Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Lakers sign Marc Gasol

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Marc Gasol, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Gasol’s Lakers contract is a two-year deal for the veteran’s minimum salary of $2.56 million per year, per multiple reports.

Per the Los Angeles Times, “to make the space to sign Gasol to a two-year deal, the Lakers had to trade starting center JaVale McGee and a future second-round pick to Cleveland in a deal that netted them other considerations, in this case forwards Jordan Bell and Alfonzo McKinnie.”

Gasol played in 44 games (43 starts) for Toronto last season, averaging 7.5 points (.427 FG%, .385 3FG%), 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. In 839 games (824 starts) for the Grizzlies and Raptors, he has averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 blocks in 33.0 minutes. Gasol has played and started in 94 career playoff games, notching 13.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 blocks in 35.2 minutes, while aiding the Raptors in their 2019 title campaign.

More from the Times: “At his best, Gasol, who will turn 36 on Jan. 29, is a floor-spacing center who can hit three-point shots from above the wings while making the right pass at the right moment. He’s a cerebral defender who can use his supreme IQ and experience to make up for diminished quickness and athleticism.”

Per the O.C. Register, “Gasol struggled in the bubble in the most recent postseason, but during Toronto’s 2019 postseason run, he averaged 9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.1 blocked shots and 3 assists per game while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range. Gasol has shot better than 36 percent from beyond the arc in his last two seasons at more than three attempts per game.”

A three-time NBA All-Star, Gasol has earned two All-NBA selections and in 2013 became the first European-born player to be named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He is one of six players in league history to record more than 6,000 career rebounds, 1,100 blocks and 350 three pointers. As a member of the Spanish National Team, Gasol has helped the country earn nine medals, including gold medals at the FIBA World Cup in 2006 and in 2019, and Olympic silver medals in 2008 and 2012.

Utah Jazz plan to allow some fan attendance at home games in 2020-21 NBA season

The Utah Jazz today announced that home games at Vivint Arena will be played with a limited number of fans when the NBA season begins in December amid a series of enhanced health and safety measures implemented throughout the building in consultation with the Utah Department of Health.

The arena will reopen with a reduced seating capacity of 1,500 in the lower bowl only and limited seating on the suite level. Lower and upper bowl season ticket members will be given priority access for socially distanced seating at Jazz games during the arena’s limited capacity.

“The Jazz believe this is a responsible way to start the season from a public health and safety standpoint. Our intent is to increase the number of fans as the season unfolds in compliance with state guidelines,” said Jazz President Jim Olson. “We want to reassure our guests that we are taking the utmost precautions to have a safe and enjoyable experience as they return. We are optimistic for the future and continue to closely monitor the public health situation with State of Utah, Salt Lake County, and Salt Lake City officials as well as the NBA.”

“The Utah Jazz have always been an important part of our community, and the team is making every effort to be an example for how we can start to safely resume these types of activities,” said Rich Saunders, interim executive director of the Utah Department of Health. “The Jazz are committed to working with public health professionals and to doing everything they can to ensure the health and safety of their fans, players, staff, and arena employees by implementing important safeguards and limiting the number of people who can attend games in-person. We certainly look forward to welcoming the Jazz back.”

Any preseason games at Vivint Arena will be played without fans next month. The league recently announced that the 2020-21 NBA season will begin on Dec. 22 and continue through May. The official 72-game schedule will be announced later.

Orlando Magic sign Dwayne Bacon

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Dwayne Bacon, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Bacon (6’6”, 221, 8/30/95) played in 39 games last season (11 starts) with Charlotte, averaging 5.7 ppg., 2.6 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 17.6 minpg. He led (or tied) the team in scoring twice, scored in double figures ten times and had 20+ points three times, including a career-high 25 points on Nov. 2 @ Golden State.

Originally selected in the second round (40th overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft by New Orleans, Bacon has appeared in 135 career NBA regular season games (30 starts), all with Charlotte, averaging 5.3 ppg., 2.3 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 16.0 minpg.

Bacon played in 69 career games (68 starts) during two seasons at Florida State University (2015-17), averaging 16.5 ppg., 5.0 rpg. and 1.6 apg. in 28.8 minpg. As a sophomore (2016-17), he played and started in 35 games, averaging 17.2 ppg., 4.2 rpg., 1.7 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 28.8 minpg. Bacon led the Seminoles in scoring and, along with current Magic player Jonathan Isaac, guided Florida State to a 3-seed in the West region of the 2017 NCAA Tournament, tying for the highest-ever seeding in school history. He was named to the All-ACC Second Team. As a freshman (2015-16), Bacon played in 34 games (33 starts), averaging 15.8 ppg., 5.8 rpg. and 1.5 apg. in 28.8 minpg. He led the team in scoring, earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors a school-record five times and was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team.

Bacon will wear #8 with the Orlando Magic.

Orlando Magic re-sign Michael Carter-Williams

The Orlando Magic have re-signed free agent guard Michael Carter-Williams, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Carter-Williams (6’6”, 190, 10/10/91) played in 45 games last season with Orlando, averaging 7.2 ppg., 3.3 rpg., 2.4 apg. and 1.09 stlpg. in 18.5 minpg. He led (or tied) the team in scoring once, in rebounding once and in assists four times. Carter-Williams scored in double figures 14 times and 20+ points once, including a season-high 20 points on Mar. 10 @ Memphis. He missed the 2020 NBA Playoffs due to a strained tendon in his left foot.

Originally selected in the first round (11th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Carter-Williams has appeared in 360 career NBA regular season games (192 starts) with Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Chicago, Charlotte, Houston and Orlando, averaging 10.4 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 4.4 apg. and 1.31 stlpg. in 25.3 minpg. He has also played in 16 career playoff games, averaging 7.5 ppg., 3.2 rpg. and 2.9 apg. in 21.0 minpg. Carter-Williams was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2013-14, after averaging 16.7 ppg., 6.3 apg., 6.2 rpg. and 1.86 stlpg. in 34.5 minpg. during 70 games with Philadelphia.

Raptors re-sign Fred VanVleet

The Toronto Raptors have re-signed free agent guard Fred VanVleet to a multi-year contract.

Per multiple reports, VanVleet’s Raptors contract is a four-year, $85 million deal. The final season is a player option, according to ESPN.

“In the last four years, we’ve seen Fred move from leader of Raptors 905, to leader of the Bench Mob to a leader of a championship team. The constant has been his leadership, no matter his role,” Raptors president Masai Ujiri said. “We look forward to the coming years with Fred as one of the voices and hearts of our team. We bet on Fred.”

Per the Toronto Sun, “VanVleet, who famously and loyally followed his own advice to “Bet on Yourself” reaped the benefits signing the largest total value contract for any undrafted player in NBA history. In his four years in the NBA so far VanVleet has improved in every statistical category from year to year. Last season when he averaged career bests in scoring, assists, rebounds, steals, three-point field goal percentage. He also finished fourth in the league in steals per game.”

VanVleet, 6-foot, 195 pounds, averaged career highs of 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals (fourth in the NBA) and 35.7 minutes in 54 games (all starts) last season. He shot .413 (319-773) from the floor, .390 (146-374) from three-point range and a career-best .848 (168-198) at the free throw line. VanVleet scored 20 or more points in 22 games, including a career-high 36 points Aug. 3 at Miami, and recorded eight double-doubles. In the postseason, he helped the Raptors reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals, averaging team highs of 19.6 points, 6.9 assists and 39.1 minutes in 11 contests.

“For me, ‘Bet on Yourself’ isn’t just a motto on a shirt. It really is at the centre of who I am and how I decide to live and to work,” VanVleet said. “I’m really happy to be staying in Toronto with my Raptors family, and to be able to continue with this great organization and to work towards our goal of our next championship.”

A native of Rockford, Illinois, VanVleet was a finalist for the 2018 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. He has appeared in 231 regular-season games (82 starts) during four seasons with Toronto (2016-20), averaging 10.5 points, 4.1 assists and 23.8 minutes. VanVleet helped the Raptors capture their first NBA championship in 2019 and owns averages of 9.6 points, 3.2 assists and 24.3 minutes in 48 career playoff appearances (12 starts).

More from the Suns: “On top of that he’s a perfect fit in Nick Nurse’s rotation which demands equal parts defensive tenacity, basketball IQ and an ability to shoot the basketball.”

VanVleet joined the Raptors as an undrafted free agent in 2016 following a four-year collegiate career at Wichita State (2012-16).

Four-team NBA trade sends Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe to Pelicans, Jrue Holiday to Bucks

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has completed a four-team trade with the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Pelicans have acquired Steven Adams (via Oklahoma City) and Eric Bledsoe (via Milwaukee), as well as two future first round draft picks from Milwaukee and the right to swap two additional future first round picks with the Bucks.

In exchange, the Bucks have acquired Jrue Holiday and the draft rights to Sam Merrill, the 60th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft (via New Orleans).

Also, the Nuggets have acquired the draft rights to R.J. Hampton, the 24th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft (via Milwaukee).

And the Thunder have acquired a future first round draft pick (via Denver), George Hill (via Milwaukee), Zylan Cheatham, Josh Gray, Darius Miller and Kenrich Williams (via New Orleans) as well as two second round draft picks from the Pelicans (2023 via Washington, 2024 via Charlotte).

“Jrue Holiday’s contributions to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region, both on and off the floor, serve as shining examples to everyone in our Pelicans family,” stated Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “They are a statement of what we want to represent and, frankly, what we have to live up to moving forward. He and his wife Lauren have worked tirelessly to affect the quality of life of those around them and we are honored to have been a part of their journey. We are also thankful for the positive impact that Darius, Kenrich, Josh and Zylan have had on our organization and we wish them nothing but success in their future efforts.”

Adams, 7-0, 265, has spent his entire seven-year career in Oklahoma City, appearing in 530 career regular season games with the Thunder, holding career averages of 9.8 points on .589 shooting from the field, 7.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks. The New Zealand native appeared in 63 games in 2019-20, averaging 10.9 points on .592 shooting from the floor, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks. Selected 12th overall out of the University of Pittsburgh in the 2013 NBA Draft, Adams ranks fifth all-time in OKC/Seattle franchise history in blocks (531) and first in field goal percentage.

Bledsoe, 6-1, 214, appeared in 61 regular season games for Milwaukee last season, averaging 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 0.9 steals. Selected 18th overall out of the University of Kentucky in the 2010 NBA Draft, Bledsoe has appeared in 631 career regular season games with the LA Clippers, Phoenix and Milwaukee, holding averages of 14.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals. The Birmingham, Alabama native is coming off back-to-back seasons with NBA All-Defensive Team honors after being named to the First Team in 2019 and Second Team in 2020.

“Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe are not only fiercely competitive and driven to succeed at the highest levels, they are proven winners with a team-first mentality,” Griffin added. “As we continue to build towards the sustainable success our ownership demands and our fans so richly deserve, we are grateful to be able to do so with such high-quality teammates and human beings.”

Holiday, who was originally acquired by New Orleans in 2013, has appeared in 415 regular season games in a Pelicans uniform, averaging 17.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals over the last seven seasons. Holiday leaves the franchise ranked fourth all-time in games played (415), minutes (13,913), and points (7,321), third in steals (638), second in assists (2,833) and the leader in three-point field goals made (628). While in New Orleans, Holiday helped lead the Pelicans to two playoff appearances in 2015 and 2018, was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2018 and Second Team in 2019, and was the recipient of the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award this past season.

Cheatham, 6-5, 220, spent his rookie season as a two-way player for New Orleans after going undrafted out of Arizona State in 2019, appearing in four games with the Pelicans. Cheatham played in 34 games for the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League last season, averaging 16.3 points on .530 shooting from the field, 11.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals.

Gray, 6-0, 180, was a two-way player for New Orleans last season, appearing in two games with the Pelicans. The LSU product appeared in 37 games with the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League, averaging 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 2.3 steals.

Miller, 6-6, 225, missed the 2019-20 season after recovering from a ruptured right Achilles tendon. The University of Kentucky product has appeared in 253 career regular season games, all with New Orleans, holding averages of 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists. In 2018-19, Miller appeared in 69 games, posting averages of 8.2 points (career-high), 1.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists. In addition to his NBA experience, Miller has also played overseas in Germany, where he won three consecutive German League championships with Brose Bamberg from 2015-17.

Williams, 6-6, 210, appeared in 85 games for New Orleans from 2018-20, averaging 4.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists. In 2019-20, the TCU product appeared in 39 games for the Pelicans, averaging 3.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

Merrill, 6-5, 205, completed a four-year collegiate career at Utah State, appearing in 131 career games, averaging 16.8 points while shooting .420 from three-point range, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steals. Most recently, Merrill appeared in 32 games during his 2019-20 senior campaign, averaging 19.7 points while shooting .410 from three-point range, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists, while earning All-Mountain West First Team honors.

Lakers trade JaVale McGee, draft pick to Cavs for Jordan Bell and Alfonzo McKinnie

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired center Jordan Bell and small forward Alfonzo McKinnie in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers for center JaVale McGee and a future second round draft pick.

Bell has played in 154 career games (16 starts) for Golden State, Minnesota and Memphis, averaging 3.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 12.0 minutes per game. McKinnie has appeared in 126 career games (six starts) for Toronto, Golden State and Cleveland, notching 4.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13.1 minutes.

McGee (7-0, 270) has appeared in 701 games over 12 seasons with averages of 7.9 points on .575 shooting, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 17.3 minutes with Washington, Denver, Philadelphia, Dallas, Golden State and the Lakers. During the 2019-20 season, he appeared in 68 games, averaging 6.6 points on .637 shooting, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 16.6 minutes. McGee has appeared in 58 career playoff games, averaging 5.6 points on .612 shooting, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 12.9 minutes. Last season also marked McGee’s third NBA Championship after winning two titles with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018.

McKinnie (6-7, 215) played in 40 games for the Cavaliers last season, averaging 4.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 14.8 minutes. Bell (6-8, 224), who the Cavaliers signed on June 30, 2020, played in 29 games for Minnesota and Memphis last season, averaging 3.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 8.8 minutes.

In a separate transaction with the Milwaukee Bucks on November 18th, the Cavaliers acquired the Bucks’ 2025 second round draft pick in exchange for the draft rights to Ilkan Karaman (originally drafted in 2012 by the Brooklyn Nets). The protections on the first round pick for the first allowable draft (2022) previously conveyed to the Cavaliers from Milwaukee in a trade on Dec. 7, 2018 have been removed, making it an unprotected first round pick.

Hawks sign Rajon Rondo

The Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent guard Rajon Rondo, the team announced today.

Rondo’s Hawks contract is reportedly a two-year, $15 million deal.

“Rajon is an intense competitor, a proven winner and a true student of the game,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Travis Schlenk. “His resume and experience speak for themselves. We’re excited to add him to our group.”

Rondo, a two-time NBA champion (including in 2020 with the Lakers), four-time All-Star and two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team member, has led the NBA in assists three times and in steals once.

Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Rondo, 34, will bring a veteran presence and playoff experience to a young Hawks team trying to qualify for the postseason this year.”

In 873 career regular season games (729 starts) with Boston, Dallas, Sacramento, Chicago, New Orleans and the Los Angeles Lakers, he’s averaged 10.2 points, 8.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 31.0 minutes (.458 FG%, .316 3FG%, .606 FT%). The 6-foot-1 Rondo has 121 games of career postseason experience (105 starting assignments), averaging 13.3 points, 9.0 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 35.9 minutes (.444 FG%, .320 3FG%, .648 FT%).

Among active NBA players, Rondo ranks fourth in assists (7,215, 15th overall in NBA history) and sixth in steals (1,451).

The 21st overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by Phoenix, Rondo was traded to the Celtics on draft night. He earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors in 2010 and 2011, All-Defensive Second Team in 2009 and 2012, Third Team All-NBA in 2012 and Second Team All-Rookie in 2007.

As a collegiate player at Kentucky, the Louisville native appeared in 68 games over two seasons, averaging 9.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.3 steals in 28.1 minutes (.493 FG%, .283 3FG%, .577 FT%).

More from the Journal-Constitution: “He also will fill a hole on the Hawks’ roster as a secondary playmaker and ballhandler behind Trae Young. That was one of three major problems the Hawks had to solve entering the 2020 season – improved 3-point percentage (which the Danilo Gallinari signing addresses), improved defense (which the Kris Dunn signing addresses) and preventing the offense from stalling when Young goes to the bench, something the Rondo signing can help with if he gives the second unit a boost.”

He will wear jersey No. 7.

Lakers re-sign Markieff Morris

The Los Angeles Lakers have re-signed forward Markieff Morris, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

Per multiple reports, Morris’ contract is a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum.

Morris played in 14 games (one start) for the Lakers last season, averaging 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.2 minutes. In 21 playoff games (two starts) for Los Angeles, Morris shot a team-high 42.0 percent from three-point range and notched 5.9 points (.449 FG%), 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist.

Morris has played in 637 career games (348 starts) for the Suns, Wizards, Thunder, Pistons and Lakers, with averages of 11.4 points (.448 FG%), 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25.5 minutes.

Utah Jazz re-sign Jordan Clarkson

The Utah Jazz have re-signed guard Jordan Clarkson.

Clarkson’s contract is reportedly a four-year, $52 million deal, with the final season a player option.

“Jordan was an integral part of our team’s success last season,” said Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Dennis Lindsey. “He’s an aggressive, competitive talent that leads by example and provides a big scoring spark. He is a great fit with our roster and we’re excited to bring him back.”

Clarkson (6-5, 192, Missouri) was acquired by the Jazz via trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 24, 2019. In 41 games as a Jazzman, he averaged 15.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24.7 minutes off the bench, while shooting 46.2 percent from the field. Clarkson ranked sixth in the NBA in reserve scoring (15.2 points) and knocked down the fourth most three-point field goals (152) among reserves in 2019-20. The six-year pro totaled 19 games with 20-plus points and three games with 30-or-more last season.

Per the Salt Lake Tribune, “Clarkson was a huge midseason pickup for Utah this past season, sparking a previously flaccid second unit with his high-octane style, and earning rave reviews from teammates and for his patented “good vibes” persona that made him an instant locker room fit.”

The guard appeared in all seven 2020 postseason games for the Jazz, averaging 16.7 points on 46.4 percent shooting, to go with 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 28.6 minutes per game as a reserve.

Per the Deseret News: “When the Jazz made the move to bring Clarkson to Utah, they knew they needed a scoring boost on the bench and ended up with even more than they had bargained for with Clarkson sometimes taking over in games when the stars were having an off night.”

Drafted in the second round (46th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft by Washington (traded to Lakers on draft night), the San Antonio, Texas native has appeared in 453 career games (140 starts) with the Lakers, Cavaliers and Jazz with career averages of 14.8 points on 44.6 percent shooting, 3.1 boards and 2.6 assists in 27.0 minutes per contest. Following his first season, he was named to the 2014-15 All-Rookie First Team.