Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Cavaliers sign Ricky Rubio, Robin Lopez and Raul Neto

The Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, July 8 signed guard Ricky Rubio, center Robin Lopez and guard Raul Neto, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced.

“Our focus during this offseason has been centered around making this team better and finding the best talent to help strengthen this roster,” said Altman. “When you think about the impact Ricky had on our team last season, his addition became a priority to bring back to Cleveland. We also feel Robin and Raul are both high character guys who have played a great amount of meaningful basketball and will bring the right balance of seasoned experience and depth to our emerging young core. We are excited for Ricky’s return and welcome Robin and Raul to the Cavaliers family.”

Rubio (6-3, 190) has appeared in 665 games (601 starts) with Minnesota, Utah, Phoenix and Cleveland, holding career averages of 11.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.80 steals in 30.3 minutes. He played in 34 games (eight starts) for Cleveland last season, averaging a career-high tying 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.44 steals in 28.5 minutes before missing the final 48 games with a season-ending ACL tear. On Dec. 13, 2021 vs. Miami, Rubio became one of 12 active NBA players to record 5,000 career assists. Rubio also recorded a career-high 37 points, shooting 8-9 (.889) from the three-point line, 10 assists and three rebounds in 31 minutes off the bench on Nov. 7 at New York, becoming the first player in NBA history with at least 30 points, 10 assists and eight three-pointers in a game off the bench. He also became the first player in Cavs team history to make his first eight three-point attempts of a game [via Elias Sports Bureau]. Rubio was traded to Indiana after his injury in a deal that brought Caris LeVert to Cleveland but did not appear in a game for the Pacers.

Originally drafted by the Timberwolves with the fifth overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, the 11-year NBA veteran was a 2012 NBA All-Rookie First Team selection. Rubio currently has the 12th-most assists among active NBA players (5,045) and has averaged more than 6.0 assists in 10 of 11 NBA seasons. He has also made two playoff appearances with Utah in 2018 and 2019, averaging 14.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.82 steals in 33.6 minutes. A longtime member of the Spanish National Team, Rubio has played in three Olympics (2020, 2016, 2008), winning silver 2008 and bronze in 2016. At the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, he scored 38 points against the United States, breaking the record for most points scored against USA during Olympic competition. He also led Spain to a gold medal in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Lopez (7-0, 281) has played in 939 games (603 starts) over his 14-year NBA career with Phoenix, New Orleans, Portland, New York, Chicago, Milwaukee, Washington and Orlando. Last season in Orlando, Lopez appeared in 36 games (nine starts), averaging 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 17.0 minutes. Lopez has appeared in 36 postseason games (28 starts) with Portland (22 games), Chicago (six games), Milwaukee (three games) and Washington (five games), averaging 8.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.00 blocks in 23.4 minutes for his postseason career. The Stanford product was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. Since 2008, Lopez is one of seven NBA players to shoot .530+ FG% and .700+ FT% over that span, joining Jonas Valanciunas, Enes Freedom, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Domantas Sabonis and Amar’e Stoudemire (min. 400 games played).

Neto (6-2, 180) appeared in 70 games (19 starts) last season for the Washington Wizards, averaging 7.5 points, a career-best 3.1 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 19.6 minutes. As a starter last season, Neto shot 16-39 (.410) from beyond the arc and scored in double figures on nine occasions. Selected with the 47th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Neto has played seven NBA seasons with Utah, Philadelphia and Washington, appearing in 387 games (98 starts) in his career, as well as 27 postseason games (three starts). Prior to coming to the NBA, he played professionally in Brazil and Spain from 2008-15. A native of Brazil, Neto competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games as a member of the Brazilian National Team.

Trail Blazers sign Damian Lillard to huge contract extension

The Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night, July 9, signed guard Damian Lillard to a multi-year contract extension, it was announced by General Manager Joe Cronin.

The two-year extension keeps Lillard under contract with the Trail Blazers through the 2026-27 season.

Per the Oregonian, “the extension, which is worth a total of $122 million and runs through the 2026-27 season, ups Lillard’s current contract with the Blazers to five years and almost $270 million. That puts him among one of the top earners in NBA history at an estimated $451 million in total salary.”

“Damian Lillard is the greatest player in franchise history and an all-time NBA talent,” said Cronin. “In signing this contract extension, Damian continues his commitment to the city of Portland and the organization. We look forward to his continued excellence here with the Trail Blazers for many years to come.”

Selected as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history ahead of the 2021-22 season, Lillard is the only player in franchise history with six All-NBA honors and one of three players to be named All-NBA First Team while with the Trail Blazers (2017-18). Lillard is a six-time NBA All-Star, a 2021 Olympic Gold Medalist and the unanimous 2012-13 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Winner of the 2018-19 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, the 2019-20 Magic Johnson Award and the 2020-21 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, Lillard holds career averages of 24.6 points (43.7% FG, 37.3% 3-PT, 89.3% FT), 4.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 0.96 steals in 711 games (all starts) over 10 seasons with the Trail Blazers.

More from the Oregonian: “Lillard, 31, is coming off the first injured-plagued season of his NBA career, playing in a career-low 29 games. He underwent abdominal surgery Jan. 13 and last played for the Blazers on Dec. 31. ”

The sixth overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft out of Weber State, Lillard has led the Trail Blazers to eight postseason appearances. He holds career playoff averages of 25.7 points (41.2% FG, 36.9% 3-PT, 88.7% FT), 4.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.18 steals in 61 games (all starts).

Lillard is the all-time franchise leader in scoring average, three-pointers made (2,143) and free throws made (3,917). Additionally, he ranks second in Trail Blazers history in points (17,510), second in field goals (5,725), second in minutes (25,835), third in assists (4,726), fourth in games played (711) and seventh in steals (682).

Clippers sign John Wall

The LA Clippers on Friday, July 8 signed free agent and five-time All-Star John Wall, it was announced by President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank.

“John is one of the great downhill drivers and shot creators of his era,” said Frank. “He will add depth to our backcourt with his initiating, passing and point-of-attack defense.”

Wall, 31, has appeared in 613 career games with averages of 19.1 points, 9.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds over 10 seasons with the Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets. The 6-foot-3 guard started 40 games for the Rockets during the 2020-21 season, posting averages of 20.6 points, 6.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds. He has also appeared in 37 playoff games, averaging 21.9 points, 9.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks.

The first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Wall was named to the 2010-11 All-Rookie First Team after averaging 16.4 points. In 2014-15, he was named to the All-Defensive Second Team, and in 2016-17, he was an All-NBA Third Team selection after averaging career-highs in points (23.1) and assists (10.7). The Raleigh, N.C., native was a McDonald’s All-American in High School and attended the University of Kentucky, where he was named the SEC Player of the Year and a consensus First-Team All-American during his freshman year. In 2017, Wall was inducted into the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame.

Cavaliers sign Darius Garland to huge contract extension

The Cleveland Cavaliers yesterday signed guard Darius Garland to a multi-year contract extension, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced.

“Darius has proven to be a tremendous basketball player and someone who embodies everything a franchise would want in a young player,” said Altman. “We’ve quickly seen Darius grow into an NBA All-Star and an integral core piece in our pursuit of sustainable success. Both on and off the court, Darius has demonstrated a strong commitment to this organization and the community. We look forward to our future and what we can accomplish here in Cleveland.”

Per Cleveland.com, “Garland officially signed the richest contract in franchise history — a five-year, $193 million designated maximum rookie extension that could be worth as much as $231 million and does not contain a player option.”

Garland, a first-time NBA All-Star this past season, appeared in 68 games (all starts) and registered career highs in points (21.7), rebounds (3.3), assists (8.6, sixth-best in NBA), steals (1.31), minutes (35.7), field goal percentage (.462) and free throw percentage (.892, seventh-best in NBA). He also had more double-doubles (29), 20-point games (42) and 30-point games (seven) this season than his first two NBA campaigns combined. The third-year guard joined LeBron James as the only players in franchise history to finish a season averaging at least 20.0 points and 8.0 assists and was just one of only five NBA players to do so this season (Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Luka Dončić, James Harden). Garland helped lead the Cavaliers to a 44-38 record, their best mark since 2017-18, and finished third place in the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year voting.

More from Cleveland.com: “Garland — the No. 5 pick in the 2019 draft whose career got off to a terrible start while he was still working his way back from a college meniscus injury — has developed into one of the league’s premier point guards. Using a summer with Team USA as a catapult for his third-year leap, Garland averaged a career-high 21.7 points and 8.6 assists while igniting a franchise transformation.”

The 6-1 guard was one of only two NBA players to average at least 20.0 points and 8.0 assists while shooting .450 or better from the field and .850 from the foul line (Trae Young). Garland also recorded 29 point-assist double-doubles and 19 games of at least 20 points and 10 assists, both were the fourth-most in the entire NBA. He earned NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors for the week of Jan. 10-16 and had a stretch of five straight games with at least 10 assists in January (Jan. 15-24), becoming just the second Cavs player to accomplish that feat since 2003 (LeBron James). Additionally, Garland became the fourth-youngest player in Cavaliers history to notch a triple-double in a win at Utah on Jan. 12 (LeBron James, Brad Daugherty, Kyrie Irving) and just the third player in NBA history to have a game of at least 27 points, 18 assists and five rebounds before age 22 during Cleveland’s victory at Oklahoma City on Jan. 15 (Trae Young, Luka Dončić).

At 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, Garland helped Team Cavs capture the championship at Taco Bell Skills Challenge and followed that up with 13 points in Team LeBron’s victory in the All-Star Game. After the break, Garland averaged 24.8 points and 10.0 assists over the final 21 games. During that span, he dished out a career-high 19 assists on March 4 at Philadelphia, which was tied for the most assists by any player in the NBA this season (Chris Paul, twice). Garland also recorded a career-high 41 points, to go along with 13 assists, five rebounds and two steals in a win at Indiana on March 8, becoming one of just six players in NBA history at age 22 or younger to tally at least 40 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and two steals in a single game (Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Isiah Thomas, Chris Webber, Luka Dončić).

Garland, who was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by Cleveland, has appeared in 181 career games (177 starts) with averages of 17.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.09 steals in 33.4 minutes over three NBA seasons. He is also the fastest Cavaliers player to make 300 career three-pointers, doing so in his 147th game (Jan. 9 at Golden State), and already ranks 11th in team history in threes made (384).

Trail Blazers rookie Shaedon Sharpe out with shoulder injury

An MRI on Friday revealed that Portland Trail Blazers rookie guard Shaedon Sharpe has a small labral tear in his left shoulder.

The injury occurred during Portland’s Summer League game against Detroit on Thursday, July 7.

Sharpe will begin immediate rest and rehabilitation. He will miss the remainder of Summer League and will be reevaluated in 10-14 days.

Nets re-sign Patty Mills

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed guard Patty Mills to a multi-year contract.

“Patty is an integral part of what we do both on and off the court, and an important veteran presence in our locker room,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “Coming off one of his best seasons as a pro, we’re thrilled for Patty to return to the Nets.”

Mills originally signed with the Nets as a free agent on Aug. 10, 2021, and appeared in 81 games (career-high 48 starts), registering averages of 11.4 points (second-highest in a season in his career) on 40.8 percent shooting from the field, 40.0 percent shooting from 3-point range (his highest 3-point percentage since shooting 41.4 percent in the 2016-17 season) and 81.4 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 1.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in a career-high 29.0 minutes per game. The 13-year veteran led the Nets in 3-pointers made (career-high 227), minutes played (career-high 2,346) and games played, while ranking 11th in the league in 3-pointers made. His 227 threes made were the second-most in a season in franchise history, trailing only the 234 3-pointers made by D’Angelo Russell in the 2018-19 campaign, and were 66 more than he had made in any other season in his career (previous high: 161 threes made in the 2020-21 season with the San Antonio Spurs). Propelled by a stellar first half of the season, Mills became the fifth player in franchise history and the first Australian native to participate in the 3-Point Contest at NBA All-Star weekend in Cleveland in February. The 33-year-old scored 20 or more points 16 times, surpassing his previous single season high of nine in the 2019-20 season, and tallied 30 or more points twice, including a career-high-tying 34 points in a Christmas Day road victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, after recording 30 or more points three times in his first 12 seasons combined. Mills has been one of the most durable players in the league, with his six seasons of 80 or more games played since the 2009-10 season (his rookie season) tied for the most in the league in that timeframe. Across the last 10 seasons (2012-22), Mills’ 730 games played are sixth-most in the league.

Mills has seen action in 820 career games (105 starts) in 13 seasons with Brooklyn, San Antonio (2011-21) and Portland (2009-11), registering averages of 9.2 points on 42.6 percent shooting from the field, 38.9 percent shooting from distance and 85.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 1.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 20.7 minutes per contest. He’s made 1,173 3-pointers off the bench in his career, ranking fourth in NBA history in the category, trailing Kyle Korver (1,385), Jamal Crawford (1,259) and Lou Williams (1,235). Mills also ranks 47th in NBA history in total 3-pointers made (1,447). The 2014 NBA champion with San Antonio has appeared in 94 playoff games (11 starts) across 11 postseason appearances, averaging 6.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 16.1 minutes per game, while shooting 43.4 percent from the field, 38.6 percent from 3-point range and 80.0 percent from the free-throw line.

A native of Canberra, Australia, Mills has been a member of the Australian National Team since 2007. At the Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2021, Mills totaled 42 points and nine assists in Australia’s final game versus Slovenia, leading his country to a bronze medal, which represented the first medal in Australia’s Olympic men’s basketball history. Mills averaged 23.3 points per game, leading all scorers at the 2020 Olympics. He first played for the Boomers in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, becoming the youngest player in the history of Australia to compete in the Olympic Games in basketball.

Mills played two collegiate seasons (2007-09) for Saint Mary’s College of California, appearing in 58 total games (56 starts) and averaging 16.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals in 32.7 minutes per contest. He was named the WCC Newcomer of the Year as a freshman and earned All-WCC First Team honors in both his freshman and sophomore campaigns. After choosing to forgo his final two years of collegiate eligibility, Mills was drafted by Portland in the second round with the 55th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Celtics sign rookie J.D. Davison to two-way contract

The Boston Celtics have signed 2022 second round draft pick J.D. Davison to a two-way contract.

Davison (6-3, 195), competed in 33 games (six starts) as a freshman at the University of Alabama in 2021-22, averaging 8.5 points on 46.3% shooting (30.1% 3-PT), 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.0 steals in 25.8 minutes. The Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team selection and two-time SEC Freshman of the Week led the team and ranked seventh in the SEC in assists, having tallied double-digit assists on two occasions.

A 19-year-old native of Montgomery, Alabama, Davison scored a collegiate career-high 20 points and made four three-point field goals in a Dec. 4 win against no. 3 Gonzaga. He tallied 11 points (5-9 FG) and nine assists in the team’s lone NCAA Tournament game against Notre Dame on March 18.

Celtics re-sign Luke Kornet

The Boston Celtics have re-signed forward/center Luke Kornet.

“We are thrilled that Luke chose to come back,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations, Brad Stevens. “Luke is a skilled big who can play off the roll or pop and is a good rim protector on defense. On top of that, he’s always added value as the consummate pro who puts team above self.”

Kornet, a 7’2” center/forward, appeared in 12 games for the Celtics during the 2021-22 season, averaging 2.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the field. He also made appearances for the Cavaliers and the Bucks where he totaled four points and four rebounds over 18 minutes in three contests. Kornet re-joined the Celtics on February 11, 2022 for the remainder of the season after his stops in Cleveland and Milwaukee. He also appeared in 21 games for the Maine Celtics during the 2021-22 season averaging 13.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.3 blocks in 27.3 minutes per game.

Celtics re-sign Sam Hauser

The Boston Celtics have re-signed forward Sam Hauser.

“We are very excited that Sam chose to continue his journey with us,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations, Brad Stevens. “He has a chance to make a real impact with his size, feel, and shooting – both stationary and on the move. He’s hard-working, unselfish, and competitive – a great combination for a young player.”

Hauser, a 6’8” forward, appeared in 26 games for the Celtics during the 2021-22 season when he averaged 2.5 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.1 minutes per game while shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from three. Hauser began his rookie campaign with the Celtics as a two-way player, appearing in a total of 23 games for the Maine Celtics where he averaged 18.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 34.3 minutes per game, while shooting 41.9 percent from three. The Green Bay, Wisconsin native had his two-way contract converted to a standard NBA contract on February 11, 2022, becoming the first Celtic two-way player to have his contract converted to a standard NBA contract during his rookie season.

Mavericks sign JaVale McGee

The Dallas Mavericks have signed free agent center JaVale McGee.

McGee (7-0, 270) holds career averages of 8.0 points (.576 FG%), 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 17.0 minutes per game in 821 games (336 starts) with Washington, Denver, Philadelphia, Dallas, Golden State, the L.A. Lakers, Cleveland and Phoenix.

The 15-year veteran spent the 2021-22 campaign with Phoenix and averaged 9.2 points (.629 FG%), 6.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 15.8 minutes in 74 games (17 starts) for a Suns team that won an NBA-best 64 games during the regular season.

McGee returns for his second stint with Dallas after he appeared in 34 games (2 starts) for the Mavericks in 2015-16 and averaged 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 10.9 minutes.

The three-time NBA champion (2017, 2018, 2020) won his most recent title as a member of the Lakers, whose squad featured Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd as its lead assistant and Mavericks Assistant Coach Jared Dudley as a player. McGee was also a member of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team that won gold in Tokyo last summer.

A native of Flint, Michigan, McGee was selected by Washington with the 18th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft after two seasons at the University of Nevada. As a sophomore, he was a Second Team All-WAC honoree and WAC All-Defensive Team selection.

JaVale is the son of former USC standout Pamela McGee, who won two national championships for the Trojans (1983, 1984) and a gold medal representing the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team. Pamela and JaVale became the first American mother-son duo to win Olympic gold medals.

McGee will wear No. 00 for the Mavericks, joining Eric Montross (1996-97) as the only players to don No. 00 for the franchise.