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Orlando Magic sign Mychal Mulder to two-way contract

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Mychal Mulder to a two-way contract.

Mulder (6’3”, 185, 6/12/94) appeared in 60 games (six starts) last season with Golden State, averaging 5.6 ppg. and 1.0 rpg. in 12.8 minpg., while shooting .397 (85-214) from three-point range. He scored in double figures 13 times and 20+ points three times, including a career-high 28 points on May 14 vs. New Orleans. Mulder was named to the 2021 NBA Rising Starts World Team.

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Mulder has played in 67 career NBA regular season games (nine starts), all with Golden State, averaging 5.6 ppg. and 1.2 rpg. in 14.5 minpg., while shooting .380 (101-266) from three-point range. He has also played in 134 career NBA G League games (112 starts) with Windy City and Sioux Falls, averaging 13.1 ppg., 4.3 rpg. and 1.6 apg. in 32.3 minpg., while shooting .386 (365-946) from three-point range.

Mulder played in 56 career games (two starts) during two seasons at the University of Kentucky (2015-17), averaging 2.9 ppg. and 1.3 rpg. in 7.6 minpg.

Mulder will wear #2 with the Orlando Magic.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 17 players, including two two-way contracts.

Thunder exercise contract options on Darius Bazley, Aleksej Pokusevski and Ty Jerome

The Oklahoma City Thunder has exercised contract options for the 2022-23 season for forwards Darius Bazley and Aleksej Pokuševski and guard Ty Jerome.

Bazley has appeared in 119 career games (67 starts) with Oklahoma City and averaged 9.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 24.6 minutes per game. Last season, the Ohio native was fourth on the team in scoring (13.7 points) and second in rebounding (7.2 rebounds) while shooting 39.6 percent from the floor.

Jerome has seen action in 65 games (one start) with the Thunder and the Suns and averaged 7.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists, while shooting 38.3 percent from beyond the arc in 17.4 minutes per game. In his 33 games with the Thunder last season, he averaged career highs in points (10.7), assists (3.6) and field goal percentage (44.6).

In 48 games (28 starts) with Oklahoma City, Pokuševski holds averages of 7.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 23.5 minutes per game. After his assignment to the G League last season, the Serbian native increased his scoring average (11.1 points), rebounds (5.4) and assists (2.7).

Shaq’s Central Florida mansion has finally been sold

All of you who were thinking of buying Shaq’s house are too late and must seek out a different property. Via the Orlando Sentinel:

After more than three years on the market, Shaquille O’Neal’s Isleworth mansion has finally sold for $11 million, one of the highest prices ever paid for a home in Central Florida.

The basketball legend, who bought the estate for $3.95 million in 1993, didn’t get anywhere near what he initially hoped for, however.

The house at 9927 Giffin Court near Windermere was put on the market in 2018, priced at $28 million. Over the years, that was slashed repeatedly. Most recently, it was listed for $16.5 million.

Warriors bench off to good start this season

On opening night Tuesday, the Warriors bench did big things in the team’s win over the Lakers. This may be a sign of things to come. Via the San Jose Mercury News:

There’s something special happening at the end of the Warriors roster, or at least Steve Kerr believes so. Just look at the box score from Tuesday night.

Two key numbers: 12 and 55. As in 12 Warriors saw the court, and the ones who didn’t start contributed 55 points. That kind of bench play allowed the Warriors to skirt by the Lakers on a cold shooting night from Steph Curry. It also conjured in Kerr’s mind memories of, we all can agree, pretty good times.

“It just feels like five or six years ago,” Kerr said following the opening night win, “when we just had guys up and down the roster who could play. … We’ve got vets coming off the bench who just know how to play (and) know how to win.”

It starts with Andre Iguodala, the sixth man extraordinaire back anchoring the second unit after two years in Memphis and Miami.

But he’s surrounded by a new supporting cast, one that the Warriors believe is a significant upgrade from a year ago in their fit within the team’s style and philosophy.

The Warriors are still awaiting a return from injury of two very key players: veteran star shooting guard Klay Thompson and young center James Wiseman.

Knicks forward Julius Randle speaks on 2OT win over Celtics

The 2021-22 NBA regular season began Tuesday, and Wednesday in Madison Square Garden the New York Knicks came away with a 138-134 double overtime win over the Boston Celtics. Knicks forward Julius Randle did big things, putting up 35 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and three steals, while new Knick Evan Fournier impressed with 32 points and six rebounds. Here’s what Randle had to say in post-game interviews:

Julius Randle on the team’s performance: “We made some mental mistakes, errors, but at the end of the day, we found a way to win the game. A lot of emotion, a lot of adrenaline, two overtimes. Everybody stepped up and made big plays and that’s the most important thing to end games and win games.”

On battling through double overtime: “Just find a way to win. Just find a way to win. Down the stretch, we can still be better, I can be better, but we made plays. Everybody made plays – defensive plays, we got stops. From the beginning I said we have to lock in on the defensive end and as long as we do that, we’re going to be a problem.”

On Obi Toppin’s progression: “He’s [Obi Toppin] confident. He’s just playing. Playing to his strengths, his athleticism, his speed, getting out. He’s just taking the game easy. Close outs, he drives, makes a play at the rim, shoots threes with confidence. All of that is just repetition and work. He comes to work every day and works extremely hard.”

On Evan Fournier’s performance: “Evan’s [Fournier] great. He came up super clutch in the overtime’s and made some big shots. We talked after the game and there’s things that we feel like we can do better and work on. He has an extremely high IQ.”

No firm timetable yet for return of Bulls guard Coby White

The Bulls are an interesting squad this season. Here’s the Chicago Sun-Times with the latest on one of their talented young prospects:

Coby White had more than his share of left-out moments this summer, rehabbing his surgically repaired left shoulder while his teammates were working out and preparing for the season.

While White didn’t make the trip for the opener, Donovan did say that it was important to keep him engaged as much as possible when there are drills he can participate in.

“When we’re doing 5-on-0 stuff or we’re scripting or running up and down where there’s no contact, we have him involved,’’ Donovan said. “For the summer, it was a very isolating experience for him. Us putting our arms around him and keeping him involved in things he can actually do physically is important for him.’’

White is expected to be re-evaluated in mid-to-late November, then a better timetable for his return should be known.

Deandre Ayton speaks on lack of Suns extension agreement

Here’s the latest on the Phoenix Suns and talented young center Deandre Ayton, via the Arizona Sports:

Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns tipped off their 2021-22 NBA season with a rocky start, a 110-98 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Footprint Center.

The rough stretch on the court mirrors a similar situation between the team and big man after failing to reach a contract extension before the deadline earlier this week.

Following Wednesday night’s contest, Ayton spoke to reporters for the first time since the deadline passed.

“Really one thing about me throughout my whole life I’ve always learned to control what I can control,” Ayton said postgame. “At the same time, obviously I’m disappointed but I’m still trying to get us back to the Finals.

“I still have to represent the team and myself as well. And I’m just a competitor, man. I just like to compete to the best and every time I’m between them lines that’s what you’re gonna see outta me, nothing else.”

G League: Raptors 905 coaching staff announced

Raptors 905, NBA G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors, announced Thursday its coaching staff for the 2021-22 season.

Joining Head Coach Patrick Mutombo’s staff are Travon Bryant, Chris Thomas, Ashton Smith, and Alex Beene. Assistant coaches John Bennett and Arsalan Jamil return to the bench for their second and fourth seasons, respectively.

Bryant joins the 905 after spending the last season as a player development coach with the Detroit Pistons. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Blue (NBAG) where he spent two seasons, helping lead the Blue to a first-place finish in the Midwest division before joining the Brooklyn Nets as a player development coach. From 2000-04, Bryant attended Missouri (NCAA) before competing professionally overseas for 11 seasons, playing in Greece, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, France, and Japan.

Thomas brings over 15 years of basketball experience to Raptors 905, including coaching and scouting roles in the NBA and overseas. Thomas has served as a head coach for the last six seasons in top leagues across the world including stops in Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan, and Slovenia. Thomas has also served as an advanced scout for the Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls.

Smith transitioned to coaching last season with the Hamilton Honey Badgers (CEBL) after a 10-year professional career nationally and overseas. Smith most notably played 24 games for the 905 in its inaugural season. The Scarborough native played four seasons (2008-12) for Indiana University of Pennsylvania earning NCAA DII All-American honours and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science.

Beene joins Raptors 905 after serving as the Director of Analytics for the University of Memphis the last two seasons. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of RaYnge, a company that is committed to effecting positive change in sports analytics by providing comprehensive analytical reporting presented in a way that is simple, readable, and actionable. Beene broke into the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015, as a Business Intelligence analyst, a role he held for two seasons before stops with Indiana and Sacramento in Basketball Analytics.

Raptors 905 now prepare for the 2021-22 NBA G League Draft Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, before opening training camp Oct. 25, 2021. The team tips off its regular season Nov. 11, 2021, when the team welcomes the Westchester Knicks to Paramount Fine Foods Centre.