Inside Hoops – Page 193 – NBA Blog

With 2nd pick in 2022 NBA draft, Thunder selected Chet Holmgren

The Oklahoma City Thunder selected forward Chet Holmgren (second overall), guard Jalen Williams (12th overall) and forward Jaylin Williams (34th overall) in the 2022 NBA draft yesterday.

The Thunder also acquired the rights to forward Ousmane Dieng, the 11th overall pick, from the New York Knicks in exchange for three protected 2023 first-round draft picks.

Holmgren (7-0, 195) 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 was named to the 2021-22 All-America Second Team by AP and Sporting News.

Dieng (6-10, 216) [oose-mon jeng] spent the 2021-22 season with the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL, seeing action in 23 games (11 starts), averaging 8.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20.8 minutes per game.

Jalen Williams (6-6, 195) spent three seasons at Santa Clara University, appearing in 33 games (all starts), averaging 18.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 34.8 minutes per game. He ranked second in the WCC in scoring and sixth in assists en route to being named to the All-WCC First Team.

Jaylin Williams (6-10, 240) played two seasons at the University of Arkansas, appearing in 37 games (35 starts), averaging 10.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.29 steals in 31.6 minutes per game in his sophomore season. He was named to the 2021-22 SEC All-Defensive Team and the All-SEC First Team by coaches.

Orlando Magic select Paolo Banchero with first pick in 2022 NBA Draft

With the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic selected forward Paolo Banchero.

Banchero (6’10”, 250, 11/12/02) played and started in all 39 games last season as a freshman at Duke University, averaging 17.2 ppg., 7.8 rpg., 3.2 apg. and 1.05 stlpg. in 33.0 minpg., while shooting .478 (245-513) from the floor. He led all true freshmen in the nation in scoring. Banchero led the Blue Devils in scoring and rebounding, while ranking second in minutes played. He also ranked fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rebounding and sixth in the conference in scoring.

Banchero was named Second Team All-America by the NABC and USBWA, while being a Third Team All-America selection by The Associated Press and The Sporting News. Among his many accolades, he was one of 15 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding player, and one of five finalists for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. Banchero was named to the All-ACC First Team, the ACC All-Freshmen Team and was the ACC Freshman of the Year. He was also named to the ACC All-Tournament Team, the NCAA All-Tournament Team and the NCAA West Region’s Most Outstanding Player, leading Duke to the 2022 NCAA Final Four.

While at O’Dea High School in Seattle, WA, Banchero led the team to the Class 3A state championship as a sophomore (2018-19) and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. As a junior (2019-20), he was named Washington’s Gatorade Player of the Year, a MaxPreps Junior All-American and the MaxPreps National Junior Player of the Year. Despite his senior season being postponed due to the pandemic, Banchero was named a 2021 McDonald’s All-American, a Naismith First Team All-American and a Sports Illustrated All-American.

His name is correctly pronounced “pow-loh ban-CARE-oh.”

Welcome to the NBA, Paolo.

New Orleans Pelicans and Bally Sports New Orleans agree to media rights extension

The New Orleans Pelicans today announced a rights extension with Bally Sports New Orleans that ensures the regional network will remain the team’s exclusive local media partner.

“When we constructed this new agreement with Bally Sports New Orleans the main priority was distribution and the ability to deliver our games directly to our fans. With the upcoming launch of Bally Sports+, Bally Sports’ direct-to-consumer platform, any Pelicans fan will be able to have access to Bally Sports New Orleans in the team’s local territory. This partnership allows us to continue to deliver unique, compelling Pelicans content across multiple platforms with the highest production quality,” said Dennis Lauscha, President, New Orleans Pelicans. “We are still working every option with Bally Sports New Orleans to improve the accessibility, ancillary content and distribution of Pelicans programming to all of our fans across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region.”

“The New Orleans Pelicans have been a great partner over the years and we look forward to building this relationship into the future,” said Steve Simspon, SVP and GM, Bally Sports New Orleans. “Our ability to deliver Pelicans content to as many local fans as possible, on both linear distribution channels and the all-new Bally Sports+ streaming product this fall, is incredibly exciting as we continue to grow the next generation of Pelicans fans.”

Under the new agreement, Bally Sports New Orleans will continue to produce approximately 75 regular season games each season, along with select preseason contests and first round playoff games. The Pelicans hired Endeavor to consult on their local media rights deal, which extends the partnership between the team and the Network that started in 2012.

“The New Orleans Pelicans engaged our company to consult with them seeking the best deal that would accomplish two goals: deliver Pelicans basketball directly to all consumers, both linear and live stream, and do so in a manner that was high quality, efficient and cost effective to the consumer,” said Karen Brodkin, Executive Vice President, Endeavor. “We examined a number of options that were taken into consideration, but Bally Sports New Orleans, with its new Bally Sports+ platform and high-quality production, proved best for the Pelicans and their fans.”

In addition to producing approximately 75 regular season games, Bally Sports New Orleans will provide extensive team coverage including Pelicans Live pregame and postgame shows, as well as Pelicans Insider, a bi-weekly program featuring player and coach profiles, game highlights and behind-the-scenes content.

Lauscha added, “We will continue to work with Bally Sports New Orleans to produce more unique and exclusive Pelicans content to build around the game and deliver it directly to our fans. The excitement about the team grows daily and it is our job to not only bring that content to our fans but also unfettered access to watch our games.”

Magic trade 35th pick in 2022 NBA Draft to Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired the 35th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft from the Orlando Magic in exchange for a future second round pick and cash considerations.

Orlando will receive the better of either the Lakers or Washington’s second round pick (which is owed to Los Angeles) in 2028.

The 2022 NBA Draft will take place tonight at 5 p.m. PT from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Kings trade 49th pick in 2022 NBA Draft to Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired the 49th pick in tonight’s NBA Draft from the Sacramento Kings (from Chicago via Memphis) in exchange for cash considerations and the draft rights to Aleksandar Vezenkov, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts. The Cavaliers now have picks 14, 39, 49 and 56 in the draft.

Vezenkov (6-9, 225) was acquired on January 14, 2021 from the Brooklyn Nets as part of a three-team trade that brought Jarrett Allen to Cleveland. He was drafted 57th overall by Brooklyn in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Pistons reportedly trading Jerami Grant to Trail Blazers

The Detroit Pistons are fully rebuilding, while the Portland Trail Blazers look to remain competitive. Via the Detroit News:

The Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night made a big move to position themselves for the offseason, trading leading scorer Jerami Grant to the Portland Trail Blazers for a 2025 first-round draft pick and additional second-round picks, a league source confirmed to The Detroit News.

Enjoy Thursday’s NBA draft.

Cavaliers exercise contract option on Dean Wade

The Cleveland Cavaliers have exercised their fourth-year team option on forward Dean Wade, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Wade (6-9, 228) appeared in 51 games (28 starts) for the Cavaliers last season, averaging 5.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 19.2 minutes. He scored in double figures in 11 of his 28 starts and shot .429 (21-49) from beyond the arc over his final 12 outings as a starter (Jan. 24-March 12). Wade missed the final 15 games of the season due to injury. Over his three NBA seasons with the Cavaliers, Wade has appeared in 126 career games (47 starts). Wade went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft after playing four years collegiately at Kansas State, where he was a two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection and finished his career ranking among the Top 10 in school history in career starts (123, second), double-digit scoring games (81, seventh), rebounds (685, eighth), field goals made (548, eighth) and points (1,510, 10th).

Miami Heat reportedly extend qualifying offer to Caleb Martin

Via the Miami Herald:

The Heat extended a $2.1 million qualifying offer to forward Caleb Martin on Tuesday, as expected, to retain the right to match outside offers up to the $10.3 million midlevel exception to re-sign him this offseason. In other words, the qualifying offer means that Martin will be a restricted free agent this summer…

But the Heat’s resources to re-sign Martin are limited, as it does not hold his Bird rights and isn’t on track to have cap space. Miami does not have the ability to match an outside offer to Martin above the $10.3 million mid-level exception for next season.

Suns name Morgan Cato Assistant GM and VP of Basketball Operations

The Phoenix Suns have named Morgan Cato as Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations.

“We’re excited to welcome Morgan to the Valley and to the Suns organization” said General Manager James Jones. “With the league office Morgan played a pivotal role on countless initiatives to grow the game and strategically develop for it to be played at its best. The addition of her background and knowledge will allow us to elevate our basketball operations in several areas.”

In her position, Cato will report to Jones and work with Head Coach Monty Williams to lead the team’s strategy and business processes for basketball growth and performance with a focus on coaching development, player engagement and front office personnel operations. Cato becomes the first woman of color to hold the Assistant General Manager title for an NBA team.

Cato joins the Suns after spending the last decade with the NBA league office, most recently as Associate Vice President of Business Operations for NBA League Operations.

Pelicans will host October 2022 preseason game against Hawks in Birmingham, Alabama

The New Orleans Pelicans will host a preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, October 14, at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama – home of the Pelicans’ NBA G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. CST.

“The decision to launch the Squadron was a commitment by the Pelicans organization to invest in the Birmingham community,” said Pelicans Governor Gayle Benson. “This Pelicans preseason game in Birmingham is a tangible example of that commitment, and this is just the beginning. We want to thank the City of Birmingham, the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, and everyone involved in making this event happen.”

“This is a big deal,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “As a basketball fan, I am thrilled to see these amazing teams battle it out. As the mayor, I am proud that this event can be enjoyed by our residents and visitors. This just further confirms that Birmingham is a destination for top sports event in our region.”

“Birmingham and Legacy Arena playing host to a NBA preseason game with the New Orleans Pelicans was exactly the kind of enhanced partnership opportunity we had in mind when first discussing bringing the Birmingham Squadron NBA G League team to Birmingham,” said BJCC Executive Director and CEO Tad Snider. “From the earliest discussions it was apparent the Pelicans organization and Gayle Benson had a genuine interest to partner with our city in a deeper way than just the team. With the inaugural season behind us just as we were completing the renovations to Legacy Arena, this announcement is a wonderful momentum builder leading into season two. NBA games in Legacy Arena in the past have been exciting for our community, and we expect this game featuring the Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks to be the best one yet.”