Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Timberwolves sign rookies Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed No. 1 overall NBA draft pick Anthony Edwards and No. 28 overall draft pick Jaden McDaniels.

The Wolves acquired McDaniels from the Oklahoma City Thunder along with Ricky Rubio in exchange for the draft rights to No. 17 overall pick Aleksej Pokuševski and forward James Johnson.

Edwards, 6-5, averaged 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in 33.0 minutes per game as a freshman last season. He tallied 610 points for the 2019-20 season, a total that ranks seventh on Georgia’s single-season scoring list (second among freshmen) and 10th all-time among SEC freshmen. The Atlanta native closed out the 19-20 season as the nation’s freshman scoring leader (19.1), standing as one of only three freshmen ranked in the top 100.

The 19-year-old shot 40.2 percent from the field (203-of-505) in his one season as a Bulldog. He ranked in the top 20 in six Georgia single-season statistical categories, including second in 3-point attempts (245), fifth in field goal attempts (505), 11th in 3-pointers (72), 17th in free throws (132) and 19th in both scoring average (19.1 ppg) and free throw attempts (171). During his freshman campaign, Edwards notched 27 double-figure scoring outings, 14 20-point performances, three 30-point contests and three double-doubles. A highlight from his freshman campaign includes scoring 37 points against Michigan State on Nov. 26, the most by a Georgia freshman since 1975.
Edwards was voted SEC Freshman of the Year by league coaches, becoming the first Bulldog to garner the honor since its inception in 2001. Among other acknowledgements, he was named SEC Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press, becoming the third Georgia honoree in team history.
McDaniels, a 6-9 forward joins the Timberwolves after spending one season at the University of Washington where he averaged 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 blocks. He was the only player in any of the major conferences to average at least 1.4 blocks and 1.4 three-pointers made per game in 2019-20. The Federal Way, Washington native is the younger brother of Charlotte Hornets forward Jalen McDaniels.

Timberwolves sign forward Tyler Cook

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed forward Tyler Cook to a training camp contract.

Cook, 23-years-old, 6-foot-8, played very limited minutes last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets. He was originally signed by the Nuggets on Aug. 13, 2019.

He played in 29 games in the G League for the Oklahoma City Blue and Canton Charge where he averaged 12.9 points on 58.2% shooting and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Cook played three seasons for the University of Iowa, averaging 14.1 points and 6.7 rebounds in 93 games (92 starts). As a junior, he was named All-Big Ten Second First Team by the media and All-Big Ten Third team by the coaches.

Kings sign Glenn Robinson III, who split time last season with Warriors and Sixers

The Sacramento Kings have signed free agent forward Glenn Robinson III, according to General Manager Monte McNair.

During the 2019-20 campaign, Robinson III competed in 62 games (52 starts) and averaged 11.7 points (.486 FG%, .391 3pt%, .860 FT%), 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 28.8 minutes for the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors. Robinson III posted career-highs in points (11.7), assists (1.5), rebounds (4.4), field goal percentage (.486), free-throw percentage (.860) and minutes played (28.8) per game as well as starts (52) during the 2019-20 season.

A six-year veteran from the University of Michigan, Robinson III has accrued career averages of 6.0 points (.459 FG%, .373 3pt%, .768 FT%), 2.6 rebounds and 17.5 minutes per game in 281 games (103 starts) for five teams: Philadelphia (2019-20, 2014-15), Golden State (2019-20), Detroit Pistons (2018-19), Indiana Pacers (2015-18), and the Minnesota Timberwolves (2014-15).

Originally selected by the Timberwolves with the 40th overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, Robinson III spent two seasons at the University of Michigan where he helped lead the Wolverines to the national championship game as a freshman in 2013.

Robinson III will wear No. 30 for the Kings.

Spurs sign forward Cam Reynolds

The San Antonio Spurs have signed forward Cam Reynolds.

It’s likely a non-guaranteed deal that merely brings Reynolds to Spurs training camp.

Reynolds, listed at 6-foot-8, 225 lbs., spent last season as a two-way player for the Milwaukee Bucks.

A native of Pearland, Texas, Reynolds started all 37 of the games he played with Milwaukee’s G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, averaging 14.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 31.6 minutes.

After spending four years at Tulane and going undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, Reynolds appeared in 19 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2018-19 season, averaging 5.0 points and 1.6 rebounds in 13.7 minutes.

The Spurs will kick off the 2020-21 season on Saturday, Dec. 12 when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in a preseason game at the AT&T Center.

The current Spurs roster stands at 18 players.

Magic forward Al-Farouq Aminu undergoes minor knee procedure

Orlando Magic forward Al-Farouq Aminu underwent a minor arthroscopic procedure to address continued swelling in his right knee, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Per the team, the procedure went as planned and will allow Aminu to complete his final phase of rehabilitation.

Aminu’s return to the court will depend on how he responds to treatment and rehabilitation. He missed 55 games last season after originally suffering the injury on November 29, 2019 vs. Toronto. Aminu underwent surgery on January 7.

Aminu (6’9”, 220, 9/21/90) played in 18 games last season for Orlando (two starts), averaging 4.3 ppg., 4.8 rpg., 1.2 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 21.1 minpg. He was signed as a free agent by the Magic on July 6, 2019. Aminu has appeared in 688 career NBA regular season games (431 starts) with the L.A. Clippers, New Orleans, Dallas, Portland and Orlando, averaging 7.6 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 25.1 minpg. He has also played in 40 career playoff contests (33 starts), averaging 11.3 ppg., 7.3 rpg. and 1.4 apg. in 29.1 minpg., while shooting .391 (70-179) from three-point range

Pistons sign Wayne Ellington

The Detroit Pistons have signed free agent guard Wayne Ellington.

Ellington, 6-4, 207, suited up for the New York Knicks last season where he recorded 5.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 15.5 minutes per contest through 36 games (one start).

Ellington makes his return to Detroit after playing for the Pistons in 2018-19, posting averages of 12.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 27.3 minutes over 28 games (26 starts). He also appeared in all four games in the NBA Playoffs that season for Detroit.

Ellington enters his 12th NBA season in 2020-21 after being drafted in the first round (28th overall) by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2009 NBA Draft. He has played for New York, Detroit, Miami, Brooklyn, L.A. Lakers, Dallas, Cleveland, Memphis and Minnesota. In 681 NBA games (166 starts), he holds career averages of 8.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 21.0 minutes per game.

A native of Wynnewood, Pa., Ellington starred collegiately at the University of North Carolina where he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2009 Final Four after leading UNC to the NCAA Championship. During that run to the championship, Ellington set the Final Four record for highest 3-point field goal percentage by going 8-for-10 (.800) from beyond the arc.

Pelicans sign Will Magnay, Tony Carr, Jarrod Uthoff and Ike Anigbogu

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed center Ike Anigbogu, guard Tony Carr and forward Jarrod Uthoff. Additionally, the team has signed center Will Magnay to a two-way contract.

Anigbogu, 6-9, 252, most recently played for the Erie BayHawks, appearing in six games last season, averaging 9.5 points and 4.8 rebounds. Selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 47th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the UCLA product appeared in 14 games for the Pacers between 2017-19, and 41 games for their G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

Carr, 6-5, 200, was originally selected with the 51st overall pick by New Orleans in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Penn State product began his professional career overseas, suiting up for Auxilium Torino and Pallacanestro Cantù in Italy, and Parma Basket of Russia, before returning to the United States to finish the 2019-20 season with the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League, appearing in 13 games, and averaging 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

Uthoff, 6-9, 220, most recently appeared in three games with the Washington Wizards during the NBA restart in Orlando, averaging 5.0 points while shooting .600 from deep. Undrafted in 2016 out of the University of Iowa, Uthoff has appeared in 16 career NBA games with Dallas, Memphis and Washington, averaging 3.7 points and 1.8 rebounds, and has also appeared in 121 G League games with Raptors 905, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Texas Legends and the Memphis Hustle, earning First-Team All-G League honors with the Hustle in 2020 after averaging 19.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 34 contests.

Magnay, 6-10, 234, most recently played for the Brisbane Bullets of Australia’s National Basketball League, earning the NBL’s Most Improved Player Award in 2020. Undrafted in 2017, Magnay played one year of collegiate basketball at the University of Tulsa.

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to sign two players to two-way contracts in addition to the 15-man regular season roster. Magnay and will provide services primarily to the team’s NBA G League affiliate – the Erie BayHawks.

Clippers re-sign Reggie Jackson

The LA Clippers have re-signed free agent guard Reggie Jackson.

Jackson, 30, appeared in 17 games for the Clippers last season, averaging 9.5 points, 3.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 41.3 percent from beyond the arc. Prior to being signed by the Clippers on February 20, Jackson appeared in 14 games for the Detroit Pistons in 2019-20, averaging 14.9 points, 5.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds.

The 6-foot-3 guard holds career averages of 12.8 points, 4.4 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 561 appearances across nine NBA seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Pistons and Clippers.

Born in Pordenone, Italy, Jackson played three collegiate seasons at Boston College before being selected by the Thunder with the 24th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. At Boston College, Jackson was named All-ACC First Team during his junior season in 2010-11.

Clippers sign Nicolas Batum

The LA Clippers have signed free agent Nicolas Batum.

According to the Orange County Register, “the 6-foot-9 Batum brings height and length on the perimeter, multi-positional defense, ball-handling and playmaking abilities, 39 games of postseason experience and, of course, he’ll be available to be signed on a minimum deal.”

And per the Los Angeles Times, “Batum is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-low 3.6 points and played 23 minutes per game, his fewest since his rookie season in 2008-09. He shot 34% overall and a career-worst 28% on three-pointers in 22 games, missing Charlotte’s final 19. Batum is just one season removed from making 38% of his threes. Yet that was the first time in five years that Batum shot better than the league average from behind the arc.”

Batum, 31, has appeared in 789 career games with averages of 11.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists over 12 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets. He appeared in 22 games for the Hornets last season with averages of 3.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The versatile forward has nine career triple-doubles, which is currently tied for 16th among active players. The 25th overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft, Batum has appeared in 39 career playoff games with averages of 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 29.9 minutes.

From Lisieux, France, Batum has been a member of the French National Team since 2009, representing his country in the 2012 Olympics, 2010 FIBA World Championship, 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 FIBA European Championships. He led France to a gold medal in the 2013 European Championship, a silver medal in the 2011 European Championship and bronze medals in the 2014 FIBA World Cup and 2015 European Championship.

Batum will wear No. 33 for the Clippers.