Warriors give Stephen Curry and Chris Paul a preseason rest

Per the Bay Area News Group:

After just two preseason games with Steph Curry and Chris Paul on the court together, the Warriors made a change.

Both Curry and Paul were being held out to rest in the team’s third preseason game.

Curry scored 18 points in 21 minutes and Paul scored six points in 20 minutes during the Warriors’ 129-125 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

FULL ARTICLE

Pelicans forward Naji Marshall out with bone bruise in knee

New Orleans Pelicans forward Naji Marshall, who hyperextended his right knee in the second quarter of Saturday’s preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks, underwent an MRI and has been diagnosed with a bone bruise.

Marshall will be reevaluated in two weeks.

Last season, Marshall averaged 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 23.3 minutes per game.

The latest on James Harden and the Sixers

Per the Philadelphia Inquirer:

One can only hope the James Harden saga gets resolved quickly.

The point guard is either going to come back and play for the 76ers or hurry up and get moved to another NBA team.

He is practicing with the Sixers and performing his normal post-practice shooting routine. He’s “ramping up” with the hope of being available to play in the Oct. 20 preseason finale against the Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center. But skeptics wonder if Harden is only doing this because he expects to be traded.

So what’s going to happen if the Clippers, who are interested, backs out of negotiations? What will Harden do then? Will he become a distraction and make things uncomfortable for the Sixers?

FULL ARTICLE

Miami Heat waive Drew Peterson and Alondes Williams

The Miami Heat have waived Drew Peterson and Alondes Williams.

Peterson, who had been signed by the HEAT on August 11 at the time, played in just one preseason game for Miami, earning two points, five rebounds, and an assist in 20:59 of playing time.

Williams, who was originally signed on August 11 by the HEAT, played in just one preseason game with Miami, tallying nine points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 18:10 of play.

Mavericks waive Jordan Walker, Joe Wieskamp and Mike Miles Jr.

The Dallas Mavericks have waived guard Mike Miles Jr., guard Jordan Walker and guard/forward Joe Wieskamp.

On July 14, 2023, Miles Jr. signed a Two-Way deal but did not participate in Dallas’ first three preseason contests.

On August 14, 2023, Walker and Wieskamp both signed with the Mavericks as free agents. They each played in each of Dallas’ three preseason games. In 8.1 minutes per game, Walker averaged 5.7 points and 1.7 assists. Wieskamp played 3.8 minutes per game on average and scored three points in the opening game against Minnesota on October 5.

Orlando Magic sign Miye Oni, waive D.J. Wilson

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard/forward Miye Oni.

In addition, Orlando has waived forward D.J. Wilson. He appeared in two preseason games with the Magic, did not score and averaged 1.5 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 6.0 minpg.

Oni (6’5″, 205, 8/4/1997) participated in 12 games for the London Lions of the British Basketball League last year, averaging 7.9 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game, and 3.7 assists per game in 22.3 minutes per game. The Lions made history by being the first British team to ever secure a spot in the EuroCup Playoffs during their inaugural season in the competition.

Oni, who was originally taken by Golden State in the second round (58th overall), has played in 80 NBA regular season games (one start), all with Utah, averaging 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game. In his 10 career NBA playoff appearances, he has averaged 0.7 points in 5.5 minutes per game.

Oni will wear #33 with the Orlando Magic.

Orlando’s roster remains at 21 players.

Pelicans sign Jalen Crutcher, waive Liam Robbins

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed guard Jalen Crutcher.

And in a corresponding move, New Orleans has waived Liam Robbins.

Crutcher, 6-2, 175 pounds, has played in 57 games (39 starts) with the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets’ G League club, during the previous two seasons. In 32.7 minutes per game, he averages 15.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while shooting .430 from three-point range.

Crutcher spent his four years in college at the University of Dayton, where he averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game across 118 games. In 2020 and 2021, he was named to the first team of the Atlantic 10 conference.

Celtics sign guard Payton Pritchard to contract extension

The Boston Celtics have signed guard Payton Pritchard to a contract extension.

Pritchard’s deal is reportedly a 4-year, $30 million extension.

“In addition to his great skill, Payton brings toughness, resiliency, and diligence that collectively elevate the room,” said Brad Stevens, Celtics President of Basketball Operations. “We are excited that he chose to extend with the Celtics and look forward to what’s ahead.”

Pritchard has played in 185 games (nine starts) for the Celtics, averaging 15.7 minutes per game, 6.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. He has a career field goal percentage of 43.0 percent and a three-point percentage of 40.0 percent. In each of his three seasons with the team, the West Linn, Oregon native has helped the Celtics get to the playoffs.

When Pritchard recorded a triple-double with at least 30 points against Atlanta on April 9 of last year, he became the ninth player in the team’s history to do so. He finished with a career-high 30 points (10-21 FG, 9-16 3FG), 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. Pritchard is one of only two NBA players, along with James Harden, to have made at least nine three-pointers while also tallying a triple-double.

Pritchard played four years of collegiate basketball at the University of Oregon before being selected by the Boston Celtics with the 26th overall choice in the 2020 NBA Draft. He was named the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year, making him the first player in Oregon history and the second in Pac-12 history to receive the honor.