Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Mavericks sign rookie forward Eugene Omoruyi to two-way contract

The Dallas Mavericks have signed rookie free agent forward Eugene Omoruyi to a two-way contract.

Omoruyi (6-6, 235) signs with Dallas after going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft. He finished his collegiate career at Oregon, where he earned All-Pac-12 First Team honors, after playing three seasons at Rutgers. In his four-year collegiate career, Omoruyi averaged 9.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 22.8 minutes in 121 games (72 starts).

As a senior, Omoruyi averaged a team-high 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 30.6 minutes while shooting 47.3% (174-368 FG) from the field, 37.6% (41-109 3FG) from behind-the-arc and 76.5% (91-119 FT) from the foul line. He was the only Duck to start all 28 games and helped lead Oregon to the Sweet 16.

Born in Benin City, Nigeria, Omoruyi and his family moved to Canada when he was a toddler. He attended Orangeville Prep in Orangeville, Ontario, where he played high school basketball with future NBA lottery picks Jamal Murray and Thon Maker.

Omoruyi (oh-moh-ROO-yee) will wear No. 2 for the Mavericks.

The Mavericks roster now stands at 17 players.

Boston Celtics sign Dennis Schroder

The Boston Celtics have signed eight-year NBA veteran Dennis Schröder, the team announced today.

Schroder’s Celtics contract is reportedly a one-year, $5.9 million deal.

“We are really excited to welcome Dennis and his family to Boston,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. “Dennis is a high-level player and competitor, who has consistently impacted winning with his play on both ends of the court.”

Per Boston.com, “Schroder improves the Celtics’ point-guard depth significantly, giving Marcus Smart a reliable back-up option. Without Schroder, second-year guard Payton Pritchard likely would have had a lot of responsibility (and he still might, if the Celtics prioritize 3-point shooting at the point-guard position). But Schroder gives the Celtics another pick-and-roll operator who can play next to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both on and off the ball.”

Schröder, 27, has averaged 14.3 points (43.6% FG, 33.7% 3-PT, 83.1% FT), 2.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 26.2 minutes in 557 career games (238 starts) over eight NBA seasons with Atlanta, Oklahoma City, and the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran guard has averaged at least 15.0 points in five straight seasons from 2016-17 through 2020-21, including a career-best 19.4 points on 43.6% shooting with the Hawks in 2017-18.

Schröder joins Boston after averaging 15.4 points (43.7% FG, 33.5% 3-PT, 84.8% FT), and 5.8 assists in 61 games (all starts) with the Lakers in 2020-21, marking the third time in his career he’s produced at least 15.0 points and 5.0 assists. The Braunschweig, Germany native reached the 20-point mark 16 times last season, including a season-high 28 points (11-20 FG) and nine assists at Sacramento on March 3. His 1.1 steals per game represents a new career high.

Celtics sign rookie forward Sam Hauser to two-way contract

The Boston Celtics have signed rookie forward Sam Hauser to a two-way contract.

Hauser, 23, joins the Celtics after playing his senior season for the University of Virginia, where he averaged a career-best 16.0 points on 50.3% shooting (41.7% 3-PT), 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 34.2 minutes in 25 games played (all starts). He reached the 20-point mark on six occasions and tallied at least three 3-pointers 13 times en route to earning 2020-21 All-ACC First Team honors.

In four collegiate seasons between Marquette University (2016-17 – 2018-19) and Virginia, the Stevens Point WI native produced 13.3 points (48.3% FG, 43.9% 3-PT, 88.0% FT), 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 31.6 minutes in 126 career games (121 starts).

Hauser has played in each of the Celtics three Summer League games, averaging 9.7 points on 43.5% shooting (8-20 3-PT), 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. He scored a game-high 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting (6-10 3-PT) in the team’s most recent game against Orlando on Aug. 12.

Boston Celtics sign Enes Kanter

The Boston Celtics have signed 10-year NBA center Enes Kanter.

“Enes has a unique ability to both score and rebound. Beyond his on-court contributions, he is a great teammate. We are thrilled he chose to return to Boston,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens.”

Kanter, 29, returns to Boston after averaging 11.2 points (60.4% FG, 77.4% FT), 11.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 24.4 minutes with Portland in 2020-21. He was the only player in the NBA to average at least 11.0 points and 11.0 rebounds while playing in all 72 games last season.

A member of the Celtics 2019-20 roster, Kanter produced 8.1 points (57.2% FG), 7.4 rebounds, and 16.9 minutes in 58 games (seven starts) during his lone season in Boston. He tallied nine double-doubles and reached the 20-point mark twice, including a season-high 22-point performance (10-13 FG) against New Orleans on Jan. 11, 2020.

Originally selected by Utah with the third overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Kanter has averaged 11.5 points (54.8% FG, 77.6% FT), 7.9 rebounds, and 22.0 minutes in 713 career games (258 starts) with Utah, Oklahoma City, New York, Boston, and Portland. He has averaged double-digit scoring in seven of his last eight seasons.

Houston Rockets sign Matthew Hurt to two-way contract

The Houston Rockets have signed rookie free agent forward Matthew Hurt to a two-way contract.

Hurt (6-9, 235) was eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft following his sophomore season at Duke. He was named ACC Most Improved Player this past season after averaging a conference-high 18.3 points and 6.2 rebounds as a sophomore, up from 9.7 ppg and 3.8 rpg as a freshman. For his career, Hurt shot 52.6% from the floor and 42.1% from 3-point range.

As a senior at John Marshall High School in Minnesota, Hurt averaged 37.4 points and 12.4 rebounds and was a McDonald’s All-American. He won a gold medal with USA Basketball at the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship.

The 21-year-old is currently playing for the Rockets entry in NBA Summer League 2021, which runs through Aug. 17 in Las Vegas.

Clippers re-sign Kawhi Leonard

The LA Clippers yesterday re-signed free agent Kawhi Leonard.

Per the Los Angeles Times, “a person with knowledge of the contract said Thursday that the fourth year is a player option; he will earn $176 million over the length of the deal. The final season runs through 2024-25, the same season the Clippers hope to open their proposed arena in Inglewood that carries a privately financed budget of $1.8 billion.”

Per the Orange County Register, “Leonard will earn $176.3 million on a deal that will run through 2025, the season after the Clippers plan to open their new home arena in Inglewood.”

“Kawhi is a transcendent player and a relentless worker who improves himself every day,” said Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. “We share many of the same goals, which include a long-term relationship. This agreement marks another important moment for our franchise and our fans, as we strive to create a championship-caliber organization, where players find the success and fulfillment they seek. We’re eager to continue building with Kawhi. For now, we will do whatever we can to support him in his recovery from injury. We look forward to seeing him back where he wants to be, on the court with his teammates.”

More from the Register: “The Clippers were in a position to offer Leonard – who had surgery on his knee on July 13 – two different deals, including the one he signed (which was less than the four-year, $181.5 million contract extension he could have signed if he had not opted out of his previous deal).”

Last season, Leonard’s second with the Clippers, he appeared in 52 games and led the NBA in offensive rating (121.4), ranked fourth in net rating (12.2), and tied for fifth in steals per game (1.6). The five-time NBA All-Star averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and a career-high 5.2 assists while shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 88.5 percent from the free-throw line. A 6-foot-7 forward, Leonard scored 30 points or more with zero turnovers in four regular-season games, most in the NBA.

The two-time Defensive Player of the Year was named to his seventh All-Defensive team after helping the Clippers finish the season eighth in defensive rating (110.6) and second in net rating (6.1). Leonard was also named to his third All-NBA First Team, the only player to average at least 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.5 steals.

Originally selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Leonard has appeared in 576 career games, averaging 19.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, and Clippers. In 2012, Leonard was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

A native of Moreno Valley, Calif., Leonard played two seasons of college basketball at San Diego State University, averaging 14.1 points and 10.2 rebounds, and was named second-team All-American after his sophomore year. His No. 15 jersey was retired by the Aztecs in Feb. 2020.

Clippers re-sign Nicolas Batum

The LA Clippers have re-signed free agent Nicolas Batum.

Per the Los Angeles Times, “Batum agreed to take less money than he could have — a first-year salary projected to be around $3.2 million, instead of the team’s taxpayer mid-level exception worth $5.9 million.”

“Nico is a terrific player, a selfless teammate and a consummate professional, who lifts us in a lot of different ways,” Frank said. “He fit in perfectly from the beginning, and we’re grateful he’s chosen to return.”

Batum, 32, appeared in 67 games for the Clippers last season. The versatile veteran averaged 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting 40.4 percent. During the Clippers run to the 2021 Western Conference Finals, Batum averaged 8.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 29.2 minutes. The 6-foot-8 forward has appeared in 856 career games with averages of 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over 13 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, and Clippers.

From Lisieux, France, Batum has been a member of the French National Team since 2009, representing his country in the 2012 and 2021 Olympics, 2010 FIBA World Championship, 2014 FIBA World Cup, and 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA European Championships. He led France to a gold medal in the 2013 European Championship, silver medals in the 2011 European Championship and the 2021 Olympics, and bronze medals in the 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2015 European Championship.

Trail Blazers sign rookie forward Greg Brown III

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed rookie forward Greg Brown III.

Brown, 19, was selected by the Pelicans with the 43rd overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft. The Trail Blazers acquired his draft rights on draft night in exchange for a future second-round draft pick and cash considerations.

As a freshman at Texas during the 2020-21 season, Brown (6-9, 205) averaged 9.3 points (42.0% FG, 33.0% 3-PT, 70.8% FT), 6.2 rebounds and 1.00 block in 26 games (24 starts). He was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection and was named to the All-Big 12 Newcomer Team and Freshman Team.

Brown attended Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas. As a senior, he was a McDonald’s All-American and selected as the 2019-20 Gatorade Texas Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

Utah Jazz sign rookie guard Jared Butler

The Utah Jazz have signed rookie guard Jared Butler.

Butler (6-3, 195, Baylor) was picked 40th overall (2nd round) in the 2021 NBA draft. He ranked third in the Big 12 in scoring in 2020-21, averaging 16.7 points to go with 4.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals while shooting 41.6 percent from three-point range as a junior.

The 20-year-old guard helped lead Baylor to a 2021 NCAA Championship, posting 22 points and seven assists in the title game and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Butler earned 2020-21 Consensus All-America First Team, All-Big 12 First Team and All-Big 12 Defensive Team honors.

The Reserve, La. native spent three seasons at Baylor, appearing in 94 games (81 starts) with averages of 14.2 points, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 29.1 minutes per game.

Denver Nuggets sign Jeff Green

The Denver Nuggets have signed forward Jeff Green to a multiyear contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

“We are very excited to welcome Jeff and his family to Denver,” said Connelly. “He brings a wealth of experience to our team; his impact will be felt both on the court and in the locker room.”

Green’s Nuggets contract is reportedly a two-year, $10 million deal.

Green, 6-8, 235, appeared in 68 games (38 stars) for the Brooklyn Nets last season, averaging 11.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 27.0 minutes while shooting 49.2% from the field and a career-high 41.2% from three. Green scored in double figures in 42 games and had 16 games making three or more three-point field goals. He also played in six playoff games (one start), averaging 8.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists, shooting 55.6% from three in 24.7 minutes.

The 14-year NBA veteran has appeared in 967 career games (583 starts) for Oklahoma City, Boston, Memphis, Cleveland, Washington, Orlando, Utah, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston and Brooklyn. He holds career averages of 12.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists, shooting 44.4% from the field and 34.0% from three-point range.

The 34-year-old native of Cheverly, Maryland was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the fifth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft after spending three seasons at Georgetown University. Following his rookie season, Green was selected to the 2007-08 NBA All-Rookie First Team.