Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Miami Heat sign rookie guard D.J. Stewart

The Miami Heat have signed rookie guard D.J. Stewart.

Stewart, who went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, has been playing for the Heat at Summer League, including two games played at the California Classic in Sacramento where he averaged 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.00 steals while shooting 42.9 percent from the field and totaled a +14 plus/minus.

He faces an uphill battle when it comes to making the Heat’s regular season roster.

Stewart played two seasons of college basketball at Mississippi State In 64 games (50 starts) for the Bulldogs, he averaged 12.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists in 32.4 minutes per game, on 42.5% FG shooting.

He finished his college hoops career with 792 career points, the 11th-most by an MSU player during their freshman and sophomore seasons, and was named to the All-SEC Second Team last year after scoring 528 points, the sixth-most by a sophomore in school history, while also becoming just one of 11 players nationally to score at least 500 points and dish out at least 100 assists.

Additionally, the two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection scored a season-high 32 points against Dayton on December 12 to become just the 13th sophomore in school history to post a 30-point game since 1954 and was the only player in program history to record three consecutive 20-point games during NCAA/NIT postseason play after doing so from March 20 – March 27.

Celtics sign-and-trade Evan Fournier to Knicks

The Boston Celtics have traded Evan Fournier in a sign-and-trade agreement, along with a 2023 second round draft pick, and a conditional 2022 second round draft pick (Charlotte’s, protected top 55) to the New York Knicks in exchange for cash considerations.

The transaction creates a trade exception for Boston.

“We identified Evan as a key addition as we entered free agency and are ecstatic that he’s joining us,” said New York Knicks President Leon Rose, “He’s a great teammate, a fierce competitor, and a perfect complement to our returning players. He wants to be a part of what we are building here, and we are happy to have him join our family.”

Fournier, 6-7, 205-pounds, spent last season with the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics, averaging 17.1 points, 3.4 assists and 3.0 rebounds over 30.0 minutes in 42 games (36 starts). He established career highs of 2.8 three-pointers per game and 41.3-percent shooting from behind the arc, which was seventh best in the NBA among players who attempted at least six threes per game. This marked the third time in his career that he shot at least 40-percent from downtown and the eighth time that he hit 35-percent of those shots or better. On March 25, Fournier was traded to Boston where he produced 13.0 points (46.3-percent 3P), 3.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists over 29.5 minutes in 16 games (10 starts) helping lead the Celtics to the NBA Playoffs. He averaged 19.7 points in 26 games (all starts) for Orlando, which would’ve been a career best for a single season.

Most recently the Saint-Maurice, France-native represented his country in the Olympic games in Tokyo, Japan, earning the silver medal after averaging a team best 18.7 points to go along with 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists over 28.2 minutes in six games. This was his first Olympic medal, the first for France since 2000 and just the third Olympic medal overall for the men’s basketball team.

Originally selected by Denver with the 20th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Fournier holds career averages of 14.3 points on 37.9-percent from downtown, 2.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists over 28.5 minutes in nine seasons with the Nuggets, Magic, and Celtics. He is one of 34 NBA players to average more than 15.0 points and shoot greater than 35-percent from beyond the arc in each of the last six seasons (2015-16 thru 2020-21).

Pelicans re-sign Willy Hernangomez and Didi Louzada

The New Orleans Pelicans have re-signed center Willy Hernangómez and guard Didi Louzada.

“The passion Willy and Didi have for their teammates and our greater Pelicans community is reflected every day in their approach to the game,” said Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “Their joyful outlook, work ethic, attention to detail and desire to grow and evolve as professionals has been infectious and we look forward to continuing towards our goals together deep into the future.”

Signed as a free agent on November 30, 2020, Hernangómez appeared in 47 games (12 starts) for New Orleans during the 2020-21 season, averaging 7.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 18.0 minutes per game. Hernangómez shot a career-best .563 from the field and tallied 11 double-doubles on the year.

Selected 35th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, the native of Madrid, Spain, has appeared in 256 career regular season games with New York, Charlotte, and New Orleans, holding averages of 7.1 points on .537 shooting from the field, 5.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 15.0 minutes.

Louzada, who was originally signed by New Orleans on April 27, 2021, appeared in three games for the Pelicans last season. The Brazilian native previously played two seasons (2019-21) for the Sydney Kings of NBL Australia, where he appeared in 45 games and averaged 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.

Selected with the 35th pick in the 2019 draft by Atlanta, Louzada’s draft rights were acquired by New Orleans along with draft rights to Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes, in exchange for the draft rights to De’Andre Hunter, Solomon Hill, and a future second-round draft pick on July 6, 2019.

Grizzlies trade Eric Bledsoe to Clippers for Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo and Daniel Oturu

The Memphis Grizzlies have acquired guards Patrick Beverley and Rajon Rondo and center Daniel Oturu in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Eric Bledsoe.

“We are excited to add Eric, a strong, versatile guard and an established playmaker who can attack the paint and defend multiple positions,” said Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. “Eric started his career with the Clippers and we’re delighted to bring him back.”

Bledsoe has appeared in 702 games (539 starts) and owns career averages of 14.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 28.0 minutes during his 11-year NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Clippers. Selected 18th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft out of the University of Kentucky, the 31-year-old averaged 12.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 29.7 minutes over 71 games (70 starts) for New Orleans last season.

“It’s always difficult to part with people we care about, respect and admire,” said Frank. “Pat has been a pillar of our team for the past four years. He helped build our foundation with his vocal leadership and competitive spirit. Pat played a vital role in some of our most significant achievements. We are grateful for his presence and for the contributions of Rajon, a premier orchestrator, and Daniel, a promising young center. We wish them the best.”

Per the Los Angeles Times, “in addition to dumping the expiring contracts owed to Beverley and Rondo off their books, the Clippers aren’t locked in long-term with Bledsoe; only $3.9 million of his $19 million salary next season is guaranteed. His addition was a bet on the belief that the Clippers’ ability to spread the floor with three-point shooting will play to Bledsoe’s strengths by opening driving lanes to the rim.”

Beverley (6-1, 180) has appeared in 468 games (384 starts) and holds career averages of 8.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.14 steals in 27.6 minutes in his nine-year NBA career with Houston and the Clippers. Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 42nd pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of the University of Arkansas, the 33-year-old Chicago native competed in 37 games (34 starts) and averaged 7.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 22.5 minutes for the Clippers last season.

Rondo (6-1, 180) has appeared in 918 games (732 starts) and owns career averages of 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.62 steals in 30.4 minutes in his 15-year NBA career with Boston, Dallas, Sacramento, Chicago, New Orleans, the Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta and the Clippers. Drafted by Phoenix with the 21st overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft out of the University of Kentucky, the 35-year-old Louisville native split last season with the Hawks and Clippers and averaged 5.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 17.1 minutes in 45 games (three starts).

Oturu (6-10, 240) appeared in 30 games off the bench and averaged 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.4 minutes as a rookie for the Clippers last season. The 21-year-old Brooklyn native was selected by Minnesota with the 33rd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of the University of Minnesota.

Rockets sign rookie forward Usman Garuba

The Houston Rockets have signed forward Usman Garuba, who was the 23rd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

After competing for the Spanish national team in the Olympics, the 19-year-old joined the Rockets entry in NBA Summer League 2021, which runs through Aug. 17 in Las Vegas.

Garuba (6-8, 220) spent last season with Real Madrid in Spain’s Liga ACB and was the recipient of the ACB Best Young Player award along with being named the EuroLeague Rising Star, recognizing the top player under the age of 22.

Including their run to the ACB championship game, Real Madrid posted a 38-5 mark, with Garuba averaging 5.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game. During the EuroLeague playoffs, he became the youngest player in the competition’s postseason history to record a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds vs. Anadolu Efes.

Nets sign rookie forward Kessler Edwards to two-way contract

The Brooklyn Nets have signed rookie forward Kessler Edwards to a two-way contract.

Edwards (6’8”, 215) was selected with the 44th pick in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft by Brooklyn after a three-year (2018-21) collegiate career at Pepperdine. In 93 career games (85 starts) for the Waves, Edwards registered averages of 13.4 points on 47.7 percent shooting from the field, 38.7 percent shooting from 3-point range and 78.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals in 32.0 minutes per game. As a junior, he saw action in 27 games (26 starts), posting averages of 17.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals in 33.9 minutes per contest. Edwards was an All-WCC First Team selection as a junior, All-WCC Second Team selection as a sophomore and was named to the WCC All-Freshman team after his first season. The 20-year-old finished his collegiate career in Pepperdine’s top 10 in blocked shots (127), free-throw percentage (78.8 percent) and 3-pointers made (148).

A native of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Edwards has appeared in three games with the Nets’ Summer League team in Las Vegas, recording averages of 5.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game. He totaled 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in 31 minutes in his best Summer League performance, which came in a victory over the Wizards on Aug. 12.

Pelicans sign rookie forward Herbert Jones

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed rookie forward Herbert Jones.

Jones, who was drafted by the Pelicans with the 35th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, started all 33 games he played during his senior season at the University of Alabama, averaging 11.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field.

He was named the 2021 SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, becoming just the third player in conference history to win both honors in the same season. Jones was also named to the 2021 All-SEC First Team and SEC All-Defensive Team while leading the Crimson Tide to the conference’s regular season and tournament titles.

In his four collegiate seasons at Alabama, Jones appeared in 129 games (101 starts) and finished with career averages of 7.3 points and 4.9 rebounds in 23.8 minutes per game.

Jones has appeared in all four NBA Summer League contests for the Pelicans, averaging 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 21.7 minutes per game.

Heat re-sign Udonis Haslem for a 19th season

The Miami Heat yesterday re-signed forward Udonis Haslem.

“Mister Miami is back!” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “Yes! Udonis Haslem has agreed to come back and play the game he loves so much. What he loves more than that is to be on the court teaching and competing against the World’s best. UD is a legacy player…ONE PLAYER, ONE CITY, ONE TEAM. Thank you, UD, for coming back to lead again in your city, your organization and your team.”

Haslem, a three-time NBA Champion, has played his entire 18-year NBA career with the HEAT and currently holds the longest streak by any active player with only one team in the league. He has appeared in 859 career regular season games (500 starts) and averaged 7.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 25.1 minutes while shooting 49 percent from the field and 75.5 percent from the foul line. The Miami native is the franchise’s all-time leader in offensive, defensive and total rebounds and also ranks among the HEAT’s all-time leaders in games played (2nd), starts (2nd), minutes (2nd), double-doubles (4th), field goals made (5th), points (7th), field goal percentage (8th), free throws made (8th), double-figure scoring efforts (9th), blocks (10th), steals (10th), assists (17th) and free throw percentage (22nd). Additionally, he is the only undrafted player in NBA history to lead a franchise in total rebounds and has served as captain of the HEAT in each of the past 14 seasons, the longest tenure in team history.

Haslem has also seen action in 147 postseason games (84 starts) as a member of the HEAT and averaged 5.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 21.7 minutes while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 71.3 percent from the foul line. In addition to being the HEAT’s all-time leader in offensive rebounds in postseason play, he also ranks among Miami’s all-time postseason leaders in games played (2nd), total rebounds (2nd), starts (3rd), minutes (3rd), defensive rebounds (3rd), double-doubles (4th), field goals made (5th), free throws made (5th), steals (5th), dunks (5th), points (6th), double-figure scoring efforts (tied-6th) and blocked shots (7th).

Nuggets sign guard Markus Howard to two-way contract

The Denver Nuggets have signed guard Markus Howard to a two-way contract.

Howard, 5-11, 180, appeared in 37 games (one start) for Denver during the 2020-21 season, averaging 2.8 points in 5.5 minutes per game. He also appeared in nine games for the Nuggets in the playoffs, posting 4.7 points on 42.3% shooting from three-point range in 12.4 minutes per game.

Howard went undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft after a prolific four-year career at Marquette University. In 29 games (all starts) as a senior in 2019-20, Howard led the nation in scoring, averaging 27.8 points per game, adding 3.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists, shooting 44.4% from the field and 41.2% from three in 33.2 minutes. He was unanimously named to the 2019-20 All-America First Team.

The Morristown, New Jersey, native set the Big East all-time scoring record with 1,587 points over his four-year career and ranks 21st on the NCAA’s all-time scoring list with 2,761 points. Howard also broke school records in scoring, free throws made (599) and three-pointers made (434). He scored 51 points vs. USC on November 29th, 2019 becoming the third major-conference player to record a 50-point game in three consecutive seasons, joining Wayman Tisdale and Pete Maravich.

Sacramento Kings sign center Alex Len

The Sacramento Kings have signed center Alex Len.

“It is great to welcome Alex back to the Kings,” said McNair. “Alex will add toughness, competitiveness and experience while securing our front line depth.”

Len returns to the Kings averaging career marks of 7.8 points (.506 FG%, .332 3pt%, .685 FT%), 6.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.0 blocks and 19.1 minutes per game through 531 games (225 starts) for five teams: Phoenix (2013-18), Atlanta (2018-20), Sacramento (2019-20), Toronto (2020-21) and Washington (2020-21). In 64 games for both Toronto and Washington during the 2020-21 season, Len garnered averages of 6.6 points, (.615 FG%, .320 3pt%, .629 FT%), 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 15.3 minutes per game.