Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

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.

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.