Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Sacramento Kings sign General Manager Monte McNair to contract extension

The Sacramento Kings have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with General Manager Monte McNair.

The contract for Kings Assistant General Manager Wes Wilcox has also been extended.

“This has been an exciting season and I’m proud to have the opportunity to continue building a winning franchise in Sacramento,” said Kings General Manager Monte McNair. “I am especially grateful to Vivek, the entire Kings organization and the fans for supporting me every step of the way. I’d like to thank our players and coaches for their hard work on and off the court. And I’m excited to have Wes Wilcox’s continued counsel and partnership, along with the rest of our fantastic front office and staff. We recognize we have more work to do, and I look forward to what’s ahead.”

“Monte is an integral part of this organization, and I am thrilled to announce his extension,” said Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé. “Since joining the Kings, Monte and Wes have proven to be thoughtful and strategic decision makers who have shown their ability to execute a long-term vision for the team. The work continues, and I have confidence in this front office to keep driving our efforts forward.”

Since becoming General Manager of the Kings prior to the 2020-21 season, McNair has made several moves to bolster the roster. McNair extended De’Aaron Fox in 2020 before drafting Davion Mitchell with the ninth selection in the 2021 NBA Draft. McNair went on to add two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, who currently leads the league in rebounding and double-doubles, and Trey Lyles via trade in February 2022. Additionally, McNair hired Head Coach Mike Brown in May 2022 and selected Keegan Murray fourth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft before adding Kevin Huerter via trade and signing Malik Monk in free agency. The Kings currently sit third in the Western Conference (27-19).

With those moves, McNair has orchestrated one of the most prolific offensive teams in the NBA this season and helped guide Sacramento to their best start since the 2004-05 season. Offensively, the Kings rank first in scoring (120.3 PPG), second in efficiency (117.9), third in field goal percentage (49.5%), fourth in assists (27.2 APG), seventh in made 3-pointers (630) and ninth in 3-point field goal percentage (37.1%). Sacramento has scored 130 points or more in 11 games, leading the NBA, and made 20+ 3-pointers in four games this season, including a franchise record 23 triples versus Orlando on January 9, 2023.

Before taking the helm in Sacramento, McNair was a member of the Houston Rockets front office since 2007, which included a promotion to Assistant General Manager in 2018. Throughout his 13 years in Houston, McNair was involved with all aspects of player evaluation, including trade, free agency and the Draft.

Wizards trade Rui Hachimura to Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired forward Rui Hachimura in a trade with the Washington Wizards for guard Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

The Wizards acquired Nunn, a 2023 second round pick (via Chicago), the less favorable of the 2028 second round picks of Los Angeles and Washington and Los Angeles’ own 2029 second round pick from the Lakers. Washington also generates a trade exception in the exchange.

“We are excited to welcome Rui and his family to the Los Angeles Lakers,” said Pelinka. “Adding both size and depth to the wing position has been a goal, and the chance to accomplish that by acquiring a player with Rui’s two-way skills and upside was an opportunity that doesn’t present itself often. We want to thank Kendrick Nunn and his family for his time as a Laker, and we wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

Hachimura (6’8”, 230) has appeared in 30 games for Washington this season, averaging 13.0 points (.488 FG%, .337 3P%), 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 24.3 minutes per game. In 177 career NBA games (118 starts) across four seasons (2019-23) with the Wizards, the 24-year-old has averaged 13.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 27.8 minutes, shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from 3-point range. Hachimura, who received All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2020, has played in five career playoff games (all starts) with the Wizards, averaging 14.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 34.6 minutes per game.

The Japan native was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft after a three-year collegiate career (2016-19) at Gonzaga University. In his final season as a junior, Hachimura appeared in 37 games and averaged 19.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 30.2 minutes per contest on his way to being named a consensus First Team All-American.

“Kendrick has shown the ability to be a solid perimeter threat who can provide instant offense as a reserve,” said Wizards President Tommy Sheppard. “He has proven to be a valuable contributor during his young career, most notably as key role player helping Miami make a run to the Finals.”

Nunn, a 6-3 guard in his third NBA season, holds career averages of 13.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 162 games with the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. He has appeared in 39 games (two starts) this season in Los Angeles, averaging 6.7 points per game. Nunn had appeared in every game for the Lakers during the month of January, scoring a season-high 23 points in a win over Atlanta on January 6 and averaging 10.5 points on .474 shooting from the field in 18.3 minutes per game.

Nunn was selected as a member of the 2019-20 All-Rookie First Team while with Miami after averaging 15.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, helping Miami to an NBA Finals appearance in the NBA Bubble. The Chicago native followed his rookie campaign by averaging 14.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in 2020-21 with Miami before missing the entire 2021-22 campaign with a right knee bone bruise.

Jonathan Isaac set to make long-awaited return for Orlando Magic

Via the Orlando Sentinel:

After over 2 1/2 years away from an NBA floor, Jonathan Isaac could make his return to the Orlando Magic tomorrow.

The Magic are going to list Jonathan Isaac as questionable for Monday’s home game vs. the Celtics, league sources told the Orlando Sentinel Sunday afternoon.

Isaac was drafted 6th in 2017, and averaged 5.4 points per game for the Magic as a rookie, 9.6 PPG in year two, and in 2019-20 was averaging 11.9 PPG and 6.8 RPG before suffering a major knee injury.

Trail Blazers founding broadcaster Bill Schonely passes away at age 93

Portland Trail Blazers founding broadcaster Bill Schonely passed away on Saturday, January 21 at the age of 93.

Schonely was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, the first-born child of Walter and Juanita Schonely. He served in the Marine Corps, where he hosted a sports show for Armed Forces Radio overseas. Schonely then continued his broadcast career in Seattle with radio station KVI and as the voice of the Seattle Totems in the Western Hockey League. His wide-ranging sports broadcasting experience also included University of Washington football, Seattle Angels baseball, the Oakland Seals in the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball’s Seattle Pilots before joining the Trail Blazers.

Team founder Harry Glickman hired Schonely as the sixth employee in the organization’s history and quickly tasked him with assembling a radio network to introduce Oregonians to the Trail Blazers organization. With a gift for creative enthusiasm, he coined many iconic catchphrases during his time with the team, none greater than “Rip City”, now synonymous with the team and the city of Portland.

Serving as the team’s play-by-play voice for nearly 30 years, he called more than 2,500 games including the team’s incredible championship run in 1977 and the exciting runs throughout the 1990s. Schonely maintained a streak of calling games throughout his 30-year run that was only interrupted in 1982-83 when he stepped away to recover from heart bypass surgery. In 1999, Schonely was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame for broadcasting and in 2012, he was awarded the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the game as an outstanding broadcaster.

Schonely deeply valued his relationships within the community, and beginning in 2003, he served as a Trail Blazers Ambassador, supporting the team’s outreach mission while maintaining connections with the Rip City community and appearing on various radio and television broadcasts. He retired from the organization at the conclusion of the 2021-22 NBA season after more than 50 years with the Trail Blazers.

“The Mayor of Rip City” supported numerous charitable causes, notably the American Heart Association and the Providence Child Center, which in 2009 established the “Bill’s Kids Fund” to honor his longstanding dedication to and compassion for the medically fragile children who call the center home.

Schonely’s wife of 31 years, Dottie Schonely, was by his side when he passed.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Trail Blazers legendary broadcaster Bill Schonely,” said Dewayne Hankins, President of Business Operations for the Trail Blazers. “Our hearts go out to his wife, Dottie, and the entire Schonely family during this difficult time. Bill was a warm, engaging and sharp person – always up for a joke, a keen observation or a kind remark. His mark on the organization, the state of Oregon and all of sports broadcasting will be felt for generations. No one loved Rip City more than Bill did and we are all forever grateful for his contributions to the community.”

“The Schonz was a cornerstone of the organization since Day 1. He was the ultimate Trail Blazer – the voice of the Trail Blazers,” said Trail Blazers Alumni Ambassador Terry Porter. “He was someone that Blazers fans grew up listening to for many, many generations. His voice will be missed, his presence will be missed, but his legacy will not be forgotten. It’s intertwined with every part of this organization.”

Spurs sign Gorgui Dieng to second 10-day contract

The San Antonio Spurs have signed center Gorgui Dieng to a second 10-day contract.

Dieng, 6-10/265, started this season with the Spurs, appearing in 13 games and averaging 4.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 11.6 minutes before being waived on Jan. 5. He signed the first 10-day contract on Jan. 8. The 10-year NBA veteran has played in 611 total games and holds career averages of 7.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 20.3 minutes with Minnesota, Memphis, Atlanta and San Antonio. The native of Senegal was originally selected in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft (21st overall) by the Utah Jazz and before being dealt to the Timberwolves on draft night.

The Spurs roster currently stands at 17 players.

Mavericks forward Christian Wood out with thumb fracture

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that forward Christian Wood has sustained a fracture of his left thumb. The injury occurred in the second quarter of last night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Wood will be re-evaluated next week.

Per ESPN.com, “Wood, a summer trade acquisition who opened the season as a sixth man but has been starting at center over the past month, ranks second on for Dallas behind superstar Luka Doncic in scoring (18.4 points per game) and rebounding (8.4).”

Kings sign PJ Dozier to second 10-day contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed PJ Dozier to a second 10-day contract.

Dozier signed a 10-day contract with Sacramento on Jan. 9 and has appeared in three games for the Kings. Prior to joining the Kings this season, Dozier played for the Iowa Wolves, the Minnesota Timberwolves G-League affiliate, where he averaged 18.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 36.8 minutes per game in the regular season.

The 26-year-old has seen action in 108 regular season NBA games and 12 NBA playoff games. Dozier, a Columbia, South Carolina, native played for the Denver Nuggets from 2019-2022.

Lakers must currently play mistake-free basketball, says LeBron James

Via ESPN.com:

The Sacramento Kings ended Wednesday night’s game on an 8-3 run in the final minute to beat the Lakers 116-111, handing L.A. its third loss in the past week by a total of 10 points.

Afterward, LeBron James said the Lakers have “zero room for error” given the injuries the team is dealing with.

“We are limited with bodies,” James said. “So until some of our big guys or some of our key guys get back … we got to continue to play how we’ve played the last couple games. Play mistake-free basketball.”

James led L.A. with 32 points, nine assists and eight rebounds and was on the floor more than any other Laker — logging 36 minutes, 30 seconds of playing time.

Former NBA player and coach Chris Ford has died

Ford Family Statement

The Ford family is sad to announce the passing of Chris on January 17, 2023. Chris was beloved by his family, friends, and teammates. He had a great love for his family, the city of Boston, the fans, and the entire Celtics family. He always showed humility and respect for all those that were fortunate enough to be a part of his life.

Boston Celtics Statement

As a player and coach, Chris Ford’s career spanned over a decade of Celtics basketball, and he made his mark every step of the way. He was a member of three NBA World Championship Boston Celtics teams, one as a key player on the 1981 Champions, and subsequently as an assistant coach for the 1984 and 1986 champs. Ford went on to become the team’s eleventh head coach, leading his former teammates Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish to multiple playoff appearances in the trio’s final days together. ‘Doc,’ as he was affectionately known by his teammates, was a fundamentally versatile all-around guard. He was voted the team’s MVP in his first season with the Celtics, and he is famously credited with scoring the NBA’s first three-point basket. Ford joined an elite group of Celtics’ personnel (Bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn, and K.C. Jones) who have earned championship rings as both a player and coach with the organization. The Boston Celtics sends their deepest sympathies to the Ford family and their many friends.

PER THE DETROIT NEWS: “Chris Ford, a member of the Detroit Pistons’ top 50 players of all-time who later made the first 3-pointer in NBA history, has died. Ford, who reportedly recently suffered a heart attack, died Tuesday. He was 74. Ford was the 17th overall pick by the Pistons in the 1972 NBA Draft out of Villanova, and played seven of his 11 seasons with Detroit. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard averaged double-digits in scoring in seasons for the Pistons, including 12.3 points in the 1976-77 season. In 1978-79, he was averaging 11 points when Detroit traded him to Boston for Earl Tatum.”

Hawks sign Donovan Williams to two-way contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard Donovan Williams to a two-way contract.

Williams appeared in 26 total games (19 starts) for the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League this season, tallying 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 28.6 minutes (.481 FG%, .407 3FG%, .658 FT%). He scored 20-or-more points six times, including pouring in a career-best 30 points in a win on Nov. 23, 2022, over the Raptors 905.

The 6-6 guard saw action in five games with the Brooklyn Nets during the NBA 2K23 Summer League in Las Vegas, registering 3.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 7.8 minutes (.667 FG%, .750 3FG%, .750 FT%). Undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, Williams was signed by the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 12, 2022, before being placed on waivers on Oct. 16, 2022.

A native of Houston, Texas, Williams suited up for the Texas Longhorns for two seasons (2019-21) before transferring to UNLV (2021-22). In his three collegiate seasons, he appeared in 68 games (14 starts), owning averages of 7.0 points and 1.9 rebounds in 15.4 minutes (.435 FG%, .338 3FG%, .667 FT%). During the 2021-22 campaign as a Runnin’ Rebel, he saw action in 27 games (13 starts) and recorded career highs of 12.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in a career-best 22.3 minutes (.488 FG%, .436 3FG%).

Williams will wear No. 4 with the Hawks.