Inside Hoops – Page 184 – NBA Blog

Grizzlies re-sign Tyus Jones

The Memphis Grizzlies yesterday re-signed guard Tyus Jones to a multi-year contract extension.

Jones (6-0 ¼, 196) appeared in 73 games (23 starts) last season, his third with the Grizzlies, and averaged a career-high 8.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 21.2 minutes while shooting 45.1% from the field, a career-best 39.0% from 3-point range and 81.8% from the free throw line. Jones set single-season career highs for field goals made (249) and 3-pointers made (80).

The 26-year-old established a new NBA single-season record with a 7.04 assist-to-turnover ratio last season, eclipsing the previous league record (6.96) he set during the 2018-19 season. Jones has led all qualified players in this category for each of the last four seasons, tying Chris Paul (2012-16) for the longest such streak in NBA history.

A native of Minneapolis, Jones has competed in 208 games (38 starts) for Memphis and has averaged 7.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 19.2 minutes since signing with the Grizzlies as a free agent on July 7, 2019. He has helped guide Memphis to the NBA Playoffs in each of the past two seasons and helped the Grizzlies record the second-best record in the NBA (56-26), tying a franchise record, last season.

Selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Jones has competed in 455 games (72 starts) and has averaged 6.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 18.4 minutes with the Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves. He led Duke to the 2015 NCAA championship as a freshman.

Miami Heat re-sign Dewayne Dedmon

The Miami Heat have re-signed center Dewayne Dedmon.

“Dewayne brings essential attributes to the center position, including size, length, physicality, rebounding, scoring and a defensive mentality to protect the rim,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He has proven to be a great veteran for us and we are fortunate to have him back.”

Dedmon appeared in 67 games (15 starts) with the HEAT last season and averaged 6.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 15.9 minutes of action while shooting 56.6 percent from the field, 40.4 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the foul line. He finished second on the team in blocks and offensive rebounds and third in total rebounds and charges taken. He led the team in blocks 22 times, in rebounds 11 times, plus/minus 10 times, steals twice and assists once while leading Miami’s reserves in rebounds a team-high 28 times and blocks on a team-high 19 occasions. He also appeared in 14 postseason games on Miami’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals and averaged 3.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 9.8 minutes of action while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the foul line.

Dedmon has now appeared in 477 regular season games (209 starts) during his nine-year NBA career and has averaged 6.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in 17.8 minutes while shooting 52.7 percent from the field.

Miami Heat re-sign Caleb Martin

The Miami HEAT have re-signed forward Caleb Martin.

“Caleb is a multi-position player with tremendous energy that had a career year with us,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He works hard and deserves this as much as any young player in the league. We are extremely happy he has decided to come back.”

Martin, who was originally signed by the HEAT to a two-way contract on September 14 and later converted to a standard contract on February 15, appeared in 60 games (12 starts) with Miami last season and averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 22.9 minutes while shooting 50.7 percent from the field, 41.3 percent from three-point range and 76.3 percent from the foul line. In his 12 starts, Martin averaged 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 52.8 percent from the field and a perfect 12-of-12 from the line. He set single season career highs in points, rebounds, steals, blocks, field goals made, three-point field goals made, free throws made and field goal percentage. He finished third on the team in blocks, fourth in dunks and tied for fourth in three-point plays. He led the team in steals and blocks 16 times each, in plus/minus on seven occasions, in scoring three times and in minutes and rebounds twice each while also topping the reserves in steals a team-high 23 times. Additionally, Martin appeared in 17 postseason games on Miami’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals and averaged 4.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.3 minutes of action.

Martin has now appeared in 131 regular season games (16 starts) during his three-year NBA career and has averaged 7.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 19.1 minutes while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from three-point range and 72.5 percent from the foul line. He has also appeared in 28 career G League games (all starts) and averaged 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.61 steals and 36.9 minutes while shooting 47 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three-point range.

Lakers sign Thomas Bryant

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Thomas Bryant.

His deal is reportedly a one-year contract for the league minimum.

Bryant appeared in 27 games (nine starts) for the Wizards last season, averaging 7.4 points (.520 FG%) and 4.0 rebounds in 16.3 minutes. Bryant returns to Los Angeles after appearing in 15 games as a rookie for the Lakers during the 2017-18 season. Across five seasons with Los Angeles and Washington, Bryant has appeared in 170 games (108 starts) with career averages of 10.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 20.1 minutes, while shooting 59.0 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from three-point range.

Per ESPN.com, “Bryant was originally drafted by the Lakers in the second round of the 2017 draft, but he was waived after a rookie season that saw him play in only 52 games. He gives this Lakers team more frontcourt depth and a starting-caliber center to pair alongside Anthony Davis.”

Grizzlies sign rookie Kennedy Chandler

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed 2022 second round draft pick, guard Kennedy Chandler, to a multi-year contract.

A Memphis native, Chandler (6-0, 171) was acquired by the Grizzlies with the No. 38 overall pick pursuant to a draft-night trade with the San Antonio Spurs. The 19-year-old guided the Volunteers to the 2022 SEC Tournament championship last season and became the second player in program history to be named the SEC Tournament MVP, joining Allan Houston (1991).

Chandler started all 34 of his appearances for Tennessee and averaged 13.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.18 steals in 30.8 minutes while shooting 46.4% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range. He ranked second in the SEC in steals. He was named to the All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Freshman Team last season.

Knicks trade Kemba Walker and Jalen Duren to Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have acquired the draft rights to Jalen Duren, the No. 13 selection in the 2022 NBA Draft, and Kemba Walker in a trade with the New York Knicks for a 2025 first-round draft pick via the Milwaukee Bucks.

Duren, 6-10, 250, averaged 12.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.1 blocks in 25.2 minutes over 29 games for Memphis in 2021-22. In his lone collegiate season, Duren was named American Athletic Conference (AAC) Freshman of the Year and was both an All-AAC First Team and All-Freshman Team selection. Duren was also a six-time AAC Freshman of the Week choice and earned All-AAC Tournament Team honors in postseason play.

The Philadelphia native led the AAC in rebounds and blocks last season, while leading Memphis in scoring on .597 shooting from the field. He recorded three games with at least 20 points and nine games with double-digit rebounds, including becoming the fourth freshman in the nation since 2010-11 to record at least 20 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks in a game.

Duren was the youngest player (18 years, 231 days) in the NBA Draft this year and played at Montverde Academy for his junior year in high school after competing for two seasons at Roman Catholic in Philadelphia.

Walker, 6-0, 184, tallied clips of 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 25.6 minutes over 37 games (all starts) for the New York Knicks last season. The four-time NBA All-Star holds career marks of 19.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 steals through 741 NBA games (696 starts) across 11 seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics and the Knicks.

Clippers re-sign Amir Coffey

The LA Clippers have re-signed free agent Amir Coffey.

“Amir joined our organization as an undrafted free agent and has turned himself into a reliable and versatile two-way wing,” said President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank. “He is an important part of our present and future, as well as an example to all our young players. He put in the work and is reaping the rewards.”

Coffey, 25, appeared in 69 games (30 starts) and averaged career-highs in points (9.0), rebounds (2.9) and assists (1.8). On April 10 against Oklahoma City, Coffey became the eighth player in franchise history to register at least 35 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in a game. The 6-foot-7 forward has appeared in 131 NBA games and owns career averages of 6.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16.2 minutes over the past three seasons with the Clippers.

A native of Hopkins, Minn., Coffey spent three years at the University of Minnesota, where he earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors (2017) and an All-Big Ten Third Team selection (2019).

Trail Blazers sign Gary Payton II

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard Gary Payton II, it was announced today by General Manager Joe Cronin.

“We are excited to have Gary join us in Portland,” said Cronin. “Gary brings an elite defensive acumen and championship pedigree that will be essential to how we play basketball. His competitiveness and toughness will accent Coach Billups’ style of play.”

Payton’s deal with the Blazers is reportedly a three-year, $28 million contract.

A six-year NBA veteran out of Oregon State, Payton (6-3, 190) averaged 7.1 points (61.6% FG, 35.8% 3PT, 60.3% FT), 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.35 steals and 17.6 minutes in 71 games (16 starts) as a prominent contributor to the 2022 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors during the 2021-22 season. Payton posted career highs in points per game (7.1), rebounds (3.5), steals (1.35) and minutes (17.6) and led the team in steals per game and total steals.

Over the course of six seasons, Payton has garnered career averages of 5.2 points (54.2% FG, 32.0% 3PT, 57.1% FT), 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.04 steals and 14.5 minutes per game in 142 games (39 starts) for Golden State, Washington, Milwaukee and the L.A. Lakers.

Pistons re-sign Marvin Bagley III

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has re-signed Marvin Bagley III.

Bagley’s deal with the Pistons is reportedly a three year, $37.5 million contract.

Bagley, 6-11, 235, posted clips of 14.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.7 steals in 27.2 minutes through 18 games (eight starts) with the Pistons in 2021-22. He scored in double figures in 15 of his 18 games with Detroit, including four games with at least 20 points. Bagley was acquired via trade from the Sacramento Kings in a four-team deal also involving the Milwaukee Bucks and L.A. Clippers on Feb. 10, 2022, after spending three-plus seasons with the Kings.

A native of Tempe, Ariz., Bagley has appeared in 166 games (77 starts) over four seasons with the Kings and Pistons, holding career averages of 13.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.7 blocks in 25.1 minutes. Bagley was named to the All-Rookie First Team in 2018-19.

The former second overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft played collegiately at Duke and was named ACC Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year and a consensus All-America First Team selection after recording 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in his lone season at Duke in 2017-18.

Clippers re-sign Nicolas Batum

The LA Clippers have re-signed free agent Nicolas Batum, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank.

“Nico is a selfless vet and a winning player whose intelligence, versatility and skill have lifted our team for the past two years,” said Frank. “We wanted to keep building with him and are honored he wanted the same.”

Batum, 33, appeared in 59 games (54 starts) for the Clippers last season and averaged 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 40.0% from beyond the arc. The 6-foot-8 forward has appeared in 915 career games with averages of 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists over 14 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets and Clippers. Batum is one of eight active NBA players with 10,000 points, 4,500 rebounds and 1,400 three-pointers made.

From Lisieux, France, Batum has been a member of the French National Team since 2009, representing his country in the 2012 and 2021 Olympics, 2010 FIBA World Championship, 2014 FIBA World Cup, and 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA European Championships. He led France to a gold medal in the 2013 European Championship, silver medals in the 2011 European Championship and the 2021 Olympics, and bronze medals in the 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2015 European Championship.