Inside Hoops – Page 93 – NBA Blog

Nets re-sign Cam Johnson

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed forward Cam Johnson to a multi-year contract.

It’s reportedly a four-year, $108 million deal.

“Re-signing Cam was our top priority throughout this free agency period, and we are thrilled to have him remain in Brooklyn as a core member of the Nets for years to come,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “Since the moment he arrived last season, Cam immediately embraced a leadership role both on and off the court. His versatile skillset as a two-way wing has proven to be an ideal fit with our roster, and we look forward to the positive impact he will continue to bring to our team and the Brooklyn community.”

Nets trade Patty Mills to Rockets

The Brooklyn Nets have traded guard Patty Mills and a 2028 second round draft pick (via Milwaukee) to the Houston Rockets in exchange for future draft considerations.

“Patty was an exemplary representative of the Nets during his two years in Brooklyn, both for his contributions on the court and his impact in the community,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “We thank Patty for all he has brought to our organization and wish him and Alyssa nothing but the best in their next chapter.”

Mills originally signed with the Nets on Aug. 10, 2021, and appeared in 121 games (50 starts) across two seasons (2021-23) in Brooklyn, registering averages of 9.7 points on 40.9 percent shooting from the field, 39.3 percent shooting from 3-point range and 82.0 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 1.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.1 minutes per game. In the 2022-23 campaign, Mills played in 40 games (two starts) and averaged 6.2 points on 41.1 percent shooting from the field, 36.6 percent shooting from distance and 83.3 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 1.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 14.2 minutes per contest. Mills has played in 860 games (107 starts) in 14 seasons with Brooklyn, San Antonio (2011-21) and Portland (2009-11), notching averages of 9.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 20.4 minutes per game while shooting 42.6 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from 3-point range and 85.4 percent from the free-throw line.

Pelicans re-sign Herbert Jones

The New Orleans Pelicans have re-signed Herbert Jones to a multi-year contract.

It is reportedly a 4-year, $54 million deal.

Jones, 6-7, 212, started all 66 games for New Orleans during the 2022-23 season, averaging 9.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting .469 from the field, .335 from behind the arc and .764 from the free throw line. Among all NBA players, Jones finished the 2022-23 campaign tied for seventh in steals per game (1.6), tied for sixth in deflections per game (3.4) and tied eighth in total charges drawn (19).

Originally drafted by New Orleans with the 35th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jones has appeared in 144 games (135 starts) for the Pelicans, averaging 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 29.8 minutes per contest while shooting .473 from the floor, .336 from three-point range and .802 from the foul stripe.

Pelicans sign center Cody Zeller

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed free agent center Cody Zeller.

Zeller, 6-11, 245, most recently played for the Miami HEAT, where he averaged 6.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game while shooting .627 from the floor and .686 from the free throw line. During the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Zeller appeared in 21 games for the HEAT, averaging 2.2 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting .571 from the floor.

Over his 10-year NBA career, Zeller has appeared in 509 games (275 starts) for Charlotte, Portland and Miami, averaging 8.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.6 blocks in 22.0 minutes per contest. The former Indiana Hoosier holds career shooting averages of .522 from the field and .730 from the free throw stripe.

Spurs re-sign forward Julian Champagnie

The San Antonio Spurs have re-signed forward Julian Champagnie.

Champagnie, 6-8/220, joined the Silver and Black midway through the 2022-23 season on a two-way contract. In 15 games (three starts) with San Antonio, he averaged 11.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 20.9 minutes. The New York native scored a season-high 26 points in a win over the Sacramento Kings on April 2, the second-most points ever for a rookie on a two-way contract. Champagnie scored in double-digits in the final five games of the season, including 20-plus in three of the five games. He appeared in eight games with the Austin Spurs and averaged 18.1 points, 8.4 points, 2.5 assists in 33.9 minutes.

Prior to joining the Spurs, Champagnie was on a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. He appeared in two games with the 76ers and 18 G League games with the Delaware Blue Coats, averaging 14.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 28.5 minutes.

Champagnie went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft after spending three years (2019-22) at St. John’s University, where he garnered All-Big East First Team honors as a sophomore and junior. The former Red Storm forward averaged 16.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 30.7 minutes in 88 games.

The second-year forward is currently playing on the Spurs Summer League team, where he’s averaging 29.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and shooting 45.5% from three in 25.9 minutes through two games.

Mavericks trade Cason Wallace and Davis Bertans to Thunder for Dereck Lively II

The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired the draft rights to guard Cason Wallace (10th overall) and forward Dāvis Bertāns in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks for the draft rights to Dereck Lively II (12th overall), it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Wallace (6-4, 193) was named to the SEC All-Freshman team this past season after averaging 11.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 32 games at the University of Kentucky. His 63 steals this past season represent the third most by a freshman in Kentucky history.

Bertans (6-10, 225) has appeared in 432 NBA games (40 starts) and averaged 7.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 18.2 minutes per game with the San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards and Mavericks.

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,” Mavericks 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.

Heat trade Victor Oladipo to Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired guard Victor Oladipo, a 2029 second-round draft pick and a 2030 second-round draft pick in a trade with the Miami Heat for cash considerations, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

In 504 career NBA games (397 starts), Oladipo has averaged 16.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists as a member of the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets and Heat. During the 2016-17 season with the Thunder, Oladipo appeared in 67 games (all starts) and averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

Raptors sign forward Jalen McDaniels

The Toronto Raptors have signed forward Jalen McDaniels to a multi-year contract.

McDaniels, 6-foot-9, 205 pounds, averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 23.9 minutes in 80 games (24 starts) with the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers last season. He shot .455 (281-617) from the field and .841 (116-138) from the free throw line. He scored 20+ points in six games, including a career-high 26 points Jan. 16 vs. Boston.

“Jalen is a hard-working, defensive-minded player who we believe has tremendous potential for growth,” Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri said. “He brings versatility to both ends of the floor, and we’re excited to see him develop as a member of the Raptors.”

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In 56 games (21 starts) for the Hornets last year, McDaniels averaged 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 26.7 minutes. He recorded nine games with three-or-more steals and five games with two-or-more blocks. After being acquired by the 76ers at the trade deadline, he averaged 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 17.5 minutes in 24 games (three starts).

The four-year pro has played in 198 games (44 starts) with Charlotte and Philadelphia, sporting career averages of 7.7 points (.465 FG%, .345 3PT%, .784 FT%), 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 20.2 minutes. The Federal Way, Washington native was selected in the second round (52nd overall) by the Hornets in the 2019 NBA Draft. He played for two seasons at San Diego State, where he was named to the All-Mountain West Conference Tournament First Team and the All-MWC Second Team as a sophomore. His younger brother, Jaden McDaniels currently plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves while his cousin, Juwan Howard, is a former 19-year NBA veteran.

Raptors re-sign center Jakob Poeltl

The Toronto Raptors have re-signed center Jakob Poeltl to a multi-year contract.

Poeltl, 7-foot-1, 260 pounds, averaged 12.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 blocks and 26.5 minutes in 72 games (71 starts) with San Antonio and Toronto last season. He shot .629 (389-618) from the field – his highest field goal percentage since the 2018-19 season – which ranked ninth in the NBA.

“Jakob brought an immediate presence on the floor when he returned to us last season. He’s a smart, hard-nosed rim protector,” Raptors Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri said. “We have been strong believers in Jakob as a player and as an individual since day one, and we are thrilled that he will be a Raptor for years to come.”

After being acquired on Feb. 9, he played 26 games (25 starts) for the Raptors, averaging 13.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 27.2 minutes. He tied Pascal Siakam (eight) for most double-doubles on the team since the trade deadline and also led the Raptors in total rebounds (237), blocks (34), and field goal percentage (.652) in that span. Poeltl recorded 21 points and a career-high 18 rebounds Feb. 23 vs. New Orleans becoming the sixth player in franchise history to record 20/18 in the regular season.

A native of Vienna, Austria, Poeltl owns career averages of 8.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 21.1 minutes in 488 games (235 starts) with San Antonio and Toronto. He was selected ninth overall by the Raptors in the 2016 becoming the first Austrian player in league history.

Prior to the NBA, Poeltl played two years (2014-16) at Utah and one season (2013-14) for the Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions in Austria. He was the 2016 Pac-12 Player of the Year, an AP second-team All-American and the recipient of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award for the nation’s top centre his sophomore year with the Utes.

Spurs sign guard Sir’Jabari Rice to two-way contract

The San Antonio Spurs have signed guard Sir’Jabari Rice to a two-way contract.

Rice, 6-5/170, transferred to the University of Texas in 2022-23 as a graduate student where he averaged 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists. As a Longhorn, Rice earned the honors of Big 12 Conference Sixth Man of the Year and was named to the All-Big 12 Third Team. Prior to Texas, Rice played four seasons at New Mexico State. In his career as an Aggie, Rice played in 111 games (74 starts) and averaged 10.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists. The Houston, Texas native was named to the 2022 WAC All-Tournament Team, 2021-22 All-WAC Second Team, 2020-21 All-WAC Second Team and 2019-20 All-WAC First Team.

Rice is currently on the Spurs Summer League roster and will wear No. 11.