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Pelicans assign Kira Lewis Jr. and Dereon Seabron to the G League

The New Orleans Pelicans have assigned guard Kira Lewis Jr. to the Birmingham Squadron, the team’s NBA G League affiliate.

Additionally, the Pelicans transferred two-way guard Dereon Seabron from New Orleans to Birmingham.

Lewis Jr. (6-1, 178), who was last assigned to Birmingham on Nov. 14, appeared in three games for the Squadron and averaged 13.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 20.0 minutes per game. Drafted by New Orleans with the 13th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Lewis Jr. has appeared in 78 games with the Pelicans and holds career averages of 6.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Seabron (6-5, 183) has appeared in nine games for the Squadron this season, averaging 16.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 34.6 minutes per game.

Lewis Jr. and Seabron will be available for tomorrow night’s game against the Mexico City Capitanes.

Celtics sign Al Horford to contract extension

The Boston Celtics have signed center Al Horford to a contract extension.

Per the Boston Herald, “the C’s did not disclose terms of the deal, but according to multiple reports, it’s a two-year, $20 million extension that will keep Horford in Boston through the 2024-25 season, when he turns 39. The center’s $26.5 million salary for 2022-23 now becomes fully guaranteed with the deal.”

Horford (6-9, 240) has appeared in 295 games (all starts) with the Celtics and averaged 12.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 49.5 percent from the field during his two stints with the organization from 2016-2019 and rejoined the team prior to the 2021-22 season.

“Al is such an important part of our team,” said Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations. “He’s a high-level player who enhances everyone around him on both ends of the court. His work ethic, commitment to his body and craft, and his unselfishness set a daily example on how to win big in the NBA. His leadership has had a big impact on the coaches and players he’s competed alongside here in Boston, and we’re excited that he and his family are choosing to remain Celtics for years to come.”

More from the Herald: “Horford will now effectively make $46.5 million over the next three seasons, a fair deal for a player who’s become integral to their championship aspirations.”

The five-time NBA All-Star has appeared in 968 career games (958 starts) during his 16-year career with Atlanta, Boston, Oklahoma City, and Philadelphia, during which he has averaged 13.6 points on 51.5 percent shooting, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 32.2 minutes per game. He is one of four active NBA players with at least 13,000 points, 7,500 rebounds, and 3,000 assists.

“Boston has become a home to me and my family as my teammates and I continue to strive towards winning Banner 18,” said Celtics center Al Horford.

Since being named to the 2008 NBA All-Rookie first team, Horford has collected All-NBA third team (2010-11) and All-Defensive second team (2017-2018) honors while reaching the NBA Playoffs 13 times.

The Dec. 2, 2022 Spurs home game will feature a David Robinson bobblehead giveaway

The San Antonio Spurs are set to continue their 50th anniversary celebration with their “1999 Championship Night” on Friday, Dec. 2 when the team hosts the New Orleans Pelicans at 7 p.m.

The special night honoring San Antonio’s first-ever championship will be highlighted by a David Robinson bobblehead giveaway to the first 10,000 fans in attendance and a pregame meet-and-greet with 1999 Champion Sean Elliott.

George Gervin’s bobblehead giveaway on Nov. 7 kicked off the collectible five-part series that ultimately come together as one unit to form a Spurs river barge, made popular during the team’s championship celebrations. Now, David Robinson’s piece of the puzzle will be available to early-arriving attendees, alongside a chance to meet Spurs TV analyst Sean Elliott on the main concourse before the game starting at 6 p.m.

David Robinson is a two-time NBA Champion with the Spurs, as well as a 10-time NBA All-Star and the league’s MVP in 1995. His No. 50 jersey is retired by the Spurs in the rafters of the AT&T Center after his 14-year career, all in San Antonio, where he helped the Silver and Black win titles in 1999 and 2003.

Sean Elliott helped the Spurs capture the 1999 Championship, most notably with his game-winning three-pointer dubbed the “Memorial Day Miracle” in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. Elliott was a two-time All-Star who also has his jersey retired by the Spurs.

Mavericks sign Kemba Walker

The Dallas Mavericks yesterday signed free agent guard Kemba Walker.

Walker (6-0, 178) holds career averages of 19.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 33.3 minutes per game in 741 games (696 starts) with Charlotte, Boston and New York. He has shot 36.0% (1,663-4,614 3FG) from 3-point range and 84.0% (2,801-3,333 FT) from the foul line for his career.

The 11-year veteran averaged 20-plus points in five straight seasons from 2015-16 to 2019-20, earning four consecutive All-Star nods from 2017 to 2020. Walker, who garnered All-NBA Third Team accolades with Charlotte in 2018-19, is also a two-time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award (2016-17 and 2017-18).

Walker was selected by Charlotte with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and spent his first eight seasons with the Bobcats/Hornets. On July 6, 2019, he was dealt to Boston along with a 2020 second-round pick in exchange for Terry Rozier and a 2020 second-round selection. After spending two seasons with the Celtics, Walker was traded to Oklahoma City along with a 2021 first-round pick and a 2025 second-round selection in exchange for Al Horford, Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick on June 18, 2021. He was waived by Oklahoma City on Aug. 6, 2021, and signed with New York on Aug. 11, 2021.

After appearing in 37 games (all starts) for the Knicks in 2021-22, the 32-year-old was traded to Detroit along with the draft rights to the 13th overall pick Jalen Duren in exchange for a 2025 first-round selection. Walker was waived by the Pistons on Oct. 17 and became a free agent.

The Bronx native was a three-year player at the University of Connecticut, where as a junior, he led the Huskies to the 2011 national championship en route to being named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding player. Among his other accolades earned in 2011, Walker also took home the Bob Cousy Award for college basketball’s top point guard in the nation.

Walker will wear No. 34 for the Mavericks.

Injury update on Timberwolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the following injury update on forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns who suffered a lower leg injury at the 5:25 minute mark of the third quarter yesterday at Washington:

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken today at Mayo Clinic Square by Dr. Kelechi Okoroha on Towns confirmed a right calf strain. He will be sidelined indefinitely and reassessed in several weeks. Further updates to his progress will be issued when available.

In 21 games (all starts) this season, Towns is averaging 20.8 points on 50.5% shooting, 8.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.

Injury update on Wizards forward Rui Hachimura

Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura, who has missed the last four games with right ankle soreness, received an MRI examination yesterday that revealed a bone bruise. He will be listed as out for Wednesday’s game at Brooklyn and his status beyond Wednesday will be determined by his clinical evolution.

Hachimura originally injured his ankle on Nov. 20 in the Wizards’ game vs. Charlotte.

Spurs sign Alize Johnson, waive Jordan Hall

The San Antonio Spurs have signed forward Alize Johnson and waived Jordan Hall.

During the Spurs 50th Anniversary season, Johnson becomes the 50th call-up from the NBA in Austin Spurs history.

Johnson, 6-7/210, played in four preseason games with San Antonio this year before joining Austin on Oct. 15. He appeared in six games with Austin this season, averaging 22.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 34.7 minutes while shooting 59.8% from the field. Originally drafted by Indiana with the 50th overall selection in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, the Missouri State alum spent two seasons with the Pacers before stints with the Nets, Bulls, Wizards, and Pelicans. He holds career averages 2.5 points, 3.0 rebounds in 7.5 minutes across 72 NBA games.

Hall was called up to the Spurs from Austin on Nov. 2 and appeared in nine games with San Antonio, averaging 3.1 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 9.1 minutes.

The Spurs roster now stands at 17 players.

Suns promote James Jones to President of Basketball Operations and GM

The Phoenix Suns have promoted James Jones to President of Basketball Operations and General Manager.

Jones, who played for the team from 2005-07, was originally named the Suns’ general manager in 2019 after rejoining the franchise as vice president of basketball operations in 2017.

Per the Arizona Republic, “the Suns hired NBA associate vice president Morgan Cato as an assistant general manager and vice president of basketball operations in June of this year.”

Suns Interim Governor Sam Garvin: “In the nearly 15 years I have known James, he has excelled in every role he performed, from player to NBPA Treasurer to his roles in our front office, most recently as general manager. James has the unique ability to create and lead high-performing teams in basketball operations and his commitment to collaborating with our business side, including at the C-level with partners like PayPal and Verizon, is second to none. We are fortunate for his contributions across the organization and this promotion recognizes his commitment to excellence.”

Now in his fourth season as the Suns head of basketball, the successes of Jones and his staff in their first three seasons include an undefeated NBA Bubble run (2020), consecutive playoff berths after a 10-year drought (2020-21, 2021-22), back-to-back Pacific Division titles (2020-21, 2021-22), a single-season franchise-record 64 regular season wins (2021-22), a franchise-record 18-game win streak (2021-22), a Western Conference title (2020-21), and the league’s best record since the start of the 2020-21 season. Jones was honored as NBA Executive of the Year in 2021.

Jones: “I am grateful for the privilege to work with and support the players, staff and employees of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. The collective efforts of our business and basketball operations have allowed us to provide an amazing atmosphere and best-in-class experience for our fans and community. I remain excited about and dedicated to driving success for our Teams on and off the court.”

Mavericks waive Facundo Campazzo

The Dallas Mavericks have waived guard Facundo Campazzo.

Campazzo (5-11, 165) first joined the NBA by signing with the Denver Nuggets in November of 2020 after a decorated international career playing in Argentina and Spain. He signed with the Mavericks on Oct. 18, 2022, and played in eight games this season with 10 points, nine assists and six steals.