Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Magic sign Cory Joseph

The Orlando Magic recently signed free agent guard Cory Joseph.

Joseph (6’3”, 200, 8/20/91) played in 26 regular season games last season with Golden State, averaging 2.4 ppg., 1.6 apg. and 1.2 rpg. in 11.4 minpg. On Feb. 8, he was traded to Indiana, then subsequently waived by the Pacers.

Originally selected in the first round (29th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft by San Antonio, Joseph has played in 816 career NBA regular season games (175 starts) with San Antonio, Toronto, Indiana, Sacramento, Detroit and Golden State, averaging 6.9 ppg., 3.0 apg. and 2.5 rpg. in 21.7 minpg. He has also played in 82 career NBA playoff outings (two starts), averaging 5.2 ppg., 1.7 apg. and 1.5 rpg. in 14.5 minpg. Joseph won an NBA Championship in 2013-14 with San Antonio.

A native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Joseph was a member of the Canadian National Team during the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Prior to being drafted, he played and started in 36 games as a freshman during his only season (2010-11) at the University of Texas, averaging 10.4 ppg., 3.6 rpg., 3.0 apg. and 1.03 stlpg. in 32.4 minpg. Joseph was named to the 2010-11 Big 12 All-Freshman Team.

Joseph will wear #10 with the Orlando Magic.

Nets sign Keon Johnson to multi-year contract

The Brooklyn Nets recently signed guard Keon Johnson to a multi-year contract.

Johnson (6’4″, 185) originally signed a two-way contract with Brooklyn on Nov. 1, 2023, and recorded averages of 6.2 points and 1.4 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game in five games with the Nets in the 2023-24 season. He also saw action in 26 regular season games (one start) last season with Brooklyn’s NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, posting averages of 18.2 points on 47.8 percent shooting from the field, 37.9 percent shooting from 3-point range and 80.3 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 6.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 27.7 minutes per contest. In three postseason games (all starts) with Long Island, the 22-year-old recorded averages of 19.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.0 steals over 36.5 minutes per game. Most recently, Johnson has suited up in four games (all starts) for Brooklyn’s NBA 2K25 Summer League team in Las Vegas, averaging 16.3 points on 45.1 percent shooting from the floor, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals across 30.7 minutes per contest.

Sixers sign Jeff Dowtin Jr. to two-way contract

The Philadelphia 76ers recently signed Jeff Dowtin Jr. to a two-way contract.

Dowtin Jr. recently played in seven summer-league games with the 76ers between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, averaging of 17.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and a team-best 5.7 assists. He tallied at least 15 points in each of his seven summer contests, including a trio of 18-point games.

In Salt Lake City, Dowtin Jr. averaged 17.0 points and 5.3 assists, making him one of four players to average at least 15 points and five assists.

Originally joining the 76ers via a two-way contract on March 2 of last season before signing a standard NBA contract with the franchise on April 4, Dowtin Jr. produced a career-best 4.3 points on 55.6-percent shooting (47.4% 3FG), 1.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 12 games. The Rhode Island product scored a career-high 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting (2-3 3FG) at Phoenix on March 20, while dishing out a career-best six assists on two separate occasions.

Orlando Magic renegotiate and extend contract of Jonathan Isaac

The Orlando Magic in the first week of July agreed to renegotiate and extend the contract of forward Jonathan Isaac.

Isaac (6’10”, 233, 10/3/97) played in 58 games (two starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 6.8 ppg., 4.5 rpg. and a team-high 1.21 blkpg. in 15.8 minpg., while shooting .510 (146-286) from the floor and .375 (42-112) from three-point range. He tied for 14th in the NBA in blocked shots. Isaac led (or tied) the team in scoring once and in rebounding five times. He scored in double figures 13 times and 20+ points once, including a career-high-tying 25 points on Mar. 23 vs. Sacramento. Isaac recorded at least one blocked shot 41 times and two-or-more blocks 21 times, while notching at least one steal 33 times and two-or-more steals 10 times. He also played in seven playoff games (three starts), averaging 6.3 ppg., 4.9 rpg. and 1.29 blkpg. in 21.0 minpg.

Originally selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft by Orlando, Isaac has played in 205 career NBA regular season games (108 starts), all with the Magic, averaging 8.4 ppg., 5.1 rpg. and 1.37 blkpg. in 22.2. He stands ninth on the Magic’s all-time blocked shots list with 280.

Isaac wears #1 with the Orlando Magic.

Orlando Magic sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Orlando Magic back in the first week of July signed free agent guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

“We are thrilled to add a player like Kentavious (Caldwell-Pope) to our team,” said President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman. “He is not only an outstanding defender and an excellent shooter, he brings high character and a championship pedigree to our backcourt. We’re very excited to welcome Kentavious to the Orlando Magic family.”

Caldwell-Pope (6’5”, 204, 2/18/93) played and started in 76 regular season games last season with Denver, averaging 10.1 ppg., 2.4 rpg., 2.4 apg. and 1.29 stlpg. in 31.6 minpg., while shooting .406 (125-308) from three-point range and .894 (101-113) from the free throw line. He ranked 16th in the NBA in steals and 34th in three-point field goal percentage. Caldwell-Pope scored in double figures 39 times and 20+ points five times, including a season-high 24 points on Apr. 6 vs. Atlanta. He also played and started in 12 playoff games, averaging 8.1 ppg., 2.9 rpg., 2.6 apg. and 1.42 stlpg. in 35.0 minpg.

Originally selected in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft by Detroit, Caldwell-Pope has played in 835 career NBA regular season games (693 starts) with Detroit, the L.A. Lakers, Washington and Denver, averaging 11.4 ppg., 3.0 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.15 stlpg. in 29.6 minpg., while shooting .369 (1,420-3,852) from three-point range and .819 (1,303-1,590) from the free throw line. He has also played and started in 62 career NBA playoff outings, averaging 10.1 ppg., 2.8 rpg., 1.7 apg. and 1.23 stlpg. in 32.4 minpg., while shooting .365 (114-312) from three-point range and .847 (72-85) from the free throw line. Caldwell-Pope won an NBA Championship in 2019-20 with the L.A. Lakers and 2022-23 with Denver.

Prior to being drafted, Caldwell-Pope played in 64 career games (60 starts) during two seasons (2011-13) at the University of Georgia, averaging 15.8 ppg., 6.1 rpg., 1.5 apg. and 1.92 stlpg. in 33.0 minpg. As a sophomore (2012-13), he appeared in 32 games (30 starts), averaging 18.5 ppg., 7.1 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 2.03 stlpg. in 33.9 minpg. Caldwell-Pope was named to the All-SEC First Team and was the SEC Player of the Year.

Hawks sign rookie Zaccharie Risacher

The Atlanta Hawks back in the first week of July signed rookie forward Zaccharie Risacher.

The Hawks selected Risacher with the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, as he became Atlanta’s first No. 1 overall pick since the 1975 NBA Draft.

Risacher most recently suited up for JL Bourg (France), appearing in 32 French League Pro A regular season games (23 starts), averaging 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 21.9 minutes of play (.439 FG%, .352 3FG%, .740 FT%). He was named the 2023-24 French League Best Young Player, as well as the French LNB Pro A Best Young Player of the Month twice, earning the recognition in October and November.

The 2023-24 EuroCup Rising Star Award recipient saw action in 23 EuroCup games, averaging 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 23.5 minutes (.503 FG%, .450 3FG%, .688 FT%).

Risacher played in 50 career French League Pro A regular season contests, owning averages of 7.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 18.3 minutes (.425 FG%, .338 3FG%, .729 FT%). Prior to suiting up for JL Bourg, he played two seasons with French club ASVEL (2021-23), where he played alongside 2023 No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama during the 2021-22 season.

The 6-9 forward made his Senior National Team debut with France at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in February 2024. He also represented France at the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup, winning the silver medal, and helped lead France to the bronze medal at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup.

Risacher, who was born in Spain, grew up in Lyon, France. His father, Stephane, won the silver medal for basketball with France at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Timberwolves sign Joe Ingles

The Minnesota Timberwolves back in the first week of July signed forward Joe Ingles.

Last season with the Orlando Magic, Ingles, 6-9, appeared in 66 games and averaged 4.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 17.2 minutes per game. His top performance of the season came at the Miami Heat on Jan. 12 when he scored a season-high 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including a season-best 4-of-8 from deep, six assists and a season-high three steals.

In 10 seasons in the NBA, with the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks and Magic, Ingles has totaled 5,707 points, 2,184 rebounds and 5,566 assists throughout 704 games (313 starts). He is a career 44.8% shooter from the field, including 41.0% from three.

The Adelaide, Australia native, has seen action in 57 postseason matchups (40 starts) during six trips to the playoffs. He holds playoff career averages of 8.5 points on 44.1% shooting, 3.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 27.4 minutes per game.

Ingles will wear #7 for the Timberwolves.

Celtics sign Derrick White to contract extension

The Boston Celtics in the first week of July signed guard Derrick White to a contract extension.

“Derrick is a great player who has immersed himself in the Boston community since joining us in the Spring of 2021,” said Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations. “Derrick brings a joy and selflessness to our building every single day. He’s committed to improving and has shown that in each year of his career. More importantly, he cares most about the things that matter, including building great relationships and competing with integrity. We are very lucky that Derrick is a Celtic and are thrilled he’ll be here for years to come.”

White has appeared in 181 games (147 starts) with the Celtics since he was acquired in February 2022, and is averaging 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 29.9 minutes per game. During the 2023-24 regular season, White appeared in 73 games (all starts) and became the second Celtic in franchise history to average at least 15.0 points, 5.0 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals in a single season, alongside Larry Bird (1984-85; 1990-91).

The two-time All-Defensive team selection averaged 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 19 playoff games during the Celtics 2024 NBA Championship run. White is the only player in NBA history to register at least 300 points, 70 assists, and 16-or-fewer turnovers in a single playoff run. The 6-4 guard registered the fifth-most blocks in the 2024 postseason (23) and became the fourth NBA guard since 1971 to record at least 20 blocks in multiple playoffs, including Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, and Dennis Johnson.

White was selected with the 29th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft after graduating from the University of Colorado where he garnered 2017 All-Pac-12 Conference First Team and All-Defensive Team honors his senior year.

Celtics sign Jayson Tatum to contract extension

The Boston Celtics recently agreed to a contract extension with All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum.

“Jayson is a special person and player, and it’s been a thrill for all of us to watch his entire journey in Boston,” said Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations. “He has embraced all that comes with being a great Celtic, and shows consistent and genuine care for every one of his teammates, coaches, and staff across the organization. Despite all the team accomplishments and individual awards, Jayson is committed to constantly improving. He works hard and is extremely driven by the challenges of the game – especially the goal of competing with his teammates for championships. We are obviously ecstatic that Jayson chose to extend his contract and add to his amazing career as a Boston Celtic.”

Clippers sign Mo Bamba

The LA Clippers recently signed center Mo Bamba.

Bamba, 26, appeared in 57 games for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, averaging 4.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots while shooting 39.1% from beyond the arc. The 7-foot center has appeared in 332 career games with the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers and 76ers, averaging 7.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots. Originally selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft out of the University of Texas, Bamba was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 All-Defensive Team and Big 12 All-Freshman Team in his lone season with the Longhorns. A native of Harlem, N.Y., Bamba was named a McDonald’s All-American in 2017.