Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Damian Lillard traded to Bucks in three-team NBA deal

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired center Deandre Ayton and forward Toumani Camara from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for guard Keon Johnson, forward Nassir Little and center Jusuf Nurkic, the team announced today. Additionally, Portland acquired Jrue Holiday, a 2029 first round pick and the right to swap first round picks in 2028 and 2030 from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for guard Damian Lillard. Milwaukee also sends guard Grayson Allen to Phoenix.

“On behalf of the entire Portland Trail Blazers Organization, I want to express my gratitude to Damian for 11 storied years with this franchise and for his loyalty to the Portland community,” said General Manager Joe Cronin. “From becoming the all-time leading points scorer in franchise history to his dedicated commitment to youth across Oregon and the entire Pacific Northwest, Damian is and will remain a titan and a true trailblazer to this city.”

“I would also like to thank Jusuf Nurkic for his devotion to Portland these last seven seasons,” said Cronin. “A consummate professional on and off the court, Nurk has been a key leader for this team, and we appreciate his dedication and passion for this franchise, the city, and the fans.”

“Thank you to Keon Johnson and Nassir Little for their contributions to the Trail Blazers and Portland as well,” added Cronin. “We wish Dame, Nurk, Keon and Nas much success going forward.”

During the 2022-23 season, Ayton averaged 18.0 points (58.9% FG, 29.2% 3-PT, 76.0% FT), 10.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks in 30.4 minutes per game in 67 games (all starts). Originally selected with the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, Ayton holds career averages of 16.7 points (59.7% FG, 26.3% 3-PT, 25.5% FT), 10.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.0 blocks in 30.6 minutes per game in 303 games (296 starts) in his five seasons with Phoenix.

Holiday averaged 19.3 points (47.9% FG, 38.4% 3-PT, 85.9% FT), 5.1 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks in 32.6 minutes per game in 67 games (65 starts) during the 2022-23 season with Milwaukee. The 14-year veteran guard holds career averages of 16.4 points (46.2% FG, 36.6% 3-PT, 78.3% FT), 4.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks, 33.1 minutes per game in 906 games (825) starts.

Camara (too-MAH-nee cah-MAH-rah) was drafted as the No. 52 overall pick in this year’s 2023 NBA Draft. The rookie forward played 125 games (106 starts) in four seasons at Dayton (2021-23) and Georgia (2019-21) and accrued averages of 11.0 points (51.3% FG, 30.7% 3-PF, 63.1%FT), 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks in 27.3 minutes per game.

Lillard was drafted by the Trail Blazers out of Weber State with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He appeared in 769 games (all starts) over 11 seasons in Portland, accruing career averages of 25.2 points (43.9% FG, 37.2% 3-PT, 89.5% FT), 4.2 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 36.3 minutes per game. Among all-time franchise leaders, he ranks first in points (19,376), points per game (25.2), three-pointers (2,387), free throws (4,427) and free throw percentage (89.5%), second in field goals (6,281) and assists (5,151), third in games played (769) and minutes per game (36.3), fourth in assists per game (6.7), and sixth in triple-doubles (3 – tied) and steals (732). During his time with Portland, Lillard was a seven-time NBA All-Star, an All-NBA First Team (2018), Second Team (2021, 2020, 2019, 2016) and Third Team (2023, 2014) selection, a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, the 2021 NBA Teammate of the Year, the 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year, and an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection (2013). The Trail Blazers made the playoffs in eight of Lillard’s seasons in Portland, advancing to the Western Conference Finals in 2019 and the Western Conference Semifinals in 2016 and 2014. Lillard also won a Gold Medal with the United States Men’s National Team at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Nurkic spent the past seven seasons in Portland, where he averaged 14.4 points (51.3% FG, 29.8% 3-PT, 69.3% FT), 9.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.2 blocks in 27.0 minutes per game. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the No. 16 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and traded to Denver on Draft night. In 463 games (382 starts) with Portland and Denver, he holds career averages of 12.3 points (50.2% FG, 29.2% 3-PT, 67.1% FT), 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 blocks in 24.2 minutes per game. The Bosnia native ranks fourth in rebounds per game (9.8) and 10th in total rebounds (2,280) in Trail Blazers franchise history.

The Trail Blazers originally acquired Johnson from the LA Clippers on February 4, 2022. Over two seasons with Portland and the LA Clippers, Johnson has accrued career averages of 5.9 points (36.2% FG, 34.3% 3-PT, 73.9% FT), 1.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.60 steals and 14.4 minutes per game in 77 games (12 starts). He appeared in 40 games with Portland last season, averaging 4.7 points (37.6% FG, 34.6% 3-PT, 65.9% FT), 1.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 10 minutes per game.

Selected 25th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Trail Blazers, Little has appeared in 192 games (34 starts) in Portland and holds career averages of 6.0 points (45.1% FG, 33.5% 3-PT, 72.5% FT), 3.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.4 blocks in 17.1 minutes per game. Last season, the former North Carolina standout averaged 6.6 points (44.2% FG, 36.7% 3-PT, 71.7% FT), 2.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists and 18 minutes per game in 54 games (four starts) with Portland.

Heat make roster moves

The Miami Heat have waived Jamaree Bouyea and Caleb Daniels and signed Jon Elmore and Cheick Diallo.

Following those roster moves, the HEAT waived Elmore and signed RJ Hampton to a Two-Way Contract.

Diallo, who was originally drafted in the second round (33rd overall) by the Clippers in the 2016 NBA Draft, split last season overseas between Kyoto Hannaryz of the Japanese Basketball League and Cangrejeros de Santurce of the Puerto Rican BSN, appearing in 63 games (62 starts) averaging 16.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 29.1 minutes while shooting 63.5 percent from the field. He previously appeared in 183 career NBA games (three starts) between New Orleans, Phoenix and Detroit, averaging 5.2 points and 4.1 rebounds in 10.3 minutes of action while shooting 59.6 percent from the field and 77.4 percent from the foul line. He has also appeared in 58 career G League games (37 starts) averaging 14.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.74 blocks and 24.9 minutes while shooting 57.8 percent from the field and 78 percent from the foul line.

Hampton, who was originally drafted in the first round (24th overall) by the Bucks in the 2020 NBA Draft, has appeared in 162 career NBA games (18 starts) between Denver, Orlando and Detroit, averaging 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 18.8 minutes while shooting 41 percent from the field. He appeared in eight regular season G League games with the Lakeland Magic last season and averaged 22.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 27.3 minutes while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 85.3 percent from the foul line.

Bouyea appeared in four games with the HEAT last season, averaging 3.8 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.00 steals and 16.3 minutes.

Daniels appeared in four NBA2K24 Summer League games with the HEAT in Las Vegas and averaged 4.8 points and 1.0 rebounds.

Wizards restructure their coaching staff for 2023-24 NBA season

The Washington Wizards recently announced their restructured coaching staff for the 2023-24 season under Head Coach Wes Unseld Jr.

“With the additions we’ve made during the offseason and the personnel that we have returning, I’m very confident that we have assembled a top-notch staff that will prioritize and facilitate internal growth and development for all of our players,” said Unseld Jr. “We are all looking forward to working as a group as we begin training camp next week.”

The Wizards added Brian Keefe and David Vanterpool as assistant coaches and Sammy Gelfand as assistant coach/analytics during the offseason, all of whom come to Washington with over 10 years of experience in the NBA. Keefe, Vanterpool and Gelfand will join returning staff Joseph Blair, Mike Miller, Zach Guthrie and James Posey.

Washington’s increased focus on player development will be led by Landon Tatum, who spent last season as associate head coach of the Capital City Go-Go. He will be joined by player development assistants Ryan Lumpkin, Joe Ajike and Pete Fusilero. Daniel Villarreal will serve as Washington’s head video coordinator along with assistant video coordinator Addison Lee.

In other recent staff additions, Cody Toppert was named head coach of the Capital City Go-Go, the Wizards’ NBA G League affiliate.

Boston Celtics sign forward Lamar Stevens

The Boston Celtics have signed forward Lamar Stevens.

Stevens (6-6, 230) has appeared in 165 career games (38 starts) with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2020-23 and owns averages of 5.3 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 46.7 percent from the field. During the 2022-23 season, Stevens played in 62 games (25 starts) and averaged 5.3 points along with a career-high 3.3 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game.

Stevens recorded his second career double-double with a season-high 18 points on 8-for-15 (.533) made field goals and a career-high tying 11 rebounds, along with two assists in 38 minutes on December 14 at Dallas. It marked the third time in his career he scored at least 18 points, and the second time grabbing 10-plus rebounds.

The Philadelphia native played three seasons at Penn State, and led the team to a 2018 NIT Championship title in his sophomore season. He was named NIT Most Outstanding Player after scoring 96 points over five postseason contests (19.2 ppg). He stands fifth on Penn State’s all-time scoring list with 1,660 points, and joined select company as one of only six Nittany Lions with 1,500 career points and more than 600 rebounds.

76ers sign Kelly Oubre Jr.

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed Kelly Oubre Jr.

And in a related move, the team has waived Marcus Bagley.

The eight-year pro joins Philadelphia after averaging a career-high 20.3 points (43.1% FG, 31.9% 3FG), 5.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 48 games (40 starts) with Charlotte last season. He logged five games with at least five made three-pointers, the second-most of any season in his NBA career (12, 2021-22).

A New Orleans native, Oubre Jr. swiped a career-best 1.4 steals in 2022-23, aided in part by a career-high six steals at Orlando on Nov. 14.

In 527 career NBA games across eight seasons with Washington, Phoenix, Golden State, and Charlotte, Oubre Jr. has averaged 12.8 points on 43.4% shooting (33.0% 3FG), 4.4 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.0 steal. He has produced at least 15.0 points in each of his last five seasons dating back to 2018-19, while tallying back-to-back seasons with at least 100 three-pointers and 50 steals.

Originally selected by Atlanta with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Oubre Jr. played one collegiate season at Kansas. There, he helped lead the Jayhawks to a 27-9 regular season record and a No. 2 seed in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. He was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer team as he scored in double figures 15 times, including a 25-point outing against TCU.

Oubre Jr. will wear No. 9 for the 76ers.

Atlanta Hawks sign Chris Silva

The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward Chris Silva.

Silva has appeared in 70 regular season games across four NBA seasons with Miami, Sacramento, Minnesota and Dallas, owning averages of 2.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 7.6 minutes (.609 FG%, .707 FT%).

The 6-8 forward spent the 2022-23 NBA G League season with the College Park Skyhawks, appearing in 40 games (39 starts), tallying 14.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 blocks in 25.7 minutes (.553 FG%, .500 3FG%, .748 FT%). He signed two 10-day contracts with the Dallas Mavericks (Jan. 31, 2023 and Feb. 10, 2023), seeing action in one game.

A native of Gabon, Silva played four seasons at University of South Carolina, where he averaged 11.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 21.7 minutes, appearing in 134 games (108 starts). In 2017, he helped the Gamecocks advance to the Final Four for the first time in school history.

Sixers sign Marcus Bagley

The Philadelphia 76ers have signed forward Marcus Bagley.

The 6-foot-8 Bagley spent parts of three seasons at Arizona State where he posted career averages of 10.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 17 total appearances.

During his time as a Sun Devil, he also shot 35.1% from beyond the arc on 5.5 attempts per game over his three years.

He is also the younger brother of Marvin Bagley III who has played five NBA seasons after being selected with the No. 2 pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2018 Draft.

Rockets re-sign Boban Marjanovic

The Houston Rockets have re-signed free agent center Boban Marjanović. He was originally acquired via a trade with Dallas on June 24, 2022.

Marjanović (7-4, 286), who is approaching his ninth season, appeared in 31 games for the Rockets in 2022-23 while shooting a career-best 68.3% from the floor. He finished runner-up to Mike Conley in voting for the NBA Sportsmanship award last season and was second in voting for the 2021-22 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award. [Season Video Highlights]

For his career, Marjanović is averaging 22.9 points and 14.8 rebounds per 36 minutes played. He is one of 14 players listed 7’4” or taller to have played in the NBA and he has the seventh-most career games played of that group, which includes former Rockets Yao Ming, Chuck Nevitt and Ralph Sampson.

Lakers sign Jarred Vanderbilt to contract extension

The Los Angeles Lakers yesterday signed forward Jarred Vanderbilt to a contract extension.

Vanderbilt’s extension is reportedly a four-year, $48 million deal.

After joining Los Angeles via trade from the Utah Jazz on Feb. 9, Vanderbilt (6’9”, 214) appeared in 26 games (24 starts) and averaged 7.2 points (52.9 FG%), 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 24.1 minutes per contest to end the 2022-23 regular season. Overall, Vanderbilt suited up in 78 games (65 starts) with the Lakers and Jazz last season, averaging 7.9 points (54.8 FG%), 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 24.1 minutes per game. During the 2023 NBA Playoffs with the purple and gold, the 24-year-old saw action in 15 games (13 starts) and averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per contest.

Across five professional NBA seasons, Vanderbilt has appeared in 244 career games (162 starts) suiting up for Los Angeles (2022-23), Utah (2022-23), Minnesota (2019-22) and Denver (2018-20). The Texas native owns career averages of 6.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.6 minutes per game, shooting 57.3 percent overall from the field. In postseason action, Vanderbilt has appeared in 24 career games (19 starts) for the Lakers (2022-23), Timberwolves (2021-22) and Nuggets (2018-19), posting averages of 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.

Vanderbilt was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 41st overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft after one collegiate season (2017-18) at the University of Kentucky. In his lone campaign with the Wildcats, Vanderbilt averaged 5.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.0 minutes per contest.

New Orleans Pelicans TV and radio info for the 2023-24 season

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today the team’s television and radio broadcast schedule for the 2023-24 season.

Bally Sports will broadcast 78 of the 80 scheduled regular season games on Bally Sports New Orleans and via streaming on the Bally Sports app. The two regular season games not being televised by Bally Sports are scheduled to air exclusively on TNT: Dec. 19 vs. Memphis and Apr. 11 at Sacramento. Broadcast information for the two remaining regular season games, which are determined by the results of the NBA In-Season Tournament, will be announced at a later date.

Bally Sports will tip off the Pelicans regular season on Wednesday, Oct. 25 with the opener against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. The local television broadcast schedule for the 2023-24 season features 39 home and 39 away contests.

Play-by-play announcer Joel Meyers and color analyst Antonio Daniels return to the Pelicans television booth for their twelfth and fifth seasons, respectively. Meyers, a two-time Emmy award-winning play-by-play announcer, brings more than 30 years of broadcast experience to the organization. Daniels, who played 14 seasons in the NBA including 61 games with the New Orleans Hornets in 2008-09, joined the broadcast team in 2019 after serving as a studio analyst for FOX Sports Oklahoma and FOX Sports Southwest during the previous four seasons. Jennifer Hale begins her twelfth season as sideline reporter. Hale, an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist, is also in her 13th season as a sideline reporter for the NFL on FOX.

Bally Sports will provide extensive team coverage including Pelicans Live pregame and postgame shows, as well as Pelicans Insider, a bi-weekly program featuring player and coach profiles, game highlights and behind-the-scenes content.

In addition to producing 78 regular season games, Bally Sports will carry the Pelicans preseason opener at the Smoothie King Center against the Orlando Magic on October 10. The other three preseason contests (Oct. 12 vs. Houston, Oct. 14 at Atlanta, and Oct. 17 at Orlando) will be streamed live on Pelicans.com and via the Pelicans Mobile App.