NBA News Blog – Page 215 – NBA Blog

Utah Jazz sign Danuel House Jr. to 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz have signed forward Danuel House Jr. to a 10-day contract under the NBA’s COVID-related hardship exception.

House Jr. (6-6, 215, Texas A&M) is in his sixth NBA season and has played with Washington (2016-17), Phoenix (2017-18), Houston (2018-22) and New York (2021-22) owning career averages of 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.9 minutes per game.

The Houston-native has additional NBA G League experience, competing for Delaware (2016-17), Northern Arizona (2017-18) and Rio Grande Valley (2017-19), playing in 60 total games (42 starts), averaging 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals in 32.0 minutes per contest.

Bucks waive DeMarcus Cousins

The Milwaukee Bucks have waived center DeMarcus Cousins.

Signed by the Bucks on Nov. 30, Cousins appeared in 17 games (five starts) with Milwaukee and averaged 8.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 16.9 minutes per game.

Per CBS Sports, “it is possible that Cousins’ replacement is already on the roster. Luke Kornet signed a 10-day contract on Monday. It is unlikely, however, that the Bucks will simply fill their vacant roster spot in the immediate future. Keeping it open gives the front office more flexibility in between now and the Feb. 10 trade deadline.”

At 31 years old, Cousins in recent NBA seasons finds himself trying to prove to NBA teams that he is worth keeping on a roster. He scored 25.2 points per game in 2017-18 with the Pelicans, 16.3 ppg in 2018-19 with the Warriors, then missed serious time with a major injury, and in the past few seasons has bounced around with the Rockets, Clippers and Bucks, averaging below 10 ppg with each team, and now finds himself a free agent once again.

The Bucks roster is now stands at 17 players.

Magic sign Admiral Schofield to two-way contract, waive Mychal Mulder

The Orlando Magic have signed forward Admiral Schofield to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

In addition, the Magic have waived two-way guard Mychal Mulder.

Schofield originally signed a 10-day contract via hardship exception by the NBA on December 17, then to a second 10-day contract on December 27.

Schofield (#25, 6’5”, 240, 3/30/97) has played in nine games (one start) this season with Orlando, averaging 4.8 ppg., 3.1 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 16.9 minpg. He has also played in 12 games (10 starts) with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 14.4 ppg., 7.2 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 33.0 minpg.

Schofield signed as a free agent with Orlando on September 21. He played in two preseason games with the Magic, averaging 1.5 ppg. in 5.8 minpg., before being waived on October 16. Schofield played in 14 games (11 starts) during the 2020-21 campaign with Greensboro of the NBA G League, averaging 10.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg. and 2.1 apg. in 26.2 minpg.

Originally selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Schofield has played in 42 career NBA regular season games (three starts) with Washington and Orlando, averaging 3.4 ppg. and 1.8 rpg. in 12.4 minpg. He has also appeared in 59 career NBA G League regular season games (54 starts) with Capital City, Greensboro and Lakeland, averaging 14.3 ppg., 5.9 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 30.2 minpg.

Schofield played in 132 career games (94 starts) during four seasons at the University of Tennessee (2015-19), averaging 11.9 ppg., 5.3 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 24.9 minpg., while shooting .387 (184-476) from three-point range. As a senior (2018-19), he played and started in 37 games, averaging 16.5 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 31.7 minpg., while shooting .418 (74-177) from three-point range. He was named to the All-SEC First Team by the conference coaches, earned All-SEC Tournament Team honors and was also an honorable mention All-American by Associated Press. As a junior (2017-18), Schofield was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the conference coaches and earned All-SEC Tournament Team honors.

Mulder (6’4”, 185, 6/12/94) was originally signed as a free agent to a two-way contract by Orlando on October 26. He played in 15 games (two starts) this season with the Magic, averaging 3.7 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 13.0 minpg.

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to have a maximum of two players under two-way contracts in addition to the players under standard NBA contracts. A two-way player is also eligible to provide services to Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic.

Pacers waive Kelan Martin

The Indiana Pacers have waived guard Kelan Martin.

At 14-25, the Pacers are currently 13th in the Eastern conference. Their leading scorers so far this season are Malcolm Brogdon at 19.0 points per game, Domantas Sabonis at 18.7 ppg, and Caris LeVert at 17.8 ppg.

The Pacers roster – including hardship exceptions – currently stands at 20.

Lakers sign Stanley Johnson to 10-day contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Stanley Johnson to a 10-day contract, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Johnson has averaged 6.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steal in 25.2 minutes through five games (three starts) with Los Angeles this season. He has appeared in 376 career games (80 starts) for the Raptors, Pelicans, Pistons and Lakers, averaging 6.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 19.8 minutes.

Wizards sign Greg Monroe to 10-day contract

The Washington Wizards have signed center Greg Monroe to a 10-day contract via the NBA Hardship Exception provisions.

Monroe recently completed a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he played in three games, averaging 6.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Monroe’s appearance on December 27 with Minnesota marked the first game played for the now 10-year veteran since the 2018-19 season.

Monroe originally signed with the Go-Go on November 7 and appeared in 12 games (one start), where he has averaged 10.4 points and 8.8 rebounds in his first career NBA G League season. Monroe has notched four double-doubles this season, including a 17-point, 10-rebound performance against the Delaware Blue Coats on December 11.

Monroe will join his hometown Wizards, marking the eighth different team in his now 10-year NBA career. He has played in 635 career games with Detroit, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia and Minnesota averaging 13.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Monroe averaged a double-double in 2014-15 and averaged at least 10 points per game in seven of the nine seasons of his career. Monroe made three playoff appearances with Milwaukee, Boston and Philadelphia, advancing as far as the Eastern Conference Finals with the Boston Celtics in 2017-18.

Latest health update on Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard will undergo further evaluation and consultation concerning his lower abdominal tendinopathy, the team announced today.

Lillard will miss Portland’s next three games against Miami (Jan. 5), Cleveland (Jan. 7) and Sacramento (Jan. 9). He will be reevaluated next week.

Further updates will be provided as appropriate.

In 29 games (all starts) this season, Lillard has averaged 24.0 points (40.2% FG, 32.4% 3-PT, 89.3% FT), 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 36.4 minutes per game. Among NBA leaders, he ranks 11th in scoring, 10th in assists and 16th in free throw percentage.

Latest health update on Pelicans forward Zion Williamson

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that forward Zion Williamson will be continuing his rehabilitation away from the team at this time while remaining under the supervision of the Pelicans medical staff.

“Since we notified everyone on December 16 of his latest imaging, it was decided then by our medical team to dial his rehab back to only partial weight bearing activities. He continues along that path,” stated Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “We also agreed that in order to put Zion in the best position to succeed, he will rehab away from the team at this time so he can focus on the task at hand.”

“As you can imagine, this has been a very difficult process for me,” said Williamson. “I know there’s work to be done in my recovery before I can safely return to the court, but I will continue to put in the time necessary so I can get back on the floor with my team and represent Pelicans fans and the city of New Orleans at the highest level. Basketball means everything to me, and I am thankful for the Pelicans organization and everyone who has surrounded me with love and support throughout this journey – my family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, fans, and everybody who has stood behind me and uplifted me when I needed it most.”

Malik Rose named Head of Basketball Operations for the G League

NBA Vice President, Basketball Operations and two-time NBA champion Malik Rose has been named Head of Basketball Operations for the NBA G League, it was announced today by NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Rose replaces Brad Walker, who was named Commissioner of the America East Conference in August.

In his new role, Rose will lead the NBA G League’s efforts at expanding its talent pipeline and advancing integration of basketball operations between the G League and the NBA while focusing on basketball innovation and competition. He will also oversee NBA G League Ignite.

“We are thrilled to have Malik join the NBA G League as Head of Basketball Operations,” said Abdur-Rahim. “With his success as a player at the highest levels of the game and extensive background as an executive in both the NBA and G League, Malik has the experience, vision and expertise to help accelerate our progress and further deepen the connection between the two leagues.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to transition from NBA Basketball Operations to this exciting position alongside Shareef and a talented staff with the NBA G League,” said Rose. “As someone who benefited greatly from his experience in the NBA G League, I know firsthand its importance to the NBA’s business and see enormous potential for continued growth.”

Rose joins the NBA G League after working since June 2020 in NBA Basketball Operations, where he interfaced directly with teams and players regarding league programs, rules, new initiatives and competitive elements. Before joining the league office, Rose served as Assistant General Manager of the Detroit Pistons and General Manager of the Erie BayHawks, the NBA G League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks now known as the College Park Skyhawks. He was named the 2017-18 NBA G League Basketball Executive of the Year.

Rose played 13 seasons in the NBA after being selected by the Hornets with the 44th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He won NBA championships in 1999 and 2003 as a member of the San Antonio Spurs. In addition to the Hornets and Spurs, Rose played for the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder.

A Philadelphia native, Rose received his bachelor’s degree with a dual concentration in computer information systems and education from Drexel University, where he played four years of college basketball. He also holds a master’s degree in sports management from Drexel.

Sixers sign Braxton Key to 10-day contract

The Philadelphia 76ers have signed forward Braxton Key to a 10-day contract.

Key most recently played for the 76ers’ G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, playing a vital role in the team’s AT&T Winter Showcase title. In the championship game against the Oklahoma City Blue, Key led all scorers with 28 points (9-18 FG, 5-6 FT) along with 11 rebounds and three assists.

In 15 games this season with the Blue Coats, Key posted three double-doubles which ranks tied for second on the team, while posting averages of 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks in 25.9 minutes per game. Among players that made at least 10 G League appearances, Key is one of three players to hold averages of at least 10 points, five rebounds and two steals, and each have now received an NBA GATORADE Call-Up this season. His 30 total steals rank second in the G League.

Key is in the midst of his second G League season with Delaware, which selected him in the 2021 NBA G League Draft, following the completion of his collegiate career at the University of Virginia in 2020. In 27 career G League games, Key holds averages of 9.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 20.0 minutes per game.

Prior to transferring to Virginia, he spent two seasons at the University of Alabama, where he earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2016-17. Key was a crucial reserve for the 2018-19 national champion Virginia team, averaging nearly 20 minutes per contest off the bench. In his final collegiate season, he started 25 of the Cavaliers’ 27 games, as the team finished the 2019-20 campaign with a 23-7 record, second in the ACC.

He is the nephew of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson, who also starred at Virginia, earning National Player of the Year honors three times.

The Charlotte, North Carolina native will wear No. 17 with the 76ers.