NBA News Blog – Page 681 – NBA Blog

Suns exercise options on Archie Goodwin, Alex Len, T.J. Warren

The Phoenix Suns have exercised their 2016-17 contract options on guard Archie Goodwin, center Alex Len and forward T.J. Warren.

These moves were expected, and aren’t a surprise.

Goodwin, who has spent each of his first two NBA seasons with the Suns, averaged career-highs of 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 13.0 minutes in 41 games in 2014-15. The 29th overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft, Goodwin averaged 14.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in the two games in which he started last season. At NBA Summer League 2015 in Las Vegas, Goodwin ranked second on the team with an average of 15.9 points as he helped the Suns reach the 2015 Summer League Championship Game. During the preseason, Goodwin averaged 5.7 points, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 15.8 minutes.

Len led the Suns with 1.6 blocks per game during the preseason, also averaging 10.2 points and 6.0 rebounds. In 2014-15, he produced a breakthrough second season as he emerged as one of the league’s best shot blockers, ranking seventh in the NBA among qualified players with 2.5 blocks per 36 minutes. The fifth overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft, Len averaged career-bests of 6.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 22.0 minutes in 69 games. In 44 starts last season, Len posted 6.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 24.2 minutes as the Suns posted a 23-21 record in those games. Len’s 1.9 blocks per game after entering the regular starting lineup on Dec. 15 ranked eighth in the NBA from that date forward.

Warren led the Suns in scoring with an average of 13.7 points during the preseason, in addition to averaging 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals. One of the NBA’s most efficient rookie scorers in 2014-15, he ranked seventh among rookies who played at least 600 total minutes with an average of 14.4 points per 36 minutes, the highest by a Suns rookie playing at least 600 minutes since Amar’e Stoudemire in 2002-03. Overall, the 14th pick of the 2014 NBA Draft averaged 6.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 15.4 minutes in 40 games. Warren excelled at NBA Summer League 2015 in Las Vegas, being named to the All-NBA Summer League First Team after averaging a team-high 18.7 points on 54.0 percent shooting in seven games.

Pelicans sign Ish Smith

The New Orleans Pelicans signed guard Ish Smith today.

Smith, 6-0, 175, spent the 2015 preseason with Washington, appearing in five games while averaging 2.2 points and 4.0 assists in 11.5 minutes per game. Undrafted out of Wake Forest in 2010, Smith has appeared in 246 career regular season games with Houston, Memphis, Golden State, Orlando, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Oklahoma City and Philadelphia, holding career averages of 3.6 points, 2.3 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game.

New Orleans’ roster now stands at 15, the regular season maximum.

Spurs exercise contract option on Kyle Anderson

The San Antonio Spurs have exercised their third-year option on forward Kyle Anderson for the 2016-17 season. This was an expected move and will surprise no one.

Originally selected by the Spurs in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft (30th overall), Anderson averaged 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11.2 minutes over 32 games last season. The former UCLA Bruin also appeared in 26 games with the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s NBA D-League affiliate, where he averaged 21.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 40.1 minutes.

Anderson was named MVP of the 2015 NBA Summer League after averaging 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27.3 minutes over seven games, helping the Spurs win the 2015 Las Vegas Summer League Championship.

Raptors set opening night roster

The Toronto Raptors announced Monday their roster for Wednesday’s regular season opener against the Indiana Pacers at Air Canada Centre (TSN/Sportsnet 590 The FAN, 7:30 p.m.).

The Raptors waived Michael (Michael) Kyser, Ronald Roberts, Shannon Scott and Axel Toupane (too-PON) Saturday to get to the league roster limit of 15 players.

Toronto recorded a club-record 49 wins and earned its second consecutive Atlantic Division crown last season.

Toronto returns eight players that ended last season with the team. Newcomers to the roster are Canadian Anthony Bennett (Minnesota), Bismack Biyombo (Charlotte), DeMarre Carroll (Atlanta), Canadian Cory Joseph (San Antonio), Norman Powell (UCLA), Luis Scola (Indiana) and Delon Wright (Utah, first-round draft pick).

Grizzlies waive Ryan Hollins

The Memphis Grizzlies have waived center Ryan Hollins.

Hollins (7-0, 230) appeared in seven preseason games for the Grizzlies, posting 5.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.5 minutes. The 31-year-old originally was signed by Memphis on Sept. 28.

It would not be surprising to see Hollins land on another roster soon.

The Grizzlies’ roster currently stands at 15 players.

Sixers set regular season roster

The Philadelphia 76ers announced they have waived guards Pierre Jackson, J.P. Tokoto, Scottie Wilbekin and Jordan McRae, and forward Furkan Aldemir.

Additionally, the Sixers signed center Jordan Railey, who has also been waived and will be a Designated Affiliate of the NBA Development League Delaware 87ers.

The team is rebuilding, still. On and on, the rebuild goes. Where it stops, no one knows.

Mavericks waive Maurice Ndour

The Dallas Mavericks have requested waivers on forward Maurice Ndour.

Ndour (6-9, 200) was originally signed by the Mavericks on July 22. He saw action in four preseason games for Dallas and averaged 4.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 22.8 minutes per game. The rookie forward missed the final three games of the exhibition season with a left tibial stress reaction.

Ndour spent two years at Monroe College where he was a two-time National Junior College Athletic Association All-Region selection before transferring to Ohio University. In his first season at Ohio, Ndour averaged 13.8 points and 7.0 rebounds while starting 31 of his 36 games. As a senior for the Bobcats, he increased those averages to 16.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game on his way to being named All-Mid-American Conference Second Team.

The Mavericks’ roster is now set for their season opener at Phoenix on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Nets waive Justin Harper and Dahntay Jones

The Brooklyn Nets have waived forward Justin Harper and guard/forward Dahntay Jones, General Manager Billy King announced today.

Today is the day all NBA teams must trim their rosters to 15 players or less. The Nets, now at 15 players, have done this.

Harper (6’10”, 225), who signed with Brooklyn on September 18, appeared in six preseason contests with averages of 9.0 points, and 4.7 rebounds in 19.1 minutes per game.

Jones (6’6”, 215), who signed with Brooklyn on September 10, averaged 7.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in four preseason games. It would not surprise us if another team decides to add him to their roster.

The NBA regular season begins tomorrow.

Pacers waive Toney Douglas

The Indiana Pacers announced Monday they have requested waivers on 6-2 guard Toney Douglas.

He played in five preseason games and averaged 6.6 points and 1.6 assists per game.

At this point in his career, Douglas may latch onto another team’s roster, but he also might fall out of the league. If we had to guess, the veteran has a fairly good shot at sticking around in the league for another season.

Pistons wave Danny Granger

The Detroit Pistons have requested waivers on forward Danny Granger, who used to have serious NBA game but is now mostly an afterthought. Injuries messed him up.

Granger, 32, was acquired from the Phoenix Suns along with Marcus Morris and Reggie Bullock on July 9, 2015, in exchange for a 2020 second round draft selection.

The 10-year NBA veteran, who has appeared in 586 regular season games (431 starts) with the Indiana Pacers (2005-14), Los Angeles Clippers (2013-14) and Miami HEAT (2014-15), owns averages of 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 31.5 minutes per game.