Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Nets sign Mike James to another 10-day contract

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

James (6’1”, 195) signed his first 10-day contract with Brooklyn on April 23 and has appeared in six games for the Nets, recording averages of 6.2 points, 1.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 17.2 minutes per game. In 42 NBA games with Brooklyn, New Orleans and Phoenix, he holds career averages of 8.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 18.8 minutes per contest.

James joined 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 recorded 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 Ignas Brazdeikis to a 10-day contract, release Donta Hall

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent forward Ignas Brazdeikis to a 10-day contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

In addition, forward Donta Hall has been released from his 10-day contract.

Brazdeikis (6’6”, 221, 1/8/99) played in five games this season with both New York and Philadelphia, totaling two points, four rebounds and one assist in 3.0 minpg. He played in four games with the Knicks, before being traded to Philadelphia as part of a three-team deal on Mar. 25. Brazdeikis appeared in one game with the Sixers, before being waived on Apr. 8.

Originally selected in the second round (47th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Sacramento, Brazdeikis has played in 14 career NBA regular season games with New York and Philadelphia, averaging 1.4 ppg. in 4.9 minpg.

Brazdeikis played and started in 37 games during his only season at the University of Michigan (2018-19), averaging 14.8 ppg. and 5.4 rpg. in 29.6 minpg., while shooting .392 (56-143) from three-point range. He led the Wolverines in scoring. Brazdeikis was named the 2018-19 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He was also named to the All-Big Ten Second Team, the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten Tournament Team. He was also an honorable mention All-American by Associated Press.

Brazdeikis will wear #17 with the Orlando Magic.

Hall (6’10”, 232, 8/7/97) played in eight games with the Magic, averaging 3.1 ppg. and 4.4 rpg. in 11.5 minpg. He originally signed a 10-day contract with Orlando on Apr. 13, then a second 10-day contract on Apr. 23.

Kings sign forward Louis King to two-way contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed forward Louis King to a two-way contract, according to Kings General Manager Monte McNair.

During the NBA G League single site in Orlando, Fla., King played for the Westchester Knicks and accrued averages of 13.7 points (.521 FG%, .456 3pt%, .810 FT%), 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 32.2 minutes per game in 15 appearances while ranking sixth in overall three-point field goal percentage. Undrafted out of the University of Oregon, King appeared in 10 games with the Detroit Pistons during the 2019-20 season.

Cavs sign Mfiondu Kabengele to standard contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward/center Mfiondu Kabengele (fee-ON-doo cabin-gelly) to a multi-year contract, Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Kabengele (6-9, 250) has played in seven games with the Cavaliers this season after signing his first 10-day contract with the team on April 10 and a second 10-day contract on April 21, averaging 3.4 points on .529 shooting from the field, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist in in 9.4 minutes. He also appeared in 23 games for the Los Angeles Clippers this season before being traded to the Sacramento Kings on March 22. Kabengele, who was waived by the Kings on March 25, owns career averages of 2.2 points in 5.3 minutes over 42 games during his two NBA seasons with the Clippers and Cavaliers. The 23-year-old also played in 27 contests (all starts) for the Agua Caliente Clippers of the NBA G League in 2019-20, averaging 18.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks in 31.2 minutes.

Selected with the 27th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by Brooklyn, Kabengele played two collegiate seasons at Florida State, earning the 2018-19 ACC Sixth Man of the Year award and 2019 All-ACC Tournament First Team honors. He is the nephew of NBA legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo.

Nuggets sign Austin Rivers for remainder of season

The Denver Nuggets have signed veteran guard Austin Rivers for the remainder of the season, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Rivers, 6-4, 200, signed a 10-day contract with the Nuggets on April 20th and has appeared in six games for Denver, averaging 6.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.20 steals in 24.5 minutes per game.

The nine-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 9.1 points, 2.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds while shooting 41.8% from the field and 34.7% from long distance in 579 career games (151 starts) with New Orleans, L.A. Clippers, Washington, Houston, New York and Denver.

The 28-year-old, provides valuable postseason experience, playing in a total of 45 playoff games (six starts), averaging 7.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists, shooting 40.3% from the field in 20.2 minutes with Houston and the L.A. Clippers. Rivers has a total of 16 career postseason games scoring 10 or more points.

Rivers was drafted 10th overall by New Orleans in 2012 after spending one season at Duke University. In his lone season, he averaged a team-high 15.5 points on 43.3% shooting in 34 games, becoming the third freshman ever to lead Duke in scoring.

Injury updates on Timberwolves’ Malik Beasley and Jarrett Culver

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the following medical updates on guards Malik Beasley and Jarrett Culver:

On Monday, Apr. 26, Beasley underwent follow-up imaging at Mayo Clinic Square for an evaluation of his left hamstring injury. He continues to progress positively and resumed on-court workouts on Tuesday, Apr. 27. He will continue to be evaluated weekly by the Timberwolves medical staff.

In 37 games (36 starts) this season, Beasley is averaging 19.6 points on 44.0% shooting, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists.

Culver initially suffered a right ankle injury on Jan. 25 and was evaluated by Dr. Aaron Krych at Mayo Clinic Square. After an initial period of non-operative management and continued symptoms, imaging revealed a loose body and the decision was made to proceed with operative management. Culver will undergo arthroscopic surgery with debridement of scar tissue and loose body performed by ankle specialist Dr. Richard Ferkel on Friday, May 7 in Los Angeles. He will be sidelined the remainder of the season.

In 34 games (seven starts) this season, Culver is averaging 5.3 points on 41.1% shooting, 3.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists.

LaMelo Ball could return for Hornets soon

Some key Hornets players could make their return from injury soon, including star rookie point guard LaMelo Ball. Here’s a status update, via the Charlotte Observer:

In a sense, the two days off might be of more consequence to the Hornets right now than game days. The plan is for LaMelo Ball (broken wrist) and Malik Monk (sprained ankle) to scrimmage with the non-rotation players to test whether they are ready for games.

Small forward Gordon Hayward is further away from playing. He is still wearing a walking boot to protect his sprained right foot.

There’s hope Ball and Monk can both play this weekend. Ball has been out since March 20 and Monk since April 1, so each will need time to re-acclimate; their impact won’t be automatic. However, anything they can contribute could make a difference with just 10 regular season games left and the Hornets so shorthanded.

The Hornets are 30-32 this season, which is the 8th best record in the Eastern conference.

Ball is averaging 15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 28.6 minutes per game so far this season, in 41 games played.

Kings sign center Damian Jones, who had been on 10-day deals, to standard contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed center Damian Jones to a multi-year contract, according to Kings General Manager Monte McNair.

“Damian provides a defensive presence and has fit in nicely with our group,” said McNair. “We are excited to see his continued growth in Sacramento.”

During the 2020-21 season, Jones has appeared in six games (two starts) with the Kings after originally signing his first 10-day contract with the team on April 7 and a second 10-day contract on April 17.

Cavs sign guard Jeremiah Martin to two-way contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard Jeremiah Martin to a Two-Way contract, Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Martin (6-3, 185) spent the 2020-21 NBA G League season with the Long Island Nets, playing in 15 games (all starts) and averaging 18.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals in 31.8 minutes. He was previously a Two-Way player with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2019-20 season, originally signing a Two-Way contract on Jan. 15, 2020 and playing in nine NBA games with averages of 7.1 points and 2.0 assists in 11.0 minutes. Martin also appeared in three postseason contests for Brooklyn during the 2020 Playoffs, averaging 4.0 points in 9.0 minutes. He remained a Two-Way player with Brooklyn through the 2020 Preseason before being waived on Dec. 22, 2020.

Martin played four years collegiately at Memphis from 2015-19, competing in 124 games (98 starts) with career averages of 13.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 29.7 minutes. As a senior in 2018-19, he was unanimously named First-Team All-AAC after posting averages of 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 steals in 34.3 minutes through 36 games (all starts). His 19.7 points per game led the AAC, making him the first Memphis player to lead the conference in scoring since Will Barton in 2012. Following his senior campaign, Martin was selected to participate in the 2019 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, consisting of 64 of the top senior basketball players in the nation, and was named to the All-Tournament Team. He finished his career at Memphis ranked 10th all-time in scoring (1,625 points), and his 708 points his final season were the second-highest ever by a senior in school history.

Trail Blazers sign Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for remainder of season

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for the remainder of the 2020-21 season, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey.

Hollis-Jefferson, 26, has appeared in six games (one start) for the Trail Blazers since signing his first 10-day contract with the team on April 8. In those outings, he has posted averages of 3.2 points (41.7% FG, 64.3% FT), 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.50 blocks and 11.0 minutes.

Playing in his sixth season out of the University of Arizona, Hollis-Jefferson (6-6, 217) holds career averages of 9.2 points (44.8% FG, 21.2% 3-PT, 73.7% FT), 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.93 steals and 22.4 minutes in 300 games (154 starts) with Brooklyn, Toronto and Portland.