NBA News Blog – Page 439 – NBA Blog

Kings sign Yogi Ferrell, who had been with Mavs

The Sacramento Kings yesterday signed free agent guard Yogi Ferrell.

Ferrell joins the Kings after spending most of the last two seasons with Dallas, posting 10.2 points (.426 FG%, .373 3pt%, .796 FT%), 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 27.8 minutes per game en route to appearing in all 82 contests last season for the Mavericks. He concluded the campaign having scored 10-plus points on 40 occasions and 20 or more in five games, including a season-high 24 points (9-11 FG, 6-11 3pt) to accompany four rebounds, two assists, one steal and a block in 38 minutes versus Denver (3/6).

Undrafted out of Indiana University, the 6-0, 180-pound guard spent time between the Brooklyn and Long Island Nets as an affiliate player following summer league, making his NBA debut on Nov. 30, 2016. He totaled 10 NBA appearances with Brooklyn between G-League assignments, registering 5.4 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 15.1 minutes per game before earning a 10-day contract from the Mavericks in late January. In 36 contests to conclude the 2016-17 season, Farrell increased his scoring average by nearly six points a game and made 29 starts, averaging 11.3 points (.412 FG%, .403 3pt%, .877 FT%), 2.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.14 steals and 29.1 minutes per game, highlighted by a career-best 32 points on 9-of-11 three pointers made (becoming the third undrafted rookie in league annals to post a 30-point effort within his first 15 games). For his efforts in contests played during February of 2017, Ferrell was named the Western Conference Player of the Month and ultimately a nod on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team by season’s end.

Ferrell enjoyed a four-year collegiate career at Indiana, earning Second-Team All American, First Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive team accolades following his senior season (2015-16). His name peppers the IU record book, where he ranks first in school history with 633 career assists and holds the Hoosiers all-time mark of 68 consecutive games with a three-pointer made.

Nets sign Ed Davis, who had been with Blazers

The Brooklyn Nets yesterday signed forward/center Ed Davis.

Davis is considered a better player than his stats suggest. By many, including us. He’s a role player, but a good one.

Davis (6’10”, 225) joins the Nets after spending the last three seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. In the 2017-18 campaign, Davis saw action in 78 games, posting averages of 5.3 points (58.2 percent from the field) and 7.4 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game while finishing fifth in the league in offensive rebound percentage (13.9 percent) and sixth in total rebound percentage (21.4 percent). The 6’10, 245-pound Davis registered more rebounds off the bench (575) than any other player in the NBA, and his six double-doubles off the bench were tied for the fourth-most in the league.

In 559 career games (94 starts) split between the Trail Blazers (2015-18), Lakers (2014-15), Grizzlies (2012-14) and Raptors (2010-13), the eight-year veteran has recorded averages of 6.6 points (56.4 percent from the field) and 6.5 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per contest. The Richmond, Va., native was originally selected by Toronto with the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft after spending two years at the University of North Carolina, helping to lead the Tar Heels to the 2009 NCAA Championship.

Nets re-sign Joe Harris

The Brooklyn Nets re-signed guard/forward Joe Harris today.

Harris, who originally signed with Brooklyn on July 19, 2016, returns to the Nets after spending the last two seasons in Brooklyn. The 2017-18 campaign saw Harris average 10.8 points (49.1 percent from the field, 41.9 percent from 3-point range and 82.7 percent from the free-throw line), 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 25.3 minutes per contest in 78 games (14 starts), all of which represented career highs. The Chelan, Wash., native finished 17th in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, including shooting 46.7 percent from distance from Jan. 1 through the end of the season, which was the second-best mark in the league in that timeframe. He also set the Nets record for 3-pointers made off the bench in a season with 118, finished seventh in the franchise’s single-season history in 3-pointers made with 150 and now ranks 11th in Nets history in career 3-pointers made with 235.

Among the other highlights of Harris’ most recent season in Brooklyn, he led the league in field goal percentage on drives and finished sixth among all players in effective field goal percentage and 11th in true shooting percentage. The four-year veteran also finished the season on a high note, recording averages of 11.9 points (54.3 percent from the field and 47.8 percent from 3-point range) and 2.0 assists in 25.7 minutes per game after the All-Star break.

Harris was originally selected with the 33rd overall pick (second round) in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Cavaliers and spent his first two NBA seasons with Cleveland. In 186 career games split between Brooklyn and Cleveland, the University of Virginia alum has registered averages of 7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.5 minutes per contest.

Lakers sign Michael Beasley

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Michael Beasley.

The agreement had been reported earlier in July, but the signing became an official transaction today. According to the Los Angeles Times, the deal is for one year, $3.5 million.

Beasley played in 74 games (30 starts) for the Knicks last season, averaging 13.2 points (.507 FG%), 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 22.3 minutes per game. Named to the 2008-09 All-Rookie First Team, Beasley has appeared in 583 career games (236 starts) for the HEAT, Timberwolves, Suns, Rockets, Bucks and Knicks, with averages of 12.7 points (.464 FG%), 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 23.4 minutes.

“Michael adds another component of versatility to our deep roster,” said Pelinka. “His length and ability to guard multiple positions, stretch the floor, play-make and create his own shot are all essential characteristics for us. Coming off one of the finest years of his career, we think Michael is poised to have a very exciting and strong season for us.”

More from the Los Angeles Times: “Beasley joins a rebuilt roster headlined by LeBron James, along with three other veteran additions the Lakers signed to one-year deals: guards Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson and center JaVale McGee. The Lakers also brought back guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a second one-year deal. They’ll join a young group led by second-year players Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart, and third-year forward Brandon Ingram.”

A native of Prince George’s County, MD, Beasley went on to play one season collegiately at Kansas State, earning consensus First Team All-America honors in 2007-08. The Big 12 Player of the year started all 33 games, tallying 26.2 points (.532 FG%), an NCAA-leading 12.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.2 assists in 31.5 minutes per game.

Celtics, Thunder trade Abdel Nader, Rodney Purvis

The Boston Celtics have traded forward Abdel Nader and cash considerations to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for guard Rodney Purvis.

Nader (6-6, 220) appeared in 48 games (one start) for Boston and averaged 3.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game. Drafted 58th overall by the Celtics in the 2016 NBA draft, the Iowa State product was named the 2016-17 NBA G League Rookie of the Year, after playing in 40 games (all starts) with the Maine Red Claws and averaging 21.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 33.5 minutes per game.

Purvis, acquired last week by Oklahoma City, played in 16 games (two starts) last season with the Orlando Magic and averaged 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 18.1 minutes per game.

Grizzlies, Magic trade Dakari Johnson, Tyler Harvey, Jarell Martin

The Memphis Grizzlies have acquired center Dakari Johnson and the draft rights to guard Tyler Harvey in a trade with the Orlando Magic for forward Jarell Martin and cash considerations.

Johnson (7-0, 255) saw action in 31 games (six starts) for the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2017-18 season and averaged 1.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in 5.2 minutes. The 22-year-old has spent three seasons in the NBA G League with the Oklahoma City Blue since he was selected by Oklahoma City with the 48th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft following his sophomore season at the University of Kentucky. The New York native was acquired by Orlando on July 20.

Harvey (6-4, 185) competed for Antibes in the French LNB Pro A during the 2017-18 season. Selected by Orlando with the 51st overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft following his junior season at Eastern Washington University, the 25-year-old Torrance, California native also has spent time in the NBA G League with the Erie BayHawks (2015-16) and in Italy with Fiat Torino (2016-17).

Martin (6’10”, 239, 5/24/94) played in 73 games (36 starts) last season with Memphis, averaging 7.7 ppg., 4.4 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 22.7 minpg. He scored in double figures 23 times, including a career-high 20 points on Dec. 27 @ L.A. Lakers. Martin led (or tied) the Grizzlies in scoring once, in rebounding four times and in assists once. He pulled down 10+ rebounds five times, including a career-high 14 boards on Mar. 28 vs. Portland, and recorded two double-doubles. Martin also played and started in two games with the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League, averaging 11.0 ppg., 5.5 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 26.8 minpg.

Originally selected in the first round (25th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft by Memphis, Martin has appeared in 142 career NBA regular season games (39 starts), all with the Grizzlies, averaging 6.2 ppg. and 4.0 rpg. in 18.3 minpg. He has also played in 34 career games (27 starts) in the NBA G League with Iowa and Memphis, averaging 15.3 ppg., 7.0 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 28.3 minpg.

During his college career at Louisiana State University, Martin played in 65 games (57 starts) during two seasons from 2013-15, averaging 13.7 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 1.4 apg. in 30.7 minpg. As a sophomore (2014-15), he played 33 games (32 starts) with the Tigers, averaging 16.9 ppg., 9.2 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 35.1 minpg. Martin was a consensus All-SEC First Team selection and led LSU to their first NCAA appearance since 2009.

Clippers, Mavericks trade Johnathan Motley, Renaldas Seibutis and Maarty Leunen

The L.A. Clippers have acquired forward Johnathan Motley from the Dallas Mavericks, along with the draft rights to guard Renaldas Seibutis, in exchange for the draft rights to forward Maarty Leunen and cash considerations.

Motley, 23, appeared in 11 games for Dallas on a two-way contract last season, averaging 8.7 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 53.3 percent from the field in 16.0 minutes. The 6’10”, 230-pound forward also appeared in 34 games for the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, averaging 22.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists, while shooting 56.5 percent from the field in 32.5 minutes. He was named a 2018 G League All-Star and was selected to the Second-team All-NBA G League. A native of Houston, Texas, Motley spent three collegiate seasons at Baylor University, where he was named to the First Team All-Big 12 and won the Karl Malone Award as the nation’s top power forward as a junior.

Leunen (6-9, 220) has spent the last 10 seasons playing professionally overseas (Turkey, Italy and Germany), including the last three with Italy’s S.S. Felice Scandone. In 34 Serie A games for Scandone in 2017-18, he averaged 7.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. In 14 BCL games for Scandone last season, he averaged 7.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steal per contest.

Leunen was selected by Houston in the second round (54th overall pick) of the 2008 NBA Draft after a four-year college career at Oregon (2004-08). On Jan. 22, 2016, his rights were traded to the Clippers in exchange for Josh Smith, the draft rights to Serhiy Lishchuk and cash considerations.

Seibutis (6-5, 180) was selected by Dallas in the second round (50th overall pick) of the 2007 NBA Draft. The Lithuanian guard has been playing professionally overseas since 2002-03. He spent the 2017-18 season with Spain’s Basket Zaragoza.

Bulls add guard Antonius Cleveland

The Chicago Bulls claimed guard Antonius Cleveland off waivers today.

Cleveland (6-6, 195) was waived by the Atlanta Hawks on July 21. He appeared in four games for the Hawks last season and averaged 3.3 points and 1.0 rebounds in 10.5 minutes per game. Cleveland signed a multi-year contract with Atlanta on March 14 after signing consecutive 10-day contracts on Feb. 22 and March 2. Earlier in the 2017-18 season, Cleveland had a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks where he appeared in 13 games. He also saw action in seven NBA G League games and averaged 13.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.71 steals in 26.4 minutes per game.

The Memphis native played four years at Southeast Missouri State University where he posted career averages of 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.31 steals in 28.8 minutes per game.

Hornets officially sign Tony Parker

The Charlotte Hornets’ signing of veteran point guard Tony Parker became official today.

According to the Charlotte Observer, “ESPN reported Parker is guaranteed $5 million for next season, with the 2019-20 season a team option at $5.25 million. The Spurs expressed some interest in re-signing him and the Denver Nuggets also were interested.”

“We are thrilled to add a player of Tony’s caliber and experience to our roster,” said Kupchak, “We believe his track record of success and playoff resume will add backcourt depth to our roster and veteran leadership to our group. Parker’s experience with Head Coach James Borrego will be an invaluable asset to us moving forward as well. We are excited to welcome Tony to Charlotte and for him to continue his Hall-of-Fame career with the Hornets.”

Parker, who turned 36 years old this past May, is past his best days as a basketball player. He’ll likely come off the bench in Charlotte, playing backup to starter Kemba Walker.

More from the Charlotte Observer: “Parker’s relationship with Batum could be constructive, with Batum looking to bounce back from a sub-standard season. Batum is still owed about $75 million remaining on a 5-year, $120 million contract he signed in the summer of 2016.”

Parker appeared in 55 games with San Antonio during the 2017-18 season, averaging 7.7 points and 3.5 assists in 19.5 minutes per game. The French native joins Charlotte after spending the past 17 seasons in San Antonio where he was originally drafted 28th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft. Parker holds career averages of 15.8 points, 5.7 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game in 1,198 regular-season contests. The 6-2 guard has received All-NBA honors four times in his career (2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014) and has been named an NBA All-Star six times (2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014). Parker is the Spurs all-time leader in assists and ranks third among active players in the NBA with 6,829 career assists.

The 17-year NBA veteran ranks sixth in NBA history in playoff games played at 226 (second among active players: LeBron James, 239) and ranks fifth in NBA Playoffs history in total assists with 1,143 (second among active players: LeBron James: 1,687). Parker was a member of four NBA Championship teams in San Antonio (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) and was named the 2007 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Parker joins the Hornets as one of only four players in NBA history to total 4,000 or more points and 1,000 or more assists in the postseason (Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James).

Parker has enjoyed a decorated international career. He played in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics for Team France and won a 2013 FIBA Eurobasket Gold Medal alongside fellow Charlotte teammate Nicolas Batum.

Orlando Magic announce new flagship radio station home

In Florida NBA radio news, FM 96.9 The Game will serve as the new flagship home for the Orlando Magic Radio Network.

Every preseason, regular season and postseason Magic game is broadcast on the Magic Radio Network, with radio affiliates across the state of Florida. FM 96.9 The Game will serve as the flagship station in Orlando, where you can also listen on AM 740.

“We are extremely excited to continue our relationship with iHeartMedia and expand upon it by naming FM 96.9 The Game our new flagship station for the Magic Radio Network,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “iHeartMedia and FM 96.9 The Game will bring our product to our fans and stakeholders in a first-class manner. We thank ESPN 580 Orlando for 27 excellent years of serving as the radio home of the Magic.”

Dennis Neumann will provide the play-by-play for every game, Richie Adubato takes on the color analyst duties for all home games, while Brandon Kravitz serves as pregame, halftime and postgame host for all games, and will provide sideline reports for all home contests.

“We are thrilled about this expansion of our partnership with the Orlando Magic and iHeartMedia,” iHeartMedia Division President Linda Byrd said. “This is an exciting time to be a Magic fan and an exciting time for FM 96.9 The Game. Adding Orlando Magic games to our programming lineup truly solidifies our radio station’s position as Orlando’s Sports Leader!”

In addition, “Magic Drive Time,” hosted by Dante Marchitelli, will return for its eighth season and air Monday-Friday from 6-6:30 p.m. on FM 96.9 The Game, AM 740 and the iHeartRADIO app throughout the NBA season. Each day, Marchitelli will be joined by a different co-host, including a rotation of Head Coach Steve Clifford, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman, General Manager John Hammond, Magic players, broadcasters and front office personnel. Fans will hear all the latest Magic and NBA news from people in the know. Marchitelli enters his 20th season with the Orlando Magic and also serves as pregame host/sideline reporter for FOX Sports Florida.