Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Hornets re-sign Cody Martin

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced yesterday that the team has re-signed forward Cody Martin.

Martin, who appeared in 71 games during the 2021-22 season, averaged 7.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game, setting all new single-season career highs. In his third season out of Nevada, Martin connected on .482% of his field goal attempts and .384% from three-point range, which were both career highs. He ended last season ranked 26th in steals per contest among league leaders and was tied for 16th in the NBA in multi-steal games (28).

“Re-signing Cody was one of our offseason priorities, and we’re excited to have him return to the Hornets,” said Kupchak. “He is an exceptional defender, plays hard at both ends of the floor and has improved all aspects of his game since entering the NBA. Cody will continue to be a valuable member of our team as we move forward.”

Selected with the 36th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by Charlotte, Martin has made 171 career appearances, accruing averages of 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 21.2 minutes per outing.

Sixers sign P.J. Tucker

The Philadelphia 76ers yesterday signed forward P.J. Tucker.

“P.J. Tucker is one of the most respected and relentless competitors in our game and is the type of competitor our fans will love and embrace,” Morey said. “We’re excited to add his leadership, toughness, defensive versatility and championship pedigree to our roster. P.J. wants to deliver an NBA title to Philadelphia and his work ethic and mentality make him an impactful addition to our team and city.”

“This team is good enough to compete head-to-head with anybody in the league, and I’m going to come in here and do whatever I can to help get us to that next level,” Tucker said. “Philly fans demand greatness and it will be up to us to get to where we need to be in order to accomplish our goals. I’m excited to get to work.”

Tucker appeared in 71 games (70 starts) for Miami in 2021-22, averaging 7.6 points on .484 shooting, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.8 steals in 27.9 minutes. He shot a career-best .415 from beyond the arc this past season and was one of six NBA players with at least 70 corner three-point field goals on 40-percent shooting-or-better.

The North Carolina native reached the 20-point mark twice in 2021-22, including a season-high 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting (5-8 3FG) at Cleveland on Dec. 13.

Originally selected by Toronto in the second round (No. 35 overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Tucker has compiled career averages of 7.1 points (.425 FG, .364 3FG, .748 FT), 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 29.0 minutes in 777 career games (581 starts) with the Raptors, Suns, Rockets, Bucks, and Heat. He has appeared in at least 70 games nine times throughout his 11 NBA seasons, including three 82-game seasons (most recently in 2018-19).

Tucker has shot at least .330 from beyond the arc in each of his last nine NBA seasons from 2013-22, making him one of 11 NBA players to accomplish that feat (min. 115 3FGA). The 11-year veteran is one of 18 NBA players to tally at least 380 steals and 480 three-point field goals over the last five seasons.

Tucker has been a part of six playoff runs during his 11 NBA seasons, averaging 7.3 points (.439 FG, .407 3FG), 6.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 31.3 minutes played across 91 career postseason contests (78 starts) with Toronto, Houston, Milwaukee, and Miami. He has appeared in 41 playoff games over the last two seasons, including a 2021 NBA Championship run with the Bucks in which he started 19 of the team’s 23 postseason games. During the title run, Tucker was one of four players to total at least 110 rebounds along with 20 steals in the postseason.

In addition to his 11 NBA seasons, Tucker spent two seasons playing internationally for Aris Thessaloniki, Aris, Fabi Shoes Montegranaro and Brose Baskets. During this time, he posted averages of 12.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.0 steals while shooting .400 from three.

Before turning pro, Tucker played collegiately at Texas from 2003-06. As a Longhorn, Tucker was named Big 12 Player of the Year in 2006 along with being selected to the All-Big 12 First Team, Big 12 All-Defensive Team, All-Big 12 Tournament First Team and being named to the 2006 NCAA Tournament All-Region team along with being named a Consensus Second Team All-American.

Following his three-year career, Tucker ranked 18th in program history in career scoring (1,169 points), eighth in career rebounds (714) and tied for fifth in career double-doubles (28).

Pistons trade Jerami Grant to Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers yesterday acquired forward Jerami Grant and the draft rights to Ismael Kamagate in a trade with the Detroit Pistons for the draft rights to Gabriele Procida, a 2025 first-round draft pick (via Milwaukee), a 2025 second-round draft pick and a 2026 second-round draft pick.

“Jerami Grant is a dynamic two-way forward that can impact winning at a high level,” said Trail Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin. “He fits seamlessly into Coach Billups’ system on both sides of the ball. We could not be happier to have him in Portland.”

Grant, 28, averaged 19.2 points (42.6% FG, 35.8% 3-PT, 83.8% FT), 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.94 steals and 1.04 blocks in 47 games (all starts) for the Pistons during the 2021-22 season. A Gold Medalist with Team USA at the 2021 Olympics, Grant has made the NBA playoffs four times, posting averages of 10.5 points (45.6% FG, 34.1% 3-PT, 80.0% FT), 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 35 games (21 starts).

An eight-year NBA veteran, Grant (6-8, 210) holds career averages of 11.4 points (45.2% FG, 34.9% 3-PT, 72.3% FT), 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.63 steals and 1.11 blocks in 555 games (270 starts) with Detroit, Denver, Oklahoma City and Philadelphia. He was originally selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 39th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft. Grant, a Portland native, is the son of 13-year NBA veteran Harvey Grant, who played three seasons for the Trail Blazers from 1993-1996.

Orlando Magic sign Bol Bol

The Orlando Magic have re-signed free agent center Bol Bol, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today.

Bol (7’2”, 220, 11/16/99, #10) played in 14 games last season with Denver, averaging 2.4 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 5.8 minpg. He scored in double figures once – a career-high 11 points on Jan. 1 @ Houston. Bol was also with Boston and Orlando during the season, but did not appear in any games with either team after undergoing surgery on his right foot on Jan. 18.

Originally selected in the second round (44th overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft by Miami, Bol has played in 53 career NBA regular season games (two starts), all with Denver, averaging 2.7 ppg. and 1.2 rpg. in 6.2 minpg. He was acquired by Orlando from Boston, along with D.J. Dozier, a future second round draft pick and cash considerations in exchange for a future second round draft pick on Feb. 10, 2021.

Rockets re-sign Jae’Sean Tate

The Houston Rockets yesterday re-signed forward Jae’Sean Tate to a multi-year contract.

Tate was eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft following his senior season at Ohio State. He began his professional career overseas before signing as a free agent with the Rockets on Nov. 25, 2020. Tate started 58 of his 70 games played as a rookie in 2020-21 and became the second undrafted player to earn NBA All-Rookie First Team honors going back to 2011-12.

In two seasons as a Rocket, Tate has averaged 11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.06 steals while shooting 50.1% from the floor. He became the fifth player in NBA history to have reached his total of points (1,713), rebounds (794), assists (400), steals (157), blocks (77), and 3-pointers made (123) through the first 148 games played of a career, joining Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Lamar Odom, and LeBron James.

Tate has appeared in 148 of a possible 154 games as a Rocket. He tied Detroit’s Saddiq Bey for the most starts (135) by a sophomore over the past two seasons and tied for the sixth-most games played by any player over that span.

Grizzlies re-sign Tyus Jones

The Memphis Grizzlies yesterday re-signed guard Tyus Jones to a multi-year contract extension.

Jones (6-0 ¼, 196) appeared in 73 games (23 starts) last season, his third with the Grizzlies, and averaged a career-high 8.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 21.2 minutes while shooting 45.1% from the field, a career-best 39.0% from 3-point range and 81.8% from the free throw line. Jones set single-season career highs for field goals made (249) and 3-pointers made (80).

The 26-year-old established a new NBA single-season record with a 7.04 assist-to-turnover ratio last season, eclipsing the previous league record (6.96) he set during the 2018-19 season. Jones has led all qualified players in this category for each of the last four seasons, tying Chris Paul (2012-16) for the longest such streak in NBA history.

A native of Minneapolis, Jones has competed in 208 games (38 starts) for Memphis and has averaged 7.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 19.2 minutes since signing with the Grizzlies as a free agent on July 7, 2019. He has helped guide Memphis to the NBA Playoffs in each of the past two seasons and helped the Grizzlies record the second-best record in the NBA (56-26), tying a franchise record, last season.

Selected with the 24th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Jones has competed in 455 games (72 starts) and has averaged 6.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 18.4 minutes with the Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves. He led Duke to the 2015 NCAA championship as a freshman.

Miami Heat re-sign Dewayne Dedmon

The Miami Heat have re-signed center Dewayne Dedmon.

“Dewayne brings essential attributes to the center position, including size, length, physicality, rebounding, scoring and a defensive mentality to protect the rim,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He has proven to be a great veteran for us and we are fortunate to have him back.”

Dedmon appeared in 67 games (15 starts) with the HEAT last season and averaged 6.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 15.9 minutes of action while shooting 56.6 percent from the field, 40.4 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the foul line. He finished second on the team in blocks and offensive rebounds and third in total rebounds and charges taken. He led the team in blocks 22 times, in rebounds 11 times, plus/minus 10 times, steals twice and assists once while leading Miami’s reserves in rebounds a team-high 28 times and blocks on a team-high 19 occasions. He also appeared in 14 postseason games on Miami’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals and averaged 3.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 9.8 minutes of action while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the foul line.

Dedmon has now appeared in 477 regular season games (209 starts) during his nine-year NBA career and has averaged 6.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in 17.8 minutes while shooting 52.7 percent from the field.

Miami Heat re-sign Caleb Martin

The Miami HEAT have re-signed forward Caleb Martin.

“Caleb is a multi-position player with tremendous energy that had a career year with us,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He works hard and deserves this as much as any young player in the league. We are extremely happy he has decided to come back.”

Martin, who was originally signed by the HEAT to a two-way contract on September 14 and later converted to a standard contract on February 15, appeared in 60 games (12 starts) with Miami last season and averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 22.9 minutes while shooting 50.7 percent from the field, 41.3 percent from three-point range and 76.3 percent from the foul line. In his 12 starts, Martin averaged 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 52.8 percent from the field and a perfect 12-of-12 from the line. He set single season career highs in points, rebounds, steals, blocks, field goals made, three-point field goals made, free throws made and field goal percentage. He finished third on the team in blocks, fourth in dunks and tied for fourth in three-point plays. He led the team in steals and blocks 16 times each, in plus/minus on seven occasions, in scoring three times and in minutes and rebounds twice each while also topping the reserves in steals a team-high 23 times. Additionally, Martin appeared in 17 postseason games on Miami’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals and averaged 4.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.3 minutes of action.

Martin has now appeared in 131 regular season games (16 starts) during his three-year NBA career and has averaged 7.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 19.1 minutes while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from three-point range and 72.5 percent from the foul line. He has also appeared in 28 career G League games (all starts) and averaged 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.61 steals and 36.9 minutes while shooting 47 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three-point range.

Lakers sign Thomas Bryant

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed center Thomas Bryant.

His deal is reportedly a one-year contract for the league minimum.

Bryant appeared in 27 games (nine starts) for the Wizards last season, averaging 7.4 points (.520 FG%) and 4.0 rebounds in 16.3 minutes. Bryant returns to Los Angeles after appearing in 15 games as a rookie for the Lakers during the 2017-18 season. Across five seasons with Los Angeles and Washington, Bryant has appeared in 170 games (108 starts) with career averages of 10.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 20.1 minutes, while shooting 59.0 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from three-point range.

Per ESPN.com, “Bryant was originally drafted by the Lakers in the second round of the 2017 draft, but he was waived after a rookie season that saw him play in only 52 games. He gives this Lakers team more frontcourt depth and a starting-caliber center to pair alongside Anthony Davis.”

Grizzlies sign rookie Kennedy Chandler

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed 2022 second round draft pick, guard Kennedy Chandler, to a multi-year contract.

A Memphis native, Chandler (6-0, 171) was acquired by the Grizzlies with the No. 38 overall pick pursuant to a draft-night trade with the San Antonio Spurs. The 19-year-old guided the Volunteers to the 2022 SEC Tournament championship last season and became the second player in program history to be named the SEC Tournament MVP, joining Allan Houston (1991).

Chandler started all 34 of his appearances for Tennessee and averaged 13.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.18 steals in 30.8 minutes while shooting 46.4% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range. He ranked second in the SEC in steals. He was named to the All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Freshman Team last season.