NBA News Blog – Page 528 – NBA Blog

Hawks hire Chris Jent as assistant coach

The Atlanta Hawks have hired Chris Jent as an assistant coach, it was announced today by Head Coach Mike Budenholzer.

Jent, who spent last season as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Ohio State, is a veteran NBA coach, having been on staff with the Philadelphia 76ers (2003-04), Orlando Magic (2004-05, including a stint as interim head coach), Cleveland Cavaliers (2006-11) and Sacramento Kings (2013-14).

He served as head coach of the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA G League in 2015-16.

“Chris is a great fit with our coaching staff. Player development is at the core of our basketball program and he has a track record of improving players’ skill level and understanding of the game at every level,” Budenholzer said. “His experiences as a coach and former player will add to our group.”

Jent spent 10 seasons playing professionally, including two years in the NBA. He was a member of the 1994 NBA Champion Houston Rockets and also played for the New York Knicks during the 1996-97 season. Jent played five seasons in the CBA and also spent time playing overseas in Australia, Italy, Spain and Greece.

Jent grew up in Sparta, NJ before heading to Ohio State. He played four seasons (1988-92) and helped lead the Buckeyes to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments and back-to-back Big Ten championships.

Heat trade Josh McRoberts to Mavericks

The Miami Heat have traded forward Josh McRoberts, a 2023 second round draft pick and cash considerations to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for center AJ Hammons.

McRoberts (6-10, 240) played 22 games with 14 starts for the Miami Heat last season and averaged 4.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists in 17.3 minutes. He suffered a stress fracture in his left foot on 12/23 and missed the remainder of the season.

The 10-year career veteran has played for six teams (Portland, Indiana, L.A. Lakers, Orlando, Charlotte and Miami) after getting drafted 37th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2007. He has career averages of 5.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 19.2 minutes in 431 games (179 starts) while shooting a clip of 46.4% from the field and 70.5% from the line.

Hammons (7-0, 250) appeared in 22 games for Dallas as a rookie last season, averaging 2.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 7.4 minutes per game.

The 46th overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft also appeared in 15 games (14 starts) for the Mavericks G-League affiliate Texas Legends and averaged 12.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 25.7 minutes.

The center finished his four years at Purdue ranked on many of its all-time lists including rebounds (3rd), blocks (2nd) and scoring (17th). Hammons garnered Second Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors as a junior and was named Big Ten All-Freshman Team in his first collegiate season.

The Gary, Ind., native attended high school at basketball-power Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) where he was named a McDonald’s All-American.

Grizzlies sign Ben McLemore

Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced that the team signed guard Ben McLemore to a multi-year contract.

Per multiple reports, the contract is a two-year, $10.7 million deal.

“We want to welcome Ben McLemore to the Grizzlies organization,” Wallace said. “Ben brings tremendous athleticism, significant upside and a tireless work ethic to our franchise, while adding more outside shooting to our rotation. We are confident he will continue his development as a player and thrive under head coach David Fizdale and his staff.”

McLemore (6-5, 195) has appeared in 293 games (216 starts) and averaged 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.5 minutes over a four-year NBA career with the Sacramento Kings. He owns career shooting percentages of 41.7 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from three-point range and 78.0 percent from the free throw line. Last season, the 24-year-old competed in 61 games (26 starts) and averaged 8.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 19.3 minutes while shooting a career-high 38.2 percent from three-point range.

The St. Louis native was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft following his freshman season at the University of Kansas, where he set the Jayhawks’ freshman record for scoring average (15.9 points) and was named First Team All-Big 12 and Second Team All-America by The Associated Press, National Basketball Coaches Association and United States Basketball Writers Association.

Raptors re-sign Kyle Lowry

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have re-signed three-time NBA All-Star Kyle Lowry to a multi-year contract.

“Kyle has been a valuable part of our team’s success the past five years,” said Raptors President Masai Ujiri. “He has grown as a player and person during his time in Toronto and we are excited that he wants to be here to help us continue building a championship program.”

Per multiple reports, Lowry signed a three-year contract worth $100 million.

In five seasons with Toronto, Lowry is averaging 18.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 35.0 minutes during 354 regular season games. He is also averaging 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 39 playoff appearances. Lowry is the Raptors’ all-time career leader with 828 made three-pointers, second in assists (2,405) and sixth in scoring with 6,430 points. Over the past four seasons he leads all Eastern Conference players with 727 three-pointers made.

A native of Philadelphia, Lowry is one of three players in team history to make three consecutive NBA All-Star appearances, joining Vince Carter and Chris Bosh. He was voted as a starter twice – 2015 in New York and 2016 in Toronto. Lowry earned Eastern Conference Player of the Month honours twice with the Raptors (December 2014 and January 2016) and named East Player of the Week three times (last: February 22-28, 2016).

Lowry averaged a career-high 22.4 points and shot a career-best .412 (193-468) from three-point range during 60 appearances in the 2016-17 season. He led the team in scoring 24 times and finished ninth in the NBA averaging 7.0 assists.

Lowry has made at least 100 three-pointers in five consecutive seasons with Toronto. He made a franchise-record and career-best 212 three-pointers during the 2015-16 season, which ranked fifth in the NBA.

The Raptors acquired Lowry from the Houston Rockets on July 11, 2012 in exchange for Gary Forbes and a first-round draft pick. He was a first-round selection (24th overall) by Memphis in the 2006 NBA Draft. Lowry has appeared in 713 regular season games (477 starts), averaging 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 30.9 minutes for Memphis, Houston and Toronto.

Raptors re-sign Serge Ibaka

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have re-signed free-agent forward-centre Serge Ibaka (Surge ee-BAK-ah) to a multi-year contract.

According to the Toronto Star, the deal is a “a three-year, $65 million (all figures US) contract.”

“We are thrilled with the skills and intangibles Serge brings to our team,” said Raptors President Masai Ujiri. “He is one of the top two-way power forwards in the NBA and his ability to stretch the floor is a valuable asset today’s game.”

Ibaka, 6-foot-10, 235 pounds, averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks (10th in the NBA) and 30.7 minutes in 79 games (all starts) last season between Orlando and Toronto. He shot a career-best .391 (124-317) from three-point range and set a single-season career high for three-point field goals. Ibaka averaged 14.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 30.7 minutes in 10 playoff games. The Raptors acquired him from the Magic on February 14 in exchange for Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick.

A native of the Republic of Congo, Ibaka owns career averages of 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 29.1 minutes in 603 career games (492 starts) with Oklahoma City, Orlando and Toronto. He posted career highs of 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds in 2013-14 with the Thunder.

Ibaka has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14) and led the League in blocks in four consecutive seasons (2010-14).

Ibaka scored a career-high 31 points November 13, 2016 at Oklahoma City. He set personal bests of 22 rebounds February 19, 2015 versus Dallas and 11 blocked shots February 19, 2012 versus Denver.
In the postseason, Ibaka is averaging 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 31.0 minutes in 99 career games (93 starts). He has reached the Western Conference finals four times with one NBA finals appearance in 2012.

Ibaka was selected 24th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics. The Magic acquired him from Oklahoma City on June 23, 2016 in exchange for Ersan Ilyasova, Victor Oladipo and the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis.

Prior to the NBA, Ibaka played professionally in Spain for three seasons (2006-09). He also captured a silver medal with Spain at the 2012 Olympics.

Spurs sign Rudy Gay

The San Antonio Spurs announced yesterday that they have signed forward Rudy Gay.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, “the deal is for two years and about $17 million, league sources said.”

Gay, 6-8/230, holds career averages of 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.34 steals in 35.6 minutes while shooting .452 from the field and .345 from three-point range in 753 total appearances. He is one of four players in the NBA to average at least 15.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in each of the last 10 seasons, along with Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

Last season with Sacramento, Gay averaged 18.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.47 steals in 33.8 minutes while shooting .455 (201-442) from the floor and .372 (42-113) from beyond the arc in 30 games. The 11-year veteran has spent the last three-plus years with the Kings, including the 2014-15 campaign when he averaged a career-high 21.1 points.

More from the Express-News: “The Spurs used their full mid-level exception on Gay, who will provide scoring relief for do-everything All-Star Kawhi Leonard.”

The former University of Connecticut forward was originally drafted by Houston in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft (8th overall) before being dealt to Memphis on July 12, 2006. After spending his first six-plus seasons with the Grizzlies, Gay was traded to Toronto on Jan. 30, 2013. Playing parts of two seasons with the Raptors, he was moved on Dec. 9, 2013 to Sacramento.

Gay is one of three players in the NBA, along with James and Russell Westbrook, to record at least 13,000 points, 4,000 rebounds and 1,000 steals since 2006.

Mavericks re-sign Dirk Nowitzki

The Dallas Mavericks have re-signed 13-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki.

Nowitzki (7-0, 245) will return for his 20th season with the Mavericks in 2017-18, joining Kobe Bryant (Lakers) as the sole members of the NBA’s 20-year, only one-team club.

During his 19-year career in Dallas, Nowitzki has guided the Mavericks to many of the franchise’s greatest achievements. Nowitzki led Dallas to its first-ever 60 win season in 2002-03, its first NBA Finals appearance in 2006, a franchise-high 67 wins in 2006-07 and the organization’s first NBA championship in 2011. He also led the Mavericks to the playoffs 15 times in a 16-year span (from 2001 to 2016).

Nowitzki, who has scored 30,260 points in his illustrious career, is the NBA’s top foreign-born scorer of all-time, the league’s active leading scorer and the longest tenured player with one team.

In addition to appearing in a franchise-record 13 NBA All-Star Games, Nowitzki earned 12 consecutive All-NBA Team selections (2000-12), was named Most Valuable Player of the 2006-07 season and voted MVP of the 2011 NBA Finals. He is a six-time Western Conference Player of the Month, a 17-time Western Conference Player of the Week and has competed in the All-Star Saturday Night Three-Point Contest four times. Nowitzki was also the recipient of the 2014 Magic Johnson Award and the 2017 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award.

The career Maverick holds averages of 21.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 34.9 minutes in 1,394 career games (1,363 starts). He is the franchise leader in several different categories including points (30,260), rebounds (10,893), field goals made (10,688), 3-pointers made (1,780), free throws made (7,104), games played (1,394), games started (1,363) and minutes played (48,673).

In the NBA Playoffs, Nowitzki’s game elevates to averages of 25.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 40.6 minutes in 145 postseason contests (all starts). He has led the Mavericks to three Western Conference Finals appearances and two NBA Finals berths while moving into first place on several of the franchise’s postseason categories including points (3,663), rebounds (1,446), assists (360), blocks (129), steals (149), field goals made (1,220), free throws made (1,074) and games played (145).

Last season, Nowitzki became the sixth player in NBA history and the first international player to reach the 30,000-point plateau against the L.A. Lakers on March 7. He joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Bryant (33,643), Michael Jordan (32,292) and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) in the NBA’s exclusive 30,000-point club. Nowitzki also became just the third player in league history to score 30,000 points with one franchise, joining Malone (Jazz) and Bryant (Lakers).

Nowitzki has also served as a pioneer for European players, becoming the first European-born player to earn First Team All-NBA honors (2004-05), start an All-Star Game (2007, Las Vegas) and be named MVP (2006-07).

The Wurzburg, Germany, native was the ninth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft and was acquired through a draft day trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. Nowitzki re-signed with the Mavericks on Oct. 22, 2001. He then signed a contract extension with Dallas on Sept. 26, 2006, re-signed on July 9, 2010, re-signed again on July 15, 2014 and re-signed once more on July 27, 2016.

Pelicans re-sign Jrue Holiday

The New Orleans Pelicans have re-signed guard Jrue Holiday.

Since being acquired in the summer of 2013 from Philadelphia, Holiday has appeared in 206 regular season games with the Pelicans, averaging 15.5 points, 6.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 31.4 minutes per contest. The 2013 NBA All-Star ranks second all-time in Pelicans franchise history in assists (1,421) and fourth in steals (307).

Drafted 17th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft out of UCLA by Philadelphia, Holiday has appeared in 504 career regular season games with the 76ers and Pelicans, holding averages of 14.3 points, 6.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals over his eight-year NBA career.

Rockets re-sign Nene

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has re-signed free agent center Nene.

“The Rockets bring out the best in me,” said Nenê. “I love the entire organization from my teammates and coaches, to management and ownership. We have great leader in James Harden and will continue to work hard to bring another championship to Houston.”

“Nenê was a big part of our success last season, especially in the playoffs,” said Morey. “He is a true professional and we are fortunate to have him remain a Rocket.”

In his first season as a Rocket, Nenê appeared in 67 games with eight starts, while averaging 9.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game. Dating back to 1979-80, he was one of three players with at least 40 games played to have averaged at least 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in fewer than 18.0 minutes per game in a single season.

Over his final 27 games played, Nenê averaged 11.4 points on 63.9% shooting after averaging 7.5 ppg on 59.5% shooting his first 40 games played. He also averaged 5.2 rebounds over his final 21 games played, up from 3.7 rpg his first 46 games played.

Nenê has the seventh-highest field goal percentage (.548) among active players and would have ranked fifth in the NBA in 2016-17 had he qualified (.617). During the 2017 playoffs, he shot 70.6%, including 12-of-12 from the floor in Game 4 of the First Round series vs. Oklahoma City. That tied the NBA playoff record for the most field goal attempts without a miss.

Three-team trade sends Danilo Gallinari to Clippers, Jamal Crawford to Hawks

The L.A. Clippers announced today the team has acquired forward Danilo Gallinari from the Denver Nuggets as part of a three-team trade that sends Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone and L.A.’s 2018 protected first round draft pick (via Houston) to Atlanta and a 2019 second round draft pick from Atlanta (via Washington) to Denver.

Gallinari, 28, averaged 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 63 games (all starts) last season with the Nuggets. An eight year NBA veteran, Gallinari has appeared in 460 career games (390 starts) with Denver and the New York Knicks, and owns career averages of 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds 2.0 assists. The Sant’Angelo Lodigiano native was originally selected by the Knicks with the 6th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft after spending four-plus years playing internationally in Italy.

“Since we acquired Danilo in 2011, he has exemplified every positive aspect of the organization we are continuing to build,” said Nuggets President and Governor Josh Kroenke. “His hard work, professionalism, and efforts in the Denver community during his time with us will forever make him a fan favorite. On behalf of Nuggets fans everywhere and our entire organization, I would like to thank him for everything he did during his time with us and wish him nothing but the best in the future both in life and in basketball.”

“Danilo has been a special player for the Nuggets organization as well as a prominent figure in the Denver community for the last six years,” stated Connelly. “He was a consummate professional throughout his time with us and we want to wish him all the best as he begins this new chapter.”

Stone, 20, was a second-round pick of the New Orleans Pelicans (40th overall) in the 2016 NBA Draft, and was traded to the Clippers on draft night. Last season, he played in seven contests with the Clippers, spending much of the year in the NBA G League with Santa Cruz Warriors and Salt Lake City Stars. In 13 games (two starts) in the G League, the 6’11 center averaged 16.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 21.7 minutes (.491 FG%, .826 FT%).

The Milwaukee, WI native played his freshman season at the University of Maryland, averaging 12.5 points and 5.4 rebounds in 22.6 minutes (.568 FG%, .761 FT%) before declaring for the 2016 Draft.

Crawford, who has won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award a record three times (including with Atlanta), played from 2009-11 with the Hawks, and has also seen action with the Chicago Bulls (2000-04), the New York Knicks (2004-08), Golden State Warriors (2008-09), Portland Trail Blazers (2011-12) and the Clippers (2012-17).

In 17 NBA seasons, the 6’5 guard holds career averages of 15.3 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 30.6 minutes (1182 games, 433 starts). He was originally the eighth overall pick of the 2000 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers after playing one season collegiately at Michigan.