Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Raptors give AJ Lawson a standard NBA contract

The Toronto Raptors recently converted guard AJ Lawson’s deal to a standard NBA contract.

Lawson, 6-foot-6, 185 pounds, is averaging 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 18.6 minutes in 25 games (two starts) with the Raptors this season. He has scored in double figures 10 times, including a career-high 32 points in a victory Mar. 10 vs. Washington. Lawson became just the fourth Canadian to score 30 points in a Raptors uniform, joining teammates RJ Barrett and Chris Boucher, and Cory Joseph. Lawson originally signed a two-way contract with Toronto on Dec. 11. He has also appeared in 37 NBA G League games with Raptors 905 and Long Island, averaging 20.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 33.1 minutes.

A native of Brampton, Ontario, Lawson holds career averages of 5.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 10.8 minutes in 82 NBA games (two starts) with Dallas, Minnesota and Toronto. After going undrafted, Lawson spent the 2021-22 campaign with College Park in the NBA G League and played with the Guelph Nighthawks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League before signing a two-way contract with the Timberwolves in the summer of 2022. He played three collegiate seasons (2018-21) at South Carolina where he was named Second Team All-SEC as a junior.

Sixers sign Isaiah Mobley

The Philadelphia 76ers yesterday signed Isaiah Mobley.

He spent his 2024-25 campaign with the Delaware Blue Coats, the 76ers G League affiliate, averaging 17.4 points and 7.9 rebounds in 22 games throughout the regular season (19 starts).

Mobley, who produced a team-best seven double-doubles this season, tallied a career-high 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting against the South Bay Lakers on Jan. 7. He also drilled a career-best six three-pointers on March 13 against the College Park Skyhawks.

In 67 career regular-season G League games (64 starts) over three seasons with the Cleveland Charge and Delaware, Mobley is averaging 18.5 points, 8.2 boards, and 1.0 blocked shot.

Hawks guard Trae Young wins 2024-25 Sekou Smith Award

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young as the recipient of the 2024-25 Sekou Smith Award, which annually honors the player on the team’s roster who best represents themselves and the franchise with professionalism and integrity in their interactions with the media.

Young was selected via vote from a select local media panel. He will be recognized today during a pregame presentation, which will include members of Smith’s family.

“There were again multiple exemplary candidates this season, and Trae is a very deserving recipient,” said Hawks Vice President of Basketball Communications Jon Steinberg. “He understands the power of his words, and embraces his responsibility to accommodate the media that covers the Hawks and the NBA. Trae makes himself available after big wins and tough losses, home and road, and routinely following practices and shootarounds.”

Raptors sign Colin Castleton

The Toronto Raptors yesterday signed center Colin Castleton.

Castleton, 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, is averaging 4.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 16.1 minutes in 25 games (four starts) with Memphis, Philadelphia and Toronto this season. He has scored in double figures three times and grabbed 10 or more rebounds in three games. Castleton had a career-high 16 points Apr. 11 vs. Atlanta and collected a career-best 14 rebounds in his first career start Mar. 12 against the Sixers and Apr. 9 at Washington. Castleton was waived by the Grizzlies in January after signing a two-way contract prior to the 2024-25 season. He signed consecutive 10-day contracts with the Raptors in March before most recently signing a 10-day contract with Philadelphia.

A native of DeLand, Florida, Castleton is averaging 3.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 11.3 minutes in 41 career NBA games with the LA Lakers, Memphis, Philadelphia and Toronto. Castleton signed a two-way contract with Los Angeles following two seasons (2018-20) at Michigan and three at Florida (2020-23) where he earned All-SEC First Team and Defensive Team honours as a fifth-year senior.

Celtics sign JD Davison

The Boston Celtics have signed guard JD Davison.

Davison, the 2024-25 G League MVP, appeared in 30 Regular Season games for the Maine Celtics posting averages of 25.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He ranked fourth in the league in scoring and seventh in the league in assists, the only player in the G League to rank in the top seven in both categories this season.

Selected with the 53rd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Celtics, Davison has appeared in 35 games for Boston in his three-year career and has appeared in a career-high 15 games for the C’s this season. Davison was also selected as a member of Team G League for the 2025 Rising Stars Game at All-Star Weekend in San Francisco in February.

Anfernee Simons wins NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for March 2025

The NBA has announced Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for the month of March. As part of his efforts, Simons provided scholarships to 24 students, supported mental health wellbeing and hosted holiday events in Portland and his home state of Florida. Simons will receive the David Robinson trophy, and the NBA will donate $10,000 to Be A Light, an organization that supports at-risk youth and young adults.

“One of the first things I thought about when I made it to the NBA was how I can make a direct impact in my community, specifically to the youth in the greater Portland area,” said Simons. “It’s extremely important for me to personally connect with the kids in the community and present opportunities for them to express themselves and become great. I am truly thankful to be in a position where I can offer creative outlets for tomorrow’s leaders.”

Trail Blazers agree to contract extension with General Manager Joe Cronin

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with General Manager Joe Cronin.

Cronin was originally named the General Manager on May 10, 2022 after serving in the role as interim since December 3, 2021.

“Joe has demonstrated leadership and vision during his time as General Manager, and I’m excited to see him continue building the foundation for a long-term, winning team,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Portland Trail Blazers. “We are all thrilled with the team’s forward momentum and excited for the future of Trail Blazers basketball.”

“I am honored that Jody and Bert have put their continued trust in me and thank them for believing in this opportunity to further our pursuit of building a winning team in Portland,” said Joe Cronin, Portland Trail Blazers General Manager. “My vision is to have a competitive roster with the potential for sustained success, while creating a culture that helps all our players, coaches and staff thrive. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.”

Cavaliers sign Chuma Okeke

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Chuma Okeke, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Okeke (6-7, 229) has played in seven games (three starts) with the Philadelphia 76ers this season, averaging 6.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 24.4 minutes. The Auburn alum also had a short stint with the NBA G League’s Westchester Knicks this season, appearing in 28 games (26 starts) with averages of 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in 36.4 minutes.

Originally selected as the No. 16 overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2019 NBA Draft, Okeke has appeared in 196 games (58 starts) over his five-year NBA career, holding averages of 6.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.91 steals in 20.4 minutes with Orlando and Philadelphia. Additionally, he appeared in two playoff games with the Magic during the 2024 postseason.

Okeke will wear #18 for the Cavaliers.

76ers sign Marcus Bagley to second 10-day contract

The Philadelphia 76ers have signed Marcus Bagley to a second 10-day contract.

Bagley signed his first 10-day deal with Philadelphia on March 24 and appeared in the team’s next five games, tallying 21 points (4.2 per game) and 26 rebounds (5.2 per game, third on the team during that span). On Tuesday, April 1, at New York, Bagley posted NBA career highs in points (nine) and rebounds (eight).

Prior to his stint with the 76ers, Bagley averaged 11.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while tallying six double-doubles in 18 regular-season contests with the Delaware Blue Coats, the 76ers’ NBA G League affiliate.

Raptors sign Cole Swider

The Toronto Raptors have signed forward Cole Swider.

Swider, 6-foot-8, 220 pounds, is averaging 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 17.8 minutes in six games with the Raptors after signing a 10-Day contract on Mar. 26. He also averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 34.6 minutes in 31 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games with Motor City and South Bay in the NBA G League this season.

A native of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Swider holds career averages of 2.7 points, 0.9 rebounds and 7.5 minutes in 33 NBA games with the LA Lakers, Miami, Detroit and Toronto.