Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Cleveland Cavaliers hire Sidney Lowe as assistant coach

The Cleveland Cavaliers have hired Sidney Lowe as an Assistant Coach, Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman and Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Lowe has been on the coaching sidelines for nearly three decades and returns to Cleveland where he was an assistant coach for five seasons under Mike Fratello from 1994-1999. Over that stretch, he was part of a staff that helped the Cavaliers garner three playoff appearances (1995, 1996, 1998). The Washington, DC, native and former NBA point guard was most recently an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons for the past three seasons (2018-2021), including an NBA postseason berth in 2019.

“Sidney brings a wealth of coaching experience and familiarity to our staff,” said Bickerstaff. “He is a great teacher of the game and his ability to build lasting relationships across the board is integral to the growth of our overall culture here in Cleveland. Sidney also brings all of the character traits we value as a human being – loyalty, trust and integrity. I look forward to working with him and building something special together with our young and talented roster.”

Lowe began his coaching career with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1992, when he became an assistant coach under then-head coach Jimmy Rodgers. He was promoted to head coach midway through the 1992-93 season and remained in the position through the 1993-94 season. Following five years as an assistant with Cleveland (1994-1999) and one with Minnesota (1999-2000), Lowe was named head coach of the Vancouver Grizzlies in 2000 and remained at the helm until 2002-03. He was the lead assistant to head coach Flip Saunders staff in Detroit during the 2005-06 season, a year the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Lowe also served as head coach at his alma mater, North Carolina State (2006-11), where in his first season he became the third coach in school history to win 20 games and defeat the three other ACC North Carolina institutions (North Carolina, Duke and Wake Forest). After coaching at NC State, Lowe returned to the NBA and spent three seasons as an assistant with the Utah Jazz (2011-2014), two with the Timberwolves (2014-2016) and two with the Washington Wizards (2016-2018).

As a player, Lowe was originally selected by the Chicago Bulls with the first pick of the second round (25th overall) in the 1983 NBA Draft and spent four seasons with Indiana, Detroit, Atlanta, Charlotte and Minnesota. He also competed in the Continental Basketball Association, leading the Albany Patroons and Tampa Bay Thrillers to CBA titles. Lowe played college basketball under the late Jim Valvano at North Carolina State, earning Final Four All-Tournament honors while helping lead the Wolfpack to the 1983 NCAA Championship.

Atlanta Hawks sign Skylar Mays to two-way contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard Skylar Mays to a two-way contract.

Mays, a 6’4 guard, averaged 3.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in 8.2 minutes as a rookie for the Hawks last season (.449 FG%, .350 3FG%, .880 FT%) in 33 contests. He scored in double-figures five times, including Feb. 12 vs. San Antonio, when Mays set a career-high in points (20), adding three assists in 17 minutes (7-10 FGs, 4-5 3FGs, 2-2 FTs). In Atlanta’s final regular season game (May 16 vs. Houston), he finished with 16 points, a career-best seven assists and two blocks in a career-high 27 minutes (7-11 FGs, 2-5 3FGs). Mays also played in seven postseason games, totaling eight points.

In four contests with the Hawks at the 2021 NBA Las Vegas Summer League, he compiled 18.8 points, 3.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 28.7 minutes (.463 FG%, .333 3FG%, 16-16 FTs).

Selected by the Hawks in the second round (50th overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft, Mays originally signed a two-way contract with the Hawks on Nov. 24, 2020. As a senior at LSU in 2019-20, he averaged 16.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 steals in 34.5 minutes, earning first-team All SEC honors. The three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American was the 2020 Academic All-American of the Year. He is a summa cum laude graduate with a degree in kinesiology.

Grizzlies trade Patrick Beverley to Timberwolves

The Memphis Grizzlies have acquired guard Jarrett Culver and forward Juancho Hernangómez in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves for guard Patrick Beverley.

In addition, the Grizzlies have waived guard/forward Sean McDermott.

Beverley, 33, has appeared in 468 regular season games (384 starts) in nine NBA seasons with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 8.8 points on 41.5% shooting, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. The 6-1 guard played in 37 games (34 starts) for the Clippers last season, averaging 7.5 points on 42.3% shooting, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. His best game in 2020-21 came on Jan. 5 vs. San Antonio when he finished with a season-high 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 6-of-9 from deep, eight rebounds and a season-high eight assists. Beverley has seen action in 59 career playoff games (48 starts), including 17 games (seven starts) in last season’s playoffs and has averaged 7.9 points on 41.2% shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

The University of Arkansas product is a three-time NBA All-Defensive team selection, including being named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2016-17, his final season with the Rockets. Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 42nd overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Chicago native spent three seasons overseas in Greece, Russia, and Ukraine. He signed as a free agent

Culver (6-6, 195) has appeared in 97 games (42 starts) and holds career averages of 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.7 minutes in two seasons with Minnesota. The 22-year-old Dallas native was selected by Phoenix with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft after guiding Texas Tech University to the 2019 NCAA Championship Game as a sophomore.

Hernangómez (6-9, 214) has appeared in 257 games (57 starts) and owns career averages of 5.7 points and 3.5 rebounds in 16.4 minutes over his five-year NBA career with Denver and Minnesota. A native of Madrid, Spain, the 25-year-old was drafted by Denver with the 15th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

McDermott (6-6, 195) appeared in 18 games off the bench for the Grizzlies as a rookie last season and averaged 2.2 points and 1.1 rebounds in 8.8 minutes. Undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Butler University, the 24-year-old native of Anderson, Ind., also competed in six games for the NBA G League’s Memphis Hustle.

Houston Rockets sign Tyler Bey and Daishen Nix

The Houston Rockets have signed free agent forward Tyler Bey and free agent guard Daishen Nix.

This is not confirmed, but the signings are probably non-guaranteed deals that bring the players to Rockets training camp.

Bey (6-7, 216) was the 36th overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2020 NBA Draft before his rights were acquired by Dallas. He appeared in 18 games for the Mavericks as a two-way player last season and was also assigned to the G League. In a total of 13 G League games for Long Island and Salt Lake City, Bey averaged 15.1 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting 49.3% from the floor.

Over his final two seasons at Colorado from 2018-19 through 2019-20, Bey was one of six Division I players with 50-plus games played to have averaged at least 13.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.00 spg, and 1.00 bpg. He was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year as a junior.

Nix (6-5, 224) was eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft after spending last season with the G League Ignite, where he was teammates with Rockets rookie Jalen Green. The 19-year-old joined Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. and Kobi Simmons as the only G League players in 2020-21 to have averaged at least 5.0 rpg and 5.0 apg.

A McDonald’s All-American, Nix was born in Alaska but moved to Las Vegas at age 13. He originally committed to UCLA before signing with the Ignite.

Atlanta Hawks hire Nick Van Exel as an assistant coach

The Atlanta Hawks have hired Nick Van Exel as an assistant coach.

Van Exel isn’t new to the Hawks organization, though it’s been a while. He was previously a player development instructor for the Hawks from 2010-12.

“Since his playing career ended, Nick has been very successful in helping develop young guards for the teams he’s worked with, including several that have turned into All-Stars,” said Hawks Head Coach Nate McMillan. “We feel he’ll be a great addition helping our young core guards continue to progress.”

Van Exel returns to Atlanta from the Dallas Mavericks, where he was a scout the last two seasons. The former head coach of the Texas Legends of the NBA G League (2015-16), Van Exel also has coaching experience with the Memphis Grizzlies (2016-19), Milwaukee Bucks (2013-14) and Texas Southern University (2009-10).

The 1998 NBA All-Star played 13 years in the league (1993-2006) with the LA Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs. In 880 career regular season games (670 starts), he averaged 14.4 points, 6.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 32.9 minutes (.405 FG%, .357 3FG%, .794 FT%). He also saw action in 76 playoff games (27 starting assignments), averaging 13.6 points, 4.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 31.4 minutes.

The native of Kenosha, WI started his collegiate career at Trinity Valley Community College (Athens, TX) before spending his final two seasons at University of Cincinnati, where he was named Associated Press Third-Team All-American as a senior. Van Exel was selected by the Lakers in the second round (37th overall) of the 1993 NBA Draft.

Celtics sign Robert Williams III to contract extension

The Boston Celtics have signed center Robert Williams III to a contract extension.

“Rob has worked hard to turn himself into a very impactful player, and his talent and selfless play give him an even higher upside to reach going forward,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. “Rob has embraced being a Celtic from day one. He is a great teammate and is completely committed to getting better. We’re excited that he will continue to do so here in Boston.”

Per the Boston Globe, “Stevens continues his crusade to sign every returning player to long-term contracts, this time with a four-year deal to secure rising center Robert Williams. Stevens had until October to give Williams, 23, an extension on his rookie contract but made the astute move of giving the former Texas A&M standout long-term security in exchange for a manageable deal — $13.5 million per season.”

Originally selected by the Celtics in the first round (27th overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft, Williams III has averaged 5.7 points on 72.0% shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.5 blocked shots, and 14.7 minutes in 113 games (16 starts) over three seasons in Boston. He has increased his scoring, rebounds, and assists in each year since joining the NBA.

Playing in a career-best 52 games (13 starts) in 2020-21, Williams III produced a career highs in points (8.0 ppg), rebounds (6.9 rpg), assists (1.8 apg), steals (0.8 spg), blocked shots (1.8 bpg) and minutes (18.9 mpg) last season. The Shreveport, LA native tallied a career-high 20 points on a perfect 9-of-9 shooting on April 2 vs. Houston, making him the first Celtics player in franchise history to produce 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 8+ assists while shooting 100% from the field.

Williams III set franchise marks during the 2021 NBA Playoffs as well, becoming the first Celtics player ever to record nine blocked shots in a postseason game during the team’s series-opening game against the Nets on May 22. He played in three games during that First Round matchup, averaging 6.3 points (64.3% FG), 5.0 rebounds, and 15.3 minutes.

Charlotte Hornets sign Terry Rozier to contract extension

The Charlotte Hornets have signed guard Terry Rozier to a multi-year contract extension.

Per the Charlotte Observer, “the Observer confirmed Thursday morning with a league source that Rozier will sign a maximum extension worth $97 million that will keep him with the Hornets through the 2025-26 season. He has one season left on his current contract.”

“In his two seasons with the Hornets, Terry Rozier has been an instrumental part of our team,” said Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak. “Terry is a highly competitive, tough and talented player that has continually improved all aspects of his game. He has provided leadership and an infectious work ethic that has been a tremendous benefit to our younger players. Terry is an important member of our young, talented team and we are thrilled to have him as a member of the Hornets organization for years to come.”

“Ever since I got to Charlotte, the fans and the organization have embraced me,” Rozier said, “I am excited to remain with the Hornets for the long term and I can’t wait to see what my teammates, coaches, the organization and I can accomplish in the coming years. I am grateful for the trust everyone has put in me and I cannot wait to get back to work for this upcoming season.”

A six-year veteran, Rozier averaged 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 34.5 minutes per game during the 2020-21 campaign, setting career-highs in points, assists and steals. In his second season with the Hornets, Rozier shot .450% from the field and made a career-best 222 3-point field goals, which ranked fifth in the NBA and is the fifth most made 3-pointers in a single season in franchise history. He finished the season with three games of 40 points or more, making him just the fourth player in team history to have three or more 40-point performances in a single season. Rozier was also just one of three players during the 2020-21 season with multiple 20-point fourth quarters as he earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week on March 29.

During his tenure with the Hornets, Rozier is averaging 19.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 34.4 minutes per game in 132 contests, including 394 made 3-point field goals, which ranks seventh among the franchise’s all-time leaders. For his career, Rozier has amassed averages of 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 24.7 minutes per game in 404 career contests with Charlotte and the Boston Celtics. Rozier has appeared in 50 career postseason games with Boston, averaging 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 24.7 minutes per game. He averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 36.6 minutes per game in 19 playoff games, all starts, during the 2018 NBA Playoffs.

An Ohio native, Rozier was acquired by Charlotte in a sign-and-trade with the Celtics on July 6, 2019.

Celtics sign Josh Richardson to contract extension

The Boston Celtics have signed six-year NBA veteran Josh Richardson to a contract extension.

“We feel fortunate to be able to extend Josh,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. “He is a talented offensive player, a versatile defender, and plays with an edge and toughness that Boston fans will love.”

Per the Boston Globe, the deal is “a one-year contract extension that will net him $24 million over the next two years” – that salary being in addiction to his current remaining contract.

Acquired as part of a two-player trade with the Mavericks on July 31, Richardson, 27, has posted career averages of 12.3 points (42.7% FG, 35.8% 3-PT, 83.2% FT), 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocked shots, and 30.6 minutes in 373 career games (299 starts) with Miami, Philadelphia, and Dallas. He has averaged at least 10.0 points in each of his last five seasons from 2016-17 to 2020-21, including a career-high 16.6 points per game with Miami in 2018-19.

Richardson produced 12.1 points (42.7% FG, 33.0% 3-PT, 91.7% FT), 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 30.3 minutes in 59 games (56 starts) with the Mavericks last season, marking the fourth time over the last five seasons he has recorded at least 10.0 points and 1.0 steals. The Oklahoma native was one of four NBA players to average 10.0 points and 1.0 steals while shooting at least 91.0% from the free throw line in 2020-21 (Paul/Curry/Irving).

Bucks sign head coach Mike Budenholzer to contract extension

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed head coach Mike Budenholzer to a multi-year contract extension.

Per the Bucks: “What an incredible journey we’ve been on and winning the NBA Championship this season makes us appreciate how difficult it is to win and how grateful we are to have the best players and coaches in place to get the job done,” said Bucks owners Marc Lasry, Wes Edens and Jamie Dinan. “Mike’s strong leadership, coaching expertise, commitment to player development, and adaptability have been instrumental as we work together to compete for and win championships. We’re thrilled with the work Bud has done together with Jon Horst and Peter Feigin and are proud to sign him to this extension.”

“The appreciation I have for being a part of the Bucks organization is hard to express,” Budenholzer said. “And today, to realize that Marc and Wes and Jamie from our ownership group, along with Jon as our GM, have extended my contract to be the head coach is very special — thank you!

“The players make the success happen on and off the court. We have the best players and to them I am grateful. They’ve grown and we’ve grown together during the last three seasons. We’ve had success along the way, finishing with an NBA Championship this season! The assistant coaches’ efforts and contributions to our success has been so vital also. Each of them individually are so important to me, and collectively they make so much good happen for me and our players. We all can’t wait to get back to work and face the great challenge of competing again for an NBA Championship. Again, being a part of the Bucks organization is very special. Let’s keep getting better and building great teams and doing great work on and off the court. Let’s go Bucks!!!”

And per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Budenholzer was named the 2018-19 coach of the year after leading the Bucks to a regular-season-best 60-22 mark in his first year on the bench, but the Bucks surrendered a 2-0 Eastern Conference finals lead to Toronto and eventually lost in six games. The Bucks marched to a 56-17 regular-season mark last year before exiting the playoffs in the second round of the “bubble” against Miami.”

Pacers sign DeJon Jarreau, waive Amida Brimah

The Indiana Pacers have signed guard DeJon Jarreau to a two-way contract.

And in a corresponding move, the Pacers waived center Amida Brimah.

Jarreau played three seasons at the University of Houston after he began his collegiate career at the University of Massachusetts. During his senior season in 2020-21, Jarreau earned honors as the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was named the 2021 NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player and helped lead Houston to the Final Four in Indianapolis.