NBA News Blog – Page 527 – NBA Blog

Heat re-sign James Johnson

The Miami HEAT have re-signed forward James Johnson.

“James Johnson epitomizes everything that the Miami HEAT is about,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He came in, made a promise to us and then fulfilled that promise by becoming a world class athlete thus leading to the best season he has had in the NBA. Today, he is being rewarded for the fulfillment of that promise. We will continue to push him to get him to an even higher level. His signing today, for me personally and the coaching staff, is one of our happiest signings. We are happy for James and his family as we look for him to have an even greater year next season.”

Johnson appeared in 76 games (five starts) with the HEAT last season and averaged 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.13 blocks, 1.00 steals and 27.4 minutes while shooting 47.9 percent from the field. The eight-year NBA veteran set single-season career highs last season in every major category including points (975), rebounds (376), assists (276), steals (76), blocks (86), field goals made (368), three-point field goals made (87) and free throws made (152). He led the team in plus/minus (+138) and his improvement from 2015-16 to last season in Miami was the largest in the NBA when factoring points, rebounds and assists per game averages, nobody in the league improved in each of those three categories more. Johnson was Miami’s leading scorer off the bench 27 times and topped the HEAT reserves in assists a team-high 43 times, in blocks on 38 occasions, in rebounds a team-high 31 times and in steals 28 times. He posted nine 20-point games as a reserve, tying for the fourth-most during a single-season in HEAT history, as Miami totaled 22 such games off the bench, the most in team history. He tallied 884 points, 341 rebounds and 248 assists as a reserve, and along with Tyler Johnson, they became the only set of teammates in the entire NBA to each record at least 600 points, 250 rebounds and 200 assists off the bench. On the defensive end, Johnson was in isolation situations 53 times last season, giving up just 22 percent (9-of-41) shooting to the player he was guarding, marking the second-lowest percentage in the entire NBA by player with at least that many isolation situations. Additionally, he gave up just 0.49 points per isolation possession (26 total), also the second-lowest in the league with at least 53 isolation situations.

Johnson has appeared in 474 regular season career games (145 starts) and averaged 7.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 19.7 minutes while shooting 47.7 percent from the floor.

Heat re-sign Dion Waiters

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have re-signed guard Dion Waiters.

“Dion Waiters proved to us last season that we have found one of the best two guards in the NBA and we are happy today to be able to sign Dion to a long-term contract,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “We love his game and competiveness. He is an attacker and an excellent three-point shooter as well as a defender. He is a player that has no fear in taking the last shot regardless of the outcome. We believe that continuity has shown to be one of the important things that we do by keeping a team together. Having Dion back in the fold is a big factor in keeping that team chemistry together.”

Last season, Waiters appeared in 46 games (43 starts), helping Miami to a 27-19 (.587) record in those games. He averaged 15.8 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 30.1 minutes while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and a career-high 39.5 percent from three-point range. He tied his career-high of 33 points vs. Golden State on January 23 while also tying his career-high of 13 made field goals in a game in which he hit the game-winning three-point basket to help defeat the Warriors, 105-102. He scored at least 17 points in eight consecutive games from January 21 through February 4, marking the second-longest such streak of his career. Waiters, who was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on January 30, led the HEAT in scoring 12 times, in assists 14 times, in steals on 13 occasions, in minutes 12 times and in plus/minus on eight occasions while recording 16 20-point games, including two 30-point performances, on the year.

Waiters has appeared in 335 regular season games (153 starts) during his five-year career averaging 13.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.00 steals and 28.6 minutes while shooting 41.3 percent from the floor and 34.6 percent from three-point range.

Hawks waive Jamal Crawford

The Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club has requested waivers on Jamal Crawford, it was announced today by General Manager and Head of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk.

The team and Crawford reportedly agreed to a contract buyout.

This enables the Hawks to save some money, while Crawford gets to try and sign with a team that desires his services.

Way past his prime, Crawford can still provide some instant offense off a team’s bench.

Hornets sign Michael Carter-Williams

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed guard Michael Carter-Williams.

The 2013-14 NBA Rookie of the Year, Carter-Williams was selected 11th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2013 NBA Draft and also earned All-Rookie First Team honors following his first season. In his first two seasons with Philadelphia and Milwaukee, he averaged 15.7 points, 6.5 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game, joining Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Grant Hill, Steve Francis and LeBron James as the only players to average at least 15.0 points, 6.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds through their first two NBA seasons.

The 6-6 guard appeared in 45 games (19 starts) with Chicago during the 2016-17 season, averaging 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 18.8 minutes per contest. He currently owns career averages of 13.0 points, 5.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 235 games (189 starts) over four seasons with Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Chicago.

The Syracuse product has totaled five career triple-doubles, 38 career double-doubles (20 point-assist, 18 point-rebound), 48 games with 20-plus points and four games with 30-plus points in his four-year NBA career.

Carter-Williams will wear No. 10 for the Hornets.

Warriors sign Nick Young

The 2017 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors signed free agent guard Nick Young today.

Per multiple reports, the contract is for one year, $5.2 million.

Young, 32, posted averages of 13.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 25.9 minutes in 60 games (career-high 60 starts) for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016-17, hitting a career-high 170 threes on 40.4 percent from three-point range. The 6’7” guard owns career averages of 12.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 636 games (193 starts) over 10 seasons with the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and the Lakers.

Originally selected by the Wizards with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft, Young averaged a career-high 17.9 points per game in his first season with the Lakers in 2013-14 and has posted a double-digit scoring average in seven of his 10 NBA seasons. Young has appeared in 15 career playoff games, averaging 6.4 points in 14.5 minutes while hitting 48.6 percent (17-of-35) from three-point range.

A native of Los Angeles, Young spent three seasons at the University of Southern California, where he earned First Team All-Pac-10 honors in both his sophomore and junior campaigns.

Miami Heat sign Kelly Olynyk

The Miami HEAT they have signed power forward Kelly Olynyk.

According to multiple reports, the contract is for four years, paying around $50 million.

“As soon as Kelly Olynyk became an unrestricted free agent, we pursued him,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He is not only a post player, he can also play away from the basket. What we like the most is that he is a playmaker, tough defender and rugged rebounder. At just 26 years old, he fits in perfect with our young core that will play together in their primes.”

Olynyk appeared in 75 games (six starts) with Boston last season and averaged 9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 20.5 minutes while shooting 51.2 percent from the field, 35.4 percent from three-point range and 73.2 percent from the foul line where he set single-season career highs in assists (148), defensive rebounds (288), field goals made (260), field goal percentage, minutes (1,538) and games played. He became just the second seven-footer in NBA history, joining Dirk Nowitzki, to total at least 200 made three-point field goals and dish out at least 400 assists during his first four seasons in the league.

During last season’s playoff run, Olynyk appeared in 18 postseason games (two starts) and averaged 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 19.2 minutes of action. In Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against Washington he scored 26 points, all off the bench, on 10-of-14 shooting in under 30 minutes to help give his team the win and a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Olynyk, a two-time All-Star Rising Stars Challenge selection, has appeared in 278 regular season games (36 starts) during his four-year NBA career and averaged 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 20.7 minutes while shooting 47.7 percent from the field, 36.8 percent from three-point range and 74.3 percent from the foul line. He has made the playoffs in three of his four seasons appearing in 26 postseason games (two starts) and averaging 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 19.2 minutes while shooting 51.2 percent from the field.

Pacers sign Darren Collison

The Indiana Pacers have signed free agent Darren Collison to a contract.

According to multiple reports, the deal is for two years, $20 million.

Collison returns to the Pacers where he played two seasons from 2010-12. In those two seasons with the Pacers he averaged 11.9 points and 5.0 assists over 139 games (135 starts). Collison also played in 16 playoff games in his two seasons with the Pacers, averaging 8.9 points and 3.3 assists per game.

“Having had Darren here in the past, we obviously knew what we were getting, both on the floor and in the locker room,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “When you bring in a player like Darren, you know you’re not only getting a point guard, you’re adding a veteran presence to your team.”

Collison was drafted as the 21st overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by New Orleans. As a rookie in New Orleans, he was named to the 2009-10 NBA All-Rookie First Team. He is an eight-year veteran of the NBA with career averages of 12.7 points and 4.8 assists per game. Prior to the NBA, he played four years at UCLA.

Pacers waive Rakeem Christmas

The Indiana Pacers have waived forward Rakeem Christmas.

Christmas appeared in 30 games and averaged 2.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per game over his two seasons with the Pacers.

Celtics trade Avery Bradley to Pistons for Marcus Morris

The Detroit Pistons have acquired guard Avery Bradley and a 2019 second-round draft choice from the Boston Celtics in exchange for forward Marcus Morris.

Bradley, 26, averaged career highs in points (16.3 ppg), rebounds (6.1 rpg), assists (2.2 apg) and minutes (33.4 mpg) over 55 games for the Celtics last season. He shot 46.3% from the field and 39.0% from three-point range. In 18 postseason games, he averaged 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 35.8 minutes per game.

Drafted 19th overall by Boston in the 2010 NBA Draft, Bradley has averaged 12.1 points (.442 FG, .366 3FG), 3.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 28.1 minutes in 413 career NBA games. The seven-year guard has averaged 15.0 points and shot better than 35% from beyond the arc in each of the last four seasons. He was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team in 2013, the All-Defensive First Team in 2016 and finished sixth in the 2015-16 voting for NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

The 6-2, 180-pound native of Tacoma, WA, played collegiately for one season at the University of Texas where he averaged 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists and was named to the 2009-10 Big 12 All-Rookie Team. As a high schooler, he led Las Vegas’ Findlay Prep to the National High School Championship as a senior and was named the ESPNRISE.com High School National Player of the Year. Bradley was also a McDonald’s All-American, Jordan All-American and First-Team Parade Magazine All-American.

“It’s no secret that Avery had been one of my favorite players, and on behalf of our entire organization, I’d like to thank him and Ashley for all of their contributions on and off the court,” said Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge. “Avery did a lot of the dirty work and often didn’t get the recognition that he deserved, but our coaches, staff, his teammates, and our fans who watched him play every night appreciated what a special player and person he is.”

Continued Ainge: “We are excited to add a high-quality player with the versatile skillset that Marcus possesses. He will be a great fit for our team.”

A six-year NBA veteran, Morris, 27, has averaged 10.8 points (42.8% FG, 35.5% 3-PT, 71.7% FT), 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 26.2 minutes over 416 career games (218 starts) with Houston, Phoenix and Detroit. He is one of 20 NBA players to have averaged at least 13.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and shoot at least 33.0% from beyond the arc in each of the last two seasons.

In 79 games with Detroit in 2016-17, Morris (6-9, 235 lbs) averaged 14.0 points (41.8% FG, 33.1% 3-PT, 78.4% FT), 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 32.5 minutes. The University of Kansas product and Philadelphia, PA native produced career highs in points (14.1 ppg), rebounds (5.1 rpg), assists (2.5 apg) and minutes played (35.7 mpg) with the Pistons in 2015-16. His 2,856 minutes played that season ranked fifth throughout the NBA.

Pistons withdraw qualifying offer to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Detroit Pistons have withdrawn their qualifying offer and renounced the rights to guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound shooting guard appeared in 76 games (75 starts) last season and averaged 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, a career-high 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Caldwell-Pope led the team in scoring 17 times and among NBA league leaders, he ranked 37th in minutes per game (33.3 mpg).

Selected by Detroit in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft (#8 overall), the Thomaston, Georgia native compiled averages of 11.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 30.2 minutes in 314 career NBA games (274 starts). Caldwell-Pope was selected to the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star 2015.