Inside Hoops – Page 183 – NBA Blog

Hawks trade Kevin Huerter to Kings for Maurice Harkless, Justin Holiday and draft pick

The Sacramento Kings yesterday acquired Kevin Huerter in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Maurice Harkless, Justin Holiday and a future first round pick, according to General Manager Monte McNair.

“The opportunity to acquire a player like Kevin is always exciting,” said Kings General Manager Monte McNair. “His ability to create shots and score will make him an instant asset to our team. We would also like to thank Maurice Harkless and Justin Holiday for their many contributions and wish them all the best in the future.”

Huerter, 23, played for Atlanta for the last four seasons (2018-22). During the 2021-22 campaign, Huerter averaged 12.1 points (.454 FG%, .389 3PT%, .808 FT%) 3.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 29.6 minutes per game through 74 games (60 starts).

“In acquiring Justin and Moe, we add two defensive-minded, quality veterans who can help our team on the court and in the locker room,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk. “We would like to thank Kevin for his contributions, both on and off the court. He grew as a player and person in his four seasons with us and we wish him the best in Sacramento.”

Holiday, who was acquired by Sacramento on Feb. 8 in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, appeared in 74 total games during the 2021-22 season (65 starts), averaging 10.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 27.8 minutes (.394 FG%, .367 3FG%, .806 FT%). He put in 10-or-more points on 37 occasions this past season, including pouring in a season-high 27 points on 9-11 shooting from the field and a 6-8 mark from three-point territory in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 13. Holiday’s .818 field goal percentage in the victory marked a career-high clip from the floor (min. 10 FGA).

From the 2018-19 campaign through the 2020-21 season, the 6-6 guard saw action in every game (227 total games, 135 starts). Holiday brings nine years of NBA playing experience to the Hawks, having suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers (2012-13), Golden State Warriors (2014-15), Atlanta Hawks (2015-16), Chicago Bulls (2015-16, 2017-18), New York Knicks (2016-17), Memphis Grizzlies (2018-19), Indiana Pacers (2019-22) and Sacramento Kings (2021-22). He has appeared in 576 games (285 starts), tallying 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.6 minutes (.398 FG%, .365 3FG%, .820 FT%). He has also seen action in nine postseason games (two starts), registering 3.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 15.8 minutes (.478 FG%, .529 3FG%).

Holiday brings international playing experience to Atlanta, having played for Okapi Aalstar (2011-12, Belgium) and Szolnoki Olaj (2013-14, Hungary). The Chatsworth, California, native suited up for the Washington Huskies from 2007-11, earning a spot on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team in 2010. Holiday’s younger brother, Aaron, was recently signed by the Atlanta Hawks, while his older brother, Jrue, is a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Harkless appeared in 47 games (24 starts) for the Kings during the 2021-22 season, notching 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 18.4 minutes (.459 FG%, .307 3FG%, .714 FT%). He recorded a double-double in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 5, tallying a season-high tying 18 points on 7-14 shooting from the floor, including a 4-8 clip from the three-point line, and a season-high 11 rebounds in 38 minutes.

Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 15th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Harkless has appeared in 621 games (372 starts) over his 10-year career, averaging 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 22.6 minutes (.474 FG%, .320 3FG%, .624 FT%). Acquired by the Orlando Magic as part of a four-team trade prior to the start of his rookie season, the 6-7 forward has played for the Magic (2012-15), Portland Trail Blazers (2015-19), LA Clippers (2019-20), New York Knicks (2019-20), Miami Heat (2020-21) and Sacramento Kings (2020-22). He has appeared in 33 postseason games (32 starts), owning averages of 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steal in 24.6 minutes (.436 FG%, .289 3FG%, .609 FT%).

A native of Queens, New York, Harkless played collegiately at St. John’s for one season (2011-12) before entering the NBA Draft. In his sole season suiting up for the Red Storm, he was named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, as well as a member of the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team and an All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention.

Raptors sign Otto Porter Jr.

The Toronto Raptors announced yesterday they have signed forward Otto Porter Jr. to a multi-year contract.

Porter Jr., 6-foot-8, 198 pounds, averaged 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 22.2 minutes in 63 games (15 starts) with Golden State last season. He shot .464 (193-416) from the field, including .370 (80-216) from three-point range, scored in double figures 26 times, and recorded five double-doubles. In the playoffs, he helped the Warriors capture the NBA championship, averaging 5.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 19.5 minutes in 19 games (three starts).

“As an organization that’s working toward our next title, we believe that Otto – who understands what it takes to be an NBA Champion – is a great addition to the Raptors. He has proven himself at the highest levels in our game,” General Manager Bobby Webster said. “He’s a versatile defender and high-level shooter who fits well with our team both on and off the court. We really value his high basketball IQ, his connections to our city, and we’re looking forward to getting started.”

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Porter Jr. has played nine seasons in the NBA after being selected third overall by Washington in the 2013 draft. He has appeared in 504 career games (316 starts), averaging 10.6 points (.477 field goal percentage, .398 three-point percentage, .794 free throw percentage), 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.13 steals in 26.0 minutes with Washington, Chicago, Orlando and Golden State. Porter Jr. has appeared in 50 career postseason contests (21 starts), averaging 8.2 points (.491 field goal percentage, .359 three-point percentage, .726 free throw percentage), 5.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.12 steals in 25.9 minutes. Prior to being drafted by the Wizards, Porter Jr. played two seasons at Georgetown (2011-13).

Jazz trade Rudy Gobert to Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday acquired center Rudy Gobert in a trade with the Utah Jazz for guards Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley and forward Jarred Vanderbilt, along with guard Leandro Bolmaro, the draft rights to center Walker Kessler and Minnesota’s 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029 first round picks and a 2026 first round pick swap.

Gobert, 30, has appeared in 611 regular season games (519 starts) in nine NBA seasons with the Jazz, averaging 12.4 points on 65.3% shooting, 11.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. The 7-1 center played in 66 games (all starts) last season, averaging 15.6 points on a career-high 71.3% shooting, a career-best 14.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. His 71.3% (362-of-508) from the field led the NBA during the 2021-22 season and per the Elias Sports Bureau, he joined Wilt Chamberlain (1972-73) and DeAndre Jordan (3x, MR: 2016-17) as the only players in NBA history to shoot 70% or better from the field on 500+ shots. In addition to leading the NBA last season in rebounding and shooting percentage, Gobert ranked second in double-doubles (53) and third in blocks (2.1). He’s seen action in 49 career playoff games (all starts) with averages of 13.4 points on 66.2% shooting, 11.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

The Saint-Quentin, France native is a three-time All-NBA selection (Second Team in 2017, Third Team in 2019 and 2021), a three-time Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2018, 2019, 2021), a three-time NBA All-Star (2020, 2021, 2022) and a six-time All-Defensive First Team selection (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022). Gobert has played in the last two Olympics for France, leading the French National Team to a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. During the 2020 Olympics, he averaged 12.2 points on 63.6% shooting and 9.3 rebounds, earning him a spot on the Men’s Basketball All-Star Five.

Gobert was originally drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the 27th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Acquired via trade from the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 25, 2021, Beverley appeared in 58 games (54 starts) for the Wolves last season, averaging 9.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. He holds career averages of 8.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 10 NBA seasons.

Acquired by the Timberwolves via a trade with the Nuggets on Feb. 5, 2020, Beasley appeared in 130 games (68 starts) for Minnesota over three seasons, averaging 15.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He holds career averages of 10.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in seven NBA seasons.

Acquired by the Timberwolves via a trade with the Nuggets on Feb. 5, 2020, Vanderbilt appeared in 140 games (97 starts) for Minnesota over three seasons, averaging 6.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He holds career averages of 5.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in five NBA seasons.

Bolmaro appeared in 35 games last season for Minnesota, averaging 1.4 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. He was originally acquired by the Timberwolves via a trade with the New York Knicks on Nov. 20, 2020.

Kessler averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game as a sophomore at Auburn University. His draft rights were originally acquired via trade during the 2022 NBA Draft from the Grizzlies.

Sixers sign Danuel House Jr.

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey announced yesterday that the team has signed Danuel House Jr.

“Danuel is a very talented two-way player who immediately bolsters our wing depth and strengthens our roster,” Morey said. “He is a willing shooter from outside who can space the floor and punish the opposition. On defense, his size, athleticism and ability to guard multiple positions make him a tough match-up, especially as we plan for a deep playoff run. I’m excited for Danuel’s future in Philadelphia.”

House Jr. played in 42 games in 2021-22 between Houston, New York, and Utah, averaging 5.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. He shot .376 from beyond the arc, connecting on at least four three-pointers on three separate occasions.

House Jr. closed out the 2021-22 campaign with the Jazz, shooting 34-of-82 from beyond the arc (.415). He tallied 10-plus points on six occasions, including a season-high 21-point performance on 7-of-11 shooting (4-6 3FG) at Memphis on Jan. 28.

Signed as an undrafted free agent by Washington in 2016, House Jr. has produced 8.5 points (.427 FG, .366 3FG, .764 FT), 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 24.3 minutes in 204 total NBA games (98 starts) over six seasons with Washington, Phoenix, Houston, New York and Utah. His three-point percentage ranks ninth among players with at least 315 made triples and 5,000-or-fewer minutes since entering the league in 2016.

The Houston native also has NBA G League experience, recording career marks of 18.2 points (.450 FG, .368 3FG, .789 FT), 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 32.0 minutes in 60 games (42 starts) with Delaware (2016-17), Northern Arizona (2017-18), and Rio Grande Valley (2017-19). He played in seven games for the then-87ers – the 76ers’ G League affiliate – in 2016-17, scoring 10-plus points in five of those contests.

Prior to his professional career, House Jr. played four seasons collegiately between the University of Houston (2012-2014) and Texas A&M (2014-2016), averaging 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He earned Second Team All-SEC honors as a junior with the Aggies, before notching an All-SEC Tournament First Team nod as a senior. House Jr. finished in the top-12 in the Southeastern Conference in scoring in his junior (nine – 14.8 ppg) and senior (12th – 15.6 ppg) seasons.

Hornets re-sign Cody Martin

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced yesterday that the team has re-signed forward Cody Martin.

Martin, who appeared in 71 games during the 2021-22 season, averaged 7.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game, setting all new single-season career highs. In his third season out of Nevada, Martin connected on .482% of his field goal attempts and .384% from three-point range, which were both career highs. He ended last season ranked 26th in steals per contest among league leaders and was tied for 16th in the NBA in multi-steal games (28).

“Re-signing Cody was one of our offseason priorities, and we’re excited to have him return to the Hornets,” said Kupchak. “He is an exceptional defender, plays hard at both ends of the floor and has improved all aspects of his game since entering the NBA. Cody will continue to be a valuable member of our team as we move forward.”

Selected with the 36th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by Charlotte, Martin has made 171 career appearances, accruing averages of 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 21.2 minutes per outing.

Sixers sign P.J. Tucker

The Philadelphia 76ers yesterday signed forward P.J. Tucker.

“P.J. Tucker is one of the most respected and relentless competitors in our game and is the type of competitor our fans will love and embrace,” Morey said. “We’re excited to add his leadership, toughness, defensive versatility and championship pedigree to our roster. P.J. wants to deliver an NBA title to Philadelphia and his work ethic and mentality make him an impactful addition to our team and city.”

“This team is good enough to compete head-to-head with anybody in the league, and I’m going to come in here and do whatever I can to help get us to that next level,” Tucker said. “Philly fans demand greatness and it will be up to us to get to where we need to be in order to accomplish our goals. I’m excited to get to work.”

Tucker appeared in 71 games (70 starts) for Miami in 2021-22, averaging 7.6 points on .484 shooting, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.8 steals in 27.9 minutes. He shot a career-best .415 from beyond the arc this past season and was one of six NBA players with at least 70 corner three-point field goals on 40-percent shooting-or-better.

The North Carolina native reached the 20-point mark twice in 2021-22, including a season-high 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting (5-8 3FG) at Cleveland on Dec. 13.

Originally selected by Toronto in the second round (No. 35 overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Tucker has compiled career averages of 7.1 points (.425 FG, .364 3FG, .748 FT), 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 29.0 minutes in 777 career games (581 starts) with the Raptors, Suns, Rockets, Bucks, and Heat. He has appeared in at least 70 games nine times throughout his 11 NBA seasons, including three 82-game seasons (most recently in 2018-19).

Tucker has shot at least .330 from beyond the arc in each of his last nine NBA seasons from 2013-22, making him one of 11 NBA players to accomplish that feat (min. 115 3FGA). The 11-year veteran is one of 18 NBA players to tally at least 380 steals and 480 three-point field goals over the last five seasons.

Tucker has been a part of six playoff runs during his 11 NBA seasons, averaging 7.3 points (.439 FG, .407 3FG), 6.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 31.3 minutes played across 91 career postseason contests (78 starts) with Toronto, Houston, Milwaukee, and Miami. He has appeared in 41 playoff games over the last two seasons, including a 2021 NBA Championship run with the Bucks in which he started 19 of the team’s 23 postseason games. During the title run, Tucker was one of four players to total at least 110 rebounds along with 20 steals in the postseason.

In addition to his 11 NBA seasons, Tucker spent two seasons playing internationally for Aris Thessaloniki, Aris, Fabi Shoes Montegranaro and Brose Baskets. During this time, he posted averages of 12.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.0 steals while shooting .400 from three.

Before turning pro, Tucker played collegiately at Texas from 2003-06. As a Longhorn, Tucker was named Big 12 Player of the Year in 2006 along with being selected to the All-Big 12 First Team, Big 12 All-Defensive Team, All-Big 12 Tournament First Team and being named to the 2006 NCAA Tournament All-Region team along with being named a Consensus Second Team All-American.

Following his three-year career, Tucker ranked 18th in program history in career scoring (1,169 points), eighth in career rebounds (714) and tied for fifth in career double-doubles (28).

Pistons trade Jerami Grant to Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers yesterday acquired forward Jerami Grant and the draft rights to Ismael Kamagate in a trade with the Detroit Pistons for the draft rights to Gabriele Procida, a 2025 first-round draft pick (via Milwaukee), a 2025 second-round draft pick and a 2026 second-round draft pick.

“Jerami Grant is a dynamic two-way forward that can impact winning at a high level,” said Trail Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin. “He fits seamlessly into Coach Billups’ system on both sides of the ball. We could not be happier to have him in Portland.”

Grant, 28, averaged 19.2 points (42.6% FG, 35.8% 3-PT, 83.8% FT), 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.94 steals and 1.04 blocks in 47 games (all starts) for the Pistons during the 2021-22 season. A Gold Medalist with Team USA at the 2021 Olympics, Grant has made the NBA playoffs four times, posting averages of 10.5 points (45.6% FG, 34.1% 3-PT, 80.0% FT), 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 35 games (21 starts).

An eight-year NBA veteran, Grant (6-8, 210) holds career averages of 11.4 points (45.2% FG, 34.9% 3-PT, 72.3% FT), 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.63 steals and 1.11 blocks in 555 games (270 starts) with Detroit, Denver, Oklahoma City and Philadelphia. He was originally selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 39th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft. Grant, a Portland native, is the son of 13-year NBA veteran Harvey Grant, who played three seasons for the Trail Blazers from 1993-1996.

Orlando Magic sign Bol Bol

The Orlando Magic have re-signed free agent center Bol Bol, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Bol (7’2”, 220, 11/16/99, #10) played in 14 games last season with Denver, averaging 2.4 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 5.8 minpg. He scored in double figures once – a career-high 11 points on Jan. 1 @ Houston. Bol was also with Boston and Orlando during the season, but did not appear in any games with either team after undergoing surgery on his right foot on Jan. 18.

Originally selected in the second round (44th overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft by Miami, Bol has played in 53 career NBA regular season games (two starts), all with Denver, averaging 2.7 ppg. and 1.2 rpg. in 6.2 minpg. He was acquired by Orlando from Boston, along with D.J. Dozier, a future second round draft pick and cash considerations in exchange for a future second round draft pick on Feb. 10, 2021.

Rockets re-sign Jae’Sean Tate

The Houston Rockets yesterday re-signed forward Jae’Sean Tate to a multi-year contract.

Tate was eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft following his senior season at Ohio State. He began his professional career overseas before signing as a free agent with the Rockets on Nov. 25, 2020. Tate started 58 of his 70 games played as a rookie in 2020-21 and became the second undrafted player to earn NBA All-Rookie First Team honors going back to 2011-12.

In two seasons as a Rocket, Tate has averaged 11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.06 steals while shooting 50.1% from the floor. He became the fifth player in NBA history to have reached his total of points (1,713), rebounds (794), assists (400), steals (157), blocks (77), and 3-pointers made (123) through the first 148 games played of a career, joining Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Lamar Odom, and LeBron James.

Tate has appeared in 148 of a possible 154 games as a Rocket. He tied Detroit’s Saddiq Bey for the most starts (135) by a sophomore over the past two seasons and tied for the sixth-most games played by any player over that span.

Nuggets trade Monte Morris and Will Barton to Wizards for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith

The Washington Wizards yesterday acquired Monte Morris and Will Barton III in a trade with the Denver Nuggets that sent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith to the Nuggets.

“We’re very excited to add Monte and Will as proven players at the point guard and shooting guard positions, two areas that were top priorities for us to address during this offseason,” said Wizards President and General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “Monte has steadily improved his all-around game and is coming off a career year while Will has been a consistent scorer and three-point threat during his time in Denver, and both are obviously familiar with Coach Unseld’s system and style.”

Morris (6-3, 175), a five-year NBA veteran, comes to Washington after averaging career-bests of 12.6 points, 4.4 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 75 games (74 starts) in 2021-22. Morris topped 20 points on seven different occasions last year and dished at least five assists in 34 games while limiting turnovers, as he finished fifth in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio at 4.27:1.

In 280 career games (105 starts) with the Nuggets, Morris has averaged 10.5 points and 3.7 assists per game on .481 shooting from the field and .394 shooting from three with a 4.8:1 assist to turnover ratio. He has averaged double-digit scoring over each of the past two seasons and has shot at least .450 from the field and .370 from three-point territory in each of the past four. He ranked 29th in three-point percentage last season (.395) and connected on multiple three-pointers in 36 games. Morris shot a career-best .414 from three-point range in 2018-19, 13th best in the NBA. The native of Grand Rapids, MI, played four years at Iowa State, leaving as the Cyclones’ all-time winningest player with 100 victories before being selected 51st overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by Denver.

Barton III (6-6, 190) has played 10 NBA seasons with Portland and Denver, appearing in 623 games (284 starts) and averaging 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting .362 from three-point range. In his seven-and-a-half seasons in Denver after being acquired at the 2015 trade deadline, Barton III averaged 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game and leaves the Nuggets as the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers made (804).

In 71 games (all starts) with the Nuggets last season, Barton III averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists in 32.1 minutes per contest. He shot .438 from the field and .365 from three-point territory while attempting a career-high 6.1 three-pointers per game. The 31-year-old guard scored in double-figures in 57 games and totaled 20 or more points on 17 occasions. The Memphis product averaged 10+ points in every season with Denver (2015-2022) and has shot .360 or better from three-point range in five of the last six seasons. The Baltimore native was originally selected with the 40th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by Portland.

Morris and Barton III combined to average 27.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game on .444 shooting from the field and .407 shooting from three during the 2021-22 NBA Playoffs.

Caldwell-Pope started in 77 games in his lone season in Washington after being acquired as part of the five-team deal from the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 13.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. In his second stint in Washington, Ish Smith averaged 8.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game in 28 games after being acquired at the trade deadline from Charlotte.

“We wish KCP and Ish and their families the very best and we thank them for their time with the Wizards,” said Sheppard.