Pacers trade Caris LeVert to Cavaliers for Ricky Rubio

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired forward Caris LeVert and a 2022 second-round pick (via Miami) in a trade with the Indiana Pacers for guard Ricky Rubio, a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick (via Houston) and 2027 second-round pick (via Utah), Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“We are very excited to add a dynamic young player of this caliber and experience,” said Altman. “Caris LeVert fits uniquely into our culture and his Ohio roots brings an immediate connection to our community. We look forward to seeing what type of impact he can make on this roster. We also want to send our best wishes to Ricky Rubio and his family. Ricky has been the consummate professional and his leadership both on and off the court was invaluable and we respect everything he brought to this franchise.”

LeVert (6-6, 205) played in 39 games (all starts) for the Pacers this season, averaging 18.7 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 31.1 minutes. Over his six-year NBA career, he has appeared in 299 games (170 starts) with Brooklyn and Indiana, owning career averages of 14.7 points, 4.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.09 steals in 27.4 minutes per contest. He has also appeared in nine career playoff games (six starts), averaging 20.7 points, 5.9 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.11 steals in 31.6 minutes. LeVert was selected with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Pacers after attending the University of Michigan for four years (2012-2016).

Rubio (6-3, 190) was acquired by the Cavaliers on August 8, 2021 via trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves and played in 34 games this season (eight starts), averaging 13.1 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.44 steals in 28.5 minutes.

Indiana Pacers sign Reggie Perry to 10-day contract

The Indiana Pacers have signed forward Reggie Perry to a 10-day contract under the NBA’s COVID-related hardship exception.

In 12 games (10 starts) during the G League regular season playing for Raptors 905, NBA G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors, he is averaging 18.7 points,10.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 29.9 minutes.

Perry received his first NBA call up this season from the Portland Trailblazers, signing a 10-day contract on December 28th. In two games with the Trail Blazers, he averaged 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 20.5 minutes.

The Mississippi State product was selected in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn. In the 2021 G League season, Perry averaged 18.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists across 15 games (14 starts) for the Long Island Nets.

Perry will wear number 0 for the Pacers.

Pacers sign Lance Stephenson for remainder of season

The Indiana Pacers have signed guard Lance Stephenson through the end of the season.

Per the Indianapolis Star, “the 10-year NBA veteran’s second straight standard 10-day contract and fourth 10-day deal overall with the Pacers expired Wednesday after a loss to the Magic… Stephenson, a fan favorite, was drafted 40th overall by Indiana in 2010 and is in his third stint with the franchise. He’s played 19 games for the Pacers this season, averaging 9.4 points, 4.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 48.1% from the field.”

Pacers sign Lance Stephenson to second 10-day contract

The Indiana Pacers today announced that they have signed guard Lance Stephenson to a second 10-day contract.

The Pacers previously signed Stephenson to a 10-day contract on January 14.

The Pacers are 17-30 this season, which is the 13th best record in the Eastern conference.

Their leading scorers so far in 2021-22 are Domantas Sabonis at 19.0 ppg, Malcolm Brogdon at 18.5 ppg, and Caris LeVert at 18.4 ppg.

Myles Turner out with stress reaction in left foot

Indiana Pacers forward/center Myles Turner – who missed yesterday’s game against the Clippers due to a sore left ankle/foot – has been examined by multiple specialists, who have determined the injury to be a stress reaction in his left foot.

Turner will continue to receive treatment and will be re-examined in two weeks, at which time the Pacers’ medical team will re-assess his status.

Magic sign Admiral Schofield to two-way contract, waive Mychal Mulder

The Orlando Magic have signed forward Admiral Schofield to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

In addition, the Magic have waived two-way guard Mychal Mulder.

Schofield originally signed a 10-day contract via hardship exception by the NBA on December 17, then to a second 10-day contract on December 27.

Schofield (#25, 6’5”, 240, 3/30/97) has played in nine games (one start) this season with Orlando, averaging 4.8 ppg., 3.1 rpg. and 1.0 apg. in 16.9 minpg. He has also played in 12 games (10 starts) with Lakeland of the NBA G League, averaging 14.4 ppg., 7.2 rpg. and 1.8 apg. in 33.0 minpg.

Schofield signed as a free agent with Orlando on September 21. He played in two preseason games with the Magic, averaging 1.5 ppg. in 5.8 minpg., before being waived on October 16. Schofield played in 14 games (11 starts) during the 2020-21 campaign with Greensboro of the NBA G League, averaging 10.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg. and 2.1 apg. in 26.2 minpg.

Originally selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Schofield has played in 42 career NBA regular season games (three starts) with Washington and Orlando, averaging 3.4 ppg. and 1.8 rpg. in 12.4 minpg. He has also appeared in 59 career NBA G League regular season games (54 starts) with Capital City, Greensboro and Lakeland, averaging 14.3 ppg., 5.9 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 30.2 minpg.

Schofield played in 132 career games (94 starts) during four seasons at the University of Tennessee (2015-19), averaging 11.9 ppg., 5.3 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 24.9 minpg., while shooting .387 (184-476) from three-point range. As a senior (2018-19), he played and started in 37 games, averaging 16.5 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 31.7 minpg., while shooting .418 (74-177) from three-point range. He was named to the All-SEC First Team by the conference coaches, earned All-SEC Tournament Team honors and was also an honorable mention All-American by Associated Press. As a junior (2017-18), Schofield was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the conference coaches and earned All-SEC Tournament Team honors.

Mulder (6’4”, 185, 6/12/94) was originally signed as a free agent to a two-way contract by Orlando on October 26. He played in 15 games (two starts) this season with the Magic, averaging 3.7 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 13.0 minpg.

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to have a maximum of two players under two-way contracts in addition to the players under standard NBA contracts. A two-way player is also eligible to provide services to Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic.

Pacers waive Kelan Martin

The Indiana Pacers have waived guard Kelan Martin.

At 14-25, the Pacers are currently 13th in the Eastern conference. Their leading scorers so far this season are Malcolm Brogdon at 19.0 points per game, Domantas Sabonis at 18.7 ppg, and Caris LeVert at 17.8 ppg.

The Pacers roster – including hardship exceptions – currently stands at 20.

Pacers sign Keifer Sykes, waive Brad Wanamaker

The Indiana Pacers have signed guard Keifer Sykes.

Also today, the team waived guard Brad Wanamaker.

Sykes appeared in two preseason games for the Pacers prior to the start of the 2021-22 regular season. He started 13 games this year for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Pacers’ affiliate in the NBA G League. Sykes is in his seventh professional season after competing in the NBA G League as well as leagues in South Korea, Turkey, Italy, China, Greece and Australia.

Wanamaker appeared in 22 games and made one start for the Pacers after he was signed Oct. 6.