Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Spurs re-sign forward Sandro Mamukelashvili

The San Antonio Spurs have re-signed forward Sandro Mamukelashvili.

Mamukelashvili, 6-10/240, was originally signed by the Spurs on March 3, 2023. In 19 games for the Silver and Black, he averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 23.3 minutes.

Prior to joining the Spurs, Mamukelashvili was on a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. He appeared in 24 games with the Bucks and averaged 2.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 9.0 minutes. In 11 games with the Bucks G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, he averaged 19.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 30.6 minutes.

The Tbilisi, Georgia native was selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft (54th overall) by the Indiana Pacers before being traded to Milwaukee on draft night. Prior to the NBA, Mamukelashvili spent four seasons at Seton Hall and in a total of 104 games (68 starts), the 2021 Big East Player of the Year averaged 9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 23.7 minutes.

Spurs sign rookie forward Sidy Cissoko

The San Antonio Spurs have signed rookie forward Sidy Cissoko.

Cissoko, 6-7/225, was drafted by the Spurs with the 44th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. In one season with G League Ignite, he averaged 12.8 points, 3.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 29.3 minutes, starting in all 28 regular season games. He recorded eight games with 20-plus points on his way to a 2023 Rising Stars Challenge selection at NBA All-Star weekend and becoming one of 24 players named to the inaugural G League Next Up Game.

In five games with San Antonio in the NBA 2K24 Las Vegas Summer League, Cissoko averaged 5.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 23.8 minutes. The Paris, France native made his professional debut in 2021 with Baskonia in the Spanish ACB League before being loaned out to Baskonia’s satellite club, Iraurgi SB, in the second-tier LEB Oro where he averaged 10.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32 games. Cissoko was named to the World Select Team at the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit. In the same year, he represented France at the FIBA U-18 European Championship.

Cissoko will wear No. 25 for the Spurs.

Spurs re-sign forward Dominick Barlow to two-way contract

The San Antonio Spurs have re-signed forward Dominick Barlow to a two-way contract.

Barlow, 6-9/220, is coming off his first season with the Silver and Black. In 28 games with San Antonio last season as a two-way player, he averaged 3.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game, including a season-high 21 points and 19 rebounds in the final game of the season in Dallas on April 9. On April 2 at Sacramento, he posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double to go with 5 assists, becoming just the sixth Spurs rookie with a 10/10/5 game. The rookie also played in 18 games (11 starts) with the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s G League affiliate, and averaged 16.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 29.7 minutes. He recorded a season-high 32 points at Rio Grande Valley.

Barlow most recently appeared in four games for San Antonio in the NBA 2K24 Las Vegas Summer League where he averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.25 blocks in 27.9 minutes. The New Jersey native first signed a two-way contract with San Antonio on July 11, 2022, becoming the first-ever Overtime Elite athlete to sign with an NBA team.

Celtics sign Jaylen Brown to massive contract extension

The Boston Celtics have agreed to a contract extension with All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown.

Brown signed the contract at MIT’s Media Lab where he was hosting his 7uice Foundation’s Bridge program.

The deal is reportedly a five-year contract extension worth $304 million.

“I appreciate the investment and commitment from the Celtics and from the rest of the community. That investment and commitment will be felt in return from me here in Boston, on and off the floor, but also hopefully soon, around the world,” said Jaylen Brown. “The Bridge program students being here is special for me today; you guys represent the next generation, you represent the future, and everything I do is try to make this world a better place.”

“Jaylen Brown brings passionate energy and excellence to whatever he does, on the court and in the community,” said Wyc Grousbeck, Boston Celtics Lead Owner. “Jaylen is absolutely key to our relentless drive to win Banner 18. I’m very glad to be celebrating this partnership with him today.”

Brown was selected to his first All-NBA team last season when he was named to the 2022-23 Kia All-NBA Second Team after he appeared in 67 games (all starts) and made his second-consecutive All-Star game. The Georgia native averaged career-highs of 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, as well as his best field goal percentage (49.1) and free-throw percentage (76.5).

“We are thrilled that Jaylen has decided to extend his contract and remain a Celtic for a long time,” said Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations. “In addition to his individual accolades, Jaylen has been one of the NBA’s winningest players in both the regular and postseason over the past seven years. I’ve been so impressed with how he has attacked every day with a relentless work ethic, a desire to improve, and a competitiveness to help his team win. Equally as impressive is his continued commitment to making a difference in the community.”

The seven-year NBA veteran was originally drafted by Boston with the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, and is the longest tenured Celtic entering this year. In 470 career games (363 starts), Brown has averaged 17.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 29.7 minutes per game, while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from three-point range.

Brown ranks fifth in franchise history in made three-point field goals with 883 threes and moved into 17th on the Celtics’ all-time scoring list with 8,428 points. Brown became the seventh Celtic since 1994 to reach 1,000 career assists before turning 27 years old when he dished out a season-high nine assists on March 6, 2023 (26 yrs, 133 d).

Brown has led the Celtics to the playoffs in each of his seven seasons, including five Eastern Conference Finals appearances and a trip to the 2022 NBA Finals. Brown is tied for the 14th-most playoff appearances in franchise history with 105 games and ranks 11th in scoring with 1,911 points in the postseason.

Lakers sign Alex Fudge to two-way contract, and waive Cole Swider

The Los Angeles Lakers signed forward Alex Fudge to a two-way contract, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

In a related move, the Lakers requested waivers on two-way forward Cole Swider.

Fudge (6’9”, 192) appeared in 61 career games (12 starts) across two seasons at the University of Florida (2022-23) and Louisiana State University (2021-22). In 2022-23, Fudge posted averages of 5.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 19.3 minutes in 32 games (11 starts) as a Gator. The 20-year-old most recently appeared in five games for Los Angeles at NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas.

Swider appeared in seven games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, averaging 1.3 points and 1.0 rebounds in 5.9 minutes per game. In NBA G League action, the 24-year-old appeared in 27 games (19 starts) for the South Bay Lakers during the 2022-23 campaign, averaging 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 28.7 minutes per contest. Swider was originally signed by the Lakers out of Syracuse University on July 1, 2022.

NBA Mexico City Game 2023: Hawks vs. Magic on November 9

The NBA Mexico City Game 2023 will feature the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic playing a regular-season game at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City on Thursday, Nov. 9. The matchup will mark the league’s 32nd game in Mexico since 1992, more than any country outside the U.S. and Canada.

The Magic, which will be playing its fourth game in Mexico since 2012, currently features 2022 No. 1 overall pick and 2022-23 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero, 2021-22 Kia NBA All-Rookie First Team member Franz Wagner, and 2017 No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz. The Hawks, who will be playing their first game in Mexico, are coming off their third consecutive playoff appearance behind two-time NBA All-Star Trae Young and 2022 NBA All-Star Dejounte Murray.

The NBA Mexico City Game 2023 will air live in Mexico on ESPN, Star+, TUDN and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service available on the NBA App, reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories on television, digital media and social media. In addition to The NBA Mexico City Game 2023, the league and its partners will conduct NBA Cares community outreach initiatives, Jr. NBA youth basketball development programming and interactive activities that will bring the NBA experience to fans in Mexico City.

To conclude the week-long celebration of basketball in the country, the Mexico City Capitanes will host the Osceola Magic on Friday, Nov. 10 as part of the NBA G League’s Showcase Cup schedule.

Minnesota Timberwolves 2023-24 preseason schedule

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team’s 2023-24 preseason schedule. The Wolves will play five exhibition contests, including one game at Target Center.

The fans first chance to see the 2023-24 Wolves at Target Center will be when the team takes on Maccabi Ra’anana of the Israeli National League. This will mark the third time the Wolves have played a team from Israel in the preseason after previously defeating Maccabi Haifa twice before, including a 114-81 win at Target Center on Oct. 16, 2012, then most recently a 131-101 victory on Oct. 13, 2019.

Minnesota will begin its 2023 preseason by playing its first two games against the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 on Thursday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 7 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Minnesota’s trip to Abu Dhabi will mark the 15th and 16th time (preseason and regular season) the Wolves have played in an international game. Most recently, the Timberwolves played the Golden State Warriors as part of the NBA Global Games China 2017.

The Wolves will then complete their preseason schedule with a pair of road games. First, with a matchup with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Oct. 14. Minnesota will wrap up their exhibition games by traveling to Chicago to face the Bulls at the United Center on Thursday, Oct. 19.

Portland Trail Blazers 2023-24 preseason schedule starts October 10

The Portland Trail Blazers have announced a four-game 2023-24 preseason schedule, featuring two home games at Moda Center on Oct. 10 and Oct. 12, followed by two road games on Oct. 14 and Oct. 16.

The Trail Blazers will tip off the preseason at home on Tuesday, Oct. 10, when they host the New Zealand Breakers of the National Basketball League at 7 p.m. PT. The team’s home slate will continue with a matchup against the Phoenix Suns at Moda Center on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. PT.

Portland will complete the preseason on the road, visiting Utah on Oct. 14 to take on the Jazz at 7 p.m. MT and heading to Phoenix on Oct. 16 for a rematch with the Suns at 7 p.m. MT.

Kings sign Nerlens Noel

The Sacramento Kings yesterday signed center Nerlens Noel.

A 10-year veteran, Noel has posted averages of 7.1 points (54.6 FG%), 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in 467 career games (223 starts). Among active players, he ranks ninth in blocks per contest and has been in the Top 20 among annual blocks leaders four times, including most recently ranking third (2.2) during the 2020-21 season.

Originally selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft out of Kentucky, Noel received All-Rookie First Team honors after averaging 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.9 blocks per game in 75 games (71 starts) for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Raptors re-sign Jeff Dowtin Jr. and Ron Harper Jr., sign Javon Freeman-Liberty

The Toronto Raptors have re-signed guard Jeff Dowtin Jr.

Also, the team re-signed guard-forward Ron Harper Jr. and signed guard Javon Freeman-Liberty to two-way contracts.

Dowtin, 6-foot-3, 176 pounds, averaged 2.4 points, 1.2 assists and 10.4 minutes in 25 games as a two-way player with the Raptors last season. In 19 regular season games with Raptors 905 in the NBA G League, Dowtin averaged 16.9 points, 5.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 32.8 minutes. He shot .502 (117-233) from the field and scored in double figures in 17 games, including 20 or more points eight times, with the 905.

A native of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Dowtin has played in 34 career NBA games with Golden State, Milwaukee, Orlando and Toronto, averaging 2.4 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 10.8 minutes. Prior to going undrafted in 2020, Dowtin spent his entire college career at the University of Rhode Island (2016-20) where he earned Atlantic 10 Third Team honours as a senior.

Harper, 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, returns to the Raptors where he spent his rookie season also as a two-way player. He posted averages of 2.2 points, 0.8 rebounds and 5.3 minutes in nine games with Toronto, and averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.1 blocks, 1.1 steals and 32.7 minutes in 29 regular season contests with Raptors 905. He scored 10+ points in 26 games and recorded three double-doubles with the 905. Harper set season highs with 30 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds Mar. 21 against College Park.

A native of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, Harper joined the Raptors as an undrafted free agent following four seasons (2018-22) at Rutgers. As a senior, he was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team and was one of five finalists for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award for the second consecutive season.

Freeman-Liberty, 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, appeared in 17 regular season games with Windy City in the NBA G League last season. He averaged 18.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 30.2 minutes, while shooting .493 (107-217) from the floor, including .376 (32-85) from three-point range. Freeman-Liberty scored 20+ points seven times and had season-high 39 points Jan. 16 against Cleveland.

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Freeman-Liberty played two seasons at Valparaiso (2018-20) before transferring to DePaul (2020-22) for his final two years. He earned Second Team All-BIG EAST honours as a senior after averaging 21.7 points, which ranked eighth among all NCAA Division l players.