NBA Teams – Page 211 – NBA Blog

Milwaukee Bucks sign forward DeAndre’ Bembry

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed forward DeAndre’ Bembry.

A 6-5, 210-pound forward, Bembry appeared in 48 games (20 starts) with the Brooklyn Nets this season before being waived on Feb. 10.

Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Bembry was waived by the Nets on Thursday in order to accommodate their acquisition of Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and Andre Drummond from Philadelphia. ”

With the Nets, Bembry averaged 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steal in 19.8 minutes per game while shooting a career-high 56.8% from the field and a career-best 41.7% from three.

In his sixth season in the NBA, Bembry was originally selected out of Saint Joseph’s with the 21st overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He went on to play in 189 games with the Hawks over four seasons before spending last season with the Raptors. In his career, Bembry holds averages of 6.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steal across 288 games (55 starts) with the Hawks, Raptors and Nets.

Milwaukee’s roster now stands at 15 players.

Trail Blazers guard Dennis Smith Jr. out with elbow injury

Portland Trail Blazers guard Dennis Smith Jr. has been diagnosed with a high-grade partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, per the results of an MRI.

The injury occurred in practice on Friday, February 11.

Smith will be reevaluated in three to four weeks.

In 37 games (four starts) this season, Smith has averaged 5.6 points (41.8% FG, 22.2% 3-PT, 65.6% FT), 2.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.22 steals.

Utah Jazz sign forward Xavier Sneed to two-way contract

The Utah Jazz have signed forward Xavier Sneed to a two-way contract.

Sneed (6-5, 215, Kansas State) appeared in two games with the Memphis Grizzlies this season and also played in 18 games (all starts) with the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League, averaging 11.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals in 27.2 minutes per contest.

The St. Louis, Mo., native played in 13 games (10 starts) with the Swarm in 2020-21 and averaged 8.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.9 steals. He has additional professional playing experience in Canada where he played for the Niagara River Lions of the CEBL in 2020-21, averaging 17.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals.

Collegiately, Sneed played four seasons at Kansas State (2016-20), where he averaged 10.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 137 career games (104 starts).

Timberwolves sign guard Patrick Beverley to contract extension

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed guard Patrick Beverley to a contract extension.

Per the Minneapolis Star Tribune, “Beverley and the team agreed to a one-year extension Monday worth $13 million, his agent Kevin Bradbury confirmed. Beverley, 33, came to the Wolves in the final year of his current deal in a trade from Memphis over the summer. Since Beverley joined, his teammates and coaches have credited him with enhancing the culture on defense while providing leadership in the locker room.”

Beverley, 33, is enjoying a career year in 2021-22, his 10th in the NBA, averaging 9.2 points, his most since 2017-18 (12.2), 4.4 rebounds, a career-high 4.9 assists, a career-best 1.0 blocks and 1.2 steals in 39 games (35 starts). Originally acquired by the Wolves from the Memphis Grizzlies in a trade on Aug. 25, 2021, he ranks sixth in the NBA in charges drawn this season (15).

He scored a season-high 20 points, connecting on a season-high 5-of-9 from beyond the arc during Minnesota’s 98-90 win on Jan. 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, his 12th career game with five or more three-pointers and his 10th career game registering 20+ points. Beverley has notched two double-doubles this season including tallying his fourth career point/assist double-double, with 11 points and a career-high-tying 12 assists in the Wolves’ 122-104 victory over the LA Clippers on Jan. 3.

For his career, the 6-1 guard has appeared in 507 regular season games (419 starts) with the Houston Rockets, Clippers and Timberwolves, averaging 8.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Beverley has seen action in 59 career playoff games (48 starts), including 17 games (seven starts) in last season’s playoffs and has averaged 7.9 points on 41.2% shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

The Chicago native is a three-time NBA All-Defensive team selection, including being named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2016-17, his final season with the Rockets. Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 42nd overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Beverley spent three seasons overseas in Greece, Russia and Ukraine. He signed as a free agent with the Rockets ahead of the 2013 season and was traded to the Clippers on June 28, 2017.

Miami Heat sign guard Javonte Smart to two-way contract

The Miami Heat have signed guard Javonte Smart to a two-way contract.

Smart, who was originally signed by Miami on September 10 and waived on October 15, has appeared in 11 games (all starts) this season with the HEAT’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging a team-leading 21.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.73 steals and 37.1 minutes while shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 78.1 percent from the foul line. Earlier this season, Smart signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, appearing in 13 games (one start) averaging 2.4 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 12.3 minutes of action.

Smart previously appeared in six Summer League games with the HEAT and averaged 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and a total +10 plus/minus. He shot 80 percent (4-of-5) from the foul line, dished out multiple assists five times and scored in double-figures twice. Smart played three seasons at Louisiana State, becoming just the seventh player in school history to record at least 1,200 points, 300 assists and 111 steals. Among the Tiger’s all-time lists, he finished 11th in assists, 12th in three-point field goals made, 23rd in steals and 31st in points. In his final year as a junior, Smart started in all 28 games and averaged 16.0 points, 4.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.25 steals and 35.0 minutes while shooting 46 percent from the field, 40.2 percent from three-point range and 85.7 percent from the foul line. He was named to the All-SEC Second Team and the All-Louisiana First Team after leading the conference in three-point field goal percentage and minutes per game. His 70 made three-point field goals were the 13th-most for a single-season in school history.

Smart will wear number 15.

COVID restrictions mostly lifted for Utah Jazz home games starting Feb. 25, 2022

FROM THE UTAH JAZZ

Effective February 25, the requirement for proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be lifted to gain access to Utah Jazz home games at Vivint Arena.

The use of proper face coverings remains a recommended practice as an effective health tool to prevent the spread of the virus. Vaccinations and boosters are urged as the best defense against the virus. Per NBA health and safety protocols, masks are still required for individuals in designated areas surrounding the basketball court.

Other Vivint Arena events will adhere to the specific COVID-19 protocols of the event organizer or concert/show promoter which could require mandatory masks and/or proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event time. For upcoming events, ticket holders should check the particular status of their event at www.vivintarena.com.

Miami Heat convert Caleb Martin’s contract from two-way to standard

The Miami Heat have converted the two-way contract of Caleb Martin into a standard NBA contract.

Martin, who was originally signed by the HEAT to a two-way contract on September 14, has appeared in 44 games (10 starts) with Miami this season and averaged 9.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 22.9 minutes while shooting 50.6 percent from the field, 37.9 percent from three-point range and 73.9 percent from the foul line. He has scored in double-figures 21 times, including two 20-point performances, and posted an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double in a win at Atlanta on January 12. He set career highs in points (28), field goals made (9) and three-point field goals made (6) while tying his career high in blocks (2) in a victory on December 8 vs. Milwaukee.

Martin has appeared in 115 career NBA games (14 starts) and averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 18.6 minutes while shooting 44.7 percent from the field. 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. Additionally, Martin helped lead Nevada to a 29-4 record and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2019 as a senior after appearing in 34 games (33 starts) averaging 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.44 steals and 34.1 minutes while leading the team in points, scoring average, steals, field goals made, three-point field goals made and free throws made.

Miami Heat sign forward Haywood Highsmith to 10-day contract

The Miami Heat have signed forward Haywood Highsmith to a 10-day contract.

Highsmith, who was previously signed to a 10-day contract by the HEAT on December 30, appeared in four games with Miami totaling 12 points, five rebounds and a block in 41:34 minutes of action while shooting 50 percent (4-of-8) from the field and 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from three-point range. He has also appeared in 17 G League games (11 starts) with the Delaware Blue Coats this season and averaged 13.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.24 steals and 29.8 minutes while shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point range.

After spending four seasons at Wheeling University from 2014-18, Highsmith signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, splitting the season between the Sixers and their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. Highsmith appeared in five games with the 76ers in 2018-19 totaling nine points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal while shooting 40 percent (4-of-10) from the field. Additionally, he has appeared in 106 career G League games (76 starts) over three seasons, all with the Blue Coats, averaging 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.18 steals and 29.6 minutes while shooting 43.5 percent from the field.

Highsmith will wear number 24.

Rockets convert Daishen Nix’s contract from two-way to standard

The Houston Rockets have converted rookie guard Daishen Nix from a two-way contract into a standard NBA contract.

Nix was eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft and originally signed with Houston on Aug. 25. He spent last season with the G League Ignite, where he was teammates with fellow Rockets rookie Jalen Green.

In eight games for Houston this season, Nix is averaging 16.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.8 steals per 36 minutes played. He has also appeared in 27 games for the Rockets G League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley, while averaging 19.7 ppg, 6.0 apg, 5.6 rpg and 2.3 spg. Last season, Nix joined current teammate Kevin Porter Jr. as two of the three G League players who averaged at least 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

Nix turned 20 years old on Feb. 13.

Bucks guard Pat Connaughton out after surgery

Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton underwent surgery Monday to repair the fractured fourth metacarpal on his right hand. Connaughton injured his hand in the Bucks game at Phoenix on Feb. 10.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Connaughton is expected to be sidelined for approximately four weeks.

Per ESPN.com, “losing him will be a significant blow to a Bucks team that has increasingly relied on his productivity this season.”

In 54 games (18 starts) this season, Connaughton is averaging a career-best 10.1 points with 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in a career-high 27.0 minutes per game.