Inside Hoops – Page 508 – NBA Blog

Jazz sign Naz Mitrou-Long to two-way contract

The Utah Jazz have signed guard Naz Mitrou-Long (pronounced as me-TRUE) to a two-way contract.

Mitrou-Long (6-4, 218, Iowa State) originally signed a two-way deal with Utah last season on Dec. 23, as well as a two 10-day contracts on Feb. 11 and Feb. 24. He appeared in one game for the Jazz, tallying three points against Denver on Dec. 26. Mitrou-Long also appeared in 40 games (35 starts) for the team’s G League affiliate the Salt Lake City Stars, averaging 18.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 35.0 minutes per game. The 24-year-old totaled 17 games with 20-plus points and four games with 30-plus points, including a Stars-record 37 points on 9-of-15 from three on March 19 against Rio Grande Valley.

The Canadian has appeared in three games for the Jazz entry at the 2018 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 8.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists. He also competed in three games at the Utah Jazz Summer League, posting averages of 10.7 points on 67.0 percent from the field, 5.0 boards and 4.7 assists in 20.3 minutes per contest.

A four-year collegian at Iowa State, he averaged 15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists during his senior season with the Cyclones, earning 2017 All-Big 12 Second Team honors. The guard also shot 47.0 percent from the field and led the conference with 2.8 three-point field goals per game, also connecting on a team-high 98 three-point attempts, which was the third highest in a single-season in school history.

Over his four years at Iowa State, Mitrou-Long appeared in 131 games (83 starts), averaging 9.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists, helping to lead the Cyclones to three Big 12 Championships. He would finish his collegiate career with 260 three-point field goals, the second most in school history, in addition to becoming just one of 11 players ever for Iowa State to tally 1,200 points, 300 rebounds and 200 assists over his career.

Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Mitrou-Long played high school basketball at Findlay College Prep in Henderson, Nev.

Miami Heat re-sign Wayne Ellington

The Miami Heat re-signed guard Wayne Ellington today.

“It’s great to have Wayne back,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He is one of our leaders. We are very pleased that he made the choice to stay. It means a lot to us.”

According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, “Ellington agreed to a one-year, $6.3 million contract, matching his salary from this past season. Because of the one-year term of the deal and Ellington’s status as a Bird Rights free agent next summer, his contract comes with a no-trade clause, requiring his permission for a move during the 2018-19 season.”

Ellington, who was originally signed by the HEAT on July 10, 2016, appeared in 77 games (two starts) with Miami last season and averaged 11.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 26.5 minutes while shooting 40.7 percent from the field, 39.2 percent from three-point range and 85.9 percent from the foul line. He connected on 227 three-point field goals, the most for a single-season in HEAT history while tying the sixth-most in the NBA last season. His 218 treys off the bench were the most by a reserve in NBA history and were 63 more than the next highest player off the bench in the league. He recorded his 259th triple in his 100th game as a member of the HEAT on December 5 vs. New York, the most in franchise history for a player’s first 100 games with Miami, surpassing the previous record of 233 treys by Tim Hardaway. He tallied 52 made three-point field goals in December, the most by any player during a single-month in team history. He then matched that by hitting 52 in the following month in January to tie his own record. Ellington hit at least six three-point field goals 12 times last season, the most for a single-season in team history, including a franchise-record eight off the bench twice, first on December 22 vs. Dallas and then again on April 11 vs. Toronto where he hit six of those in the fourth quarter, the most for a fourth quarter in team history. Additionally, he paired with Josh Richardson (127), Tyler Johnson (119), Goran Dragić (111) and Kelly Olynyk (106) to each connect on at least 100 three’s last season to become the first group of at least five HEAT players to accomplish the feat in a single-season.

Nuggets trade Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur to Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired forwards Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur, along with a protected 2019 first round draft pick and a 2020 second round draft pick, from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for guard Isaiah Whitehead.

According to the New York Post, “the Lin trade erases his $12.5 million expiring deal from the books.”

More from the Post: “Nets get Faried, and his $13.8 million expiring salary, as well as Darrell Arthur to get a 2019 first-round pick (protected 1-through-12) and a 2020 second-rounder.”

“DA is one of the best guys I have ever come across in all my time in the league,” said Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly . “When we traded for him, he and his amazing wife Niecy instantly impacted our community. They have done so much to help those in need, and almost all of it was done with no fanfare. As a player his toughness, ability to guard multiple positions and stretch the floor will be sorely missed. As a person it’s hard to quantify what he has meant to our team. Brooklyn is getting one of the league’s true gentleman.”

“There aren’t many players in the league who play with more energy or passion than Kenneth Faried,” stated Connelly. “To watch him develop as a player and a man in Denver has been a joy to watch. Last season he handled a diminished role like a consummate professional. I’m excited for his next opportunity, but he will certainly be missed.”

Faried (6’8”, 228) averaged 5.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game over 32 games for the Nuggets during the 2017-18 season. The Newark, N.J., native played seven seasons for Denver, registering averages of 11.4 points and 8.2 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per contest through 441 career games. Selected with the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Nuggets, Faried earned All-Rookie First Team honors following his inaugural season. The Morehead State product was a two-time Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and three-time OVC Defensive Player of the Year.

Arthur (6’9”, 235) played in 19 games for the Nuggets during the 2017-18 season, averaging 2.8 points in 7.4 minutes per contest. The Dallas, Texas, native has posted career averages of 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per game in 503 career games over nine NBA seasons with Denver (2013-18) and Memphis (2008-13). Arthur was selected with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft by New Orleans. He spent two years at the University of Kansas, where he earned All-Big 12 First Team honors as a sophomore and helped lead the Jayhawks to the 2008 National Championship.

Whitehead played in 89 games for Brooklyn over the past two seasons, recording averages of 7.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 20.5 minutes per game. He was selected with the 42nd overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by Utah and was acquired by Brooklyn in a draft-night trade.

Rockets sign James Ennis III

The Rockets signed free agent James Ennis III today.

The 6-foot-7, 210 pound forward was selected 50th overall by the Hawks in the 2013 NBA Draft. During the past four seasons, Ennis has played in a total of 220 games with 58 starts for Miami, New Orleans, Memphis, and most recently Detroit.

The California native began last season with Memphis before being traded to the Pistons in February. Overall during the season, Ennis averaged 7.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 22.3 minutes per game while shooting 47.4% from the floor and 83.6% from the foul line.

Ennis scored in double-figures 23 times in 2017-18, including a season-high 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-4 from 3-point range, for Detroit at Orlando on March 2. He recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds against the Rockets on Oct. 23.

During the Grizzlies First Round series vs. San Antonio in the 2017 playoffs, Ennis averaged 8.3 points and 4.2 rebounds while starting four of the six games. He spent the final nine games of 2015-16 with the Pelicans, averaging 15.9 points on 50.0% shooting from the floor, while also averaging 2.7 3-pointers made on 48.0% shooting.

Nets trade Jeremy Lin to Hawks

The Nets today traded veteran guard Jeremy Lin, a 2025 second round draft pick, plus the right to swap second round picks in 2023 to the Atlanta Hawks. And in return for this package, the Nets receive the draft rights to guard Isaia Cordinier, plus a protected 2020 second round draft pick.

“We would like to thank Jeremy for all of his contributions to the Nets organization both on and off the court over the past two seasons and wish him much success as he moves forward with his basketball career,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks.

Lin, who originally signed with the Nets as a free agent on July 7, 2016, spent most of his time on the team sitting on the bench injured. He played in 37 games (34 starts) in the past two seasons with Brooklyn, averaging 14.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 24.5 minutes per game.

In 406 career games with the Nets, Hornets, Lakers, Rockets, Knicks and Warriors, Lin averages 12.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 26.6 minutes per game.

Lin starred collegiately at Harvard, where as a senior in 2009-10, he put up 16.4 points, 4.5 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.1 blocks in 32.2 minutes (.519 FG%, .341 3FG%, .755 FT%). He was the first player in Ivy League history to record 1,450 points, 450 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals in a career.

Born in Torrance, CA, Lin grew up in Palo Alto, CA, where he attended Palo Alto HS.

Cordinier was selected by Atlanta with the 44th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. The French national currently plays for Olympique Antibes of the LNB Pro A.

Utah Jazz sign Jairus Lyles

The Utah Jazz have signed guard Jairus Lyles.

Lyles (6-2, 175, UMBC) is currently competing for the Utah Jazz entry at the 2018 NBA Las Vegas Summer League, appearing in one game, notching 11 points, four rebounds and four assists in a 90-85 win against the New York Knicks. He also appeared in two games at the 2018 Utah Jazz Summer League, averaging 7.0 points, 3.5 boards and 2.0 assists in 15.5 minutes per contest.

The Silver Springs, Md. native finished his last collegiate season at UMBC following 2017-18, appearing in 33 games, owning averages of 20.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.1 steals in 34.9 minutes per game. Earning 2018 All-America East First Team honors, Lyles also helped UMBC become the first 16-seed in the NCAA Tournament to knock off a number-one seed with 28 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals against Virginia on March 16.

The 23-year-old began his college career at VCU before transferring to UMBC. At UMBC, he appeared in 86 career games (82 starts), becoming only the third player in school history to notch over 600 points in a season, doing so in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

Lyles left UMBC with an undergraduate degree with a double major in psychology and sociology. He attended DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Md.

Bulls waive Sean Kilpatrick

The Chicago Bulls waived guard Sean Kilpatrick today.

During his time with Chicago, Kilpatrick (6-4, 210) appeared in nine games and averaged 15.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.70 steals in 23.8 minutes per game. He shot .439 from the field, .396 from long range and .813 from the foul line. Kilpatrick originally signed with Chicago as a free agent on March 26, 2018.

Wizards sign Dwight Howard

The Washington Wizards’ signing of free agent center Dwight Howard became official today.

“Dwight has been known throughout his career as one of the league’s best defenders, rebounders and finishers around the rim, all areas that we needed to improve heading into next season,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “His inside presence and athleticism will give us a much different look and will open up opportunities for us on both ends of the floor.”

According to NBC Sports Washington, “Howard was signed to a two-year deal worth $11 million with the second year a player option.”

At this point in his career, Howard is more of a supporting cast player than a star. He can still put up big stats, especially as a rebounder, and he’s still starting material and certainly should start for the Wizards with Marcin Gortat gone. But John Wall and Bradley Beal are still expected to lead the way in DC, with Howard supporting their efforts.

Howard (6-11, 265) has averaged 17.4 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 assists while shooting .585 from the floor in 1,035 NBA games (1,034 starts) over 14 NBA seasons with Orlando, L.A. Lakers, Houston, Atlanta and Charlotte.

The 32-year-old center posted 16.6 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 assists while shooting .555 from the field in 81 games (all starts) for Charlotte last season. He finished the 2017-18 campaign third in the NBA in point-rebound double-doubles (fourth overall), third in total blocks, third in total rebounds and rebounds per game, fourth in total defensive rebounds and defensive rebounds per game, fifth in total offensive rebounds and offensive rebounds per game, seventh in blocks per game and 11th in field goal percentage.

Howard is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year (winning three straight awards from 2008-09 to 2010-11) and has also earned five All-NBA First Team selections while being named All-NBA Second Team once and All-NBA Third Team twice. The former number one overall draft choice (2004) has been selected to the All-NBA Defensive First Team four times and also earned All-NBA Defensive Second Team honors once.

The eight-time All-Star currently leads all active players with 13,101 career rebounds, 3,647 career offensive rebounds and 2,047 career blocks. He has averaged 18.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.4 assists while shooting .545 from the floor in 95 career playoff games (including the 2008-09 postseason, when he led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals).

Thunder re-sign Raymond Felton

The Thunder re-signed guard Raymond Felton today.

Felton plays a supporting cast role on the Thunder, behind star point guard Russell Westbrook.

Per multiple reports, the deal is a one-year, $2.4 million contract.

Felton has appeared in 938 career games (659 starts), recording averages of 11.4 points, 5.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.21 steals in 30.3 minutes with Charlotte, New York, Denver, Portland, Dallas, the LA Clippers and most recently Oklahoma City. The 13-year NBA veteran ranks eighth among all active players with 5,044 assists and is one of 12 players in NBA history with at least 5,000 assists, 900 three-pointers and 200 blocks.

The Marion, S.C. native appeared in all 82 games (two starts) last season with the Thunder, and averaged 6.9 points, 2.5 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per contest.

Felton was selected fifth overall by Charlotte in the 2005 NBA Draft and was later named to the All-Rookie Second Team. Prior to entering the draft, he spent three years at North Carolina where he led the Tar Heels to the 2005 NCAA National Championship, was selected to the All-NCAA Tournament Team and received The Bob Cousy Award.

Warriors sign Jonas Jerebko

The Warriors have signed free agent forward Jonas Jerebko.

For a championship team loaded with stars in their starting lineup, Jerebko is a very nice addition as limited-minutes support off the bench.

Per multiple reports, the deal is a one-year, veteran-minimum contract worth $2.1 million.

Jerebko, 31, averaged 5.8 points on 46.6 percent shooting from the field and 41.4 percent shooting from three-point range, to go along with 3.3 rebounds and 15.3 minutes in 74 games (19 starts) with the Utah Jazz last season. A nine-year NBA veteran, Jerebko owns career averages of 6.2 points on 45.7 percent shooting from the field and 36.3 percent from beyond the arc, 4.0 rebounds and 18.0 minutes in 562 games (113 starts) with the Jazz (2017-18), Boston Celtics (2015-17) and Detroit Pistons (2009-15).

A native of Sweden, Jerebko has appeared in 32 postseason contests (four starts) with Utah and Boston, averaging 4.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game. He competed with Sweden at EuroBasket 2013, averaging 16.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in five games.

The forward was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft. He earned All-NBA Rookie Second Team honors in 2009-10 and was recognized as the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in February.

Jerebko will wear #21 for the Warriors.