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.

Grizzlies guard Ja Morant fined by NBA

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been fined $75,000 for twice making an inappropriate gesture on the playing court, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. Morant was previously warned by the league office that this gesture could be interpreted in a negative light.

The gestures were made by Morant during the Grizzlies’110-108 victory over the Miami Heat on April 3 at Kaseya Center.

Pelicans sign Kylor Kelley to 10-day contract

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed center Kylor Kelley to a 10-day contract.

Kelley, 7-0, 230, appeared in eight games (one start) for Dallas this season in which he averaged 3.0 points and 2.6 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per contest. Kelley also appeared in 32 games during the 2024-25 season with the G League’s South Bay Lakers, averaging 11.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.5 blocks per game.

The Gervais, Oregon, native was named to the NBA G League All-Defensive Team in 2023-24 after leading the G League in blocks per game (2.86) and total blocks (83) last season, and was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team in each of his two collegiate seasons at Oregon State (2019, 2020).

The Pelicans roster now stands at 19, including three two-way players.

Austin Spurs coach Scott King named 2025 G League Coach of Year

Austin Spurs head coach Scott King has been named the 2025 NBA G League Coach of the Year.

In his first season, King led Austin to the NBA G League playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, finishing the regular season 22-12 (32-18 overall) tying with the Stockton Kings for the best record in the Western Conference.

Austin ended the regular season ranked first in defensive rating (102.3), third in steals per game (10.1), and fourth in both blocks per game (6.6) and rebounds per game (48.4). The Spurs also set a league record this season, posting the highest margin of victory in league history (+23.5).

This season marks the Spurs first Western Conference Semifinals appearance since 2018, when they won the NBA G League Championship against the Raptors 905.

Sixers sign Colin Castleton to 10-day contract

The Philadelphia 76ers have signed Colin Castleton to a 10-day contract.

Castleton joins Philadelphia after appearing in 20 combined games (four starts) between Memphis and Toronto this season, averaging 4.2 points and 4.2 rebounds. The second-year pro hauled in a career-best 14 rebounds against Philadelphia on March 12 and tallied a career-high 13 points the very next game at Utah on March 14.

Originally signed to a two-way contract by the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2023, Castleton has produced 3.0 points on 45.8-percent shooting and 2.6 rebounds in 36 career games with the Lakers, Grizzlies, and Raptors.

Castleton competed in 19 regular-season G League games for Raptors 905, the Osceola Magic, and the Memphis Hustle in 2024-25, boasting averages of 18.2 points (59.1% FG), 10.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocked shots.

Wizards to host Fan Appreciation Night on April 9

The Washington Wizards will celebrate and show their appreciation to their loyal, dedicated, and passionate fanbase on Fan Appreciation Night on Wednesday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. when the Philadelphia 76ers come to Capital One Arena.

To celebrate the night, hip-hop duo Ying Yang Twins will entertain the crowd at halftime with hits “Salt Shaker,” “Get Low,” “Say I Yi Yi,” and “Halftime.” The Wizards Entertainers and G-Wiz will also be featured throughout the performance.

Prior to the game, fans can attend the Fan Appreciation Night Block Party at District E Powered by Ticketmaster beginning at 5:00 p.m. Fans will enjoy giveaways, a virtual reality activation, custom trading card photobooth, free appetizers while supplies last, and District Bites drink specials.

All fans in attendance at the game will take home a Wizards City Edition DMV t-shirt (photo attached). Bilal Coulibaly will address the crowd before the start of the game and the team will present the 2024-25 Dr. E.B. Henderson Award during a pregame ceremony. The team award, introduced during the 2021-22 season, recognizes a Wizards player for their work in the community.

Rockets forward Dillon Brooks suspended one game

Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks has been suspended one game without pay for receiving his 16th technical foul of the 2024-25 season, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 16th technical foul during a regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended without pay for an additional game.

Brooks received his most recent technical foul with 7:12 remaining in the first quarter of the Rockets’ 143-105 victory over the Utah Jazz on April 2 at Toyota Center. Brooks will serve his suspension tomorrow when the Rockets host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center.