Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Spurs waive Joe Wieskamp

The San Antonio Spurs have waived guard Joe Wieskamp to finalize their opening night roster for the 2022-23 season.

Wieskamp appeared in 29 games for the Spurs, averaging 2.1 points in 7.1 minutes per game after being drafted by San Antonio with the 41st overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He also played and started in 28 games for the Austin Spurs where he averaged 15.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 32.4 minutes.

The Silver and Black tipoff the regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 19 against the Charlotte Hornets at the AT&T Center.

Trail Blazers sign Nassir Little to contract extension

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed forward Nassir Little to a multi-year contract extension.

Little’s Blazers extension is reportedly a four-year, $28 million deal.

“Nassir is a talented player who has grown every year and has a very bright future,” said Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin. “We are very excited that he chose to extend with us, and we look forward to continuing to see him shine on and off the court.”

Per the Oregonian, “Little, a first-round pick in 2019, is entering the final year of his rookie contract, which will pay him just under $4.2 million this season. The extension could keep Little in Portland through the 2026-27 season at a relatively low annual salary, given that he entered training camp in competition for the starting small forward position.”

Little, 22, posted a career-best 9.8 points (46.0 FG%, 33.1 3-PT%, 73.4 FT%), 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 blocks in 25.9 minutes in 42 games (23 starts) for Portland during the 2021-22 season. The University of North Carolina product scored in double figures in 20 games and registered three double-doubles.

Originally selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Little has accrued career averages of 5.8 points (45.5 FG%, 31.7 3-PT%, 72.7 FT%), 3.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.5 blocks and 16.7 minutes in 138 career games (30 starts) for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Rockets sign Kevin Porter Jr. to contract extension

The Houston Rockets have signed guard Kevin Porter Jr. to a multi-year contract extension.

Porter Jr.’s Rockets extension is reportedly a a four-year, $82.5 million deal.

“We value the player and the person that Scoot is becoming and are eager to invest in him and his journey,” said General Manager Rafael Stone. “He’s expressed how happy he is to be with this organization and has shown his commitment to putting in the work both on and off the court. We are excited for the opportunity to continue to build something special with him.”

Per the Houston Chronicle, “the contract is fully guaranteed through the first season, another individual familiar with the deal said. In subsequent seasons, there are triggers in which those seasons would become guaranteed, allowing Porter to earn the rich contract after his rocky start in the NBA with the Cavaliers while providing the Rockets with protection.”

Porter was acquired by Houston via trade with Cleveland on Jan. 22, 2021 and has since appeared in 87 games with 84 starts as a Rocket while averaging 15.9 points, 6.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.01 steals, and 2.4 3-pointers made. Over the past two seasons, he was one of eight players to have averaged at least 15.0 ppg, 6.0 apg, 4.0 rpg, 1.00 spg, and 2.0 3FGM, joining LaMelo Ball, Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, James Harden, LeBron James, Kyle Lowry, and Fred VanVleet.

The Seattle native did not turn 22 years old until after last season ended. Over his 35 games played in 2021-22, Porter averaged 3.1 3FGM on 40.4% shooting and was one of five players with at least six games played over that span to have averaged at least 3.0 3FGM while shooting 40.0% or better. He also had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.54 over his final 32 games played last season, up from a 1.65 ratio his first 55 games as a Rocket.

Porter recorded 50 points and 11 assists vs. Milwaukee on April 29, 2021, becoming the fifth-youngest player to have scored 50-plus points in NBA history and he eclipsed LeBron James as the youngest to have done so while recording 10-plus assists. Porter had 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists vs. Sacramento on March 30, 2022, becoming the youngest Rocket to have recorded a triple-double in franchise history. He became the fourth player in NBA history under the age of 22 to have recorded both a 50-point game and a triple-double, joining LeBron James, Brandon Jennings, and Trae Young.

Warriors sign Jordan Poole to contract extension

The Golden State Warriors have signed guard Jordan Poole to a multi-year contract extension.

Poole’s Warriors extension is reportedly for four years, $140 million.

“We’re thrilled to have Jordan in the fold for the next several years,” said Warriors Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Myers. “He’s one of the bright, young players in our league and his work ethic and commitment to the game are impressive qualities that can’t be understated. He’ll be an important part of our future core and success, much like he was during last year’s run to the NBA championship.”

Per the San Francisco Chronicle, “for Poole’s deal, $123 million is guaranteed, according to reporting by The Athletic. Incentives could inflate that salary by an additional $17 million over the lifetime of the contract. The 23-year old will earn $3.9 million this upcoming season before his extension triggers in 2023-24. He’s estimated to make $28 million in 2023-24, which would make him the third highest-paid Warriors behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.”

Poole, 23, owns career averages of 13.7 points, 2.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 24.7 minutes in 184 games (72 games) over three seasons with the Warriors. The 6’4” guard posted career high averages in points (18.5), rebounds (3.4), assists (4.0) and minutes played (30.0) during the 2021-22 season while leading the NBA in free throw percentage (.925 FT%). Additionally, he connected on a career-high 211 three-point field goals (15th in the NBA). Poole ranks third on the Warriors’ all-time career free throw percentage list (.885 FT%) and 10th on the three-point field goals made list (382).

Originally selected by the Warriors with the 28th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Poole scored 30 points in his first career playoff game versus Denver in Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs and followed it up with a 29-point performance in Game 2.

Warriors sign Andrew Wiggins to contract extension

The Golden State Warriors yesterday signed forward Andrew Wiggins to a multi-year contract extension.

Wiggins’ Warriors extension is reportedly for four years, $109 million.

“Andrew has been a terrific fit for our team since his arrival in the Bay Area almost three years ago,” said Bob Myers, Warriors President of Basketball Operations / General Manager. “His first-ever championship last season earned him the admiration of many around the league and solidified his stature as an impactful two-way player in the NBA. We’re excited that he’ll be a part of our team for the next several years.”

Per the San Francisco Chronicle, “in a team-friendly compromise, Wiggins took a pay cut of nearly $10 million per year to stay with the Warriors. The 27-year-old will make $33.6 million this season, which drops to $24.3 million in the first year of his new deal, then increase to $26.3 million in the second year. Wiggins’ extension also reportedly includes a player option in the final year.”

Wiggins, 27, tallied averages 17.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.04 steals in 31.9 minutes over 73 games (all starts) in 2021-22, earning his first career NBA All-Star nod as a starter in the league’s annual showcase. The 6’7” forward hit a career-high 39.3% from three-point range and set a career best with 157 three-point field goals made.

In the postseason, Wiggins increased his rebounding average in each round, averaging 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.00 steals in 34.9 minutes over 22 games (all starts) and recording six double-doubles and a pair of 20-point/10-rebound games. He followed a career-high 16 rebounds in Game 4 of the NBA Finals with a 26-point, 13-rebound performance in Game 5, finishing the NBA Finals with averages of 18.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in six games to help Golden State capture its fourth title in eight seasons.

Grizzlies sign Brandon Clarke to contract extension

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed forward/center Brandon Clarke to a multi-year contract extension.

Clarke’s Grizzlies deal is reportedly a four-year, $52 million contract extension.

Per the Memphis Commercial Appeal, “Clarke’s deal lines up to recent rookie scale extensions for comparable big men. Boston Celtics center Robert Williams recently signed a four-year deal worth $54 million, and Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter four-year deal for $50 million in 2021.”

Clarke (6-7 ¾, 210) appeared in 64 games (one start) and averaged 10.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and a career-high 1.06 blocks in 19.5 minutes while shooting 64.4 percent from the field last season, his third with Memphis since he was acquired by the Grizzlies from the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 26-year-old increased his averages to 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.7 minutes in 12 games during the 2022 NBA Playoffs.

Memphis registered the second-best record in the NBA during the 2021-22 regular season at 56-26, which tied the franchise record and earned the Grizzlies the Southwest Division championship, the first division title in franchise history. Clarke helped the Grizzlies’ bench lead all NBA second units last season in rebounds and blocks.

A native of Vancouver who finished his collegiate career at Gonzaga University, Clarke has played 181 career games (21 starts) and has averaged 10.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.9 minutes for the Grizzlies. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in field goal percentage (.613).

Pelicans sign E.J. Liddell to two-way contract

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed forward E.J. Liddell to a two-way 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, averaged 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.6 blocks per game last season 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.

New Orleans’ roster now stands at 17 players, including two two-way players.

Thunder sign Isaiah Joe

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed guard Isaiah Joe.

Joe was selected 49th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2020 NBA Draft and spent two seasons with the team. He appeared in 96 games (two starts) and averaged 3.7 points and 1.0 rebound in 10.3 minutes per game.

The Arkansas native spent two years at the University of Arkansas, where he led the SEC, and ranked fourth in the nation, in three-pointers per game (3.6) in his sophomore season.

Sixers convert Michael Foster Jr.’s deal to a two-way contract, and waive Charlie Brown Jr.

The Philadelphia 76ers have converted Michael Foster Jr. to a two-way contract.

And in a related move, the team has waived Charlie Brown Jr.

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent on July 10, Foster Jr. saw 18 minutes of action across three preseason games for the 76ers this year. The 19-year-old played in 15 games during the G League Ignite tour in 2021-22, averaging 16.3 points (.444 FG%) and 10.4 rebounds in 31.2 minutes.

Signed to a two-way contract on Jan. 11, 2022, Brown Jr. played in 19 games and made two starts for the 76ers throughout the 2021-22 season. The Pennsylvania native played in each of the team’s four preseason contests this season.

Philadelphia’s roster stands at 16 players (includes two-way players).