Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Toronto Raptors sign Sam Dekker

The Toronto Raptors have signed free agent forward Sam Dekker.

Dekker, a native of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, was selected 18th overall by Houston in the 2015 NBA Draft and played four seasons with the Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards. He holds career averages of 5.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 15.1 minutes in 200 NBA appearances. Dekker has spent the past two seasons overseas, playing in Russia for PBC Lokomotiv Kuban in the VTB United League and most recently Turk Telekom in the Turkish Super League.

Dekker played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin for three seasons, where he heled the Badgers reach the NCAA Tournament championship game in 2015.

Philadelphia 76ers re-sign Furkan Korkmaz

The Philadelphia 76ers have re-signed Furkan Korkmaz.

“We’re thrilled that Furkan is returning to the 76ers. His work ethic and commitment have helped him evolve into a high-level rotation player in the NBA,” Morey said. “He’s proven to be a dangerous three-point threat and he continues to make great strides as a defender thanks to his length and size. We’re excited for Furkan’s future here.”

Last season, Korkmaz appeared in 55 games (11 starts) for Philadelphia, averaging 9.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and a career-best 1.5 assists in 19.3 minutes per game. In 44 games off the bench, Korkmaz posted 8.2 points per contest, which was second among 76ers reserves. In those 44 games, Philadelphia compiled a record of 32-12 (.727), as Korkmaz led the 76ers bench with 71 makes from beyond the arc.

In four NBA seasons, all with Philadelphia, Korkmaz has seen action in 189 games (30 starts), averaging 8.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game while shooting .377 from three-point range. Over the last two seasons, Korkmaz has made the sixth-most three-pointers of any NBA reserve, while converting on 40-percent of his attempts.

Philadelphia selected Korkmaz with the No. 26 overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft. Korkmaz spent the 2016-17 season with Banvit (Turkey), helping Banvit win the team’s first Turkish Cup in February. A native of Istanbul, Korkmaz has been named a Turkish Basketball Super League All-Star three times and is a two-time Turkish Cup champion. He has represented his home country of Turkey in international play in multiple competitions, earning a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship and silver at the same event in 2015.

During the 2018 FIBA World Cup, Korkmaz helped lead Turkey by averaging 11.8 points per game, good for third on the team. This year, Korkmaz shouldered the scoring load for Turkey in the Olympic qualifying games, averaging a team-best 16.0 points, including back-to-back 20-point games.

Houston Rockets re-sign David Nwaba

The Houston Rockets have re-signed forward David Nwaba.

Nwaba (6-5, 219) originally signed as a free agent with Houston on June 23, 2020. He appeared in 30 games with nine starts last season, averaging 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.00 steals in 22.6 minutes per game. Nwaba was one of three players in 2020-21 to have averaged at least 9.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, and 1.00 spg in fewer than 23.0 mpg.

Over his final 20 games played, Nwaba shot 51.7% from the floor and grabbed at least two offensive rebounds 12 times. Since entering the league in 2016-17, he is one of four players listed 6’5” or shorter with at least 100 games played to have shot 49.0% or better.

Nwaba was eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft following his senior year at Cal Poly. The Los Angeles native began his career with the Lakers and has also played for Chicago, Cleveland, and Brooklyn.

Indiana Pacers add Jannero Pargo and Zach Chu to coaching staff

The Indiana Pacers announced Monday they have made two additions to head coach Rick Carlisle’s staff.

Jannero Pargo was hired as a player development assistant. Pargo spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers. Prior to his time in Portland, he served as an assistant coach for the Windy City Bulls in the NBA G League for two seasons (2017-19). A native of Chicago, Pargo played 11 NBA seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets.

Zach Chu was named Manager of Game Strategy and Analytics. Chu spent the last two seasons as a basketball analyst on Carlisle’s staff with the Dallas Mavericks. Prior to that, Chu served as an assistant coach of the Texas Legends in the NBA G League and spent a year with the Los Angeles Clippers. Chu is a graduate of the University of Richmond where he played four seasons for the Spiders’ men’s basketball team.

In addition, the Pacers announced they have retained player development coaches Calbert Cheaney and Tyler Marsh, player development assistant Maurice Baker and video coordinator Dylan DeBusk.

A native of Evansville, Ind., Cheaney enters his second season as a member of the Pacers’ staff. He previously served in coaching roles as an assistant in the NBA G League with the Erie BayHawks for two seasons, as an assistant at St. Louis University for three seasons, as Director of Basketball Operations at Indiana University for two seasons and as an assistant for the Golden State Warriors for one year. Cheaney played 13 NBA seasons for Washington, Boston, Denver, Utah and Golden State. He starred during his collegiate career at Indiana University from 1989-93, was named a three-time All-American and remains the Big Ten Conference’s leading scorer with 2,613 career points. Cheaney is married to his wife, Yvette, and they have one son, Julian, and one daughter, Sydney.

Marsh is also entering his second season with the Pacers. He spent two seasons as a video coordinator and player development coach with Toronto, helping the Raptors earn the NBA title in 2019. Marsh also spent four seasons as an assistant in the NBA G League with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Bakersfield Jam, Iowa Wolves and Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He played two seasons at the University of Alabama-Birmingham before finishing his playing career at Birmingham Southern College.

Baker will begin his second season in his role as player development assistant. A Madison, Ill. native, Baker played collegiately at Oklahoma State from 1998-2002. He played in the NBA during the 2004-05 season with the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers. Baker also played nine seasons in the NBA G League, as well as time spent in professional leagues in Lithuania and France. ‘

DeBusk joined Indiana’s staff prior to the 2020-21 season. He served in a number of roles within the Phoenix Suns’ organization over the previous six seasons. He began in the NBA G League in 2014 as an assistant coach for the Bakersfield Jam in 2014-15. DeBusk was eventually promoted to assistant general manager of the Northern Arizona Suns and held the interim general manager title in 2018-19.

Atlanta Hawks sign Gorgui Dieng

The Atlanta Hawks have signed center Gorgui Dieng.

“With the signing of Gorgui, we’ve added more size and depth to our frontcourt rotation. He’s an experienced big with length who can space the floor and defend,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Travis Schlenk.

Dieng, a 6’10 center, played in 38 games (one start) last season with the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs, averaging 6.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 14.5 minutes (.521 FG%, career-bests of .429 3FG% and .866 FT%). In 553 career regular season games (205 starting assignments) with the Timberwolves, Grizzlies and Spurs, the eight-year veteran has averaged 7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.5 minutes (.501 FG%, .357 3FG%, .793 FT%). He has five games of postseason experience (with Minnesota in 2017-18), averaging 3.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14.0 minutes.

The native of Senegal was selected in the first round (21st overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft by Utah before being traded to the Timberwolves on draft night. He won the 2013 NCAA Championship in his junior season at Louisville, when he was also named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and All-Big East First Team.

Pelicans trade Lonzo Ball to Bulls

The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired guard Tomáš Satoranský, guard Garrett Temple, a 2024 second round pick and cash considerations from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Lonzo Ball.

“Tomáš and Garrett will bring incredible veteran presence, feel and versatility to both sides of the floor for our lineup,” said Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “Both have also distinguished themselves as teammates and leaders in their communities. We couldn’t be happier to welcome them to New Orleans.”

Satoranský, 6-7, 210, appeared in 55 games (18 starts) for the Bulls last season and averaged 7.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 22.5 minutes per game. Originally drafted 32nd overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, Satoranský has appeared in 333 career games (169 starts) over five seasons with Washington and Chicago, averaging 7.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 23.2 minutes per contest.

Temple, 6-5, 195, who is entering his 12th NBA season, has appeared in 632 career games (272 starts), averaging 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 21.7 minutes per contest. The LSU product appeared in 56 games (25 starts) for Chicago last season and averaged 7.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 27.3 minutes per game.

“In his two seasons with us, Lonzo has had a profound impact on this team and upon this community,” added Griffin. “His growth and development as a player have been evident and his charitable works, while largely unheralded, have been every bit as impressive. We appreciate his total contributions to the Pelicans’ family and wish him every success moving forward.”

Ball, 6-6, 190, appeared in 118 games (109 starts) over the last two seasons with the Pelicans, averaging 13.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Ball has appeared in 217 career games (204 starts) over the last four seasons with the Lakers and Pelicans, holding averages of 11.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game.

Knicks sign rookie Jericho Sims to two-way contract

The New York Knicks today signed forward Jericho Sims to a two-way contract.

Sims, 6-10, 245-pounds, was originally selected by the Knicks in the second round (58th overall) in the 2021 NBA Draft. He finished a four-year career at the University of Texas with averages of 6.6 points and 5.4 rebounds over 20.5 minutes in 119 games (77 starts). In his final season in Austin, he earned All-Big 12 honors, after recording 9.2 points on a career high 69.6-percent shooting, to go along with a team-leading 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 27 games (26 starts). His field goal percentage was good for second in school history for a single season (min. 200 points scored). In the postseason, he was named to the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team after helping lead Texas to their first Big 12 tournament title since 1995. He averaged 15.5 points (76.5-percent shooting), 12.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks during the tournament.

The Minneapolis, MN-native attended the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in his hometown. He finished his prep career as the all-time leading scorer (2,005 career points) in Cristo Rey Jesuit history and averaged 25.0 points and over 10.0 rebounds in his senior season.

Raptors sign Ishmail Wainright and Justin Champagnie

The Toronto Raptors yesterday signed free agent forwards Ishmail Wainright to a multi-year contract and Justin Champagnie (Sham-Penny) to a two-way contract.

Wainwright, 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, played two seasons in Germany (2018-20) before joining Strasbourg (France) last season where he averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 27.9 minutes in 50 games. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Wainwright played four collegiate seasons at Baylor (2013-17) earning Big-12 All-Defensive Team honours as a senior.

Champagnie, 6-foot-6, 200 pounds, posted averages of 18.0 points, 11.1 rebounds and 34.4 minutes in 20 games as a sophomore at Pittsburgh last season. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in rebounding and was the first Pitt player to average at least 18.0 points and 10.0 rebounds since Billy Knight in 1973-74. A Brooklyn native, Champagnie was named to the All-ACC First Team and was an AP All-American Honourable Mention.

Houston Rockets sign rookies Alperen Sengun and Josh Christopher

The Houston Rockets yesterday signed rookie forward/center Alperen Sengun and rookie guard Josh Christopher.

Sengun (6-9, 235), was the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by Oklahoma City before his rights were acquired by Houston in exchange for two future first round picks owed to the Rockets via Detroit and Washington. The native of Turkey recently turned 19 years old and was the Turkish Super League MVP this past season for his club, Besiktas.

In 34 league games, Sengun averaged 18.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals while shooting 62.6% from the floor and 81.2% from the foul line. The 19-year-old also averaged 23.0 ppg on 71.0% shooting in three FIBA Europe Cup games and played for the Turkish national team during Olympic qualifying this summer.

Christopher (6-5, 215) was the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by Houston following his freshman season at Arizona State. He appeared in 15 games for the Sun Devils, averaging 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.5 steals.

The 19-year-old scored 28 points in his second career game vs. Villanova and posted 22 points with 11 rebounds against UCLA, which went onto play in the Final Four. A McDonald’s All-American, Christopher averaged 29.4 points and 11.2 rebounds as a senior at Mayfair High School in California.

Charlotte Hornets sign rookie guard DJ Carton

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced yesterday that the team has signed DJ Carton, who went undrafted.

A 6-2 guard, Carton made 27 appearances during the 2020-21 season with the Marquette Golden Eagles, averaging 13.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 31.1 minutes per game. Over his two-year collegiate career with Marquette and Ohio State, he averaged 11.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 28.0 minutes per game in 47 games.

Born in Pineville, North Carolina, Carton grew up in Bettendorf Iowa and played at Bettendorf High School. He is set to appear for Charlotte at the MGM Resorts Summer League 2021.