Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Bulls sign-and-trade Daniel Theis to Rockets

The Houston Rockets have acquired center Daniel Theis via a sign-and-trade from Chicago in exchange for cash considerations.

“Daniel is a versatile center who impacts both ends of the court,” said Rockets general manager Rafael Stone. “We’re looking forward to adding his skillset to our young core and giving Coach Silas even more flexibility with his lineups.”

Theis’ Rockets contract is reportedly a four-year, $36 million deal.

Theis (6-8, 245) spent his first three and a half seasons with Boston prior to being acquired by Chicago as part of a three-team trade with Washington on March 25, 2021. For his career, Theis has appeared in 259 games with 120 starts while averaging 7.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 19.3 minutes per game.

Over the past two seasons, Theis was one of four players to have averaged at least 9.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 1.00 bpg in fewer than 25.0 mpg. He joined Anthony Davis and Robert Covington as the only players over that span to have recorded at least 1,200 points, 700 rebounds, 200 assists, 140 blocks, 70 steals, and 80 3-pointers made. Since entering the league in 2017-18, Theis joins Giannis Antetokounmpo and John Collins as the only players to have shot 55.0% or better from the floor with at least 100 3-pointers made.

Prior to joining the Celtics, Theis spent seven seasons playing professionally in his home country of Germany. He won three straight German league championships with Bamberg from 2015 through 2017.

Miami Heat re-sign Victor Oladipo

The Miami Heat have re-signed guard Victor Oladipo.

“We really like Victor’s versatility and how he impacts the game in multiple ways,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “His speed skill set fits perfectly into the core we have built.”

Per the Miami Herald, “Oladipo agreed to a one-year minimum deal worth about $2.4 million on Wednesday to return to the Heat, according to a league source.”

Oladipo, a two-time NBA All-Star, appeared in 33 games (all starts) last season between the HEAT, Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers averaging 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.39 steals and 32.7 minutes while shooting 40.8 percent from the field. He scored in double figures 29 times, including 18 games with at least 20 points and three 30-point performances.

More from the Herald: “Oladipo, 29, was traded to the Heat in March but played in just four games with Miami before feeling discomfort in his right knee and eventually undergoing surgery to repair the quadriceps tendon in the knee on May 13. He ruptured that same tendon in January 2019 before returning a year later in January 2020.”

Oladipo has appeared in 454 regular season games (394 starts) during his eight-year NBA career and has averaged 17.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.64 steals and 33.0 minutes while shooting 43.8 percent from the floor, 34.7 percent from three-point range and 79.1 percent from the foul line.

Oladipo had season-ending surgery on his right knee on May 13, 2021, and will continue his rehab.

Miami Heat re-sign Jimmy Butler

The Miami Heat have re-signed forward Jimmy Butler.

“Jimmy is the anchor and face of our franchise along with Bam and Kyle,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “With Jimmy, we get an All-NBA player, an All-NBA Defensive player, tough as nails and a complete player across the board. He’s very deserving of this contract as he continually puts himself at the top of the league at his position. Having him in the HEAT organization has been a great, great coup for us.”

Per the Miami Herald, “that commitment resulted in Butler signing a maximum four-year extension worth $184 million on Saturday that keeps him under contract with the Heat through the 2025-26 season. Friday marked the first day that Butler, who turns 32 on Sept. 14, was eligible to sign the deal.”

The All-NBA Third Team recipient started all 52 games in which he appeared last season and averaged a team-leading 21.5 points, a team-best 7.1 assists, 6.9 rebounds and an NBA-leading 2.08 steals in 33.6 minutes while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 86.3 percent from the foul line. Also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, Butler became the first HEAT player in franchise history to lead the league in steals per game and his 86.3 percent shooting from the foul line was the third-highest single season percentage in team history. He shot at least 80 percent from the charity stripe in 14-straight games from April 3 – May 2 and recorded nine-straight multi-steal games from March 31 – April 16, both the longest such streaks in team history.

More from the Herald: “The four-year, $141 million contract that Butler signed to join the Heat during free agency in 2019 includes a guaranteed $36 million salary for next season and a $37.7 million player option in 2022-23. The extension replaces Butler’s 2022-23 option and begins that season, which means he’s set to earn $220 million over the next five years.”

Butler set single-season career highs in field goal percentage, rebounds per game, assists per game and steals per game and ranked among NBA leaders in total steals (2nd), scoring average (26th), free throws made (9th) and attempted (11th), assists per game (10th), assists per turnover (10th), steals per turnover (12th), total assists (18th), efficiency (24th), minutes per game (29th) and rebounds per game (36th).

He led the HEAT in scoring average, double-figure scoring quarters (28), 20-point games, 30-point games, free throws made and attempted, free throw percentage, assists, steals, triple-doubles and plus/minus (+196) and ranked second on the team in points, double-figure scoring efforts, field goals made and attempted, three-point plays, double-figure rebound efforts, offensive, defensive and total rebounds and double-doubles. He also scored in double figures 50 times, including 30 games with at least 20 points and five 30-point performances.

Additionally, Butler grabbed double-figure rebounds a career-high 11 times, handed out double-figure assists on 10 occasions and posted four triple-doubles this season. His four triple-doubles tie for the most during a single season in team history, including three-straight from February 15-18, to become the first player in HEAT history to record consecutive triple-doubles with two of those coming on a back-to-back road set to become just the 11th player in NBA history to achieve that feat.

A five-time NBA All-Star, Butler has appeared in 633 games (528 starts) during his 10-year NBA career and averaged 17.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.63 steals and 33.1 minutes while shooting 45.8 percent from the floor, 32.7 percent from behind the arc and 83.8 percent from the foul line. He is Miami’s all-time leader in free throw percentage and also ranks among the HEAT’s all-time leaders in triple-doubles (2nd), scoring average (3rd), free throws made (14th), free throw attempts (17th), double-doubles (tied-18th) and assists (19th). In 80 NBA postseason games (77 starts), he has averaged 18.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.60 steals and 37.6 minutes while shooting 44.2 percent from the floor, 34.6 percent from three-point range and 83.6 percent from the foul line

Toronto Raptors sign rookie Scottie Barnes

The Toronto Raptors announced Sunday they have signed guard-forward Scottie Barnes to a rookie scale contract. Barnes is under contract through the 2022-23 season, with two team option years to follow.

The Raptors selected Barnes fourth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Barnes, 6-foot-9, 227 pounds, averaged 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 24.7 minutes in 24 games as a freshman at Florida State last season. He was named ACC Freshman and Sixth Man of the Year, earned All-ACC Third Team honours and was among the 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award. A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Barnes scored a career-high 21 points in the ACC Tournament championship game against Georgia Tech.

Charlotte Hornets sign Kelly Oubre Jr.

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced yesterday that the team has signed free agent Kelly Oubre Jr.

The contract is reportedly a two-year, $26 million deal.

During the 2020-21 season, Oubre averaged 15.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per game in 55 games while shooting .439% from the field with the Golden State Warriors. Over his six seasons in the NBA, Oubre has appeared in 403 career games with Golden State, Phoenix and Washington, accruing averages of 11.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 25.0 minutes per game with a career field goal percentage of .433%.

Per the Charlotte Observer, “the move will give the Hornets needed depth at small forward behind Gordon Hayward after their 2020-21 season crumbled in the aftermath of Hayward’s foot injury suffered April 2 in a win at the Indiana Pacers. The Hornets left that game in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings at 25-23 but went 8-16 the rest of the way with Hayward sidelined and missed the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season.”

Oubre has played in 18 career postseason games with the Wizards during the 2017 and 2018 playoffs. He holds career averages of 7.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game in the postseason.

A New Orleans native, Oubre was originally selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft out of Kansas.

Brooklyn Nets re-sign Bruce Brown

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed guard/forward Bruce Brown.

Brown was acquired by the Nets from the Detroit Pistons as part of a three-team trade on Nov. 19, 2020. In the 2020-21 campaign, he registered averages of 8.8 points on a career-best 55.6 percent shooting from the field, a career-high 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 22.3 minutes per game across 65 games (37 starts). The 24-year-old also posted career highs in offensive rating (115.9), net rating (3.5), effective field goal percentage (57.6 percent) and double-doubles (six). Brooklyn compiled a record of 20-7 in games Brown reached double figures in and a 29-8 record (15-2 at home) in games he started. In 197 career games (136 starts) in three seasons with Brooklyn and Detroit (2018-20), Brown has recorded averages of 7.2 points on 47.1 percent shooting from the field, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 23.0 minutes per contest. He’s also seen action in 16 postseason games in his career, 12 of which came in the 2021 playoffs with the Nets, where he averaged 7.9 points on 50.6 percent shooting from the field, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 23.1 minutes per game. The Boston native was originally selected with the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Pistons after spending two seasons (2016-18) at the University of Miami.

Three-team NBA trade sends Tristan Thompson to Kings

The Atlanta Hawks today announced the team has acquired guard Delon Wright as part of a three-team transaction with the Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings. Kris Dunn, Bruno Fernando and a 2023 second round pick go to Boston, while Sacramento receives Tristan Thompson.

The second-round pick being conveyed is Portland’s own second-round pick that Atlanta had received from the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a trade for Lou Williams on March 25, 2021.

“One of our priorities entering the offseason was to solidify the backup point guard spot. Delon is a consistent two-way guard who has been a part of several successful teams. We think he’s a great fit here.” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Travis Schlenk. “I’d also like to thank Bruno and Kris for their contributions to the Hawks, and I want to wish them well as they continue their careers.”

Wright appeared in 63 games (39 starts) last season with Detroit and Sacramento, averaging career-highs of 10.2 points, 4.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals in a career-best 27.7 minutes (.463 FG%, .372 3FG%, .802 FT%). He scored 10-or-more points 30 times and 20-or-better six times, recording double figure assists twice. Wright ranked tied for seventh in the NBA in spg.

In 334 career regular season games (62 starts) with Toronto, Memphis, Dallas, Detroit and Sacramento, the 6’5 guard has compiled 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 21.3 minutes (.453 FG%, .350 3FG%, .792 FT%). In 32 postseason contests with the Raptors and Mavericks, he’s averaged 4.4 points, 1.4 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 12.5 minutes (.467 FG%, .400 3FG%, .756 FT%).

Selected by Toronto in the first round (20th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft, the native of Los Angeles played his final two collegiate seasons at Utah after transferring from City College of San Francisco. In 68 career games (all starts) with the Utes, he averaged 15.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks in 34.8 minutes. He was the recipient of the 2015 Bob Cousy award, given to the nation’s top point guard. Wright earned All-Pac 12 First Team and Pac 12 All-Defensive Team honors in both of his seasons with Utah.

Wright’s brother, Dorell, played 11 seasons in the NBA with Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Portland.

# TrueToAtlanta #

Sixers re-sign Danny Green

The Philadelphia 76ers yesterday re-signed Danny Green.

Per multiple reports, the contract is for two years, $20 million.

“Bringing Danny back was a top priority for our organization this offseason,” Morey said. “He has proven to be an important leader on and off the floor, and he knows what it takes to win an NBA title as a three-time champion. We are very happy that he’ll continue to remain a crucial part of the 76ers.”

Per the Philadelphia Inquirer, the “New York native has a knack for complementing elite players and winning NBA titles. Green helped the Los Angeles Lakers win the 2020 NBA championship. That marked his second straight NBA title and third overall. He also won it with the 2019 Toronto Raptors and 2014 San Antonio Spurs.”

This will be Green’s second season with Philadelphia after the 76ers acquired him in a trade last offseason. During his first campaign with the team, Green averaged 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists along with a career-high-tying 1.3 steals per game. Last year, Green also shot .405 from three-point range on a career-high 6.3 attempts per contest, leading the 76ers with 175 makes from beyond the arc. His three-point percentage was top-10 in the NBA among players with at least 400 attempts.

Last season saw Green tie a career-long streak with at least one made three-pointer with 32 consecutive games from Feb. 11-April 21, 2021. Green was also the only player this past season with at least 170 makes from beyond the arc and 90 steals, which made him just the fourth player in 76ers franchise history to do so in a single season since steals were first tracked in 1973-74 (Danna Barros, Robert Covington (twice) and Kyle Korver).

Since entering the NBA, Green, a three-time NBA champion, has 1,458 made three-pointers which is 17th among active players. That mark is also good for 41st in NBA history. For his career, Green has appeared in 757 games (681 starts) over 12 seasons with Philadelphia, the L.A. Lakers, Toronto, San Antonio and Cleveland. He holds lifetime averages of 9.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He’s a career .401 shooter from beyond the arc and is one of 11 players in NBA history to shoot at least 40-percent on at least 3,500 attempts from three-point range.

A native Long Islander, Green was originally selected with the No. 46 overall pick by Cleveland in the 2009 NBA Draft out of North Carolina. He spent four years as a Tar Heel, earning multiple awards during his senior season, including being named to the All-ACC Third Team and ACC All-Defensive Team and helped lead the team to a national title in 2009.

LA Clippers sign Justise Winslow

The LA Clippers have signed free agent Justise Winslow, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.

Winslow, 25, has appeared in 267 career games with averages of 8.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over six seasons with the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies. The 6-foot-6 forward played in 22 games last season for the Grizzlies, averaging 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds. He has also appeared in 19 career playoff games, posting averages of 7.3 points and 5.1 rebounds. In his debut season with Miami, Winslow was named to the All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 6.4 points and 5.2 rebounds.

Per the Los Angeles Times, Winslow “only played 11 games during the 2019-20 season because of back injuries and a concussion, and was traded to Memphis in February 2020. He couldn’t realize his vast potential with the Grizzlies either after he injured his hip in a practice during the lead-up to the league’s restart near Orlando, Fla.”

The 10th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Winslow played one season of college basketball at Duke, starting all 39 games. He averaged 14.3 points and 9.3 rebounds during the NCAA tournament to help lead the Blue Devils to a national championship. The Houston native was a McDonald’s All-American and was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Texas in 2014.

Three-team NBA trade sends Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe to Grizzlies, Jonas Valanciunas to Pelicans

The Memphis Grizzlies have acquired center Steven Adams, guard Eric Bledsoe, the draft rights to wing Ziaire Williams (the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft) and a protected 2022 first round draft pick (via Los Angeles Lakers) from the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a three-team trade also involving the Charlotte Hornets. Memphis also received from New Orleans the draft rights to guard Jared Butler (the 40th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft) for his inclusion in a trade agreed to in principle and to be completed later.

In exchange, the Grizzlies traded center Jonas Valančiūnas, the draft rights to forward Trey Murphy (the 17th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft) and the draft rights to guard Brandon Boston (the 51st overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft) to the Pelicans and traded the draft rights to Tyler Harvey (the 51st overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft) to the Hornets.

In addition, the Hornets traded guard Devonte’ Graham to the Pelicans. The Pelicans traded wing Wesley Iwundu and a protected 2022 first round pick to the Hornets.

“As we entered this offseason, we were intently focused upon improving our shooting, leadership and the overall fit of our roster,” said Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “The players that are joining us today speak directly to those areas of concern. More importantly, their strength of character as men, and teammates that are eager to be part of our larger Pelicans family will be critical as we continue building towards sustainable success.”

Adams (6-11, 265) has competed in 588 games (524 starts) and holds career averages of 9.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 26.9 minutes in his eight-year NBA career with the Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder. The New Zealand native started all 58 appearances for New Orleans last season and averaged 7.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27.7 minutes. Selected 12th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh, the 28-year-old ranks seventh in NBA history in field goal percentage (.591).

Bledsoe (6-1, 214) 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 in his 11-year NBA career with the Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles 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 in 71 games (70 starts) for New Orleans last season.

Williams (6-8 ¼, 185) was named a top-10 finalist for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award last season as a freshman at Stanford University, where he averaged 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 27.8 minutes in 20 games. The 19-year-old California native recorded the second triple-double in program history with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists on Jan. 7 vs. Washington and earned Naismith Trophy Player of the Week honors on Jan. 11.

Valančiūnas (6-11 ¼, 265) has competed in 621 games (592 starts) and holds career averages of 12.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 25.6 minutes in his nine-year NBA career with the Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors. Selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the 29-year-old Lithuania native averaged 16.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27.3 minutes in 151 games (148 starts) over two-plus seasons in Memphis.