Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Cavaliers sign rookie Jaylon Tyson

The Cleveland Cavaliers recently signed their 2024 NBA Draft pick, guard Jaylon Tyson.

Tyson (6-6, 218), who was selected with the 20th overall pick in last week’s draft, appeared in 31 games (30 starts) as a junior at the University of California this past season, averaging 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 34.3 minutes. Among Pac-12 players this past season, Tyson ranked third in scoring, seventh in rebounding and eighth in assists, earning him a selection to the All-Pac-12 First Team. His 607 total points this past season were the most in a season at California since 2012-13. He was also a Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Top 10 Finalist for the 2023-24 season.

A native of Plano, Texas, Tyson played in a combined 70 games (61 starts) throughout his collegiate career at California (2023-24), Texas Tech (2022-23) and Texas (2021-22), averaging 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 28.8 minutes while shooting .372 from the three-point line.

Tyson became the second player out of University of California selected in the First Round of the NBA Draft in Cavaliers team history (Kevin Johnson, No. 7 pick in the 1987 NBA Draft).

Celtics re-sign Xavier Tillman

The Boston Celtics recently re-signed forward/center Xavier Tillman Sr.

“When we got Xavier at the trade deadline, he came with the reputation of a winner and great teammate,” said Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations. “Xavier is a hard-worker who brings grit, toughness, and a team-first mentality that we appreciate. We are excited that Xavier has chosen to come back to the Celtics.”

Tillman Sr. appeared in 20 games (two starts) for the Celtics during the 2023-24 season after being acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies on February 7. In 54 games this season, he averaged 5.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 18.0 minutes per game.

On January 12, Tillman Sr. scored a season-high 20 points on 8-of-10 made field goals and grabbed nine rebounds vs. the Clippers. He recorded 10 multi-steal games this season, including a career-best six steals on January 13 when he became one of seven NBA players to register at least 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, and six steals in a game this season.

The Grand Rapids, Michigan native was selected with 35th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft after playing three seasons at Michigan State. In three NBA seasons, Tillman Sr. owns career averages of 6.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 227 career games (58 starts).

Celtics re-sign Luke Kornet

The Boston Celtics recently re-signed center Luke Kornet.

“Luke has been an integral part of our team over the past few years,” said Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations. “He is the ultimate teammate and his attitude and spirit have a contagious effect on our team. On the court, Luke had his best season as a Celtic and played a big role in helping us win. We are excited about the impact he’ll have moving forward.”

Kornet appeared in 63 games for the Celtics during the 2023-24 season, averaging 5.3 points, a career-high 4.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 15.6 minutes per game. The seven-year veteran played in 13 playoff games during the Celtics’ 2024 NBA Championship run while averaging 3.0 points and 3.2 rebounds.

The Vanderbilt alumnus has appeared in 280 career NBA games (42 starts) and owns career averages of 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds. Kornet will suit up for his fourth season with the Celtics after he was originally acquired on March 26, 2021.

Spurs sign rookie Stephon Castle

The San Antonio Spurs recently signed rookie guard Stephon Castle.

Castle, 6-6/215, was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Prior to the NBA, he played one season at the University of Connecticut, averaging 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 47.2% from the field to help UCONN to a program record 37 wins, including the 2024 NCAA National Championship.

The former Husky earned unanimous BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, he’s an 11-time BIG EAST Freshman of the Week and joined the 2024 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament and NCAA East Region All-Regional Teams.

From Covington, Georgia, the 19-year-old won a gold medal as a member of Team USA at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship.

Castle will be part of the Spurs Summer League team, which will open Summer League play in Sacramento at the California Classic followed by an appearance in Las Vegas at the NBA 2K25 Summer League.

Miami Heat sign rookie Pelle Larsson

The Miami Heat recently signed 2024 second round draft pick Pelle Larsson (44th overall), who they acquired in a draft night trade.

Larsson, who finished his collegiate career as the only player in the nation to record at least 1,200 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals while also shooting at least 49 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range over the last four seasons, started all 37 games as a senior with Arizona last season and averaged 12.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 30.2 minutes while shooting 52.6 percent from the field, 42.7 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the foul line. He was named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team and earned Pac-12 Player of the Week honors once. He scored in double-figures 27 times, including four 20-point games. Larsson connected on multiple three-point field goals on 14 occasions and shot at least 50 percent from downtown 17 times, including five perfect games. Additionally, he posted career highs last season in scoring average, assists, steals, field goal percentage and three-point field goals made while also leading the team with a +412 plus/minus.

Miami Heat sign first round draft pick Kel’el Ware

The Miami Heat recently signed rookie Kel’el Ware.

The HEAT selected Ware in the first round (15th overall) in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Ware, who was selected to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team, started all 30 games for Indiana last season. He led the team in scoring average, rebounds per game, blocks per game, field goal percentage and double-doubles, averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.87 blocks, 1.5 assists and 32.1 minutes while shooting 58.6 percent from the field, 42.5 percent from three-point range and 63.4 percent from the foul line. He was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team by the media and to the All-Big Ten Third Team by the coaches. He was one of only three Indiana players over the last 25 years to average at least 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in a single season. He posted 15 double-doubles and grabbed at least 15 rebounds four times, including a season-high 17 at Rutgers on January 9. He recorded 10 20-point games, including a season-high 28 on two occasions. Ware shot perfect from three-point range seven times and recorded 19 multi-block games. Additionally, among conference leaders, he finished second in rebounds per game, double-doubles and field goal percentage, fifth in blocks per game and 12th in scoring average.

Miami Heat sign Keshad Johnson to two-way contract

The Miami Heat recently signed forward Keshad Johnson to a two-way contract.

Johnson, who was a Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honorable mention and a semifinalist for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award, started all 36 games for Arizona during his senior season and averaged 11.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.00 steals and 27.6 minutes while shooting 53 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from three-point range and 71 percent from the foul line. He set single season career highs in every major category and finished his collegiate career with a 119-30 (.799) record in games he played in. He scored in double-figures 24 times, including three 20-point performances. Johnson recorded 10 multi-steal games and registered multi-blocks on seven occasions. He finished second on the team in rebounds and blocks, third in minutes and fourth in points, steals, field goals made, three-point field goals made and free throws made.

Miami Heat sign Dru Smith to two-way contract

The Miami Heat recently signed guard Dru Smith to a two-way contract.

Smith, who was previously signed to a Two-Way Contract by the HEAT before being converted to a Standard Contract on October 21, appeared in nine games with the HEAT last season, averaging 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.00 steals and 14.5 minutes before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Smith split the prior season between the HEAT, the Brooklyn Nets and the G League in 2022-23. He appeared in 15 total games with the HEAT’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, and averaged 17.7 points, 5.9 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 2.07 steals while shooting 48.3 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three-point range and 74.3 percent from the foul line. He totaled a +76 plus/minus, recorded six 20-point games and posted three double-doubles, helping the Skyforce to a 10-5 record over that span. Smith also appeared in 14 G League games with the Long Island Nets and averaged 14.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.93 steals and 29.8 minutes while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 44.6 percent from three-point range. He appeared in two postseason games with Long Island and totaled 33 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, five blocks and four steals while shooting 56 percent from the field. Additionally, Smith appeared in 15 NBA games with the HEAT and Nets, averaging 2.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 10.5 minutes of action while shooting 40 percent from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from the foul line, scoring a season-high 17 points as a member of the Nets against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 9 while also recording five assists, three rebounds and a block.

Trail Blazers re-sign Justin Minaya to Two-Way contract

The Portland Trail Blazers recently re-signed forward Justin Minaya to a two-way contract, it was announced by General Manager Joe Cronin.

Minaya appeared in 34 games (one start) for the Trail Blazers last season. In 20 games (19 starts) with the Rip City Remix during the 2023-24 G League regular season and Showcase Cup, he recorded 13.7 points (43.8% FG, 33.6% 3-PT), 6.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in 32.0 minutes per game.

Miami Heat sign Zyon Pullin to Two-Way contract

The Miami Heat recently signed guard Zyon Pullin to a Two-Way contract.

Pullin, named to the All-SEC First Team, appeared in 33 games (27 starts) as a graduate transfer at Florida last season and averaged 15.5 points, 4.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 33.5 minutes while shooting 44.4 percent from the field, 44.9 percent from three-point range and 84.7 percent from the foul line. He set a single season school record 3.77 assist-to-turnover ratio and began the campaign scoring in double-figures in 23-straight games, the longest streak to begin a Gator career in school history. He finished the season with 512 points, becoming part of the first trio in Florida history to each score at least 500 points in a single season, joining teammates Walter Clayton Jr. and Tyrese Samuel. Pullin recorded at least 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in consecutive games on January 27th and 30th, becoming one of only two Gator players to accomplish the feat multiple times in the same season since 1996. Additionally, he led the team in assists and free throws made and finished second in points and minutes and third in field goals made and three-point field goals made.