Kings sign center Damian Jones to 10-day contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed center Damian Jones to a 10-day contract, according to Kings General Manager Monte McNair.

During the 2020-21 season, Jones most recently appeared in eight games (six starts) with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 5.4 points (.941 FG%, .917 FT%), 3.3 rebounds, 0.9 blocks and 14.0 minutes per game.

In five NBA seasons, the 6-11, 245-pound Vanderbilt alum has garnered career averages of 4.3 points (.672 FG%, .686 FT%), 2.9 rebounds, 0.7 blocks and 13.3 minutes per game in 126 games (55 starts) with four teams: Golden State (2016-19), Atlanta (2019-20), Phoenix (2020-21) and Los Angeles Lakers (2020-21).

Sacramento’s roster stands at 17 players.

Pelicans guard Josh Hart out after thumb surgery

New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Hart underwent surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right thumb. The surgery was performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Hart will be re-examined and an update on his return to play will be made available in approximately three weeks.

Additionally, an MRI taken yesterday on Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker revealed a moderate left high ankle sprain. Alexander-Walker will be re-evaluated in two weeks and further updates will be provided upon re-evaluation.

Heat will reportedly add center Dewayne Dedmon

The Heat will reportedly soon add to their frontcourt depth. Via the Miami Herald:

The Heat plans to sign veteran center Dewayne Dedmon, giving Miami insurance behind Bam Adebayo, according to two sources briefed on the situation.

The deal, which is expected to be for the remainder of the season, is contingent on Dedmon going through COVID protocols successfully and passing a physical.

Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley out with hamstring injury

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken today at Mayo Clinic Square on Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley revealed a grade 3 left hamstring injury. Beasley will be sidelined between 4-6 weeks and will be reassessed in three weeks. Further updates to his progress will be issued when available.

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

Per the Minneapolis Star Tribune, “guard D’Angelo Russell did return to the lineup Monday at Target Center against Sacramento. Russell had left knee surgery and missed the past 30 games.”

Clippers sign DeMarcus Cousins to 10-day contract

The LA Clippers have signed center DeMarcus Cousins to a 10-day contract.

Cousins, 30, holds career averages of 20.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 590 appearances with the Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. The 6-foot-10 center is one of 11 players in NBA history to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Originally the fifth overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft, Cousins is a four-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Second Team member, and an Olympic Gold Medalist with Team USA.

A native of Mobile, Ala., Cousins appeared in 25 games for the Rockets this season and averaged 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 20.2 minutes.

Knicks sign John Henson to 10-day contract

The New York Knicks have signed forward/center John Henson to a 10-day contract.

Henson, 6-9, 222-pounds, holds career averages of 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.44 blocks over 19.7 minutes in 445 games (160 starts) across eight seasons with Milwaukee, Cleveland and Detroit. Henson ranked in the Top-15 in the NBA in blocks per game four times throughout his career (2013-15; 2016-18). He appeared in 14 playoff games (two starts) for Milwaukee and averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds over 19.4 minutes.

The Greensboro, NC-native, was originally selected by Milwaukee with the 14th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Prior to the NBA, the two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year spent three seasons at the University of North Carolina helping the Tarheels reach the Elite 8 twice.

The roster now stands at 17 with two two-way players.

Utah Jazz update on the wearing of masks at home games

The Utah Jazz and Vivint Arena announced today the continued requirement of wearing masks at home games and all facility events as a health and safety protocol against COVID-19, even after the scheduled April 10 lifting of a statewide mask mandate.

Face masks over the nose and mouth are required for guests and staff (age 2+) throughout the arena unless a person is actively eating or drinking. Compliance with mandatory masks aligns with the safety measures established by the NBA and local health officials for mass gatherings.

Other COVID-19 procedures will remain in place, including health screenings, socially distanced seating arrangements, contactless entry with digital tickets, cashless transactions for concessions and merchandise, and reduced capacity in common spaces.

Vivint Arena has also implemented a “no bag” policy this year to expedite entry and reduce screening touchpoints. The only exceptions are diaper and medical bags that will be X-rayed and cannot be larger than 14x14x6 inches.

“We continue to prioritize the health and safety of our fans, employees and players,” said Utah Jazz President Jim Olson. “We are pleased that fans have been able to attend games since December in a limited capacity with incremental increases. While progress is being made with ongoing vaccinations, we are staying the course to maintain a safe and comfortable environment and will adjust our plans as public health conditions improve.”

The Jazz began the second half of the NBA season in March with an arena capacity of about 5,500 fans. The Jazz have an upcoming five-game homestand from April 8-16. The final home game of the regular season at Vivint Arena is scheduled for May 12.

Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter undergoes non-surgical procedure on knee

Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter, who has been dealing with right knee soreness, underwent a non-surgical procedure earlier today at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex.

Following three days of unloading, he will return to activity later this week.

Per AJC.com, “Hunter missed 23 straight games after injuring his knee against the Wizards on Jan. 29. Ten days after that game, he had a lateral meniscus debridement procedure.”

Thunder sign forward Jaylen Hoard to two-way contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed forward Jaylen Hoard to a Two-Way Contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Hoard (6-8, 216) appeared in all 15 games (three starts) with the Thunder’s NBA G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue this season, averaging 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 22.0 minutes per contest, shooting 49.1 percent from the field.

The French native spent the 2019-20 season as a two-way player for the Portland Trail Blazers where he appeared in 13 games and averaged 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game. On assignment with the Texas Legends, Hoard saw action in 24 games (four starts) and recorded averages of 16.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 27.6 minutes, shooting 51.8 percent from the floor.

Thunder sign guard Justin Robinson to 10-day contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed guard Justin Robinson to a 10-Day Contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Robinson (6-1, 195) helped guide the Delaware Blue Coats to the NBA G League Finals this season after he appeared in 13 games (all starts) and averaging 15.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.62 steals in 31.1 minutes per game, shooting 40.5 percent from three-point range.

During the 2019-20 season, the Virginia Tech product appeared in nine games with the Washington Wizards and averaged 1.4 points and 0.8 assists in 5.4 minutes, shooting 60.0 percent from beyond the arc. With the Capital City Go-Go and the Delaware Blue Coats that season, he appeared in 33 games (24 starts) and produced averages of 14.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.39 steals in 31.2 minutes per contest.