Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Portland Trail Blazers extend qualifying offer to Anfernee Simons

The Portland Trail Blazers have extended a qualifying offer to guard Anfernee Simons, making him a restricted free agent, General Manager Joe Cronin announced today.

By extending a qualifying offer to Simons, Portland obtains the Right of First Refusal on any offer sheet he may sign with another team.

During the 2021-22 campaign, Simons averaged 17.3 points (44.3% FG, 40.5% 3-PT, 88.8% FT), 2.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 29.5 minutes per game in 57 games (30 starts). The 24th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft has also accrued career averages of 10.2 points (42.5% FG, 39.2% 3-PT, 83.3% FT), 2.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 20.7 minutes per game in 211 games (35 starts) for the Trail Blazers.

Lakers exercise team options on Wenyen Gabriel and Stanley Johnson

The Los Angeles Lakers have exercised their team options for the 2022-23 season on Wenyen Gabriel and Stanley Johnson, it was announced today by Vice President, Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Gabriel appeared in 19 games (five starts) for Los Angeles last season, averaging 6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 16.4 minutes while shooting 50.5 percent from the field. Gabriel has played 77 career games, averaging 3.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 10.8 minutes.

Johnson played 48 games (27 starts) for the Lakers last season and averaged 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 22.8 minutes per game. Across 419 career games, Johnson has averaged 6.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20.1 minutes

Clippers agree to contract extension with Ivica Zubac

The LA Clippers have agreed to a contract extension with Ivica Zubac, President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank announced.

“For four seasons, Zu has been a pillar of our team, durable and dependable,” said Frank. “He does whatever is needed: setting screens, rolling to the rim, anchoring the interior of the defense. He is a reliable teammate and a consistent pro, just entering the prime of his career. We are excited to continue growing with him.”

Per the Los Angeles Times, the two sides “agreed to terms on a three-year, $33-million deal that has no options, according to people familiar with the negotiations but not authorized to speak publicly.”

Zubac, 25, started 76 games for the Clippers last season and averaged career-highs in points (10.3), rebounds (8.5), assists (1.6) and blocked shots (1.0). The 7-foot center also set a career-high with 25 double-doubles, the most for a Clipper since 2017-18.

More from the Times: “The team held an option that it declined so Zubac could be signed to a longer-term contract.”

Zubac has appeared in 360 games and owns career averages of 8.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.0 minutes during his six-year NBA career with the Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. Selected 32nd overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, Zubac ranks fourth in the NBA in total games played (220) over the past three seasons.

Charlotte Hornets extend qualifying offers to Miles Bridges and Cody Martin

The Charlotte Hornets have extended qualifying offers to forwards Miles Bridges and Cody Martin, making them both restricted free agents.

The qualifying offer allows the Hornets to match any offer sheet either player signs with another team.

During the 2021-22 season, Bridges averaged 20.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 35.5 minutes per game in 80 contests. He set new career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game, increasing his scoring average by 7.5 points per game from the 2020-21 season. He opened the 2021-22 season by earning Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the first week of games played and finished the season ranking 15th in total points (1,613). He scored 20-plus points in 44 games and 30 points or more in nine games in his fourth year after just 24 20-point performances through his first three seasons. Bridges also ranked amongst the NBA’s top paint scorers with 840 paint points, the sixth-most in the NBA last season.

The 12th overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Hornets acquired the draft rights to Bridges from the LA Clippers. Over four seasons in the NBA, Bridges has amassed 13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 29.1 minutes per game. He holds a career field goal percentage of .473% and has made 434 career 3-point field goals, which is seventh on the franchise’s all-time 3-pointers made list.

Martin, who appeared in 71 games during the 2021-22 season, averaged 7.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game, setting all new single-season career highs. In his third season out of Nevada, Martin connected on .482% of his field goal attempts, including shooting .384% from beyond the arc, which are both are new career highs for a single season. He ended last season ranked 26th in steals per contest among league leaders and was tied for 16th in the NBA in multi-steal games (28).

Selected with the 36th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by Charlotte, Martin has made 171 career appearances, accruing averages of 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 21.2 minutes per outing.

Hornets guard James Bouknight undergoes hand surgery

Charlotte Hornets guard James Bouknight underwent surgery yesterday to repair a tendon in his fifth digit on his right hand.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Brandon Valentine at Novant Health Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital in consultation with Hornets team physician Dr. Marcus Cook.

Bouknight made 31 appearances for the Hornets during the 2021-22 season, averaging 4.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game. He was selected 11th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by Charlotte.

He will not play in 2022 NBA Summer League.

Cavaliers extend qualifying offers to Collin Sexton and R.J. Nembhard

The Cleveland Cavaliers have extended a qualifying offer to guard Collin Sexton and a Two-Way contract qualifying offer to guard R.J. Nembhard, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Sexton (6-1, 192), who appeared in 11 games (all starts) with the Cavaliers last season before missing the final 71 contests due to a left knee meniscus tear, finished the 2021-22 campaign with averages of 16.0 points, a career-high 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.91 steals in 28.7 minutes. Selected as the No. 8 overall pick by Cleveland in the 2018 NBA Draft, Sexton owns career averages of 20.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in four NBA seasons with the Cavaliers.

Nembhard (6-5, 200), who went undrafted out of Texas Christian University in 2021, originally signed a Two-Way contract with Cleveland on Oct. 16 and appeared in 14 games for the Cavaliers this past season. He was converted to a standard NBA contract on March 31 and waived on April 7 before signing a second Two-Way contract with the Cavaliers on April 10. Nembhard also played in 15 games (14 starts) for the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League team, averaging 24.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 38.4 minutes per contest.

Charlotte Hornets exercise team option on forward Jalen McDaniels

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today that the team has exercised its option on forward Jalen McDaniels for the upcoming 2022-23 season.

McDaniels appeared in 55 games during the 2021-22 season, accruing averages of 6.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per game in his third season in the NBA. He shot .484% from the field and .380% from 3-point range, setting new single-season career-highs.

Selected with the 52nd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by Charlotte, McDaniels has averaged 6.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest with the Hornets in 118 career games. He made 31 appearances with the team’s G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm, during his rookie season in 2019-20 and averaged 15.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 32.0 minutes per game.

TV ratings for the 2022 NBA Draft

Per ESPN, TV viewership ratings for the 2022 NBA Draft on Thursday, June 23 were up 33 percent from last year, according to Nielsen. The first round across ABC and ESPN averaged nearly four million TV viewers (3,988,000), up 32 percent from last year’s NBA Draft first round, which also aired on ABC and ESPN.

Overall, the 2022 NBA Draft averaged 3,047,000 viewers for both rounds (round two aired on ESPN only). The first round of the NBA Draft across ABC and ESPN was the most-watched program for June 23 across all of television and in all key demos. The event peaked with 4,500,000 viewers at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Longtime Dallas Mavericks executive Keith Grant announces retirement

Longtime Dallas Mavericks executive Keith Grant announced his retirement today after 42 seasons. The Mavericks assistant general manager confirmed that the 2022 NBA Draft was his last duty as a full-time member of the Dallas front office.

“Keith Grant is an NBA legend with a heart of gold,” Mavericks Governor Mark Cuban said. “He did so much for the Mavs, and he made our organization and our community better. I can’t express enough appreciation for everything that KG has done for this franchise.”

The Oklahoma City native began his tenure with the Mavericks in the fall of 1980 prior to the start of the team’s inaugural season. In 1984, he moved to the scouting department and prior to the 1986-87 season was promoted to advance pro scout where he was integral to the Mavericks 55-27 record and the team’s first-ever Midwest Division title.

From 1990 to 1994, Grant served as the club’s director of scouting before being elevated to the position of director of player personnel in 1994 and eventually becoming vice president of basketball operations in July of 1996.

Grant was promoted to his current title of assistant general manager in 1998 and held the title through four Western Conference Finals appearances (2003, 2006, 2011, 2022), two NBA Finals runs (2006, 2011) and the Mavericks’ first-ever World Championship in 2011.

“When I reported to work in September of 1980, I could have never imagined the 42-year ride that awaited me,” Grant said. “I have so many people to thank for this incredible journey. Thank you to the various ownership groups, the coaches, the players, the NBA and all the individuals who worked alongside me behind the scenes. There are too many people to name, but they all played a role in the success of the Dallas Mavericks. Lastly, I would also like to especially thank my family for putting up with my job, the hours and the inconveniences, yet never complained and always supported me.

“There are no words to express all this organization has meant to me and my family. I have unbelievable memories that can never be taken away.”

Grant will remain as a consultant to the Mavericks and General Manager Nico Harrison.

“Keith is not only instrumental to the success of the organization, but he has also meant a lot to me in my first year with the Mavs,” Harrison said. “He has provided me with amazing support and guidance since day one. KG is an incredibly selfless person who always put the success of the Mavericks first.”

Sixers trade Danny Green, David Roddy to Grizzlies for De’Anthony Melton

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey announced today that the team has acquired De’Anthony Melton in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies.

In the trade, Philadelphia sent draft rights to the No. 23 selection in the 2022 NBA Draft (David Roddy) and Danny Green to Memphis.

“First and foremost, I want to thank Danny Green for everything he gave the Sixers organization over the last two seasons. He was a veteran leader, consummate professional on and off the court, and made us all better. I wish him continued success in his recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the court.

Heading into the draft, we had a goal of strengthening our rotation and believe we accomplished that by acquiring De’Anthony Melton. He is a young, tough and talented two-way player who can impact the game on multiple levels. We think he will thrive here and we’re excited to add him to our roster,” Morey said following the trade.

Last season with Memphis, Melton averaged career highs across the board with 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals in 22.7 minutes per game. His average of 1.4 takeaways per contest led the NBA among players who played in 25-or-fewer minutes per game and also ranked within the league’s top-15 overall. Over the past two seasons, Melton has raised his three-point shooting percentage to .388, a significant jump from the .294 mark he posted in his first two career campaigns.

Melton has seen action in 235 career games with Memphis and Phoenix, averaging 8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 20.7 minutes per contest. Since his NBA debut in 2018-19, Melton has 309 steals, making him one of two players with at least 300 steals in fewer than 6,000 minutes over that span.

Originally selected by Houston with the No. 46 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Melton was traded to Phoenix prior to the start of the 2018-19 season. He spent his lone collegiate season in his home state with the University of Southern California and posted 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.9 steals in 27.0 minutes per game. The Trojans posted a 26-10 regular season record in Melton’s time with the program, earning an appearance in the 2017 NCAA Tournament and reaching the second round.

Roddy (6-5, 255) was named the 2021-22 Mountain West Player of the Year and USBWA District VIII Player of the Year after averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.16 steals and 1.06 blocks in 31 games while shooting a conference-best 57.1% from the field and 43.8% from 3-point range during his junior year at Colorado State. The 21-year-old Minneapolis native helped lead the Rams to its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2013 and the highest seed (No. 6) in program history.

Green (6-6, 220) has competed in 819 regular season games (709 starts) and has averaged 8.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 25.3 minutes while shooting 42.1% from the field and 39.9% from 3-point range in his 13-year NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. The 34-year-old has won NBA championships with the Spurs (2014), Raptors (2019) and Lakers (2020) since he was selected with the No. 46 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of North Carolina.