Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Mavericks sign Marquese Chriss to multi-year contract, and waive Willie Cauley-Stein

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed forward Marquese Chriss to a multi-year contract.

And in an additional move, Dallas has requested waivers on center Willie Cauley-Stein.

Chriss (6-9, 240) was in the midst of his third 10-day contract under the COVID-related hardship allowance and has averaged 6.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 11.9 minutes in 12 games with Dallas. Chriss has scored in double figures in three games with the Mavericks.

Chriss was selected by Sacramento with the eighth overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft and subsequently traded to Phoenix, where he earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in his first season. Chriss played collegiately for one season at Washington.

Cleveland Cavaliers hire Jose Calderon as Special Advisor to Front Office

The Cleveland Cavaliers yesterday hired José Calderón as Special Advisor to the Front Office, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman has announced.

Calderón joins the Cavaliers from the National Basketball Players Association where he served as the Special Assistant to the Executive Director, working closely with NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts and the NBPA’s senior management team on union strategy and specific issues relevant to current NBA players. In his role with the Cavaliers, Calderón will assist the front office achieve their goals both on and off the court in a variety of engagements.

“We are thrilled to add someone of José Calderón’s background and experience to our front office,” said Altman. “His accomplishments as a basketball player and familiarity with our organization will be invaluable. We look forward to his insights and perspective on how we can continue moving this team forward and enhancing our efforts towards sustainable and long-term success here in Cleveland.”

Calderón spent 14 seasons in the NBA, playing for seven different teams, including the Cavaliers’ NBA Finals run during the 2017-18 season. He posted career averages of 8.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 26.4 minutes over 895 career games. A native of Villanueva de la Serena, Spain, Calderón played six seasons in the Spanish professional leagues before beginning his NBA career in 2005 with the Toronto Raptors. Calderón also represented his home country at four Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016), earning silver medals in 2008 and 2012 and a bronze medal in 2016.

Grizzlies sign Dakota Mathias to second 10-day contract

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed wing Dakota Mathias to a second 10-day contract under the NBA’s COVID-related hardship exception.

Mathias (6-4, 200) signed his first 10-day contract with the Grizzlies on Dec. 29 and totaled six points and two rebounds in four minutes over four games.

Undrafted in 2018 NBA Draft following a four-year collegiate career at Purdue, the 26-year-old has appeared in 12 career games (two starts) for the Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers and has averaged 4.5 points and 1.1 assists in 10.9 minutes. He also played 42 games for the NBA G League’s Texas Legends during the 2019-20 season and averaged 18.1 points while shooting 39.5% from 3-point range.

Knicks trade Kevin Knox to Hawks for Cam Reddish and Solomon Hill

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired forward Kevin Knox II and a conditional future first-round pick (Charlotte’s protected first-round pick) in a trade with the New York Knicks for forwards Cam Reddish and Solomon Hill as well as a 2025 second-round pick and cash considerations.

In addition, New York has waived guard Ryan Arcidiacono.

Knox, 22, has played in 194 career games with the Knicks (61 starts), averaging 8.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 20.1 minutes and scoring in double-figures 69 times. This season in 12 contests, he’s put in 3.9 points and 1.8 rebounds in 9.2 minutes.

Drafted with the ninth overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Knicks, the 6’9 Knox was First-Team All-SEC and SEC Freshman of the Year in 2018 at Kentucky. The former Florida Mr. Basketball attended Tampa Catholic High School in Tampa, FL.

Reddish, 6-8, 218 pounds, holds career averages of 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals over 118 games (62 starts) over three seasons with Atlanta. He is currently averaging career bests of 11.9 points, 90-percent shooting from the free throw line and 37.9-percent shooting from downtown over 23.4 minutes in 34 games (seven starts) for the Hawks this season. He recorded a career high 34 points on Dec. 22 against Orlando and then followed that up with his second career 30-point effort, with 33 points against Chicago on Dec. 27.

The 22-year-old was selected by Atlanta 10th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, following one season at Duke University, where he was teammates with RJ Barrett. The Norristown, PA-native, averaged 13.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists over 29.7 minutes as a Blue Devil.

Hill played in 84 games (17 starts) in two seasons with the Hawks, averaging 3.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 19.7 minutes.

Orlando Magic sign front office execs Jeff Weltman and John Hammond to contract extensions

Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman and General Manager John Hammond have both received contract extensions, CEO Alex Martins announced today.

“Jeff (Weltman) and John (Hammond) have done a tremendous job of building our basketball operations infrastructure, while putting us in position to reach our ultimate goal,” said CEO Alex Martins. “We certainly look forward to exciting days ahead.”

Said Orlando Magic Chairman Dan DeVos, “Our commitment to winning a championship is stronger than ever, while being an invested community partner. We look forward to Jeff and John continuing to lead our basketball operations and assembling teams our fans can be proud of, both on and off the floor.”

Weltman, who brings more than 30 years of experience in basketball operations in the NBA, was named president of basketball operations of the Orlando Magic on May 23, 2017. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the team’s basketball operations department.

Since joining Orlando, the Magic advanced to postseason play in back-to-back seasons in 2018-19 and 2019-20 for the first time in eight years (since 2010-11 and 2011-12). During his second season in Orlando (2018-19), the Magic clinched a berth into the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2012 and captured the Southeast Division title, their first since 2009-10.

Hammond was named general manager of the Orlando Magic on May 23, 2017. He begins his fifth season with the Magic, bringing more than 39 years of coaching and administrative experience to Orlando. Hammond came to the Magic after spending nine seasons (2008-17) as general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks.

During Hammond’s 30 years in the NBA, his teams have made 17 postseason appearances, including two seasons with Orlando (2018-19, 2019-20). During the 2018-19 season, the Magic clinched a berth into the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2012 and captured the Southeast Division title. After reaching the playoffs again in 2019-20, it marked the first time in eight years (since 2010-11 and 2011-12) that Orlando advanced to postseason play in back-to-back seasons. President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman served as assistant general manager under Hammond for five seasons (2008-13) and also worked with him in Detroit (2007-08).

Hammond was named general manager of Milwaukee on April 11, 2008 and promptly generated an eight-win improvement in his first season and another 12 during his second, earning the 2009-10 NBA Executive of the Year Award.

Utah Jazz sign Zylan Cheatham to 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz yesterday signed forward Zylan Cheatham to a 10-day contract under the NBA’s COVID-related hardship exception.

Cheatham (6-5, 220, Arizona State) has one NBA season of experience, playing for the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019-20, where he averaged 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game.

He joins Utah most recently from the NBA G League’s Birmingham Squadron, appearing in 13 games (all starts), averaging 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals in 30.6 minutes per contest. He spent the 2020-21 season with the Iowa Wolves and appeared in 34 games in 2019-20 with the Erie BayHawks.

Cavaliers and Koby Altman agree to contract extension

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Koby Altman have reached an agreement on a new long-term contract extension, it was announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts. Altman will also take on the title of President of Basketball Operations effective immediately.

“Today is a great day for the franchise and another step forward in realizing our vision that includes stability in leadership for the Cleveland Cavaliers,” said Cavaliers Chairman Dan Gilbert. “In extending Koby Altman’s contract and elevating his title to President of Basketball Operations, I have the utmost confidence in his ability and the culture he has established since taking over the basketball leadership role with our organization. Koby consistently adapts to the ever-changing landscape of the NBA and he has assembled a team whose players compliment each other’s talents both on and off the floor, in addition to a front office and coaching staff of top-notch basketball minds. I feel our organization is primed for sustainable and long-term success and that is in no small part thanks to Koby’s efforts, determination and talent. I look forward to what’s ahead for Koby and the Cavaliers.”

Per the team: Altman, who was hired as the 11th general manager in Cavaliers history on July 24, 2017, has helped transform the basketball operations department and Cavaliers roster with the signing of key free agents and acquiring draft assets and players via trade. Under Altman, the Cavaliers have made 22 total trades and 13 in-season trades, including three in-season moves that helped propel the team to their fourth straight Eastern Conference Championship in just his first season as GM. Since Altman and the Cavaliers’ 2018 NBA Finals run, he has accumulated 18 draft picks (three first round, 15 second round) and still owns all of the team’s remaining first round picks and 12 second round picks over the next seven seasons. Cleveland has also maintained roster flexibility, with 11 of their 15 current roster players at team options or non-fully guaranteed years at the end of their contract terms.

“It has been an honor and extreme privilege to represent this organization and I’m truly humbled by the confidence granted to me by our Chairman, Dan Gilbert,” said Altman. “His leadership has allowed us the freedom to incorporate our strategy and vision intended for the future of Cleveland Cavaliers basketball. This is a first-class organization with a passionate and loyal fanbase. I will forever be grateful for this continued opportunity. With Dan setting the example and providing us with amazing resources, we are building something truly special here in Northeast Ohio. We remain committed to our player development program and our players have shown incredible growth and improvement this season. Our evolving culture is driven by our players, coaches and staff, who all play a significant role in defining what it truly means to be a Cavalier and we are very excited for our future.”

Lakers sign Sekou Doumbouya to two-way contract, and waive Jay Huff

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Sekou Doumbouya to a two-way contract.

And in a related move, the Lakers requested waivers on Jay Huff.

In two games with Los Angeles this season, Doumbouya averaged 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 block in 8.0 minutes per game. He has appeared in 96 career NBA games (30 starts) for the Lakers and Pistons, averaging 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 17.1 minutes.

Thunder sign Mamadi Diakite to 10-day contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed forward Mamadi Diakite to a 10-day contract, via the NBA’s COVID-Related Hardship Allowance.

Diakite (6-9, 218) appeared in two preseason games for the Thunder this season and averaged 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.00 block in 12.2 minutes per game. He appeared in 14 games (one start) last season with the Bucks and averaged 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 10.1 minutes per contest.

The Guinea native saw action in 12 G League games (three starts) during the 2020-21 season as a member of the Lakeland Magic where he registered averages of 18.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.08 blocks in 27.7 minutes per game.