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Kings waive DaQuan Jeffries

The Sacramento Kings have waived guard/forward DaQuan Jeffries, per General Manager Monte McNair.

Jeffries appeared in 31 career games (two starts) over two seasons (2019-21) with the Kings.

The Kings are 22-27 this season, which is the 11th best record in the Western conference.

Their leading scorers so far in 2020-21 are De’Aaron Fox at 24.4 points per game, Buddy Hield at 16.4 ppg, Harrison Barnes at 15.7 ppg, Richaun Holmes at 14.3 ppg, Marvin Bagley at 13.9 ppg, and rookie Tyrese Haliburton at 13.2 ppg.

Sacramento’s roster now stands at 16 players.

Knicks sign center Norvel Pelle to 10-day contract

The New York Knicks on Friday signed center Norvel Pelle to a 10-day contract.

Pelle, 6-10, 231-pounds, holds career averages of 2.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.21 blocks over 9.4 minutes in 28 games with the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings. Pelle registered two or more blocks in 12 of his 28 appearances, including a season-high four blocks on Nov. 29, 2019 at New York. He appeared in one playoff game for Philadelphia during the 2019-20 season.

In addition to the NBA, the Antigua and Barbuda-native has also played professionally in Italy, Lebanon, Taiwan and in the NBA G League with the Delaware Blue Coats and Canton Charge. In 86 career NBA G League games (38 starts), Pelle averaged 8.8 points on 63.6-percent shooting, 6.2 rebounds and 2.27 blocks in 18.3 minutes and earned NBA G League All-Defensive Team honors for the 2018-19 season.

The roster now stands at 16 with two two-way players.

Nets sign Alize Johnson to second 10-day contract

The Brooklyn Nets yesterday signed forward Alize Johnson to a second 10-day contract.

Johnson (6’7”, 212) signed his first 10-day contract with Brooklyn on March 22 and recorded 23 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and two steals in 33 minutes in his lone appearance on March 24 at Utah. In 32 career games with the Nets and Indiana Pacers (2018-20), Johnson has posted averages of 2.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 6.7 minutes per contest. Prior to signing with Brooklyn, he played for the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. In 15 games (all starts) for the 905 during the 2021 NBA G League season, the 24-year-old averaged a double-double with 16.6 points and 13.3 rebounds to go along with 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 32.1 minutes per game. Johnson, who ranked second overall in the NBA G League in rebounds per game, helped lead the Raptors 905 to the top seed in the 2021 NBA G League Playoffs with a 12-3 regular season record. Johnson was originally selected with the 50th overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Pacers. He also spent time with Indiana’s NBA G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, over the two seasons and averaged 19.5 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 36.7 minutes in 50 total games (all starts).

The Pennsylvania native spent his junior and senior seasons (2016-18) playing collegiately at Missouri State, appearing in 66 total games (all starts) and averaging 14.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 30.7 minutes per game. Johnson was named All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team after both campaigns. He began his collegiate career at Frank Phillips College in Texas before transferring to MSU.

Kevin Durant should return in near future for Nets

The Nets will likely have Kevin Durant, out with a leg injury, back in action in the near future. Via the New York Daily News:

Durant’s return is near, and the Nets hope the cautious approach will pay dividends in keeping him on the floor for their playoff and championship run. The team’s All-Star captain has missed the last 21 games with an injury he got in Oakland against the Golden State Warriors. He is the most critical piece to a championship jigsaw puzzle: A two-time Finals MVP averaging 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game, but has only appeared in 19 games this season.

“Him missing significant time, we miss him. We can’t wait for him to get back, literally,” Kyrie Irvng said. “But we’re all staying patient. We know what he brings to the table. We know the respect that he garners from all of us in terms of a leader on our team, but we’ve got to figure it out, game-to-game, until he’s back.”

The Nets are 33-15 this season, which is the best record in the Eastern conference.

Their leading scorers so far in 2020-21 are Durant at 29.0 points per game in 19 games played, Irving at 28.2 ppg, and James Harden at 26.1 ppg.

Yes, Kristaps Porzingis says he misses NYC

Generally, every NBA player, when asked, usually says yes, he misses some aspect of a former team he used to play for. Sometimes the team itself. Other times the arena. And of course, usually the city, and the fans. On that front, here’s Mavericks forward-center Kristaps Porzingis, via the New York Post:

Kristaps Porzingis’ return to the Garden on Friday won’t be as viciously loud as it was in 2019 with only 10-percent capacity allowed during this pandemic season.

But the 2,000 fans permitted inside when the Mavericks visit the Knicks should be vocal. And judging by last season and social media, the 7-3 Latvian is still viewed a villain and undoubtedly will receive more jeers than cheers.

Ironically, Porzingis, traded from the Knicks 26 months ago, says he’s greeted differently on the streets of Manhattan when he visits, though he gave up his Midtown apartment.

Porzingis says he, in some ways, misses being a Knick.

“I do,” Porzingis said. “I miss the city. I miss this place. A lot of great memories. Every time I come back, it’s special. A lot of people here still recognize me and show me love and support. It’s always good to come back.”

The Mavs are 25-21 this season, which is the 7th best record in the Western conference.

Porzingis is averaging 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 30.5 minutes per game.

Pacers sign forward Oshae Brissett to 10-day contract

The Indiana Pacers signed forward Oshae Brissett to a 10-day contract today.

A 6-7 forward in his second professional season out of Syracuse University, Brissett recently completed the 2021 G League season as a member of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Pacers’ affiliate in the NBA G League. Brissett appeared in 19 games for the Toronto Raptors during his rookie season in 2019-20.

The Pacers are 21-25 this season, which is the 9th best record in the Eastern conference.

Jazz get through terrifying flight after plane strikes flock of birds

The Jazz had what sounds like a horribly miserable flying experience on Tuesday. Thankfully, they are okay. Via the Salt Lake Tribune:

As the Utah Jazz were taking off Tuesday afternoon to fly to Memphis for Wednesday night’s game, Jordan Clarkson was “being a bad kid” and getting up to grab something out of his bag.

Just as he was almost back to his seat, that’s when everyone heard — and felt — the boom.

Their chartered plane had struck a flock of birds, shredding the jet’s left engine and spawning a sense of helpless dread as many on board wondered if they were about to die.

“For a good 10, 15 minutes, I think all of us on that flight were questioning if we were going to be here today,” Mike Conley said in Wednesday’s postgame media session. “That’s how serious it was for us. I can’t speak for everybody, but I know that some guys were trying to text family, just in case. It was that kind of situation.”

Ugh. Here’s hoping they never have to go through something like that again.

RJ Barrett having an impressive season for Knicks

RJ Barrett is having an impressive season, and has been an essential Knick in 2020-21. Via New York Newsday:

RJ Barrett was one of the finalists for Eastern Conference Player of the Week last week when it went to Charlotte’s Terry Rozier, but he has still not gotten over the award he feels he really was slighted by. Last season Barrett was left off the All-Rookie team — first and second team. After being drafted third overall he was confident that there were not 10 players better than him in his draft class and his play this year has stated his case for him.

“I think you see it,” Barrett said. “I think everybody sees it. Been working my butt off, producing on the court. I don’t know what else to say. I still think it’s crazy. All I can do is just continue to play well. The team’s playing well. That’s all that really matters.”

The Knicks are 24-23 this season, which is the 5th best record in the Eastern conference.

Barrett is averaging 17.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 34.1 minutes per game.

On the rebuilding Pistons

The Pistons aren’t going to win the NBA championship this year. Beyond that, there are plenty of unknowns going forward. Via the Detroit News:

The Pistons are 13-33 and the rebuilding season keeps slogging on. There are questions about where the team is going, but for the first time in a long time, there’s a very clear path forward, and several young players to be excited about.

Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart and Saben Lee all look to be keepers, and the only remaining question about last year’s draft was the No. 7 pick, Killian Hayes. While there have been plenty of questions about the rest of the roster, the most interesting position has been point guard, because Delon Wright had been the starter for most of the season and he was traded to the Sacramento Kings last week.

It begs the question about what the Pistons’ future will be with a draft that many experts consider to be deep on talent, especially in the top five, where the Pistons appear to be headed. What does that mean for the core that they’ve already established?

The best Pistons player this season has been new addition Jerami Grant, who in 35.1 minutes per game is averaging 22.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists, shooting 42.4%. He’s a talented player, but not a superstar, and shouldn’t be expected to carry a squad by himself. The question is, who he’ll be playing alongside in Detroit next season and beyond.

Knicks lose Mitchell Robinson to major foot injury

The Knicks are having a solid season, and must continue without the services of talented center Mitchell Robinson, who is out after undergoing surgery on his recently broken right foot. Via New York Newsday:

The Knicks headed off to Minnesota Tuesday afternoon, still without any additional help as team president Leon Rose and his front office staff searched for assistance to fill the hole left by Mitchell Robinson’s second surgery in a six-week stretch.

But the season doesn’t wait for the search to conclude as the Knicks lost to the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden Monday and there is no break for the Knicks who have three more games in the next four days. So they must make do with what they have and while that means having Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson at center, the Knicks’ bigger need is for the pieces they have to perform at an optimal level.

And no one is more important to that than the player who has carried them through much of this season — Julius Randle.

While the Knicks have shown that they can survive without Robinson, managing a 9-6 record when he was sidelined with a fractured right hand. But now they are without him likely for the remainder of the regular season at best and to continue their playoff push need Randle to be at his best. But Randle wasn’t Monday, limited as he returned to action after sitting out the previous game with a right thigh contusion.