Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Nets convert Theo Pinson deal into two-way contract

Nets convert Theo Pinson deal into two-way contract

The Brooklyn Nets have exercised the two-way player conversion option on guard/forward Theo Pinson.

Pinson originally signed with Brooklyn on Aug. 6 and appeared in the Nets’ preseason game versus the New York Knicks on Oct. 3, recording four points, one rebound and one block in 15 minutes.

The Greensboro, N.C., native joined Brooklyn after a four-year collegiate career at the University of North Carolina. In 122 games (58 starts) for the Tar Heels, Pinson recorded averages of 6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 21.7 minutes per contest. Pinson helped lead UNC to the 2017 national championship as a junior and earned honorable mention All-ACC and first-team All-ACC Tournament honors as a senior. Pinson registered career-high averages of 10.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 29.7 minutes per game in his senior season, becoming the first Tar Heel to average at least 10 points, five rebounds and five assists in a single season and the eighth player to do so in ACC history. He appeared in 14 NCAA Tournament wins throughout his career, tied for second in UNC history.

Pinson appeared in all five of Brooklyn’s games at the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League, posting averages of 11.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 25.0 minutes per game.

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted sign two players to two-way contracts in addition to the 15-man regular season roster. A two-way player for the Nets will provide services primarily to the team’s NBA G League affiliate – the Long Island Nets – but can spend up to 45 days with Brooklyn, not including any time prior to the start of Long Island’s training camp and at the conclusion of their season.

Mavs waive Rashad Vaughn and Donte Ingram

Mavs waive Rashad Vaughn and Donte Ingram

The Dallas Mavericks have waived guard Rashad Vaughn and guard-forward Donte Ingram.

Both players were signed by Dallas on Oct. 8.

Ingram (6-6, 215) went undrafted in 2018 after a four-year college career at Loyola University Chicago. He started all 38 games for Loyola as a senior in 2017-18, and averaged 11.0 points, a team-best 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 30.6 minutes en route to earning Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors.

The 6-6 guard/forward played a key role in helping the 11th-seeded Ramblers earn their first Final Four appearance since 1963.

Vaughn (6-6, 210) was selected 17th overall by Milwaukee in the 2015 NBA Draft. He owns career averages of 3.0 points, 1.1 rebounds and 12.0 minutes in 139 games (eight starts) with Milwaukee, Brooklyn and Orlando.

In 28 games for the Bucks, Nets and Magic in 2017-18, Vaughn averaged 2.3 points in 7.6 minutes per contest.

Pacers waive Elijah Stewart and Omari Johnson

Pacers waive Elijah Stewart and Omari Johnson

The Indiana Pacers on Thursday waived guard Elijah Stewart and forward Omari Johnson.

NBA preseason wraps up tonight (Friday), and teams around the league need to trim their rosters down to a maximum of 15 regular season contracts plus two “two-way” players who will spend most of the season playing in the G League.

The Pacers finished preseason with a 2-2 record.

Hornets waive Isaiah Wilkins and Jaylen Barford

Hornets waive Isaiah Wilkins and Jaylen Barford

The Charlotte Hornets have waived Isaiah Wilkins and Jaylen Barford.

Barford, a 6-3 guard, spent two seasons at the University of Arkansas where he was a First Team All-SEC selection for the 2017-18 season. The Jackson, TN native did not appear in any preseason games with Charlotte.

Wilkins, a 6-8 forward from Virginia, played in 132 career games with the Cavaliers and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2017-18. The Lilburn, GA native appeared in one preseason game with Charlotte, playing three minutes vs. the Miami Heat.

The Hornets roster now stands at 17 players.

Cavs sign forward Emanuel Terry

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Emanuel Terry. The signing will likely be very short-lived, as preseason ends tomorrow.

Terry (6-9, 220) went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft after playing four years collegiately at Lincoln Memorial University, where he competed in 120 contests (72 starts) and averaged 9.6 points on .704 shooting, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 18.6 minutes per game. As a senior in 2017-18, he averaged 16.9 points on .711 shooting, 10.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 27.6 minutes per game and was named to the 2018 NABC Coaches’ Division II All-America team while helping the Railsplitters earn SAC regular season and tournament championships.

Terry played in five games (one start) for the Denver Nuggets in the 2018 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League, averaging 7.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game. He also appeared in one preseason contest for the Nuggets.

The Cavaliers’ roster now stands at 20.

Heat sign Rodney Purvis and Raphiael Putney, waive Charles Cooke and DeAndre Liggins

The Miami HEAT have signed guard Rodney Purvis and forward Raphiael Putney and waived Charles Cooke and DeAndre Liggins.

Purvis split last season between the Orlando Magic and their G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic. He appeared in 39 games (all starts) with Lakeland, averaging 20.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.41 steals and 38.0 minutes while shooting 42.5 percent from the field, 39.4 percent from three-point range and 77.8 percent from the foul line where he was named to the 2018 G League All-Star Team and was an All-Rookie First Team selection. He also appeared in 16 games (two starts) with Orlando and averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 18.1 minutes of action. He led the team in scoring twice, including a 19-point game vs. Philadelphia on March 22.

Putney appeared in 46 games (36 starts) with the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League last season and averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.33 blocks, 1.7 assists, 1.17 steals and 28.8 minutes while shooting 45.7 percent from the field. After his stint with the BayHawks, he played professionally in Puerto Rico and France, appearing in 15 total games (12 starts) averaging 11.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.80 blocks and 23.0 minutes while shooting 45.7 percent from the field.

Charles Cooke, who was signed by the HEAT on October 7, appeared in one preseason game with Miami on October 10 vs. New Orleans, totaling one point, two rebounds and a block in 10:37 minutes of action.

DeAndre Liggins, who was signed by the HEAT on October 7, appeared in one preseason game with Miami on October 10 vs. New Orleans, totaling 10 points, two assists and a steal in 16:13 minutes of action.

Legendary coach Tex Winter has died

Legendary coach Tex Winter has died. Several NBA teams who enjoyed long relationships with Winter have issued statements on the sad news:

LAKERS STATEMENT

On behalf of the entire Lakers organization, I’d like to express our sadness at the passing of Tex Winter,” said Lakers CEO and Controlling Owner Jeanie Buss. “Tex helped lead the team to four NBA Championships and was a mentor to many of our coaches and players. In addition to his numerous contributions to the game of basketball, Tex was a wonderful man and he will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Winter family.”

An innovator of the “triangle offense,” Winter joined the Lakers staff prior to the 1999-2000 campaign after spending 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls, including eight under head coach Phil Jackson. Winter was a member of six championship teams in Chicago (1991-93, 1996-98) and four in Los Angeles (2000-02 and 2009).

BULLS STATEMENT

The following statement is from John Paxson, the Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, on behalf of the Bulls:

“Tex Winter was a basketball legend and perhaps the finest fundamental teacher in the history of our game. He was an innovator who had high standards for how basketball should be played and approached everyday. Those of us who were lucky enough to play for him will always respect his devotion to the game of basketball. His contributions to the Bulls organization will always be remembered.”

Jazz exercise contract option on center Tony Bradley

Jazz exercise contract option on center Tony Bradley

The Utah Jazz have exercised their third-year team option on center Tony Bradley for the 2019-20 season.

The-20-year-old Bradley (6-11, 240, North Carolina) was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round (28th overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft, but was acquired by the Jazz in a draft night trade. The Bartow, Fla. native saw action in 24 games (all starts) for the Jazz’s G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, in 2017-18, owning averages of 15.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.3 blocks in 29.6 minutes per contest. He appeared in nine games for the Jazz, scoring a career-best four points, also grabbing three rebounds, at Oklahoma City on Dec. 20.

During the 2018 Utah Jazz Summer League, Bradley appeared in three games, averaging 14.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, earning a 2018 Utah Jazz Summer League Standout selection. He also posted averages of 16.0 points and 3.5 boards in two contests at the 2018 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

In his sole collegiate season at North Carolina (2016-17), the 6-11 center averaged 7.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game, helping the Tar Heels to a 2017 NCAA Championship.