Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

76ers trade James Harden to Clippers

The Philadelphia 76ers have acquired Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Kenyon Martin Jr., and Marcus Morris Sr., as part of a seven-player, three-team deal with the LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder that sent James Harden to LA.

The 76ers sent Harden, Filip Petrušev, and P.J. Tucker to the Clippers to complete the deal.

The 76ers obtained two first-round draft picks – an unprotected 2028 first-round selection from the Clippers, and a 2026 first-round pick from Oklahoma City (the least favorable 2026 first-round pick among (i) Houston (if not in Top 4 picks), (ii) LA Clippers, and (iii) Oklahoma City) – in addition to the right to swap 2029 first-round picks with LA (protected 1-3), two second-round picks from LA, and cash considerations.

As part of the transaction, Philadelphia will receive the more favorable of (i) Toronto’s 2024 second-round pick and (ii) the more favorable of (a) Indiana’s 2024 second-round pick and (b) the less favorable of (1) Utah’s 2024 second-round pick and (2) Cleveland’s 2024 second-round pick. The 76ers will also acquire LA’s 2029 second-round pick.

“James is one of the most prolific and efficient playmakers in the NBA,” said Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. “With his size and vision, he possesses an extraordinary ability to create for himself and others. The Los Angeles area has produced so many elite players in recent years. With Kawhi, Paul, Russ and James, we’re excited to bring four of them together, and eager to see what they can accomplish with the rest of our group.”

Harden is a three-time NBA scoring champion (2018, 2019, 2020) and NBA MVP (2018) who has played in 1,000 career games and holds averages of 24.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.5 steals. In his 15th NBA season, Harden is one of four players in league history to have averaged at least 20 points, five rebounds and 10 assists in three or more seasons. The only other players to do so more than once are Russell Westbrook (5) and Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson (5) and Magic Johnson (3). With the trade, LAC becomes the Los Angeles native’s fifth NBA team, following stints in Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Houston and Oklahoma City.

Warriors exercise contract options on Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody

The Golden State Warriors have exercised the fourth-year contract options on forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Moses Moody.

Kuminga, 21, is averaging 11.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.00 steal and 21.6 minutes in three games this season. Selected by Golden State with the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, he became the youngest player in Warriors history to reach the 1,000-point plateau last season surpassing, Joe Smith. Kuminga owns career averages of 9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 18.9 minutes in 140 games (28 starts).

Moody, 21, is averaging 9.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.50 steals and 19.4 minutes in four games (one start) this season. He was selected by Golden State with the 14th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and owns career averages of 4.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 12.6 minutes in 119 games (15 starts). Moody has scored in double figures in eight of his 15 starts.

Under the terms of the NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement, the first two years of a first round draft pick’s contract are guaranteed, while the third and fourth year of the contract are the team’s option.

Sixers will reportedly trade James Harden to Clippers

Per the LA Times:

As teams with NBA title ambitions in Milwaukee and Boston fortified their rosters in recent weeks and days, the Clippers arrived at training camp with a roster virtually unchanged from the end of last season.

That began to change late Monday, when after months of discussions with Philadelphia, the Clippers and 76ers began to move toward finalizing a trade that would see All-Star guard James Harden land in Los Angeles, according to people with knowledge of the discussions not authorized to disclose them publicly.

In addition to Harden, the Clippers are receiving P.J. Tucker, a 38-year-old defensive stalwart forward and career 36% three-point shooter. The cost: Trading away Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris Sr. and Robert Covington — their trio of veteran forwards, all on expiring contracts — as well as young forward Kenyon Martin Jr., who was acquired from Houston during the offseason.

FULL ARTICLE

NBA Players of the Week, Week 1: Nikola Jokic and Tyrese Maxey

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey were named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for Week 1 of the 2023-24 season (Oct. 24-29).

Other nominees:

West: Stephen Curry (GSW), Anthony Davis (LAL), Luka Dončić (DAL), Kevin Durant (PHX), De’Aaron Fox (SAC), Paul George (LAC), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) and Zion Williamson (NOP)

East: Jalen Duren (DET), Joel Embiid (PHI), Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith (IND), Donovan Mitchell (CLE), Kristaps Porzingis (BOS) and Franz Wagner (ORL)

Magic Johnson is reportedly now a billionaire

Per ESPN.com:

NBA Hall of Famer and businessman Earvin “Magic” Johnson is officially a billionaire, according to Forbes.

Johnson joins Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Tiger Woods as the fourth athlete to earn billionaire status. Earlier this year, he added a minority stake in the Washington Commanders to his portfolio. He also has a 2.3% stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers and minority ownership of LAFC and Los Angeles Sparks.

Forbes estimates Johnson’s net worth to be $1.2 billion as a result of his stakes in teams and investments in a variety of industries.

FULL ARTICLE

Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons out with thumb injury, will undergo surgery

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons injured his right thumb during Wednesday’s game at LA Clippers.

A subsequent MRI conducted Thursday evening revealed a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the right thumb.

Simons is set to have surgery and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Per the Oregonian: “Expected to be the team’s leading scorer this season following the departure of Damian Lillard, Simons scored 18 points to go along with four assists in the Blazers’ 123-111 loss the the Clippers.”

Timberwolves exercise contract option on Wendell Moore Jr.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have exercised their team option on guard Wendell Moore Jr.

Moore Jr., 22, enters his second season in the NBA after appearing in 29 games (two starts) in his rookie campaign last season, averaging 1.4 points on 41.9% shooting, 0.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists. In his first career start during the Nov. 30 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Richmond, Va. native finished with seven points, a career-high three rebounds and two assists. In eight regular season games for the Iowa Wolves, the NBA G League affiliate of the Timberwolves, Moore Jr. averaged 19.4 points on 42.0% shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

Pacers sign head coach Rick Carlisle to contract extension

The Indiana Pacers have signed Head Coach Rick Carlisle to a contract extension.

“It goes without saying that Coach Carlisle is one of the most creative and successful coaches in the history of the league, so there was never a question that he continues to be the right person to lead our team,” said President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “His ties to this organization and community run deep, his guidance and leadership are invaluable to our players and staff, and we’re looking forward to working together for years to come as we build something special for our fans.”

Per the Indianapolis Star, “Indiana would win just 25 games in 2021-22 and 35 last season but this extension is a signal that Carlisle is central piece to the team’s rebuild. Haliburton became an All-Star last season and was signed to a five-year max contract extension this offseason worth up to $260 million”

The Pacers 143-120 win over the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday night marked the 897th career win for Coach Carlisle.

Nets exercise contract options on Day’Ron Sharpe and Cam Thomas

The Brooklyn Nets have exercised the fourth-year team options for center Day’Ron Sharpe and guard Cam Thomas.

Sharpe appeared in 48 games (three starts) during the 2022-23 season and averaged 4.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game. The 21-year-old also played in two contests as a reserve during the 2023 postseason, registering averages of 3.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 9.8 minutes per game.

Thomas played in 57 games (four starts) last season, averaging 10.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 16.6 minutes per contest. The Chesapeake, Va., native saw action in two 2023 postseason games and averaged 3.0 points over 7.8 minutes per game.

Magic sign Cole Anthony to contract extension

The Orlando Magic yesterday signed guard Cole Anthony to a contract extension.

Anthony’s extension is reportedly a three-year, $39 million deal.

Anthony (6’3”, 198, 5/15/00) appeared in 60 games (four starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 13.0 ppg., 4.8 rpg. and 3.9 apg. in 25.9 minpg., while shooting a team-high .894 (152-170) from the free throw line. He was tied for 10th in the NBA in free throw percentage. Anthony had eight 20+ point games as a reserve, which ranked third in the Eastern Conference. He scored 730 points off the bench (13.0 ppg., 56 games), which ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference and eighth in the NBA.

Originally selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft by Orlando, Anthony has played in 172 career NBA regular season games (103 starts), all with the Magic, averaging 14.2 ppg., 5.0 rpg. and 4.6 apg. in 28.4 minpg., while shooting .861 (477-554) from the free throw line. Anthony participated in the Rising Stars event during 2022 NBA All-Star in Cleveland.

Anthony (6’3”, 190, 5/15/00) played in 22 games (20 starts) during his only season (2019-20) at the University of North Carolina, averaging 18.5 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 4.0 apg. and 1.32 stlpg. in 34.9 minpg. He led the Tar Heels in scoring and had the second-highest scoring average for a freshman in school history. Anthony was named Third Team All-ACC and to the All-ACC Freshman Team.