Grizzlies sign Sampson Carter

The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team has signed free agent forward Sampson Carter.

The signing is probably just a non-guaranteed contract.

Carter (6-8, 220) joins the Grizzlies after playing professionally last season in Slovakia, Portugal and the Dominican Republic. Undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft, the 25-year-old averaged 7.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 21.8 minutes in 135 games (88 starts) over five seasons (2009-14) at the University of Massachusetts. The Baton Rouge, La. native attended Ridgeway High School in Memphis before beginning his collegiate career.

The Grizzlies’ roster stands at 20 players.

Many Lakers banged up in training camp

Here’s the Los Angeles Daily News reporting from the virtual hospital waiting room that is Lakers training camp:

The ice bag stayed firmly wrapped on Anthony Brown’s right shoulder. Lakers trainer Gary Vitti stood nearby finalizing plans for Brown to receive an MRI at a nearby hospital after the Lakers’ rookie small forward bumped his shoulder through a hard screen.

“It’s not horrible,” Anthony said in an interview with Los Angeles News Group. “I want to take precaution. So I sat out. But it’s not horrible.” …

Lakers guard Jabari Brown will receive x-rays on Monday after feeling pain in his right hand. Lakers guard Marcelo Huertas missed the team’s preseason loss to Utah on Sunday because of a strained right hamstring, as did Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. with back spasms. The Lakers also nursed ailments considered to be minor, including point guard D’Angelo Russell (bone bruise in right foot), forward Metta World Peace (strained left calf) and forward Nick Young (back spasms).

Anderson Varejao happy to be playing again

Here’s the News Herald reporting on a key member of the Cleveland Cavaliers frontcourt that you probably forgot about aside from his slick mustache and funky outfits he wore on the sideline during the 2015 NBA playoffs:

Anderson Varejao happy to be playing again

Anderson Varejao played more than 16 minutes in the Wine and Gold scrimmage on Oct. 6 and was relaxed and content when he stood in front of microphones and cameras to talk about it.

It was Varejao’s first game-action since suffering a torn left Achilles last December. The only time Varejao in the last five years Varejao played more than half a season was in 2013-14, when he appeared in 65 games. Injuries cut short his time in uniform the other five years.

“It felt great to be out there,” Varejao said. “I know I need to take baby steps.

“The fans came out to support us. They are looking forward to a good season. We’re going to work hard every day and try to do our best to get a championship.”

Zach LaVine wants to prove he is a shooter, too

Here’s the St. Paul Pioneer Press reporting on Timberwolves dunking phenom Zach LaVine, who wants you to know that he’s… more than a dunking phenom:

Zach LaVine wants to prove he is a shooter, too

There’s no question LaVine loves to dunk — and his above-the-rim highlights have made him a fan favorite all over the world, including China, where he ran an event this summer.

But the 6-foot-5 high flier could be the Wolves’ starting shooting guard this season because he’s more than just a dunker.

“People put a label on me that I’m just a driver, but coming out of high school I was a good shooter,” LaVine said.

“I was second in UCLA history for threes put up and made as a freshman. So I don’t know why people say I can’t shoot the ball for. I feel like I’ve always been able to shoot the ball.”

Many Sixers bumped and bruised in preseason

Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer reporting on the 76ers, who face another year of rebuilding, and as for right now in preseason are trying to shake off various injuries:

Many Sixers bumped and bruised in preseason

Nik Stauskas said he definitely will be back for the start of the regular season – if not sooner.

But the announcement Monday that the 76ers shooting guard will be sidelined two weeks with a right tibia stress reaction is a huge setback for his bonding on the court with teammates. The move has been called “precautionary,” but Stauskas joins an already long list of Sixers who are out with injuries.

Center Joel Embiid (broken right foot) will miss his second straight season. Point guards Tony Wroten (partially torn right anterior cruciate) and Kendall Marshall (torn ACL) are out until at least the end of the month with right knee injuries. Power forward Carl Landry (right wrist) won’t see the floor for at least four weeks. Two more point guards, Pierre Jackson (groin) and T.J. McConnell (left foot sprain) were held out of a scrimmage Monday and will miss the preseason opener Tuesday against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center.

Belinelli scores 32 in Kings preseason win

Marco Belinelli scores 32 in preseason win for Kings

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting on the Kings in NBA preseason, which is a mere tuneup for the regular season but still useful as a gage to see which players are in shape, or may have added something to their game, etc:

Marco Belinelli scores 32 in preseason win for Kings

The plan was not to play anyone in the rotation anywhere near 30 minutes, but Marco Belinelli and Darren Collison forced Kings coach George Karl to re-evaluate.

Belinelli scored a game-high 32 points and Collison had 21 points and 10 assists to lead the Kings to a 109-105 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night at Moda Center. It was the preseason opener for both teams.

After a slow start by the Kings, the bench, led by Collison and Belinelli, outscored the Blazers’ reserves 29-15 in the fourth quarter to force overtime.