August 2018 – NBA Basketball Blog from InsideHoops.com

Rockets trade Ryan Anderson and De`Anthony Melton to Suns for Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss

The Houston Rockets have traded forward Ryan Anderson and guard De’Anthony Melton to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for forward Marquese Chriss and guard Brandon Knight.

“We are excited to welcome Ryan Anderson and De’Anthony Melton to Phoenix,” said Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough. “Ryan has established himself as one of the league’s best shooters and we think he’ll be a great fit in our offensive system. De’Anthony is a talented young guard who stood out for us throughout the pre-Draft process and at the NBA Summer League.”

“We’d like to thank Brandon and Marquese for their contributions to the Suns franchise over the past few seasons. We wish them the best of luck as they begin the next chapter of their careers with the Rockets.”

Knight (6-3, 195) was originally the eighth overall pick by Detroit in the 2011 NBA Draft. In six seasons played, he has averaged 15.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Knight also hit at least 100 3-pointers in five of those six seasons.

Over a three-season span from 2013-14 through 2015-16, Knight was one of 11 players to have averaged at least 18.0 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.00 steals. James Harden and Chris Paul were two of the other players on that list.

Chriss (6-10, 240) was the eighth overall pick by Sacramento in the 2016 NBA Draft before his rights were acquired by Phoenix. He appeared in all 82 games with 75 starts in 2016-17 and earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.

In two seasons with the Suns, Chriss averaged 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 21.2 minutes per game. He joined Kevin Durant and LeBron James as the only players under the age of 21 by February 1st of their second season to have totaled at least 1,300 points, 700 rebounds, 100 blocks, 100 steals, and 100 3-pointers made within their first two seasons.

Anderson, a 6-10, 240-pound forward, is a 10-year NBA veteran who holds career averages of 12.8 points and 5.4 rebounds while making 2.1 three-pointers per game on 38.2 percent shooting from long range. He has played in 622 career games with New Jersey (2008-09), Orlando (2009-2012), New Orleans (2012-2016) and Houston (2016-2018), in addition to 46 career playoff appearances. One of the most productive “stretch fours” in NBA history, Anderson’s 1,315 career three-pointers are the third-most ever by a player 6-10 or taller, trailing only Dirk Nowitzki and Rashard Lewis.

The 2011-12 NBA Most Improved Player Award winner, Anderson is one of just two players to average at least two three-point makes per game in each of the last eight seasons, joined only by Golden State’s Stephen Curry. Last season, the 30-year-old averaged 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds while making 2.0 three-pointers on 38.6 percent three-point shooting in 66 games (50 starts) to help the Rockets to a franchise record 65 wins and a berth in the Western Conference Finals.

Anderson entered the NBA after being selected by New Jersey with the 21st overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. The Sacramento native played two seasons collegiately at the University of California, earning First Team All-Pac-10 honors in 2007-08 after leading the conference with 21.1 points per game.

Melton, a 6-4, 200-pound guard, was selected by the Rockets with the 46th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The 20-year-old tied for the lead at NBA Summer League 2018 with 3.0 steals per game, in addition to averaging 16.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He was the only rookie, and one of just three players overall, to average at least 15 points, seven boards and four assists at NBA Summer League 2018. Melton’s best performance came on July 9 against the LA Clippers when he posted 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while making 5-of-10 three-point attempts.

Melton played one season at the University of Southern California before entering the NBA. As a freshman in 2016-17, he averaged 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks while leading the Pac-12 and tying a USC freshman record with 69 steals. Melton became the first freshman in all of Division I basketball to record at least 300 points, 150 rebounds, 100 assists, 60 steals and 35 blocks since Dwyane Wade did so for Marquette in 2001-02.

A native of North Hollywood, California, Melton led Crespi High School in Encino, California to back-to-back state titles in 2015 and 2016.

Thunder waive Kyle Singler

The Oklahoma City Thunder waived forward Kyle Singler today.

Singler appeared in 138 games (22 starts) over four years with the Thunder, recording averages of 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in 13.6 minutes per contest.

Entering the 2018-19 NBA season, the Thunder are still built around Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Steven Adams. George could have left in free agency this summer but chose to re-sign for big money. Carmelo Anthony is gone. Defensive-minded Andre Roberson returns from injury in the backcourt. And Dennis Schroder is on board, definitely making the bench better.

Singler wasn’t going to receive many minutes. He could latch onto another NBA roster, at least for training camp.

Pelicans waive DeAndre Liggins

The New Orleans Pelicans waived guard DeAndre Liggins today.

Liggins, 6-6, 209, appeared in 27 games (three starts) for New Orleans last season after being originally signed on January 10, averaging 1.6 points and 1.0 rebounds in 9.0 minutes.

The Pelicans had an interesting offseason. Their biggest change is losing DeMarcus Cousins, who is still healing from injury, and adding power forward Julius Randle, who could do big things alongside superstar Anthony Davis. Other roster changes took place as well, but that’s the big one.

As for Liggins, he was a longshot to make the regular season roster, but could latch on with another team.

Grizzlies waive Dakari Johnson

The Memphis Grizzlies waived center Dakari Johnson today.

Johnson (7-0, 255) appeared in 31 games (six starts) last season as a rookie for the Oklahoma City Thunder and averaged 1.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in 5.2 minutes. He was acquired by the Grizzlies from the Orlando Magic on July 23, 2018.

The 22-year-old New York native was selected the Thunder with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft following his sophomore season at the University of Kentucky. He has played three seasons in the NBA G League for the Oklahoma City Blue.

Justin Zanik reportedly a candidate for Sixers GM job

The Sixers still need a new general manager. The search has gone on for quite a while now, but the search has reportedly been narrowed down to a select handful of candidates. Here’s the Salt Lake Tribune with more:

Utah Jazz assistant general manager Justin Zanik is getting another shot at one of the NBA’s 30 top jobs.

Zanik has been named one of three candidates in the Philadelphia 76ers’ general manager search, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Besides Zanik, the Sixers are also interviewing Houston’s Gersson Rojas and Golden State’s Larry Harris.

Full article

Some Warriors speak on David West, who has announced his retirement

Warriors President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Bob Myers and Head Coach Steve Kerr have released the following statements on David West, who announced his retirement yesterday morning:

BOB MYERS

“There should be a picture in the dictionary of David under ‘pro’s pro’. He’s one of the most decent people I’ve ever met. His depth of character is unmatched. We are all better for having spent the last two years with him. There is no doubt the best is ahead of him.”

STEVE KERR

“David was a consummate professional throughout his entire career and was a huge presence in our locker room the last two years. The respect that he commanded was palpable every single day he walked in the door and the leadership that he provided to our team was critical to our success. He had the unique ability to connect with both the veteran and young players and the mentoring he provided our younger group was invaluable. The consistency that he displayed at a high level on the court for 15 years was amazing and a testament to his hard work and dedication. He is a true champion in every sense of the word.”

DAVID WEST CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

· 15-year NBA career with the New Orleans Hornets (2003-11), Indiana Pacers (2011-15), San Antonio Spurs (2015-16) & Golden State Warriors (2016-18)

· Two-time NBA champion (2017 & 2018)

· Two-time NBA All-Star (2008 & 2009)

· One of 129 players in NBA history to appear in at least 1,000 regular-season games (1,034)

· Posted career averages of 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists

· Averaged double figures in scoring in 10-straight seasons (2005-06 to 2014-15), including back-to-back campaigns in which he averaged more than 20 points per game (20.6 in 2007-08 & 21.0 in 2008-09)

· Tallied 173 career double-doubles, and one triple-double on Jan. 12, 2013 vs. Charlotte

Bulls announce promotions in their basketball operations department

The Chicago Bulls have promoted Brian Hagen to Associate General Manager, Steve Weinman to Assistant General Manager, Jim Paxson to Director of Pro Personnel and Miles Abbett to Manager of Minor League Scouting and Analytics.

Hagen is entering his seventh season with the Bulls, as he spent the last six seasons as Assistant General Manager and third as General Manager of the Windy City Bulls. Before joining the Bulls, he spent nine seasons in basketball operations with the New Orleans Hornets, most recently as the team’s Director of Player Personnel. In that role, he was responsible for coordinating the team’s amateur and professional scouting operations and assisted in the evaluation of free agents and prospective trade acquisitions. While with the Hornets, he also spent time as the team’s video coordinator, Director of Basketball Operations, Director of Scouting and Assistant to the General Manager.

Weinman, set to begin his seventh year with the Bulls, was previously the team’s Manager of Basketball Operations and Analytics, after spending two years working for the NBA. In his new role, Weinman will continue to manage the team’s salary cap and oversee the organization’s planning for future initiatives, while remaining the team’s lead for all basketball analytics efforts. Weinman will also shift his focus toward pro scouting and draft personnel.

Paxson will begin his 13th season with the Bulls and has spent the last 12 seasons serving as the Director of Basketball Operations. Prior to Chicago, he spent seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, first as Vice President of Basketball Operations (1998-99), and then as President and General Manager of the club (1999-2005). Paxson also served as Assistant General Manager of the Portland Trail Blazers for three seasons (1995-98), as well as Offensive Skills Coach during the 1993-94 season. He was a two-time NBA All-Star and earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 1984.

Abbett, about to embark on his fifth season with the Bulls, formerly served as the team’s Basketball Operations Coordinator. He will now build upon his analytical contributions for the organization, while also focusing on scouting the G League and international professional leagues.

Hawks sign Thomas Robinson

The Atlanta Hawks signed forward Thomas Robinson today.

Robinson has played in 313 career games (12 starts) with the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in 13.4 minutes (.470 FG%).

He spent last season with Khimki (Russia), where he averaged 8.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in 15.8 minutes in 28 games (.487 FG%).

Originally selected fifth overall by Sacramento in the 2012 NBA Draft, Robinson was a consensus First Team All-American and Big 12 Conference Player of the Year following his junior season at Kansas, where he played three seasons. He is a native of Washington, DC.

Grizzlies sign center Doral Moore

The Memphis Grizzlies signed center Doral Moore to their training camp roster today.

Moore (7-1, 280) appeared in 31 games (30 starts) last season as a junior at Wake Forest University and averaged 11.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.97 blocks in 25.5 minutes while shooting 68.9 percent from the field.

The 21-year-old native of Locust Grove, Georgia saw action in 92 games (31 starts) over his three-year collegiate career and averaged 5.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.22 blocks in 13.7 minutes before going unselected in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Sixers sign Anthony Brown

The Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday signed guard-forward Anthony Brown.

Brown spent last season on a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, appearing in one NBA contest. In 45 games (43 starts) with Minnesota’s G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves, Brown posted averages of 18.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 37.7 minutes per game. He shot .459 from the field, .404 from three-point range (5.4 attempts per game) and .794 from the free-throw line.

Originally selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the No. 34 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Brown has appeared in 41 career NBA games (11 starts) with the Lakers, New Orleans, Orlando and Minnesota. Across 76 contests (69 starts) at the G League level, Brown has compiled averages of 18.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 37.3 minutes per game with Los Angeles, Erie and Iowa. Erie chose the California native with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA G League Draft.

Brown starred at Stanford, where he played his college basketball, from 2010-15. As a fifth-year senior in 2014-15, he posted career highs across the board, with 14.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest. The season prior, he helped lead the Cardinal, a No. 10 seed, to a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2014 NCAA Tournament.