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Wizards re-sign Bradley Beal

The Washington Wizards on Wednesday, July 6 signed three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal to a five-year contract beginning in 2022-23.

“Bradley has truly established himself among his peers in the NBA, the all-time greats in our team’s history and the leaders who are making a difference in the community over his 10 years with us,” said Chairman and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Ted Leonsis. “He has set a consistent example of hard work and dedication to develop into our franchise player and we are proud to show our commitment to having him continue to lead us on and off the court as he cements his legacy in Washington.”

The 10-year NBA veteran has spent his entire career in Washington, making him one of six active players to have played 10+ years with the same franchise (Udonis Haslem, Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Damian Lillard) and one of only two players (Wes Unseld, 13 seasons) to play 10+ seasons with the Wizards franchise. Beal is the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers made (1,434) and is on pace to pass Elvin Hayes as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer during the 2022-23 season (he is currently second all-time in points scored with 14,321 to Hayes’ 15,551). He ranks third in games played with Washington at 645, trailing only Unseld (984) and Hayes (731). Beal also ranks in the franchise’s top five in minutes played, assists, steals and free throws.

“I have been blessed to call the city of Washington my home and the Wizards organization and our fans my family for the last 10 years, growing as a player, a leader, a husband and a father along the way,” said Beal. “Today represents such a special moment in my life. I could not be more grateful to have the opportunity to continue to partner with Ted, Tommy, Wes and the entire organization in moving forward to achieve our dream of bringing championships to D.C. and, just as importantly, to help our community continue to accomplish amazing things together.”

Beal narrowly lost the NBA scoring title to Steph Curry in the 2020-21 season, where he averaged a career-high 31.3 points per game on a career-high .485 shooting percentage from the field, earning an All-NBA Third Team nod. With the effort, Beal became just the sixth player since the NBA-ABA merger to average 30+ points in back-to-back seasons, joining Adrian Dantley, Michael Jordan (seven straight) Allen Iverson (twice), Kobe Bryant, and James Harden (three straight). Beal’s 34 games with 30+ points that season ranked as the fourth-most in franchise history and his 60-point effort on January 6 at Philadelphia was the second-highest scoring game in team history.

“Bradley’s level of talent, character and work ethic combine to make him one of the most remarkable players and people I have been privileged to work with over my career in the NBA,” said Wizards President and General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “We have built our roster to complement his all-around game and couldn’t be more excited to have him make the commitment to keep our franchise moving in the right direction.”

The 29-year-old holds career averages of 22.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Beal is one of six D.C. athletes to be with their respective team 10+ seasons, joining Capitals Nicklas Backstrom (15), John Carlson (13), Dmitry Orlov (10) and Alex Ovechkin (17), and National Stephen Strasburg (13). He is coming off a 2021-22 campaign cut short due to a wrist injury which saw him average a career-high 6.6 assists in 40 games played.

Thunder sign Lu Dort to a multi-year contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, July 6 signed guard Luguentz Dort to a multi-year contract.

In three NBA seasons, Dort has appeared in 139 games (131 starts) and registered averages of 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 29.0 minutes.

This past season, Dort ranked second on the Thunder in scoring with 17.2 points per game. During a 46-game stretch that bridged each of the last two seasons, Dort amassed the second-longest streak of consecutive games with a made 3-point field goal in Thunder history. Dort led the Thunder with 130 3-point field goals (2.5 3FGs per game) during the 2021-22 season.

The Montreal native was named to the NBA’s Rising Stars team in 2021 as he posted a league-leading 57 offensive fouls drawn to go along with averages of 14.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 29.7 minutes per game during his second NBA season.

After playing one season at Arizona State and going undrafted in 2019, Dort started in 28 of 36 games for the Thunder in his rookie season. During an opening round Game 7 versus the Houston Rockets, Dort set a Thunder playoff rookie record by scoring 30 points on six made 3-point field goals.

Nets sign T.J. Warren

The Brooklyn Nets yesterday signed free agent forward T.J. Warren to a contract.

“T.J. is a proven three-level scorer with the size and versatility to make an impact for us,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “We think T.J. is a great fit on the wing, and we’re excited to welcome him and his family to Brooklyn.”

Warren (6’8”, 215) has appeared in 332 games (236 starts) across seven seasons with the Indiana Pacers (2019-21) and Phoenix Suns (2014-19), registering averages of 15.5 points on 50.7 percent shooting from the field, 35.7 percent shooting from 3-point range and 78.0 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 28.8 minutes per game. The 28-year-old played in just four games in the last two seasons due to injury, but in his last full season in 2019-20 with the Pacers, he appeared in and started a career-high 67 games, while averaging a career-high 19.8 points per game on a career-high 53.6 percent shooting from the field, 40.3 percent shooting from 3-point range and a career-high 81.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 32.9 minutes per contest. In six seeding games in the Orlando Bubble in the summer of 2020, Warren put together the best stretch of his career, averaging 31.0 points on 57.8 percent shooting from the field, 52.4 percent shooting from 3-point range and 88.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 36.4 minutes per game, trailing only Damian Lillard (38.9 points per game), James Harden (31.7 points per game) and Devin Booker (31.0 points per game) in seeding game Orlando Bubble points per game. The Durham, N.C., native also saw the first playoff action of his career in Orlando in 2020, posting averages of 20.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals in four games in a first round series against the Miami Heat.

Warren was originally selected with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft by Phoenix after spending two years (2012-14) at North Carolina State University. At NC State, Warren was named to the ACC All-Freshmen Team in his first season and then earned All-ACC First Team, ACC Player of the Year and consensus second-team All-American honors in his second and final collegiate season.

Atlanta Hawks hire Mike Longabardi as an assistant coach

The Atlanta Hawks today announced the hiring of Mike Longabardi as assistant coach. Longabardi, who owns 19 years of NBA coaching experience, and has won two NBA Championships, comes to the Hawks following one season as an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings.

Prior to Sacramento, he spent two seasons as a member of the Washington Wizards coaching staff (2019-21). Before his time in Washington, Longabardi, who was hired on Jan. 25, 2016, by the Cleveland Cavaliers, spent three and a half years as an assistant coach for the Cavs, winning one of his two NBA titles in 2016.

The Frostburg State alumnus has also spent time as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns (2012-15) and Boston Celtics (2007-13). While with Boston, Longabardi helped lead the Celtics to three Eastern Conference Finals, two NBA Finals appearances and a 2008 NBA Championship.

In addition, he was an assistant coach/video coordinator for the Houston Rockets under Jeff Van Gundy. In 2003-04, his first year in Houston, Longabardi served as assistant video coordinator before being promoted to lead video coordinator the following season.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, he began his coaching career at the collegiate level for seven seasons, which included coaching stops at Pfeiffer University, Adelphi University, Lafayette College and Townson University.

Lakers sign rookie Max Christie

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Max Christie, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Christie appeared in 35 games (all starts) in his lone season at Michigan State last year, averaging 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 30.8 minutes. The 2021-22 Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection scored in double figures in 13 games last season and was selected with the 35th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Timberwolves sign rookie Wendell Moore Jr.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed rookie guard Wendell Moore Jr.

Moore Jr., 6-5, was also acquired by Minnesota during the 2022 NBA Draft, averaged 13.4 points (ranking second on Duke), 5.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists (fourth in the ACC) and 1.3 assists per game in his junior season at Duke.

For his collegiate career, Moore Jr. averaged 10.7 points on 45.9% from the field and 35.8% from three, 4.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He recorded the fifth triple-double in Duke history with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Army on Nov. 12, 2021.

Brooklyn Nets sign Edmond Sumner

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent guard Edmond Sumner.

Sumner (6’4”, 196) has appeared in 108 games (29 starts) across four seasons (2017-21) with the Indiana Pacers, recording averages of 5.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 14.1 minutes per game. The 26-year-old was most recently acquired via trade by the Nets on Oct. 6, 2021, before being waived on Oct. 10, and did not participate in the 2021-22 NBA season due to a torn left Achilles tendon. In his last full season in 2020-21 with the Pacers, he appeared in 53 games (24 starts) and averaged a career-high 7.5 points on 52.5 percent shooting from the field (career high), 39.8 percent shooting from 3-point range (career high) and 81.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line (career high) and 1.8 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game. During his time in Indiana, Sumner saw action in four career playoff games and recorded averages of 1.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per contest. Sumner was originally selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 52nd overall pick in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft before being dealt to Indiana in a draft-night trade.

The Michigan native spent three collegiate seasons (2014-17) at Xavier University, appearing in 58 games (all starts) and averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 26.6 minutes per game. As a junior in 2015-16, Sumner was named Second Team All-Big East.

Raptors sign D.J. Wilson

The Toronto Raptors have signed forward D.J. Wilson to a multi-year contract.

Wilson, 6-foot-10, 230 pounds, signed three 10-day contracts with the Raptors last season. He averaged 7.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 13.5 minutes in four appearances. Wilson also played in 31 games (23 starts) with the Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA G League, averaging 17.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 27.8 minutes. He shot .528 (214-405) from the field, scored 20+ points 12 times and posted 17 double-doubles with the Blue. He recorded a season-high 37 points Jan. 29 at Agua Caliente and had 34 points and a season-best 17 rebounds Feb. 9 vs. Sioux Falls.

A native of Mount Shasta, California, Wilson was picked 17th overall by Milwaukee in the 2017 NBA Draft after three collegiate seasons at Michigan (2014-17). He holds career averages of 4.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 12.3 minutes in 146 games (six starts) with Milwaukee, Houston, and Toronto.

Nuggets re-sign Vlatko Cancar

The Denver Nuggets have signed forward Vlatko Cancar to a multiyear contract, General Manager Calvin Booth announced today.

Čančar, 6-8, 235, has appeared in 70 games (two starts) for Denver over the past three seasons, averaging 2.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.2 minutes per game. Čančar dealt with injuries throughout the 2021-22 season, appearing in 15 games while averaging 4.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists on .583 shooting from three-point range.

Before originally signing with Denver in 2019, The 25-year-old native of Slovenia played for the San Pablo Burgos in the Spanish ACB league during the 2018-19 season. He appeared in 34 games (22 starts) and averaged 10.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 22.9 minutes per game. He was named to the Spanish ABC Best Young Team after his solid season which highlights the most promising young prospects in their league. Prior to his time with the San Pablo Burgos, Čančar played multiple seasons for KK Mega Bemax of the Adriatic League and was named the 2017-18 Round 18 MVP.

Čančar was originally selected by Denver with the 49th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.