Nets waive Ben Simmons after buyout agreement

The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on guard/forward Ben Simmons. It was a contract buyout agreement.

Per the New York Post, “Simmons is playing on the final season of a five-year, $177.2 million deal that he originally signed with the 76ers in July 2019, and that the Nets acquired in the trade that sent James Harden to Philadelphia at the 2022 deadline… In Simmons’ first two-plus seasons with the Nets, he played in just 57 of the team’s 191 games after the blockbuster became official. The Nets paid him approximately $86.3 million during that time, meaning he earned approximately $1.5 million per game played. (He also missed all eight of the Nets’ playoff games, though that’s not included here.)”

Simmons originally joined the Nets on Feb. 10, 2022, via trade from Philadelphia. In 33 appearances (24 starts) with Brooklyn this season, Simmons averaged 6.2 points on 54.7 percent shooting from the field, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 25.0 minutes per game. In 365 career games (344 starts) with the Nets and Sixers, the native of Australia holds career averages of 13.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.5 steals across 31.8 minutes per contest.

Brooklyn’s roster now stands at 17 players.

Celtics sign Torrey Craig

The Boston Celtics have signed forward Torrey Craig.

Following the 2025 NBA trade deadline, the Celtics roster stands at 17 players.

The NBA veteran has appeared in 441 career games (168 starts) spanning eight seasons with stints in Denver, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Indiana, and Chicago. Craig owns career averages of 6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 19.8 minutes per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field. This season, Craig averaged 6.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in nine games for the Chicago Bulls.

During the 2022-23 season, Craig averaged career-highs across the board with 7.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.8 blocks in 24.7 minutes per game in 79 outings (60 starts) with the Suns. Craig has posted 14 double-doubles during his professional tenure and scored 20-plus points six times.

Craig spent four seasons in the Australian NBL before making his NBA debut with Denver during the 2017-18 season. In 2017, he was named the Australian NBL Defensive Player of the Year, earned Australian NBL Most Improved Player honors, and was selected to the All-NBL Second Team. The South Carolina native played four collegiate seasons at the University of South Carolina Upstate and averaged 16.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals in 31.0 minutes per game over 131 appearances (124 starts).

Magic sign Ethan Thompson to two-way contract

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Ethan Thompson to a two-way contract, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman has announced.

Thompson (6’5”, 195, 5/4/99) has played and started in 14 games during the regular season with Osceola of the NBA G League, averaging 17.7 ppg., 5.0 rpg., 3.1 apg. and 1.07 stlpg. in 34.1 minpg. He also appeared in 16 games (15 starts) with Osceola during the NBA G League Tip-off Tournament, averaging 16.8 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 2.3 apg. and 1.44 stlpg. in 32.1 minpg.

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Thompson has appeared in 110 career NBA G League regular season games (101 starts) with Windy City, Mexico City and Osceola, averaging 17.0 ppg., 4.6 rpg., 3.6 apg. and 1.25 stlpg. in 32.9 minpg., while shooting .850 (300-353) from the free throw line. He was named to the 2023-24 All-NBA G League Third Team after averaging 22.8 ppg., 5.1 apg., 4.5 rpg. and 1.45 stlpg. in 37.2 minpg. in 33 games (all starts) with Mexico City.

Raptors give Jamison Battle a standard contract

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have converted forward Jamison Battle’s deal to a standard NBA contract.

In a corresponding move, the Raptors have signed center Orlando Robinson to a two-way contract.

Battle, 6-foot-6, 228 pounds, has appeared in 35 games in his rookie season with the Raptors averaging 5.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 12.6 minutes. He is shooting .458 (66-144) from the field, including .417 (45-108) from three-point range.

In 15 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games (all starts) with Raptors 905, the NBA G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors, Battle averaged 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 29.0 minutes. He scored 10+ points 11 times and 20-or-more twice while shooting .496 (68-137) from the field and .460 (40-87) from beyond the arc.

A native of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, Battle signed as an undrafted free agent last July and was converted to a two-way contract in October. Prior to the NBA, he averaged 15.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 31.4 minutes in 35 games (all starts) as a fifth-year senior at Ohio State last season. He shot .469 (179-382) from the field and a career-best .433 (91-210) from beyond the arc, which ranked second in the Big Ten and ninth nationally.

76ers sign Chuma Okeke to 10-day contract

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed Chuma Okeke to a 10-day contract.

Originally selected by Orlando in the first round (16th overall) of the 2019 NBA Draft, Okeke has averaged 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 20.3 minutes played in 189 games (55 starts) with the Magic.

Okeke has played in 16 games (all starts) with the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League in 2024-25, averaging 17.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocked shots. He has reached the 15-point mark in 12 of his 16 contests, including a G League career-high 30 points (7-17 3FG) to go along with 11 rebounds, and eight assists against Raptors 905 on Jan. 22.

Prior to his professional career, Okeke competed in two collegiate seasons at Auburn from 2017-19, earning SEC All-Tournament Team honors after leading the Tigers to the conference crown in 2019. He was later selected to the NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team after averaging 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks en route to an Elite Eight appearance.

Okeke will wear No. 18 for the 76ers.

Hawks trade Bogdan Bogdanovic to Clippers

The LA Clippers yesterday acquired Bogdan Bogdanović and three second-round draft picks in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Terance Mann and Bones Hyland, it was announced by Lawrence Frank, President of Basketball Operations.

“Bogdan is a smart, competitive guard who brings shooting, passing and a high basketball IQ,” said Frank. “He has proven, both in the NBA and international play, that he is a terrific connector and a big shot maker.”

Bogdanović, 32, has played in 24 games for the Hawks this season, averaging 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.9 minutes. The 6-foot-5 guard has appeared in 473 games across eight NBA seasons with Sacramento and the Hawks, averaging 14.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 28.6 minutes. Originally selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Bogdanović was named to the 2017-18 All-Rookie Second Team. A native of Belgrade, Serbia, Bogdanović has been a member of the Serbian National Team since 2013, winning silver medals at the 2016 Olympics, 2014 and 2023 FIBA World Cup and 2017 FIBA EuroBasket, as well as a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics.

“I can’t say enough good things about what T Mann has accomplished over the past six years, and what he’s meant to our organization,” said Frank. “We drafted him in 2019 and he became everything we hoped: a selfless, dependable pro who excels on both ends of the court and does whatever it takes to win. Everybody remembers the 39 points he scored against Utah to clinch our first conference finals berth. We’ll also remember his day-to-day consistency and competitiveness. He set a standard for our young players and left an imprint on our team that will live on. We are grateful to him and to Bones, an electric scorer who had some great moments here. Bones wants to play regularly and we’re hoping he gets the opportunity.”

Mann, 28, appeared in 37 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 6.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 19.8 minutes. The 6-foot-5 guard has played in 382 games across six NBA seasons since being selected by the Clippers with the 48th overall pick in ‘19. He averaged 8.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 49.8% from the field. Mann also appeared in the sixth-most playoff games in franchise history (43), averaging 6.0 points while shooting 50% from the field and 43.8% from beyond the arc.

Hyland, 24, appeared in 20 games for the Clippers this season, averaging 7.2 points, 1.4 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 11.1 minutes. The 6-foot-2 guard has played in 182 games across four NBA seasons with Denver and the Clippers, averaging 9.7 points, 2.7 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 17.3 minutes. Originally selected with the 26th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Hyland was named to the 2021-22 All-Rookie Second Team.

Hawks trade De’Andre Hunter to Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers yesterday acquired forward De’Andre Hunter in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced from Cleveland Clinic Courts. As part of the trade, the Cavaliers sent three second round picks, two pick swaps and forward Georges Niang and guard Caris LeVert to Atlanta.

Hunter (6-7, 225) has played in 38 games (four starts) for Atlanta this season, averaging a career-high 19.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and a career-high 0.84 steals while shooting .461 from the field, a career-high .393 from the three-point line and .858 from the free-throw line in 28.8 minutes per contest. Hunter leads all NBA reserves this season in scoring, averaging 18.9 points off the bench, which is the highest scoring average for an NBA reserve since Lou Williams in 2017-18 (21.0 points). Hunter has recorded 20 or more points 18 times off the bench this season, the most among all NBA reserves. His 137 free throws made off the bench this season also leads NBA reserves. Hunter scored a career-high 35 points (12-21 FG, 4-8 3FG) against Minnesota on January 27th, tying the NBA season-high for points off the bench in a game this season. Additionally, Hunter scored 15 or more points in 16 straight games off the bench from November 27th to January 1st earlier this season, which is tied for the 11th-longest streak of 15-point games off the bench in NBA history.

“The acquisition of De’Andre Hunter and the potential impact a player of this caliber can bring to Cleveland is immeasurable,” said Altman. “His defensive versatility, in addition to his ability to make shots from the perimeter strengthens our overall depth to an elite level. We were presented with a great opportunity with this trade, one that was beneficial for the short- and long-term future of this franchise. While it’s always difficult to part ways with players who have meant so much to our success, we believe De’Andre, at 27-years-old, aligns with our long-term vision of sustainable success and ultimately competing for Championships.”

Over his six-year NBA career, Hunter has appeared in 300 regular season games (241 starts) with Atlanta, holding averages of 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds in 30.5 minutes. He is also shooting .449 from the field, .368 from the three-point line and .819 from the foul line. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft has also appeared in 16 career postseason games with the Hawks, averaging 16.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 34.3 minutes while also shooting 32-80 (.400) from the three-point line in his playoff career. Hunter played three seasons at University of Virginia, helping the Cavaliers win the national championship in 2019 alongside current Cleveland guard Ty Jerome.

“We want to thank both Caris and Georges for their contributions to our organization,” added Altman. “Their professionalism and dedication both on and off the court have been instrumental in our historic start this season. Caris’ adaptability along with Georges’ leadership and experience have been invaluable, and their time in Cleveland has left a profound and lasting impression. We wish them nothing but the best for the remainder of their NBA careers.”

LeVert (6-6, 205) appeared in 199 games (53 starts) for the Cavaliers over parts of four different seasons (2022-2025) in Cleveland, averaging 12.5 points, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 0.98 steals in 28.5 minutes. He shot .431 from the field, .363 from the three-point line and .738 from the free throw line. LeVert also appeared in 16 postseason games with the Cavaliers over the last two seasons. Over nine NBA seasons, LeVert has played in 498 career regular season games (223 starts) for Brooklyn, Indiana and Cleveland, holding career averages of 13.8 points, 4.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.05 steals in 27.8 minutes.

Niang (6-7. 235) played in 133 games (11 starts) during his two seasons in Cleveland (2023-2025), averaging 9.1 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting .459 from the field, .385 from the three-point line and .831 from the free throw line in 21.7 minutes. He also appeared in 10 playoff games for Cleveland last season. Niang has appeared in 516 regular season games (30 starts) in his career with Indiana, Utah, Philadelphia and Cleveland, holding career averages of 7.2 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting .445 from the field, .398 from the three-point line and .858 from the free throw line in 17.2 minutes. He has also appeared in 56 career postseason games.

Hunter will wear jersey #12 for the Cavaliers and the Cavs roster now sits at 16 players.

Hawks trade Cody Zeller to Rockets

The Houston Rockets yesterday acquired center Cody Zeller and a 2028 second round pick, which originally belonged to them, in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks for the draft rights to Alpha Kaba.

Zeller (6-11, 247) was the fourth overall pick by Charlotte in the 2013 NBA Draft. The 11-year veteran has appeared in 552 games with 275 starts while averaging 7.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 22.7 minutes per game.

In a related move, the Rockets have waived guard Jaden Springer.