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Timberwolves exercise contract options on Jaylen Nowell and Naz Reid

The Minnesota Timberwolves have exercised team options on guard Jaylen Nowell and center Naz Reid.

Nowell, 22, enters his fourth season in the NBA after appearing in a career-high 62 games (one start) in 2021-22, averaging 8.5 points on a career-best 47.5% shooting from the field, 2.0 rebounds and a career-high 2.1 assists per game. In the Dec. 27 victory over the Boston Celtics, Nowell played a career-high 34:41 minutes off the bench, scoring a career-high 29 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including a career-high-tying 6-of-9 from three and grabbed a career-high-tying six rebounds. The Seattle native has appeared in 119 career games with the Timberwolves (one start), holding averages of 8.1 points on 44.6% shooting, 1.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

Reid, 22, wrapped up his third season in the NBA last year, appearing in a career-high 77 games (six starts) with averages of 8.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game. During the 2021-22 season, Reid recorded four double-doubles, including tallying his first career 20+ point/10+ rebound game on Jan. 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers, leading the way for the Wolves, scoring a season-high 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting while grabbing a season-high 11 rebounds, including a career-high-tying five offensive boards. The Asbury Park, N,J. native saw action in his first career playoff games last season, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in five contests against the Memphis Grizzlies. Reid has played in 177 career games (32 starts), while averaging 9.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.

Utah Jazz hire David Fizdale as associate general manager

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has hired David Fizdale as associate general manager. He joins the organization with 18 years of NBA coaching experience.

Fizdale most recently served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021-22 season and previously served as head coach of the New York Knicks from 2018-20 and the Memphis Grizzlies from 2016-18.

Prior to joining the Grizzlies for his first NBA head coaching assignment, Fizdale spent eight seasons (2008-16) with the Miami Heat as an assistant coach, including the final two years as assistant head coach under Erik Spoelstra. During his tenure in Miami, the Heat won back-to-back NBA Championships in 2012 and 2013, and more playoff games (70) and series (15) than any other NBA team.

He also served as an assistant coach for one season in Golden State (2003-04) and for four seasons in Atlanta (2004-08).

Fizdale began his coaching career at the collegiate level, serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of San Diego (1998-02) and at Fresno State (2002-03). His first NBA job was as a member of the Heat’s video department in 1997-98.

He was a three-year starter at USD and was named to the All-West Coast Conference team as a senior in 1995-96 when he led the conference in assists with 7.0 per game.

The Los Angeles, Calif., native earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in sociology.

Utah Jazz name Will Hardy as new head coach

The Utah Jazz have named Will Hardy as their new head coach.

Hardy is the ninth head coach in Jazz history and sixth since the franchise’s relocation to Salt Lake City in 1979.

Hardy joins the Jazz from the Boston Celtics, where he spent one season as an assistant coach, helping guide the team to its first NBA Finals appearance since 2010. He was also a member of the USA men’s basketball coaching staff that won the gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Prior to the Celtics, Hardy spent 11 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant coach. He also served as the head coach of the Spurs entries in the Salt Lake City Summer League from 2015-18 and NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in 2017 and 2018.

“We could not be more excited to welcome Will Hardy as the next head coach of the Utah Jazz,” said Ryan Smith, NBA governor of the Utah Jazz. “He has incredible experience and we believe in his continued trajectory. Danny and Justin ran a comprehensive process and we are confident Will is the right head coach to lead us into the next chapter of the Utah Jazz. Ashley and I and the entire ownership group are grateful to welcome Will, his wife Spencer, and their family to Utah.”

“Will Hardy is one of the brightest young leaders in the NBA,” said Utah Jazz CEO of basketball operations Danny Ainge. “He understands the importance of setting a vision and creating a culture for players. He places great value on communication, player development and creating the most productive environment for players to succeed. His experience on coaching staffs that have made the NBA Finals and with USA Basketball are invaluable and have helped prepare him for this moment. We couldn’t be more excited for Will to lead the Jazz moving forward.”

“As our search committee went through this process, Will really separated himself among a group of extremely talented candidates,” said Jazz general manager Justin Zanik. “We’re eager to get to work with him as we continue our pursuit of bringing an NBA championship to Utah.”

Hardy began his career in San Antonio as a basketball operations intern in 2010 before being promoted to assistant video coordinator in 2011 and then video coordinator in 2013. He also served on the coaching staff for Team USA at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

“The Utah Jazz are one of the most respected and successful franchises in the NBA and the fan base here is legendary,” Hardy said. “This opportunity comes with tremendous responsibility. I’m grateful for the trust the Jazz have placed in me and I look forward to the work ahead.”

A native of Richmond, Va., Hardy graduated from Williams College where he played four collegiate seasons for the Ephs while earning an undergraduate degree in English.

2022-23 Portland Trail Blazers preseason schedule

The Portland Trail Blazers will tip-off their five-game 2022-23 preseason schedule with a matchup against the LA Clippers, who will host the Trail Blazers in Seattle, Wash. at Climate Pledge Arena on Monday, October 3.

Portland will open their preseason home slate with a contest against division rival Utah Jazz at Moda Center on Tuesday, October 4 and host international opponent, Maccabi Haifa on Thursday, October 6.

The Trail Blazers will complete the preseason with two Northern California road games; visiting Sacramento on Sunday, October 9 and then facing off with the 2022 NBA Champions, Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, October 11.

DATE OPPONENT TIME (PT) VENUE

October 3 @ LA Clippers 7:00 PM Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle, WA.)

October 4 vs. Utah 7:00 PM Moda Center

October 6 vs. Maccabi Haifa 7:00 PM Moda Center

October 9 @ Sacramento 6:00 PM Golden 1 Center

October 11 @ Golden State 7:30 PM Chase Center

Portland Trail Blazers extend qualifying offer to Anfernee Simons

The Portland Trail Blazers have extended a qualifying offer to guard Anfernee Simons, making him a restricted free agent, General Manager Joe Cronin announced today.

By extending a qualifying offer to Simons, Portland obtains the Right of First Refusal on any offer sheet he may sign with another team.

During the 2021-22 campaign, Simons averaged 17.3 points (44.3% FG, 40.5% 3-PT, 88.8% FT), 2.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 29.5 minutes per game in 57 games (30 starts). The 24th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft has also accrued career averages of 10.2 points (42.5% FG, 39.2% 3-PT, 83.3% FT), 2.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 20.7 minutes per game in 211 games (35 starts) for the Trail Blazers.

Lakers exercise team options on Wenyen Gabriel and Stanley Johnson

The Los Angeles Lakers have exercised their team options for the 2022-23 season on Wenyen Gabriel and Stanley Johnson, it was announced today by Vice President, Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Gabriel appeared in 19 games (five starts) for Los Angeles last season, averaging 6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 16.4 minutes while shooting 50.5 percent from the field. Gabriel has played 77 career games, averaging 3.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 10.8 minutes.

Johnson played 48 games (27 starts) for the Lakers last season and averaged 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 22.8 minutes per game. Across 419 career games, Johnson has averaged 6.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20.1 minutes

Clippers agree to contract extension with Ivica Zubac

The LA Clippers have agreed to a contract extension with Ivica Zubac, President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank announced.

“For four seasons, Zu has been a pillar of our team, durable and dependable,” said Frank. “He does whatever is needed: setting screens, rolling to the rim, anchoring the interior of the defense. He is a reliable teammate and a consistent pro, just entering the prime of his career. We are excited to continue growing with him.”

Per the Los Angeles Times, the two sides “agreed to terms on a three-year, $33-million deal that has no options, according to people familiar with the negotiations but not authorized to speak publicly.”

Zubac, 25, started 76 games for the Clippers last season and averaged career-highs in points (10.3), rebounds (8.5), assists (1.6) and blocked shots (1.0). The 7-foot center also set a career-high with 25 double-doubles, the most for a Clipper since 2017-18.

More from the Times: “The team held an option that it declined so Zubac could be signed to a longer-term contract.”

Zubac has appeared in 360 games and owns career averages of 8.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.0 minutes during his six-year NBA career with the Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. Selected 32nd overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, Zubac ranks fourth in the NBA in total games played (220) over the past three seasons.

Charlotte Hornets extend qualifying offers to Miles Bridges and Cody Martin

The Charlotte Hornets have extended qualifying offers to forwards Miles Bridges and Cody Martin, making them both restricted free agents.

The qualifying offer allows the Hornets to match any offer sheet either player signs with another team.

During the 2021-22 season, Bridges averaged 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 35.5 minutes per game in 80 contests. He set new career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game, increasing his scoring average by 7.5 points per game from the 2020-21 season. He opened the 2021-22 season by earning Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the first week of games played and finished the season ranking 15th in total points (1,613). He scored 20-plus points in 44 games and 30 points or more in nine games in his fourth year after just 24 20-point performances through his first three seasons. Bridges also ranked amongst the NBA’s top paint scorers with 840 paint points, the sixth-most in the NBA last season.

The 12th overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Hornets acquired the draft rights to Bridges from the LA Clippers. Over four seasons in the NBA, Bridges has amassed 13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 29.1 minutes per game. He holds a career field goal percentage of .473% and has made 434 career 3-point field goals, which is seventh on the franchise’s all-time 3-pointers made list.

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, including shooting .384% from beyond the arc, which are both are new career highs for a single season. 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).

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.

Hornets guard James Bouknight undergoes hand surgery

Charlotte Hornets guard James Bouknight underwent surgery yesterday to repair a tendon in his fifth digit on his right hand.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Brandon Valentine at Novant Health Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital in consultation with Hornets team physician Dr. Marcus Cook.

Bouknight made 31 appearances for the Hornets during the 2021-22 season, averaging 4.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game. He was selected 11th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by Charlotte.

He will not play in 2022 NBA Summer League.

Cavaliers extend qualifying offers to Collin Sexton and R.J. Nembhard

The Cleveland Cavaliers have extended a qualifying offer to guard Collin Sexton and a Two-Way contract qualifying offer to guard R.J. Nembhard, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Sexton (6-1, 192), who appeared in 11 games (all starts) with the Cavaliers last season before missing the final 71 contests due to a left knee meniscus tear, finished the 2021-22 campaign with averages of 16.0 points, a career-high 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.91 steals in 28.7 minutes. Selected as the No. 8 overall pick by Cleveland in the 2018 NBA Draft, Sexton owns career averages of 20.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in four NBA seasons with the Cavaliers.

Nembhard (6-5, 200), who went undrafted out of Texas Christian University in 2021, originally signed a Two-Way contract with Cleveland on Oct. 16 and appeared in 14 games for the Cavaliers this past season. He was converted to a standard NBA contract on March 31 and waived on April 7 before signing a second Two-Way contract with the Cavaliers on April 10. Nembhard also played in 15 games (14 starts) for the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League team, averaging 24.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 38.4 minutes per contest.