Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Nets sign Jeff Green

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent forward Jeff Green.

Per multiple reports, Green’s contract is for one year, $2.56 million.

Green (6’8”, 235) has appeared in 908 career games (546 starts) across 12 NBA seasons with Houston (2020), Utah (2019), Washington (2018-19), Cleveland (2017-18), Orlando (2016-17), Los Angeles Clippers (2016), Memphis (2015-16), Boston (2011-15) and Oklahoma City/Seattle (2007-11), registering averages of 13.0 points on 44.2 percent shooting from the field, 33.4 percent from 3-point range and 80.5 percent from the free-throw line, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 29.5 minutes per game.

He split the 2019-20 season between the Jazz and Rockets, appearing in 48 games and averaging 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 20.0 minutes per game. Most recently, Green finished the 2019-20 campaign with Houston, recording averages of 12.2 points on 56.4 percent shooting from the field, 35.4 percent from 3-point range and 85.7 percent from the free-throw line, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 22.6 minutes per contest in 18 games. The Maryland native has made seven playoff appearances in his career, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2018 with the Cavaliers, and has averaged 10.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 27.4 minutes per game in 72 playoff contests.

Per the New York Post, “finding a seasoned power forward backup for Durant and replacement for Wilson Chandler has been on general manager Sean Marks’ to-do list. He got a solid one on a team-friendly contract, using the lure of a star-laden contender to get the 34-year-old to take less for a chance at a championship.”

Green was originally selected with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft by Boston before being traded on draft night to Seattle. In his rookie season with the SuperSonics, Green earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors after posting averages of 10.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 28.2 minutes per game in 80 games. The 34-year-old spent three years (2004-07) at Georgetown, garnering All-Big East honors twice and securing the Big East Player of the Year award in his third and final collegiate season.

Sixers trade Zhaire Smith to Pistons for Tony Bradley

The Philadelphia 76ers have acquired Tony Bradley in a trade with the Detroit Pistons for Zhaire Smith.

Bradley was originally selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, before his draft rights were traded to Utah. Over three seasons with Utah, Bradley has played in 70 games, averaging 4.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per contest. Between 2017-19, he also played for the Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz’s G League affiliate, seeing action in 44 games (all starts) and posting 14.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per game, while shooting .581 from the field.

Prior to the NBA, Bradley played one season at the University of North Carolina, where he helped the Tar Heels to the 2017 NCAA title. He appeared in 38 games as a reserve and notched 7.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest. A Florida native, Bradley was named a McDonald’s All-American following his senior season at Bartow High School.

Smith was originally selected by Phoenix with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, and his draft rights were acquired by Philadelphia. He’s played in 13 NBA games over the last two seasons with the 76ers. Smith has also seen action in 39 G League games for the Delaware Blue Coats, averaging 11.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 26.6 minutes per contest.

Bradley will wear No. 11 for the 76ers.

Heat sign forward Maurice Harkless

The Miami Heat have signed forward Maurice Harkless.

Per multiple reports, Harkless’ contract is for one year, $3.6 million.

“We have always liked what Moe Harkless brings to a team,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “We like his experience in knowing the role he will play for us real well. Moe can guard multiple positions, play above the rim, great shot blocker for his position and most importantly for our offense, space the floor with his three-point shooting. He is a player with great character and toughness.”

Harkless, an eight-year NBA veteran, split last season between the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks appearing in 62 games (48 starts) averaging 5.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 23.0 minutes while shooting 50.2 percent from the field. He recorded 16 multi-steal games and nine multi-block games while scoring a season-high 17 points at Philadelphia on February 27 and grabbing a season-high 14 rebounds at Indiana on December 9.

Per the Miami Herald, “Harkless has never played in a game for the Heat before, but he was technically a member of the organization for a very short time last year. The Portland Trail Blazers dealt Harkless and Leonard to the Heat as part of the four-team Jimmy Butler trade in the 2019 offseason, but the Heat moved Harkless to the Clippers just hours later to help facilitate the deal.”

Harkless appeared in 50 games (38 starts) with the Clippers before being traded to the Knicks midseason, and averaged 5.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 22.8 minutes while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range. He scored in double-figures eight times as a member of the Clippers, helping them to a perfect 8-0 record over that span.

Knicks sign first round draft pick Obi Toppin

The New York Knicks have signed forward Obi Toppin, the team’s first-round 2020 NBA Draft selection, to his rookie contract.

Toppin, 22, was selected on November 18 by the Knicks with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of the University of Dayton. At college, the 6-9, 220-pound forward averaged 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.23 blocks over 31.6 minutes in 31 games during his sophomore season en route to consensus All-America First Team honors and the 2019-20 Naismith Trophy, awarded to the National Player of the Year. Toppin was the first consensus All-American in Dayton’s history.

The Brooklyn, New York-native was the only player in the nation to average 20.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and shoot over 60% from the field. He had the best field goal percentage in the last five years of any Division I player who averaged at least 20.0 points per game. The 2019-20 John R. Wooden Award winner helped lead the University of Dayton to 29-wins in the regular season, the most in school history.

Miami Heat sign Avery Bradley

The Miami Heat have signed guard Avery Bradley.

According to the Miami Herald, “Bradley’s two-year contract is worth nearly $12 million and includes a team option for the second year. He will make about $6 million in the first year — the only guaranteed year — of the contract.”

“This is a great signing that can help us right away,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “Being able to add a two-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection who is also a great shooter and fits perfectly with our current philosophy as a multi-positional player. Avery will be a great addition to fortifying our backcourt.”

Bradley appeared in 49 games (44 starts) with the Los Angeles Lakers last season and averaged 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 24.2 minutes while shooting 44.4 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three-point range and 83.3 percent from the foul line. He scored in double-figures 20 times, including a season-high 24 points on March 8 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

More from the Herald: “Heat president Pat Riley called Bradley on Friday night to pitch him on playing for the Heat if Miami failed to re-sign Jae Crowder, according to a source with direct knowledge. Riley then called him again on Saturday morning and told Bradley how much he and Erik Spoelstra would like to have him on the team and that they thought he perfectly fit the Heat’s culture.”

The 10-year NBA veteran has appeared in 571 career games (493 starts) and averaged 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.02 steals and 28.3 minutes while shooting 43.6 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three-point range and 78 percent from the foul line.

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.