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Mavericks sign rookie Dereck Lively II

The Dallas Mavericks yesterday signed 12th overall pick Dereck Lively II.

Lively was acquired from Oklahoma City in exchange for the draft rights to 10th overall pick Cason Wallace and forward Dāvis Bertāns.

Lively (7-1, 234) was an early-entry candidate to this year’s draft after spending one season at Duke. In his lone season with the Blue Devils, he averaged 5.2 points (.658 FG%), 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game across 34 appearances. Lively was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team and the ACC All-Defensive Team.

“We really love Dereck’s combination of size, shot blocking ability and defensive versatility,” General Manager Nico Harrison said. “As one of the youngest players in the draft we are looking forward to Dereck growing with the team and fostering his development.”

In his lone year at Duke, Lively blocked 82 shots – only five shy of the NCAA lead. With a 7-4 wingspan, he led all Division I freshmen in blocks and ranked second in the ACC (eighth nationally).

The Philadelphia native was ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the ESPN 100 for the class of 2022 as a five-star center out of Westtown School in West Chester, PA. He was named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022 after leading Westtown to a 31-7 record and the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association state championship in 2022.

Lively will wear No. 2 for the Mavericks.

Timberwolves sign Troy Brown Jr.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed forward Troy Brown Jr.

Brown Jr., 6-6, spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers where he averaged 7.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in a career-high 76 games, including a career-best 45 starts. His 7.1 ppg last season marked his most since averaging a career-best 10.4 ppg during the 2019-20 season. In five NBA seasons with the Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, Brown Jr. has tallied 1,949 points, 1,144 rebounds, 448 assists and 211 steals throughout 297 games (84 starts).

The Las Vegas native, has seen action in 15 postseason matchups during two playoff appearances, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals this past season. He holds playoff career averages of 2.3 points and 2.1 rebounds in 10.7 minutes per game. Brown Jr. was originally selected by the Wizards with the 15th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Lakers sign rookies Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and rookie forward Maxwell Lewis.

Selected by the Lakers with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Hood-Schifino (6’6”, 215) averaged 13.5 points (.417 FG%, .333 3P%), 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 32 games (all starts) in his lone season at Indiana University. The 2022-23 Big Ten Freshman of the Year also earned All-Big Ten Third Team honors and ranked ninth in the conference in total assists (117).

Lewis (6’7”, 205) averaged 14.6 points (.453 FG%, .354 3P%), 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 52 career games (33 starts) across two seasons (2021-23) at Pepperdine University. The 2022-23 All-WCC Second Team honoree posted averages of 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in his final collegiate season. Lewis, selected with the 40th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, was acquired by the Lakers on June 22 as part of a four-team trade.

Jazz trade center Damian Jones to Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired center Damian Jones in a trade with the Utah Jazz for cash considerations.

Jones (6-11, 245) played in 41 games (one start) for the Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers this past season and averaged 3.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.6 minutes. He shot .640 (55-86) from the field and a career-best .588 (10-17) from three-point range. Jones also scored in double figures on three occasions and registered one double-double.

A two-time NBA Champion with Golden State (2017 and 2018), Jones has played in 240 games (75 starts) over his seven-year NBA career with Utah, L.A. Lakers, Sacramento, Phoenix, Atlanta and Golden State with averages of 5.2 points on .662 shooting from the field and 3.4 rebounds in 14.6 minutes. He has also appeared in 12 postseason games (one start) with Golden State. The Vanderbilt University product played under current Cavaliers assistant coach Luke Walton for Sacramento during parts of the 2020-21 season and the entirety of the 2021-22 season. He was originally drafted by the Warriors with the 30th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Thunder sign rookie forward Keyontae Johnson to two-way contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed rookie forward Keyontae Johnson to a Two-Way Contract.

Johnson (6-6, 235) was drafted 50th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Johnson spent three seasons at the University of Florida before finishing his four-year collegiate career at Kansas State University. In 108 career appearances, he averaged 13.1 points on 51.9 percent shooting, including 38.9 percent from 3-point range, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.08 steals per game.

The Norfolk, Va. native was named to the All-SEC First Team following the 2019-20 season and received All-Big 12 First Team honors following the 2022-23 season. Johnson helped lead the Wildcats to an Elite Eight appearance and became one of just 12 players in Kansas State History to score 600 points in a single season.

Hawks trade John Collins to Jazz

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired forward Rudy Gay and a conditional 2026 second-round pick in a trade with the Utah Jazz for forward John Collins.

The transaction creates a $25.3 million trade exception for Atlanta, currently the largest in the NBA. The exception can be used to acquire a player(s) in subsequent trades and will expire in a year. The 2026 conditional second round pick will be sent from Memphis to the Hawks if between 31 and 42.

“Being able to create financial flexibility moving forward was a major priority for us. The added flexibility will give us greater optionality as we look at opportunities to improve our team,” said Hawks General Manager Landry Fields. “John was a key contributor our team over the past six seasons and played an instrumental role in helping us become a regular playoff contender. We would like to thank him for his professionalism and leadership over the years and we wish him the best in Utah.”

Gay, a 17-year veteran, has career averages of 15.8 points on .452 shooting, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 30.9 minutes per game over 1,120 games (779 starts) with Memphis, San Antonio, Sacramento, Toronto and Utah. Last season in Utah, the 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward appeared in 56 games, averaging 5.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 14.6 minutes per game.

His 1,120 games played rank fifth among active players, while his 17,642 points rank ninth. He has appeared in 19 postseason games with averages of 14.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 32.5 minutes per game.

Collins was selected by the Hawks with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft. In six seasons in Atlanta, the forward from Wake Forest has career averages of 15.8 points on .551 shooting, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 block in 29.2 minutes per game in 364 games (313 starts). During the 2022-23 season, he averaged 13.1 points on .508 shooting, 6.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 30.0 minutes in 71 games (all starts).

Clippers re-sign center Mason Plumlee

The LA Clippers have re-signed center Mason Plumlee, announced Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations.

“Mason made an immediate imprint last season with his playmaking, finishing and feel for the game,” said Frank. “He is a selfless, dependable teammate who consistently excels in his role. We’re grateful to have him back.”

Plumlee, 33, appeared in 23 games for the Clippers after a midseason acquisition from the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 7.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists. The 7-foot center set career-highs last season in total points (857), rebounds (700) and FG% (68.0).

Originally selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Plumlee has appeared in 740 games with the Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Hornets and Clippers, averaging 8.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 59.5% from the field. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native has also appeared in 65 career playoff games and was named to the 2013-14 All-Rookie First Team.

Thunder sign rookie guard Cason Wallace

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed rookie guard Cason Wallace to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Wallace (6-4, 193) was drafted 10th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft and acquired from the Dallas Mavericks. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman team this past season after averaging 11.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.97 steals in 32 games at the University of Kentucky.

The Texas native was a three-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree and ranked second in the SEC in assists and fourth in steals. His 63 steals this past season represent the third most by a freshman in Kentucky history.

Magic sign Joe Ingles

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Joe Ingles, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Ingles’ Magic contract is reportedly a two-year, $22 million deal.

“We would like to welcome Joe (Ingles) to the Magic family,” said Weltman. “Joe is a smart, tough player who truly impacts winning in every way. His shooting, playmaking and experience will be a welcome addition to our team.”

Ingles (6’9”, 235, 10/2/87) played in 46 games last season (2022-23) with Milwaukee, averaging 6.9 ppg., 3.3 apg. and 2.8 rpg. in 22.7 minpg., while shooting .409 (83-203) from three-point range and .857 (18-21) from the free throw line. He was tied for 24th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage. Ingles scored in double figures 10 times, including a season-high 17 points on Jan. 9 @ New York. He also appeared in five playoff games, averaging 6.8 ppg., 2.0 apg. and 1.2 rpg. in 17.8 minpg., while shooting .500 (10-20) from three-point range.

Not drafted by an NBA franchise, Ingles has played in 636 career NBA regular season games (313 starts) with Utah and Milwaukee, averaging 8.5 ppg., 3.7 apg. and 3.2 rpg. in 25.5 minpg., while shooting .408 (1,154-2,825) from three-point range. He has also played in 50 career playoff games (40 starts), averaging 9.5 ppg., 3.6 apg., 3.5 rpg. and 1.06 stlpg. in 29.9 minpg., while shooting .400 (106-265) from three-point range. For three straight seasons (2016-19), Ingles appeared in all 82 games. He stands as Utah’s all-time franchise leader in three-point field goals made with 1,071.

Ingles was a member of the Australian Men’s National Team, including participating in four Olympic Games (2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020). He has appeared in 55 career national team games, averaging 10.3 ppg., 3.8 rpg. and 3.5 apg.

Ingles will wear #7 for the Orlando Magic. Two-way player Kevon Harris will switch to #8.

Timberwolves sign rookie Jaylen Clark to two-way contract

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed rookie guard Jaylen Clark to a two-way contract.

Clark was selected by the Wolves with the 53rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Clark, 6-5, was named the 2022-23 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, 2022-23 NABC Defensive Player of the Year and 2022-23 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, UCLA’s first defensive player of the year winner since Russell Westbrook in 2007-08. He averaged 13.0 points, 1.9 assists and a Pac-12 leading 2.6 steals per game (tied for fourth-best in the nation).

Additionally, Clark was named to the 2022-23 All-Pac-12 Second Team and was a two-time Pac 12 All-Defensive Team honoree (2021-22 and 2022-23).

The Riverside, Calif., native played on an AAU team with current NBA players Evan and Isaiah Mobley and Onyeka Okongwu. Clark attended the same high school (Etiwanda High School) as current Timberwolves guard Jordan McLaughlin.