Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Rapper Big Sean named Creative Director of Innovation for Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons today announced that rap star and Detroit-native Big Sean will become the organization’s Creative Director of Innovation.

In this role, Big Sean will provide creative counsel and strategic guidance on a variety of Pistons off-the-court initiatives, including team merchandise design, in-game experience, co-branded community, and social responsibility activation, and more.

To kick off the partnership, Big Sean has added his Don Life logo to the Pistons practice jersey.

“Sean is an accomplished artist, philanthropist and entrepreneur. Having spent time with him and his family I know how deeply he cares about the city of Detroit,” said Pistons Owner Tom Gores. “We share a common desire to use the power of sports and entertainment to improve our community and make a positive impact on people’s lives. I’m excited to see what we can do working together.”

“It’s a dream come true and a real honor to get to work with the iconic Detroit Pistons,” said Big Sean. “I grew up in the city, which naturally made me a fan of the Bad Boys. I would later have a Grant Hill poster on my wall and then, against all odds, would watch the ’04 Pistons go on to win the Championship, inspiring the whole city of Detroit. I look forward to creatively finding new ways to contribute to their legacy and continue their dedication to the community through sports, art, and, of course, music.”

Central to the partnership, the Pistons and the Sean Anderson Foundation will work together and engage Detroiters through future community initiatives and programming.

The six-time Grammy nominee will also curate music for Pistons in-game entertainment, including halftime performances and DJ playlists.

Additionally, Big Sean will participate in creative sessions and spearhead collaborations with the Pistons design team to launch custom merchandise line extensions.

Hornets exercise contract options on PJ Washington and Miles Bridges

The Charlotte Hornets have exercised their third-year option on forward PJ Washington and fourth-year option on forward Miles Bridges.

Washington enters his second NBA season after appearing in 58 games (57 starts) during his rookie campaign in 2019-20. The Kentucky product averaged 12.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 30.3 minutes per game. Washington shot 45.5% from the field overall including 37.4% from beyond-the-arc. The 12th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft set a rookie NBA record for three-point field goals made in a debut with seven total vs. Chicago on Oct. 23, 2019. The 6-7 forward started for the Hornets all season and garnered 2019-20 All-Rookie Second Team honors for the season.

Bridges is in his third NBA season after appearing in 145 games (89 starts) in his first two years. Bridges upped his averaged from 7.5 points in his rookie campaign to 13.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 30.7 minutes per game in his second year. Bridges totaled 20 points, five rebounds and five assists during the 2020 Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend in Chicago. The Michigan State product was originally acquired by the Hornets in a draft-night trade after being selected with the 12th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Raptors sign OG Anunoby to contract extension

The Toronto Raptors yesterday signed forward OG Anunoby to a multi-year contract extension.

Per the Toronto Star, Anunoby’s extension is a four-year deal worth $72 million USD.

“OG is the epitome of the skilled, powerful, determined player we want in our organization long-term. Remember, he doesn’t shoot to miss,” general manager Bobby Webster said. “We’re really pleased that OG will be with us for seasons to come.”

Per the Toronto Star, “given the diminished 2021 NBA free agent class and Anunoby’s obvious value to the Raptors, the deal was a no-brainer for each side. The Raptors get a young player on a team-friendly deal, while Anunoby has the comfort of a lucrative contract and can exercise an out after the third year if things sour with Toronto.”

Anunoby, 6-foot-8, 232 pounds, averaged career highs of 10.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 29.9 minutes in 69 games (68 starts) last season. He shot career bests of .505 (286-566) from the field, .390 (89-228) from three-point range and .706 (72-102) at the free throw line. Anunoby had six 20-point outings and recorded five double-doubles.

More from the Star: “The one burning question most fans will have in light of the signing —how much money will the Raptors have to spend in free agency next summer — is impossible to answer with any certainty.”

In the 2020 postseason, Anunoby helped the Raptors reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals. In 11 games (all starts), he averaged 10.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 35.7 minutes.

Entering his fourth season, Anunoby owns career averages of 7.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 23.3 minutes in 210 games (136 starts). As a sophomore, he participated in the 2019 MTN DEW Rising Stars game during NBA All-Star weekend in Charlotte.

A native of London, England, Anunoby played two seasons at Indiana prior to being picked 23rd overall by the Raptors in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Magic sign Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac to contract extensions

The Orlando Magic yesterday signed guard Markelle Fultz and forward Jonathan Isaac to contract extensions.

“We are thrilled to keep both Markelle (Fultz) and Jonathan (Isaac) in a Magic uniform,” said Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman. “They both have a very bright future and they mean a lot to our organization, both on and off the court.”

Per multiple reports, Fultz’s contract extension is for three years, $50 million, and Isaac’s extension is for four years, $80 million.

Fultz (6’4”, 209, 5/29/98) played in 72 games (60 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 12.1 ppg., a team-high 5.1 apg., 3.3 rpg. and 1.25 stlpg. in 27.7 minpg. He was tied for 30th in the NBA in steals and tied for 32nd in assists. Fultz led (or tied) the team in scoring four times, in rebounding once and in assists a team-high 31 times. He scored in double figures 51 times and 20+ points six times, including a career-high 25 points on Jan. 6 vs. Brooklyn. Fultz dished out 10+ assists five times, including a career-high 14 assists on Feb. 3 @ Charlotte. He had four double-doubles and recorded his second career triple-double on Jan. 15 @ L.A. Lakers with 21 points, a career-high 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Fultz also appeared and started in five playoff games, averaging 12.0 ppg., 5.2 apg., 2.2 rpg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 29.3 minpg.

Originally selected in the first round (first overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Fultz has appeared in 105 career NBA regular season games (75 starts) with Philadelphia and Orlando, averaging 10.7 ppg., 4.6 apg., 3.3 rpg. and 1.13 stlpg. in 25.5 minpg. He has also played in eight career playoff games (five starts), averaging 8.1 ppg., 3.9 apg. and 1.8 rpg. in 21.3 minpg.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, “the three-year deal represents a commitment by the Magic but also gives Fultz a chance to hit unrestricted free agency in the prime of his career. He’ll be 26 when the contract expires. Isaac, meanwhile, began to emerge as one of the league’s elite defenders last season before a knee injury Jan. 1 halted his season. Isaac returned during the NBA restart and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat before sustaining an ACL tear in the same knee. He’s out for the upcoming season as he rehabs the surgically-repaired knee.”

Isaac (6’10”, 230, 10/3/97) played in 34 games (32 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 11.9 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 1.4 apg., 2.29 blkpg. and 1.56 stlpg. in 28.8 minpg. He led (or tied) the team in scoring three times, in rebounding seven times and in assists once. Isaac scored in double figures 23 times and 20+ points four times, including a career-high 25 points on Nov. 23 @ Indiana. He had five double-doubles and pulled down 10+ rebounds six times, including a career-high-tying 13 rebounds on Nov. 20 @ Toronto. Isaac had at least one blocked shot 30 times and two-or-more blocks 23 times, including a career-high six blocked shots on Nov. 6 @ Dallas. He also had at least one steal 24 times and two-or-more steals 13 times, including a career-high seven steals on Dec. 28 @ Milwaukee.

Isaac missed 39 games last season due to injury, including 31 games (Jan. 3-Mar. 10) due to a posterior lateral corner injury/medial bone contusion of his left knee that he sustained on Jan. 1 @ Washington. He then returned during the NBA restart at Disney, but then suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament on Aug. 2 vs. Sacramento. Isaac missed the 2020 NBA Playoffs and underwent successful surgery on Aug. 7.

Originally selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft by Orlando, Isaac has appeared in 136 career NBA regular season games (106 starts), all with the Magic, averaging 9.3 ppg., 5.4 rpg., 1.1 apg., 1.51 blkpg. and 1.07 stlpg. in 25.8 minpg. He has also played and started in five career playoff outings, averaging 6.6 ppg., 6.2 rpg. and 1.00 blkpg. in 27.3 minpg.

Kings waive center Chimezie Metu

The Sacramento Kings have waived center Chimezie Metu, according to General Manager Monte McNair.

Metu appeared in four preseason games with the Kings, averaging 6.0 points (.563 FG%, .333 3pt%, .625 FT%), 2.3 rebounds and 7.4 minutes per game. An early entrant out of the University of Southern California, the 49th overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs has career averages of 2.3 points (.430 FG%, .767 FT%), 1.5 rebounds and 5.3 minutes per game in 47 games in two seasons with San Antonio (2018-20).

Sacramento’s roster now stands at 16 players.

Spurs sign Derrick White to contract extension

The San Antonio Spurs yesterday signed guard Derrick White to a contract extension.

Per multiple reports, White’s extension is a four-year deal worth $73 million.

White posted averages of 11.3 points, 3.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 24.7 minutes last season while ranking second among all NBA guards in total blocks (59), as well as second in the league in charges drawn (30). In seven games during the NBA Restart in Orlando, White averaged 18.9 points, 5.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 29.8 minutes while shooting 39.3 percent from three-point range on 8.0 attempts per game. For his NBA career White has appeared in 152 NBA games, averaging 9.8 points, 3.4 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 23.3 minutes while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from long range.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, “the move cements White — the 29th overall pick in the 2017 draft — as a key piece of the Spurs’ rebuilding effort moving forward. It marked the second consecutive offseason the Spurs inked a a player with three years of service to a long-term extension. In October 2019, Dejounte Murray signed a four-year, $64-million pact.”

Entering his fourth season with San Antonio, White was also a member of the USA Men’s National Team at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. White was originally selected by San Antonio in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft (29th overall) after playing one season at the University of Colorado after three years at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Nets re-sign Chris Chiozza, waive Jeremiah Martin

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed guard Chris Chiozza to a two-way contract. In a related move, Brooklyn has requested waivers on guard Jeremiah Martin.

Chiozza (5’11”, 176) originally signed a two-way contract with Brooklyn on Jan. 4, re-signed with the Nets on Dec. 1 and was waived by Brooklyn on Dec. 19.

He appeared in 28 games last season split between Brooklyn and Washington, recording averages of 5.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 14.3 minutes per game.

In 18 games with the Nets, Chiozza posted averages of 6.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 15.5 minutes per contest.

Martin (6’2”, 186) originally signed a two-way contract with the Nets on Jan. 15. He appeared in nine games with Brooklyn during the 2019-20 season, registering averages of 7.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 11.0 minutes per game. Martin also saw action in 16 games (nine starts) with the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League, recording averages of 16.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals in 31.6 minutes per contest.

Brooklyn’s roster for opening night now stands at 17 players.

Pistons exercise contract option on Sekou Doumbouya

The Detroit Pistons have exercised its third-year team option on the contract of forward Sekou Doumbouya through the 2021-22 NBA season.

Doumbouya, 6-9 230, was selected 15th overall by the Pistons in the 2019 NBA Draft. In 38 career games (19 starts), he’s averaged 6.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game. In his 19 starts last season, he averaged 9.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 25.0 minutes per game.

Clippers sign Luke Kennard to contract extension

The LA Clippers have signed guard Luke Kennard to a multi-year contract extension.

Per the Los Angeles Times, Kennard’s extension is “a four-year contract extension worth up to $64 million, according to a person with knowledge of the deal not authorized to speak publicly.”

According to the Times, “the deal includes $56 million guaranteed, along with $8 million in bonuses, and was reached before Monday’s deadline for extensions to be signed, which comes one day before the team’s season opener against the Lakers. It will keep Kennard, 24, from becoming a restricted free agent next summer.”

“We are excited to secure a commitment from a dynamic, emerging young player who continues to grow every day,” said Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. “We have been impressed with Luke’s versatility and maturity, and it’s been a privilege to get to know him better during this training camp. We believe he is a fantastic fit for our organization and we are delighted he feels the same.”

“Today is a great day. I couldn’t be more excited to play for the LA Clippers, and am thankful for Steve Ballmer, my teammates, and the entire Clippers organization for giving me the opportunity to be part of this world-class franchise,” said Kennard. “I am inspired by Steve’s unwavering commitment to winning and look forward to contributing to the team’s success on the court.”

Kennard, 24, appeared in 28 games for the Detroit Pistons last season and averaged a career-high 15.8 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds. Acquired as part of a three-team deal on Nov. 19, Kennard ranked second on the Pistons last season in free throw percentage (.893), third in points and 3P% (.399) and fourth in assists. The 6-foot-5 guard was selected by the Pistons as the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and holds career averages of 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 164 career games.

The Franklin, Ohio native spent two collegiate seasons at Duke University, averaging 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists. During his sophomore season at Duke in 2016-17, Kennard was named second team All-American and first team All-ACC, a John R. Wooden Award Finalist and the ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player.