Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Eastbay is shutting down

Via NPR.org:

Growing up in the 1990s, I was obsessed with the Eastbay catalog. I’d spend hours and hours poring over the latest issue, like a detective combing through mounds of evidence.

I’d closely examine the newest sneakers worn by my favorite athletes – Ken Griffey Jr, Shaquille O’Neal, Deion Sanders – circling my favorite ones.

To me, it was like the Sears catalog, only a lot hipper.

So I was especially bummed out when Eastbay’s parent company, Foot Locker, announced that it would be winding down the brand as part of a company consolidation and ending the catalog.

The last issue has already been sent out, but in its heyday, Eastbay was the place to check out the latest sneakers and sports apparel.

Raptors sign Joe Wieskamp to a 10-day contract

The Toronto Raptors have signed guard-forward Joe Wieskamp to a 10-day contract.

Wieskamp, 6-foot-6, 205 pounds, is averaging 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 29.4 minutes in 13 games (two regular season/11 Showcase Cup) with the Wisconsin Herd in the NBA G League this season. He is shooting .494 (79-160) from the field, .402 (33-82) from three-point range and .769 (20-26) from the free throw line. Wieskamp has scored in double figures in 12-of-13 games played, 20+ points three times, and posted two double-doubles. He recorded a season-high 30 points Nov. 5 at Windy City.

A native of Muscatine, Iowa, Wieskamp was picked 41st overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by San Antonio. He appeared in 29 contests for the Spurs last season, averaging 2.1 points and 7.1 minutes. Wieskamp also played 28 games with the Austin Spurs in the NBA G League last year, averaging 15.3 points and 3.8 rebounds.

Prior to being drafted, Wieskamp spent three collegiate seasons at Iowa (2018-21), where he was named All-Big Ten Second Team as a junior. He was also voted to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team in 2019.

Kings waive Chima Moneke

The Sacramento Kings yesterday (Friday) waived forward Chima Moneke.

The Kings are 20-17 this season, which is the 5th best record in the Western conference.

Their leading scorers so far in 2022-23 are De’Aaron Fox at 23.9 PPG, Domantas Sabonis at 18.7 PPG, and Kevin Huerter at 15.9 PPG.

The Kings roster now stands at 16 players, including two Two-Way players.

Lakers sign Sterling Brown to a 10-day contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Sterling Brown to a 10-day contract.

Brown (6’5”, 219) has appeared in 264 games (29 starts) across five seasons with Dallas (2021-22), Houston (2020-21) and Milwaukee (2017-20), averaging 5.4 points (.364 3P%), 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 16.8 minutes. He has played in 24 career playoff games (five starts) for the Mavericks and Bucks, averaging 2.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 8.5 minutes per game.

Most recently, the 27-year-old appeared in four games (all starts) for the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League this season, averaging 11.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in 32.2 minutes per game, while shooting 38.1 percent from 3-point range.

The five-year NBA veteran was selected 46th overall in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft after a four-year collegiate career at SMU (2013-17).

Mavericks waive Kemba Walker

The Dallas Mavericks have waived guard Kemba Walker.

Walker (6-0, 184) signed with the Mavericks on Nov. 29, 2022, and played in nine games (1 start) for Dallas with averages of 8.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 16.0 minutes per game. In his start at Cleveland on Dec. 17, 2022, Walker scored a season-high 32 points with five rebounds and seven assists.

Per the Dallas Morning News, “a Mavericks person with knowledge of the situation cited the development of rookie Jaden Hardy and play of McKinley Wright the IV as part of the decision to waive Walker.”

Pistons center Marvin Bagley III out after hand surgery

Pistons center Marvin Bagley III underwent successful surgery yesterday (Thursday) to repair a fracture of the third and fourth metacarpals in his right hand.

Bagley suffered the injury at the 6:57 mark of the second quarter at Portland on January 2.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, in consultation with team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Bill Moutzouros of Henry Ford Health.

Bagley will be reevaluated in approximately six weeks.

Hornets guard/forward Kelly Oubre Jr. undergoes hand surgery

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kelly Oubre Jr. has undergone successful surgery to address a torn ligament in his left hand. He will be listed as out moving forward and updates regarding his return will be provided as appropriate.

In general, the amount of time it takes for a torn ligament in the hand to heal after surgery can vary depending on the specific location and severity of the injury, as well as the type of surgery that was performed.

In his eighth NBA season, Oubre Jr. is averaging a career-high 20.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and a career-best 1.6 steals in 32.6 minutes per game in 35 contests (30 starts). He is one of only seven NBA players to post at least 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. This season Oubre Jr. has recorded career-best streaks of 34 consecutive double-figure scoring games and nine straight games with at least 20 points (Nov. 25 – Dec. 14).

In 514 career games (192 starts), Oubre Jr. has averaged 12.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks in 25.7 minutes per game.

Celtics trade Noah Vonleh to Spurs

The Boston Celtics have acquired a future conditional second-round pick in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs for center/forward Noah Vonleh and cash considerations.

Vonleh (6-10, 257) has appeared in 23 games (one start) with the Celtics this season and is averaging 1.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 7.4 minutes per game while shooting 45.8 percent from the field. The eight-year NBA veteran recorded season-highs of seven points and seven rebounds in the Celtics 133-118 win against the New York Knicks on Nov. 5. Vonleh originally signed with the Celtics as a free agent on Sept. 26, 2022.