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Pelicans sign E.J. Liddell to multi-year contract

The New Orleans Pelicans yesterday signed forward E.J. Liddell to a multi-year contract.

Liddell, 6-6, 240, who was selected by New Orleans with the 41st overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of The Ohio State University, missed all of last season due to a torn ACL in his right knee.

During his junior season (2021-22) at Ohio State, Liddell averaged 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.6 blocks per game en route to consensus third-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive honors. Liddell led the Buckeyes in scoring, rebounding, blocks, free throws made and attempted and was second in assists.

Pacers trade Chris Duarte to Kings

The Sacramento Kings yesterday acquired guard Chris Duarte in a trade with the Indiana Pacers for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2030 second-round pick.

During the 2022-23 season, Duarte averaged 7.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in 46 games (12 starts) for the Pacers. He was selected to participate in the 2022 NBA Rising Stars Challenge and went on to be named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after posting averages of 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per contest in 55 games (39 starts) in 2021-22.

Duarte appeared in 101 games (51 starts) for the Pacers, averaging 10.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He was selected 13th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Oregon after receiving Pac-12 Player of the Year honors for his performance during the 2020-21 season.

Rockets sign Jeff Green

The Houston Rockets have signed free agent forward Jeff Green.

Green (6-8, 235) recently finished his 15th NBA season by averaging 17.2 minutes played during Denver’s championship playoff run. In 1,107 career games with 650 starts, he has averaged 12.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 28.5 minutes per game.

Over the past three seasons, Green averaged 9.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 1.4 apg in 24.0 mpg while shooting 50.3% from the floor. In 68 games for Brooklyn in 2020-21, he averaged 1.5 3-pointers made on a career-best 41.2% shooting. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was an assistant coach with the Nets that season.

This will mark Green’s second stint as a Rocket. He joined the team during the 2019-20 season and helped Houston advance to the Conference Semifinals as part of the Orlando “bubble” experience.

Green made his NBA debut as a 21-year-old with the Seattle Supersonics in 2007 and has teamed with eight players who won the MVP award at some point during their career: Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett, James Harden, LeBron James, Nikola Jokić, Shaquille O’Neal, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook.

Cavaliers sign Emoni Bates, Isaiah Mobley and Craig Porter Jr. to two-way contracts

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Emoni Bates, forward Isaiah Mobley and guard Craig Porter Jr. to two-way contracts, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today.

Reflective of the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, teams will be able to roster up to three players on a Two-Way contract this upcoming season.

Bates (6-9, 190) was selected 49th overall by the Cavaliers in the 2023 NBA Draft and appeared in 30 games (all starts) as a sophomore for Eastern Michigan University this past season, averaging team-highs in points (19.2) and rebounds (5.8) in 33.5 minutes. Bates, an All-Mid-American Conference Third Team selection, also recorded four double-doubles and his 19.2 points per game average ranked 39th nationally and third in the MAC. Additionally, Bates finished fourth in the MAC in three-point field goals made per game (2.5) and shot 76-230 (.330 3FG%) from beyond the arc on the season. His 76 made three-pointers ranked eighth in a single season in program history. Bates registered a season-high 43 points at Toledo on Jan. 24, the ninth-best single game total in the NCAA this season. He started his collegiate career at the University of Memphis before transferring to Eastern Michigan and was named the 2020 Gatorade National High School Player of the Year.

Mobley (6-10, 240) appeared in 12 games for the Cavaliers during his rookie year this past season and recorded a career-high 18 points on 7-12 (.583) shooting from the field, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 29 minutes on April 6 at Orlando. As a Two-Way player during the 2022-23 season, Mobley also appeared in 22 games (all starts) in the NBA G League for the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League team, holding averages of 21.0 points (.522 FG%, .353 3FG%, .730 FT%), 8.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.14 blocks in 33.0 minutes. He was selected 49th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by Cleveland after spending three seasons (2019-2022) at University of Southern California.

Porter Jr. (6-2, 178) spent last season at Wichita State University, averaging 13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.52 steals and 1.48 blocks in 33.5 minutes, becoming the first player in program history to lead the team in rebounding, assists, blocks, and steals in the same season. He also became the second Shocker in the last 50 years (Fred VanVleet) to record a triple-double, finishing with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists on February 26 at Tulane. Porter Jr. played three seasons total at Wichita State, appearing in 75 games (59 starts) for the Shockers during his Division-I collegiate playing career and averaged 8.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 26.1 minutes. He also played two Junior College seasons at Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana, helping lead them to an NJCAA national championship in 2019.

Nets trade Joe Harris to Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have acquired guard/forward Joe Harris, along with future draft considerations, in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations.

Harris, 6-6, 220, averaged 7.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.6 minutes per game while shooting 45.7% from the field and 42.6% from 3-point range with the Nets last season. He’s averaged 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists over his last seven seasons in Brooklyn and helped the Nets to the NBA Playoffs in each of the last five seasons. Harris led the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage in 2019 (.474) and 2021 (.475) and is the Nets’ all-time leader in 3-point field goals made.

“It’s difficult to put into words just how much Joe has meant to this franchise,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “For seven years he displayed the character, drive and team-first approach that served as a model for his teammates and staff alike. Joe helped define what it means to be a Net, while fully embracing being a part of the Brooklyn community. We’re grateful for everything Joe has done and wish him and his family the very best going forward. He will forever remain part of our Nets family.”

Drafted 33rd overall by Cleveland in the 2014 NBA Draft, Harris played two seasons for the Cavaliers and averaged 2.5 points in 9.1 minutes per game. The Chelan, Wash., native played four seasons at the University of Virginia and averaged 12.6 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 44.5% from the field in 135 career games (128 starts). Harris led Virginia to the NCAA Tournament during his sophomore and senior seasons.

Wizards trade Monte Morris to Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have acquired guard Monte Morris in a trade with the Washington Wizards for future draft considerations.

The Wizards acquired a 2027 second round pick from Detroit (the more favorable of the picks from Brooklyn and Dallas that Detroit previously acquired).

Washington also generated a traded player exception in the deal.

Morris, 6-2, 183, averaged 10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 27.3 minutes per game while shooting 48% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range with the Wizards last season. His 5.3 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game marked single-season career-highs and his 5.43 assist-to-turnover ratio ranked second in the NBA during the 2022-23 season. Since entering the league in 2017-18, Morris’ career 48.1% field goal percentage ranks eighth-best among all guards in the NBA (min. 2000 field goal attempts).

Drafted 51st overall by Denver in the 2017 NBA Draft, Morris played five seasons for the Nuggets and averaged 10.5 points and 4.0 assists in 25.2 minutes per game while shooting 39.4% from behind-the-arc. The Flint, Mich., native played four seasons at Iowa State University where he was a three-time All-Big 12 selection. In high school, Morris led Flint Beecher to back-to-back Class C Michigan state titles in 2012 and 2013 and won Michigan’s Mr. Basketball award in 2013.

Kings trade Richaun Holmes and Olivier-Maxence Prosper to Mavericks

The Sacramento Kings have finalized a trade with the Dallas Mavericks. Sacramento sent center Richaun Holmes and the draft rights to the 24th selection of the 2023 NBA Draft, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, to Dallas in exchange for cash considerations.

“Richaun is a dynamic and skilled center who brings a unique blend of athleticism, energy and versatility to the court,” said Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison. “O-Max took on the most difficult defensive matchups every night at Marquette, and his energy and enthusiasm on the court will be felt right away for us.”

Holmes (6-10, 240) holds career averages of 8.9 points (.606 FG%, .747 FT%), 5.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 19.8 minutes in 418 games (161 starts) with Philadelphia, Phoenix and Sacramento. He spent the past four seasons with the Kings and averaged 10.4 points (.644 FG%, .375 3FG%, .788 FT%), 6.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.1 blocks and 23.2 minutes in 192 games (137 starts).

The Lockport, Illinois, native was selected by Philadelphia with the 37th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. As a senior at Bowling Green, he garnered First Team All-MAC and MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Holmes will wear No. 20 for the Mavericks.

Cavaliers sign Georges Niang and Ty Jerome

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Georges (George) Niang and guard Ty Jerome, President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today.

Niang (6-7, 230) has appeared in 383 games (19 starts) during his seven-year career with Philadelphia, Utah and Indiana, holding career averages of 6.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in 15.6 minutes and shooting a .403 three-point percentage. He has also shot .400 or better from beyond the arc in each of his last five NBA seasons and once recorded a 31-game streak with at least one made three-pointer (1/15/22-3/23/22), the sixth-longest streak in Sixers franchise history. Last season with the 76ers, Niang appeared in a career-high 78 games (one start), averaging 8.2 points and 2.4 Rebounds in 19.4 minutes while shooting .401 (154-384) from the three-point line. He also had the 13th highest three-point percentage among all NBA players with at least 150 threes made.

Niang appeared in 46 career postseason games with Philadelphia (23 games) and Utah (23 games), averaging 4.8 points and 1.5 rebounds in 14.2 minutes while shooting a .423 from the field (80-189 FG%) for his postseason career. Niang was selected 50th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers following four seasons in college at Iowa State.

Jerome (6-5, 195) has played in 157 games (seven starts) over four NBA seasons with Phoenix, Oklahoma City and Golden State. Last season, Jerome appeared in 45 games (two starts) for the Golden State Warriors, averaging 6.9 points and 3.0 assists in 18.1 minutes while shooting a career-best .927 from the free-throw line (38-41 FT) as well as a career-high .488 from the field (118-242 FG). Jerome has scored in double figures in 52 games in his career, as well as six occasions with 20 or more points. Last season, Jerome recorded a season-high 22 points (9-13 FG, 3-4 3P, 1-1 FT), a career-high-tying eight assists, one steal and one block in a career-high 41 minutes on Jan. 20 in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Jerome was selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, following three seasons at University of Virginia, winning the NCAA National Championship in 2019.

Niang will wear jersey #20 and Jerome will wear #2 for Cleveland this season.

Celtics sign Oshae Brissett

The Boston Celtics have signed forward Oshae Brissett to a contract.

Brissett, 6-7/210, has appeared in 172 career NBA games (43 starts) in four seasons with the Toronto Raptors (2019-20) and Indiana Pacers (2021-23). He owns career averages of 7.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game. Last season, he played in 65 games (two starts) with the Pacers and averaged 6.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game. He scored a season-high 18 points against Orlando on Nov. 21, including a season-high-tying four three pointers.

The Toronto, Ontario native has also made 42 appearances and 31 starts over two seasons in the NBA G League and earned All G League Second Team honors in 2020-21 with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants when he averaged 18.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Brissett originally signed with Toronto as a free agent on July 23, 2019, and appeared in 19 games during his rookie campaign with the Raptors.

Lakers sign Jaxson Hayes

The Los Angeles Lakers signed center Jaxson Hayes, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Hayes (7’0”, 217) joins the purple and gold after spending the last four seasons (2019-23) with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 23-year-old appeared in 47 games (two starts) in 2022-23 and registered averages of 5.0 points (.551 FG%) and 2.8 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game.

In 241 career NBA games (47 starts), Hayes has averaged 7.5 points (.622 FG%) and 4.0 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per contest. Hayes has recorded seven games with at least 20 points in his career and has shot over 60.0 percent from the field in three of his four NBA seasons. The Norman, Okla., native appeared in six postseason contests (all starts) following the 2021-22 season, averaging 5.8 points (.560 FG%) and 2.5 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game.

Hayes was originally selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of the University of Texas. In one season with the Longhorns (2018-19), where he was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and an All-Big 12 Second Team honoree, he averaged 10.0 points (.728 FG%), 5.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game. Hayes ranked fourth in the league in blocked shots (71), helping him earn a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team.