NBA News Blog – Page 243 – NBA Blog

Longtime official Nets scorer Herb Turetzky is retiring

The Brooklyn Nets announced today the retirement of Herb Turetzky after a remarkable 54-year run as the only official scorer in the franchise’s history. In recognition of his years of dedication to the Nets organization, Turetzky has been named official scorer emeritus.

“For 54 years, I’ve had the best seat in the house,” Turetzky said. “It’s been a joy to work with so many incredible people over the years, and I am very proud to be a part of this great organization.”

“We want to extend our sincerest appreciation to Herb for his more than five decades of faithful service to the organization,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “Herb is part of the fabric of Nets basketball, and it’s fitting that he was able to finish his career in his home borough. Herb, his wife, Jane, and their family will always be a part of the Brooklyn Nets family.”

“We are all grateful to Herb for his enduring impact on the Nets organization,” said John Abbamondi, CEO of BSE Global. “For over five decades, Herb had a front row seat to the development and evolution of our franchise, and he will forever hold an unparalleled place in Nets history. We are looking forward to welcoming Herb and the Turetzky family back to Barclays Center this season so he can enjoy his first-ever Nets game as a fan following 54 years of incredible service.”

A native of Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood, Turetzky scored the first game in franchise history, a matchup between the New Jersey Americans and Pittsburgh Pipers of the American Basketball Association (ABA) on Oct. 23, 1967 at the Teaneck Armory, while he was a senior at Long Island University. That game began a career that spanned more than 2,200 games and was eventually certified as a record for professional basketball games scored in the Guinness Book of World Records. Turetzky also worked 1,465 consecutive regular season and playoff games, beginning in the 1984-85 season and concluding in Oct. 2018. Turetzky’s tenure saw him score games in nine home arenas with more than 500 players donning a Nets uniform in that time. He was on hand to score the greatest moments in franchise history, including ABA championships in 1974 and 1976 and consecutive trips to the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.

Turetzky has earned a number of honors throughout his career with the Nets, including his induction into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame and the Basketball Old Timers of America Hall of Fame.

Clippers guard Jason Preston undergoes foot surgery

Clippers point guard Jason Preston underwent surgery today in Los Angeles to repair ligaments in his right foot.

He is expected to miss an extended period of time and there is no timetable for his return.

Per the team’s website, “the Clippers acquired the draft rights to Preston, the 33rd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, from the Orlando Magic in exchange for the Detroit Pistons 2026 second-round selection and cash considerations.”

More from the Clippers’ site: “Preston averaged 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists (fifth highest in the country) during his junior season at Ohio University. The 6-foot-4 guard finished first on his team in points per game, minutes per game, assists per game and second in rebounds per game.”

Hawks sign DaQuan Jeffries, waive A.J. Lawson

The Atlanta Hawks today signed guard DaQuan Jeffries and waived guard A.J. Lawson.

Jeffries, 6’5, spent last season with the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets, averaging 4.1 points and 2.3 rebounds in 15.9 minutes (.417 FG%, .875 FT%) in 31 games (five starts). In 44 career contests (five starts) over two seasons, the Tulsa product has averaged 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 14.4 minutes (.438 FG%, .857 FT%).

Undrafted in 2019, Jeffries spent time at Oral Roberts and Western Texas before finishing at Tulsa from 2017-19. He is a native of Edmond, OK.

Lakers forward Trevor Ariza out after ankle surgery

Lakers forward Trevor Ariza had an arthroscopic debridement procedure performed on his right ankle today.

Team doctors will reevaluate Ariza in approximately eight weeks.

Per ESPN.com, “Ariza returned to L.A. for a second stint with the franchise after winning a championship alongside Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol in 2009, signing a veterans minimum contract after being recruited by Russell Westbrook to join shortly after Westbrook was traded from Washington.”

Pacers trade Edmond Sumner to Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired guard Edmond Sumner and a 2025 second round draft pick in a trade with the Indiana Pacers (via Miami) for the draft rights to guard Juan Pablo Vaulet.

Sumner has appeared in 108 games (29 starts) across four seasons (2017-21) with the Pacers, recording averages of 5.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 14.1 minutes per game. He was originally selected by Indiana with the 52nd overall pick in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft.

Vaulet was selected with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft by Charlotte, and his draft rights were traded to Brooklyn.

Nets trade Sekou Doumbouya to Rockets, who waive Khyri Thomas

The Houston Rockets today announced they have acquired a 2024 second round pick and forward Sekou Doumbouya in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, who receive cash considerations.

And in a related move, the Rockets have waived guard Khyri Thomas who appeared in five of the final six games for Houston last season.

Doumbouya was acquired by Brooklyn in a trade with the Detroit Pistons on Sept. 4. He played 13 minutes in the Nets’ preseason victory at the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday afternoon, totaling 11 points and four rebounds. In 94 games (30 starts) across two seasons (2019-21) with the Pistons, Doumbouya averaged 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per game.

Status update on Suns guard Devin Booker

Here’s the Arizona Republic with the latest on Suns shooting guard Devin Booker:

Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams said Devin Booker had “a lot more pop to his step” Tuesday, but still isn’t ready to play the two-time All-Star after sitting him for Monday’s preseason opener at Sacramento.

“I think Book is still a few days away from us even talking about him playing,” Williams said after Tuesday’s practice. “I think he needs more practice time. We weren’t able to do any 5-on-5. We’d love to have him in that environment before we put him on the floor. So we haven’t even talked about that as a staff yet.”

Jordan Poole shines for Warriors in first preseason game of year

It’s always fun to see who stands out in preseason games. Because, quite often, for minutes reasons, it often isn’t who you’d expect. On the Warriors, here’s the Bay Area News Group/San Jose Mercury News:

It’s one preseason game. An exhibition. It’s important not to overreact.

But after watching the Warriors play Monday night in Portland, it’s hard to not be excited about the team’s possibilities this season.

This team looks significantly better than last year’s operation. Lightyears ahead, perhaps…

Now, Jordan Poole looking like the third Splash Brother — he had 30 points in the preseason opener Monday — was obviously a critical aspect of the Warriors’ success in Portland. Poole thrived in the latter part of last season and was rightly slotted in as the Dubs’ two-guard next to Steph Curry again Monday. That’s his job until Klay Thompson returns (and perhaps for a while after that, even). Poole had a few defensive mistakes Monday, but he has also improved enough on that side of the ball since his mid-season G-League stint that he should also be part of the Dubs’ closing lineup — even with Thompson in the fold.

Utah Jazz waive guard Justin James

The Utah Jazz have waived guard Justin James.

James (6-6, 190, Wyoming) was originally signed to a two-way contract by Utah on Sept. 22.

Per the Salt Lake Tribune, “the deal means that the Jazz have another two-way spot to fill before entering the season. They could upgrade the contract of one of their training camp signees, Derrick Alston Jr, Marques Bolden, Malik Fitts, or MaCio Teague; or they could choose to look outside the organization for a logical pickup.”

Trail Blazers exercise 2022-23 contract option on Nassir Little

The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised the 2022-23 team option on the Rookie Scale contract of forward Nassir Little.

Portland selected Little with the 25th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Little, 21, appeared in 48 games (two starts) for the Trail Blazers during the 2020-21 season, posting averages of 4.6 points (46.7% FG, 35.0% 3-PT, 71.9% FT), 2.7 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 13.3 minutes. For his career, Little has averaged 4.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 96 games (seven starts).