NBA News Blog – Page 289 – NBA Blog

Three-team trade sends George Hill to Sixers, Austin Rivers to Thunder, Terrance Ferguson to Knicks

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey announced today that the team has acquired George Hill from the Oklahoma City Thunder and Ignas Brazdeikis from the New York Knicks in a three-team trade.

Philadelphia sent Tony Bradley and two second-round picks (2025 and 2026) to Oklahoma City and Terrance Ferguson, Vincent Poirier, the rights to Emir Preldžić, a 2021 second-round pick and Miami’s 2024 second-round pick (protected Nos. 31-55) to New York.

The Knicks also traded Austin Rivers to Oklahoma City as part of the deal.

In his 13th NBA season, Hill has appeared in 14 games (all starts) with the Thunder, averaging 11.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 26.3 minutes per game. He’s shot .508 from the field, .386 from beyond the arc and .840 from the free-throw line. Hill posted a season-high 22 points on Jan. 24 at the L.A. Clippers, shooting 9-12 from the field and 3-4 from three-point range and has scored in double figures in nine of his 14 contests this season.

All told, Hill has seen action in 799 career games (463 starts) with Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Sacramento, Utah, Indiana and San Antonio, averaging 11.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 27.7 minutes per contest. Last season’s NBA leader in three-point percentage (.460), he’s shot .384 from beyond the arc in his career. A two-way talent, Hill has collected more than 700 steals in his career and is one of nine active players shooting at least 38-percent from three-point range in 20,000-or-more career minutes. Hill’s teams have made the playoffs in 11 of his 12 NBA seasons as he’s seen action in 127 postseason games (91 starts), boosting his scoring average to 12.1 points in those contests.

A native of Indianapolis, Hill played collegiately at IUPUI, earning Summit League Player of the Year honors in his final season, before he was selected by San Antonio with the No. 26 overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Brazdeikis has played in 13 NBA games over two seasons with New York. Most recently, he appeared in 12 NBA G League games with the Westchester Knicks during single-site play at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando. With Westchester, Brazdeikis averaged 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 34.1 minutes per game. He and the 76ers’ Paul Reed were the only two players to average at least 20 points and nine rebounds during the 2021 NBA G League season.

Brazdeikis was originally selected by Sacramento with the No. 47 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, following a standout 2018-19 season at Michigan, during which he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He averaged 14.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in 29.6 minutes per game as he helped lead the Wolverines to a 30-7 record and an appearance in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Originally from Lithuania, Brazdeikis grew up in Canada and has represented the country internationally, earning a silver medal at the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship.

Bradley, Ferguson and Poirier were acquired by Philadelphia prior to the 2020-21 season. Bradley has played in 20 games this season, Ferguson has seen action in 13 and Poirier has appeared in 10. The rights to Emir Preldžić were originally acquired by Philadelphia on Feb. 6, 2019.

Ferguson, 6-6, 190-pounds, has appeared in 204 NBA games (124 starts), averaging 4.5 points and 1.3 rebounds over 19.6 minutes in four seasons with Oklahoma City and Philadelphia. He has appeared in 13 games for Philadelphia this season. The Tulsa-OK native, was originally selected by Oklahoma City with the 21st overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Poirier, 7-0, 235-pounds, has appeared in 32 games, averaging 1.5 points and 1.8 rebounds over two seasons with Boston and Philadelphia. The Clamart, France native was originally signed by Boston as a free agent on July 15, 2019.

Brazdeikis, 6-7, 214-pounds appeared in 13 games for New York, averaging 1.5 points over 4.6 minutes over two seasons. He was originally selected by Sacramento in the second round (47th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft and had his draft rights traded to New York.

Rivers, 6-4, 204-pounds appeared in 21 games (two starts) for New York this season, averaging 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists over 21.0 minutes. He was originally acquired by New York from Houston on November 27, 2020.

Bradley (6-10, 260) has appeared in 20 games (eight starts) with the 76ers this season, recording averages of 5.5 points and a career-high 5.2 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per contest, shooting a career-best 68.0 percent from the floor. The UNC product has made appearances in 90 career games (11 starts) and averaged 4.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in 11.3 minutes, shooting 64.6 percent from the field.

Thunder waive Meyers Leonard

The Oklahoma City Thunder has waived forward/center Meyers Leonard, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Leonard was originally acquired from the Miami Heat on March 17, 2021. He was traded by the Heat after getting caught spewing an antisemitic slur during a live video game stream.

He can now sit at home, where he’ll have more time to play video games.

Three-way trade sends Chandler Hutchison to Wizards, Troy Brown Jr. to Bulls, Moe Wagner to Celtics

The Washington Wizards announced today that they have acquired center Daniel Gafford and forward/guard Chandler Hutchison from the Chicago Bulls in a three-way trade that sends forward Troy Brown Jr. to Chicago and center Moe Wagner to the Boston Celtics.

The complete trade details include Boston acquiring Luke Kornet from Chicago, with Daniel Theis and Javonte Green going from Boston to Chicago.

“This trade will help us both in the short term over the second half of the season and in the long term with two young, athletic players who we can continue to develop,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “Daniel brings rim protection and the ability to finish around the basket while Chandler brings toughness on the defensive end, all attributes that complement our current roster.”

Gafford (6-11, 246) has averaged 5.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting .697 from the field in 74 career games (18 starts) in two seasons with the Bulls. He is currently averaging 4.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting .690 from the field in 31 games (11 starts) this season. Gafford scored a season-high 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field against the Wizards on December 31.

Originally selected 38th overall by the Bulls in the 2019 NBA Draft, Gafford averaged 14.3 points and 7.4 rebounds during his two seasons at the University of Arkansas. He was named to the 2019 SEC All-Defensive Team and First Team All-SEC following his sophomore season at Arkansas.

Hutchison (6-7, 208) holds career averages of 5.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 79 career games (24 starts) in three seasons with the Bulls. He has appeared in seven games this season. Hutchison averaged 7.8 points in 28 games for Chicago last season.

Originally selected in the first round (22nd overall) by the Bulls in the 2018 NBA Draft, Hutchison averaged 20.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.48 steals in 31 games as a senior at Boise State to earn Mountain West Player of the Year, All-Mountain West First Team and Mountain West All-Defensive Team honors. He was also named All-Mountain West First Team as a junior and finished his career ranked first in school history in double-doubles and 20/10 games.

“We thank Troy and Moe for their contributions on the court and their commitment to improving our community,” said Sheppard. “We appreciate their efforts and wish them the best as they continue their careers.”

Brown Jr. was originally selected by Washington with the 15th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. In three seasons with the Wizards, he averaged 7.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 142 games (32 starts). Wagner was acquired from the Lakers in a three-team trade involving the Pelicans on July 6, 2019. He appeared in 70 games (18 starts) with the Wizards over two seasons, posting averages of 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Magic trade Nikola Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu to Bulls for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., draft picks

The Orlando Magic have acquired center Wendell Carter Jr., forward Otto Porter Jr. and two future first round draft picks from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for center Nikola Vučević and forward Al-Farouq Aminu.

“Anytime you trade a player like Nikola (Vučević), it is a tough decision to make,” said Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman. “’Vooch’ will go down as one of the best players to ever wear a Magic uniform and we can’t thank him enough for all the contributions he made to the organization, both on and off the court.”

“Wendell (Carter Jr.) is a talented, young player, who is just starting to blossom,” Weltman added. “We are excited not only to add him to our team, but to watch him continue to develop into the player we think he can become. We’re happy to welcome Wendell and Otto (Porter Jr.) to the Magic family.”

Carter Jr. (6’10”, 268, 4/16/99) has played in 32 games (25 starts) this season with Chicago, averaging 10.9 ppg., 7.8 rpg. and 2.2 apg. in 24.7 minpg., while shooting .512 (129-252) from the floor. He has led (or tied) the Bulls in rebounding 12 times and in assists twice. Carter Jr. has scored in double figures 18 times and 20+ points twice, including a season-high 23 points on Jan. 8 @ L.A. Lakers. He has pulled down 10+ rebounds nine times, including a career-high 17 rebounds on Jan. 6 @ Sacramento, and recorded a team-high seven double-doubles.

Originally selected in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft by Chicago, Carter Jr. has appeared in 119 career NBA regular season games (112 starts), all with the Bulls, averaging 10.8 ppg., 8.1 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 26.5 minpg., while shooting .509 (492-966) from the floor. He was named to the U.S. Team for the 2020 NBA Rising Stars, but did not play due to injury.

Carter Jr. played and started in 37 games during his only collegiate season (2017-18) at Duke University, averaging 13.5 ppg., 9.1 rpg., 2.0 apg. and 2.05 blkpg. in 26.9 minpg., while shooting .561 (179-319) from the floor. He finished second all-time among Duke freshmen in rebounds (335), blocked shots (76) and double-doubles (16). Carter Jr. was a Second Team All-ACC selection and a unanimous pick to the ACC All-Freshman Team.

Carter Jr. will wear #34 with the Orlando Magic.

Porter Jr. (6”8”, 228, 6/3/93) has played in 25 games (six starts) this season with Chicago, averaging 9.9 ppg., 5.5 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 21.6 minpg., while shooting .400 (38-95) from three-point range and .838 (31-37) from the free throw line. He has led (or tied) the Bulls in scoring once and in rebounding four times. Porter Jr. has scored in double figures 12 times and 20+ points twice, including a season-high 28 points on Dec. 31 @ Washington. He has pulled down 10+ rebounds twice and had two double-doubles.

Originally selected in the first round (third overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft by Washington, Porter Jr. has appeared in 438 career NBA regular season games (301 starts) with Washington and Chicago, averaging 11.0 ppg., 5.0 rpg., 1.5 apg. and 1.14 stlpg. in 26.5 minpg., while shooting .404 (589-1,459) from three-point range. He has also played in 31 career NBA playoff games (18 starts), averaging 10.0 ppg., 6.3 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.26 stlpg. in 29.8 minpg.

Porter Jr. will wear #22 with the Orlando Magic.

Vučević (7’0”, 260, 1024/90) played and started in all 44 games this season with Orlando, averaging 24.5 ppg., 11.8 rpg. and 3.8 apg. in 34.1 minpg., while shooting .406 (117-288) from three-point range and .827 (91-110) from the free throw line. Originally selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, he has played in 642 career NBA regular season games (581 starts) with Philadelphia and Orlando, averaging 16.7 ppg., 10.3 rpg. and 2.6 apg. in 30.5 minpg., while shooting .497 (4,621-9,294) from the floor.

Vučević was acquired by Orlando on Aug. 10, 2012 as part of a four-team, 12-player trade. He played in 591 career games with the Magic (566 starts) from 2012-21, averaging 17.6 ppg., 10.8 rpg. and 2.8 apg. in 31.8 minpg., while shooting .499 (4,490-9,903) from the floor. Vučević leaves as the Magic’s all-time leader in field goals made (4,490) and ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in double-doubles (2nd, 354), rebounds (2nd, 6,381), points (3rd, 10,423), blocked shots (3rd, 550), games played (4th, 591), minutes played (4th, 18,791), steals (6th, 537) and assists (8th, 1,668). He was named an NBA All-Star in 2019 and 2021.

Aminu (6’9”, 220, 9/21/90) played in 17 games (14 starts) this season with Orlando, averaging 5.5 ppg., 5.4 rpg., 1.7 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 21.6 minpg. Originally selected in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft by the L.A. Clippers, he has played in 705 career NBA regular season games (445 starts) with the Clippers, New Orleans, Dallas, Portland and Orlando, averaging 7.6 ppg., 6.0 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 25.0 minpg.

Raptors trade Norman Powell to Trail Blazers for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired guard Norman Powell in a trade with the Toronto Raptors for guard Gary Trent Jr. and guard/forward Rodney Hood.

“Norman accomplished so much with the Raptors. He committed to the process, he worked on his game, he grew as a person, and he thrived as a player,” Raptors President Masai Ujiri said. “Norman gave us great performances to remember. Norman is an NBA Champion, and he has earned his place as one of the great success stories in franchise history. We are grateful for everything he did for our team and our city.”

Powell, 27, is averaging a career-high 19.6 points (49.8% FG, 43.9% 3-PT, 86.5% FT) to go with 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.12 steals and 30.4 minutes through 42 games (31 starts) with Toronto this season. He ranks 10th in the NBA in three-point percentage and 13th in three-pointers made (118).

In his sixth NBA season, Powell (6-3, 215) holds career averages of 9.9 points (46.6% FG, 37.9% 3-PT, 83.0% FT), 2.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 20.2 minutes in 349 games (120 starts), all with the Raptors. The 2019 NBA Champion was originally selected out of UCLA by Milwaukee with the 46th pick of the 2015 NBA Draft before being acquired by Toronto in a draft night trade.

“Gary and Rodney have been valuable members of our organization the past three seasons and we appreciate their numerous contributions on the floor and in the Portland community,” said Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey. “We wish them continued success and happiness in Toronto.”

Trent Jr., 6-foot-5, 209 pounds, is averaging career highs of 15.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 30.8 minutes in 41 games (23 starts) this season. He is shooting .414 (217-524) from the field and .397 (121-305) from three-point range. Trent Jr. has scored in double figures in 31 games, including 20 or more nine times, and scored a season-high 28 points Dec. 28 against the LA Lakers.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Trent Jr. owns career averages of 10.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 23.1 minutes in 117 career games (32 starts) with the Blazers. He played one season at Duke (2017-18) prior to being picked 37th overall by Sacramento in the 2018 NBA Draft and traded to Portland on draft night. His father, Gary Trent Sr., appeared in 13 games with the Raptors during the 1997-98 season.

Hood, 6-foot-8, 208 pounds, is averaging 4.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 19.1 minutes in 38 contests (five starts) this season. He has scored in double digits three times, including a season-best 21 points Jan. 18 vs. San Antonio.

A native of Meridian, Mississippi, Hood was picked 23rd overall by Utah in the 2014 NBA Draft. He is averaging 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 26.5 minutes in 379 career games (253 starts) with Utah, Cleveland and Portland. Hood played collegiately at Mississippi State (2011-12) and Duke (2013-14).

Powell will wear No. 24 for the Trail Blazers.

Pacers’ T.J. Warren will not return until next season

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday that T.J. Warren will be out for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.

Warren underwent surgery on January 5 to repair a small left navicular stress fracture.

The Pacers are just 20-23 this season, which is the 9th best record in the Eastern conference.

Their leading scorers in 2020-21 are Malcolm Brogdon at 21.4 points per game, Domantas Sabonis at 20.1 ppg, Caris LeVert at 16.7 ppg (in 7 games played for the Pacers so far), and Warren at 15.5 ppg (in just 4 games played).

Spurs waive LaMarcus Aldridge after two sides reach buyout agreement

The San Antonio Spurs today reached a buyout agreement with forward-center LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge appeared in a total of 376 games for the Spurs and averaged 19.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.25 blocks in five-plus seasons for the Silver and Black. The former Texas Longhorn was named All-NBA twice (2016, 2018) and an NBA All-Star three times (2016, 2018, 2019) while in San Antonio.

Per the San Antonio Express News, in the midst of a season in which he averaged 13.7 points, his least since his rookie season, while shooting 46.4 percent and grabbing a career-low 4.5 rebounds per game, Aldridge nevertheless still has value to championship-contending teams as a complimentary piece. His $24 million salary cap number, however, proved too cumbersome to trade. Spurs players did their best to take a “que sera, sera” approach to what often can be a trying day in NBA locker rooms.”

After originally signing with the Spurs on July 4, 2015, Aldridge became one of six players in San Antonio history to record at least 7,000 points and 3,000 rebounds, joining Spurs legends David Robinson, Tim Duncan, George Gervin, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

Nets without Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin against Jazz

The Nets were missing the majority of an All-Star team-level starting lineup tonight. Via the New York Post:

The Nets’ Big Three was officially pared down to a Big Zero, with James Harden a late scratch from Wednesday’s game at NBA-leading Utah.

After suffering a neck injury in Sunday’s win, Harden had been listed as questionable and very much in doubt right through pregame warmups Tuesday in Portland before suiting up and leading the Nets to a come-from-behind victory. But questionable again a day later, he sat against the Jazz.

The team is also without Blake Griffin tonight. And of course, guard Spencer Dinwiddie also remains out for the season.

The starting Nets lineup tonight against the Jazz wound up as Tyler Johnson and Bruce Brown at guard, Joe Harris and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot at forward, and Jeff Green at center.

Knicks expected to keep Julius Randle, RJ Barrett

The current Knicks core, which the team presumably intends to keep around, is clear. Via the New York Newsday:

Tom Thibodeau has raised the value of some players that the Knicks might have considered trade bait not long ago, impressively enough that it’s hard to imagine any deal that would include Julius Randle or RJ Barrett. And with those two off the table, the Knicks best assets are a surplus of draft picks, salary cap space to absorb an unwanted contract and a handful of useful veterans and still young enough to be valued players who have yet to find their place. Austin Rivers, with no role right now and a cap-friendly contract, and Frank Ntilikina, with free agency looming and a pricey cap hold, are the most likely Knicks to move on.

The Knicks are 22-22 this season, which ties them with the Heat and Hornets for the 5th best record in the Eastern conference.

Randle is averaging 23.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game this season, while Barrett is putting up 17.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists. No one else on the team is scoring as much as 13 ppg.

Timberwolves trade rumors one day before deadline

Here’s the latest on the Timberwolves, via the Star Tribune:

With the NBA trade deadline set for 2 p.m. Thursday, the Timberwolves continued to be active in what one source has said is a slow-moving trade cycle, with the league seeming to wait on a few big pieces to move before other dominoes follow in their suit.

Magic forward Aaron Gordon and Atlanta forward John Collins are among the players the Wolves have been inquiring about in the weeks leading up to the deadline. The Wolves are gauging the market to see if there’s a power forward they could partner with Karl-Anthony Towns, but there are a few complicating factors the Wolves have to overcome to get any deals done, and it’s perhaps why no deal has happened yet.

The Timberwolves are 10-33 this season, which is the worst record in the Western conference.

Their leading scorers so far in 2020-21 are Karl-Anthony Towns at 23.6 points per game (in just 23 games played), Malik Beasley at 20.5 ppg, D’Angelo Russell at 19.3 ppg (in just 20 games played), and rookie Anthony Edwards at 16.7 ppg.