Inside Hoops – Page 279 – NBA Blog

Raptors sign Ishmail Wainright and Justin Champagnie

The Toronto Raptors yesterday signed free agent forwards Ishmail Wainright to a multi-year contract and Justin Champagnie (Sham-Penny) to a two-way contract.

Wainwright, 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, played two seasons in Germany (2018-20) before joining Strasbourg (France) last season where he averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 27.9 minutes in 50 games. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Wainwright played four collegiate seasons at Baylor (2013-17) earning Big-12 All-Defensive Team honours as a senior.

Champagnie, 6-foot-6, 200 pounds, posted averages of 18.0 points, 11.1 rebounds and 34.4 minutes in 20 games as a sophomore at Pittsburgh last season. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in rebounding and was the first Pitt player to average at least 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds since Billy Knight in 1973-74. A Brooklyn native, Champagnie was named to the All-ACC First Team and was an AP All-American Honourable Mention.

Houston Rockets sign rookies Alperen Sengun and Josh Christopher

The Houston Rockets yesterday signed rookie forward/center Alperen Sengun and rookie guard Josh Christopher.

Sengun (6-9, 235), was the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by Oklahoma City before his rights were acquired by Houston in exchange for two future first round picks owed to the Rockets via Detroit and Washington. The native of Turkey recently turned 19 years old and was the Turkish Super League MVP this past season for his club, Besiktas.

In 34 league games, Sengun averaged 18.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals while shooting 62.6% from the floor and 81.2% from the foul line. The 19-year-old also averaged 23.0 ppg on 71.0% shooting in three FIBA Europe Cup games and played for the Turkish national team during Olympic qualifying this summer.

Christopher (6-5, 215) was the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by Houston following his freshman season at Arizona State. He appeared in 15 games for the Sun Devils, averaging 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.5 steals.

The 19-year-old scored 28 points in his second career game vs. Villanova and posted 22 points with 11 rebounds against UCLA, which went onto play in the Final Four. A McDonald’s All-American, Christopher averaged 29.4 points and 11.2 rebounds as a senior at Mayfair High School in California.

Charlotte Hornets sign rookie guard DJ Carton

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced yesterday that the team has signed DJ Carton, who went undrafted.

A 6-2 guard, Carton made 27 appearances during the 2020-21 season with the Marquette Golden Eagles, averaging 13.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 31.1 minutes per game. Over his two-year collegiate career with Marquette and Ohio State, he averaged 11.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 28.0 minutes per game in 47 games.

Born in Pineville, North Carolina, Carton grew up in Bettendorf Iowa and played at Bettendorf High School. He is set to appear for Charlotte at the MGM Resorts Summer League 2021.

Bulls sign-and-trade Daniel Theis to Rockets

The Houston Rockets have acquired center Daniel Theis via a sign-and-trade from Chicago in exchange for cash considerations.

“Daniel is a versatile center who impacts both ends of the court,” said Rockets general manager Rafael Stone. “We’re looking forward to adding his skillset to our young core and giving Coach Silas even more flexibility with his lineups.”

Theis’ Rockets contract is reportedly a four-year, $36 million deal.

Theis (6-8, 245) spent his first three and a half seasons with Boston prior to being acquired by Chicago as part of a three-team trade with Washington on March 25, 2021. For his career, Theis has appeared in 259 games with 120 starts while averaging 7.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 19.3 minutes per game.

Over the past two seasons, Theis was one of four players to have averaged at least 9.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 1.00 bpg in fewer than 25.0 mpg. He joined Anthony Davis and Robert Covington as the only players over that span to have recorded at least 1,200 points, 700 rebounds, 200 assists, 140 blocks, 70 steals, and 80 3-pointers made. Since entering the league in 2017-18, Theis joins Giannis Antetokounmpo and John Collins as the only players to have shot 55.0% or better from the floor with at least 100 3-pointers made.

Prior to joining the Celtics, Theis spent seven seasons playing professionally in his home country of Germany. He won three straight German league championships with Bamberg from 2015 through 2017.

Miami Heat re-sign Victor Oladipo

The Miami Heat have re-signed guard Victor Oladipo.

“We really like Victor’s versatility and how he impacts the game in multiple ways,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “His speed skill set fits perfectly into the core we have built.”

Per the Miami Herald, “Oladipo agreed to a one-year minimum deal worth about $2.4 million on Wednesday to return to the Heat, according to a league source.”

Oladipo, a two-time NBA All-Star, appeared in 33 games (all starts) last season between the HEAT, Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers averaging 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.39 steals and 32.7 minutes while shooting 40.8 percent from the field. He scored in double figures 29 times, including 18 games with at least 20 points and three 30-point performances.

More from the Herald: “Oladipo, 29, was traded to the Heat in March but played in just four games with Miami before feeling discomfort in his right knee and eventually undergoing surgery to repair the quadriceps tendon in the knee on May 13. He ruptured that same tendon in January 2019 before returning a year later in January 2020.”

Oladipo has appeared in 454 regular season games (394 starts) during his eight-year NBA career and has averaged 17.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.64 steals and 33.0 minutes while shooting 43.8 percent from the floor, 34.7 percent from three-point range and 79.1 percent from the foul line.

Oladipo had season-ending surgery on his right knee on May 13, 2021, and will continue his rehab.

Miami Heat re-sign Jimmy Butler

The Miami Heat have re-signed forward Jimmy Butler.

“Jimmy is the anchor and face of our franchise along with Bam and Kyle,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “With Jimmy, we get an All-NBA player, an All-NBA Defensive player, tough as nails and a complete player across the board. He’s very deserving of this contract as he continually puts himself at the top of the league at his position. Having him in the HEAT organization has been a great, great coup for us.”

Per the Miami Herald, “that commitment resulted in Butler signing a maximum four-year extension worth $184 million on Saturday that keeps him under contract with the Heat through the 2025-26 season. Friday marked the first day that Butler, who turns 32 on Sept. 14, was eligible to sign the deal.”

The All-NBA Third Team recipient started all 52 games in which he appeared last season and averaged a team-leading 21.5 points, a team-best 7.1 assists, 6.9 rebounds and an NBA-leading 2.08 steals in 33.6 minutes while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 86.3 percent from the foul line. Also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, Butler became the first HEAT player in franchise history to lead the league in steals per game and his 86.3 percent shooting from the foul line was the third-highest single season percentage in team history. He shot at least 80 percent from the charity stripe in 14-straight games from April 3 – May 2 and recorded nine-straight multi-steal games from March 31 – April 16, both the longest such streaks in team history.

More from the Herald: “The four-year, $141 million contract that Butler signed to join the Heat during free agency in 2019 includes a guaranteed $36 million salary for next season and a $37.7 million player option in 2022-23. The extension replaces Butler’s 2022-23 option and begins that season, which means he’s set to earn $220 million over the next five years.”

Butler set single-season career highs in field goal percentage, rebounds per game, assists per game and steals per game and ranked among NBA leaders in total steals (2nd), scoring average (26th), free throws made (9th) and attempted (11th), assists per game (10th), assists per turnover (10th), steals per turnover (12th), total assists (18th), efficiency (24th), minutes per game (29th) and rebounds per game (36th).

He led the HEAT in scoring average, double-figure scoring quarters (28), 20-point games, 30-point games, free throws made and attempted, free throw percentage, assists, steals, triple-doubles and plus/minus (+196) and ranked second on the team in points, double-figure scoring efforts, field goals made and attempted, three-point plays, double-figure rebound efforts, offensive, defensive and total rebounds and double-doubles. He also scored in double figures 50 times, including 30 games with at least 20 points and five 30-point performances.

Additionally, Butler grabbed double-figure rebounds a career-high 11 times, handed out double-figure assists on 10 occasions and posted four triple-doubles this season. His four triple-doubles tie for the most during a single season in team history, including three-straight from February 15-18, to become the first player in HEAT history to record consecutive triple-doubles with two of those coming on a back-to-back road set to become just the 11th player in NBA history to achieve that feat.

A five-time NBA All-Star, Butler has appeared in 633 games (528 starts) during his 10-year NBA career and averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.63 steals and 33.1 minutes while shooting 45.8 percent from the floor, 32.7 percent from behind the arc and 83.8 percent from the foul line. He is Miami’s all-time leader in free throw percentage and also ranks among the HEAT’s all-time leaders in triple-doubles (2nd), scoring average (3rd), free throws made (14th), free throw attempts (17th), double-doubles (tied-18th) and assists (19th). In 80 NBA postseason games (77 starts), he has averaged 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.60 steals and 37.6 minutes while shooting 44.2 percent from the floor, 34.6 percent from three-point range and 83.6 percent from the foul line

Toronto Raptors sign rookie Scottie Barnes

The Toronto Raptors announced Sunday they have signed guard-forward Scottie Barnes to a rookie scale contract. Barnes is under contract through the 2022-23 season, with two team option years to follow.

The Raptors selected Barnes fourth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Barnes, 6-foot-9, 227 pounds, averaged 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 24.7 minutes in 24 games as a freshman at Florida State last season. He was named ACC Freshman and Sixth Man of the Year, earned All-ACC Third Team honours and was among the 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award. A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Barnes scored a career-high 21 points in the ACC Tournament championship game against Georgia Tech.

Charlotte Hornets sign Kelly Oubre Jr.

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced yesterday that the team has signed free agent Kelly Oubre Jr.

The contract is reportedly a two-year, $26 million deal.

During the 2020-21 season, Oubre averaged 15.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per game in 55 games while shooting .439% from the field with the Golden State Warriors. Over his six seasons in the NBA, Oubre has appeared in 403 career games with Golden State, Phoenix and Washington, accruing averages of 11.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 25.0 minutes per game with a career field goal percentage of .433%.

Per the Charlotte Observer, “the move will give the Hornets needed depth at small forward behind Gordon Hayward after their 2020-21 season crumbled in the aftermath of Hayward’s foot injury suffered April 2 in a win at the Indiana Pacers. The Hornets left that game in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings at 25-23 but went 8-16 the rest of the way with Hayward sidelined and missed the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season.”

Oubre has played in 18 career postseason games with the Wizards during the 2017 and 2018 playoffs. He holds career averages of 7.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game in the postseason.

A New Orleans native, Oubre was originally selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft out of Kansas.

Brooklyn Nets re-sign Bruce Brown

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed guard/forward Bruce Brown.

Brown was acquired by the Nets from the Detroit Pistons as part of a three-team trade on Nov. 19, 2020. In the 2020-21 campaign, he registered averages of 8.8 points on a career-best 55.6 percent shooting from the field, a career-high 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 22.3 minutes per game across 65 games (37 starts). The 24-year-old also posted career highs in offensive rating (115.9), net rating (3.5), effective field goal percentage (57.6 percent) and double-doubles (six). Brooklyn compiled a record of 20-7 in games Brown reached double figures in and a 29-8 record (15-2 at home) in games he started. In 197 career games (136 starts) in three seasons with Brooklyn and Detroit (2018-20), Brown has recorded averages of 7.2 points on 47.1 percent shooting from the field, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 23.0 minutes per contest. He’s also seen action in 16 postseason games in his career, 12 of which came in the 2021 playoffs with the Nets, where he averaged 7.9 points on 50.6 percent shooting from the field, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 23.1 minutes per game. The Boston native was originally selected with the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Pistons after spending two seasons (2016-18) at the University of Miami.

Three-team NBA trade sends Tristan Thompson to Kings

The Atlanta Hawks today announced the team has acquired guard Delon Wright as part of a three-team transaction with the Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings. Kris Dunn, Bruno Fernando and a 2023 second round pick go to Boston, while Sacramento receives Tristan Thompson.

The second-round pick being conveyed is Portland’s own second-round pick that Atlanta had received from the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a trade for Lou Williams on March 25, 2021.

“One of our priorities entering the offseason was to solidify the backup point guard spot. Delon is a consistent two-way guard who has been a part of several successful teams. We think he’s a great fit here.” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Travis Schlenk. “I’d also like to thank Bruno and Kris for their contributions to the Hawks, and I want to wish them well as they continue their careers.”

Wright appeared in 63 games (39 starts) last season with Detroit and Sacramento, averaging career-highs of 10.2 points, 4.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals in a career-best 27.7 minutes (.463 FG%, .372 3FG%, .802 FT%). He scored 10-or-more points 30 times and 20-or-better six times, recording double figure assists twice. Wright ranked tied for seventh in the NBA in spg.

In 334 career regular season games (62 starts) with Toronto, Memphis, Dallas, Detroit and Sacramento, the 6’5 guard has compiled 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 21.3 minutes (.453 FG%, .350 3FG%, .792 FT%). In 32 postseason contests with the Raptors and Mavericks, he’s averaged 4.4 points, 1.4 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 12.5 minutes (.467 FG%, .400 3FG%, .756 FT%).

Selected by Toronto in the first round (20th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft, the native of Los Angeles played his final two collegiate seasons at Utah after transferring from City College of San Francisco. In 68 career games (all starts) with the Utes, he averaged 15.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks in 34.8 minutes. He was the recipient of the 2015 Bob Cousy award, given to the nation’s top point guard. Wright earned All-Pac 12 First Team and Pac 12 All-Defensive Team honors in both of his seasons with Utah.

Wright’s brother, Dorell, played 11 seasons in the NBA with Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Portland.

# TrueToAtlanta #