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Lakers sign Trey Jemison III, waive Quincy Olivari

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Trey Jemison III to a two-way contract.

In a related move, the Lakers waived two-way guard Quincy Olivari.

Jemison III (6’11”, 275) joins the Lakers after suiting up in 16 contests for the New Orleans Pelicans this season, averaging 2.4 points and 2.8 rebounds in 10.4 minutes. The 25-year-old appeared in 25 games (14 starts) combined for the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies during the 2023-24 season, averaging 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 22.9 minutes. In NBA G League action last season, Jemison III started all 25 regular season and Tip-Off Tournament games for the Birmingham Squadron, averaging 10.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 blocks in 31.6 minutes.

The Alabama native, who went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, played five collegiate seasons at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2020-23) and Clemson University (2018-20). As a senior at UAB, Jemison III appeared in 39 games (all starts) and averaged 9.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 25.2 minutes. He finished the season leading Conference USA in rebounds per game and was named to the league’s all-defensive team.

Olivari was originally signed by the Lakers Aug. 14, 2024, and was converted to a two-way contract Oct. 19. He suited up in two contests for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, averaging 1.5 points in 5.0 minutes. In 13 regular season and Tip-Off Tournament appearances for the South Bay Lakers, Olivari averaged 17.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 30.0 minutes.

Sixers sign Pete Nance to two-way contract

The Philadelphia 76ers recently signed Pete Nance to a two-way contract.

Nance, who was waived Jan. 7, signed a two-way contract with the 76ers on Dec. 3 and appeared in one game at Portland on Dec. 30, tallying three points (1-1 3FG) during his first stint with the team.

He has appeared in 14 G League games between the Cleveland Charge and Delaware Blue Coats this season, averaging 16.7 points on 50.0-percent shooting, 6.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.6 blocked shots.

In 2023-24, Nance saw action in eight NBA games for the Cleveland Cavaliers after signing a 10-day contract on Jan. 18, followed by a two-way contract on Feb. 19. He also played in 26 G League games (all starts) for the Charge, posting 13.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 blocked shots, and 1.0 steals in 34.2 minutes per game. On Jan. 10 against Indiana, he recorded the Charge’s first triple-double in more than two years, tallying 27 points, 10 rebounds, and a G League career-high 12 assists.

Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin suspended one game

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin has been suspended one game without pay for making inappropriate contact with and verbally abusing a game official, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 3:58 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Pacers’ 127-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 14 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Mathurin will serve his suspension on Jan. 16 when the Pacers visit the Detroit Pistons.

Injury update on Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the following injury update on guard Rob Dillingham, who has been sidelined the past eight games due to a Grade 2 right lateral ankle sprain:

Dillingham has been cleared for full-contact, 5-on-5 basketball activities, and subsequently has been assigned to the Iowa Wolves, the team’s G League Affiliate, for a rehab assignment.

Will Andrew Wiggins be the guy to step up for Warriors?

Per NBC Sports Bay Area:

If there’s one player outside of Steph Curry and Draymond Green who can help the struggling Warriors right the ship, it’s Andrew Wiggins.

Golden State (19-19), losers of 10 of its past 15 games, is missing a few key players due to injuries as it continues to slide further and further down the Western Conference standings. Perhaps none more important than fourth-year forward Jonathan Kuminga, who is sidelined for the next three weeks due to a “significant” right ankle sprain.

Nets sign Tosan Evbuomwan, waive Jaylen Martin

The Brooklyn Nets last week (on January 1) signed forward Tosan Evbuomwan to a two-way contract.

In a related transaction, the Nets have requested waivers on two-way guard/forward Jaylen Martin.

Evbuomwan (6’7″, 217) appeared in 16 Tip-Off Tournament games (all starts) for the San Diego Clippers in the NBA G League this season, averaging 18.4 points on 51.9 percent shooting from the field, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 32.6 minutes per game. The Newcastle, England, native saw action in 17 games (eight starts) with the Pistons and Grizzlies last season during his rookie campaign, averaging 5.9 points and 3.5 rebounds over 21.6 minutes per contest. He also played in 18 regular season games (16 starts) last season with the Pistons’ NBA G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, posting averages of 15.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 34.5 minutes per game. Evbuomwan went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft after playing three seasons (2019-20, 2021-23) at Princeton, where he earned Ivy League Player of the Year as a junior and helped lead the Tigers to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament as a senior.

Martin signed a two-way contract with the Nets on Feb. 21, 2024. He appeared in three games for Brooklyn this season.

Jazz sign Elijah Harkless to two-way contract

The Utah Jazz last week (on January 1) signed guard Elijah Harkless to a two-way contract.

Harkless (6-3, 195, UNLV) has appeared in 18 games (eight starts) for the San Diego Clippers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers, this season, averaging 16.4 points on 43.8 percent from the field, along with 5.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.4 steals in 27.1 minutes per contest.

The San Bernadino, Calif., native had a five-year collegiate career with Cal State Northridge (2018-20), Oklahoma (2020-22), and UNLV (2022-23) appearing in 131 career NCAA games (97 starts), owning averages of 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 steals in 27.5 minutes per contest. As a fifth-year senior for UNLV in 2022-23, he saw action in 32 games (all starts), averaging 19.1 points, adding 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals in 30.9 minutes per game, garnering All-MWC Second Team honors.

Timberwolves add Tristen Newton off waivers

The Minnesota Timberwolves last week (on January 3) claimed guard Tristen Newton off waivers.

In a related move, the Timberwolves have waived two-way guard Daishen Nix.

Newton, 6-5, has appeared in five games with the Indiana Pacers this season. He has also spent time with the Indiana Mad Ants of the NBA G League where in 10 games this year, he averaged 17.0 points on 42.4% shooting, including 41.4% from deep, 6.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 36.1 minutes per game.

The El Paso, Texas native played five years collegiately between Eastern Carolina University and the University of Connecticut, including winning two NCAA championships at UConn. In his final season at Connecticut, Newton was named the 2024 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, 2024 Associated Press BIG EAST Player of the Year, 2024 Bob Cousy Award winner and was selected as a 2024 Consensus First Team All-American and 2024 Unanimous First Team All-BIG EAST. In five collegiate season, he averaged 12.8 points on 40.2% shooting, 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 31.6 minutes per game.

Newton was originally drafted by the Pacers with the 49th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.