Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Nets sign Jaylen Martin to two-way contract

The Brooklyn Nets yesterday signed guard/forward Jaylen Martin to a two-way contract.

Martin (6’6″, 216) has appeared in 15 games (eight starts) for the Westchester Knicks in the NBA G League this season, averaging 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 27.9 minutes per game. He also appeared in 16 Showcase Cup games (five starts) for Westchester, recording averages of 9.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.8 minutes per contest. The Tallahassee, Fla., native went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft after spending the 2022-23 season with the YNG Dreamerz of Overtime Elite. The 20-year-old posted averages of 14.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 23.3 minutes per game in 10 regular season Overtime Elite games last season and finished second in the league’s Most Improved Player voting.

Brooklyn’s roster now stands at 17 players.

Wizards sign forward Justin Champagnie to 10-day contract

The Washington Wizards have signed forward Justin Champagnie to a 10-day contract.

Champagnie (6-6, 206) has started in all 34 games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League this season, averaging 22.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. Champagnie is shooting .494 from the field in 37.6 minutes per game and his 15 double-doubles rank fourth in the G League this season.

The 22-year-old has previously spent time with the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics, averaging 2.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in 41 total NBA games in his three-year career. Champagnie (pronounced sham-penny) attended the University of Pittsburgh for two seasons and was named a first team All-ACC selection as a sophomore after averaging 18.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.

Cavaliers sign Pete Nance to Two-Way contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Pete Nance to a Two-Way contract, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Nance (6-11, 230) played in two games for the Cavaliers this season after signing a 10-day contract with the team on January 18. He has also appeared in 29 games (24 starts) this season for the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League affiliate, averaging 13.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.34 blocks in 31.5 minutes. He posted the first Charge triple double in over two years on January 10 at Indiana, finishing with 27 points, a career-high 12 assists and 10 rebounds in 40 minutes.

Per the Akron Beacon Journal, “I’m from right down the road, grew up a lifelong Cavs fan and so to be able to be in practice and just be around the team and be around these guys, obviously, it’s a dream come true,” Pete Nance said. “It’s something I’ve thought about my whole life, for sure, so it’s just a really awesome moment for me.”

Nance went undrafted after one season at University of North Carolina (2022-23) and four seasons at Northwestern University (2018-22), averaging 9.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 25.3 minutes in 137 games (104 starts) during his collegiate career. Last season at UNC, the Akron-born native started all 30 games and averaged 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.13 blocks in 30.0 minutes, while leading the team in blocks (34), finishing second in free throw percentage (.816) and ranking third in three-pointers made (32). Nance was also a member of the recent Cavaliers 2023 Summer League Championship team, appearing in all six games, averaging 7.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.4 minutes.

Miami Heat sign Delon Wright

The Miami Heat yesterday signed guard Delon Wright.

Wright, a nine-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 494 career NBA games (84 starts) and averaged 7.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.22 steals and 20.8 minutes while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 80.5 percent from the foul line.

Per the South Florida Sun Sentinel, by “adding Delon Wright the Heat get needed depth at point guard, with Rozier dealing with a knee sprain and Richardson with a dislocated shoulder, with both to be out beyond the Heat’s Feb. 23 return from their eight-day All-Star break. Wright first needs to clear the NBA 48-hour waiver period after agreeing to a buyout from the lottery-bound Washington Wizards. It is the second consecutive year the Heat have bolstered at the All-Star break, last year adding Kevin Love and Cody Zeller in the same timeframe.”

The former first round draft pick (20th overall) in 2015 has totaled 337 steals off the bench since 2018-19, the second-most in the NBA by any reserve over that span. He finished last season averaging 1.84 steals per game, the second-most in the NBA and just ahead of third-place finisher Jimmy Butler (1.83). His 18 games with at least three steals last season ranked as the fourth-most in the league. Wright has recorded nine multi-steal games this season, including a season-high five takeaways on January 5 at Cleveland. He recorded his 600th career steal on February 7 vs. Cleveland and dished out his 1,500th career assist on January 15 vs. Detroit.

Additionally, Wright’s older brother Dorell was drafted by the HEAT in the first round (19th overall) in the 2004 Draft and was a member of Miami’s 2006 NBA Championship team.

Wright will wear number 4.

Nets fire head coach Jacque Vaughn

The Brooklyn Nets have relieved Jacque Vaughn of his head coaching duties. An interim head coach will be named in the near future.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one we feel is in the best interest of the team going forward,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “Jacque has represented this organization with exemplary character and class for the past eight years. The consistent positivity and passion he poured into our team daily will remain with the players and staff he interacted with throughout his tenure. We thank Jacque for all he has done for the Nets and the borough of Brooklyn, and wish him, Laura and their family nothing but the best in the future.”

Over parts of three seasons as head coach in Brooklyn, Vaughn compiled a record of 71-68 (.511).

Per the New York Post, “Nets actually started the season well, winning 13 of their first 23 games. But very little has gone right since, and Vaughn was made the scapegoat for the team’s many shortcomings. Star wing Mikal Bridges sounded the alarm after the ugly loss to the Celtics, questioning the team’s effort.”

Per New York Newsday, “the Nets have spiraled this season, having lost 18 of their last 24 games. In their last game before the All-Star break, the Nets lost by 50 points in Boston, the worst loss of their Brooklyn era and second-worst loss in franchise history. The Nets are 21-33 this season and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games out of the play-in portion of the NBA playoff race.”

Thunder sign Adam Flagler to Two-Way contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder recently (Monday, February 12) signed guard Adam Flagler to a Two-Way Contract.

Flagler (6-3, 195) has appeared in 14 games (four starts) for the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, this season and averaged 12.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 21.2 minutes per game, while shooting 42.0% from beyond the arc.

The Georgia native played three seasons at Baylor University, where he appeared in 91 games (63 starts) and averaged 13.0 points, 3.1 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 29.3 minutes per game. In his senior season, he was named to the 2023 All-Big 12 First Team and NABC All-District First Team.

76ers sign Kyle Lowry

The Philadelphia 76ers recently (Tuesday, February 13) signed veteran guard Kyle Lowry.

In his 18th NBA season, Lowry holds career averages of 14.4 points (36.8% 3FG), 4.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.3 steals in 31.7 minutes per game across 1,115 outings (866 starts) with Memphis, Houston, Toronto, and Miami. Lowry ranks in the top-10 among active players in assists (fifth, 6,897), three-pointers made (seventh, 2,140), steals (eighth, 1,446) and triple-doubles (10th, 21).

Originally from North Philadelphia, Lowry’s decorated basketball career includes an Olympic gold medal (2016), six NBA All-Star appearances (2015-20), an All-NBA Third Team selection (2015-16), and the 2019 NBA championship. During Toronto’s run to the title in 2019, Lowry started each of the Raptors’ 24 playoff games for Head Coach Nick Nurse, averaging 15.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 37.5 minutes per game.

Through 37 appearances (35 starts) with Miami in 2023-24, Lowry is averaging 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 28.0 minutes per contest. He posted a season-high 28 points (9-15 FG, 7-10 3FG) on Nov. 22 against Cleveland.

Prior to being selected by Memphis with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Lowry played collegiately at Villanova for two seasons (2004-06). He helped lead the Wildcats to two NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2005 and the Elite Eight the following year. He was named 2005 Philadelphia Big Five Rookie of the Year. As a sophomore, he was named to the All-Big East Second Team. Lowry’s No. 1 was retired by the school in Feb. 2020. Prior to his time at Villanova, Lowry starred at both Northeast and Cardinal Dougherty High Schools.

Lowry will wear No. 7 for Philadelphia. Mo Bamba will now wear No. 5.

Phoenix Suns will own and operate a new NBA G League team

The NBA G League and Phoenix Suns yesterday announced that the Suns have acquired the right to own and operate an NBA G League team, which is set to debut in the 2024-25 season. With today’s announcement, the NBA G League expands to a record 32 teams, while all 30 NBA teams now own or operate an NBA G League affiliate.

“Bringing a G League team to Phoenix was one of my first priorities as owner,” said Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury team owner Mat Ishbia. “Adding a G League team creates another area for us to compete to be the best and will be a vital tool to help develop players and coaches. Just like the Suns and Mercury, our G League team will serve as a community asset and make a positive impact on and off the court.”

“We are honored to welcome Mat Ishbia and the Phoenix Suns to the NBA G League, and are thrilled to achieve our long-stated goal that each of the 30 NBA teams has an NBA G League affiliate,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. “The NBA G League has never been more valuable to NBA teams than it is today, and the Suns’ investment only reinforces that reality. I can’t wait to join fans in the Valley next season to enjoy the unique brand of NBA G League basketball.”

The Suns NBA G League team will play its home games in the Phoenix metro area. More details on the venue, as well as the team’s name and logo, will be announced in the spring.

Cavaliers Two-Way forward Emoni Bates added to 2024 Rising Stars competition

Cleveland Cavaliers Two-Way forward Emoni Bates will replace injured NBA G League Ignite forward Ron Holland on Team Detlef in the 2024 Panini Rising Stars. The annual showcase of premier young talent at NBA All-Star will take place on Friday, Feb. 16 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and air live at 9 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States.

Bates, a 6-8 rookie, will play in Panini Rising Stars for the first time. He has appeared in 10 games with the Cavaliers, who selected him with the 49th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Bates is averaging 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 33.7 minutes in 10 games with the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ NBA G League affiliate. During NBA All-Star 2024, Bates will also compete in the NBA G League Up Next Game presented by AT&T on Sunday, Feb. 18.

Holland will not participate in Panini Rising Stars or the NBA G League Up Next Game presented by AT&T because of a right thumb injury. In Rising Stars, the 6-8 Holland was to play for the team with three-time NBA All-Star and Indiana Pacers legend Detlef Schrempf as its honorary head coach. For the NBA G League Up Next Game, Holland will be replaced by Chicago Bulls Two-Way forward Adama Sanogo.

Cavaliers convert contract of Craig Porter Jr. to standard contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have converted the contract of guard Craig Porter Jr. to a standard NBA contract.

Porter Jr. was subsequently assigned to the Cleveland Charge for tonight’s game at Grand Rapids.

Porter Jr. (6-2, 185) was originally signed by the Cavaliers on a Two-Way contract on July 7th after going undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft out of Wichita State. This season, he has played in 32 games (five starts) for the Cavaliers and is averaging 6.5 points, 2.8 assists (6th among NBA rookies), 2.5 rebounds, 0.53 steals and 0.38 blocks, while shooting .509 from the field in 14.7 minutes per contest. Porter Jr., who was also a member of the Cavaliers’ 2023 Summer League Championship team, has scored in double figures on nine occasions and handed out five or more assists eight times this season.

In a win over Denver on Nov. 19, Porter Jr. recorded a career-high 21 points on 7-10 (.700) shooting from the field, including a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block in 25 minutes off the bench. His 21 points were the most by an undrafted Cavaliers rookie since Matthew Dellavedova on March 26, 2014 at Detroit (21 PTS). Against New Orleans on Dec. 21, Porter Jr. dished out a career-high 11 assists, which were the most assists by an undrafted Cavaliers rookie since Dellavedova (4/9/14 vs DET). He also recorded the most rebounds ever by a Cavaliers undrafted rookie with 12 boards during a win at Dallas on Dec. 27.