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Raptors sign Michale Kyser and Axel Toupane

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have signed forward Michale (Michael) Kyser and guard-forward Axel Toupane (Too-PON).

Until we hear otherwise, we will assume these are non-guaranteed deals that merely bring these two players to training camp.

Kyser, 6-foot-9, 205 pounds, recently participated on the Raptors’ entry in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he averaged 3.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 14.6 minutes in four games. He recorded 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in 28 minutes in his lone start July 17 versus Portland.

Kyser averaged 8.6 points, a team-high 6.6 rebounds and 28.4 minutes in 36 games (35 starts) in 2014-15 as a senior at Louisiana Tech. He blocked 102 shots, fifth most in the NCAA, and was named to the Conference USA All-Defensive team for the second straight year. He finished as school’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 363, the most by any player in college basketball over the past four years.

Toupane, 6-foot-7, 197 pounds, was also part of the Raptors’ 2015 Summer League squad and averaged 4.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 11.0 minutes in three contests. He played for Strasbourg (France) in the French ProA League last season and helped his team earn back-to-back regular-season championships (2014 and 2015). Toupane averaged 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 18.4 minutes in 42 games last season.

Hornets sign Tyler Hansbrough

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced Wednesday that the team has signed free agent forward Tyler Hansbrough.

“Tyler Hansbrough is a solid NBA player who can contribute to our team,” Cho said. “He brings energy and physicality every time he steps on the floor. We are glad to have him.”

Hansbrough is — and we mean this in a good way — an irritant to the other team. Nicknamed “Psycho T,” the rugged power forward always goes the extra mile in the hustle department and is worthy of being in a pretty good team’s rotation as a backup.

A six-year NBA veteran, the 6-9 Hansbrough was initially selected with the 13th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He has played in 384 NBA games for the Pacers and Raptors, with career averages of 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.9 minutes. He has shot .439 from the field (915-2085) and .746 from the free-throw line (946-1268). Hansbrough has also seen action in 42 playoff games, averaging 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 15.4 minutes.

Hansbrough spent the 2014-15 season with the Raptors, where he played in 74 games and averaged 3.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14.3 minutes, while shooting a career-high .521 from the field (86-165).

Prior to entering the NBA, Hansbrough played four years at the University of North Carolina, where he averaged 20.2 points and 8.6 rebounds in 142 career games and shot .536 from the field (939-1752) and .791 from the free-throw line (982-1241). As a junior in 2007-08, his accolades included Consensus National Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year, ACC Athlete of the Year, ACC Tournament MVP and a record eight ACC Player of the Week awards. One of only two players in NCAA history to earn First Team All-American honors in each of his four seasons, Hansbrough was selected First Team All-ACC all four years and to the ACC All-Tournament Team three times. He led the Tar Heels in scoring and rebounding in each of his four seasons, helping the team to the 2009 NCAA Championship.

Hansbrough, who had his No. 50 jersey retired, remains UNC’s career leader in scoring (2872), rebounding (1219) double-figure scoring games (133), 20-point games (78), field goals (939), field goal attempts (1752), free throws (982) and free throw attempts (1241). He is also the ACC’s all-time leader in scoring, double-figure scoring games, 20-point games, free throws and free throw attempts.

Kings sign Seth Curry, Quincy Acy and Duje Dukan

The Sacramento Kings today signed free agent guard Seth Curry and forwards Quincy Acy and Duje Dukan (DOO-yay DOOK-in) to contracts, according to Kings Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations Vlade Divac.

Selected by Toronto in the second round (37th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft, Acy is averaging 4.3 points (.475 FG%, .299 3pt%, .755 FT%), 3.7 rebounds and 15.5 minutes per game in 160 career contests in three seasons with three teams: Toronto (2012-13, 2013-14), Sacramento (2013-14) and New York (2014-15). This is Acy’s second stint with the Kings after averaging 2.7 points (.472 FG%, .200 3pt%, .667 FT) and 3.6 rebounds in 14.0 minutes per game in 56 games off the bench in 2013-14. Last season with the Knicks, the 6-7, 240-pound forward averaged career-highs in points (5.9 ppg), rebounds (4.4 rpg), assists (1.0 apg), minutes (18.9 mpg) and games played (68) and starts (22).

Playing for the New Orleans 2015 Summer League squad, Curry averaged a league-leading 24.3 points (.459 FG%, .222 3pt%, .878 FT%), 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 3.2 steals and 33.2 minutes per game in starting all six contests. He scored 20 or more points in each of the six contests, beginning with a 30-point performance (9-17 FG, 2-7 3pt, 10-11 FT) in a 101-89 win over Milwaukee.

The 6-2, 185-pound guard has played in four NBA games in two seasons with three teams: Memphis (2013-14), Cleveland (2013-14) and Phoenix (2014-15). In the D-League, Curry has career averages of 21.9 points (.462 FG%, .425 3pt%, .896 FT%), 3.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 35.9 minutes per game in 81 career contests with the Santa Cruz Warriors (2013-14) and Erie BayHawks (2014-15). Curry was named to the 2014-15 NBA D-League First Team after averaging 23.2 points (.484 FG%, .467 3pt%, a league-leading .926 FT%), 3.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 37.0 minutes per game in 43 games for Erie. The former Duke guard led the D-League in three-point field goals (156) and ranked second in three-point field goal percentage and points scored (1,024) in 2014-15.

Dukan averaged 9.2 points (.438 FG%, a team-high .417 3pt%, .800 FT%) and 2.4 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game in five contests for the Kings’ 2015 NBA Summer League team. Dukan scored in double-figures in four games. His best performance came in a 90-71 win over Golden State on July 13 when he recorded 13 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 3pt, 1-2 FT) and six rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.

The 6-10, 218-pound forward completed his senior season in 2014-15 with an NCAA championship, averaging 4.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 15.9 minutes per game in 38 games for the Wisconsin Badgers. In four seasons at Wisconsin (2010-11 – 2014-15), he averaged 3.1 points (.427 FG%, .328 3pt%, .656 FT%), 1.8 rebounds and 10.2 minutes per game in 97 career games.

Spurs sign Jimmer Fredette

The San Antonio Spurs have signed guard Jimmer Fredette.

Fredette, 6-2/195, spent last season playing for the New Orleans Pelicans. He appeared in 50 games, averaging 3.6 points and 1.4 assists in 10.2 minutes.

After a celebrated college career, Fredette hasn’t made his mark in the NBA yet. Even as a reserve, he hasn’t solidified himself as a definite rotation player. In San Antonio, minutes will continue to be limited. He’ll need to make the most of every second of court time.

A four-year NBA veteran, Fredette was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. He was dealt to the Sacramento Kings in a draft night trade where he spent two-plus seasons. In March 2014 he signed with the Chicago Bulls where he played out the remainder of the 2013-14 season. In 229 NBA career games, Fredette is averaging 6.1 points, 1.4 assists and 1.0 rebounds in 13.7 minutes while shooting .412 (514-1,248) from the field, .381 (192-504) from beyond the arc and .878 (187-213) from the foul line.

Fredette enjoyed a four-year career (2007-11) at Brigham Young University where he led all Division I players in scoring (28.9 ppg) as a senior. In his final season with the Cougars, he won nearly every National Player of the Year honor including the Naismith, Wooden and Associated Press awards. The New York native finished his career averaging 18.7 points, 3.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game in 139 outings for the Cougars, and set BYU career records for points (2,599), three-pointers (296), games played (139) and total wins (112).

Spurs sign Jonathon Simmons

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed shooting guard Jonathon Simmons.

Simmons, 6-6/195, played on the Spurs 2015 Summer League team in Las Vegas where he helped lead the team to the Summer League Championship, averaging 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.71 steals in 24.6 minutes while shooting .519 (41-79) from the field and .700 (35-50) from the foul line in seven games. He was named MVP of the championship game, finishing with a team-high 23 points (7-14 FG, 9-12 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in 24 minutes.

The 25-year-old Simmons has spent the past two seasons playing for the Austin Spurs, the NBA D-League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs. The Texas native made the team after attending an open tryout in Austin in 2013. Last season Simmons was named to the NBA D-League All-Defensive Third Team while appearing in all 50 games, averaging 15.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.00 steals in 33.8 minutes. Simmons shot .494 (277-561) from the field, .398 (51-128) from three-point range and .750 (153-204) from the charity stripe.

During his two years with Austin, Simmons appeared in 94 games, averaging 12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.00 blocks in 28.8 minutes while shooting .506 (446-882) from the field, .352 (76-216) from beyond the arc and .736 (22-303) from the foul line.

Prior to turning pro Simmons played one season (2011-12) at the University of Houston. The former Cougar appeared in all 30 games as a redshirt junior, averaging 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 30.1 minutes. Before transferring to Houston, Simmons played his sophomore season (2009-10) at Midland Junior College and his freshman season (2008-09) at Paris Junior College.

Kings close to signing Seth Curry

According to ESPN.com the Sacramento Kings are close to giving Stephen Curry’s brother Seth a spot in the league:

Seth Curry and brother Stephen Curry are about to be NBA neighbors, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that Seth Curry and the Sacramento Kings are in the process of finalizing a two-year deal worth just shy of $2 million in the wake of his strong summer league performance with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Jared Dudley out after herniated disc surgery

The Washington Wizards announced that forward Jared Dudley had successful surgery today to repair a herniated disc in his lower back. He will begin the rehab process immediately and is expected to return in approximately three to four months.

“During our discussions with Jared and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, we were made aware that he played with pain for a significant part of last season due to this injury,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “After jointly consulting with our team doctors and several specialists, we collectively determined that this proactive approach was the best course of action to have him ready for the upcoming season and to prevent the risk of further injury.”

The procedure was performed by Dr. Drew Dossett in Dallas, TX. Dudley missed four games last season due to a sore lower back in addition to playing through pain caused by the injury.

“Although I’m disappointed that I won’t be on the floor with my new teammates for the start of training camp, I’m confident that having this surgery now will allow me to perform at my best and contribute throughout the season,” said Dudley. “I appreciate the patience and support of the organization and I can assure my teammates and the fans that I will work extremely hard to be on the floor as soon as possible.”

The Wizards acquired Dudley from Milwaukee in exchange for a protected future second round pick on July 9. He averaged 7.2 points and 3.1 rebounds with the Bucks last season, shooting .468 from the field and .385 from three-point range in 72 games (including 22 starts) and hit .571 (8-14) from three-point range over six games in Milwaukee’s first round series with Chicago during the 2015 NBA Playoffs.

Rockets re-sign K.J. McDaniels

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has re-signed restricted free agent K.J. McDaniels to a multi-year deal.

McDaniels (6-6, 200, Clemson) played 62 games as a rookie for the Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers during the 2014-15 season recording a combined 7.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 blocks in 21.8 minutes per game.

McDaniels was drafted 32nd overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He was acquired from Philadelphia by Houston in a trade on Feb.19, 2015.

Raptors sign Ronald Roberts

The Toronto Raptors have signed forward Ronald Roberts to a multi-year contract.

He will likely be used as a backup and play limited minutes off the bench.

Roberts, 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, recently participated with the Raptors’ entry in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he averaged 10.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 23.5 minutes in four games. Roberts posted a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds) in the opener July 10 against Sacramento.

Roberts spent the 2014-15 season with the Delaware 87ers (NBA D-League), Santa Cruz Warriors (NBA D-League) and San Miguel Beermen (Philippines Basketball Association).

Roberts averaged 10.7 points and 6.6 rebounds over four seasons at St. Joseph’s and helped the Hawks claim the 2014 A-10 Tournament title.

Richard Jefferson to join Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers were just two wins away from winning the 2015 NBA championship, and aside from regaining the health of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, the supporting cast is getting stronger. Jefferson doesn’t have a lot left in the tank, but he’s still a very good backup provided he plays very limited minutes. Here’s the Akron Beacon Journal reporting:

Richard Jefferson is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Cavaliers for the veteran’s minimum, a league source confirmed. Jefferson, 35, shot 43 percent from 3-point range primarily as a reserve last season with the Dallas Mavericks.

Jefferson was widely expected to return to the Mavericks, but when their deal with free agent center DeAndre Jordan fell through, the Mavs allowed their other free agents to shop elsewhere again if they could find a better situation to win.