NBA News Blog – Page 530 – NBA Blog

Sixers trade Jawun Evans` draft rights to Clippers

The L.A. Clippers have acquired the draft rights to Oklahoma State University guard Jawun Evans from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for cash considerations.

In his final season at Oklahoma State, Evans, 20, led the Big 12 in scoring (19.2 ppg), was an AP All-America Honorable Mention selection and was named to the All-Big 12 First Team. In 54 appearances over two seasons at OSU, Evans averaged 16.6 points, 5.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds, while shooting 40.7% from three-point range.

Evans, 6’0”, 185 pounds, was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2015-16. He was also a member of the gold medal-winning USA Basketball team at the FIBA U19 World Championships and a McDonald’s and Parade All-American out of Kimball High School in Dallas.

Sixers trade draft rights of Sterling Brown to Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired the draft rights to Sterling Brown from the Philadelphia 76ers for cash considerations. Brown was the 46th overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft.

A 6-foot-6 guard from SMU, Brown played four seasons with the Mustangs, appearing in a program-record 136 games with 106 starts. As a senior in 2016-17, Brown was named to the All-AAC Second Team after averaging 13.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while shooting a conference-high 44.9 percent from 3-point range. During the 2015-16 season as a junior, Brown shot an SMU-record 53.6 percent from 3-point range and averaged 10.1 points with 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. In his four seasons at SMU, Brown set the school record for career wins (109) and is second all-time with a 45.1 3-point shooting percentage for his career. Brown is a native of Maywood, Ill., and is the brother of Shannon Brown, who spent nine seasons in the NBA from 2006-2015.

Pacers trade Paul George to Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired forward Paul George from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for guard Victor Oladipo and forward Domantas Sabonis, Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today.

George, (6-9, 220), averaged a career-high 23.7 points on a career-best 46.1 percent (622-of-1348 FG) shooting from the field and 39.3 percent (195-of-496 3FG) from long distance, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.59 steals and 35.9 minutes in 75 games (all starts) with Indiana during the 2016-17 season.

“We are excited to welcome Paul George to the Thunder family and the Oklahoma City community,” said Presti. “Paul is a tremendous fit for our organization on and off the floor. He represents all the positive traits of an elite competitor, and we have long admired his relentless pursuit to improve and his ability to impact on-court success. His skill set is dynamic and at the forefront of the evolution of the game, yet he combines this with traditional and historical values and will. We are fortunate to have an incredibly unique player wear the Thunder Blue and know he will help us as we continue to build the legacy of the Thunder in real time.”

The four-time All-Star owns career averages of 18.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.65 steals and 32.8 minutes in 448 games (400 starts) over seven seasons with the Pacers. He was the winner of the 2012-13 Most Improved Player Award, has earned All-NBA Third Team honors three times and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team once and All-Defensive Second Team twice.

Selected 10th overall by Indiana in the 2010 NBA Draft, George guided the Pacers to the playoffs in each of the six seasons in which he appeared in 60 or more games and he helped lead Indiana to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals in 2012-13 and 2013-14. George owns career playoff averages of 19.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.72 steals in 43.0 minutes in 65 games (all starts).

The Fresno State product was a member of the 2016 U.S. Men’s National Team which took Gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. He appeared in all eight games (two starts) and averaged 11.3 points (fourth on team), 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.50 steals (first on team).

“We feel very strongly about the potential Victor and Domantas bring to our team and what they mean for the future of the franchise,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “Both are highly competitive, highly skilled and both are winners. That is why both were lottery picks, that is why we sought them out to be part of this deal.”

Victor Oladipo was drafted by the Orlando Magic as the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. As a rookie with the Magic, he was named to the 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie First Team and was twice named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month (December and February). He played three seasons with the Magic before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in June 2016. In his four seasons in the NBA, the 6-4, 210-pound guard has career averages of 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Oladipo played collegiately at Indiana University for three years with averages of 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

Domantas Sabonis was drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, also by the Orlando Magic, before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder later that evening as part of the same trade that sent Oladipo to the Thunder. As a rookie with the Thunder, Sabonis played in 81 games (66 starts) and averaged 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He played collegiately at Gonzaga for two years with averages of 13.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

“As for the trade, it was difficult both on a personal and professional level,” said Pritchard. “Everyone here knows what Paul meant to this franchise; he was both a tremendous human being as well as player here for seven years. We thank Paul and his family for their contributions to the Pacers and wish him well.”

Pacers waive Monta Ellis

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they have waived guard Monta Ellis.

A 12-year veteran of the NBA, Ellis played two seasons with the Pacers. In those two seasons, he averaged 11.3 points and 4.0 assists over 155 games (114 starts). Ellis has career averages of 17.8 points and 4.6 assists per game.

Ellis’ NBA stock is down right now. Last season was a quiet one for him. It’ll be interesting to see what his next role is. Likely as scoring punch off the bench.

Hornets name Buzz Peterson Assistant General Manager

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has named Buzz Peterson Assistant General Manager.

“Throughout his tenure with our organization, Buzz has been an integral part of all aspects of our basketball operations department, with a focus on scouting and player evaluation,” Cho said. “He brings a wide breadth of basketball knowledge to the position, having been involved in the game at various levels for close to three decades. I’m excited to be working more closely with Buzz in his new role and look forward to his continued contributions to our basketball team.”

Peterson’s promotion to Assistant General Manager comes after serving last season as the Senior Advisor to Basketball Operations. The Asheville, N.C., native has been with the organization for a total of five seasons over two different stints, additionally serving as a scout and Director of Player Personnel. During his time with the franchise, Peterson has been involved in various aspects of basketball operations, including pro personnel evaluation, NBA free agency, collegiate scouting and the NBA Draft process.

Peterson’s extensive resume also includes head coaching positions at University of North Carolina Wilmington, Coastal Carolina University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Tulsa and Appalachian State University (twice), with an overall coaching record of 267-227. Prior to his first head coaching role at Appalachian State, Peterson held assistant coaching positions at Vanderbilt University, North Carolina State University, East Tennessee State University and Appalachian State.

As a player, Peterson was a Parade and McDonald’s All-American at Asheville High School and was named North Carolina’s Player of the Year and Athlete of the Year in 1981. During his four years as a collegian at the University of North Carolina, Peterson helped the Tar Heels to a 115-22 mark, four Atlantic Coast Conference championships, one ACC Tournament title and four appearances in the NCAA Tournament. He was part of UNC’s 1982 national championship team and was voted the outstanding senior by his teammates following the 1984-85 season.

Nuggets sign rookie Tyler Lydon

The Denver Nuggets have signed rookie forward Tyler Lydon to a multi-year contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Lydon, 6-10, 215, spent two seasons at Syracuse University where he averaged 11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.1 steals in 71 games (34 starts). He was named All-ACC Honorable Mention as a sophomore after averaging 13.2 points, a team-high 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. As a freshman, he helped lead the Orange to a Final Four appearance. He was also selected to the All-ACC Academic Team as a sophomore. The 21-year-old New York native was also a member of the 2014 USA Basketball Men’s Under-18 National Team that won the 2014 FIBA Americas Championship.

Denver acquired the rights to Lydon (24th pick) along with third-year forward Trey Lyles in a draft-night trade with the Utah Jazz in exchange for the rights to the 13th pick (Donovan Mitchell).

Lydon will wear #20 and will play for the Nuggets’ Summer League entry in Las Vegas during the MGM Resorts 2017 NBA Summer League.

Pacers sign second round draft pick Edmond Sumner

The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday they have signed Edmond Sumner, the 52nd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Sumner was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans and acquired in a draft night trade in exchange for cash considerations.

Sumner, a 6-6, 176-pound guard, played collegiately at Xavier where he had career averages of 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

Jazz sign rookie Tony Bradley

The Utah Jazz announced yesterday that the team has signed center Tony Bradley, the 28th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, to his rookie contract.

Bradley (6-10, 248, North Carolina) averaged 7.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game during his lone season with UNC. He ranked second on the team in field goal percentage (.573) and third in rebounds per game with over half of his rebounds coming on the offensive glass. The 6-10 center became the first player in school history with 150-or-more rebounds in a single-season with more offensive than defensive rebounds. Bradley recorded five points and seven rebounds to help the Tar Heels capture the 2017 National Championship.

The 19-year-old is currently playing as member of the Jazz entry at the 2017 Utah Jazz Summer League, recording eight points, five rebounds and two blocks in 22 minutes during his NBA debut on July 3 vs. San Antonio Spurs.

The Bartow, Fla., native was named the 2016 Florida Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year while competing for Bartow High School. He also appeared in the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic as a senior.

He will wear jersey #13 for the Jazz.

Jazz sign rookie Donovan Mitchell

The Utah Jazz have signed guard Donovan Mitchell, the 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, to his rookie contract.

Mitchell (6-3, 215, Louisville) played two seasons at Louisville, averaging 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 2.7 assists in 34 games as a sophomore. He registered 18.1 points per game in conference play, sixth-best in the ACC. Mitchell led the Cardinals in scoring, steals, three-point field goals (80) and minutes per game (32.3). He was selected to the 2017 All-ACC First Team by the league coaches and media as well as the All-ACC Defensive Team.

The 20-year-old is currently playing as member of the Jazz entry at the 2017 Utah Jazz Summer League, scoring 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting with five assists, three steals and two rebounds in his NBA debut on July 3 vs. San Antonio Spurs.

The 6-3 guard played high school basketball at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. He also played baseball (pitcher and shortstop) as well as soccer (goalie) in high school.

He will wear jersey #45 for the Jazz.

Ricky Rubio trade to Jazz became official today

The Utah Jazz announced today that following the successful outcome of his physical, the team’s acquisition of point guard Ricky Rubio from Minnesota is complete and Rubio is now officially a member of the Utah Jazz.

“We are thrilled to add a player of Ricky’s character and ability to the Jazz program,” said Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey. “He is an elite passing point guard with great defensive skills who we are confident will be a valuable addition to the team.

Rubio (6-4, 190, Spain) was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves on June 30, pending the physical, in exchange for a protected future first-round pick from Oklahoma City.

“Ricky possesses a great feel for the game,” said Jazz head coach Quin Snyder. “His defense and ability to share the ball coupled with his floor leadership should make him an instant fit into what we are building.”

He appeared in 75 games (all starts) for the Timberwolves this past season, averaging career highs of 11.1 points and 9.1 assists while adding 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 32.9 minutes of action. The point guard finished the season ranked fourth in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.5), fifth in assists per game, ninth in steals and 11th in free throw percentage (.891), and also graded second in pure point rating (PPR) at 10.7 (trailing only Chris Paul). Rubio also registered 25 point/assist double-doubles, including 14 of them in 24 games post All-Star Break, when he increased his averages to 16.0 points, 10.5 assists with 1.5 steals while shooting .353 from three-point range.

Originally selected in the first round (fifth overall selection) of the 2009 NBA Draft by Minnesota, the 26-year-old Spaniard appeared in 353 career games (333 starts) over six seasons with the Timberwolves, and owns career averages of 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists in 31.8 minutes. He leaves the Wolves as the franchise’s all-time leader in both assists (8.5) and steals per game (2.1) as well as point/assist double-doubles (83), while ranking behind only Kevin Garnett in total assists (2991) and steals (747).

Over his first six NBA seasons, Rubio has ranked in the top five in the league in assists per game three times (five times in top 10), and in the top 10 in steals four times. He earned 2011-12 All-Rookie First Team honors while finishing second to Kyrie Irving in Rookie of the Year balloting.

Prior to joining the NBA, Rubio played six seasons (2005-11) professionally in the Spanish ACB League for Joventus (2005-09) and FC Barcelona (2009-11) after making his debut at the age of 14, the youngest player ever to compete in the ACB to that point.

A native of El Masnou, Spain, Rubio has represented his home country at both the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where at age 17 he became the youngest player ever to participate in a men’s gold medal game. He began his international career in 2005 on Spain’s U16 team, and in 2006 was named MVP the 2006 FIBA Europe U16 championships after leading Spain to the gold medal.

Rubio joins what was the most international team in the NBA in 2016-17, featuring seven players born outside of the United States representing five other countries. In addition to the U.S., players on the current Jazz roster now hail from Australia (two), France (two), Brazil, Spain and the Ukraine.