Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Magic guard Gary Harris undergoes knee surgery

Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris has undergone arthroscopic surgery to perform a meniscectomy in his left knee.

His return date will depend on how he responds to rehabilitation and treatment.

Harris (6’4”, 210, 9/14/94) played in 61 games (30 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 11.1 ppg., 2.0 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 28.4 minpg., while shooting .384 (116-302) from three-point range and .874 (83-95) from the free throw line.

Per the Orlando Sentinel, “Harris, who was on an expiring contract for 2021-22 that paid him $20.5 million, signed a 2-year, $26 million extension to return to Orlando before free agency officially started July 1. He has a $13 million, fully-guaranteed salary for the 2022-23 season and a $13 million non-guaranteed salary for 2023-24. His 2023-24 salary becomes fully guaranteed after June 30, 2023.”

Originally selected in the first round (19th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft by Chicago, Harris has appeared in 468 career NBA regular season games (374 starts) with Denver and Orlando, averaging 11.8 ppg., 2.5 rpg., 1.9 apg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 28.8 minpg., while shooting.363 (705-1,944) from three-point range and .812 (719-885) from the free throw line. He has also played in 28 career playoff games (26 starts), averaging 10.8 ppg., 3.1 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 32.0 minpg.

Harris was acquired by Orlando from Denver, along with R.J. Hampton and a future first round draft pick, in exchange for Gary Clark and Aaron Gordon on Mar. 25, 2021. He has played in 81 games (49 starts) with the Magic, averaging 10.9 ppg., 1.9 rpg. and 1.9 apg. in 27.5 minpg., while shooting .380 (140-368) from three-point range and .874 (125-143) from the free throw line.

Knicks sign RJ Barrett to huge contract extension

The New York Knicks have signed guard/forward RJ Barrett to a contract extension.

Per the New York Post, “while his new contract extension is a less-than-the-maximum extension afforded to studs like Ja Morant, it still will pay him $108 million guaranteed over four years ($120 million if he reaches incentives such as All-Star/All-NBA/All-Defense selections). He stands to make $28 million in 2023-24 after his rookie deal ends after the upcoming season.”

Per the New York Daily News, “Barrett’s extension includes a “poison pill” provision, which is in place until next summer and makes it difficult to match salaries. According to ESPN, Knicks president Leon Rose set a Monday deadline of completing a deal for [Donovan] Mitchell before extending Barrett.”

“We are thrilled to announce a well-deserved extension for RJ Barrett, a core piece of our team’s foundation,” said Knicks president Leon Rose. “At only 22 years old, he has elevated his game each season, solidifying himself as a force on both ends of the court. We believe he will continue to improve because of his passion for the game and dedication to his craft. We want to continue to build our team and culture around players like RJ who possess these values and qualities.”

Barrett, 6-6, 226-pounds, is coming off a career year, in which he averaged 20 points, 5.8 rebounds and three assists over 34.5 minutes in 70 games (all starts) last season. He holds career averages of 17.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists over 33.5 minutes in 198 games (197 starts) over three seasons with New York. He is one of only five players in NBA history to eclipse 3,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 200 three-pointers before turning 22 years old, joining Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant and LeBron James.

Last season, RJ became the youngest player in franchise history to average at least 20 points for a season. His scoring average ranked second on the team (Julius Randle, 20.1 points), third among players 21 years or younger and 27th in the NBA. On Feb. 25, 2022, Barrett recorded a career-high 46 points against Miami, becoming the second player in franchise history to score 45 or more points at the age of 21 or younger (Carl Braun, 47 points, 1947).

The Toronto, Ontario-native, has increased his points per game production from 14.3 to 17.6 to 20.0 points over his three NBA seasons. He helped lead the Knicks to a 41-31 (.569) record in 2020-21, earning the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, the most wins by a Knicks team since 2012-13, and first trip to the postseason since that season.

He was originally selected by New York third overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, following one season at Duke University. He started all 38 games, averaging an ACC and team high 22.6 points to go along with 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists over 35.3 minutes en route to being awarded Consensus All-America First Team honors and 2018-19 National Player of the Year by USA Today. He set an ACC freshman record with 26 20-point games. The Jerry West Award winner, given annually to the nation’s best shooting guard, broke the ACC freshman scoring record, previously held by Georgia Tech’s Kenny Anderson (721) in 1989-90.

Jazz reportedly trading Donovan Mitchell to Cavs

The Utah Jazz are reportedly trading star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Via the Salt Lake Tribune:

The guard was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, for a haul that includes three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps.

Yahoo’s Chris Haynes added that the Cavs are also sending Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, and 2022 first-round pick Ochai Agbaji to Utah.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Sexton is coming to the Jazz via a four-year, $72 million sign-and-trade. His deal is fully guaranteed.

The deal was neither sudden nor surprising when viewed through the lens of the team’s recent deconstruction process, the admission from the front office that the team’s window of contention had closed, and the corresponding declaration that no one on the team was “untouchable,” and the subsequent weeks of reports that the Jazz were fielding offers for him.

Raptors sign Josh Jackson

The Toronto Raptors have signed forward Josh Jackson.

Jackson, 6-foot-8, 207 pounds, averaged 6.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 16.3 minutes in 51 games (three starts) last season with Detroit and Sacramento. He shot 40 percent (120-300) from the field and scored in double figures 13 times, highlighted by a season-best 24 points (9-13 FG, 5-7 3PT, 1-1 FT) Jan. 3 at Milwaukee.

A native of San Diego, California, Jackson was picked fourth overall by Phoenix in the 2017 NBA Draft. He holds career averages of 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 23.1 minutes in 291 games (92 starts) with Phoenix, Memphis, Detroit and Sacramento. Through five NBA seasons, he is shooting .416 (1222-2939) from the floor and has recorded nine double-doubles.

Prior to being drafted, Jackson played one season (2016-17) at the University of Kansas, averaging 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 30.8 minutes in 35 games (all starts). For his efforts, Jackson earned All-Big 12 First Team honours and was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year.

Rockets to retire jersey No. 44 in honor of Elvin Hayes

Houston Rockets Owner Tilman J. Fertitta today announced the team will retire No. 44 in honor of Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes during halftime of the Rockets game vs. Indiana on Friday, Nov. 18. As part of the celebration, and in recognition of the franchise’s 55th anniversary season, the Rockets will debut their green San Diego Hardwood Classics jersey made popular by Hayes and Calvin Murphy.

“We are thrilled to celebrate Elvin Hayes’ stellar career by retiring his jersey,” said Fertitta. “Elvin was the original basketball superstar in the City of Houston and has a lasting legacy with not only the NBA and the Rockets, but the University of Houston as well. We’re excited to honor Elvin and his family this November and see his jersey hang where it belongs, alongside the other legends from our franchise’s storied history.”

“Representing the Rockets and the City of Houston has meant so much to me throughout my life,” said Hayes. Knowing that my number will stand with the other great players in franchise history is truly an honor. I want to thank Tilman and the Fertitta family, along with the Rockets organization, and most importantly the fans for the love they have shown me throughout my playing career and beyond. I look forward to celebrating this special moment with all of you in November.”

Hayes will become the seventh Rockets player to have his number retired, joining Clyde Drexler, Moses Malone, Calvin Murphy, Hakeem Olajuwon, Rudy Tomjanovich, and Yao Ming. Former general manager Carroll Dawson also had his initials retired.

The 12-time All-Star joins a short list of NBA players to have their number retired by multiple teams, with Washington having retired his No. 11 on Nov. 20, 1981. Hayes also had his No. 44 retired by the University of Houston.

During his career with the Cougars, Hayes was a two-time consensus All-American and the Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year as a senior. In a game played in front of over 52,000 fans at the Houston Astrodome on Jan. 20, 1968, Hayes led the Cougars to a 71-69 win over UCLA, snapping the Bruins 47-game winning streak. The broadcast of what became known as the “Game of the Century” is recognized as legitimizing college basketball’s potential on television and laying the groundwork for the future success of the NCAA Tournament and the evolution of March Madness.

After helping the Cougars reach their second straight Final Four, Hayes was selected with the first overall pick by the San Diego Rockets in the 1968 NBA Draft. He averaged a league-high 28.4 points in his first season and is still the last rookie to have led the NBA in scoring. Hayes was the Rockets leading scorer and rebounder during the team’s inaugural season in Houston in 1971-72. Across his first four seasons, Hayes averaged 27.4 ppg and 16.3 rpg for the Rockets.

In June of 1972, Hayes was traded to the Baltimore Bullets to team with fellow future Hall of Famer Wes Unseld. They formed one of the more formidable frontcourt combinations in league history and led Washington to three Finals appearances, including the franchise’s first and only championship in 1977-78.

Houston re-acquired Hayes from Washington in June of 1981 and he spent his final three seasons wearing No. 44 as a Rocket, retiring at the conclusion of the 1983-84 campaign.

In 16 seasons, Hayes averaged 21.0 ppg and 12.5 rpg, joining Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, and Bob Pettit as the only players in NBA history with career averages of at least 21.0 ppg and 12.0 rpg. Hayes was named All-NBA First Team three times, All-NBA Second Team three times, and All-Defensive Second Team twice.

Hayes never played fewer than 80 games in a single season and was the NBA’s all-time leader in games played (1,303) and minutes played (50,000) at the time of his retirement. He also ranked third in both scoring (27,313 points) and rebounding (16,279) when his career finished and still ranks 11th and fourth, respectively.

“The Big E” was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history in 1996 and to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He was enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.

Nets sign Yuta Watanabe

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent forward Yuta Watanabe.

Watanabe (6’8”, 214) has appeared in 121 games (eight starts) across four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies (2018-20) and Toronto Raptors (2020-22), recording averages of 3.8 points on 40.9 percent shooting from the field, 35.2 percent shooting from 3-point range and 66.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line and 2.5 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game. Most recently, the 27-year-old saw action in 38 games (four starts) with the Raptors during the 2021-22 season, posting averages of 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 11.7 minutes per contest. In addition to his NBA experience, Watanabe has also played in 56 NBA G League games (55 starts) split between the Memphis Hustle and Raptors 905, averaging 15.5 points on 47.8 percent shooting from the field, 34.8 percent shooting from distance and 82.7 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 blocks in 33.5 minutes per game. The native of Kagawa, Japan, has competed on the international stage for his home country, including in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where he led Japan in scoring.

Watanabe went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft and then played in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League with the Nets. Prior to beginning his professional career, Watanabe spent four years (2014-18) at George Washington University, becoming the first Japanese-born student athlete to earn a NCAA Division I basketball scholarship. As a senior, Watanabe garnered Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year honors and was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Third Team.

2022 OKC Thunder preseason game schedule

The Oklahoma City Thunder will play six 2022-23 NBA preseason games, with three games in the state of Oklahoma.

The Thunder opens the preseason with a trip to play the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 3 before returning home to Oklahoma beginning on Oct. 5 versus the Dallas Mavericks at the BOK Center. Oklahoma City will play two international opponents at home, hosting the Adelaide 36ers on Oct. 6 and the Maccabi Ra’anana on Oct. 9 at Paycom Center. The Thunder’s preseason schedule wraps with two road games, playing the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 11 before the preseason finale at the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 13.

The Oct. 13 game at San Antonio will be carried live on Bally Sports Oklahoma. The remainder of the preseason games will be streamed live via the Thunder Mobile App and at okcthunder.com. All games will air live on the Thunder Radio Network, led by flagship station WWLS, The Sports Animal (98.1 FM).

2022 Detroit Pistons preseason game schedule

The Detroit Pistons 2022-23 preseason schedule will feature two home and two away games.

The Pistons will first travel to New York (10/4) to take on the Knicks and then to New Orleans (10/7) to face the Pelicans before returning to Detroit for the home slate. The Knicks game will be televised nationally on TNT and locally on Bally Sports Detroit.

Detroit will then host the Oklahoma City Thunder (10/11) and the Memphis Grizzlies (10/13).

2022 Dallas Mavericks preseason game schedule

The Dallas Mavericks 2022 preseason schedule will tip off against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. CT.

Following their matchup with the Thunder, the Mavericks will host No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Center on Friday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m. CT. Dallas will then conclude its exhibition season with a playoff rematch against the Jazz in Utah on Friday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m. CT.

Bally Sports Southwest will carry Dallas’ final two preseason games, while the opener against the Thunder will be streamed live on mavs.com.

All three preseason games will be broadcast on 97.1 The Eagle (KEGL). The games can also be heard in Spanish on Univision 99.1 FM (KFZO).

The Mavericks will open the 2022-23 regular season with a playoff rematch against the Suns in Phoenix on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 9 p.m. CT on ESPN.