Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Nets sign Goran Dragic, and waive Jevon Carter

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent guard Goran Dragić.

And in a related transaction, Brooklyn has requested waivers on guard Jevon Carter.

Dragić (6’3”, 190) has appeared in 872 career games (524 starts) across 14 seasons with Phoenix (2008-11, 2012-15), Houston (2011-12), Miami (2015-21) and Toronto (2021-22), recording averages of 13.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 27.9 minutes per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from 3-point range and 76.7 percent from the free-throw line. Dragić played in five games this season with the Raptors, averaging 8.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 18.0 minutes per game. The 35-year-old native of Slovenia was named an All-Star in the 2017-18 season with the Heat, and he secured All-NBA Third Team honors, as well as the NBA Most Improved Player Award with the Suns in the 2013-14 campaign. Dragić has also seen action in 56 playoff games (37 starts) in five postseason appearances, registering averages of 14.9 points on 44.2 percent shooting from the field, 34.6 percent shooting from long distance and 76.3 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 3.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 27.4 minutes per contest while helping lead the Heat to an NBA Finals appearance in 2020 and the Suns to the Western Conference Finals in 2010. Dragić was originally selected with the 45th overall pick in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft by San Antonio, and his draft rights were traded to Phoenix. Prior to beginning his NBA career, Dragić played professionally for four years (2004-08) in Europe. Dragić has also competed on the international stage, with his final appearance coming in 2017, when he led Slovenia to its first-ever FIBA European Championship at the 2017 EuroBasket. Dragić was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and earned Slovenia’s Sportsman of the Year award.

Carter saw action in 46 games (one start) with Brooklyn this season, posting averages of 3.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 12.0 minutes per game. The 26-year-old was originally acquired by the Nets in a trade with the Suns on Aug. 6, 2021.

Thunder sign Olivier Sarr to two-way contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed forward Olivier Sarr to a two-way contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Sarr (6-11, 238) has appeared in 23 games (two starts) for the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, this season and averaged 7.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 15.7 minutes per game. He signed two 10-day contracts with the Thunder per the NBA’s COVID-Related Hardship Allowance and played in two games where he averaged 2.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 7.0 minutes per game.

Per the Oklahoman, “Sarr will fill the two-way slot previously occupied by rookie wing Aaron Wiggins, who recently signed a standard contract with the Thunder.”

The Niort, France native played three seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to Kentucky and collected Third Team All-ACC honors and was named a runner-up for ACC Most Improved Player. He appeared in 110 career games and averaged 8.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 22.0 minutes per game.

Trail Blazers sign Trendon Watford to standard contract, and waive Dennis Smith Jr.

The Trail Blazers have signed forward Trendon Watford to a standard NBA contract.

In a related move, Portland has waived guard Dennis Smith Jr.

Watford, 21, has appeared in 33 games for the Trail Blazers this season, averaging 4.5 points (59.0% FG, 68.6% FT), 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.45 blocks in 12.6 minutes per game.

A rookie out of LSU, Watford leads all first-year players that have taken at least 100 shots in field goal percentage.

Originally signed to a two-way contract by Portland after going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Watford ranked second among all players on two-way contracts this season in blocks (15), third in total rebounds (106), fourth in games played (33), fifth in points (149), and seventh in assists (35).

Smith played in 37 games (four starts) for Portland this season, posting averages of 5.6 points (41.8% FG, 22.2% 3-PT, 65.6% FT), 2.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.22 steals.

Nets to reportedly sign Goran Dragic

The Nets, per multiple reports, will be signing a veteran point guard who can help maintain backcourt order while the team waits for Ben Simmons to become available while dealing with Kyrie Irving only being allowed to play road games due to coronavirus safety restrictions in New York. And one who is already quite familiar with Nets head coach Steve Nash: Goran Dragic. Via Bleacher Report:

Ahead of the trade deadline, the Toronto Raptors sent Dragic to the San Antonio Spurs in a deal for Thaddeus Young. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported his time in San Antonio wasn’t expected to be long, with the Spurs likely to buy out the final year of his contract.

Dragic originally landed with the Raptors as part of the Miami Heat’s sign-and-trade for Kyle Lowry. Many believed his time with Toronto would be a marriage of convenience, with the team moving him on at a later date.

Per the New York Daily News, “adding Dragic to the Nets backcourt addresses several needs. He is no superstar, but he has played at a high level — both in the NBA and internationally — for decades. He was a 2018 NBA All-Star and has averaged 14 points and five assists per game entering his 14th NBA season. And he is set to play inspired basketball after landing in Toronto as part of the Kyle Lowry trade to the Miami Heat, only to be benched and dealt to the Spurs at the trade deadline.”

The Nets are just 31-28 this season, which is the 8th best record in the Eastern conference. Their season has been more about missed games than stars being available to play together. Adding Dragic is a solid move for the sake of stability.

Chicago Bulls sign Tristan Thompson, waive Alfonzo McKinnie

The Chicago Bulls have signed veteran big man Tristan Thompson.

Also today, the team released forward Alfonzo McKinnie.

In his eleventh season in the NBA, Thompson (6-9, 254 pounds) owns career averages of 9.1 ppg (.518 from the field), 8.5 rpg (3.3 orpg) and 1.0 apg in 27.1 mpg. For his career, he has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers. This season, he has appeared in 34 games (three starts) with the Kings and Pacers, and has tallied 6.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg (2.3 orpg) in 15.3 mpg.

Thompson’s teams have also made five trips to the NBA Playoffs, including four consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals from 2015-18. In postseason play, he has played in 83 playoff games (70 starts) and posted 7.8 ppg (.566 from the field) and 8.6 rpg (3.8 orpg) in 29.6 mpg.

McKinnie saw action in 17 games (three starts) with Chicago, and averaged 3.5 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 12.1 mpg.

Suns guard Chris Paul injured, out at least 6-8 weeks

The Phoenix Suns are having the best season of any team in the league, but a big hit of bad news came out today. Via the Arizona Republic:

Chris Paul’s right thumb is going to keep him out most of the remaining season.

The Suns gave an official release that Paul has suffered a right thumb avulsion fracture in Wednesdays’ game against Houston and will be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks.

The NBA regular season ends April 10 against Sacramento.

The Suns are 48-10, placing them a full 6.5 games ahead of the 42-17 Warriors in both the Western conference and overall league standings.

Paul this season is averaging 14.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 10.7 assists (best in the league) and 1.9 steals (tied for 4th best in the league) per game.

Lakers must rally just to make the 2022 NBA playoffs

LeBron James and the Lakers are in a tough spot these days. The squad faces an uphill battle in their quest just to make the playoffs. Via the Los Angeles Times:

The Lakers will be without Anthony Davis for at least the next four weeks, their place in the Western Conference standings on shaky ground. They have a 2 1/2-game lead on Portland, the current 10th-place team. They’re 4 1/2 games ahead of San Antonio and New Orleans, who are chasing the final play-in spot.

If there’s a reason to believe in the Lakers’ chances to make the playoffs, it’s been James, who is in one of the best offensive grooves of the season. He’s scored at least 25 points in 23 straight games, a stretch during which he’s averaging 31.7 points.

Lakers’ Anthony Davis out with foot sprain

Once again, Anthony Davis is injured. Via ESPN.com:

Anthony Davis will be out at least four weeks after an MRI showed that the Los Angeles Lakers star has a mid-foot sprain, the team announced Thursday.

Davis suffered the injury in the team’s 106-101 win against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

He underwent X-rays that night at Crypto.com Arena that revealed no fracture, according to the team, but an MRI Thursday revealed the sprain.

The Lakers said team doctors will reevaluate the star big man in four weeks.

The Lakers are just 27-31 this season, which is the 9th best record in the Western conference. They haven’t looked like a championship contender at all this season, and with the way things are going will have to hustle and step things up just to make the playoffs. A task made even more difficult with this Davis injury.