Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Utah Jazz sign Paris Bass

The Utah Jazz yesterday signed forward Paris Bass.

Bass (6-8, 200, Detroit-Mercy) joins the Jazz after most recently spending the 2021-22 season with the Phoenix Suns and the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League. With the Suns, he appeared in two games, averaging 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 3.5 minutes per contest and with South Bay posted averages of 17.4 points, 7.0 boards, 1.7 assists, and 1.4 steals in 26 games (one start).

The native of Birmingham, Mich., has additional professional experience playing in the BSN of Puerto Rico with Atleticos de San German in 2019-20 and 2020-21. During the 2020-21 season, he posted averages of 22.9 points on 50.1 percent from the field, along with 9.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 34.4 minutes per contest. During the 2016-17 season, he competed for the Erie BayHawks of the G League, appearing in 15 games, and averaging 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds.

Sacramento Kings sign KZ Okpala

The Sacramento Kings yesterday signed forward KZ Okpala, according to General Manager Monte McNair.

A 6-8 forward, Okpala spent the last three seasons with the Miami Heat (2019-22), who selected him with the 32nd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Per the Sacramento Bee, “Okpala is already well acquainted with Kings coach Mike Brown, assistant coaches Jordi Fernandez and Luke Loucks and new teammate Chimezie Metu from their time together with the Nigerian national team. Brown coached the team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Okpala will likely find himself fighting for one of the team’s final roster spots and an opportunity to earn a backup role. He has logged most of his NBA minutes at power forward, but the Kings believe he can defend multiple positions.”

Suns owner Robert Sarver suspended for one year and fined $10 million by NBA

The NBA today issued the following statement:

Following the publication of a November 4, 2021, ESPN.com article regarding statements and conduct of Robert Sarver, Managing Partner of the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and issues relating to the teams’ workplace, the NBA commissioned an independent investigation by the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. David Anders and Sarah Eddy, partners at the firm, led the investigation.

The report of the independent investigation, which was issued publicly today, was based on information gathered from interviews with 320 individuals, including current and former employees who worked for the teams during Mr. Sarver’s 18-year tenure as Managing Partner, Mr. Sarver, and other relevant individuals; and from the evaluation of more than 80,000 documents and other materials, including emails, text messages and videos. Mr. Sarver and the Suns/Mercury organization cooperated fully with the investigative process.

As stated in the report, the independent investigation found that Mr. Sarver “engaged in conduct that clearly violated common workplace standards, as reflected in team and League rules and policies. This conduct included the use of racially insensitive language; unequal treatment of female employees; sex-related statements and conduct; and harsh treatment of employees that on occasion constituted bullying.”

The NBA today has taken the following actions:

(1) Mr. Sarver is suspended from the Suns/Mercury organization for a period of one year, during which time he will not:

Be present at any NBA or WNBA team facility, including any office, arena, or practice facility.

Attend or participate in any NBA or WNBA event or activity, including games, practices, or business partner activity.

Represent the Suns or Mercury in any public or private capacity.
Have any involvement with the business or basketball operations of the Suns or Mercury.

Have any involvement in the business, governance, or activities of either the NBA or WNBA, including attending or participating in meetings of either league’s Board (and their associated Board committees).

(2) Mr. Sarver must, during his suspension, complete a training program focused on respect and appropriate conduct in the workplace.

(3) Mr. Sarver is fined $10 million, the maximum permitted by the NBA Constitution & By-Laws. The NBA will donate these funds to organizations that are committed to addressing race and gender-based issues in and outside the workplace.

(4) Additionally, the Suns/Mercury organization must fulfill a series of requirements for workplace improvements set forth and monitored by the NBA.

Nets reveal 2022-23 NBA Statement Edition uniform

The Brooklyn Nets have unveiled their 2022-23 NBA Statement Edition uniform.

Per the team: The bold black-on-black design was inspired by the classic uniform of New Yorkers and is a forward-looking take on the team’s core Icon uniform that was first unveiled 10 years ago when the Nets moved to Brooklyn. The uniform features the NETS wordmark across the chest outlined in platinum, with the team’s signature herringbone pattern running down the side of the jersey and shorts.

Pelicans sign Izaiah Brockington to two-way contract

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed free agent Izaiah Brockington to a two-way contract.

Brockington, 6-4, 196, most recently played collegiately for Iowa State University, earning All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2022 after averaging 16.9 points and 6.8 rebounds, to go along with 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals. Over his four-year collegiate career, Brockington appeared in 125 games for St. Bonaventure, Penn State, and Iowa State, averaging 10.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.

Brockington suffered an ACL injury during a pre-draft workout in June and is expected to make a full recovery.

Sixers sign Montrezl Harrell

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed seven-year NBA veteran Montrezl Harrell.

Harrell comes to Philadelphia after producing 13.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists in 23.1 minutes over 71 games with Washington and Charlotte in 2021-22. His .645 shooting percentage ranked third in the NBA last season.

Playing under 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers, Harrell earned NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2019-20, after posting 18.6 points (.580 FG), 7.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 blocks in 27.8 minutes over 63 games with the LA Clippers.

The Tarboro, North Carolina native is one of two players to score at least 5,000 points off the bench over the last five seasons. He’s also the only NBA player to tally at least 4,000 points and 1,000 rebounds as a reserve since the start of the 2018-19 season, leading the league with 41 double-doubles during that span.

Originally selected by Houston with the No. 32 overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, Harrell has recorded career averages of 12.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.5 minutes across 458 games with Houston, the Clippers, the Lakers, Washington and Charlotte. He ranks sixth in NBA history with a .620 field goal percentage, having finished top-10 in that category in each of the last five seasons (2017-22).

Harrell will wear No. 5 with the 76ers.

Atlanta Hawks sign Jarrett Culver to two-way contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard Jarrett Culver to a two-way contract.

Culver comes to Atlanta from the Memphis Grizzlies where he appeared in 37 games this past season, averaging 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 9.1 minutes. The 6-6 guard saw action in three postseason games with the Grizzlies, tallying 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 7.3 minutes. He also saw action in four games (all starts) with the Memphis Hustle, NBA G League affiliate of the Grizzlies, notching 18.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in 33.1 minutes.

Drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Culver’s draft rights were traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 6, 2019. Over his three-year career, the Lubbock, Texas native has suited up for the Timberwolves (2019-21) and Grizzlies (2021-22), appearing in 134 games (42 starts), averaging 6.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17.5 minutes (.401 FG%).

Culver played collegiately at Texas Tech for two seasons (2017-19), seeing action in 75 games (58 starts), registering 14.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 29.5 minutes (.459 FG%, .341 3FG%, .687 FT%). The 2019 Big 12 Player of the Year led the Red Raiders to the 2019 NCAA Championship Game as a sophomore, their first-ever Final Four and championship game appearance, en route to being named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team. In his freshman season, Culver guided Texas Tech to its first Elite Eight in program history. Culver, who finished his Red Raider career with 1,119 total points, became the first player in Texas Tech history to pour in at least 1,000 points as a freshman-sophomore.

Atlanta Hawks waive Chaundee Brown Jr.

The Atlanta Hawks have waived guard Chaundee Brown Jr.

Brown Jr. was signed to a two-way contract on April 9, 2022. He originally signed with the Hawks to a 10-day contract on December 27, 2021 and appeared in three games, averaging 9.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 27.7 minutes (.400 3FG%, .833 FT%). He also played in two contests with the Los Angeles Lakers last season.

Pelicans sign Dereon Seabron, John Petty Jr. and Daeqwon Plowden

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed guard Dereon Seabron to a two-way contract, and also signed guard John Petty Jr. and guard/forward Daeqwon Plowden.

Seabron, 6-7, 180, played collegiate seasons at North Carolina State, where he averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 56 games. Seabron is coming off of a redshirt sophomore season in which he started 32 games, averaging 17.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists en route to being named the ACC’s Most Improved Player and earning All-ACC Second Team honors.

Petty Jr., 6-5, 184, appeared in 31 games for the Pelicans’ G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, in 2021-22 in which he averaged 8.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 26.2 minutes per game. Prior to turning pro, Petty Jr. played four seasons at Alabama in which he averaged 11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 131 games (105 starts), finishing his career with a school-record 311 made three-pointers. In his senior campaign, Petty Jr. averaged 12.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists en route to First Team All-SEC honors. Petty Jr. led the SEC with 77 made threes during the 2020-21 season.

Plowden, 6-6, 215, played five seasons at Bowling Green State (2017-22), averaging 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in 25.4 minutes per contest. Plowden finished his college career as BGSU’s all-time leader in games played (154), and is the only player in program history to log at least 1,200 career points, 800 rebounds, and 100 blocks.

Mavericks sign Maxi Kleber to contract extension

The Dallas Mavericks have signed forward Maxi Kleber to a contract extension.

Per the Dallas Morning News, “Kleber’s deal is worth $33 million over three years, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said. Kleber was entering the final season of the four-year, $35 million deal he signed in 2019.”

Kleber (6-11, 220) originally signed with Dallas on July 13, 2017, and then re-signed as a free agent on July 10, 2019. In five seasons as a Maverick, he has averaged 7.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.9 blocks and 22.7 minutes in 326 games (136 starts).

The Wurzburg, Germany native most recently helped lead the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals, playing in all 18 games and averaging 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 25.4 minutes per contest. His eight 3-pointers in Game 2 vs. Utah are tied for the second-most by a Maverick in a postseason game (Jason Terry, 9 3FGs, 5/8/11).

More from the Dallas Morning News: “The 30-year-old battled nagging injuries and a months-long shooting slump after the All-Star break, but he also played significant minutes as a smallball center after the mid-February trade of Kristaps Porzingis.”

Prior to the NBA, Kleber spent eight seasons playing professionally in Germany and Spain. In 2016-17, he played in 37 Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) games for Bayern Munich and averaged 8.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 blocks enroute to being named a BBL All-Star, All-BBL Second Team and BBL Most Effective Player.