Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Grizzlies sign David Johnson

The Memphis Grizzlies recently signed guard David Johnson.

Johnson (6-4, 203) appeared in 24 showcase and regular season games (nine starts) last season for the Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, and averaged 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 26.6 minutes.

The 23-year-old competed in two NBA regular season games for the Toronto Raptors during the 2021-22 season and has made 97 NBA G League appearances over three seasons with the Hustle and Raptors 905 since he was selected by Toronto 47th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Louisville.

Grizzlies sign Scotty Pippen Jr.

The Memphis Grizzlies recently signed guard Scotty Pippen Jr. to a multi-year contract.

Pippen Jr. (6-1 ½, 190) appeared in 21 games (16 starts) and averaged 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals in 25.1 minutes while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from 3-point range with the Grizzlies last season after he was signed to a two-way contract on January 16, 2024. He was named to the 2024 NBA2K All-Summer League First Team in July.

The 23-year-old, who made six appearances for the Los Angeles Lakers as a rookie during the 2022-23 season, competed in 24 regular season games (seven starts) over two seasons with the NBA G League’s South Bay Lakers and averaged 20.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.8 steals in 28.5 minutes. He was selected to participate in the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.

Unselected in the 2022 NBA Draft, Pippen Jr. played three years at Vanderbilt, where he was named All-SEC First Team following his sophomore and junior campaigns.

Trail Blazers sign James Bouknight

The Portland Trail Blazers recently signed guard James Bouknight to an Exhibit-10 contract.

In three seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, Bouknight accrued career averages of 4.8 points (33.5% 3-PT, 76.2% FT), 1.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 11.4 minutes per game in 79 career games for the Hornets. During the 2023-24 season, the former 11th overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft shot a career-high 43.3% from three.

Magic sign Wendell Carter Jr. to a contract extension

The Orlando Magic recently signed center Wendell Carter Jr. to a contract extension, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced.

Carter Jr. (6’10”, 262, 4/16/99) played in 55 games (48 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 11.0 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 25.6 minpg., while shooting .525 (223-425) from the floor and .374 (64-171) from three-point range. He led (or tied) the team in scoring twice, in rebounding 26 times and in assists once. Carter Jr. scored in double figures 28 times and 20+ points three times, including a season-high 25 points on Jan. 19 vs. Philadelphia. He had 10+ rebounds 10 times and recorded nine double-doubles. Carter Jr. also played in seven playoff games (five starts), averaging 7.6 ppg., 6.3 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 26,4 minpg.

Originally selected in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft by Chicago, Carter Jr. has appeared in 315 career NBA regular season games (294 starts) with Chicago and Orlando, averaging 12.5 ppg., 8.5 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 27.6 minpg., while shooting .517 (1,497-2,893) from the floor. He was acquired by the Magic from Chicago, along with Otto Porter Jr. and two future first round draft picks, in exchange for Al-Farouq Aminu and Nikola Vučević on Mar. 25, 2021.

Raptors guard-forward RJ Barrett out with a shoulder sprain

The Toronto Raptors recently announced that guard-forward RJ Barrett sustained a shoulder sprain, in his right acromioclavicular joint, late in the second quarter of the Raptors’ 125-98 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

Barrett will be out for the remainder of the preseason, and his condition will then be updated as appropriate.

Barrett averaged 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 33.5 minutes in 32 games (all starts) with the Raptors last season after being acquired from New York on Dec. 30.

Wizards to host an open practice on October 16, 2024

The Washington Wizards will host their annual open practice on Wednesday, October 16, at the Thurgood Marshall Academy in Southeast D.C. beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Thurgood Marshall students, staff, and facility will be invited to watch the team practice as they continue to prepare for the 2024-25 season. The Thurgood Marshall community will enjoy an afternoon featuring the Wizards Dancers, G-Wiz, DJ Heat, in-arena host Britt Waters, and the entire Wizards roster and coaching staff. All those in attendance will receive a ‘202’ Wizards branded t-shirt courtesy of Capital One.