Pistons sign Javante McCoy

The Detroit Pistons have signed guard Javante McCoy to a contract.

McCoy, 6-5, 180, has appeared in 12 games this season for the Motor City Cruise, NBA G League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, averaging 14.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 26.1 minutes per game. McCoy is shooting 51.4% from 3-point range, which leads the Cruise and ranks seventh in the NBA G League (among qualified players). The Milwaukee native has appeared in 96 career NBA G League games for the South Bay Lakers, Austin Spurs and Motor City Cruise while averaging 11.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 22.8 minutes.

McCoy played collegiately at Boston University for five seasons (2017-22) holding career averages of 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists across 147 games (138 starts). He was named to the 2021-22 All-Patriot League First Team after leading the league in scoring with a career-high 17.4 points per game.

Nets trade Dennis Schroder to Warriors

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired guard De’Anthony Melton and two-way guard Reece Beekman along with three unprotected second round draft picks (2026 via Atlanta, 2028 via Atlanta and 2029 Golden State’s own) in a trade with the Golden State Warriors for guard Dennis Schröder and a 2025 second round draft pick (via Miami).

In a related transaction, the Nets have requested waivers on forward Cui Yongxi.

Melton (6’2″, 201) saw action in six games with Golden State this season after signing with the team as a free agent on July 8, registering averages of 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 20.2 minutes per game. He suffered a season-ending partially torn left ACL on November 12.

Beekman (6’1″, 198) signed a two-way contract with the Warriors on July 3 and appeared in two games with Golden State. He also played in nine Tip-Off Tournament games (seven starts) with Golden State’s NBA G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, recording averages of 18.7 points on 51.5 percent shooting from the field, 5.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists (ninth in the NBA G League) and 2.8 steals (third in the NBA G League) in 31.5 minutes per contest. Prior to beginning his professional career, the 23-year-old Milwaukee native spent four years (2020-24) at the University of Virginia, where he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior, becoming the third player to ever win the award in consecutive seasons. He finished his collegiate career as Virginia’s all-time leader in steals (228).

Schröder, who was originally acquired by Brooklyn on Feb. 8, 2024, in a trade with Toronto, played in a total of 52 games (48 starts) for the Nets across two seasons, posting averages of 16.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 32.7 minutes per game. Schröder has played in and started 23 games this season, registering averages of 18.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 33.6 minutes per game.

Cui signed a two-way contract with Brooklyn on Sept. 20, 2024. He appeared in five games for Brooklyn and five games for the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s NBA G League affiliate, this season.

Heat trade Thomas Bryant to Pacers

The Miami Heat this weekend traded center Thomas Bryant to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the right to swap second round picks in 2031. Miami will have the more favorable of the HEAT and Pacer second round picks in 2031.

Bryant appeared in 10 games with the HEAT this season and averaged 4.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 11.5 minutes.

Bryant will wear number 3 for the Pacers

Pistons waive Paul Reed

The Detroit Pistons recently waived forward/center Paul Reed.

Reed, claimed off waivers by the Pistons on July 9, 2024, is averaging 4.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in 12 games this season.

Per the Detroit Free Press, “the Pistons, after moving on from Reed’s $7.7 million in salary, have dropped below the NBA’s salary floor of $126.5 million by roughly $1.4 million, according to ESPN. The CBA dictates teams are required to reach the floor by the end of Sunday. Reed’s salary would’ve been guaranteed on Jan. 10.”

Sixers rookie Jared McCain out with major knee injury

Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain reported left knee soreness after a recent game against the Pacers.

An MRI today revealed a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee. The injury will require surgery and he is likely out for an extended period of time.

Per the Philadelphia Inquirer, “this news comes after McCain, the No. 16 pick in the first round of NBA draft from Duke, appeared to suffer a third-quarter head injury after falling to the court while being fouled. McCain bumped the back of his head on that play.”

Raptors sign AJ Lawson to two-way contract

The Toronto Raptors recently signed guard AJ Lawson to a two-way contract.

Lawson, 6-foot-6, 185 pounds, averaged 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 35.1 minutes in 11 games (all starts) this season with the Long Island Nets, the NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets. He shot .440 (85-193) from the field and .829 (34-41) from the free throw line. Lawson scored 20+ points eight times and 30+ points twice, including a career-high 37 points on Nov. 22 at Raptors 905.

A native of Toronto, Ontario, Lawson holds career averages of 3.4 points, 1.2 rebounds and 7.4 minutes in 57 career games with the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves over the last two seasons. During this span, he also averaged 21.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 34.1 minutes in seven games with the Texas Legends in the 2023-24 NBA G League season and 20.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 31.9 minutes in 22 games with the Legends, Iowa Wolves and the College Park Skyhawks in the 2022-23 campaign.

Prior to the NBA, Lawson played three collegiate seasons (2018-21) at South Carolina where he posted averages of 14.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 30.2 minutes in 81 career games. In 21 games as a junior, he averaged 16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 31.4 minutes and earned Second Team All-SEC honours.

Raptors waive DJ Carton

The Toronto Raptors last week waived guard DJ Carton.

Carton signed a two-way contract with the Raptors in March after originally signing a 10-day contract on Feb. 21. In eight games with Toronto, he averaged 1.8 points, 1.0 rebounds and 8.6 minutes.

Toronto’s roster now stands at 15 players, with two two-way players.

Rockets’ Ime Udoka, Tari Eason and Alperen Sengun fined by NBA

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, forward Tari Eason and center Alperen Sengun have been fined $50,000, $35,000 and $15,000, respectively, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

Udoka has been fined $50,000 for confronting and directing profane language toward a game official, failing to leave the court in a timely manner after being ejected, and public criticism of the officiating during his postgame press conference.

Eason has been fined $35,000 for throwing a towel and directing inappropriate language in the direction of a fan in the spectator stands after the game had concluded.

Sengun has been fined $15,000 for directing inappropriate language toward a game official.

The in-game incident, for which Udoka and Sengun were both assessed technical fouls and ejected, occurred with 1:52 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Rockets’ 120-111 loss to the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Jared McCain named East Rookie of Month for October and November 2024

The NBA announced that Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain has been named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in October and November.

McCain is the seventh 76er to capture Rookie of the Month honors, and the first since Ben Simmons in March 2018.

In 18 appearances across October and November, McCain’s 16.0 points per game average led all rookies. His eight games with at least three triples were the most among first-year players, while his 40 three-point field goals ranked second.

McCain also leads all rookies with seven games of at least 20 points and two games of 30-plus points, including a career-high 34 points against Cleveland on Nov. 13. He also added 10 assists that night, joining Hall of Famer Allen Iverson and Simmons as the only three 76er rookies to ever tally at least 30 points and 10 assists in a game.

McCain’s 38 three-pointers through his first 15 games were the most by a rookie in franchise history, surpassing Iverson’s record of 36 in 1996.

Jaylen Wells named West Rookie of Month for October and November 2024

The NBA announced that Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for games played during October and November.

Wells (6-6 ½, 206), selected with the 39th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, started 15 of his 20 appearances and averaged 12.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 25.3 minutes while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from 3-point range to help guide the Grizzlies to a 13-7 record (third in the West) through the end of November.

The 21-year-old led West rookies in both scoring average and starts and ranked second among all qualified rookies in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage. He placed fourth in minutes per game.

Wells scored in double figures 12 times, leading West rookies, and scored at least 20 points twice: 20 points in Memphis’ Nov. 6 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers; and a career-high 26 points in the Grizzlies’ Nov. 23 road victory over the Chicago Bulls, in which he became the first rookie in franchise history to record at least six 3-pointers and at least six assists in the same game.

The Sacramento native, who was named the California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year as a sophomore at Division II Sonoma State before playing his junior year at Washington State, is the first Grizzlies player to earn Rookie of the Month honors since Ja Morant during the 2019-20 season.

Jared McCain of the Philadelphia 76ers was the recipient of the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award.