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Raptors sign forward Freddie Gillespie

The Toronto Raptors have signed forward Freddie Gillespie.

Gillespie, 6-foot-9, 245 pounds, is averaging 5.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 16.0 minutes in 10 games with the Raptors across two 10-day contracts (Apr. 8-27). He is shooting 60 percent (21-35) from the field and has scored a season-high 10 points twice: Apr. 18 vs. Oklahoma City and Apr. 16 vs. Orlando.

Prior to joining Toronto, Gillespie posted averages of 10.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 27.8 minutes in 15 games with the Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League bubble in Orlando.

A native of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Gillespie played two seasons at Division lll Carleton College (2015-17) before transferring to Baylor (2018-20). As a senior, he was voted the Big 12 Most Improved Player and earned All-Big 12 Second Team and All-Defensive Team honours.

Pelicans sign Didi Louzada

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed guard Didi Louzada to a multi-year contract.

Louzada, 6-5, 210, has played the last two seasons for the Sydney Kings (NBL Australia), where he appeared in 45 games and averaged 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.

Selected with the 35th pick in the 2019 draft by Atlanta, Louzada’s draft rights were acquired by New Orleans along with draft rights to Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes, in exchange for the draft rights to De’Andre Hunter, Solomon Hill, and a future second-round draft pick on July 6, 2019.

The Brazilian native appeared in four games as a member of the Pelicans’ Summer League team in 2019, averaging 11.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.

Louzada will wear #0 for the Pelicans. New Orleans’ roster currently stands at 16 players.

Bulls in tight race for play-in tournament spot

It’s a tight race in the East to stay alive for the playoffs, and the play-in tournament that proceeds it. Via the Chicago Sun-Times:

The Bulls are one game behind the Wizards, who lost to the Spurs, for 10th place in the East and the last play-in berth.

The Raptors won, so they’re tied with the Bulls, and they face each other one more this season.

“We’re definitely aware of where we are and what’s going on,’’ Young said. “[The Wizards are] playing really good basketball, and we’ve got to figure out ways to win basketball games. Our approach to every game has to be the same: Win at all costs because everything is on the line from this day forward.

“It’s been on the line.’’

Through yesterday’s games, the East seeds are Heat at 7, Hornets 8, Pacers 9, Wizards 10, then the Bulls and Raptors right behind the Wizards. Way off in the distance are the Cavs, Pistons and Magic.

Magic coach Steve Clifford remains out due to coronavirus

Magic coach Steve Clifford remains out with coronavirus and won’t be with the team Wednesday in Cleveland. Via the Orlando Sentinel:

It will be the third straight game he has missed while in the protocols. Still, Clifford, 59, remains asymptomatic and said he feels great as he continues to deal with a COVID-19 infection.

Clifford first tested positive after Thursday’s game against the Pelicans. He had two negative tests Friday before a second positive result came back Saturday morning and the team had to cancel its scheduled practice. Subsequent tests confirmed Clifford has the virus, and he then missed Sunday’s game against the Pacers and Monday’s game against the Lakers as he entered the health and safety protocols.

We wish him a complete and speedy recovery.

Orlando Magic sign Moritz Wagner, release Robert Franks

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent center Moritz Wagner for the remainder of the regular season, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

In addition, forward Robert Franks has been released from his 10-day contract.

Wagner (6’11”, 245, 4/26/97) played in 34 games this season (14 starts) with both Washington and Boston, averaging 5.6 ppg., 2.7 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 12.8 minpg. He appeared in 25 games (13 starts) with the Wizards, averaging 7.1 ppg., 2.9 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 15.0 minpg. Wagner was traded to Boston as part of a three-team deal on Mar. 25. He played in nine games (one start) with the Celtics, averaging 1.2 ppg. and 2.1 rpg. in 6.8 minpg. Wagner was waived by Boston on Apr. 16.

Originally selected in the first round (25th overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft by the L.A. Lakers, Wagner has played in 122 career NBA regular season games (24 starts) with the Lakers, Washington and Boston, averaging 6.5 ppg., 3.2 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 14.1 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 will wear #21 with the Orlando Magic.

Thunder sign Charlie Brown Jr. to 10-Day Contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed guard Charlie Brown Jr. to a 10-Day Contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Brown (6-6, 199) spent the 2021 NBA G League season with the Iowa Wolves where he appeared in 13 games (12 starts) and averaged 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and a team-best 1.69 steals in 30.0 minutes per contest, shooting 44.7 percent from the field.

The Philadelphia native spent the 2019-20 season as a two-way player for the Atlanta Hawks where he appeared in 10 NBA games and totaled 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in 40 minutes of action. With the College Park Skyhawks that season, he appeared in 29 games (all starts) and registered averages of 17.1 points, a team-leading 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.52 steals in 33.2 minutes.

Grizzlies sign guard Tim Frazier for remainder of season

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed guard Tim Frazier for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.

Frazier (6-1, 170) has appeared in three games for the Grizzlies and has totaled four points, four rebounds and seven assists in 33 minutes after originally signing with the team on Jan. 4 and again to a 10-day contract on April 14. The 30-year-old has played 275 games (81 starts) over seven NBA seasons and holds career averages of 5.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 17.6 minutes with seven different teams.

Unselected in the 2014 NBA Draft, Frazier was named the 2014-15 NBA G League Most Valuable Player and NBA G League Rookie of the Year as a member of the Maine Red Claws. The Houston native finished his collegiate career at Penn State University as the program’s all-time leader in assists.

Rockets CEO Tad Brown will step away after this season

Houston Rockets Chief Executive Officer Thaddeus “Tad” Brown today announced he will transition from his role at the end of the season.

Brown originally joined the Rockets as their Vice President of Corporate Development for the 2002-03 season and was named CEO in October of 2006.

“It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to lead the Houston Rockets and Clutch City Sports and Entertainment,” said Brown. “The executives, City leaders, partners and staff I’ve been blessed to work with over the past 20 years represent the best our industry and region have to offer, and all have been critical to building the world class organization that fans and partners on a global scale proudly support today.

“When Tilman and I first started discussing a succession plan, it was very emotional for us both as we’ve known each other since I first moved to Houston. We built a friendship when Tilman and Paige were fans and corporate partners. We’ve seen each other’s kids grow up; and ultimately established a very successful business partnership when he purchased the team. I can’t thank Tilman enough for his support and friendship, and for the confidence and trust he placed in me. I am excited to see what the future holds for the franchise. Led by Tilman, Patrick and the Fertitta family, the Rockets organization is in great hands for generations to come.

“I’m also excited to see what the future holds for me and my family as we look to our next adventure. The Houston Rockets and Toyota Center personnel – past and present – have become an important part of our lives and will always live in our hearts. They’re our family forever. What a privilege it has been to be a small part of Clutch City’s history, truly the experience of a lifetime.”

“On behalf of the entire Rockets organization and my family, I want to thank Tad for his stellar and tireless service to the Houston Rockets franchise,” said Rockets owner Tilman J. Fertitta. “I could not have asked for a better leader to work with since becoming owner.

“Tad has played an integral role in the success of our franchise both on and off the court. I have known Tad since his arrival in Houston 19 years ago and want to sincerely thank him for his friendship and for building a tremendous organization throughout the Rockets and Toyota Center.

Michael Foster Jr. signs to play with G League team Ignite

Forward Michael Foster Jr., a five-star prospect, has signed to play with NBA G League Ignite next season, NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim announced today. Foster, ranked by ESPN as the No. 7 prospect in the Class of 2021, is the first player to sign with NBA G League Ignite for its second season.

“I’m super ready to learn the NBA game and train like an NBA player from NBA guys while playing for NBA G League Ignite,” Foster said.

A 2021 McDonald’s All-American, Foster spent his last two high school seasons at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, where he averaged 32.2 points and 18.4 rebounds as a senior and 26.3 points, 13.4 rebounds and 6.1 blocks as a junior.

In his first two high school seasons, Foster led Washington High School of Information Technology in his native Milwaukee to back-to-back Division 2 state runner-up finishes. He earned All-State and All-Area First Team honors as a sophomore.

NBA G League Ignite is a first-of-its-kind program that gives top young prospects a chance to begin their professional careers while receiving mentorship and life skills training and preparing for the NBA Draft. Coached by five-time NBA champion Brian Shaw, Ignite recently completed a successful inaugural season that featured elite prospects Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix and Isaiah Todd, and international standout Princepal Singh.

Raptors forward Chris Boucher out with knee sprain

Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher has sustained a sprained MCL in his left knee. The injury occurred in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s victory over Brooklyn.

Boucher will be out until the team departs for an upcoming West Coast trip (Apr. 29 – May 4) and his condition will then be updated as appropriate.

Boucher is averaging career highs of 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks (fifth in the NBA) and 24.0 minutes in 59 games (13 starts) this season. He is shooting .519 (283-545) from the field, including .389 (88-226) from three-point range.