Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Trail Blazers extend a qualifying offer to Matisse Thybulle

The Portland Trail Blazers have extended a qualifying offer to guard/forward Matisse Thybulle, making him a restricted free agent, General Manager Joe Cronin announced yesterday.

By extending a qualifying offer to Thybulle, Portland obtains the Right of First Refusal on any offer sheet he may sign with another team.

Acquired by the Trail Blazers on February 9, 2023, Thybulle averaged 7.4 points (43.8% FG, 38.8% 3-PT), 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.7 steals and 27.7 minutes per game in 22 games (22 starts) for Portland. A Washington alum, Thybulle has accrued career averages of 4.6 points (44.7% FG, 33.4% 3-PT), 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 20.5 minutes per game in 267 games (100 starts) for Philadelphia (2019-23) and Portland.

In NBA G League, Osceola Magic name Dylan Murphy head coach

The Osceola Magic, NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic, have named Dylan Murphy head coach, Orlando Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Murphy will also serve as head coach of the Orlando Magic’s NBA Summer League team in Las Vegas.

“Dylan (Murphy) has done a tremendous job in regard to player development in his role as an assistant coach with the Magic,” said Weltman. “He also brings past G League experience and we look forward to his continued leadership and seamless connectivity between the Osceola and Orlando Magic.”

Murphy has spent the last five seasons with the Orlando Magic, including three seasons as an assistant coach (2020-23). From 2018-20, he served as basketball operations analyst, providing analytics support to the coaching staff.

Murphy joined Orlando after serving as a graduate assistant with the men’s basketball team at Ball State University in 2018. Before his time with Ball State, he spent one season (2016-17) as an NBA G League scout for the Atlanta Hawks. In that role, he was responsible for identifying potential call-up candidates for the Hawks NBA roster.

Prior to Atlanta, Murphy spent three seasons (2013-16) as assistant coach of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League. In 2013-14, the Mad Ants won the NBA G League championship, posting a league-best record of 34-16 during the regular season and going a perfect 6-0 during their playoff run. In the following season (2014-15), the Mad Ants earned a second-straight trip to the G League Finals.

Murphy earned a bachelor’s degree in classics from Columbia University in 2012.

Timberwolves sign Naz Reid to contract extension

The Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday signed center Naz Reid to a contract extension.

Reid, 23, wrapped up his fourth season in the NBA, all with the Timberwolves, seeing action in 68 games (11 starts), averaging a career-high 11.5 points on a career-best 53.7% shooting, a career-high 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 18.4 minutes per game.

Per the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, “Reid was viewed as a linchpin for this team by even the major stakeholders. Which is what made re-signing the free agent this offseason so pivotal for the franchise’s future. Minnesota got that done Sunday, as a source confirmed the Wolves and Reid agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal that features a player option in the third year.”

The Louisiana State product saw his best season of his NBA career during the 2022-23 season, which included tallying a career-high-tying four double-doubles, a career-best eight 20+ point games and a career-high-tying four 10+ rebound performances. In 20:46 minutes of action off the bench during Minnesota’s 99-96 win on Mar. 26 against the Warriors, Reid led the Wolves in scoring, finishing with 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep. On Feb. 26 at Golden State, Reid led the way for the Wolves, scoring a career-high 30 points on a career-best-tying 12-of-22 shooting, including 4-of-11 from deep and nine rebounds. He added a career-high five steals and two blocks, becoming the first player in Timberwolves history to finish a game with 30+ points/9+ rebounds/2+ blocks/5+ steals.

For his career, the 6-9 center has appeared in 245 regular season games (43 starts), averaging 10.1 points on 50.5% shooting, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Reid has seen action in five career playoff games and has averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

The Asbury Park, N.J. native was originally signed by the Wolves on July 17, 2019.

Bulls sign Nikola Vucevic to contract extension

The Chicago Bulls have signed center Nikola Vučević to a contract extension.

Vucevic’s extension is reportedly a three-year, $60 million deal.

“During his time in Chicago, Nikola has proven that he is a special player both on and off the court,” said Artūras Karnišovas, Executive Vice President – Basketball Operations. “He has produced at an elite level since we acquired him and will remain an integral part of our foundation moving forward. Nikola’s willingness to do whatever is asked of him to help us win, while also being an established veteran leader for our group, makes him a valuable component of the culture of our organization. He is a consummate professional and tremendous teammate, which plays a big role in making us an attractive destination for other players. We are excited to have him continue to be part of our journey.”

Per the Chicago Tribune, “the Bulls’ decision to trade for Vučević has been a point of contention since he arrived in Chicago. The acquisition cost the Bulls a pair of first-round draft picks, Otto Porter Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. And while Vučević has been an upgrade at center, the Bulls have relatively little to show for it — one winning season and one playoff win.”

“I’m excited to continue my journey as a Chicago Bull,” said Vučević. “Since I have arrived in Chicago, everyone in the organization has been incredibly welcoming to my family and me. I am motivated more than ever to achieve our mutual goals as a team. I want to thank the Reinsdorf family and Artūras for continuing to believe in me. I also want to thank Bulls fans for the constant support, you guys are the best part about playing in Chicago. We will work harder than ever to bring success to the city of Chicago.”

Vučević, 6-10, 260, averaged 17.6 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 33.5 minutes while playing in all 82 games (82 starts) for Chicago in 2022-23. He finished third in the NBA in double-doubles (51) a year ago, becoming the fourth player in Bulls history with 50-plus double-doubles in a season (A. Gilmore, C. Oakley, P. Gasol). The Montenegro native and former USC product was the only NBA player to make at least 100 three-pointers (121) and grab 800-plus rebounds (903) last season and is the only Bulls player to ever do so. Vučević ranked second in the league with 903 total rebounds, while leading the NBA with 744 defensive rebounds. His 744 defensive boards marked the sixth-highest season total in Bulls history, including the highest since 1997-98 (D. Rodman).

Lakers extend qualifying offers to Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves

The Los Angeles Lakers yesterday extended qualifying offers to forward Rui Hachimura and guard Austin Reaves.

As a result of the qualifying offers, Hachimura and Reaves become restricted free agents.

After joining Los Angeles via trade from Washington on Jan. 23, Hachimura appeared in 33 games (nine starts) and averaged 9.6 points (.485 FG%) and 4.7 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per contest to end the 2022-23 regular season. Overall, Hachimura appeared in 63 games (nine starts) with the Lakers and Wizards last season and averaged 11.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 23.3 minutes per game. During the 2023 NBA Playoffs with the purple and gold, Hachimura averaged 12.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 16 games (one start), shooting 55.7 percent from the field and 48.7 percent from 3-point range, good for the sixth-best mark in the playoffs. The 25-year-old was the only player in the 2023 NBA Playoffs to shoot at least 55 percent from the field (min. 10 FGA), 48 percent from 3-point range and 88 percent from the free-throw line. On April 16 versus Memphis, Hachimura scored 29 points (11-14 FG, 3-6 3FG) to go with six rebounds and one assist off the bench, tying Mychal Thompson in 1988 for the most points scored by a Lakers reserve in a playoff game. Hachimura then finished with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal on April 19 at the Grizzlies, becoming the first Lakers player since Magic Johnson in 1996 to score 20+ points off the bench in consecutive playoff games.

In the 2022-23 campaign, Reaves appeared in 64 games (22 starts) for the Lakers, averaging 13.0 points (.529 FG%, .398 3P%), 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 28.8 minutes. Reaves joined Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard as the only players in the league to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, 39 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the free-throw line (min. 200 FTM). The 25-year-old scored in double figures in 42 games, including 10 games with 20+ points and one 30-point performance. On March 19 versus Orlando, Reaves finished with a career-high 35 points (9-14 FG, 16-18 FT) while adding six rebounds and six assists, becoming the first undrafted Lakers player to score 35+ points and just the second player in team history to tally 35+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists off the bench. In his second season with the Lakers, Reaves improved his career averages in scoring and assists, as well as his shooting percentages from the field, 3-point range and the charity stripe. In 16 playoff games (all starts) last season, Reaves averaged 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 46.4 percent from the field, 44.3 percent from long distance and 89.5 percent from the free-throw line. He scored in double figures in 15 of his 16 playoff appearances, including seven games with at least 20 points.

Memphis Grizzlies exercise contract option Xavier Tillman Sr.

The Memphis Grizzlies recently exercised their 2023-24 contract option on forward/center Xavier Tillman Sr.

Tillman Sr. (6-8, 245) has appeared in 173 games (43 starts) and has averaged 6.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 17.1 minutes while shooting 55.2% from the field over three seasons in Memphis. He set career highs across the board last season with averages of 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 19.3 minutes while shooting 61.4% from the field.

The 24-year-old also has competed in 18 playoff games (12 starts) for the Grizzlies and has averaged 5.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18.9 minutes while shooting 57.3% from the field.

A native of Grand Rapids, Mich., Tillman Sr. was acquired by the Grizzlies with the 35th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft following his junior year at Michigan State University, where he was named the 2020 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Atlanta Hawks waive two-way guard Donovan Williams

The Atlanta Hawks recently requested waivers on two-way guard Donovan Williams.

Williams saw action in two games for the Hawks during the 2022-23 season, appearing in his first career NBA contest in a win at Chicago on April 4. The UNLV product appeared in 24 games (21 starts), with the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League, tallying 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 28.5 minutes of action.

Williams was signed to a two-way contract by the Hawks on Jan. 17, 2023.

Name of new Portland G League team revealed: The Rip City Remix

The Portland G League team, the official NBA G League affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers, announced today the franchise’s team name, logo, and branding at a community event at the University of Portland.

Rip City Remix is a team name and brand that reflects the city of Portland, community, and culture and draws on the inspiration of remixing what is already amazing to enhance, innovate and transform into something extraordinary.

“This is an exciting day for Rip City and the next chapter in Trail Blazers basketball,” said Portland Trail Blazers President of Business Operations Dewayne Hankins. “We are thrilled to launch this team in the North Portland community, with a name and brand inspired by our fans, culture and region. Rip City Remix games will be fun, family friendly, and accessible, and we look forward to seeing you on the court this upcoming season.”

2023-24 Spurs home game preseason schedule

The San Antonio Spurs recently announced their home game preseason schedule. Tickets went on sale on June 27 at 10 a.m.

The Silver and Black make their 2023 home debut at the AT&T Center against the Miami Heat on Friday, Oct. 13 followed by two games against intra-state rival Houston Rockets on Monday, Oct. 16 and Wednesday, Oct. 18.

All preseason games can be heard in English on WOAI 1200 AM and in Spanish on KXTN 1350 AM or 107.5 FM HD2.

Three-team NBA trade sends Kristaps Porzingis to Celtics, Marcus Smart to Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, June 23 acquired guard Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade also including the Washington Wizards.

As part of the deal, the Grizzlies traded guard Tyus Jones to the Wizards and traded the draft rights to guard Marcus Sasser (25th overall) and a future first round draft pick to the Celtics.

Washington traded center Kristaps Porzingis to Boston for forward Danilo Gallinari, center Mike Muscala and the draft rights to forward Julian Phillips (35th overall).

A nine-year NBA veteran, Smart (6-3, 220) has competed in 581 regular season games (360 starts) and has averaged 10.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 30.0 minutes since he was selected by the Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma State. The 29-year-old Texas native holds career playoff averages of 12.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.1 minutes in 108 games (73 starts), helping the Celtics make three trips to the conference finals and advance to the 2022 NBA Finals.

“Tyus, Danilo and Mike are talented players accustomed to winning,” said Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins. “They bring professionalism, high basketball intelligence, and a team-first mentality. We are delighted they are Wizards.”

Jones, an eight-year NBA guard, is coming off a career season with Memphis, where he set career highs in points (10.3), rebounds (2.5) and assists (5.2) per game in 80 games played (22 starts). On the season, Jones dished 417 assists, the second-most for Memphis, to just 74 turnovers, giving him the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA last season at 5.63. He has appeared in 535 career games with Minnesota and Memphis and holds career averages of 6.8 points, 3.9 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game.

Gallinari was drafted sixth overall by the New York Knicks in 2008 and has also played with Denver, the L.A. Clippers, Oklahoma City and Atlanta in his 13-year NBA career. He signed with the Celtics during the 2022 offseason before suffering a season-ending left ACL injury while playing for the Italian national team in a FIBA World Cup qualifier in August. Gallinari last appeared during the 2021-22 season with the Atlanta Hawks, where he averaged 11.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in 66 games. He holds career averages of 15.6 points and 4.8 rebounds over 728 games while shooting .382 from three-point range.

Muscala is a 10-year NBA veteran that has played for Atlanta, Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City and Boston. He holds career averages of 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting .457 from the field and .379 from three-point range. Muscala was traded from Oklahoma City to Boston at the 2023 trade deadline and played 20 games for the Celtics to close the season, shooting .472 from the field and .385 from beyond the arc in 16.2 minutes per game.

Porzingis, who was originally acquired by Washington at the 2022 trade deadline from the Dallas Mavericks, averaged 22.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 blocks per game in 82 total games with the Wizards.

“Kristaps is a true professional and an exceptionally talented player who established a lasting reputation during his time with the organization,” said Dawkins. “We thank him for his meaningful contributions and we wish him great success in Boston.”