Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Orlando Magic re-sign Gary Clark

The Orlando Magic have re-signed free agent forward Gary Clark, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Clark reportedly signed a contract for two years, $4.1 million.

“Gary (Clark) showed that he has the ability to compete with anyone during the NBA restart,” Weltman said. “He can both make shots and provide great effort on the defensive end. We are happy to have Gary return to Orlando.”

Clark (6’6”, 225, 11/16/94) played in 42 games (five starts) last season with both Houston and Orlando, averaging 3.7 ppg. and 2.6 rpg. in 13.5 minpg. He signed his first 10-day contract with the Magic on Jan. 14, then his second 10-day contract on Jan. 29, before signing for the remainder of the regular season on Feb. 8. In 24 regular season games (five starts) with the Magic, Clark averaged 3.6 ppg. and 2.9 rpg. in 14.8 minpg. He scored in double figures five times (three times with Orlando), including a career-high 15 points on Aug. 9 @ Boston. Clark also played and started in all five playoff outings, averaging 7.4 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 1.4 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 28.7 minpg. He scored a career playoff-high 15 points in Game #1 on Aug. 18 @ Milwaukee.

Per the Orlando Sentinel, “Clark gave the Magic a three-and-D and rebounding presence after being signed in mid-January to a 10-day contract. He wound up being signed for the rest of the year and proceeded to give the Magic bench minutes. After an injury to Aaron Gordon, Clark moved into the starting lineup near the end of the restart, then started all five games of the team’s playoff series against the Bucks.”

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Clark has appeared in 93 career NBA regular season games (seven starts) with Houston and Orlando, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 2.4 rpg. in 13.0 minpg. He has played in seven career playoff outings (five starts), averaging 5.3 ppg., 4.1 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 21.1 minpg. Clark has also appeared and started in 11 career NBA G League games with Rio Grande Valley, averaging 14.9 ppg., 6.5 rpg., 2.6 apg., 1.55 stlpg. and 1.00 blkpg. in 32.6 minpg.

Clark appeared in 139 career games (137 starts) during four seasons at the University of Cincinnati (2014-18), averaging 10.5 ppg., 8.1 rpg., 2.0 apg., 1.29 blkpg. and 1.17 stlpg. in 28.8 minpg., while shooting .525 (542-1,033) from the floor and .383 (54-141) from three-point range. As a senior (2017-18), he averaged 12.9 ppg., 8.7 rpg., 2.1 apg., 1.42 stlpg. and 1.22 blkpg. in 28.5 minpg. Clark was named the 2017-18 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and was a two-time American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2016-17, 2017-18).

Lakers sign Montrezl Harrell

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Montrezl Harrell.

Per multiple reports, the contract is a mid-level exception deal for two years, $19 million.

The Lakers recently lost center Dwight Howard in free agency to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Harrell, the 2019-20 NBA Sixth Man Award winner, played in 63 games (two starts) for the LA Clippers last season and averaged 18.6 points (.580 FG%), 7.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 blocks in 27.8 minutes per game. Harrell finished second in bench scoring behind Dennis Schröder and recorded a league-high 11 double-doubles off the bench.

Per the Los Angeles Times, “with Harrell, [Wesley] Matthews and the trade for point guard Dennis Schroder from Oklahoma City for Danny Green and the draft rights to Jaden McDaniels, the Lakers vastly improved their roster and put themselves in good position to defend their NBA championship.”

Harrell has played 318 career games (25 starts) for Houston and the Clippers, with averages of 12.7 points (.614 FG%), 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 20.9 minutes. He is the only player to tally more than 1,000 points and 400 rebounds as a reserve in each of the last two seasons and leads the NBA with 28 double-doubles off the bench during that span.

Trail Blazers re-sign Carmelo Anthony

The Portland Trail Blazers have re-signed forward Carmelo Anthony, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey.

Anthony, 36, averaged 15.4 points (43.0 FG, 38.5% 3-PT, 84.5% FT), 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 32.8 minutes in 58 games (all starts) with the Trail Blazers during the 2019-20 season. After signing with Portland last November, Anthony was named the Western Conference Player of the Week on Dec. 2 and at the season’s end was honored by the Trail Blazers with the Maurice Lucas Award, recognizing his contributions on the court and in the community.

Per the Oregonian, “this upcoming season, however, Anthony will find a much more crowded situation at both forward positions. Portland has traded for small forward Robert Covington, re-signed small forward Rodney Hood, who missed most of last season with an Achilles injury, and brought in small forward/guard Derrick Jones Jr. from Miami.”

Among all-time NBA leaders, Anthony ranks 15th in points (26,446), 19th in field goals (9,473), 35th in minutes (40,030) and 40th in three-pointers (1,449). He is one of 12 players in NBA history with at least 26,000 points, 7,000 rebounds and 3,200 assists.

A 17-year NBA veteran, Anthony holds career NBA averages of 23.6 points (44.8% FG, 34.9% 3-PT, 81.2% FT), 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.01 steals in 1,122 games (1,114 starts) with Denver, New York, Oklahoma City, Houston and Portland. Anthony is a 10-time NBA All-Star, a six-time All-NBA honoree and a four-time Olympic medal winner (three gold, one bronze). Originally selected by the Denver Nuggets with the third overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft, Anthony attended Syracuse University where he won the 2003 NCAA Championship as a freshman.

Jazz trade Ed Davis to Knicks

The Utah Jazz have acquired cash considerations in a trade with the New York Knicks, in exchange for forward/center Ed Davis and two future second round picks.

Per multiple reports, the Knicks will soon trade Davis to the Timberwolves.

Davis (6-9, 218, North Carolina) appeared in 28 games (one start) with the Jazz in 2019-20, averaging 1.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 10.8 minutes per game.

Lakers re-sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Los Angeles Lakers have re-signed shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Per the Los Angeles Times, the contract is for $40 million over three years.

Playing in 69 games (26 starts) for the Lakers last season, Caldwell-Pope averaged 9.3 points (.467 FG%), 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 25.5 minutes per game. Caldwell-Pope led the team in three-point percentage, shooting a career-best 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. He is the fifth Lakers player to net 90 or more three-pointers in three or more individual seasons with the Lakers (joining Kobe Bryant, Nick Van Exel, Derek Fisher, Eddie Jones), having done so in each of his first three seasons in Los Angeles.

More from the Times: “Caldwell-Pope’s ability to defend and make three-pointers, something he did well for the Lakers during the season and in the playoffs, were two reasons why L.A. wanted the 6-foot-5 guard to return.”

Caldwell-Pope started all 21 playoff games last season, notching 10.7 points (.418 FG%, .378 3FG%), 2.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steal in 29.0 minutes. He owns career averages of 11.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 539 games (397 starts) for the Pistons and Lakers.

Trail Blazers sign Harry Giles

The Portland Trail Blazers signed free agent forward/center Harry Giles today.

It is reportedly a one-year deal.

The 6-foot-11, 240 pound 22-year-old played for the Sacramento Kings in the 2019-20 season, and averaged 6.9 points (55.4% FG, 77.6% FT), 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 14.5 minutes in 46 games (17 starts). He scored in double figures 15 times during the season, including a game in August against the Orlando Magic where he produced 23 points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes.

In two NBA seasons, both with the Kings, Giles has a career average of 7.0 points (52.4% FG, 68.6% FT), 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 14.3 minutes in 104 games (17 starts).

Originally drafted out of Duke by the Trail Blazers with the 20th pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, Giles’ draft rights were included in a draft-night trade to the Kings for the draft rights to Zach Collins.

He will wear No. 10 for the Trail Blazers.

Trail Blazers sign second round draft pick CJ Elleby

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed rookie guard/forward CJ Elleby.

The Trail Blazers selected Elleby (6-6, 200) with the 46th overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Elleby, 20, joins the Trail Blazers after spending two years at Washington State, where he averaged 16.6 points (41.3% FG, 36.7% 3-PT, 74.9% FT), 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.39 steals and 32.1 minutes in 64 games (60 starts). Elleby was the third-fastest player in Washington State history to score 1,000 career points and is the first player to be drafted from the school since 2011.

An All-Pac-12 First Team selection as a sophomore in 2019-20, Elleby averaged 18.4 points (39.6% FG, 33.9% 3-PT, 82.3% FT), 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.75 steals and 0.81 blocks during his second collegiate campaign. He ranked fourth in the Pac-12 in scoring, seventh in rebounding and first in steals while becoming the first player in Washington State history to lead the team in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks in a single season.

Elleby will wear No. 16 for the Trail Blazers.

Wizards sign Raul Neto, and retain Garrison Mathews

The Washington Wizards have signed free agent guard Raul Neto and have retained guard Garrison Mathews as a two-way player.

Neto (6-0, 180 lbs.) has compiled career averages of 4.9 points, 1.9 assists and 1.3 rebounds on .446 shooting from the field in 253 games (75 starts) in his five-year career with Utah and Philadelphia.

“Raul’s experience both in the NBA and overseas will be valuable to our backcourt roster,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “He approaches the backup point guard position with a combination of toughness and skill that will fit in with our style of play.”

During the 2019-20 season, Neto averaged 5.1 points and 1.9 assists per game in 54 games (three starts) with Philadelphia. Before signing with the 76ers, Neto spent his first four seasons in the NBA with the Utah Jazz (2015-19). The 28-year old averaged 4.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 14.2 minutes per game with Utah. As a rookie in 2015, he appeared in 81 games (53 starts) and averaged a career-high 5.9 points and 2.1 assists per game.

Neto was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round (47th overall pick) of the 2013 NBA Draft, and his rights were traded by the Hawks to the Jazz in a draft-night trade in exchange for a 2015 second round pick (from Brooklyn) on June 27, 2013. Prior to coming to the NBA, he played professionally in Brazil and Spain from 2008-15. During the 2014-15 season, he appeared in 34 games (23 starts) for Universidad Catolica De Murcia (UCAM) of the Liga ACP in Spain, averaging 8.9 points, 3.9 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 22.4 mpg.

A native of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Neto competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games as a member of the Brazilian National Team.

Mathews returns to the Wizards after spending last season as a two-way player (he was originally signed on June 21, 2019). He averaged 5.4 points and 1.3 rebounds while shooting .413 from three-point range in 18 games with the Wizards. Mathews’ best outing came in a 123-105 win over the Miami Heat on December 30 when he scored a career-high 28 points on 4-7 shooting from deep to go along with four rebounds. The Lipscomb product also played in 17 games with the Capital City Go-Go, averaging 11.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

“Garrison showed in flashes last season that he can contribute with his shooting range and hustle,” said Sheppard. “Maintaining his development within our system as a two-way player is the best way for him to continue his improvement and we look forward to having him back.”

Wizards sign Robin Lopez

The Washington Wizards have signed free agent center Robin Lopez.

“Improving our interior defense is a priority for us and Robin’s experience, presence and IQ will absolutely help us as we work toward achieving that goal,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “He has been consistent throughout his career on both ends of the floor and will be a solid veteran addition with a style of play that complements our young frontcourt players.”

Lopez (7-1, 281) holds career averages of 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while shooting .529 from the field in 832 career games (585 starts) over 12 NBA seasons with Phoenix, New Orleans, Portland, New York, Chicago, and Milwaukee. He averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 60 games (five starts) for the Bucks during the 2019-20 season.

In three seasons with Chicago (2016-17), he averaged 10.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting .526 from the field. The 32-year-old veteran averaged a career-high 11.3 points on .534 shooting from the field in 82 games during the 2012-13 season with New Orleans Hornets. Lopez has averaged 8.5 points and 6.3 rebounds in 31 career playoff games with Phoenix, Portland, Chicago, and Milwaukee.

A native of North Hollywood, California, Lopez was selected with 15th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. He played collegiately at Stanford with his twin brother, Brook, who currently plays for the Bucks.

Wizards re-sign forward Davis Bertans to big contract

The Washington Wizards have re-signed free agent forward Davis Bertans.

Per the Washington Post, it’s “a five-year deal worth $80 million”

“We have been adamant that our top offseason priority was to re-sign Davis, so we are thrilled to accomplish that goal and have him on board as part of the winning environment we’re continuing to build,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “He is not only an elite shooter, he’s a great addition to our community and we saw last season how his ability to spread the floor, overall basketball IQ and competitive spirit make him an ideal fit for our style of play.”

Bertans averaged career-highs of 15.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 54 games last season, shooting .424 (200-472) from three-point range. He ranked fourth in the NBA in three-pointers made and sixth in three-point percentage.

“My family and I are very proud to be a part of this first-class organization in a world-class city with great teammates, coaches and fan support,” said Bertans. “All of those factors led to my decision to re-sign with the Wizards, and now I’m looking forward to getting back on the court and back to work so we can keep improving as a team.”

More from the Post: “Bertans arrived in Washington from the San Antonio Spurs via a three-team trade in July 2019 and blossomed into an offensive sparkplug playing with the Wizards’ second unit. He took just 26 games to rack up 100 three-pointers, the fewest games to hit that mark in a season in franchise history. In early February ahead of the trade deadline, the team heard an abundance of offers for the sharpshooter around the same time he participated in the three-point contest during All-Star Weekend in Chicago.”

Bertans’ 15.4 points per game ranked sixth in the NBA in scoring off the bench. He also ranks fourth in NBA history with 187 three-pointers as a reserve and his 200 total three-pointers made ranks fifth-most in a single season in Wizards history. In addition, Bertans became the only player in NBA history to knock down eight or more threes off the bench in three or more games in a single season. He finished the season with 25 games of four or more 3-pointers off the bench, the third-highest total in a single season in NBA history. His 15 games of five or more 3-pointers off the bench are tied for the second-most in a single season in NBA history.

Bertans was originally acquired from San Antonio in a three-team deal with the Spurs and Nets on July 6, 2019, that sent the Wizards’ draft rights to forward Aaron White to Brooklyn with the Spurs acquiring DeMarre Carroll from the Nets.