Kings trade Jalen McDaniels to Spurs, and sign Doug McDermott

The Sacramento Kings recently traded Jalen McDaniels, a 2031 second-round pick and cash considerations to the San Antonio Spurs.

In addition, the Kings have signed forward Doug McDermott.

A 10-year veteran, McDermott holds career averages of 8.9 points and 2.2 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game over 655 career games (94 starts) with Chicago, Oklahoma City Dallas, Indiana, and San Antonio. McDermott has shot 47.1% from the field and 41.0% from 3-point range over his 10 seasons in the NBA, including 940 3-pointers made. He is one of five active players shooting 40.0% or better from behind the arc with 900+ 3-point field goals made.

Grizzlies sign Miles Norris, waive David Johnson

The Memphis Grizzlies recently signed forward Miles Norris.

In a related move, the Grizzlies waived guard David Johnson.

Norris (6-10, 220) appeared in 45 showcase and regular season games (43 starts) last season for the NBA G League’s College Park Skyhawks and averaged 11.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 29.2 minutes. Undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, the 24-year-old played his final three collegiate seasons at UC Santa Barbara, where he was selected to the 2022-23 All-Big West Second Team as a senior.

Johnson (6-4, 203), who signed with the Grizzlies earlier today, appeared in 24 showcase and regular season games (nine starts) last season for the Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, and averaged 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 26.6 minutes. The 23-year-old Louisville product also has competed for the Toronto Raptors and Raptors 905 since he was selected 47th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Magic sign Alex Morales, waive Robert Baker II

The Orlando Magic recently signed free agent guard Alex Morales, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced.

In addition, Orlando has waived center Robert Baker II.

Morales (6’6”, 195, 11/21/97) played in 34 games (nine starts) with Osceola of the NBA G League, averaging 9.7 ppg., 5.2 rpg., 3.8 apg. and 1.26 stlpg. in 24.9 minpg., while shooting .523 (134-256) from the floor.

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Morales has played in 64 career NBA G League games (15 starts) with Osceola (previously Lakeland) of the NBA G League, averaging 8.0 ppg., 5.2 rpg., 2.9 apg. and 1.22 stlpg. in 23.5 minpg., while shooting .509 (206-405) from the field.

Morales appeared in 74 career games (71 starts) during three seasons at Wagner College (2019-22), averaging 15.9 ppg., 6.9 rpg., 3.7 apg. and 1.51 stlpg. in 33.1 minpg. He was named the 2021-22 Northeast Conference (NEC) Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Morales was also the NEC Player of the Year in 2020-21. He also played one season (2018-19) at Prince George’s Community College in Maryland.

Morales will wear # 11 with the Orlando Magic.

Grizzlies sign David Johnson

The Memphis Grizzlies recently signed guard David Johnson.

Johnson (6-4, 203) appeared in 24 showcase and regular season games (nine starts) last season for the Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, and averaged 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 26.6 minutes.

The 23-year-old competed in two NBA regular season games for the Toronto Raptors during the 2021-22 season and has made 97 NBA G League appearances over three seasons with the Hustle and Raptors 905 since he was selected by Toronto 47th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Louisville.

Grizzlies sign Scotty Pippen Jr.

The Memphis Grizzlies recently signed guard Scotty Pippen Jr. to a multi-year contract.

Pippen Jr. (6-1 ½, 190) appeared in 21 games (16 starts) and averaged 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals in 25.1 minutes while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from 3-point range with the Grizzlies last season after he was signed to a two-way contract on January 16, 2024. He was named to the 2024 NBA2K All-Summer League First Team in July.

The 23-year-old, who made six appearances for the Los Angeles Lakers as a rookie during the 2022-23 season, competed in 24 regular season games (seven starts) over two seasons with the NBA G League’s South Bay Lakers and averaged 20.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.8 steals in 28.5 minutes. He was selected to participate in the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.

Unselected in the 2022 NBA Draft, Pippen Jr. played three years at Vanderbilt, where he was named All-SEC First Team following his sophomore and junior campaigns.

Trail Blazers sign James Bouknight

The Portland Trail Blazers recently signed guard James Bouknight to an Exhibit-10 contract.

In three seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, Bouknight accrued career averages of 4.8 points (33.5% 3-PT, 76.2% FT), 1.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 11.4 minutes per game in 79 career games for the Hornets. During the 2023-24 season, the former 11th overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft shot a career-high 43.3% from three.

Magic sign Wendell Carter Jr. to a contract extension

The Orlando Magic recently signed center Wendell Carter Jr. to a contract extension, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced.

Carter Jr. (6’10”, 262, 4/16/99) played in 55 games (48 starts) last season with Orlando, averaging 11.0 ppg., 6.9 rpg. and 1.7 apg. in 25.6 minpg., while shooting .525 (223-425) from the floor and .374 (64-171) from three-point range. He led (or tied) the team in scoring twice, in rebounding 26 times and in assists once. Carter Jr. scored in double figures 28 times and 20+ points three times, including a season-high 25 points on Jan. 19 vs. Philadelphia. He had 10+ rebounds 10 times and recorded nine double-doubles. Carter Jr. also played in seven playoff games (five starts), averaging 7.6 ppg., 6.3 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 26,4 minpg.

Originally selected in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft by Chicago, Carter Jr. has appeared in 315 career NBA regular season games (294 starts) with Chicago and Orlando, averaging 12.5 ppg., 8.5 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 27.6 minpg., while shooting .517 (1,497-2,893) from the floor. He was acquired by the Magic from Chicago, along with Otto Porter Jr. and two future first round draft picks, in exchange for Al-Farouq Aminu and Nikola Vučević on Mar. 25, 2021.