Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Trail Blazers sign Drew Eubanks and Brandon Williams

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed center Drew Eubanks to a 10-day contract and guard Brandon Williams to a two-way contract.

Eubanks, 25, played in 49 games (nine starts) for San Antonio to start the 2021-22 season, posting averages of 4.7 points (52.8% FG, 74.7% FT), 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 0.61 blocks. The fourth-year center was traded from San Antonio to Toronto on February 10 and subsequently waived. A product of Reynolds High school in Troutdale, Eubanks (6-9, 245) holds career averages of 4.6 points (56.5% FG, 74.6% FT), 3.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.68 blocks in 148 games (15 starts) for the Spurs. He played three seasons at Oregon State from 2015-18 before going undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Williams, 22, played in two games for the Trail Blazers earlier this season after being signed to a 10-day contract on December 26. In those outings, Williams (6-2, 190) averaged 4.0 points (66.7% FG, 57.1% FT), 1.0 rebound and 1.0 assist. The rookie out of Arizona appeared in 23 games (17 starts) for the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League this season, averaging 20.5 points (42.2% FG, 32.8% 3-PT, 84.5% FT), 4.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.30 steals in 32.2 minutes.

Thunder sign Olivier Sarr to two-way contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed forward Olivier Sarr to a two-way contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Sarr (6-11, 238) has appeared in 23 games (two starts) for the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, this season and averaged 7.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 15.7 minutes per game. He signed two 10-day contracts with the Thunder per the NBA’s COVID-Related Hardship Allowance and played in two games where he averaged 2.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 7.0 minutes per game.

Per the Oklahoman, “Sarr will fill the two-way slot previously occupied by rookie wing Aaron Wiggins, who recently signed a standard contract with the Thunder.”

The Niort, France native played three seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to Kentucky and collected Third Team All-ACC honors and was named a runner-up for ACC Most Improved Player. He appeared in 110 career games and averaged 8.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 22.0 minutes per game.

Trail Blazers sign Trendon Watford to standard contract, and waive Dennis Smith Jr.

The Trail Blazers have signed forward Trendon Watford to a standard NBA contract.

In a related move, Portland has waived guard Dennis Smith Jr.

Watford, 21, has appeared in 33 games for the Trail Blazers this season, averaging 4.5 points (59.0% FG, 68.6% FT), 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.45 blocks in 12.6 minutes per game.

A rookie out of LSU, Watford leads all first-year players that have taken at least 100 shots in field goal percentage.

Originally signed to a two-way contract by Portland after going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Watford ranked second among all players on two-way contracts this season in blocks (15), third in total rebounds (106), fourth in games played (33), fifth in points (149), and seventh in assists (35).

Smith played in 37 games (four starts) for Portland this season, posting averages of 5.6 points (41.8% FG, 22.2% 3-PT, 65.6% FT), 2.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.22 steals.

Nets to reportedly sign Goran Dragic

The Nets, per multiple reports, will be signing a veteran point guard who can help maintain backcourt order while the team waits for Ben Simmons to become available while dealing with Kyrie Irving only being allowed to play road games due to coronavirus safety restrictions in New York. And one who is already quite familiar with Nets head coach Steve Nash: Goran Dragic. Via Bleacher Report:

Ahead of the trade deadline, the Toronto Raptors sent Dragic to the San Antonio Spurs in a deal for Thaddeus Young. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported his time in San Antonio wasn’t expected to be long, with the Spurs likely to buy out the final year of his contract.

Dragic originally landed with the Raptors as part of the Miami Heat’s sign-and-trade for Kyle Lowry. Many believed his time with Toronto would be a marriage of convenience, with the team moving him on at a later date.

Per the New York Daily News, “adding Dragic to the Nets backcourt addresses several needs. He is no superstar, but he has played at a high level — both in the NBA and internationally — for decades. He was a 2018 NBA All-Star and has averaged 14 points and five assists per game entering his 14th NBA season. And he is set to play inspired basketball after landing in Toronto as part of the Kyle Lowry trade to the Miami Heat, only to be benched and dealt to the Spurs at the trade deadline.”

The Nets are just 31-28 this season, which is the 8th best record in the Eastern conference. Their season has been more about missed games than stars being available to play together. Adding Dragic is a solid move for the sake of stability.

Chicago Bulls sign Tristan Thompson, waive Alfonzo McKinnie

The Chicago Bulls have signed veteran big man Tristan Thompson.

Also today, the team released forward Alfonzo McKinnie.

In his eleventh season in the NBA, Thompson (6-9, 254 pounds) owns career averages of 9.1 ppg (.518 from the field), 8.5 rpg (3.3 orpg) and 1.0 apg in 27.1 mpg. For his career, he has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers. This season, he has appeared in 34 games (three starts) with the Kings and Pacers, and has tallied 6.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg (2.3 orpg) in 15.3 mpg.

Thompson’s teams have also made five trips to the NBA Playoffs, including four consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals from 2015-18. In postseason play, he has played in 83 playoff games (70 starts) and posted 7.8 ppg (.566 from the field) and 8.6 rpg (3.8 orpg) in 29.6 mpg.

McKinnie saw action in 17 games (three starts) with Chicago, and averaged 3.5 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 12.1 mpg.

Suns guard Chris Paul injured, out at least 6-8 weeks

The Phoenix Suns are having the best season of any team in the league, but a big hit of bad news came out today. Via the Arizona Republic:

Chris Paul’s right thumb is going to keep him out most of the remaining season.

The Suns gave an official release that Paul has suffered a right thumb avulsion fracture in Wednesdays’ game against Houston and will be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks.

The NBA regular season ends April 10 against Sacramento.

The Suns are 48-10, placing them a full 6.5 games ahead of the 42-17 Warriors in both the Western conference and overall league standings.

Paul this season is averaging 14.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 10.7 assists (best in the league) and 1.9 steals (tied for 4th best in the league) per game.

Chris Paul named inaugural recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award

Today, the WNBA announced that Phoenix Suns 12-time All-Star guard Chris Paul has been named the inaugural recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award for his significant contributions to the advancement of girls’ and women’s basketball, and advocacy for the WNBA. The WNBA and Vanessa Bryant will present Paul the award at NBA All-Star 2022 in Cleveland during Sunday’s game.

The annual award honors the late Kobe Bryant, a devoted supporter of the WNBA and women’s basketball, and his daughter Gianna (also known as Gigi). Gigi, a happy, loving and competitive young lady, wanted to pursue her dreams of one day playing in the WNBA and continuing her father’s legacy while elevating women in sports. Gigi loved the game of basketball and aspired to reach the pinnacle of the sport like her father. Kobe Bryant contributed to the growth of the women’s game at every level through forging relationships, mentoring and training high school, college, NBA and WNBA players, coaching Gigi’s youth basketball team, and launching the Mamba Sports Academy. He also was involved with empowering girls through Her Time to Play, an initiative created by the WNBA and NBA dedicated to championing participation in athletics on behalf of girls and women.

The Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy award aims to honor advocates and influencers who use their time, talent, and platform to raise awareness for the WNBA, and women’s and girls’ basketball in various ways, like Kobe was so committed to doing.

“I have seen first-hand Chris’ appreciation of the WNBA and the game at every level for women and girls, especially in Phoenix and North Carolina, and his ardent support of our game strongly reflects the legacy of Kobe and Gigi,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “The league is proud to name Chris as the inaugural recipient of the Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award, as he serves as a leader and role model for other professional athletes around growing the future of the game for young girls and all fans.”

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announces Finalists for class of 2022

InsideHoops.com

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today, at NBA All-Star 2022, six extraordinary players, four exceptional coaches and one world-class referee as finalists from the North American and Women’s committees to be considered for election in 2022.

This year’s list includes two first-time finalists: two-time NBA All-Star and four-time NBA champion Manu Ginobili and five-time WNBA All-Star, three-time WNBA Champion, and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Lindsay Whalen.

Previous finalists included again this year for consideration are longtime NBA referee Hugh Evans, five-time NBA champion and five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection Michael Cooper, five-time NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway, consensus National Collegiate Player of the Year Marques Johnson, two-time NCAA National Coach of the Year Bob Huggins, the NBA’s sixth-winningest coach of all-time George Karl, the all-time winningest high school coach, Leta Andrews, four-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Swin Cash, and NCAA national champion and WNBA Coach of the Year Marianne Stanley.

Lakers’ Anthony Davis out with foot sprain

Once again, Anthony Davis is injured. Via ESPN.com:

Anthony Davis will be out at least four weeks after an MRI showed that the Los Angeles Lakers star has a mid-foot sprain, the team announced Thursday.

Davis suffered the injury in the team’s 106-101 win against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

He underwent X-rays that night at Crypto.com Arena that revealed no fracture, according to the team, but an MRI Thursday revealed the sprain.

The Lakers said team doctors will reevaluate the star big man in four weeks.

The Lakers are just 27-31 this season, which is the 9th best record in the Western conference. They haven’t looked like a championship contender at all this season, and with the way things are going will have to hustle and step things up just to make the playoffs. A task made even more difficult with this Davis injury.