NBA News Blog – Page 511 – NBA Blog

Pacers sign DeQuan Jones and Trey McKinney-Jones

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they have signed 6-8 forward DeQuan Jones and 6-5 guard Trey McKinney-Jones to contracts.

DeQuan Jones was undrafted out of the University of Miami in 2012 and played with the Orlando Magic in 2012-13. He played with Reno in the NBA G League one season and has played internationally the last three seasons.

Trey McKinney-Jones also played at the University of Miami and was undrafted in 2013. He has had three stints with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League while also playing internationally the last three seasons.

Bucks sign James Young

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed free agent guard James Young to a training camp contract.

Young, 22, was the 17th overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. He played in 89 games over three seasons with Boston and averaged 2.3 points and 1.1 rebounds per contest. In two seasons (2014-16) with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA G League, Young averaged 18.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 40.6 percent from three-point distance.

Originally from Flint, Mich., Young played one season at the University of Kentucky and averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.

Hawks sign Josh Magette and Tyler Cavanaugh

The Atlanta Hawks have signed Josh Magette to a two-way contract, and has also signed Tyler Cavanaugh, it was announced today by General Manager and Head of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk.

A 6’1 guard, Magette (ma-JET) spent time during the 2016 preseason with the Hawks and was part of the team’s NBA Summer League roster in 2017.

Last season, Magette started 50 games for the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA G League, averaging 15.8 points, 9.4 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 35.3 minutes. He led the G League in assists per game for the second straight season, and was named Second Team All-G League.

Magette played in 45 games (all starts) in 2015-16 with D-Fenders, averaging 11.5 points, 9.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in 38.0 minutes, leading the G League in both assists and steals per game.

He also has played professionally with Koroivos (Greece) and Landstede (Netherlands).

A native of Hoover, AL (Spain Park HS), Magette played four years at Alabama-Huntsville, where he was Gulf South Conference co-Player of the Year as a senior in 2012. He will wear jersey No. 11.

The 2017-18 season will mark the first year of two-way contracts in the NBA. Only players with four-or-fewer years of NBA experience are permitted to sign two-way contracts. Per league rules, teams are allowed to have up to two two-way players on their roster at any given time, in addition to their 15-man regular season roster. A two-way player for the Hawks will primarily play for the team’s NBA G League affiliate (the Erie BayHawks) but can spend up to 45 days with Atlanta, not including any time prior to the start of Erie’s training camp and at the conclusion of their season.

Cavanaugh was also a member of the Hawks’ Summer League team, competing in Las Vegas this past July.

He spent his first two college seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to George Washington. As a graduate student at GW last season, he appeared in 35 games (all starts), leading the team in points (18.3), rebounds (8.4), free throws made (173) and attempted (204) in 32.2 minutes (.448 FG%, .409 3FG%, .848 FT%). He was named to the A-10 All-Conference Second Team and the All-Academic Team.

The 6’9 Cavanaugh started 38 games in 2015-16 and put in 16.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 30.4 minutes (.505 FG%, .417 3FG%, .827 FT%), leading the Colonials to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) title, earning Most Outstanding Player honors. He averaged 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 21.2 minutes in 33 games as a sophomore at Wake Forest, and tallied 5.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 16.7 minutes as a freshman in 31 contests. He will wear No. 34.

Hawks sign Quinn Cook

The Atlanta Hawks have signed Quinn Cook, it was announced today by General Manager and Head of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk.

Cook split time last season, his rookie year in the NBA, between the Dallas Mavericks (five games) and New Orleans Pelicans (nine games), averaging 5.6 points and 1.9 assists in 13.4 minutes (.500 FG%, .423 3FG%).

He appeared in 82 games (75 starts) between 2015-17 with the Canton Charge of the NBA G League, and averaged 22.6 points, 6.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 36.0 minutes (.371 FG%, .377 3FG%, .882 FT%). The 2016 G League Rookie of the Year, Cook is a two-time G League All-Star, was named First Team All-G League in 2017 and Third Team in 2016. He was also the league’s All-Star Game MVP last season.

The 6’2 guard played four years (2011-15) for Duke University, and as a senior, put in 16.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 35.9 minutes, earning Second Team All-America honors from Sporting News in helping lead the Blue Devils to the National Championship.

Cook is a native of Washington, DC and attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, MD before transferring to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, VA. He will wear jersey No. 4.

Miami Heat sign Larry Drew II

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed guard Larry Drew II.

Earlier this month, Drew II won a gold medal as a member of the United States team at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup. He appeared in five games and averaged 4.6 points, 5.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 1.00 steals and 19.4 minutes while shooting 52.9 percent from the floor.

During the 2016-17 season, Drew II played in 10 games (one start) as a member of the Sioux Falls Skyforce and averaged 8.1 points, 5.9 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 23.5 minutes while shooting 47.7 percent from the floor, 40 percent from three-point range and 71.4 percent from the foul line. He also played internationally in Lithuania with BC Neptūnas during the 2016-17 season and in Puerto Rico with the Pirates de Quebradillas. Drew II saw action in 21 games with BC Neptūnas in Lithuanian Basketball League play and averaged 8.2 points, 5.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.05 steals and 25.2 minutes. In Basketball Champions League play with BC Neptūnas, he appeared in 14 games and averaged 9.2 points, 5.3 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.00 steals and 23.6 minutes. In six games with the Pirates de Quebradillas of the Puerto Rico-BSN (Baloncesto Superior Nacional) he averaged 7.7 points, 5.2 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 22.7 minutes.

In 96 career NBA G League games, all with Sioux Falls, Drew II has averaged 10.8 points, 7.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.48 steals and 33.6 minutes while shooting 47.6 percent from the floor, 41.6 percent from three-point range and 71.4 percent from the foul line. Drew II, who was a member of the Skyforce’s 2015-16 NBA G League championship team, holds the NBA G League single-game assist record with 23 in a win over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Dec. 25, 2014.

Drew II has previously been in training camp with the HEAT in both 2013 and 2014. His lone NBA regular season experience came during the 2014-15 season when he appeared in 12 games (one start) with the Philadelphia 76ers and averaged 3.8 points, 3.7 assists, 1.2 rebounds and 18.3 minutes.

Jazz and Rodney Hood reportedly in negotiations

Here’s the Salt Lake Tribune reporting on the Jazz, who would certainly like Rodney Hood to stick around — but only, of course, if the price is right:

The Utah Jazz and starting shooting guard Rodney Hood have opened contract extension negotiations, the Salt Lake Tribune has learned.

The two sides have had preliminary conversations as the Jazz hope Hood can become their primary perimeter scorer this season after Gordon Hayward left for the Boston Celtics. Another meeting is expected to occur in the next few weeks, according to league sources.

Hood, who will enter his fourth season in the league, is eligible for a rookie scale contract extension, with Oct. 16 the deadline to reach an agreement. Hood is one of two Jazz players eligible for an extension. Former lottery pick Dante Exum is the other.

Pelicans trade Quincy Pondexter to Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have acquired guard/forward Quincy Pondexter, the Pelicans 2018 second-round pick, and cash considerations from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the draft rights to Ater Majok.

The Bulls acquired the rights to Majok (58th overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft) from the L.A. Lakers on July 7, 2016.

Pondexter (6-7, 220) is a five-year veteran of the NBA who has seen time with New Orleans (2010-11, 2014-15) and Memphis (2011-15). He has posted career averages of 5.3 points and 2.0 rebounds through 279 games (47 starts). Pondexter has a career field goal percentage of .424, with a mark of .365 from the 3-point line. He has 29 postseason games on his resume, and has averaged 6.8 points and 2.6 rebounds through those contests with a .473 field goal percentage and .414 3-point percentage.

The University of Washington product missed both the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons due to left knee surgery.

Cameron Payne will undergo foot surgery

Chicago Bulls guard Cameron Payne sustained a fracture of his right foot (5th metatarsal) during a workout on July 18. A six-week period of rest in a boot was then prescribed.

A subsequent CT scan and examination by Dr. Johnny Lin of Midwest Orthopedics at Rush on Tuesday revealed the fracture has not healed satisfactorily, and surgery is recommended.

For Payne, this is the same foot that he broke during the 2015-16 season as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

He will undergo surgery on Wednesday, Sept. 6, and additional updates will be provided following his surgery.

Magic sign Troy Caupain and Kalin Lucas

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guards Troy Caupain (pronunciation: CO-pain) and Kalin Lucas.

Caupain (#23, 6’4”, 210, 11/29/95) played in 137 career games (102 starts) during four years at the University of Cincinnati, averaging 9.6 ppg., 3.8 apg., 3.6 rpg. and 1.10 stlpg. in 29.8 minpg. Caupain is the first player in school history to record at least 1,300 points and 500 assists during his career. He is the Bearcats’ all-time assists leader with 515. Caupain also ranks on Cincinnati’s all-time list in career victories (second, 102), consecutive games played (second, 137), minutes played (third, 3,980) and games played (fourth, 137). He was named First Team All-American Athletic Conference in 2015-16 and Second Team All-American Athletic Conference in 2016-17.

Lucas (#27, 6’1”, 195, 5/24/89) appeared in 48 games (24 starts) last season with both the Iowa Energy and Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League, averaging 18.0 ppg., 5.1 apg. and 3.9 rpg. in 31.4 minpg. He has played in 112 games (79 starts) during three seasons (2013-15, 2016-17) in the NBA G League with both Iowa and Erie, averaging 17.7 ppg., 4.9 apg., 3.8 rpg. and 1.13 stlpg. in 32.6 minpg. Lucas spent four seasons at Michigan State University (2007-11), leaving as the school’s all-time leader in free throws made (507) and attempted (637). He is one of only four Spartans to record 1,500+ career points and 500+ career assists. As a sophomore (2008-09) Lucas was named Big Ten Player of the Year and helped Michigan State reach the 2009 NCAA Championship Game.

Bulls announce front office moves, including naming of Shawn Respert as Director of Player Development

The Chicago Bulls announced today that Shawn Respert has been named the team’s Director of Player Development and Arnold Lee has been promoted to the team as Assistant Athletic Trainer. On the coaching side, Windy City Bulls Head Coach Nate Loenser has returned to the Bulls to join Head Coach Fred Hoiberg’s coaching staff, while Assistant Coach Charlie Henry heads to Hoffman Estates as the Head Coach of Chicago’s G League affiliate.

Respert, an NBA veteran of four seasons, comes to the Bulls having served in multiple developmental roles as an assistant coach in the NBA. Most recently, he was a regional scout and assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies. While with the Grizzlies, he was a member of David Joerger’s staff for three seasons (2013-16). Prior to that, Respert spent three seasons in Minnesota as an assistant coach with an emphasis on player development. He also spent four seasons with the Houston Rockets as an assistant coach (2008-11). Before entering the coaching ranks, he spent two seasons as director of basketball operations for the NBA D-League (2006-08). The Detroit native worked in a similar capacity at Rice University where he was the Owls’ director of basketball operations for two seasons (2004-06). A former college Player of the Year at Michigan State (1990-95), the Portland Trail Blazers selected him with the eighth pick in the 1995 NBA Draft. Following a draft-night trade to the Milwaukee Bucks, he played for the Bucks (1995-97), the Toronto Raptors (1997-98), Dallas Mavericks (1998) and Phoenix Suns (1999). After his career in the NBA, he went on to play four more seasons in the European Basketball League.

“Shawn is a great addition to our staff. His knowledge of the game and track record in player development are a great fit for our team,” said Chicago Bulls Head Coach Fred Hoiberg. “He is respected in the NBA, and I know he is excited to begin working with our players.”

“I am excited to join an organization that has such a storied tradition like the Bulls. I am also thankful to have the chance to work with Fred Hoiberg and the rest of his staff,” said Respert. “Knowing the organization’s commitment to player development, I am here to support the players and coaches, as well as management, in our pursuit of developing and improving our team.”

Loenser reunites with the Bulls after serving as the head coach of Chicago’s G League affiliate in its inaugural season last year. While with the Windy City Bulls, he guided the team to a record of 23-27 (.460), while playing a role in helping to develop Chicago’s young players such as Denzel Valentine, Bobby Portis, Cristiano Felίcio, Jerian Grant and Paul Zipser. In 2015-16, Loenser served as Chicago’s video coordinator. During that time, he developed Bulls players and worked with Hoiberg and his staff to organize and present all scouting breakdowns for opponents, and edits of practice and game video. He also updated and maintained the Bulls’ offensive and defensive playbooks.

Lee has been promoted to the Bulls after spending last season as the head athletic trainer for the Windy City Bulls. In 2016, he served as a preseason intern with the Chicago Bears. Prior to that, he worked three years as the head athletic trainer at Kennedy King College in Chicago (2013-16). Lee graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a B.S. in Kinesiology, and he holds a Masters in Athletic Training from California Baptist University.