Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Quin Snyder Statement on Gordon Hayward

Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder Statement on Gordon Hayward

Quin Snyder Statement on Gordon Hayward

“Since my arrival to Utah, Gordon gave his best every day we were together. I can’t say enough about his professionalism day in and day out. He is a unique competitor and I am thankful for the opportunity to have coached him over the last three seasons. Speaking on behalf of my staff, we are very proud of his growth and development as a player into an NBA All-Star, and are also appreciative of his contributions. Gordon’s progression epitomizes the partnership that we believe is the cornerstone of our player development emphasis and philosophy.

I believe this was a difficult decision for Gordon and Robyn and their young family, and one they reached earnestly. While their extended Jazz family is disappointed to see them leave, we wish them happiness and success in their future and understand that they chose a path they felt was the right one for them.

Certainly we will miss Gordon and his many contributions to our team, but I always tell our players that ‘adversity is opportunity in disguise.’ This is one of those moments and we need to live those words. We have a roster of young, talented and resilient players. I am confident that together we will accept this challenge while continuing to strive toward our goal of individual and collective improvement.

To further lament Gordon’s departure does not honor the commitment we have to our current players. Therefore, I would like to personally wish Gordon well as he and his family move on with his career. As we move forward, we’ll continue to focus our attention on the place it is most needed and wanted, our players and the entirety of the Jazz organization.”

Bulls sign rookie Lauri Markkanen

The Chicago Bulls have signed forward Lauri Markkanen to his rookie contract.

Markkanen (7-0, 230) was selected seventh overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2017 NBA Draft, and was acquired by Chicago along with Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine in exchange for Jimmy Butler and this year’s No. 16 pick (Justin Patton).

Markkanen played one season at Arizona and averaged 15.2 points and 7.2 rebounds. He posted shooting marks of .492 from the field, .423 from three and .835 from the foul line. The Finland native was named Third-Team All-American by the Associated Press, Sporting News and the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and All-Pac-12 last season. His 576 points were the most by a freshman in school history. Over the last 25 years, Markkanen and Kevin Durant are the only players to record 69 3-pointers and 266 rebounds in their freshman year. Markkanen was a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award and the Karl Malone Award.

Mavericks sign rookie Dennis Smith Jr

The Dallas Mavericks have signed first-round pick Dennis Smith Jr. to his rookie contract.

Smith (6-3, 195) was selected by Dallas with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft after spending one season at North Carolina State. In his lone season at NC State, Smith averaged 18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 35.9 percent from 3-point range and 71.5 percent from the foul line.

The guard was named Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and All-ACC Second Team after leading the league in assists (13th nationally) and finishing sixth in the conference in scoring. Smith also registered an NC State freshman-record with 62 steals (1.94 spg).

The Fayetteville, N.C., native played at Trinity Christian School where he was averaged 22.2 points per game on his way to being named North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year.

Smith is set to compete for the Mavericks’ summer league squad at MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2017 in Las Vegas.

Kings adding George Hill, Zach Randolph

The Kings came to agreements with some talent yesterday. George Hill is a starter-worthy guard. Power forward Zach Randolph is in his golden years but can make a bench better. Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting:

Kings adding George Hill, Zach Randolph

The Kings knew their team was too young. Though committed to a youth movement, they were reluctant to rely mostly on inexperienced players, hoping they quickly learn from the mistakes they’ll make.

And the Kings have made it clear they want to change their losing culture, too.

The Kings made two deals Tuesday that show they won’t be content simply letting their inexperienced players stumble through the season, reaching agreements with point guard George Hill and power forward Zach Randolph, league sources confirmed.

Hill agreed to a three-year deal worth $57 million, with a partial guarantee for the third year. Randolph agreed to a two-year deal worth $24 million.

Danilo Gallinari to the Clippers

The Clippers backcourt is weaker now with Chris Paul gone, but their frontcourt will receive a boost thanks to the upcoming re-signing of Blake Griffin and newly reported addition of small forward Danilo Gallinari. Here’s ESPN.com reporting:

Danilo Gallinari to the Clippers

The LA Clippers have acquired Denver Nuggets free-agent forward Danilo Gallinari on a three-year, $65 million contract as part of a three-team sign-and-trade deal, league sources told ESPN.

Los Angeles, Denver and Atlanta reached agreement Tuesday night on a deal that will have the Clippers send Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone, a 2018 first-round pick previously acquired from Houston and cash to the Hawks, league sources said.

Atlanta will send a 2019 second-round pick it previously acquired from Washington to Denver to complete the trade, league sources said.

Timberwolves sign rookie center Justin Patton

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed rookie center Justin Patton.

Earlier in the day, the team announced that Patton is out indefinitely after undergoing foot surgery.

The Wolves acquired the draft rights to Patton (selected 16th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft), along with Jimmy Butler, on June 22, 2017 from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the draft rights to Lauri Markkanen, the 7th overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Patton, 6-11, played in 35 contests over one season at Creighton, averaging 12.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals per game en route to earning Big East Freshman of the Year honors. Patton, 20, led the Big East and ranked second nationally with a field goal percentage of 67.6%, which stands as the highest field goal percentage of any freshman from a major conference in NCAA history. The Omaha native also shot 53.3% from the three-point during his line season as a Bluejay. Patton sat out the 2015-16 season as a redshirt.

NBA news: Miami Heat waive Chris Bosh

NBA news: Miami Heat waive Chris Bosh

The Miami Heat have officially waived forward Chris Bosh.

“Chris changed his life and basketball career when he came to Miami,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “And he changed our lives for the better, in a way we never would have imagined, when he joined the Miami HEAT. We will forever be indebted to CB for how he changed this team and led us to four trips to the NBA Finals and two NBA Championships. He is, without a doubt, one of the greatest players in the history of the franchise. The number “1” will never be worn by another player and we can’t wait to someday hang his jersey in the rafters. Today, we are both moving on but we wish Chris, Adrienne and their family nothing but the best. They will forever be part of the Miami HEAT family.”

Bosh was an NBA All-Star in each of his six seasons with the HEAT and has been an NBA All-Star 11 times in his 13-year NBA career. He was an integral part of two HEAT championships in 2012 and 2013, and the team’s four consecutive trips to the NBA Finals from 2011-2014. He famously grabbed an offensive rebound with 6.3 seconds remaining in regulation of Game 6 on June 18, 2013 and fed Ray Allen for his game-tying three-pointer, forcing overtime and eventually leading to the 2013 NBA Championship.

Bosh appeared in 384 games for the HEAT over six seasons, and averaged 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 34.2 minutes, while shooting 49.6 percent from the floor, 34.4 percent from three-point range and 80.5 percent from the foul line. He ranks among the HEAT’s all-time leaders in free throw percentage (3rd), double-figure scoring efforts (4th), points (5th), scoring average (5th), free throws made (5th), defensive rebounds (5th), field goal percentage (6th), field goals made (6th), free throws attempted (6th), total rebounds (6th), starts (6th), field goals attempted (7th), blocked shots (7th), minutes (10th), three-point field goals attempted (10th), double-doubles (11th), offensive rebounds (11th), games played (11th), steals (11th), three-point field goals made (tied-14th) and assists (20th).

Bosh appeared in 893 games during his NBA career and made 881 starts, averaging 19.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.04 blocks and 35.8 minutes, while shooting 49.4 percent from the floor, 33.5 percent from three-point range and 79.9 percent from the foul line. He scored in double-figures 815 times, grabbed double-figure rebounds on 332 occasions and was selected as the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week nine times and Player of the Month once throughout his career.

Timberwolves rookie Justin Patton undergoes foot surgery

Timberwolves rookie Justin Patton undergoes foot surgery

Minnesota Timberwolves rookie center Justin Patton underwent successful surgery to repair a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot. The surgery was performed in New York by Dr. Martin O’Malley of the Hospital for Special Surgery in collaboration with Timberwolves Team Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Diane Dahm of Mayo Clinic.

Patton suffered the injury during a recent workout. He will not play in the upcoming NBA Summer League 2017 in Las Vegas and will be sidelined indefinitely. The Wolves acquired the draft rights to Patton (selected 16th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft), along with Jimmy Butler, on June 22, 2017 from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the draft rights to Lauri Markkanen, the 7th overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Patton, 6-11, played in 35 contests over one season at Creighton, averaging 12.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals per game en route to earning Big East Freshman of the Year honors. Patton, 20, led the Big East and ranked second nationally with a field goal percentage of 67.6%, which stands as the highest field goal percentage of any freshman from a major conference in NCAA history. The Riverdale, Georgia, native also shot 53.3% from the three-point during his line season as a Bluejay. Patton sat out the 2015-16 season as a redshirt.

Sixers sign Furkan Korkmaz

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo announced Tuesday that the team has signed guard-forward Furkan Korkmaz.

“We are happy to have Furkan Korkmaz join us in Philadelphia this year where we feel he will be best positioned to develop physically and acclimate to the NBA game,” Colangelo said. “Furkan is another talented young player that we are excited to have in our program.”

The Sixers selected Korkmaz with the 26th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Korkmaz spent the 2016-17 season with Banvit (Turkey) on loan from Anadolu Efes, helping Banvit win the team’s first Turkish Cup in February. In 21 games, the 19-year-old averaged 11 points and four rebounds while shooting 49 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, “terms of the deal were not announced, but Korkmaz was slotted to make $1.2 million this season. However, the Sixers could have paid him 20 percent more than that, and might have done so considering Korkmaz ‘s buyout was for $2 million. NBA teams are permitted to contribute only $675,000 to buyouts.”

Korkmaz also helped Banvit reached its first Basketball Champions League Final. He was later named the Basketball Champions League “Best Young Player” after averaging 11 points and five rebounds while shooting 50 percent from three-point range in eight BCL games.

In 2015-16, Korkmaz played with current Sixers forward Dario Saric with Anadolu Efes. In 37 games, Korkmaz averaged five points while shooting 48 percent from the field.

A native of Istanbul, Korkmaz has been named a Turkish Basketball Super League All-Star three times and is a two-time Turkish Cup champion. He’s represented his home country of Turkey in international play in multiple competitions, earning a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship and silver at the same event in 2015.