Bucks waive Orlando Johnson, J.J. O`Brien and Jaleel Roberts

The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on Orlando Johnson, J.J. O’Brien and Jaleel Roberts, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

Johnson averaged 4.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in five preseason games, while O’Brien tallied five points in five appearances and Roberts played in five games and scored two points and three rebounds.

The Bucks roster stands at 15 players.

Pistons waive Mamadou N`Diaye, Trey Freeman and Lorenzo Brown

The Detroit Pistons have waived Mamadou N’Diaye, Trey Freeman and Lorenzo Brown.

Detroit this season is built around guards Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, forwards Marcus Morris, Tobias Harris and Stanley Johnson, and center Andre Drummond. Jackson is injured, so Ish Smith has an increased role, for now.

In preseason, the Pistons were led by Harris (15.3 ppg), Drummond (14.4 ppg, 14.6 rpg) and Caldwell-Pope (11.8 ppg, though on 35% shooting). Preseason stats shouldn’t be taken seriously, however. Fun to glance at, but the regular season is what counts.

Utah Jazz waive Chris Johnson

NBA news: Utah Jazz waive Chris Johnson

The Utah Jazz have waived forward Chris Johnson. Following the move, Utah’s roster now stands at 15 players.

Johnson (6-6, 206, Dayton) appeared in all six preseason games for the Jazz, averaging 5.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11.2 minutes. He appeared in 82 games (two starts) for Utah over the past two seasons, averaging 3.5 points and 1.8 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per contest.

The 6-6 forward originally signed a 10-day contract with the Jazz during the 2014-15 season before signing a multi-year deal on March 26, 2015.

Raptors waive Drew Crawford, Brady Heslip, E.J. Singler, Jarrod Uthoff and Yanick Moreira

The Toronto Raptors announced Saturday they have requested waivers on guards Drew Crawford and Brady Heslip, forwards E.J. Singler and Jarrod Uthoff (U-toff), and centre Yanick (yan-neek) Moreira (more-era).
Crawford averaged 5.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 19.2 minutes in seven preseason games. He recorded 17 points and five rebounds October 14 versus San Lorenzo.

Heslip appeared in four preseason games, averaging 7.3 points, 2.0 assists and 11.2 minutes. He shot .625 (5-8) from three-point range. He scored 13 points October 5 at the Los Angeles Clippers.

Singler saw action in four preseason contests, averaging 2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 10.3 minutes. He scored 10 points October 14 versus San Lorenzo.

Uthoff finished with two rebounds in eight minutes in his lone preseason appearance.
Moreira appeared in one preseason contest, grabbing two rebounds in five minutes.

Toronto finished its 2016 preseason schedule with a 4-3 mark. They will open the 2016-17 regular season Wednesday at Air Canada Centre when they play host to the Detroit Pistons at 7:30 p.m.

Timberwolves waive Rasual Butler and Toure` Murry

Timberwolves waive Rasual Butler and Toure` Murry

The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived forward Rasual Butler and guard Toure’ Murry.

Butler averaged 0.8 points and 0.8 rebounds in five preseason games. He has appeared in 809 games over his 13-year NBA career, averaging 7.5 points and 2.4 rebounds. In 2015-16, he played in 46 games for the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 2.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game. Butler, the 53rd overall selection in the 2002 NBA Draft by Miami, has played with the Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards and Spurs. Butler played six games under current Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Tom Thibodeau in Chicago during the 2010-11 NBA season.

Murry averaged 2.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in three preseason games. He has played in 56 games with three teams between two NBA seasons, including appearing in 51 contests with the Knicks in 2013-14 where he averaged 2.7 points. Originally undrafted in the 2012 NBA Draft out of Wichita State, the 6-5 guard spent 2015-16 in the NBA D-League, starting the season with the Texas Legends before being acquired in a trade by the Sioux Falls Skyforce late in the season. Murry played in 45 games between the two stops, averaging 11.5 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per game.

With the moves, the Wolves training camp roster stands at 15 players.

The Wolves open up their 28th season of basketball on Wednesday, October 26 at the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:00 pm CT. Opening night will be broadcast on Fox Sports North and the radio home of the Wolves, 830 WCCO. The team’s home opener is Tuesday, November 1 vs. the Memphis Grizzlies.

Spurs exercise contract option on Kyle Anderson

Spurs exercise contract option on Kyle Anderson

The San Antonio Spurs yesterday (Saturday) exercised their fourth-year option on forward Kyle Anderson for the 2017-18 season.

Anderson is entering his third season with the Spurs after being selected by San Antonio in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft (30th overall). Last season, Anderson averaged 4.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 16.0 minutes over 78 games, including 11 starts. In 111 career games with the Silver and Black, the former UCLA Bruin is averaging 3.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 14.4 minutes.

Nuggets waive Nate Wolters and Robbie Hummel

Pistons waive Nate Wolters and Robbie Hummel

The Denver Nuggets waived guard Nate Wolters and forward Robbie Hummel today.

Hummel, 6-8, 215, signed with Denver on Sept. 4, 2016 and appeared in seven preseason games for the Nuggets, averaging 2.4 points and 1.0 rebounds in 10.2 minutes.

Wolters, 6-4, 190, signed with the Nuggets on Sept. 15, 2016 and appeared in four preseason games for Denver, averaging 3.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 11.7 minutes per game.

The Nuggets roster now stands at 15 players.

Pistons sign Mamadou N`Diaye

Pistons sign Mamadou N`Diaye

The Detroit Pistons have signed center Mamadou N’Diaye to a contract.

Our guess is that N’Diaye probably won’t wind up playing for the Pistons, but for their D-League team, the Grand Rapids Drive. At first, at least.

N’Diaye, at 7-foot-6 and 300 pounds, averaged 12.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks during the 2015-16 season at UC Irvine. Following three years of collegiate basketball with the Anteaters, the Dakar, Senegal native went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft. N’Diaye played summer league basketball this past July with the Golden State Warriors.

Wizards waive Jarell Eddie, Casper Ware and Johnny O’Bryant

The Washington Wizards announced today that the team has waived guards Jarell Eddie and Casper Ware and forward Johnny O’Bryant. The Wizards’ roster now stands at 15 players.

Eddie tallied three points in three appearances during the 2016 preseason, while Ware played in one game and scored eight points and O’Bryant averaged 6.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in four contests.

Kings exercise contract option on Willie Cauley-Stein

Kings exercise contract option on Willie Cauley-Stein

The Sacramento Kings announced today the team has exercised its third-year option on center Willie Cauley-Stein, according to Kings Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Vlade Divac.

This was an expected move. Cauley-Stein is one of the team’s main young building blocks.

Cauley-Stein is entering his second season with the Kings after being selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. An All-Rookie Second Team honoree last season, Cauley-Stein registered 7.0 points (.563 FG%, .648 FT%), 5.3 rebounds and 1.00 blocks in 21.4 minutes per contest over 66 games played (started 39) in 2015-16.