward Jarell Martin and cash considerations.

Johnson (7-0, 255) saw action in 31 games (six starts) for the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2017-18 season and averaged 1.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in 5.2 minutes. The 22-year-old has spent three seasons in the NBA G League with the Oklahoma City Blue since he was selected by Oklahoma City with the 48th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft following his sophomore season at the University of Kentucky. The New York native was acquired by Orlando on July 20.

Harvey (6-4, 185) competed for Antibes in the French LNB Pro A during the 2017-18 season. Selected by Orlando with the 51st overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft following his junior season at Eastern Washington University, the 25-year-old Torrance, California native also has spent time in the NBA G League with the Erie BayHawks (2015-16) and in Italy with Fiat Torino (2016-17).

Martin (6’10”, 239, 5/24/94) played in 73 games (36 starts) last season with Memphis, averaging 7.7 ppg., 4.4 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 22.7 minpg. He scored in double figures 23 times, including a career-high 20 points on Dec. 27 @ L.A. Lakers. Martin led (or tied) the Grizzlies in scoring once, in rebounding four times and in assists once. He pulled down 10+ rebounds five times, including a career-high 14 boards on Mar. 28 vs. Portland, and recorded two double-doubles. Martin also played and started in two games with the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League, averaging 11.0 ppg., 5.5 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 26.8 minpg.

Originally selected in the first round (25th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft by Memphis, Martin has appeared in 142 career NBA regular season games (39 starts), all with the Grizzlies, averaging 6.2 ppg. and 4.0 rpg. in 18.3 minpg. He has also played in 34 career games (27 starts) in the NBA G League with Iowa and Memphis, averaging 15.3 ppg., 7.0 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 28.3 minpg.

During his college career at Louisiana State University, Martin played in 65 games (57 starts) during two seasons from 2013-15, averaging 13.7 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 1.4 apg. in 30.7 minpg. As a sophomore (2014-15), he played 33 games (32 starts) with the Tigers, averaging 16.9 ppg., 9.2 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 35.1 minpg. Martin was a consensus All-SEC First Team selection and led LSU to their first NCAA appearance since 2009.

Clippers, Mavericks trade Johnathan Motley, Renaldas Seibutis and Maarty Leunen

The L.A. Clippers have acquired forward Johnathan Motley from the Dallas Mavericks, along with the draft rights to guard Renaldas Seibutis, in exchange for the draft rights to forward Maarty Leunen and cash considerations.

Motley, 23, appeared in 11 games for Dallas on a two-way contract last season, averaging 8.7 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 53.3 percent from the field in 16.0 minutes. The 6’10”, 230-pound forward also appeared in 34 games for the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, averaging 22.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists, while shooting 56.5 percent from the field in 32.5 minutes. He was named a 2018 G League All-Star and was selected to the Second-team All-NBA G League. A native of Houston, Texas, Motley spent three collegiate seasons at Baylor University, where he was named to the First Team All-Big 12 and won the Karl Malone Award as the nation’s top power forward as a junior.

Leunen (6-9, 220) has spent the last 10 seasons playing professionally overseas (Turkey, Italy and Germany), including the last three with Italy’s S.S. Felice Scandone. In 34 Serie A games for Scandone in 2017-18, he averaged 7.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. In 14 BCL games for Scandone last season, he averaged 7.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steal per contest.

Leunen was selected by Houston in the second round (54th overall pick) of the 2008 NBA Draft after a four-year college career at Oregon (2004-08). On Jan. 22, 2016, his rights were traded to the Clippers in exchange for Josh Smith, the draft rights to Serhiy Lishchuk and cash considerations.

Seibutis (6-5, 180) was selected by Dallas in the second round (50th overall pick) of the 2007 NBA Draft. The Lithuanian guard has been playing professionally overseas since 2002-03. He spent the 2017-18 season with Spain’s Basket Zaragoza.

Bulls add guard Antonius Cleveland

The Chicago Bulls claimed guard Antonius Cleveland off waivers today.

Cleveland (6-6, 195) was waived by the Atlanta Hawks on July 21. He appeared in four games for the Hawks last season and averaged 3.3 points and 1.0 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per game. Cleveland signed a multi-year contract with Atlanta on March 14 after signing consecutive 10-day contracts on Feb. 22 and March 2. Earlier in the 2017-18 season, Cleveland had a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks where he appeared in 13 games. He also saw action in seven NBA G League games and averaged 13.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.71 steals in 26.4 minutes per game.

The Memphis native played four years at Southeast Missouri State University where he posted career averages of 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.31 steals in 28.8 minutes per game.