Timberwolves exercise contract options on Josh Okogie and Jarrett Culver

The Minnesota Timberwolves have exercised their fourth-year option on Josh Okogie and the third-year option on Jarrett Culver.

Okogie, 22, has averaged 8.1 points, on 40.6% shooting and 3.6 rebounds per contest in 139 games (83 starts) for the Timberwolves. He was named to Team World at the Rising Stars Game for the second-straight year as part of the 2020 All-Star Weekend in Chicago. Okogie was drafted by the Wolves in the first round (20th overall) of the 2018 NBA Draft.

Culver, 21, posted averages of 9.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per contest in 63 games (35 starts) last season, his first in the NBA. The Wolves originally acquired the draft rights to the 6-7 guard from the Phoenix Suns on July 6, 2019.

Wizards exercise contract options on Rui Hachimura and Troy Brown Jr.

The Washington Wizards have exercised their their third-year option on Rui Hachimura and their fourth-year contract option on Troy Brown Jr.

Hachimura is reportedly making around $4.69 million this season and due to earn around $4.9 million next season.

Brown Jr. is reportedly earning around $3.37 million this season and make around $5.17 million next season.

Brown Jr. has appeared in 124 career games (32 starts) and has compiled career averages of 7.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Last season, Brown Jr. averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in 69 games (22 starts). He was originally selected by the Wizards with the 15th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Hachimura was named to 2019-20 NBA All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 13.5 points and 6.1 rebounds on .466 shooting from the field. Hachimura led all rookies in rebounds per game and finished fifth in scoring among rookies on the season. He also led all rookies with 18 games of at least 10+ points and seven or more rebounds. Hachimura was selected ninth overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie suffers season-ending injury

Injury has struck the Brooklyn Nets, as guard Spencer Dinwiddie has been diagnosed with a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee.

The injury occurred during the third quarter of last night’s game in Charlotte.

Surgery is scheduled to take place next week.

Dinwiddie suffered major injury earlier in his career, yet was able to rise up, and last season became a big-time contributor to a Nets team that was playing without Kevin Durant and spent lots of time without Kyrie Irving as well.

This season, which just began last week, he’d been starting at shooting guard and was taking on an increased defensive role.

In three games this season, Dinwiddie has averaged 6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 21.4 minutes per game.

Through seven NBA seasons, Dinwiddie has registered averages of 12.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 25.7 minutes per contest.

Dinwiddie has a player option reportedly worth around $12.3 million for next season.

San Antonio Spurs will continue to play without fans at their home games

The San Antonio Spurs, who on Saturday beat the Raptors in their 2020-21 regular season home opener, will continue to play without fans at the AT&T Center.

“Welcoming fans back to the AT&T Center remains a major organizational priority for all of us,” said Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO RC Buford. “While we are confident in the plans and protocols we have in place, we are uncomfortable hosting fans at this moment as the COVID-19 numbers and data in our community continue to trend in the wrong direction.”

A team of SS&E officials remain in daily contact with a wide range of local, regional and national officials and public health experts to ensure a safe environment when fans return to the AT&T Center.

“It’s impossible to explain how much we miss seeing and hearing our fans,” said Buford. “We will continue to work tirelessly to do everything in our control to allow us to open our doors to our fans in a safe and timely manner.”

Hawks guard Kris Dunn to undergo arthroscopic surgery on ankle

Atlanta Hawks guard Kris Dunn underwent an MRI on Nov. 24th, which confirmed cartilage disruption in his right knee. He has been able to participate in modified individual workouts and modified team practice.

While showing steady improvement from the cartilage disruption in his right knee, Dunn began experiencing discomfort in his right ankle and low back as his on-court loads increased.

A recent MRI revealed loose cartilage inhibiting his range of motion in the ankle and creating compensations in his knees and low back. A tele-visit with Dr. Martin O’Malley of the Hospital of Special Surgery in New York on Dec. 23rd confirmed the diagnosis.

Dunn is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove the loose cartilage in his right ankle on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at the Hospital of Special Surgery.

Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns out with wrist injury

During the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against the Utah Jazz, Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns sustained an injury to his left wrist.

He was evaluated by a hand specialist today in Los Angeles, which revealed a left perilunate subluxation (dislocation).

Towns will be listed as out for tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers and will be further evaluated weekly as he undergoes treatment to return to play.

He will not require surgery.

In his first two games of the season, Towns is averaging 22.6 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per games.

Pistons sign guard Frank Jackson to two-way contract

The Detroit Pistons have signed guard Frank Jackson to a two-way contract.

Jackson, 6-3, 205, has appeared in 120 career NBA games (18 starts), with the New Orleans Pelicans and averaged 7.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 16.4 minutes per game. He’s appeared in four G League games with the Texas Legends and averaged 26.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

Jackson was drafted 31st overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets and his draft rights were traded to New Orleans. Collegiately, he played one season at Duke in 2016-17 and averaged 10.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.

Thunder exercise contract options on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Darius Bazley and Ty Jerome

The Oklahoma City Thunder have exercised their fourth-year contract option on guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and its third-year contract options on forward Darius Bazley and guard Ty Jerome.

Gilgeous-Alexander has appeared in 153 career NBA games (144 starts), averaging 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.14 steals in 30.3 minutes per game, shooting 47.2 percent from the floor, 35.1 percent from three-point range and 80.2 percent from the charity stripe. During the 2019-20 campaign, he appeared in 70 games (all starts) and averaged a team-leading 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.13 steals in 34.7 minutes, shooting 47.1 percent from the field. The Toronto native has represented his team during All-Star weekend in each of his two NBA seasons, playing for Team World in both the 2019 and 2020 Rising Stars Challenges.

Bazley appeared in 61 games (nine starts) as a rookie last season and averaged 5.6 points and 4.0 rebounds (11th among rookies) in 18.5 minutes per contest, shooting 39.4 percent from the floor and 34.8 percent from long range. During the 2020 playoffs, he averaged 6.6 points on 50.0 percent three-point shooting (11-22) to go along with 6.7 rebounds per game.

Jerome appeared in 31 games during the 2019-20 season with Phoenix, averaging 3.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 10.6 minutes per contest. The 2019 NCAA Champion was acquired by the Thunder on Nov. 16.

Kawhi Leonard receives stitches after catching elbow to mouth

The Clippers enjoyed a Christmas Day win over the Nuggets yesterday, but the victory wasn’t quite as fun for forward Kawhi Leonard. Via the Los Angeles Times:

Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard received eight stitches Friday after suffering a lacerated mouth while attempting to grab a rebound during the team’s 121-108 victory in Denver.

A timetable for his return is not yet known. The Clippers next play Sunday at Staples Center against Dallas, with games on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well.

Leonard fell to the court inside Denver’s Ball Arena after the left side of his face was hit by the right elbow of teammate Serge Ibaka halfway through the fourth quarter. Television replays showed blood coming from Leonard’s mouth as the Clippers’ medical staff huddled around him.

Leonard walked off the court under his own power with 6:07 remaining in the game and did not return.

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