Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

In G League, Cleveland Charge add Omar Cook to coaching staff

The Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League have announced the staff that will serve in support of Head Coach Mike Gerrity for the 2022-23 season. Chris Darnell returns as Associate Head Coach and Kendall Chones returns as an Assistant Coach. New additions for 2022-23 include Omar Cook & D.J. Ham as Assistant Coaches, Daniel Gibson as Assistant Coach Program Apprentice/Scout, Willie Williams as Video Coordinator, and Jamie Pasquin as Strength & Conditioning Coach.

Omar Cook joins the Charge on the heels of a successful 22-year professional basketball career that included stints in the NBA and NBA G League as well as playing professionally in over half a dozen countries internationally. Cook has led five different leagues in assists in a season and has been part of two FIBA Champions League winning teams. The Bronx, NY native was a McDonalds All-American and First-Team Parade All-American at Christ the King HS and starred at St. John’s University before being drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2001.

D.J. Ham comes to the Charge after spending the past four seasons as an Assistant Coach at his alma mater, Northwood University, where he primarily focused on the program’s offensive schemes and player development with the guards. After completing his four-year career with the Timberwolves, Ham played professionally for a year in Germany before beginning coaching experiences at the high school and collegiate level. He is the son of Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach and 10-year NBA veteran Darvin Ham.

Daniel Gibson returns to Cleveland as part of the NBA Assistant Coaches Program, where the league places an aspiring coach/front office member with a NBA G League team in an opportunity to continue their growth. “Boobie” starred for the Cavaliers in nearly 400 games over seven seasons, memorably providing a spark with 31 points in the closeout victory of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. Gibson played two years collegiately at Texas, where he was Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2005 and Honorable Mention All-America his sophomore year.

Wille Williams will serve the Charge as Video Coordinator after spending the previous nine seasons with the Cavaliers working in basketball operations. Williams started out as a game night team attendant and worked his way up to assistant equipment manager, supporting the Cavs team with travel and logistics.

Jamie Pasquin has been added to the Charge staff as the new Strength and Conditioning Coach after most recently serving as the athletic performance coach at Creo Health and Performance for the last two years. Pasquin also brings four years of collegiate experience in the field, leading 21 different Division I sports.

Celtics add Noah Vonleh, Justin Jackson, Jake Layman, Denzel Valentine, Luka Samanic and Brodric Thomas to training camp

The Boston Celtics have finalized their training camp roster for the 2022-23 season by adding Justin Jackson, Jake Layman, Luka Samanic, Brodric Thomas, Denzel Valentine and Noah Vonleh to the roster.

Jackson (6-8, 220), 27, has averaged 6.5 points (42.6% FG, 32.1% 3-PT, 79.9% FT), 2.5 rebounds and 18.7 minutes in 255 career games (61 starts) over five NBA seasons. He spent the 2021-22 season with two NBA call-ups to Boston and to Phoenix while playing for the Texas Legends of the NBA G-League where he averaged 17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.33 steals while shooting 37.7 percent from three in 38 games.

Layman (6-8, 209), 28, has played in six NBA seasons split between Portland and Minnesota where he has appeared in 243 career games with averages of 4.8 points (46.0% FG, 30.0% 3-PT, 71.9% FT) and 1.7 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. The Norwood, MA native was originally selected by the Orlando Magic with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 2016 NBA draft.

Samanic (6-10, 215), 22, spent last season playing for the Westchester Knicks in the NBA G-League where he averaged 27.9 points (54.8% FG, 36.7% 3-PT, 87.0% FT), 10.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 32.3 minutes per game. The 19th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by San Antonio has appeared in 36 career games in the NBA in San Antonio with career averages of 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds.

Thomas (6-5, 185), 25, spent last season as one of the Celtics’ two-way players where he averaged 15.7 points (45.7% FG, 38.7% 3-PT, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.72 steals in 30.6 minutes per game for the Maine Celtics. Thomas also appeared in 12 games for the Celtics last season.

Valentine (6-4, 220), 28, has appeared in 256 career games in the NBA averaging 7.0 points (39.4% FG, 36.0% 3-PT, 78.7% FT), 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 18.8 minutes per game. The former 14th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by Chicago spent last season split between Cleveland and Utah in the NBA while also spending time with the Maine Celtics in the NBA G-League. While in Maine, Valentine averaged 14.6 points (44.0% FG, 35.2% 3-PT, 78.6% FT), 10.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 12 games.

Vonleh (6-10, 257), 27, played last season for the Shanghai Dongfang Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association where he averaged 14.4 points (45.1% FG, 38.8% 3-PT, 71.6% FT), 9.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.75 steals and 1.32 blocks per game in 28 appearances. The former ninth overall pick by Charlotte in 2014 was born in Salem, MA and has appeared in 339 career NBA games split between Charlotte, Portland, New York, Minnesota, Chicago, Denver and Brooklyn.

Boston opens preseason action against the Hornets at TD Garden on Oct. 2, its first of four preseason contests.

Lakers hire Chris Jent, Jordan Ott, J.D. DuBois, Schuyler Rimmer and Zach Peterson as assistant coaches

The Los Angeles Lakers have named Chris Jent, Jordan Ott, J.D. DuBois, Schuyler Rimmer and Zach Peterson as assistant coaches on Head Coach Darvin Ham’s staff, joining Phil Handy, Dru Anthrop and Jon Pastorek, it was announced today.

Jent most recently served as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks from 2017-22. Jent spent time as an assistant with Sacramento (2013-15), Cleveland (2006-11), Orlando (2004-05) and Philadelphia (2003-04). He also had two stints as an assistant at Ohio State (2011-13, 2016-17) and was the head coach of the NBA G League’s Bakersfield Jam during the 2015-16 season. Jent was a member of the 1994 NBA Champion Houston Rockets and played for the New York Knicks during the 1996-97 season.

Ott most recently served as an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets from 2016-22 after spending three seasons as the video coordinator with the Atlanta Hawks from 2013-16. Prior to joining the Hawks, Ott was the video coordinator at Michigan State for five seasons from 2008-13. He also served as an assistant coach with the Dominican Republic national team in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City.

DuBois joins the Lakers from the Detroit Pistons, where he recently served as an assistant coach from 2018-22 after working with the Toronto Raptors in player development during the 2017-18 season. DuBois played collegiately at the University of Utah during the 2012-13 season after transferring from Loyola Marymount University where he played from 2008-12.

Rimmer joins the Lakers after spending the last four seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, serving as the team’s assistant video coordinator after working with the Atlanta Hawks during the 2017-18 season. Rimmer played collegiately at Florida from 2015-17 after transferring from Stanford where he played for two seasons from 2013-15.

Peterson most recently served as a player development coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder, a role he occupied since joining the club prior to the 2019-20 season. Previously, he served as the head video coordinator for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2018-19 season. Prior to his time in Milwaukee, Peterson spent four years with the Atlanta Hawks, working in the video room and serving as head video coordinator in 2017-18.

Jazz trade Bojan Bogdanovic to Pistons for Kelly Olynyk and Saben Lee

The Utah Jazz have acquired center/forward Kelly Olynyk, guard Saben Lee and cash considerations in a trade with the Detroit Pistons for forward Bojan Bogdanović.

Bogdanović, 6-7, 226, averaged 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 30.9 minutes per game with the Jazz last season. He’s averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists over the last three seasons in Utah while shooting 45% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. Bogdanović has also made 150-plus 3-pointers in each of his last five seasons.

Drafted 31st overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, Bogdanović played professionally overseas before coming to the NBA in 2014. In 603 career NBA games, he’s averaged 15.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists with Brooklyn, Washington, Indiana and Utah.

Born in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bogdanović began his professional career in Europe, most notably, with Real Madrid in Spain and Fenerbahce in Turkey. He helped lead Fenerbahce to a Turkish Cup win in 2013 and a Turkish Supercup and Turkish League championship in 2014.

Olynyk (6-11, 240, Gonzaga) is entering his 10th NBA season, having appeared in 610 games (166 starts) with Boston (2013-17), Miami (2017-21), Houston (2020-21), and Detroit (2021-22), owning career averages of 10.1 points on 47.6 percent from the field, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 22.0 minutes per contest. A native of Kamloops, British Columbia, spent last season with the Pistons, playing in 40 games (one start), averaging 9.1 points, 4.4 boards, and 2.8 assists in 19.1 minutes. Following his first professional season in 2013-14, Olynyk was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

The 31-year-old was a three-year collegiate player at Gonzaga (2009-13), where during his senior season, he averaged 17.8 points on 62.9 percent shooting, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 26.4 minutes per contest, garnering 2012-13 Consensus All-America First Team, All-WCC First Team, and WCC Player of the Year honors. He has represented the Canadian Men’s National Team in multiple events since 2010.

Lee (6-2, 183, Vanderbilt) is entering his third NBA season, having spent two seasons with Detroit, owning career averages of 5.6 points, 3.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 85 games (seven starts). Originally drafted with the 38th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Jazz, he was traded to Detroit on Draft Night. In 2021-22 he appeared in 19 games with the Motor City Cruise of the NBA G League, averaging 24.0 points, 7.2 assists, 4.8 boards, and 2.3 steals in 36.8 minutes per game, earning 2021-22 All-NBA G League Second Team honors.

Lakers sign Dwayne Bacon and Matt Ryan

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Dwayne Bacon and forward Matt Ryan.

The deals are likely non-guaranteed contracts, for training camp.

During the 2020-21 season, Bacon (6’6”, 221) appeared in all 72 games (50 starts) for the Orlando Magic, averaging 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 25.7 minutes per game. Across four seasons with Orlando (2020-21) and Charlotte (2017-20), Bacon has averaged 7.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 19.4 minutes.

Ryan (6’7”, 215) appeared in 30 regular season G League games (20 starts) last season for Grand Rapids and Maine, recording 19.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 41.5 percent from 3-point range. Ryan appeared in one game for the Boston Celtics last season, tallying three points and one steal in five minutes.

Pelicans sign CJ McCollum to contract extension

The New Orleans Pelicans and guard CJ McCollum have agreed to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced today.

Per The Advocate, “the Pelicans are signing McCollum to a two-year, $64 million extension, which will keep him under contract through the 2025-26 season. McCollum already was owed $33.3 million in 2022-23 and $35.8 million in 2023-24. Tacking on two years to his deal ensures that McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are all under contract with the Pelicans for the next three seasons.”

McCollum, 6-3, 190, who was acquired by New Orleans in a mid-season trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, appeared in 62 games (all starts) during the 2021-22 season, averaging 22.1 points, 5.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 34.6 minutes per game. In 26 games as a Pelican, McCollum averaged 24.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.8 minutes per game while shooting .493 from the floor and .394 from deep. In the Pelicans’ first round playoff series with Phoenix, McCollum started all six games and averaged 22.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 39.0 minutes per game.

The nine-year veteran has appeared in 590 games (493 starts) with Portland and New Orleans, averaging 19.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals in 31.6 minutes, while shooting .455 from the floor, .396 from three-point range and .810 from the free throw stripe. McCollum has also appeared in 63 games (53 starts) over nine postseasons with Portland and New Orleans. He holds playoff averages of 20.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 0.8 steals in 35.4 minutes per game, while shooting .434 from the floor, .377 from beyond the arc and .763 from the free throw line.

Timberwolves add PJ Dozier to training camp

The Minnesota Timberwolves today finalized the team’s 2022-23 Training Camp roster by signing guard PJ Dozier. The team’s roster stands at 20 players.

Dozier, 6-6, spent the last three seasons with the Denver Nuggets where he averaged 6.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in 97 games (six starts). In five seasons in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics and Nuggets, Dozier has tallied 671 points, 318 rebounds and 189 assists throughout 105 career games (six starts).

Sixers forward P.J. Tucker cleared to play after recent knee surgery

Philadelphia 76ers forward P.J. Tucker recently underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee.

He’s been cleared for on-court work and will participate in training camp in Charleston, South Carolina.

Per the Philly Voice, “based on conversations with people around the team this offseason — and Doc Rivers’ own assertions to kick off media day — Tucker is going to play a critical, multi-faceted role for the Sixers in 2022-23. In addition to the minutes he’s expected to play at forward, Tucker will be part of the plan at backup center behind Joel Embiid, one of several players who will factor into their gameplan when the MVP candidate is off of the floor.”

And per the Philadelphia Inquirer in early July, “Tucker, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound power forward, averaged just 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists this past season for the Miami Heat. But he shot a career-best 41.5% from beyond the three-point line.”

Sacramento Kings basketball operations promotions and staff additions

Today, the Sacramento Kings announced staff promotions and new hires ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Alvin Gentry has been named Vice President of Basketball Engagement. Mark Toyoda has been elevated to Senior Director of Basketball Administration. Melanie Stocking has been promoted to Senior Director of Team Operations. Saagar Sarin has been promoted to Director of Pro Personnel. Aram Palamoudian has been promoted to Basketball Operations Coordinator.

Jas Randhawa has been promoted to Senior Director of Athlete Health Joel Noland has been promoted to Head Athletic Trainer, Zac Howe has been elevated to Head Strength & Conditioning Coach, Rachel Mack has been promoted to Performance Chef & Nutritionist, and Avery Jacobs has been promoted to Media Relations Coordinator.

The Kings also announced the following staff additions: Samantha Lord (Basketball Administration Coordinator), Scott Layden (Scout), Devin Green (Scout), Cory Kennedy (Director of Performance), Nicholas Taylor (Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach), Crystal Lee (Assistant Athletic Trainer), Shannon Malone (Director of Media Relations), Michael Martinez (Manager of Media Relations), Olivia Gordon (Basketball Operations Intern), Sam Longwood (Coaching Associate), Shane Lawal (Player Development Associate), Damarious Borden (Performance Culinary Intern).

2022-23 Rockets training camp roster

The 2022-23 Houston Rockets training camp roster

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. D.O.B. Prior to NBA/Home Country NBA Exp.

00 Sterling Brown G 6-5 219 2/10/95 SMU/USA 5

0 TyTy Washington Jr. G 6-3 197 11/15/01 Kentucky/USA R

1 Jabari Smith Jr. F 6-10 220 5/13/03 Auburn/USA R

2 David Nwaba F 6-5 219 1/14/93 Cal Poly/USA 6

3 Kevin Porter Jr. G 6-4 203 5/4/00 USC/USA 3

4 Jalen Green G 6-6 178 2/9/02 G League Ignite; Fresno, CA/USA 1

6 KJ Martin F 6-7 215 1/6/01 IMG Academy/USA 2

7 Trey Burke G 6-0 185 11/12/92 Michigan/USA 9

8 Jae’Sean Tate F 6-4 230 10/28/95 Sydney Kings (Australia); Ohio State/USA 2

9 Josh Christopher G 6-5 215 12/8/01 Arizona State/USA 1

10 Eric Gordon G 6-3 215 12/25/88 Indiana/USA 14

12 Trevor Hudgins* G 6-0 180 3/23/99 NW Missouri State/USA R

15 Daishen Nix G 6-5 224 2/13/02 G League Ignite/USA 1

16 Usman Garuba F 6-8 220 3/9/02 Real Madrid (Spain)/Spain 1

17 Tari Eason F 6-8 216 5/10/01 Louisiana State/USA R

20 Bruno Fernando C 6-9 240 8/15/98 Maryland/Angola 3

25 Garrison Mathews G 6-5 215 10/24/96 Lipscomb/USA 3

28 Alperen Sengun C 6-9 235 7/25/02 Besiktas (Türkiye)/Türkiye 1

32 Marquese Chriss F 6-9 240 7/2/97 Washington/USA 6

51 Boban Marjanović C 7-4 290 8/15/88 KK Crvena Zvezda/Serbia 7