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Houston Rockets sign Tyler Bey and Daishen Nix

The Houston Rockets have signed free agent forward Tyler Bey and free agent guard Daishen Nix.

This is not confirmed, but the signings are probably non-guaranteed deals that bring the players to Rockets training camp.

Bey (6-7, 216) was the 36th overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2020 NBA Draft before his rights were acquired by Dallas. He appeared in 18 games for the Mavericks as a two-way player last season and was also assigned to the G League. In a total of 13 G League games for Long Island and Salt Lake City, Bey averaged 15.1 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting 49.3% from the floor.

Over his final two seasons at Colorado from 2018-19 through 2019-20, Bey was one of six Division I players with 50-plus games played to have averaged at least 13.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.00 spg, and 1.00 bpg. He was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year as a junior.

Nix (6-5, 224) was eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft after spending last season with the G League Ignite, where he was teammates with Rockets rookie Jalen Green. The 19-year-old joined Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. and Kobi Simmons as the only G League players in 2020-21 to have averaged at least 5.0 rpg and 5.0 apg.

A McDonald’s All-American, Nix was born in Alaska but moved to Las Vegas at age 13. He originally committed to UCLA before signing with the Ignite.

Atlanta Hawks hire Nick Van Exel as an assistant coach

The Atlanta Hawks have hired Nick Van Exel as an assistant coach.

Van Exel isn’t new to the Hawks organization, though it’s been a while. He was previously a player development instructor for the Hawks from 2010-12.

“Since his playing career ended, Nick has been very successful in helping develop young guards for the teams he’s worked with, including several that have turned into All-Stars,” said Hawks Head Coach Nate McMillan. “We feel he’ll be a great addition helping our young core guards continue to progress.”

Van Exel returns to Atlanta from the Dallas Mavericks, where he was a scout the last two seasons. The former head coach of the Texas Legends of the NBA G League (2015-16), Van Exel also has coaching experience with the Memphis Grizzlies (2016-19), Milwaukee Bucks (2013-14) and Texas Southern University (2009-10).

The 1998 NBA All-Star played 13 years in the league (1993-2006) with the LA Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs. In 880 career regular season games (670 starts), he averaged 14.4 points, 6.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 32.9 minutes (.405 FG%, .357 3FG%, .794 FT%). He also saw action in 76 playoff games (27 starting assignments), averaging 13.6 points, 4.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 31.4 minutes.

The native of Kenosha, WI started his collegiate career at Trinity Valley Community College (Athens, TX) before spending his final two seasons at University of Cincinnati, where he was named Associated Press Third-Team All-American as a senior. Van Exel was selected by the Lakers in the second round (37th overall) of the 1993 NBA Draft.

Celtics sign Robert Williams III to contract extension

The Boston Celtics have signed center Robert Williams III to a contract extension.

“Rob has worked hard to turn himself into a very impactful player, and his talent and selfless play give him an even higher upside to reach going forward,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. “Rob has embraced being a Celtic from day one. He is a great teammate and is completely committed to getting better. We’re excited that he will continue to do so here in Boston.”

Per the Boston Globe, “Stevens continues his crusade to sign every returning player to long-term contracts, this time with a four-year deal to secure rising center Robert Williams. Stevens had until October to give Williams, 23, an extension on his rookie contract but made the astute move of giving the former Texas A&M standout long-term security in exchange for a manageable deal — $13.5 million per season.”

Originally selected by the Celtics in the first round (27th overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft, Williams III has averaged 5.7 points on 72.0% shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.5 blocked shots, and 14.7 minutes in 113 games (16 starts) over three seasons in Boston. He has increased his scoring, rebounds, and assists in each year since joining the NBA.

Playing in a career-best 52 games (13 starts) in 2020-21, Williams III produced a career highs in points (8.0 ppg), rebounds (6.9 rpg), assists (1.8 apg), steals (0.8 spg), blocked shots (1.8 bpg) and minutes (18.9 mpg) last season. The Shreveport, LA native tallied a career-high 20 points on a perfect 9-of-9 shooting on April 2 vs. Houston, making him the first Celtics player in franchise history to produce 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 8+ assists while shooting 100% from the field.

Williams III set franchise marks during the 2021 NBA Playoffs as well, becoming the first Celtics player ever to record nine blocked shots in a postseason game during the team’s series-opening game against the Nets on May 22. He played in three games during that First Round matchup, averaging 6.3 points (64.3% FG), 5.0 rebounds, and 15.3 minutes.

Charlotte Hornets sign Terry Rozier to contract extension

The Charlotte Hornets have signed guard Terry Rozier to a multi-year contract extension.

Per the Charlotte Observer, “the Observer confirmed Thursday morning with a league source that Rozier will sign a maximum extension worth $97 million that will keep him with the Hornets through the 2025-26 season. He has one season left on his current contract.”

“In his two seasons with the Hornets, Terry Rozier has been an instrumental part of our team,” said Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak. “Terry is a highly competitive, tough and talented player that has continually improved all aspects of his game. He has provided leadership and an infectious work ethic that has been a tremendous benefit to our younger players. Terry is an important member of our young, talented team and we are thrilled to have him as a member of the Hornets organization for years to come.”

“Ever since I got to Charlotte, the fans and the organization have embraced me,” Rozier said, “I am excited to remain with the Hornets for the long term and I can’t wait to see what my teammates, coaches, the organization and I can accomplish in the coming years. I am grateful for the trust everyone has put in me and I cannot wait to get back to work for this upcoming season.”

A six-year veteran, Rozier averaged 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 34.5 minutes per game during the 2020-21 campaign, setting career-highs in points, assists and steals. In his second season with the Hornets, Rozier shot .450% from the field and made a career-best 222 3-point field goals, which ranked fifth in the NBA and is the fifth most made 3-pointers in a single season in franchise history. He finished the season with three games of 40 points or more, making him just the fourth player in team history to have three or more 40-point performances in a single season. Rozier was also just one of three players during the 2020-21 season with multiple 20-point fourth quarters as he earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week on March 29.

During his tenure with the Hornets, Rozier is averaging 19.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 34.4 minutes per game in 132 contests, including 394 made 3-point field goals, which ranks seventh among the franchise’s all-time leaders. For his career, Rozier has amassed averages of 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 24.7 minutes per game in 404 career contests with Charlotte and the Boston Celtics. Rozier has appeared in 50 career postseason games with Boston, averaging 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 24.7 minutes per game. He averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 36.6 minutes per game in 19 playoff games, all starts, during the 2018 NBA Playoffs.

An Ohio native, Rozier was acquired by Charlotte in a sign-and-trade with the Celtics on July 6, 2019.

Celtics sign Josh Richardson to contract extension

The Boston Celtics have signed six-year NBA veteran Josh Richardson to a contract extension.

“We feel fortunate to be able to extend Josh,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. “He is a talented offensive player, a versatile defender, and plays with an edge and toughness that Boston fans will love.”

Per the Boston Globe, the deal is “a one-year contract extension that will net him $24 million over the next two years” – that salary being in addiction to his current remaining contract.

Acquired as part of a two-player trade with the Mavericks on July 31, Richardson, 27, has posted career averages of 12.3 points (42.7% FG, 35.8% 3-PT, 83.2% FT), 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocked shots, and 30.6 minutes in 373 career games (299 starts) with Miami, Philadelphia, and Dallas. He has averaged at least 10.0 points in each of his last five seasons from 2016-17 to 2020-21, including a career-high 16.6 points per game with Miami in 2018-19.

Richardson produced 12.1 points (42.7% FG, 33.0% 3-PT, 91.7% FT), 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 30.3 minutes in 59 games (56 starts) with the Mavericks last season, marking the fourth time over the last five seasons he has recorded at least 10.0 points and 1.0 steals. The Oklahoma native was one of four NBA players to average 10.0 points and 1.0 steals while shooting at least 91.0% from the free throw line in 2020-21 (Paul/Curry/Irving).

Bucks sign head coach Mike Budenholzer to contract extension

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed head coach Mike Budenholzer to a multi-year contract extension.

Per the Bucks: “What an incredible journey we’ve been on and winning the NBA Championship this season makes us appreciate how difficult it is to win and how grateful we are to have the best players and coaches in place to get the job done,” said Bucks owners Marc Lasry, Wes Edens and Jamie Dinan. “Mike’s strong leadership, coaching expertise, commitment to player development, and adaptability have been instrumental as we work together to compete for and win championships. We’re thrilled with the work Bud has done together with Jon Horst and Peter Feigin and are proud to sign him to this extension.”

“The appreciation I have for being a part of the Bucks organization is hard to express,” Budenholzer said. “And today, to realize that Marc and Wes and Jamie from our ownership group, along with Jon as our GM, have extended my contract to be the head coach is very special — thank you!

“The players make the success happen on and off the court. We have the best players and to them I am grateful. They’ve grown and we’ve grown together during the last three seasons. We’ve had success along the way, finishing with an NBA Championship this season! The assistant coaches’ efforts and contributions to our success has been so vital also. Each of them individually are so important to me, and collectively they make so much good happen for me and our players. We all can’t wait to get back to work and face the great challenge of competing again for an NBA Championship. Again, being a part of the Bucks organization is very special. Let’s keep getting better and building great teams and doing great work on and off the court. Let’s go Bucks!!!”

And per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Budenholzer was named the 2018-19 coach of the year after leading the Bucks to a regular-season-best 60-22 mark in his first year on the bench, but the Bucks surrendered a 2-0 Eastern Conference finals lead to Toronto and eventually lost in six games. The Bucks marched to a 56-17 regular-season mark last year before exiting the playoffs in the second round of the “bubble” against Miami.”

Pacers sign DeJon Jarreau, waive Amida Brimah

The Indiana Pacers have signed guard DeJon Jarreau to a two-way contract.

And in a corresponding move, the Pacers waived center Amida Brimah.

Jarreau played three seasons at the University of Houston after he began his collegiate career at the University of Massachusetts. During his senior season in 2020-21, Jarreau earned honors as the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was named the 2021 NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player and helped lead Houston to the Final Four in Indianapolis.

Magic guard Michael Carter-Williams undergoes ankle surgery

Orlando Magic guard Michael Carter-Williams underwent surgery yesterday (August 23) to remove a bone fragment and to repair a ligament in his left ankle.

He will miss the start of the 2021-22 regular season and his return to basketball activities will depend on how he responds to treatment and rehabilitation. Carter-Williams is expected to make a full recovery.

Carter-Williams (6’6”, 195, 10/10/91) played in 31 games (25 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 8.8 ppg., 4.5 rpg. and 4.2 apg. in 25.8 minpg. He has appeared in 391 career NBA regular season games (217 starts) with Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Chicago, Charlotte, Houston and Orlando, averaging 10.3 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 4.4 apg. and 1.27 stlpg. in 25.3 minpg. Carter-Williams has also played in 16 career playoff games (six starts), averaging 7.5 ppg., 3.2 rpg. and 2.9 apg. in 21.0 minpg. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2013-14 and selected to the 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie First team.

Carter-Williams was originally signed as a free agent by the Magic to a 10-day contract on March 15, 2019. He has played in 88 games (25 starts) with Orlando, averaging 7.5 ppg., 3.9 rpg. and 3.3 apg. in 21.1 minpg.

Orlando Magic re-sign Moritz Wagner

The Orlando Magic have re-signed free agent forward/center Moritz Wagner.

Wagner (6’11, 245, 4/26/97) played in 45 total games (24 starts) last season with Washington, Boston, and Orlando, averaging 6.9 ppg., 3.2 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 16.0 minpg. He was signed as a free agent by the Magic on Apr. 27. Wagner played in 11 games (10 starts) with Orlando, averaging 11.0 ppg., 4.9 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 26.0 minpg. He scored in double figures 14 times (six times with Orlando) and 20+ points three times (twice with Orlando), including a season-high 24 points on May 1 vs. Memphis.

Originally selected in the first round (25th overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft by the L.A. Lakers, Wagner has appeared in 133 career NBA regular season games (34 starts) with the Lakers, Washington, Boston and Orlando, averaging 6.8 ppg. and 3.4 rpg. in 15.1 minpg.

Wagner played in 107 career games (77 starts) during three seasons at the University of Michigan (2015-18), averaging 10.4 ppg. and 4.5 rpg. in 21.0 minpg. As a junior (2017-18), he played and started in 39 games, averaging 14.6 ppg. and 7.1 rpg. in 27.6 minpg., while shooting .528 (216-409) from the floor and .394 (63-160) from three-point range. Wagner was named to the 2017-18 All-Big Ten Second Team and was later named the Most Outstanding Player at the 2018 Big Ten Tournament, leading the Wolverines to the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship. He also earned 2018 NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team honors and the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team, helping Michigan reach the NCAA Championship game.

Wagner recently played for Germany during the Olympics in Tokyo. His younger brother, Franz, was selected by Orlando with the eighth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Wagner will wear #21 with the Magic. His brother, Franz, who had originally selected #21 after he signed with Orlando, will now wear #22.

In G League, Stockton Kings make multiple hirings

The Stockton Kings, NBA G League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, announce the completion of Bobby Jackson’s coaching staff and multiple hirings within the Basketball Operations group.

Will Scott is tabbed as the Associate Head Coach after spending the past two seasons as the Head Video Coordinator and Player Development Coach under Kings Head Coach Luke Walton. Prior to joining the Kings, Scott served as the Head Video Coordinator with Coach Walton and the Los Angeles Lakers (2016-19). The Indiana University alum began his NBA career with the Lakers in 2011-12, starting in the video room with the L.A. and South Bay Lakers, going on to serve eight seasons with the organization in several capacities.

Jimmy Alapag is named an Assistant Coach after most recently serving as the head coach for Alab Pilipinas of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) in the Philippines. Alapag, a Filipino-American native of San Bernadino, Calif., played 14 seasons in the Philippines and enjoyed a storied career as a six-time Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) champion, two-time PBA Finals MVP, PBA MVP in 2011 and an 11-time PBA All-Star. As a head coach, Alapag won the ABL championship in 2018.

Akachi Okugo joins the Stockton Kings as an Assistant Coach after spending the past four seasons in the player development department with the Sacramento Kings and was most recently named the Player Development Manager during the 2020-21 season. Okugo is a graduate of California State University, San Marcos where he was a basketball standout, ranking second in school history for threes made. He garnered Honorable Mention All-Conference as a senior.

Sydney Haydel will serve as Director of Basketball Operations for the Stockton Kings and Player Development Coordinator for Sacramento. Haydel will assist Paul Johnson, Kings Vice President of Player Development and General Manager of the Stockton Kings, and joins the Kings after spending the past five years at the NBA league office in the Basketball Strategy and Analytics department where she played a key role in the completion of the NBA restart bubble. Haydel, a former Division 1 athlete at the University of Hawaii, also taught basketball at the grassroots level around the globe working with the Jr. NBA teaching in India, China and Leading Youth Sports and Development (LYSD) while in West Africa.

Kaiti Jones will serve as the Performance Coach and Sport Scientist for the Kings. Jones arrives in Stockton after spending the previous five seasons at the University of Louisville and four of the five seasons as the women’s basketball strength and conditioning coach. At Louisville, Jones led the development, implementation and analysis of sport-specific preparation, training, assessment, testing, screening and monitoring for athletes. Jones will join Katie Babcock, who is returning to the Stockton Kings for her fourth season as the Head Athletic Trainer.