Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Atlanta Hawks exercise contract options on Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish

The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the fourth-year (2021-22) contract options on Kevin Huerter and Trae Young, along with the third-year (2021-22) options on De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish.

Entering his third season with the Hawks, Huerter last season averaged 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 31.4 minutes (.413 FG%, .380 3FG%, .828 FT%) in 56 contests (48 starts). He finished second on the team with 127 3FGM, including two games with a career-high-tying six triples. He scored in double-figures 35 times, including six games with 20-or-more points. Through 131 contests (107 starts) in two seasons, he holds career averages of 10.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 29.1 minutes (.416 FG%, .383 3FG%, .783 FT%). The 19th overall pick in 2018, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2018-19.

Also entering his third year and an Eastern Conference All-Star starter last season, Young put up 29.6 points, 9.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 35.3 minutes (.437 FG%, .361 3FG%, .860 FT%) in 60 starts, ranking second in the NBA in assists, fourth in scoring, 10th in minutes and 26th in free-throw percentage. Young led the Eastern Conference in assists for the second straight season and hit double digits in scoring 57 times, including 49 contests with at least 20 points. Through 141 games (all starts) in his two seasons, he’s averaged 23.6 points, 8.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 32.8 minutes (.428 FG%, .344 3FG%, .847 FT%). Young, the fifth overall pick in 2018, was a unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2018-19.

As a rookie last season, Hunter averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 32.0 minutes (.410 FG%, .355 3FG%, .764 FT%). Among qualifying rookies, he ranked first in minutes per game, fifth in free-throw percentage, tied for fifth in three-point percentage, sixth in rebounding, seventh in field goal percentage and tied for seventh in scoring. He scored in double-figures 42 times, including eight games with 20-or-more, and recorded 15 games with at least three three-pointers, the third-highest total by a rookie in Hawks history. The fourth overall pick in 2019, he is one of three rookies in league history to reach 12.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 32.0 mpg and 100 triples on .350 3FG% (Stephen Curry, Shane Battier).

Reddish averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 26.7 minutes as a rookie last season. Among qualifying first-year players, he ranked second in steals per game, ninth in minutes per game, three-point percentage and blocks per game, 11th in points and rebounds per game. He placed second among rookies in steals (62) and had at least eight games with three steals, the second-highest total among rookies. The 10th overall pick in 2019, Reddish was also one of three rookies last season to compile at least 100 FTM (101) and 80 3FGM (83).

Wizards forward Rui Hachimura out 3 weeks with eye infection

Wizards forward Rui Hachimura will miss approximately three weeks with bi-lateral epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), which is an eye infection.

Hachimura was diagnosed with EKC on December 16 and missed the Wizards’ final two preseason games.

The big Wizards news heading into the new season is the recent trade that sent John Wall to the Rockets for point guard Russell Westbrook.

Westbrook and shooting guard Bradley Beal form one of the most talented backcourts in the NBA. On paper, of course. Now comes chemistry development.

The Wizards also re-signed shooter Davis Bertans, and drafted talented rookie Deni Avdija.

Pistons waive Dzanan Musa

The Detroit Pistons have waived forward Dzanan Musa.

The Pistons acquired Musa on November 19, 2020 from the Brooklyn Nets. He played in one preseason game and tallied one rebound and one assist in 12 minutes of play.

NBA preseason ended yesterday. Teams around the league are trimming their rosters down through Monday, in time for the start of the regular season on Tuesday.

Kings waive Frank Kaminsky

The Sacramento Kings have waived forward-center Frank Kaminsky.

Kaminsky appeared in four preseason games with the Kings, averaging 5.3 points (.400 FG%, .250 3pt%) and 7.6 minutes per game. Prior to Sacramento, the former ninth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets accrued averages of 9.8 points (.422 FG%, .347 3pt%, .750 FT%), 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 21.9 minutes per game in 321 career games (36 starts) with Charlotte (2015-19) and the Phoenix Suns (2019-20).

Sacramento’s roster now stands at 17 players.

Raptors sign Paul Watson to standard contract, Yuta Watanabe to two-way contract

The Toronto Raptors announced Sunday they have signed forward Paul Watson to a standard NBA contract and forward Yuta Watanabe to a two-way player contract. Watson originally signed a two-way player contract with the club Jan. 15, 2020.

On Saturday, the Raptors waived forwards Oshae Brissett, Alize Johnson and Henry Ellenson.

Watson, 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, averaged 3.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 8.7 minutes in 10 games with Atlanta and Toronto last season. He set career highs with 22 points (8-13 FG, 4-6 3PT, 2-3 FT) and six rebounds in 27 minutes in the regular season finale Aug. 14 vs. Denver. Watson also appeared in 30 games with Raptors 905 in the NBA G League where he averaged 19.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 35.3 minutes. For his efforts Watson was named to All-NBA G League Midseason Eastern Conference Team.

Watanabe, 6-foot-9, 205 pounds, split last season between the Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League. He averaged 2.0 points, 1.1 rebounds and 5.8 minutes in 18 games with the Grizzlies. In 22 appearances with the Hustle, Watanabe posted averages of 17.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 32.7 minutes.

A native of Japan, Watanabe owns career averages of 2.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 8.5 minutes in 33 games with Memphis where he has spent the last two seasons (2018-20) as a two-way player.

Toronto’s roster currently stands at 17 players with Jalen Harris and Watanabe as two-way players.

Orlando Magic waive Devin Cannady, Robert Franks and Jon Teske

The Orlando Magic have waived guard Devin Cannady, forward Robert Franks and center Jon Teske.

Cannady (6’2”, 183, 5/21/96) appeared in two preseason games with the Magic, tallying six points, two rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot in nine minutes. He was originally signed as a free agent by Orlando on November 27. Last season, Cannady played in 40 games (30 starts) with Long Island of the NBA G League, averaging 14.4 ppg., 3.9 rpg., 2.8 apg. and 1.15 stlpg. in 31.0 minpg., while shooting .914 (53-58) from the free throw line.

Franks (6’7”, 255, 12/18/96) played in two preseason games with Orlando, recording five points and one steal in 10 minutes. He was originally signed as a free agent by the Magic on November 27. Last season, 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.

Teske (7’1”, 265, 5/4/97) appeared in one preseason game with the Magic, pulling down four rebounds in five minutes. He was originally signed as a free agent by Orlando on November 27. Last season, Teske played and started in 31 games as a senior at the University of Michigan, averaging 11.6 ppg., 6.7 rpg., 1.1 apg., 1.84 blkpg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 27.8 minpg. He was the only member of the Wolverines to start in all 31 games.

Orlando’s roster now stands at 17 players, including two-way players Jordan Bone and Karim Mané.

Hornets waive Keandre Cook, Javin DeLaurier, Xavier Sneed and Kahlil Whitney

The Charlotte Hornets have waived guard Keandre Cook, forward Javin DeLaurier, forward Xavier Sneed and forward Kahlil Whitney.

Cook (6-5, 187) went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft after two seasons at Missouri State University. The Baltimore native appeared in 33 games during his senior season, averaging 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 32.1 minutes per game to earn All-Missouri Valley Conference Second Team honors. He appeared in one preseason game for the Hornets.

DeLaurier (6-10, 237) played four years at Duke University, averaging 3.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game in 114 career contents. The Shipman, Virginia native went undrafted and appeared in one preseason game for the Hornets.

Sneed (6-5, 220) made three appearances for the Hornets during the preseason, totaling six points and four rebounds in 15 minutes. The St. Louis native went undrafted after a decorated career at Kansas State University. He appeared in 32 games and averaged 14.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.7 assists in 32.5 minutes per game as a senior, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention accolades.

Whitney (6-6, 210) played collegiately for the University of Kentucky. The Chicago native went undrafted after averaging 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 12.8 minutes in 18 games for the Wildcats. A heralded recruit out of high school, Whitney was a 2019 McDonald’s All-American and participant in the 2019 Jordan Brand Classic. He appeared in one preseason game for the Hornets.

After waiving Cook, DeLaurier, Sneed and Whitney, the Hornets roster stands at 16 players.

Timberwolves waive Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Tyler Cook, Zylan Cheatham and Charlie Brown Jr.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived guard Charlie Brown Jr. and forwards Zylan Cheatham, Tyler Cook and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Brown Jr., 6-6, totaled 20 points and 4 rebounds last season in 10 games with Atlanta. He was originally signed by the Hawks on July 1, 2019. The 23-year-old played in 29 games in the G League for the College Park Skyhawks where he averaged 17.1 points on 42.2% shooting and 6.7 rebounds per game.

Cheatham, 6-5, played in four games with the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019-20 season. The 25-year-old played in 34 games (30 starts) in the G League for the Erie Bayhawks where he averaged 16.2 points on 53.4% shooting and 11.6 rebounds per game.

Cook, 6-8, played in one game during the preseason for the Timberwolves recording two points, three rebounds and two assists. The 23-year-old totaled 23 points and 14 rebounds last season in 13 games with Cleveland and Denver. He was originally signed by the Timberwolves on Dec. 2, 2019.

Hollis-Jefferson, 6-6, played in three preseason games with the Timberwolves, averaging 7.7 points and 2.0 rebounds. During the 2019-20 season, he averaged 7.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 60 games with the Toronto Raptors. The five-year veteran has played in 294 career games (153 starts) with Toronto and Brooklyn, holding career averages of 9.3 points and 5.6 rebounds.

Rockets waive Gerald Green

The Houston Rockets waived guard/forward Gerald Green.

“Gerald is a truly exceptional human being that is beloved by our organization, the City of Houston and Rockets fans all over the world,” said Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone. “He has given us so much on the court during his time with the Rockets, but we’re even more proud of the impact he’s had in the community. When Houston was hit its hardest by Hurricane Harvey, Gerald did whatever he could to help those in need. Gerald is all heart and he will forever be a part of the Rockets family.”

Green was originally the 18th overall pick by Boston in the 2005 NBA Draft and has appeared in 658 career games with 118 starts. From the time he originally signed with the Rockets on Dec. 28, 2017 through the end of the 2018-19 season, Green had the most 3-pointers made (255) of any reserve in the NBA.