Inside Hoops – Page 185 – NBA Blog

Wizards sign Delon Wright

The Washington Wizards have signed seven-year NBA veteran guard Delon Wright.

“Delon’s versatility as a playmaker, scorer and defender will help us solidify our backcourt rotation,” said Wizards President and General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “His size allows him to play and defend both guard positions and will give us flexibility with our lineups.”

Wright’s deal with the Wizards is reportedly a two-year, $16 million contract.

Wright (6-5, 185) holds career averages of 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in seven seasons and 411 games (70 starts) with Toronto, Memphis, Dallas, Detroit, Sacramento and Atlanta. The 30-year-old played in 77 games (eight starts) in 2021-22 with Atlanta, posting averages of 4.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. In his eight starts in 2021-22, Wright averaged 10.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting .492 from the field and .440 from three. Wright averaged career highs in points (10.2), rebounds (4.3), assists (4.4) and steals (1.6) per game in 2020-21 as a member of the Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings.

Originally from Los Angeles, Wright was selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. He played collegiately at the University of Utah, where he was twice named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team (2014 and 2015) and became the first player in men’s basketball history to be named to the first-team All-Pac-12 in consecutive years (2014 and 2015). During the 2014-15 season with the Utes, Wright was teammates with current Wizard Kyle Kuzma. He attended Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, California, which also produced Russell Westbrook, and is the younger brother of former NBA champion Dorell Wright.

Pelicans sign Zion Williamson to huge contract extension

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed forward Zion Williamson to a multi-year contract extension.

“We are building a foundation of sustained success. We have a wonderful mix of young talent and veteran leadership and adding Zion long-term to this roster is something that I know our fans are very excited to see come together on the floor this season and for many seasons to come,” said Pelicans Governor Gayle Benson. “Zion’s talents are not only transformative on the court, but his commitment to our community, our city and region will also be transformative. What a wonderful birthday for him and his family.”

Per ESPN.com, “Williamson’s deal is worth $193 million over five years and could jump to $231 million if he hits the escalator clauses in the deal by making an All-NBA team next season. Griffin said during the news conference that followed the signing that Williamson’s deal does not include a player option on the end of it. When Brandon Ingram signed his five-year deal with New Orleans following the 2019-20 season, he also signed a five-year deal with no option.”

Williamson, who was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke, has appeared in 85 career games (all starts) with New Orleans, averaging 25.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, while shooting .604 from the floor, .333 from three-point range and .683 from the free throw line. In addition, Williamson has scored in double-figures 84 times, including 49 performances of 20 or more points.

“Zion is an astounding 22-year old talent, who we believe is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of, both on and off the floor,” said Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “We are extremely pleased to take this next step of our collective journey together.”

During the 2020-21 season, Williamson appeared in 61 games (all starts), averaging 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 33.2 minutes per game. Williamson recorded 20-plus points in 25 straight games during a stretch between February 5 and April 6, marking the longest consecutive game streak in NBA history for a player under 21 years old. The South Carolina native was named to the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, becoming the 10th player in NBA history to earn All-Star recognition prior to turning 21, and the fourth youngest player in NBA history behind Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Magic Johnson.

Sacramento Kings sign Malik Monk

The Sacramento Kings have signed free agent guard Malik Monk, according to General Manager Monte McNair.

“Malik Monk is an elite shooter, fierce competitor and tremendous athlete,” said McNair. “We’re thrilled to have him join us in Sacramento.”

Monk’s deal with the Kings is reportedly a two-year, $19 million contract.

During the 2021-22 campaign, Monk competed in 76 games (37 starts) and averaged 13.8 points (.473 FG%, .391 3PT%, .795 FT%), 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 28.1 minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers. Monk posted career-highs in points (41), field-goals made (14), rebounds (10) and blocks (3) during the 2021-22 season.

Per the Sacramento Bee, “Monk is a 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard who will help the Kings improve their shooting around Fox and center Domantas Sabonis.”

A five-year NBA veteran, Monk has accrued career averages of 10.3 points (.424 FG%, .355 3pt%, .830 FT%), 2.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 20.4 minutes per game in 309 games (38 starts) for two teams, the Charlotte Hornets (2017-21) and the Los Angeles Lakers (2021-22).

Selected by the Hornets with the 11th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Monk spent one season at the University of Kentucky where he helped lead the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 in 2018.

Monk will wear No. 0 for the Kings.

Lakers sign Lonnie Walker IV

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

Walker’s deal with the Lakers is reportedly a one-year, $6.5 million contract.

Walker IV appeared in 70 games (six starts) for San Antonio last season, averaging a career-high 12.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and a career-best 2.2 assists in 23.0 minutes per game. In four seasons with the Spurs, Walker IV appeared in 208 games (56 starts) with career averages of 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 20.4 minutes, while shooting 34.3 percent from three-point range.

Nets hire Igor Kokoskov, Adam Caporn and Trevor Hendry as assistant coaches

The Brooklyn Nets have named Igor Kokoškov, Adam Caporn and Trevor Hendry as assistant coaches. They join Jacque Vaughn, Brian Keefe, Tiago Splitter, Royal Ivey and Ryan Forehan-Kelly on Head Coach Steve Nash’s staff.

Kokoškov has more than two decades of NBA coaching experience and most recently served as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2021-22 season, helping lead the team to the Western Conference Finals. The Serbian native began his NBA coaching career as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2000-01 season, becoming the first non-American to serve as a full-time NBA assistant coach. Kokoškov spent three seasons (2000-03) with the Clippers before moving on to the Detroit Pistons, spending five seasons (2003-08) in Detroit and helping guide the Pistons to the 2004 NBA Championship. From there, Kokoškov worked as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns (2008-13), Cleveland Cavaliers (2013-14), Orlando Magic (2014-15), Utah Jazz (2015-18) and Sacramento Kings (2019-20), while also leading the Suns as the franchise’s head coach during the 2018-19 season. In addition to his time in the NBA, Kokoškov spent the 2020-21 season as head coach of the Turkish League’s Fenerbahce. Prior to beginning his professional coaching career in the United States, Kokoškov worked as an assistant coach at the University of Missouri (1999-2000), becoming the first European to work as part of a full-time coaching staff in NCAA Division I men’s basketball.

Kokoškov has extensive experience coaching internationally, having served as the head coach of the national teams of Georgia (2008-15), Slovenia (2016-17), where he guided the team to the gold medal at EuroBasket 2017 in Turkey, and Serbia (2019-21).

Caporn joins Brooklyn after serving as head coach of the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s NBA G League affiliate, for the 2021-22 season, leading the team to its second playoff berth in franchise history with an 18-15 overall record and earning NBA G League Coach of the Month honors in February after Long Island went 8-2 for the month. The Australian native spent the previous seven seasons (2014-21) as head coach of Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence, the country’s leading player development program. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the Australian National Team, a position he has held since 2017, and helped lead the Boomers to a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games last summer. Previously, he served two years (2014-16) as head coach of Australia’s U19 National Team and was an assistant coach at Saint Mary’s College of California for four seasons (2010-14). Caporn also spent one season (2010-11) as a scholarship assistant coach at the Centre of Excellence, one season (2009-10) as head coach of the East Perth Eagles in Australia’s NBL1 and one season (2007-08) as an assistant coach for the Willetton Tigers in Australia’s NBL1 while still in the midst of his playing career.

Prior to pursuing coaching, Caporn played two collegiate seasons (2001-03) at Saint Mary’s and six professional seasons in Australia and New Zealand’s National Basketball League with the Illawarra Hawks (2003-06), Wellington Saints (2004) and Perth Wildcats (2006-09).

Hendry has been named assistant coach after spending the last four seasons as Brooklyn’s head video coordinator. He originally joined the Nets organization in 2014 and served in a variety of basketball operations roles prior to entering the video room. He then spent one season (2016-17) as a video and player development seasonal assistant for Brooklyn’s NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, and one season (2017-18) in the same role for Brooklyn before becoming head video coordinator. Prior to joining the Nets, the Waterford, Conn., native earned both a Bachelor of Arts in business and a Master of Business Administration from Clark University.

Brooklyn Nets re-sign Kessler Edwards

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed forward Kessler Edwards to a multi-year contract.

Edwards appeared in 48 games (23 starts) in his rookie season with the Nets, registering averages of 5.9 points on 41.2 percent shooting from the field, 35.3 percent shooting from 3-point range and 84.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line and 3.6 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per game. He also saw action in two playoff games in Brooklyn’s first round series versus Boston. In addition to his NBA experience, Edwards appeared in and started seven games for Brooklyn’s NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, during the NBA G League Showcase Cup, posting averages of 15.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.6 blocks in 34.0 minutes per contest. The 21-year-old was originally selected with the 44th pick in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft by Brooklyn and signed a two-way contract with the team on Aug. 16, 2021, before signing a standard NBA contract with the Nets on April 10, 2022. The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native’s 23 starts marked the most starts for a rookie selected 44th or lower in Nets history.

Prior to joining the Nets, Edwards played three collegiate seasons (2018-21) at Pepperdine, where he was an All-WCC First Team selection as a junior, an All-WCC Second Team selection as a sophomore and named to the WCC All-Freshman team after his first season.

Edwards will compete for Brooklyn’s NBA 2K23 Summer League team in Las Vegas.

Atlanta Hawks sign Aaron Holiday

The Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent guard Aaron Holiday.

Holiday comes to Atlanta from the Phoenix Suns, where he appeared in 22 games (one start) averaging 6.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 16.3 minutes (.411 FG%, .444 3FG%, .939 FT%). He was acquired by Phoenix on Feb. 10 in a trade with the Washington Wizards. In total, the 6-0 guard saw action in 63 games (15 starts) during the 2021-22 season, notching 6.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 16.2 minutes of play (.447 FG%, .379 3FG%, .868 FT%). His .447 field goal percentage marked a career-high clip from the floor.

He scored 10-or-more points 18 times this past season and dished out five-or-more assists on 12 occasions. In a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on March 13, Holiday swiped a career-high four steals, in addition to 12 points, four rebounds and five assists in 24 minutes as a reserve.

Drafted by the Indiana Pacers with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Holiday has appeared in 245 games (56 starts) over his four-year career, owning averages of 7.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 18.2 minutes (.412 FG%, .373 3FG%, .840 FT%). He has also seen action in 13 playoff games (two starts), recording 4.4 points and 1.5 assists in 8.1 minutes (.550 FG%, .556 3FG%). During the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Holiday tallied a .517 mark from the field (8-14 FGM), including a .714 clip from three-point territory (5-7 3FGM) in six games played.

The UCLA product appeared in 101 games (65 starts) over his three-year collegiate career (2015-18), averaging 14.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 31.7 minutes (.450 FG%, .422 3FG%, .795 FT%). He concluded his Bruins career ranked No. 25 on UCLA’s all-time scoring list with 1,443 total points.

Born in Ruston, Louisiana, and raised in Southern California, Holiday is the youngest of four siblings. His two older brothers, Justin and Jrue, both play in the NBA, while his sister, Lauren, played on the UCLA women’s basketball team from 2012-14.

Spurs add Isaiah Roby off waivers

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have claimed forward Isaiah Roby off waivers from Oklahoma City.

Roby, 6-8/230, most recently appeared in 45 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021-22, averaging 10.1 points, along with 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.1 minutes while shooting 51.4% from the field, 44.4% from three and 67.2% from the foul line. In three seasons with the Thunder, the forward appeared in 109 games, averaging 9.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 21.9 minutes.

Roby was originally selected by Detroit with the 45th overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft before being traded to Dallas.

OKC Thunder sign rookies Chet Holmgren, Ousmane Dieng and Jalen Williams

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed forwards Chet Holmgren and Ousmane Dieng and guard Jalen Williams, it was announced today by Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Per team policy, terms of the agreements were not released.

Drafted second overall, Holmgren played one season with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, appearing in 32 games (31 starts), averaging 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.66 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game. He was awarded the 2021-22 WCC Defensive Player of the Year, WCC Newcomer of the Year and named to the 2021-22 All-America Second Team by AP and Sporting News.

Dieng was selected 11th overall in this year’s draft and acquired in a draft night trade with the New York Knicks. He spent the 2021-22 season with the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL, appearing in 23 games (11 starts), averaging 8.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20.8 minutes per game.

Williams was selected 12th overall and spent three seasons at Santa Clara University. In his junior season, he appeared in 33 games (all starts) and averaged 18.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 34.8 minutes per game. He finished the season ranked second in the WCC in scoring and sixth in assists en route to being named to the 2021-22 All-WCC First Team.

Brooklyn Nets sign Alondes Williams to two-way contract

The Brooklyn Nets have signed guard Alondes Williams to a two-way contract.

Williams (6’5”, 210) spent the 2021-22 season as a graduate student at Wake Forest, appearing in and starting 35 games and registering averages of 18.5 points on 50.7 percent shooting from the field, 6.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 34.1 minutes per game. The 23-year-old tied for first in the ACC in assists per game and finished second in points per game en route to All-ACC First Team honors and becoming Wake Forest’s first ACC Player of the Year since Josh Howard in the 2002-03 season. Williams was one of just five players in the country to average at least 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, and he was the only power conference player to record those averages during the 2021-22 season. The Milwaukee native finished his lone season at Wake Forest ranked seventh on the program’s single-season scoring list (649), eighth in field goals made (242) and 11th in assists (181) and helped lead the Demon Deacons to the NIT quarterfinals. Prior to transferring to Wake Forest, Williams spent two years (2019-21) at Oklahoma, posting averages of 6.3 points on 45.8 percent shooting from the field and 2.3 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per contest across 55 games (24 starts). Williams began his collegiate career at Triton College in River Grove, Ill., competing for two years (2017-19) at the junior college, where he averaged 15.4 points per game and helped Triton capture the 2018 NJCAA Division II championship.

Williams will compete for Brooklyn’s NBA 2K23 Summer League team in Las Vegas.