Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Thunder sign Charlie Brown Jr. to 10-Day Contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed guard Charlie Brown Jr. to a 10-Day Contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Brown (6-6, 199) spent the 2021 NBA G League season with the Iowa Wolves where he appeared in 13 games (12 starts) and averaged 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and a team-best 1.69 steals in 30.0 minutes per contest, shooting 44.7 percent from the field.

The Philadelphia native spent the 2019-20 season as a two-way player for the Atlanta Hawks where he appeared in 10 NBA games and totaled 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in 40 minutes of action. With the College Park Skyhawks that season, he appeared in 29 games (all starts) and registered averages of 17.1 points, a team-leading 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.52 steals in 33.2 minutes.

Grizzlies sign guard Tim Frazier for remainder of season

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed guard Tim Frazier for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.

Frazier (6-1, 170) has appeared in three games for the Grizzlies and has totaled four points, four rebounds and seven assists in 33 minutes after originally signing with the team on Jan. 4 and again to a 10-day contract on April 14. The 30-year-old has played 275 games (81 starts) over seven NBA seasons and holds career averages of 5.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 17.6 minutes with seven different teams.

Unselected in the 2014 NBA Draft, Frazier was named the 2014-15 NBA G League Most Valuable Player and NBA G League Rookie of the Year as a member of the Maine Red Claws. The Houston native finished his collegiate career at Penn State University as the program’s all-time leader in assists.

Rockets CEO Tad Brown will step away after this season

Houston Rockets Chief Executive Officer Thaddeus “Tad” Brown today announced he will transition from his role at the end of the season.

Brown originally joined the Rockets as their Vice President of Corporate Development for the 2002-03 season and was named CEO in October of 2006.

“It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to lead the Houston Rockets and Clutch City Sports and Entertainment,” said Brown. “The executives, City leaders, partners and staff I’ve been blessed to work with over the past 20 years represent the best our industry and region have to offer, and all have been critical to building the world class organization that fans and partners on a global scale proudly support today.

“When Tilman and I first started discussing a succession plan, it was very emotional for us both as we’ve known each other since I first moved to Houston. We built a friendship when Tilman and Paige were fans and corporate partners. We’ve seen each other’s kids grow up; and ultimately established a very successful business partnership when he purchased the team. I can’t thank Tilman enough for his support and friendship, and for the confidence and trust he placed in me. I am excited to see what the future holds for the franchise. Led by Tilman, Patrick and the Fertitta family, the Rockets organization is in great hands for generations to come.

“I’m also excited to see what the future holds for me and my family as we look to our next adventure. The Houston Rockets and Toyota Center personnel – past and present – have become an important part of our lives and will always live in our hearts. They’re our family forever. What a privilege it has been to be a small part of Clutch City’s history, truly the experience of a lifetime.”

“On behalf of the entire Rockets organization and my family, I want to thank Tad for his stellar and tireless service to the Houston Rockets franchise,” said Rockets owner Tilman J. Fertitta. “I could not have asked for a better leader to work with since becoming owner.

“Tad has played an integral role in the success of our franchise both on and off the court. I have known Tad since his arrival in Houston 19 years ago and want to sincerely thank him for his friendship and for building a tremendous organization throughout the Rockets and Toyota Center.

Michael Foster Jr. signs to play with G League team Ignite

Forward Michael Foster Jr., a five-star prospect, has signed to play with NBA G League Ignite next season, NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim announced today. Foster, ranked by ESPN as the No. 7 prospect in the Class of 2021, is the first player to sign with NBA G League Ignite for its second season.

“I’m super ready to learn the NBA game and train like an NBA player from NBA guys while playing for NBA G League Ignite,” Foster said.

A 2021 McDonald’s All-American, Foster spent his last two high school seasons at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, where he averaged 32.2 points and 18.4 rebounds as a senior and 26.3 points, 13.4 rebounds and 6.1 blocks as a junior.

In his first two high school seasons, Foster led Washington High School of Information Technology in his native Milwaukee to back-to-back Division 2 state runner-up finishes. He earned All-State and All-Area First Team honors as a sophomore.

NBA G League Ignite is a first-of-its-kind program that gives top young prospects a chance to begin their professional careers while receiving mentorship and life skills training and preparing for the NBA Draft. Coached by five-time NBA champion Brian Shaw, Ignite recently completed a successful inaugural season that featured elite prospects Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix and Isaiah Todd, and international standout Princepal Singh.

Raptors forward Chris Boucher out with knee sprain

Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher has sustained a sprained MCL in his left knee. The injury occurred in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s victory over Brooklyn.

Boucher will be out until the team departs for an upcoming West Coast trip (Apr. 29 – May 4) and his condition will then be updated as appropriate.

Boucher is averaging career highs of 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks (fifth in the NBA) and 24.0 minutes in 59 games (13 starts) this season. He is shooting .519 (283-545) from the field, including .389 (88-226) from three-point range.

Nets sign guard Mike James to 10-day contract

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent guard Mike James to a 10-day contract.

James (6’1”, 195) joins the Nets after playing nine professional seasons (2012-21) overseas in Croatia, Israel, Italy, Greece, Spain and Russia and in the NBA with Phoenix and New Orleans. In 36 games (10 starts) split between the Suns and Pelicans during the 2017-18 season, James holds career NBA averages of 9.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 19.1 minutes per contest. The 30-year-old most recently spent two seasons (2019-21) with CSKA Moscow in Russia and appeared in 41 games (23 starts) during the 2020-21 season in VTB United League and EuroLeague play, recording averages of 17.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 27.5 minutes per game. James spent the 2018-19 season in Italy with Olimpia Milano, leading the team to the Italian SuperCup title and winning the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy for averaging a league-best 19.8 points to go with 3.6 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 34.0 minutes per contest in Milan’s 30 EuroLeague games (all starts). He previously won consecutive Greek League titles in 2017 and 2018 and the 2017 Greek Cup title with Panathinaikos B.C. in Athens and helped lead Spain’s Baskonia to the EuroLeague Final Four in 2016.

The Portland, Ore., native played two collegiate seasons (2010-12) at Lamar University, appearing in 56 games and averaging 15.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 25.7 minutes per contest. As a senior in 2012, James earned First Team All-Southland honors and was named the Southland Conference Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. He also spent two seasons (2008-10) at Eastern Arizona College prior to transferring to Lamar.

Magic sign Donta Hall to another 10-day contract

The Orlando Magic have signed forward Donta Hall to a second 10-day contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Hall (6’10”, 232, 8/7/97) originally signed a 10-day contract with Orlando on Apr. 13. He has played in four games with the Magic, averaging 4.3 ppg., 4.3 rpg., 1.5 apg. and 1.50 blkpg in 14.0 minpg.

Hall also played in 12 games this season (11 starts) with both Ignite and Raptors 905 of the NBA G League, averaging 10.2 ppg., 8.3 rpg., 1.5 apg. and 2.08 blkpg. in 24.8 minpg., while shooting .625 (50-80) from the floor.

During the 2019-20 campaign, Hall appeared in nine combined games with both Detroit and Brooklyn, averaging 4.3 ppg. and 4.2 rpg. in 14.8 minpg. He played in four games with the Pistons, averaging 1.5 ppg. and 3.8 rpg. in 12.0 minpg. Later in the season, Hall played five games with the Nets, averaging 6.6 ppg., 4.6 rpg. and 1.00 blkpg. in 17.0 minpg. He also appeared in 38 games (37 starts) with Grand Rapids of the NBA G League, averaging 15.4 ppg., 10.6 rpg., 1.0 apg., 1.45 blkpg. and 1.03 stlpg. in 28.6 minpg., while shooting .669 (230-344) from the floor. Hall was named to the All-NBA G League Second Team, the NBA G League All-Rookie Team and the NBA G League All-Defensive Team in 2019-20.

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Hall played in 135 career games (85 starts) during four seasons at the University of Alabama, averaging 7.5 ppg., 6.3 rpg. and 1.69 blkpg. in 20.8 minpg., while shooting .661 (400-605) from the floor. He was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team as both a junior (2017-18) and a senior (2018-19).

Hall wears #45 with the Orlando Magic.

Magic sign forward Robert Franks to second 10-day contract

The Orlando Magic have signed forward Robert Franks to a second 10-day contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Franks (6’7”, 255, 12/18/96) originally signed a 10-day contract with Orlando on Apr. 12. He has played in four games with the Magic, averaging 5.0 ppg. and 1.8 rpg in 11.8 minpg.

Franks appeared in 14 games this season (12 starts) with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 12.1 ppg., 6.6 rpg. and 1.5 apg. in 24.5 minpg., while shooting .508 (60-118) from the floor and .356 (21-59) from three-point range. He played and started in all three playoff outings, averaging 16.0 ppg., 8.0 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 29.7 minpg., while shooting .581 (18-31) from the field and .563 (9-16) from three-point range. Franks helped Lakeland capture the 2020-21 NBA G League championship.

Prior to joining Lakeland, Franks signed as a free agent with Orlando on Nov. 27 and appeared in two preseason games with the Magic, recording five points and one steal in 10 minutes. He was waived on Dec. 19. During the 2019-20 campaign, Franks played in 36 games for both the Greensboro Swarm and Stockton Kings of the NBA G League, averaging 17.3 ppg. and 6.4 rpg. in 32.2 minpg.

Franks played in 110 career games (56 starts) during four seasons at Washington State University, averaging 12.2 ppg. and 4.7 rpg. in 23.7 minpg. As a senior in 2018-19, he averaged 21.6 ppg. and 7.2 rpg., while shooting 49.3 percent from the floor, 40.5 percent from three-point range and 84.8 percent from the free throw line, earning First Team All-Pac-12 honors.

Undrafted, Franks originally signed a two-way contract with Charlotte and their NBA G League affiliate Greensboro before being acquired by Stockton, the Sacramento Kings G League affiliate.

Franks will wear #0 with the Orlando Magic.

Hawks guard Trae Young out with sprained ankle

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, who left last night’s game at New York due to a sprained left ankle, had an X-ray taken at Madison Square Garden, which came back negative.

Following an MRI today at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex, he was diagnosed with a lateral left ankle sprain.

Young will be listed as out for tomorrow’s game vs. Miami and Sunday vs. Milwaukee.

Wizards rookie Deni Avdija injured, out for remainder of season

Wizards forward Deni Avdija has been diagnosed with a right fibular hairline fracture following MRI testing conducted earlier today.

There will be no surgery required and the team thinks he’ll be able to make a full recovery in approximately 12 weeks.

Avdija sustained the injury during Wednesday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors.

The rookie from Israel averaged 6.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 23.3 minutes per game. He played in 54 games, including 32 starts.

Although his role was limited, Avdija showed solid flashes of potential, and certainly should be a part of the Wizards rotation next season.