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Grizzlies trade Eric Bledsoe to Clippers for Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo and Daniel Oturu

The Memphis Grizzlies have acquired guards Patrick Beverley and Rajon Rondo and center Daniel Oturu in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Eric Bledsoe.

“We are excited to add Eric, a strong, versatile guard and an established playmaker who can attack the paint and defend multiple positions,” said Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. “Eric started his career with the Clippers and we’re delighted to bring him back.”

Bledsoe has appeared in 702 games (539 starts) and owns career averages of 14.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 28.0 minutes during his 11-year NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Clippers. Selected 18th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft out of the University of Kentucky, the 31-year-old averaged 12.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 29.7 minutes over 71 games (70 starts) for New Orleans last season.

“It’s always difficult to part with people we care about, respect and admire,” said Frank. “Pat has been a pillar of our team for the past four years. He helped build our foundation with his vocal leadership and competitive spirit. Pat played a vital role in some of our most significant achievements. We are grateful for his presence and for the contributions of Rajon, a premier orchestrator, and Daniel, a promising young center. We wish them the best.”

Per the Los Angeles Times, “in addition to dumping the expiring contracts owed to Beverley and Rondo off their books, the Clippers aren’t locked in long-term with Bledsoe; only $3.9 million of his $19 million salary next season is guaranteed. His addition was a bet on the belief that the Clippers’ ability to spread the floor with three-point shooting will play to Bledsoe’s strengths by opening driving lanes to the rim.”

Beverley (6-1, 180) has appeared in 468 games (384 starts) and holds career averages of 8.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.14 steals in 27.6 minutes in his nine-year NBA career with Houston and the Clippers. Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 42nd pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of the University of Arkansas, the 33-year-old Chicago native competed in 37 games (34 starts) and averaged 7.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 22.5 minutes for the Clippers last season.

Rondo (6-1, 180) has appeared in 918 games (732 starts) and owns career averages of 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.62 steals in 30.4 minutes in his 15-year NBA career with Boston, Dallas, Sacramento, Chicago, New Orleans, the Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta and the Clippers. Drafted by Phoenix with the 21st overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft out of the University of Kentucky, the 35-year-old Louisville native split last season with the Hawks and Clippers and averaged 5.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 17.1 minutes in 45 games (three starts).

Oturu (6-10, 240) appeared in 30 games off the bench and averaged 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.4 minutes as a rookie for the Clippers last season. The 21-year-old Brooklyn native was selected by Minnesota with the 33rd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of the University of Minnesota.

Rockets sign rookie forward Usman Garuba

The Houston Rockets have signed forward Usman Garuba, who was the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

After competing for the Spanish national team in the Olympics, the 19-year-old joined the Rockets entry in NBA Summer League 2021, which runs through Aug. 17 in Las Vegas.

Garuba (6-8, 220) spent last season with Real Madrid in Spain’s Liga ACB and was the recipient of the ACB Best Young Player award along with being named the EuroLeague Rising Star, recognizing the top player under the age of 22.

Including their run to the ACB championship game, Real Madrid posted a 38-5 mark, with Garuba averaging 5.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game. During the EuroLeague playoffs, he became the youngest player in the competition’s postseason history to record a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds vs. Anadolu Efes.

Nets sign rookie forward Kessler Edwards to two-way contract

The Brooklyn Nets have signed rookie forward Kessler Edwards to a two-way contract.

Edwards (6’8”, 215) was selected with the 44th pick in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft by Brooklyn after a three-year (2018-21) collegiate career at Pepperdine. In 93 career games (85 starts) for the Waves, Edwards registered averages of 13.4 points on 47.7 percent shooting from the field, 38.7 percent shooting from 3-point range and 78.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals in 32.0 minutes per game. As a junior, he saw action in 27 games (26 starts), posting averages of 17.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals in 33.9 minutes per contest. Edwards was an All-WCC First Team selection as a junior, All-WCC Second Team selection as a sophomore and was named to the WCC All-Freshman team after his first season. The 20-year-old finished his collegiate career in Pepperdine’s top 10 in blocked shots (127), free-throw percentage (78.8 percent) and 3-pointers made (148).

A native of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Edwards has appeared in three games with the Nets’ Summer League team in Las Vegas, recording averages of 5.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game. He totaled 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in 31 minutes in his best Summer League performance, which came in a victory over the Wizards on Aug. 12.

Pelicans sign rookie forward Herbert Jones

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed rookie forward Herbert Jones.

Jones, who was drafted by the Pelicans with the 35th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, started all 33 games he played during his senior season at the University of Alabama, averaging 11.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field.

He was named the 2021 SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, becoming just the third player in conference history to win both honors in the same season. Jones was also named to the 2021 All-SEC First Team and SEC All-Defensive Team while leading the Crimson Tide to the conference’s regular season and tournament titles.

In his four collegiate seasons at Alabama, Jones appeared in 129 games (101 starts) and finished with career averages of 7.3 points and 4.9 rebounds in 23.8 minutes per game.

Jones has appeared in all four NBA Summer League contests for the Pelicans, averaging 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 21.7 minutes per game.

Heat re-sign Udonis Haslem for a 19th season

The Miami Heat yesterday re-signed forward Udonis Haslem.

“Mister Miami is back!” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “Yes! Udonis Haslem has agreed to come back and play the game he loves so much. What he loves more than that is to be on the court teaching and competing against the World’s best. UD is a legacy player…ONE PLAYER, ONE CITY, ONE TEAM. Thank you, UD, for coming back to lead again in your city, your organization and your team.”

Haslem, a three-time NBA Champion, has played his entire 18-year NBA career with the HEAT and currently holds the longest streak by any active player with only one team in the league. He has appeared in 859 career regular season games (500 starts) and averaged 7.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 25.1 minutes while shooting 49 percent from the field and 75.5 percent from the foul line. The Miami native is the franchise’s all-time leader in offensive, defensive and total rebounds and also ranks among the HEAT’s all-time leaders in games played (2nd), starts (2nd), minutes (2nd), double-doubles (4th), field goals made (5th), points (7th), field goal percentage (8th), free throws made (8th), double-figure scoring efforts (9th), blocks (10th), steals (10th), assists (17th) and free throw percentage (22nd). Additionally, he is the only undrafted player in NBA history to lead a franchise in total rebounds and has served as captain of the HEAT in each of the past 14 seasons, the longest tenure in team history.

Haslem has also seen action in 147 postseason games (84 starts) as a member of the HEAT and averaged 5.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 21.7 minutes while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 71.3 percent from the foul line. In addition to being the HEAT’s all-time leader in offensive rebounds in postseason play, he also ranks among Miami’s all-time postseason leaders in games played (2nd), total rebounds (2nd), starts (3rd), minutes (3rd), defensive rebounds (3rd), double-doubles (4th), field goals made (5th), free throws made (5th), steals (5th), dunks (5th), points (6th), double-figure scoring efforts (tied-6th) and blocked shots (7th).

Nuggets sign guard Markus Howard to two-way contract

The Denver Nuggets have signed guard Markus Howard to a two-way contract.

Howard, 5-11, 180, appeared in 37 games (one start) for Denver during the 2020-21 season, averaging 2.8 points in 5.5 minutes per game. He also appeared in nine games for the Nuggets in the playoffs, posting 4.7 points on 42.3% shooting from three-point range in 12.4 minutes per game.

Howard went undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft after a prolific four-year career at Marquette University. In 29 games (all starts) as a senior in 2019-20, Howard led the nation in scoring, averaging 27.8 points per game, adding 3.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists, shooting 44.4% from the field and 41.2% from three in 33.2 minutes. He was unanimously named to the 2019-20 All-America First Team.

The Morristown, New Jersey, native set the Big East all-time scoring record with 1,587 points over his four-year career and ranks 21st on the NCAA’s all-time scoring list with 2,761 points. Howard also broke school records in scoring, free throws made (599) and three-pointers made (434). He scored 51 points vs. USC on November 29th, 2019 becoming the third major-conference player to record a 50-point game in three consecutive seasons, joining Wayman Tisdale and Pete Maravich.

Sacramento Kings sign center Alex Len

The Sacramento Kings have signed center Alex Len.

“It is great to welcome Alex back to the Kings,” said McNair. “Alex will add toughness, competitiveness and experience while securing our front line depth.”

Len returns to the Kings averaging career marks of 7.8 points (.506 FG%, .332 3pt%, .685 FT%), 6.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.0 blocks and 19.1 minutes per game through 531 games (225 starts) for five teams: Phoenix (2013-18), Atlanta (2018-20), Sacramento (2019-20), Toronto (2020-21) and Washington (2020-21). In 64 games for both Toronto and Washington during the 2020-21 season, Len garnered averages of 6.6 points, (.615 FG%, .320 3pt%, .629 FT%), 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 15.3 minutes per game.

Mavericks sign rookie forward Eugene Omoruyi to two-way contract

The Dallas Mavericks have signed rookie free agent forward Eugene Omoruyi to a two-way contract.

Omoruyi (6-6, 235) signs with Dallas after going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft. He finished his collegiate career at Oregon, where he earned All-Pac-12 First Team honors, after playing three seasons at Rutgers. In his four-year collegiate career, Omoruyi averaged 9.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 22.8 minutes in 121 games (72 starts).

As a senior, Omoruyi averaged a team-high 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 30.6 minutes while shooting 47.3% (174-368 FG) from the field, 37.6% (41-109 3FG) from behind-the-arc and 76.5% (91-119 FT) from the foul line. He was the only Duck to start all 28 games and helped lead Oregon to the Sweet 16.

Born in Benin City, Nigeria, Omoruyi and his family moved to Canada when he was a toddler. He attended Orangeville Prep in Orangeville, Ontario, where he played high school basketball with future NBA lottery picks Jamal Murray and Thon Maker.

Omoruyi (oh-moh-ROO-yee) will wear No. 2 for the Mavericks.

The Mavericks roster now stands at 17 players.

Boston Celtics sign Dennis Schroder

The Boston Celtics have signed eight-year NBA veteran Dennis Schröder, the team announced today.

Schroder’s Celtics contract is reportedly a one-year, $5.9 million deal.

“We are really excited to welcome Dennis and his family to Boston,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. “Dennis is a high-level player and competitor, who has consistently impacted winning with his play on both ends of the court.”

Per Boston.com, “Schroder improves the Celtics’ point-guard depth significantly, giving Marcus Smart a reliable back-up option. Without Schroder, second-year guard Payton Pritchard likely would have had a lot of responsibility (and he still might, if the Celtics prioritize 3-point shooting at the point-guard position). But Schroder gives the Celtics another pick-and-roll operator who can play next to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both on and off the ball.”

Schröder, 27, has averaged 14.3 points (43.6% FG, 33.7% 3-PT, 83.1% FT), 2.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 26.2 minutes in 557 career games (238 starts) over eight NBA seasons with Atlanta, Oklahoma City, and the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran guard has averaged at least 15.0 points in five straight seasons from 2016-17 through 2020-21, including a career-best 19.4 points on 43.6% shooting with the Hawks in 2017-18.

Schröder joins Boston after averaging 15.4 points (43.7% FG, 33.5% 3-PT, 84.8% FT), and 5.8 assists in 61 games (all starts) with the Lakers in 2020-21, marking the third time in his career he’s produced at least 15.0 points and 5.0 assists. The Braunschweig, Germany native reached the 20-point mark 16 times last season, including a season-high 28 points (11-20 FG) and nine assists at Sacramento on March 3. His 1.1 steals per game represents a new career high.

Celtics sign rookie forward Sam Hauser to two-way contract

The Boston Celtics have signed rookie forward Sam Hauser to a two-way contract.

Hauser, 23, joins the Celtics after playing his senior season for the University of Virginia, where he averaged a career-best 16.0 points on 50.3% shooting (41.7% 3-PT), 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 34.2 minutes in 25 games played (all starts). He reached the 20-point mark on six occasions and tallied at least three 3-pointers 13 times en route to earning 2020-21 All-ACC First Team honors.

In four collegiate seasons between Marquette University (2016-17 – 2018-19) and Virginia, the Stevens Point WI native produced 13.3 points (48.3% FG, 43.9% 3-PT, 88.0% FT), 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 31.6 minutes in 126 career games (121 starts).

Hauser has played in each of the Celtics three Summer League games, averaging 9.7 points on 43.5% shooting (8-20 3-PT), 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. He scored a game-high 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting (6-10 3-PT) in the team’s most recent game against Orlando on Aug. 12.