Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Lakers waive Mo Bamba and Shaquille Harrison

The Los Angeles Lakers requested waivers on center Mo Bamba and guard Shaquille Harrison, it was announced today.

Bamba appeared in nine games (one start) for the Lakers last season, averaging 3.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game. The 25-year-old appeared in three postseason games for Los Angeles, averaging 1.0 rebounds in 3.3 minutes. Bamba was acquired by Los Angeles on Feb. 9.

Harrison played in eight postseason games for Los Angeles last season, averaging 1.3 points and 1.1 assists in 3.5 minutes per game. The 29-year-old was signed by the Lakers on April 9.

Magic exercise option on Goga Bitadze for 2023-24 season

The Orlando Magic have exercised their team option on center Goga Bitadze for the 2023-24 season, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

In addition, Orlando has declined its team options on Michael Carter-Williams and Admiral Schofield.

Bitadze (6’11”, 230, 7/20/99) played in 38 combined games (one start) last season (2022-23) with both Indiana and Orlando, averaging 4.4 ppg., 3.6 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 12.0 minpg., while shooting .552 (69-125) from the floor. He appeared in 21 games with the Pacers, averaging 3.3 ppg. and 2.3 rpg. in 9.6 minpg. Bitadze was waived by Indiana on Feb. 9, then signed as a free agent by Orlando on Feb. 13. He played in 17 games (one start) with the Magic, averaging 5.8 ppg., 5.2 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 15.0 minpg. Bitadze scored in double figures six times (five times with Orlando), including a season-high 14 points on Oct. 22 @ Detroit and had 10+ rebounds twice, including a career-high 15 rebounds on Oct. 22 @ Detroit and on Apr. 7 @ Brooklyn.

Originally selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Indiana, Bitadze has played in 187 career NBA regular season games (22 starts) with Indiana and Orlando, averaging 4.9 ppg. and 3.0 rpg. in 11.9 minpg.

A native of Georgia, Bitadze has been playing against professional competition since he was 16 years old. Prior to being drafted by Indiana in 2019, he spent his international career playing in Georgia, Serbia and Montenegro. Bitadze has been a member of the Georgian National Team.

Bitadze wears #35 with the Orlando Magic.

Rockets exercise option on KJ Martin’s contract

The Houston Rockets have picked up the fourth-year team option on forward KJ Martin’s contract.

Martin was originally the 52nd pick by Sacramento in the 2020 NBA Draft before his rights were acquired by the Rockets. In three seasons, he has appeared in 206 games while averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Martin ranked 12th in the NBA in field goal percentage last season (.569) and seventh in dunks (173).

The Rockets also announced they have waived guard Daishen Nix. He appeared in 81 games for Houston over the past two seasons.

Trail Blazers extend qualifying offers to Ibou Badji and John Butler Jr.

The Portland Trail Blazers have extended qualifying offers to center Ibou Badji and forward John Butler Jr., making both players restricted free agents, General Manager Joe Cronin announced today.

By extending qualifying offers to Badji and Butler, Portland obtains the Right of First Refusal on any offer sheet they may sign with another team.

Badji originally signed a two-way contract with the Trail Blazers on November 18, 2022. Butler appeared in 19 games (1 start) during his rookie campaign for Portland and averaged 2.4 points (32.1% FG, 75.0% FT), 0.9 rebounds and 11.6 minutes per game as a two-way player.

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.