Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

76ers sign Kenneth Lofton Jr. to two-way contract, waive Javonte Smart

The Philadelphia 76ers have signed Kenneth Lofton Jr. to a two-way contract.

In a related move, the team released Javonte Smart, who posted averages of 21.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and team-leading 5.8 assists in 16 games with the Delaware Blue Coats, the 76ers G League affiliate. He appeared in one game with the 76ers (Dec. 22 vs. TOR) this season.

Lofton Jr., 21, joins the 76ers after spending the first year-plus of his professional career with the Memphis Grizzlies. He appeared in 15 games for the Grizzlies this season, producing season highs in points (12), rebounds (five), and steals (two) at Utah on Nov. 1.

Last season, the Louisiana Tech product set career highs with a 42-point (17-25 FG), 14-rebound performance against Oklahoma City on April 9, making him the youngest player in Grizzlies’ franchise history to record a 40-point, 10-rebound game.

In 39 career NBA games, Lofton Jr. holds career averages of 4.1 points on 48.5 percent shooting and 1.7 rebounds.

As a two-way player with the Grizzlies’ organization in 2022-23, Lofton Jr. saw action in 17 G League regular-season games (15 starts) with the Memphis Hustle, averaging 20.2 points (53.9% FG), 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals. He scored 20-plus points in eight games, two of which reached the 30-point mark.

Lofton Jr. was named the Kia NBA G League Rookie of the Year, in addition to being selected to both the All-NBA G League First Team and NBA G League All-Rookie Team.

His strong 2022-23 also led to invites to participate in both the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars Game and the NBA G League Next Up Game during NBA All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Hawks sign Vit Krejci to two-way contract

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward Vít Krejčí to a two-way contract.

In two NBA seasons with Atlanta (2022-23) and Oklahoma City (2021-22), the 6-7 forward has seen action in 59 games (eight starts), owning averages of 3.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 14.5 minutes (.407 FG%, .311 3FG%, .833 FT).

Krejčí appeared in 29 games with the Hawks during the 2022-23 campaign. He also suited up for the College Park Skyhawks, appearing in three games (all starts), notching 9.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 33.9 minutes of play.

The 37th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft spent the 2023 preseason with the Minnesota Timberwolves, appearing in one preseason contest. Waived by the Timberwolves on Oct. 18, 2023, Krejčí saw action in one game with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League this season.

Krejčí will wear No. 27.

Miami Heat will retire Udonis Haslem No. 40 jersey in January 19 ceremony

The Miami Heat will retire Udonis Haslem’s No. 40 jersey in a ceremony on January 19 during halftime of their Friday night matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. Haslem will become the sixth HEAT player to have his jersey retired, joining Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.

“It’s about a great legacy, a Thank You moment that has been earned over 20 years of being an incredible championship player and most importantly, the best leader,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He’s going to have his day and I can’t wait to see his jersey hang in the rafters.”

Haslem retired last season after spending his entire 20-year NBA career with the HEAT, accumulating three NBA Championships, seven Eastern Conference Championships, 12 Divisional Titles, 16 postseason appearances, having never missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons, and was an NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection. He is one of only three players in NBA history to play at least 20 years with one franchise, joining only Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki. Haslem was a 16-time HEAT captain, the most in team history, and finished as the franchise’s all-time leader in offensive, defensive and total rebounds, becoming the only undrafted player in NBA history to become their team’s all-time rebound leader. His 5,791 boards are the fourth-most among undrafted players in the Modern Draft Era (1966), trailing only Moses Malone, Ben Wallace and Brad Miller. In addition to being Miami’s all-time rebounding leader, Haslem ranks second in games played, second in starts, second in minutes, fifth in field goals made, fifth in double-doubles, seventh in points, ninth in field goal percentage, 10th in blocks and 11th in steals. Among the HEAT’s all-time postseason leaders, he ranks first in offensive rebounds, second in total rebounds, second in games played, third in defensive rebounds, third in starts, third in minutes, fifth in double-doubles, seventh in field goals made, seventh in free throws made, eighth in points, eighth in blocks and tied for ninth in double-figure scoring games. Additionally, Haslem’s 147 postseason appearances are the most by an undrafted player in league history.

Hawks waive Miles Norris

The Atlanta Hawks have requested waivers on two-way forward Miles Norris.

Norris appeared in three preseason games with Atlanta and four NBA 2K24 Summer League contests. He saw action in 16 games (14 starts) with the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League this season, averaging 9.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 27.0 minutes per game (.414 FG%, .305 3FG%, .636 FT%).

The 6-10 forward was signed to a two-way contract with the Hawks on July 6, 2023.

Grizzlies waive Kenneth Lofton Jr.

The Memphis Grizzlies yesterday (Monday) waived forward/center Kenneth Lofton Jr.

Lofton Jr. (6-8, 275) appeared in 39 games (one start) and averaged 4.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.1 minutes in two seasons with the Grizzlies. The 21-year-old averaged 2.6 points in 6.6 minutes in 15 games as a reserve this season.

Unselected in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Louisiana Tech, Lofton Jr. initially signed a two-way contract with the Grizzlies on July 1, 2022, before signing a standard NBA contract on April 8, 2023. The Port Arthur, Texas, native also played 32 Showcase Cup and regular season games with the Memphis Hustle, where he was named the 2022-23 NBA G League Rookie of the Year.

76ers sign President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey to contract extension

The Philadelphia 76ers yesterday announced a multi-year contract extension for President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey, extending him through the 2027-28 season.

“Daryl is one of the best front office executives in sports and I greatly value his leadership,” Josh Harris, 76ers Managing Partner, said. “I’m thrilled to have reached an agreement to extend his contract and look forward to working together to maximize our chances of competing for an NBA title.”

Hired as the team’s President of Basketball Operations on Nov. 2, 2020, Morey’s .653 winning percentage through his first three seasons represents the best mark in franchise history. The 76ers are off to a 16-7 start in 2023-24, tied for the fourth-best record in the NBA.

Morey oversees all areas of the 76ers basketball operations department, most recently orchestrating a three-team, seven-player deal on Nov. 1, 2023, which netted a multitude of future draft capital, including two first-round draft picks and a first-round pick swap, in addition to Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, KJ Martin, and Marcus Morris Sr. This past offseason, Morey hired NBA champion and Coach of the Year Nick Nurse as the franchise’s 26th head coach.

“I want to express my appreciation to Josh Harris and David Blitzer for their unwavering support and confidence. Together, we are committed to bringing a championship to Philadelphia,” said Morey. “I love this franchise and the relationship my family and I have built with our fans and this city. There’s no place I’d rather continue this journey than here.”

In 2022-23, the 76ers advanced in the NBA Playoffs for the third consecutive season, making them one of two teams to reach the Conference Semifinals each year since Morey’s arrival. On the season, Morey’s 76ers compiled a 54-28 regular-season record, the team’s best mark since 2000-01.

Taj Gibson is back on the Knicks

Per the NY Post:

Their latest reunion skipped the emotions and went right into the brass tacks, in the Tom Thibodeau way.

“Thibs just gave me that look like, ‘Yo, you in shape?’ ” said Taj Gibson, officially signed by the Knicks on Friday to a one-year, nonguaranteed deal. “‘You know I can’t rock with you if you’re not in shape.’”

Gibson affirmed to his coach Friday that he’s well conditioned — a product of training by himself at the NBPA gym in Manhattan — but Thibodeau couldn’t resist busting chops, telling his 38-year-old center to run sprints with the guards.

“Then he says, ‘I’m joking with you,’” Gibson said. “He knows how to ruffle feathers.”

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Pacers sign James Johnson

The Indiana Pacers announced on Friday the team has signed forward James Johnson.

Johnson will wear number 16 with the Pacers.

And per the Indy Star:

James Johnson Jr. never gave up on the idea that he was going to play this season. Not in July when the Pacers filled their roster without re-signing him and not when the season began and he wasn’t on a roster.

“I was still working out,” Johnson said Friday. “It was never over in my mind for me. I was just working out and staying patient.”

The patience was finally rewarded Thursday when news broke that the Pacers would re-sign him and allow the 36-year-old to play his 15th year in the league. His signing was formally announced on Friday and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said in his pre-game press conference that Johnson will be dressed and available for their 7 p.m. game against the Wizards.