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Cavs exercise contract options on Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro

The Cleveland Cavaliers have exercised the third-year (2023-24) contract option on Evan Mobley and the fourth-year (2023-24) contract option on Isaac Okoro, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Mobley (7-0, 215), who was selected third overall by the Cavaliers in the 2021 NBA Draft and was a unanimous All-Rookie First Team selection, appeared in 69 games (all starts) last season with averages of 15.0 points on .508 shooting from the field, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.67 blocks in 33.8 minutes. He became just the fourth rookie in NBA history to average at least 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks, joining Pau Gasol (2001-02), Tim Duncan (1997-98) and Chris Webber (1993-94). The runner-up for the 2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year award, Mobley led all first-year players in rebounds (8.3), blocks (1.67) and field goal percentage (.508) and ranked second in minutes (33.8), fifth in points (15.0), seventh in steals (0.81) and eighth in assists (2.5). He also led all NBA rookies in double-doubles with 21, which is tied for the fourth-most ever by a Cavaliers rookie. At NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, Mobley helped Team Barry capture the title at Clorox Rising Stars and followed that up with another championship performance that lifted Team Cavs to the Taco Bells Skills Challenge crown. Mobley went on to finish the season as the eighth NBA rookie since 1992-93 to accumulate at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 150 assists, 100 blocks and 50 steals, along with Karl-Anthony Towns (2015-16), Elton Brand (1999-00), Tim Duncan (1997-98), Shaquille O’Neal (1993-94), Chris Webber (1993-94), Vin Baker (1993-94) and LaPhonso Ellis (1992-93). Additionally, Mobley had at least one block in 56 games, the second-most in the entire NBA behind only Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr. (71 games), and his 36 multi-block performances were more than the rest of the top five NBA Draft picks in his class combined (25). Mobley totaled 115 blocks, which ranked fourth all-time by a rookie in franchise history.

Okoro (6-6, 225), the Cavaliers’ No. 5 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, appeared in 67 games (61 starts) last season and averaged 8.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 29.6 minutes per contest. The Auburn University product scored in double figures in 26 games, including four 20-point performances. Over his final 28 outings, Okoro shot 23-50 (.460) from beyond the arc, the 10th-best three-point percentage in the NBA over that span (Feb. 9-April 10). His percentages from the field (.420 to .480), three-point range (.290 to .350) and free throw line (.726 to .768) all increased from his rookie campaign, and his plus/minus of +99 was tied for the seventh-best among all second-year players. He also played with Mobley for Team Barry at 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, helping them win the Clorox Rising Stars title. An NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection in 2020-21, Okoro was just the third player in franchise history to record at least 500 points, 50 three-pointers, 50 steals and 20 blocks in his rookie season, joining LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Entering his third NBA season, Okoro has appeared in 134 career regular season games (128 starts) for the Cavaliers with averages of 9.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 31.0 minutes per contest.

Timberwolves exercise contract options on Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels

The Minnesota Timberwolves have exercised the fourth-year options on guard Anthony Edwards and forward Jaden McDaniels.

Edwards, 21, wrapped up his second season in the NBA after appearing in 72 games (all starts) and averaged 21.3 points on 44.1% shooting, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and a team-high 1.5 steals in 34.2 minutes per game. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, led all second-year players in scoring with 22.7 ppg (tying for 19th league-wide), while leading all sophomores last season in 40+ point games (3) and tied for the most 30+ point games (9). The Atlanta native led all second-year players in three-pointers made per game (3.0) and total points (1,533), ranked third in total steals (105), fifth in total blocks (46) and ninth in total rebounds (343).

Highlights from Edwards’ second season included scoring 40 points (14 in the fourth quarter) on 14-of-27 shooting, including 5-of-13 from three and nine assists during the Wolves’ 109-107 win against Portland on Jan. 25. The performance marked his second 40+ point game of the season (fourth career). He added a season-high-tying three blocks and three steals to become the first player in NBA history to reach 40 points, nine rebounds, five three-pointers, three blocks and three steals in a single game. With his fourth career 40+ point game, Edwards tied Luka Dončić and Kevin Durant for the second-most 40+ point games in NBA history before turning 21 years old. In his 100th career game Edwards notched 38 points on 14-of-21 shooting, including a career-high and franchise record 10-of-14 from deep during Minnesota’s 124-107 win at Denver on Dec. 15. He became the youngest player (20 y, 132d) in NBA history to connect on 10+ threes in a game. Additionally, with his 38 points during that game, he eclipsed 2,000 career points, becoming the seventh player in NBA history to score 2,000 points in his first 100 games at age 20 or younger, joining Carmelo Anthony, Dončić, Durant, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Zion Williamson.

McDaniels, 22, enters his third season in the NBA after finishing up his second year where he appeared in 70 games (31 starts). He saw increases in almost every statistical category, averaging 9.2 points on 46.0% shooting, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 25.8 minutes per game. Among all rookies, the Federal Way, Wash. native ranked third in total blocks (54) and fifth in blocks per game (0.8). The Wolves originally acquired the draft rights to the 6-9 forward from the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 20, 2020. He was drafted in the first round (28th overall) by the Los Angeles Lakers of the 2020 NBA Draft.

A highlight from the Federal Way, Washington native’s second season included registering a career-high 22 points on 9-of-9 shooting, marking his second career game with 20+ points on Jan. 30 vs Utah. There has been only one other player in Timberwolves history to shoot perfect from the field (min. nine field goals attempted), joining Dante Cunningham on Feb. 2, 2013 vs. New Orleans Hornets.

Wizards convert Jordan Goodwin’s contract, waive Devon Dotson, Quenton Jackson, Craig Sword and Jaime Echenique

The Washington Wizards have converted guard Jordan Goodwin to a two-way contract, while waiving Devon Dotson, Quenton Jackson, Craig Sword and Jaime Echenique – who was signed earlier today – to set the roster at 17.

Goodwin played in 46 games for the Capital City Go-Go last season, averaging 16.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. The Saint Louis product earned a call-up with the Wizards in December, appearing in two games. Goodwin led the Go-Go in scoring and set the franchise mark with 94 steals on the season, good for the fourth-most in the NBA G League.

Timberwolves waive Matt Lewis, Emmanuel Mudiay and Phillip Wheeler

The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived guard Matt Lewis, guard Emmanuel Mudiay and forward Phillip Wheeler.

Lewis, 6-3, spent last season with the Iowa Wolves where he appeared in 32 regular season games (all starts) while averaging 11.1 points on 42.7% shooting, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He most recently played for the Timberwolves’ entry in the 2022 2K23 NBA Summer League where he saw action in five games (one start) and averaged 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Lewis ranks among the career leaders in several categories at James Madison, including third in points (1,928) and eighth in assists (341).

Mudiay (MOO-dee-ay), 6-3, played in two games for the Sacramento Kings last season. In seven seasons in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Utah Jazz and Kings, Mudiay has tallied 3,299 points, 884 rebounds and 1,143 assists throughout 302 games (165 starts). The Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo native was named to the 2015-16 NBA All-Rookie Second Team after appearing in 68 games (66 starts) while averaging 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game for the Nuggets. Mudiay spent part of the 2021-22 season playing for Žalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania.

Wheeler, 6-6, spent time last season in the NBA G League with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and the Mexico City Capitanes where he saw action in eight games (two starts) and combined to average 3.5 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. The Rumson, N.J. native spent the rest of the 2021-22 season with the Quebradillas Pirates in Puerto Rico, averaging 16.9 points on 51.3% shooting, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

Jazz waive Stanley Johnson, Jared Butler and Cody Zeller

The Utah Jazz have waived forward Stanley Johnson, guard Jared Butler, and center Cody Zeller.

Johnson (6-6, 242, Arizona) saw action in one 2022-23 preseason contest with Utah, averaging 5.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 14.8 minutes per game.

Butler (6-3, 195, Baylor) appeared in 42 games (one start) with the Jazz in 2021-22, averaging 3.8 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 rebounds in 8.6 minutes per game.

Zeller (6-11, 240, Indiana) competed in three games during the 2022-23 preseason for the Jazz, averaging 2.7 points and 4.3 boards in 6.9 minutes per contest.

Thunder exercise contract options on Josh Giddey, Tre Mann and Aleksej Pokusevski

The Oklahoma City Thunder exercised its third-year contract options on guards Josh Giddey and Tre Mann and its fourth-year contract option on forward Aleksej Pokuševski.

Giddey earned All-Rookie Second Team honors last season after appearing in 54 games (all starts) and recording averages of 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists (first on team) in 31.5 minutes per game. The Australian native was one of only eight players to record those averages during the 2021-22 season. Giddey became the ninth player since 2000 to earn the first four Rookie of the Month honors and is the 13th player all-time to accomplish the feat since the award’s inception in the 1981-82 season.

Mann appeared in 60 games (26 starts) this past year and averaged 10.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22.8 minutes per game. Among official rookie league leaders, he ranked eighth in three-point field goal percentage (.360), ninth in free throw percentage (.793) and 10th in points. The Florida product posted the third-best scoring average by a Thunder rookie with at least 20 games played in Oklahoma City history.

Pokuševski has appeared in 106 career games (40 starts) with the Thunder and owns averages of 7.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 21.9 minutes per game since being selected with 17th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He became the 12th youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double (20 years, 98 days) when he registered 17 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 12 assists on April. 3, 2022.

Grizzlies waive Killian Tillie and Dakota Mathias

The Memphis Grizzlies have waived forward/center Killian Tillie and wing Dakota Mathias to finalize their opening night roster for the 2022-23 regular season.

The Grizzlies will tip-off the 2022-23 regular season against the New York Knicks at 6:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at FedExForum. The regular season opener will be televised regionally on Bally Sports Southeast and nationally on ESPN.

Tillie (6-10, 220) appeared in 54 games (four starts) in two seasons with the Grizzlies and averaged 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 11.9 minutes. Unselected in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Gonzaga University, the 24-year-old native of France originally was signed by the Grizzlies on a two-way contract and was converted to a standard NBA contract on Jan. 1, 2022.

Mathias (6-4, 200), signed by Memphis on Oct. 14, has appeared in 14 games (six starts) in two seasons with the Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers and has averaged 3.9 points and 1.0 assists in 9.9 minutes. Undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft out of Purdue University, the 27-year-old Ohio native also has competed professionally for the NBA G League’s Texas Legends and in Spain for the ACB’s Joventut Badalona.

Grizzlies exercise contract options on Desmond Bane, Ziaire Williams and Santi Aldama

The Memphis Grizzlies have exercised 2023-24 rookie scale contract options on wings Desmond Bane and Ziaire Williams and forward Santi Aldama.

Bane (6-6, 215) has appeared in 144 games (93 starts) and has averaged 14.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26.3 minutes since he was acquired by Memphis with the 30th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of TCU. Last season, the 23-year-old Indiana native increased his scoring average to 18.2 points per game in his second NBA campaign and set single-season franchise records for 3-point field goals made (228) and free throw percentage (.903). He ranked second in the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage (.436) last season after placing 11th as a rookie in 2020-21 (.432).

Williams (6-8 ¼, 185) competed in 62 games (31 starts) as a rookie last season and averaged 8.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 21.7 minutes after he was drafted 10th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft following his freshman year at Stanford University. The 21-year-old shot 49.8 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from 3-point range over his final 29 regular season games last season and saw action in 10 postseason games (one start) to help the Grizzlies advance to the 2022 Western Conference Semifinals.

Aldama (6-11, 224) appeared in 32 games off the bench as a rookie last season and averaged 4.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11.3 minutes after he was selected 30th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Loyola University Maryland. The 21-year-old native of Spain averaged 12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.20 blocks in 25.2 minutes while shooting 57.5 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from 3-point range while starting all five games during the 2022 preseason.

Lakers waive Jay Huff, Shaquille Harrison and Nate Pierre-Louis

The Los Angeles Lakers have requested waivers on guards Shaquille Harrison and Nate Pierre-Louis and center Jay Huff, it was announced today.

Harrison, who was signed by the Lakers on Oct. 8, appeared in two preseason games and averaged 1.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 12.0 minutes per game.

Huff appeared in three games for the Lakers this preseason, recording averages of 4.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 9.5 minutes per contest. He was signed by the purple and gold on July 27.

Pierre-Louis was signed by Los Angeles on Oct. 11. He saw action in one preseason contest, posting three points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal in eight minutes on Oct. 14 at Sacramento.

Cavaliers waive Sharife Cooper, Mamadi Diakite, Nate Hinton, R.J. Nembhard and Jamorko Pickett

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard Sharife Cooper, forward Mamadi Diakite, forward Nate Hinton, guard R.J. Nembhard, and forward Jamorko Pickett, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Nembhard (6-4, 200), who originally signed a Two-Way contract with Cleveland on Oct. 16, 2021, appeared in 14 games for the Cavaliers last season. He was converted to a standard NBA contract on March 31 and waived on April 7 before signing additional Two-Way contracts with the Cavaliers on April 10 and July 3. Nembhard also played in 15 games (14 starts) for the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League team in 2021-22, averaging 24.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 38.4 minutes per contest.

Diakite saw action in four preseason games, Cooper and Hinton both played in three preseason games and Pickett appeared in one preseason game for the Cavs.

Cleveland’s roster now stands at 15 players, including one Two-Way player.