Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Lakers sign forward Trevor Ariza

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Trevor Ariza, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Entering his 18th NBA season, Ariza owns career averages of 10.5 points (.352 3P%), 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals through 1,094 games (758 starts) with New York, Orlando, Houston, New Orleans, Washington, Phoenix, Sacramento, Portland, Miami and the Lakers. He currently ranks fifth among active players in steals, totaling 1,615 career takeaways.

Ariza appeared in 30 games (27 starts) with Miami last season, where he averaged 9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steal in 28.0 minutes. He returns to Los Angeles after averaging 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals from 2007-09 and helping the Lakers win the 2009 NBA Championship.

Raptors re-sign center Khem Birch

The Toronto Raptors have re-signed center Khem Birch to a multi-year contract.

Birch, 6-foot-9, 230 pounds, averaged career highs of 7.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 22.8 minutes in 67 games (22 starts) with Toronto and Orlando last season. He shot .497 (189-380) from the field and scored in double figures 18 times, which included six double-doubles.

A native of Montreal, Quebec, Birch joined the Raptors as a free agent April 10, and averaged 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds in 19 games. He is averaging 5.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 17.7 minutes in 207 career games (47 starts) during four seasons with Orlando and Toronto. After going undrafted in 2014, Birch played with Sioux Falls of the NBA G League (2014-15) and overseas in Turkey (2015-16) and Greece (2016-17) prior to signing with the Magic as a free agent in the summer of 2017.

Birch played collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh (2011-12) and UNLV (2012-14) where he was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year back-to-back seasons. On the international stage, Birch represented Canada at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China. He was also a member of Canada’s U-18 National Team that captured a bronze medal at the 2010 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship.

Lakers sign guard Wayne Ellington

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Wayne Ellington.

Ellington appeared in 46 games (31 starts) for the Pistons last season, averaging 9.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22.0 minutes, while shooting 42.2 percent (116-275 3FG) from three-point range. Ellington returns to Los Angeles after averaging 10.0 points (.370 3P%), 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 65 games for the Lakers during the 2014-15 season.

A 12-year NBA veteran, Ellington has played in 727 games (197 starts) for Minnesota, Memphis, Cleveland, Dallas, Brooklyn, Miami, Detroit, New York and the Lakers, holding career averages of 8.1 points (.382 3P%), 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 21.0 minutes per game. Ellington has shot at least 37 percent from three-point range in nine seasons, including two seasons in which he shot better than 42 percent from beyond the arc.

Brooklyn Nets trade Landry Shamet to Phoenix Suns

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired guard Jevon Carter and the draft rights to center Day’Ron Sharpe, the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft, from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for guard Landry Shamet.

Carter (6’1”, 200) has appeared in 157 games (six starts) across three seasons with Phoenix (2019-21) and Memphis (2018-19), recording averages of 4.5 points on 38.6 percent shooting from the field, 38.1 percent from 3-point range and 80.3 percent from the free-throw line, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 14.3 minutes per game. The 25-year-old saw action in 60 games (one start) with the Suns in the 2020-21 campaign, averaging 4.1 points on 42.2 percent shooting from the field and 37.1 percent from distance, 1.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 11.9 minutes per contest. Carter also played in the first seven playoff games of his career, helping Phoenix advance to the NBA Finals. The Maywood, Ill., native was originally selected with the 32nd overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Grizzlies after a four-year career at West Virginia. Carter enjoyed a decorated collegiate run, earning Big 12 All-Defensive team honors four times, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors twice, second-team All-American honors as a senior and finished his career as West Virginia’s all-time leader in steals.

Sharpe (6’11”, 265) spent one year at the University of North Carolina, appearing in 29 games (four starts), while averaging 9.5 points on 51.9 percent shooting from the field, 7.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 19.1 minutes per game en route to ACC All-Freshman team honors. The ACC’s leading offensive rebounder (3.4 per game) and the nation’s leader in offensive rebound percentage (18.3 percent), Sharpe finished second in voting for both ACC Freshman of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year. He registered six double-doubles, scored in double figures 12 times and grabbed double digit rebounds in eight games. The 19-year-old native of Greenville, N.C., tied for the team lead in blocked shots (26), ranked second on the Tar Heels in rebounds per game and finished third in steals (23). Sharpe is currently competing for Brooklyn’s NBA Summer League team in Las Vegas.

Shamet was acquired by the Nets from the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a three-team trade on Nov. 19, 2020. In his lone season in Brooklyn, Shamet saw action in 61 games (12 starts), registering averages of 9.3 points on 40.8 percent shooting from the field, 38.7 percent shooting from 3-point range and 84.6 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 23.0 minutes per game. He also appeared in all 12 of Brooklyn’s 2021 playoff games, averaging 4.2 points in 17.2 minutes per contest. Shamet has played in 193 games (69 starts) across three seasons with Brooklyn, the Clippers (2019-20) and Philadelphia (2018-19), notching averages of 9.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24.1 minutes per game.

Trail Blazers sign Ben McLemore

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed free agent guard Ben McLemore, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey.

McLemore, 28, appeared in 53 games (five starts) for Houston and the L.A. Lakers during the 2020-21 season, posting averages of 7.7 points (37.0% FG, 34.6% 3-PT, 73.6% FT), 1.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 17.1 minutes.

In eight seasons, McLemore (6-3, 195) holds career averages of 8.9 points (41.6% FG, 36.3% 3-PT, 77.6% FT), 2.4 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 22.9 minutes in 492 games (261 starts) with Sacramento, Memphis, Houston and the L.A. Lakers. He was originally selected by Sacramento with the seventh overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft after one season at Kansas.

Masai Ujiri gets multi-year contract as Toronto Raptors vice-chairman and team president

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday that they have signed Masai Ujiri to a multi-year contract as Toronto Raptors vice-chairman and team president. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

“Great sportsmen impact their games. Great leaders impact their communities. Masai Ujiri does both, and we’re very pleased he is returning to the Raptors as vice-chairman and president,” Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum said. “Masai and MLSE share the goals of bringing another NBA Championship to Toronto, and off the court, working towards making our city, country and world a better place. These are exciting times, and we look forward to all that comes next for our team, for Masai and for his family. Masai, we’re glad you’re staying home.”

Ujiri has led the Raptors since 2013. During his tenure, the Raptors have moved into their state-of-the-art practice facility at OVO Athletic Centre, hosted an NBA All-Star Game, formed Raptors 905, their G League franchise, and in 2019 won the NBA Championship, the first team outside the United States to accomplish the feat.

“On the court, our goal is clear: to bring another championship to Toronto. Our team is united in that mission. Nothing else will do. We will bring young talent to this city. We will value the veteran players who got us here,” Ujiri said. “I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again: We will win in Toronto.”

Ujiri’s commitment to his work off the court remains unwavering. He continues as president of Giants of Africa, the non-profit he co-founded in 2003, which urges youth to Dream Big and uses sports as a tool for advancement. This summer, he will travel to Africa to unveil new GOA-funded sports infrastructures, so youth there will have access to quality facilities.

In addition to his work with GOA, Ujiri intends to take on new challenges, including advocating for equality and fair treatment for marginalized people in the justice system, and focusing on the issue of child soldiers and peace. In 2020, Masai launched thatshumanity.org, inspired by his experiences and the lessons learned from leaders like Nelson Mandela. His non-profit interests will be represented by WME.

“To be able to stand with Larry Tanenbaum and the MLSE board as we confront these challenges is huge,” Ujiri said. “To share a vision of what we believe can be possible, and understand the work we have to do to get there, is a huge reason I’m so glad to be back in Toronto. I am very grateful for their confidence and their support.”

Ujiri grew up in Zaria, Nigeria. He played college basketball in the United States, and began his career in professional sports as a scout. Ujiri was appointed general manager of the Denver Nuggets in 2011, becoming the first African GM in pro sports, and won the 2013 NBA Executive of the Year award. In Toronto, he has also served as director of global scouting and assistant general manager.

Dallas Mavericks promote Michael Finley within front office

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that Michael Finley has been promoted to assistant general manager/vice president of basketball operations. Finley previously held the title of vice president of basketball operations over the last seven seasons.

“I am grateful to work with someone like Michael Finley,” said general manager Nico Harrison. “Michael is a tremendous basketball mind and an even better person. He welcomed me the first day I arrived in Dallas and has made this transition seamless. I have known Michael for nearly two decades and look forward to taking this team to new heights alongside him.”

As a player, Finley was a two-time NBA All-Star (2000 and 2001), former member of Team USA (2002) and an NBA champion (2007). He was acquired by Dallas from Phoenix on Dec. 26, 1996, in a trade that also included current Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. Finley played eight full seasons for the Mavericks including three seasons where he started all 82 games.

Finley still ranks among the Mavericks franchise leaders in many statistical categories including third in 3-point field goals made (870), fifth in points (12,389), fifth in rebounds (3,245), fifth in assists (2,393), fifth in field goals made (4,834), fourth in steals (748), fifth in games played (626), fourth in games started (606) and fourth in minutes played (24,878).

Born and raised in Maywood, Illinois, Finley attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He averaged more than 20 points per game and finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in Wisconsin history.

Sacramento Kings sign Davion Mitchell to his rookie contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed rookie guard Davion Mitchell to a contract, according to General Manager Monte McNair.

“We are thrilled to welcome Davion to the Kings family,” said McNair. “His ability to score, facilitate and defend, combined with great character, elite work ethic and competitive makeup, represents exactly what we will continue to build in Sacramento.”

The ninth overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft garnered averages of 14.0 points (.511 FG%, .447 3pt%, .641 FT%), 2.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.9 steals and 33.0 minutes per game in 30 games (all starts) during his junior season at Baylor (2020-21). Mitchell led the Bears to the first National Championship in program history, along with the university’s first Final Four since 1950. In addition, Mitchell swept the 2020-21 National Defensive Player of the Year honors, winning Naismith and NABC Defensive Player of the Year and Lefty Driesell Award.

The Hinesville, Georgia native earned both 2021 NCAA All-Tournament Team and NCAA All-American honors. In back-to-back seasons, Mitchell was selected to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2019-20, 2020-21). He also was named 2021 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, the first in program history, along with 2020 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.

Houston Rockets sign rookie guard Jalen Green

The Houston Rockets have signed guard Jalen Green, who was the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Green is scheduled to play for the Rockets entry in NBA Summer League 2021, which runs from August 8-17 in Las Vegas.

Green (6-6, 178), who turned 19 years old on Feb. 9, was the first player to sign with NBA G League Ignite, a team dedicated to the development and mentorship of top young prospects in preparation for the NBA Draft. In 15 G League games last season, he averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.53 steals, and 2.1 3-pointers made. Green tallied 30 points, 7 assists, 5 boards, and 3 steals in the Ignite’s lone playoff game vs. Raptors 905.

As a senior at California’s Prolific Prep in 2019-20, Green averaged 31.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He was ranked as the No. 1 high school prospect in the Class of 2020 by ESPN and was a McDonald’s All-American.