Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Lakers sign LJ Figueroa and Shaquille Harrison, waive Dwayne Bacon and Javante McCoy

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guards LJ Figueroa and Shaquille Harrison, it was announced today.

And in a related move, the Lakers have requested waivers on guards Dwayne Bacon and Javante McCoy.

Figueroa (6’6”, 200) appeared in 32 NBA G League games (23 starts) with the Santa Cruz Warriors during the 2021-22 season, averaging 16.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 27.6 minutes per game. Prior to entering the G League, Figueroa played in the Dominican Republic for Leones de Santo Domingo. In 2021, the 24-year-old helped lead the team to the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Championship. Figueroa, who went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, played collegiate basketball at the University of Oregon (2020-21), St. John’s University (2018-20) and Odessa College (2017-18).

Harrison (6’4”, 195) has appeared in 175 career NBA games (23 starts) across five seasons for Brooklyn, Denver, Utah, Chicago and Phoenix, owning career averages of 5.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 15.2 minutes per game. He played two games for the Nets last season, averaging 2.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 11.3 minutes. Harrison appeared in nine playoff games with the Nuggets during the 2020-21 season and has played 111 career G League games (50 starts) across three seasons with Delaware and Northern Arizona.

Bacon was signed by the Lakers on Sept. 26, and recently appeared in two preseason games for the purple and gold, averaging 5.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

McCoy was signed by Los Angeles on July 24, 2022.

LA Clippers and Bally Sports SoCal agree to a media rights extension

The LA Clippers and Bally Sports SoCal have agreed to a multi-year media rights extension, continuing the networks’ 27-year relationship with the team. Bally Sports SoCal will produce, televise, and stream 63 Clippers games during the 2022-23 regular season.

“We’re proud to continue growing our long-term partnership with the Clippers organization,” said Rebecca Schulte, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Bally Sports West, SoCal, and San Diego. “We look forward to furthering our commitment to innovation and are thrilled to be bringing Clippers basketball to as many fans as possible across cable, satellite, streaming TV, and new this season, Bally Sports+, our direct-to-consumer streaming service.”

Brian Sieman, Jim Jackson, and Mike Fratello will return to the call on Bally Sports SoCal, joined by on-court reporters Kristina Pink and Jaime Maggio. The network will continue to air Clippers Live prior to and immediately following all home and road telecasts. Led by Jeanne Zelasko, Don MacLean, Corey Maggette, and Noah Eagle, the half-hour show will offer in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews and more

Trail Blazers waive Wes Iwundu, Devontae Cacok and Brandon Williams

The Portland Trail Blazers have waived Wes Iwundu, Devontae Cacok and Brandon Williams.

Iwundu totaled five points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 12 minutes in a preseason appearance against Maccabi Ra’anana.

Cacok played in two preseason games for the Trail Blazers and averaged 3.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 9.0 minutes per game.

In three preseason appearances, Williams averaged 8.0 points, 1.0 rebound, 2.3 assists and 1.00 steal in 15.8 minutes per game. He originally signed a two-way contract with the Trail Blazers on February 22.

Trail Blazers exercise 2023-24 team option on Keon Johnson

The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised the 2023-24 team option on the Rookie Scale contract of guard Keon Johnson, it was announced today by General Manager Joe Cronin.

Johnson, the 21st overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, was acquired by the Trail Blazers in a trade with the Clippers on February 4. He played in 37 games (12 starts) as a rookie with the Clippers and Trail Blazers in 2021-22, posting averages of 7.2 points (35.3% FG, 34.0% 3-PT, 80.4% FT), 2.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.76 steals in 18.8 minutes per game.

October 11, 2022 will officially be “Bradley Beal Day” in Washington, DC

The Council of the District of Columbia will officially declare October 11, 2022, “Bradley Beal Day.” Beal will be celebrated with a resolution introduced by Councilmember Brooke Pinto following the conclusion of the team’s Open Practice on October 11 at Capital One Arena beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Throughout his 10 years in D.C., Beal has been a presence in the D.C. community and was named the 2018-19 Seasonlong NBA Cares Community Assist Award winner. As a philanthropist, role model and mentor, Beal has developed a unique and extensive relationship with Ron Brown College Preparatory High School, where he has provided students guidance and opportunity.

The three-time All-Star’s mark on the city has also been felt during the holiday season, providing turkeys to people in need and fulfilling families Christmas wish-list. He has most recently continued his community efforts with a refurbishment project for the basketball courts at Banneker Community Center in Shaw.

Beal, who signed a five-year contract extension with the Wizards this offseason, will embark on his 11th career season with the franchise in 2022-23, making him one of six active players to have played 10+ years with the same franchise and one of only two players (Wes Unseld, 13 seasons) to play 10+ seasons with the Wizards franchise. He currently ranks second all-time in points scored in franchise history (14,231), and is on pace to pass Elvin Hayes (15,551) to take over the top spot this season.

Warriors sign Anthony Lamb

The Golden State Warriors have signed forward Anthony Lamb.

Lamb, 24, has appeared in 26 games (three starts) over two seasons with the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, averaging 5.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 16.3 minutes per game. Lamb owns career G League averages of 15.6 points, 7.5 rebounds 4.0 assists, 1.19 blocks and 30.8 minutes over 43 games (37 starts) with the Canton Charge and Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The 6’6” forward was named the 2020-21 G League Most Improved Player.

Kings exercise team option for 2023-24 season on Davion Mitchell

The Sacramento Kings have exercised their team option for the 2023-24 season on guard Davion Mitchell, according to Kings General Manager Monte McNair.

Selected by the Kings with the ninth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Mitchell earned 2021-22 NBA Rising Stars team honors as he averaged 11.5 points and 4.2 assists while shooting .418 percent from the field. Mitchell played in 75 games (19 starts) and averaged 27.7 minutes per game during his rookie campaign.

The Hinesville, Georgia, native finished his first season ranked in the top 10 among all rookies in points (11.5 ppg, 10th), assists (4.2 apg, 5th) and minutes per game (27.7 mpg, 10th).

Warriors sign Ty Jerome

The Golden State Warriors yesterday signed guard Ty Jerome.

Jerome played in 48 games (four starts) last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 7.1 points, 2.3 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 16.7 minutes per game. Overall, the guard has appeared in 112 games (five starts) over three seasons with the Thunder and Phoenix Suns, averaging 7.1 points, 2.4 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 17.1 minutes per game.

Raptors guard Malachi Flynn out with cheekbone fracture

Toronto Raptors guard Malachi Flynn has undergone a procedure to correct a fracture to his left cheekbone.

The injury occurred in the third quarter of Sunday’s preseason game in Edmonton vs. Utah. After examination by doctors and clearing concussion protocol, Flynn returned to the game. He underwent additional specialized imagery after his return to Toronto, which revealed a small fracture.

Flynn will wear a face shield upon his return to the court, which is anticipated before the start of the regular season.