Category: NBA Teams

NBA teams blog

Cavs sign Larry Nance Jr. to contract extension

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Larry Nance Jr. to a multi-year contract extension.

“We are extremely excited to have Larry in a Cavaliers uniform long-term,” said Altman. “His athleticism is off the charts and his positive attitude, work ethic and most importantly, his desire to be in Cleveland embodies all that we want out of our players both on and off the court. We look forward to watching his continued development and feel strongly that Larry can be a special player in this league for many years to come.”

According to Cleveland.com, “Nance and the Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to a four-year contract extension, solidifying him as a franchise building block while the organization attempts to rebuild a championship roster in the post-LeBron era. According to a league source, it’s a four-year deal worth $44.8 million.”

“I’m actually at a loss for words right now,” said Nance. “To continue playing basketball for a franchise I grew up with and watched as my father starred here is truly a blessing. I’m extremely happy to be a Cavalier and I can now begin to establish my own long-term legacy in this community. I want to thank Dan, Koby and our coaching staff for believing in me and my potential. This is truly a dream come true.”

Nance (6-9, 230) was originally acquired by the Cavaliers through a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 8, 2018. In 24 games (nine starts) with Cleveland last season, he averaged 8.9 points on .550 shooting, 7.0 rebounds and 1.21 steals in 20.8 minutes per contest. He played in 42 games (17 starts) for the Lakers, averaging 8.6 points on .601 shooting, 6.8 rebounds and 1.40 steals in 22.0 minutes per game. On the season, Nance averaged career highs of 8.7 points on .581 shooting, 6.8 rebounds and 1.33 steals in 21.5 minutes per game over 66 games (26 starts).

More from Cleveland.com: “Nance, an Akron-native, worked with the Cavs so his salary declines as the deal goes along and the team can maintain cap flexibility. The first year of his contract is expected to be worth $12.7 million. He is set to make around $9.6 million in the final year. There are no options included in the contract and he will become an unrestricted free agent following the 2023 season.”

The 6-9 forward recorded 11 double-doubles in 2017-18, including five as a member of the Cavs. He posted consecutive double-digit scoring outings in a career-high seven games from Feb. 27-March 11. In his first start with the Cavs on March 5, Nance set career highs in points, rebounds and field goals made, finishing with 22 points on 9-15 (.600) shooting and 15 rebounds in 32 minutes versus Detroit. Along with his father, Larry Nance Sr., who had 149 20-point outings as a member of the Cavaliers from 1988-1994, the Nances became just the fifth father-son duo to score at least 20 points in a game for the same franchise, joining Rick and Jon Barry (Houston Rockets), Doc and Austin Rivers (Los Angeles Clippers), Ernie and Kiki Vandeweghe (New York Knicks) and Gerald Henderson Jr. and Sr. (Philadelphia 76ers). Nance participated in the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend, where he finished in second place.

The Akron, Ohio native was originally selected by the Lakers with the 27th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft after playing four years collegiately at the University of Wyoming. He owns career averages of 7.1 points on .547 shooting from the field, 5.9 rebounds and 1.17 steals in 21.5 minutes per game in 192 career contests (55 starts) over three seasons with Los Angeles and Cleveland.

Pacers sign Myles Turner to big contract extension

The Indiana Pacers have signed forward/center Myles Turner to a multi-year contract extension.

According to the Indianapolis Star, the extension is “a four-year deal that could be worth as much as $80 million… League sources told IndyStar that $72 million is guaranteed with the rest in incentives.”

The 6-11, 250-pound Turner is in his fourth NBA season and has the longest tenure with the Pacers of all the players on this season’s roster. His 1.82 blocks per game in 2017-18 ranked third in the NBA for the second consecutive season (2.12 per game in 2016-17). Turner was the Pacers’ No. 1 draft pick (11th overall) in the 2015 draft.

“I’d like to thank the Simon family and the Pacers organization for giving me this opportunity,” said Myles Turner. “It took a lot of hard work to get here and I didn’t do it on my own; I’d like to thank my family, as well as my teammates, past and present, and the coaching staff for helping me get to this point. I’m excited to build here in Indiana and I’m looking forward to the future.”

“Myles has been great here, not only on the court; but he represents this organization unbelievably off the court as well,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “His hard work and dedication to both his game and to our franchise exemplify what it means to be a Pacer. We’re thrilled to have him here long term.”

More from the Star: “Beyond this season, the Pacers will have Turner, Domantas Sabonis, Victor Oladipo, Aaron Holiday, Doug McDermott and T.J. Leaf under contract for 2019-20. Second-round picks Alize Johnson and Ike Anigbogu have contracts but they’re currently non-guaranteed.”

Suns waive Shaquille Harrison and Darrell Arthur

Suns waive Shaquille Harrison and Darrell Arthur

The Phoenix Suns have waived guard Shaquille Harrison and forward Darrell Arthur.

Harrison initially signed with the Suns on Feb. 21, 2018, and averaged 6.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 23 games last season, the first of his NBA career.

Arthur was acquired by the Suns in a trade from Brooklyn on July 20, 2018; the nine-year veteran holds career averages of 6.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 503 games.

Wizards trade Jodie Meeks to Bucks

Wizards trade Jodie Meeks to Bucks

The Washington Wizards have traded guard Jodie Meeks along with cash considerations and a protected second round pick to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for a protected second round pick.

Meeks, 31, averaged 6.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 77 games last season for Washington. A nine-year NBA veteran, Meeks has averaged 9.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 531 games. Drafted by Milwaukee in the second-round (41st overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft, he has played for six NBA teams including the Bucks, 76ers, Lakers, Pistons, Magic and Wizards.

The Bucks roster stands at 18 players with Meeks beginning the season on the NBA’s Suspended List.

Blazers exercise contract options on Caleb Swanigan and Zach Collins

Blazers exercise contract options on Caleb Swanigan and Zach Collins

The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised 2019-20 team options on the rookie contracts of forward Caleb Swanigan and forward/center Zach Collins.

The Trail Blazers acquired Collins, the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, in a draft day trade and selected Swanigan with the 26th overall pick in the same draft.

In his rookie 2017-18 season with the Trail Blazers, Collins (7-0, 235) posted averages of 4.4 points (39.8% FG, 31.0% 3-PT, 64.3% FT), 3.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.26 steals, 0.47 blocks and 15.8 minutes in 66 games (one start).

Swanigan (6-9, 250) averaged 2.3 points (40.0% FG, 12.5% 3-PT, 66.7% FT), 2.0 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.19 steals, 0.11 blocks and 7.0 minutes in 27 games (three starts) during his rookie 2017-18 season.

Bulls add Tyler Ulis off waivers, then give him two-way contract

The Chicago Bulls have claimed guard Tyler Ulis off waivers to bring their roster to 17 total players. And in a subsequent transaction, the Bulls exercised the Two-Way player conversion option on Ulis.

Ulis (5-10, 150) was waived by the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 12, 2018. He appeared in four games (one start) for Golden State this preseason and averaged 3.0 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 10.2 minutes per game. Originally selected by Phoenix with the 34th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Ulis played for the Suns for two seasons. He has averaged 7.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists through 132 games (58 starts) in his NBA career. Ulis was named Rookie of the Month in April of 2017.

The Chicago native played for Kentucky for two seasons (2014-16) and posted career averages of 11.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 30.1 minutes over 72 games. While in high school, Ulis was a two-time Illinois All-State selection and Southtown Star Player of the Year. He ended his career at Marian Catholic High School as the all-time leading scorer (2,335), leader in assists (578) and leader in steals (283).

Clippers trade Wesley Johnson to Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired forward Wesley Johnson from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for center Alexis Ajinca.

In a subsequent transaction, the Clippers then waived Ajinca.

“Wes is a versatile player and a consummate professional who impacts the game on both ends of the court, and brings a strong, positive presence to the locker room,” said Frank. “We want to thank Wes for his contributions to the Clippers organization, and wish him, and his family, the best of luck in New Orleans.”

Johnson, 31, averaged 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17.8 minutes across 222 appearances (52 starts) in three seasons with L.A. The eight-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 7.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 22.7 minutes through 571 games (321 starts) with the Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers. The Corsicana, Texas native was originally drafted by the Timberwolves with the 4th pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-7 forward played his first two years of collegiate basketball at Iowa State before transferring to Syracuse.

Ajinca, 30, holds career averages of 5.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across 293 appearances in seven NBA seasons with Charlotte, Dallas, Toronto and New Orleans. A native of Saint-Etienne, France, the 7’2”, 248-pound center was selected 20th overall by Charlotte in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Clippers waive Jawun Evans as opening night approaches

Clippers waive Jawun Evans as opening night approaches

The L.A. Clippers have waived guard Jawun Evans.

“We had a productive and very competitive training camp and preseason, and all of our players deserve to be on the team. As difficult as these decisions can be, we are very proud of this group and excited to begin the season with them,” said Frank. “Jawun is a highly competitive, intelligent player who worked extremely hard this summer and throughout camp. We are grateful for Jawun’s contributions to the Clippers and wish him the absolute best moving forward.”

Evans, 22, appeared in 48 games in his rookie season with L.A., averaging 4.8 points, 2.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 16.2 minutes. A product of Oklahoma State, he led the Big 12 in scoring (19.2 ppg), was an AP All-America Honorable Mention selection and was named to the All-Big 12 First Team as a sophomore. He was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2015-16 and was a McDonald’s and Parade All-American out of Kimball High School in Dallas.

Timberwolves opening roster is set

The Minnesota Timberwolves have set the team’s 2018-19 Opening Night Roster.

On Saturday the Wolves announced the team had waived Canyon Barry, Darius Johnson-Odom, William Lee and Jonathan Stark. Minnesota’s 2018 Opening Night Roster stands at 16 players.

Minnesota will open its 2018-19 regular season Wednesday night in San Antonio vs. the Spurs. The Wolves will play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, October 19 in the team’s Home Opener.