Miami Heat sign rookie Pelle Larsson

The Miami Heat recently signed 2024 second round draft pick Pelle Larsson (44th overall), who they acquired in a draft night trade.

Larsson, who finished his collegiate career as the only player in the nation to record at least 1,200 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals while also shooting at least 49 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range over the last four seasons, started all 37 games as a senior with Arizona last season and averaged 12.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 30.2 minutes while shooting 52.6 percent from the field, 42.7 percent from three-point range and 75 percent from the foul line. He was named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team and earned Pac-12 Player of the Week honors once. He scored in double-figures 27 times, including four 20-point games. Larsson connected on multiple three-point field goals on 14 occasions and shot at least 50 percent from downtown 17 times, including five perfect games. Additionally, he posted career highs last season in scoring average, assists, steals, field goal percentage and three-point field goals made while also leading the team with a +412 plus/minus.

Miami Heat sign first round draft pick Kel’el Ware

The Miami Heat recently signed rookie Kel’el Ware.

The HEAT selected Ware in the first round (15th overall) in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Ware, who was selected to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team, started all 30 games for Indiana last season. He led the team in scoring average, rebounds per game, blocks per game, field goal percentage and double-doubles, averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.87 blocks, 1.5 assists and 32.1 minutes while shooting 58.6 percent from the field, 42.5 percent from three-point range and 63.4 percent from the foul line. He was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team by the media and to the All-Big Ten Third Team by the coaches. He was one of only three Indiana players over the last 25 years to average at least 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in a single season. He posted 15 double-doubles and grabbed at least 15 rebounds four times, including a season-high 17 at Rutgers on January 9. He recorded 10 20-point games, including a season-high 28 on two occasions. Ware shot perfect from three-point range seven times and recorded 19 multi-block games. Additionally, among conference leaders, he finished second in rebounds per game, double-doubles and field goal percentage, fifth in blocks per game and 12th in scoring average.

Miami Heat sign Keshad Johnson to two-way contract

The Miami Heat recently signed forward Keshad Johnson to a two-way contract.

Johnson, who was a Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honorable mention and a semifinalist for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award, started all 36 games for Arizona during his senior season and averaged 11.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.00 steals and 27.6 minutes while shooting 53 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from three-point range and 71 percent from the foul line. He set single season career highs in every major category and finished his collegiate career with a 119-30 (.799) record in games he played in. He scored in double-figures 24 times, including three 20-point performances. Johnson recorded 10 multi-steal games and registered multi-blocks on seven occasions. He finished second on the team in rebounds and blocks, third in minutes and fourth in points, steals, field goals made, three-point field goals made and free throws made.

Miami Heat sign Dru Smith to two-way contract

The Miami Heat recently signed guard Dru Smith to a two-way contract.

Smith, who was previously signed to a Two-Way Contract by the HEAT before being converted to a Standard Contract on October 21, appeared in nine games with the HEAT last season, averaging 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.00 steals and 14.5 minutes before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Smith split the prior season between the HEAT, the Brooklyn Nets and the G League in 2022-23. He appeared in 15 total games with the HEAT’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, and averaged 17.7 points, 5.9 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 2.07 steals while shooting 48.3 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three-point range and 74.3 percent from the foul line. He totaled a +76 plus/minus, recorded six 20-point games and posted three double-doubles, helping the Skyforce to a 10-5 record over that span. Smith also appeared in 14 G League games with the Long Island Nets and averaged 14.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.93 steals and 29.8 minutes while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 44.6 percent from three-point range. He appeared in two postseason games with Long Island and totaled 33 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, five blocks and four steals while shooting 56 percent from the field. Additionally, Smith appeared in 15 NBA games with the HEAT and Nets, averaging 2.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 10.5 minutes of action while shooting 40 percent from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from the foul line, scoring a season-high 17 points as a member of the Nets against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 9 while also recording five assists, three rebounds and a block.

Trail Blazers re-sign Justin Minaya to Two-Way contract

The Portland Trail Blazers recently re-signed forward Justin Minaya to a two-way contract, it was announced by General Manager Joe Cronin.

Minaya appeared in 34 games (one start) for the Trail Blazers last season. In 20 games (19 starts) with the Rip City Remix during the 2023-24 G League regular season and Showcase Cup, he recorded 13.7 points (43.8% FG, 33.6% 3-PT), 6.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in 32.0 minutes per game.

Miami Heat sign Zyon Pullin to Two-Way contract

The Miami Heat recently signed guard Zyon Pullin to a Two-Way contract.

Pullin, named to the All-SEC First Team, appeared in 33 games (27 starts) as a graduate transfer at Florida last season and averaged 15.5 points, 4.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 33.5 minutes while shooting 44.4 percent from the field, 44.9 percent from three-point range and 84.7 percent from the foul line. He set a single season school record 3.77 assist-to-turnover ratio and began the campaign scoring in double-figures in 23-straight games, the longest streak to begin a Gator career in school history. He finished the season with 512 points, becoming part of the first trio in Florida history to each score at least 500 points in a single season, joining teammates Walter Clayton Jr. and Tyrese Samuel. Pullin recorded at least 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in consecutive games on January 27th and 30th, becoming one of only two Gator players to accomplish the feat multiple times in the same season since 1996. Additionally, he led the team in assists and free throws made and finished second in points and minutes and third in field goals made and three-point field goals made.

Portland Trail Blazers exercise contract option on Dalano Banton

The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised the 2024-25 team option on the contract of guard Dalano Banton, General Manager Joe Cronin announced today.

Acquired by Portland on Feb. 8, 2024, Banton appeared in 30 games (8 starts) for the Trail Blazers during the 2023-24 season and averaged 16.7 points (40.8% FG, 31.1% 3-PT, 78.0% FT), 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 0.9 steals in 29.2 minutes per game. Banton scored in double figures in 27 of the 30 games for Portland including scoring 30 points or more twice and scored 20 points or more in nine games.

The Toronto, ON native posts career averages of 6.1 points (40.9% FG, 28.9% 3-PT, 72.9% FT), 2.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 13.6 minutes per game in 149 games (12 starts) for Portland, Boston (2023-24) and Toronto (2021-23).

Cleveland Cavaliers hire Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach

The Cleveland Cavaliers have hired Kenny Atkinson as Head Coach, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced yesterday from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Atkinson, 57, becomes the 24th head coach in Cavaliers team history after spending the last three seasons as assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, who most recently captured the 2021-22 NBA Championship. He will also serve as an assistant coach with the French National Team that will participate at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer.

“We conducted a thorough and extensive search in the selecting of the next head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and today, we are excited to welcome Kenny Atkinson to Northeast Ohio,” said Altman. “Kenny brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of player development, and a relentless work ethic that aligns with the vision we have for this franchise. His innovative approach will instill a style of play and brand of basketball that will give us a chance for sustainable success and ultimately compete for Championships. His familiarity coaching alongside some of the NBA’s best elevates this partnership and we are excited that Kenny will guide our team and help us achieve our goals both on and off the court.”

Prior to his stint with the Warriors, Atkinson was an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers (2021-22), and head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, spending parts of four seasons (2016-2020). He ranks third all-time in Nets franchise history for games coached (308) and fourth in wins (118). After Brooklyn posted a 20-62 record in his first season, Atkinson led the Nets to an eight-win improvement in his second season. In 2018-19, Atkinson guided Brooklyn to a 42-40 record and their first postseason berth since 2015. The 14-win improvement represented the third-biggest increase in wins among all NBA teams that season, and Brooklyn’s third straight season improving its win-loss record, marking the first time the Nets had done so in three or more consecutive seasons since 1990 to 1994.

His previous experience includes assistant coaching stops with Atlanta (2012-2016), New York (2008-2012), and one season as the director of player development in Houston (2007-08).

“I am thrilled and honored to be named head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers,” said Atkinson. “This is an incredible opportunity to lead an already talented young roster with an equally bright future. I’ve seen firsthand and had to prepare for this group as an opposing coach, and the task was not easy. I’m so excited to now be on this side of the ledger to help continue moving this team forward. I also want to thank Koby Altman and the front office for having the confidence in me and the shared vision we have for sustainable success in Cleveland.”

Raptors trade Jalen McDaniels to Kings

The Toronto Raptors have acquired guard Davion Mitchell, forward Sasha Vezenkov, the draft rights to Jamal Shead and a 2025 second round pick (via Portland) in a trade with the Sacramento Kings for forward Jalen McDaniels.

“This trade provides us with a mix of young and veteran players, as well as future flexibility and draft assets, as we continue our quest to win, and so we’re pleased to welcome Davion, Sasha and Jamal to the Raptors and to Toronto,” Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster said. “We thank Jalen for his contributions, and we wish him all the best in the future.”

Mitchell, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, averaged 5.3 points, 1.9 assists, 1.3 rebounds and 15.3 minutes in 72 games (four starts) with Sacramento last season. He shot .452 (146-323) from the field, including .361 (57-158) from three-point range, and scored in double figures 12 times. Mitchell holds career averages of 7.4 points, 2.8 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 20.4 minutes in 227 games (32 starts).

A native of Hinesville, Georgia, Mitchell was picked ninth overall by the Kings in the 2021 NBA Draft. Following one year at Auburn (2017-18), he played two seasons at Baylor (2019-21). As a junior, Mitchell helped the Bears capture the 2021 NCAA Championship and was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.

Vezenkov, 6-foot-9, 225 pounds, appeared in 42 contests with the Kings last season, posting averages of 5.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 12.2 minutes. He shot 44 per cent (84-191) from the floor, .375 (45-120) from beyond the arc, and scored in double digits in eight games.

Vezenkov was picked 57th overall by Brooklyn in the 2017 NBA Draft. Sacramento acquired his draft rights from Cleveland in June 2022. Prior to signing with the Kings last summer, Vezenkov played five seasons (2018-2023) with Olympiacos in Greece where he earned Euroleague MVP honours (2023-23). A native of Nicosia, Cyprus, he has also played professionally overseas with FC Barcelona (2015-18) in Spain and Aris Basketball Club (2011-15) in Greece.

Shead, 6-foot, 201 pounds, was picked 45th overall by Sacramento in the 2024 NBA Draft. He played four seasons at Houston (2020-24) where he averaged 9.7 points, 5.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 27.5 minutes in 138 career games (108 starts). Last season Shead was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and became the first player in Big 12 history to earn Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honours in same season. The Manor, Texas, native finished his career as the second-winningest player in Cougars history with 120-18 record.

McDaniels averaged 3.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 10.8 minutes in 50 games (one start) with the Raptors last season. He signed as a free agent in July 2023

Orlando Magic extend qualifying offer to Trevelin Queen

The Orlando Magic have extended a qualifying offer to guard Trevelin Queen.

By extending a qualifying offer to Queen prior to the June 30 deadline, Orlando owns the right to match any offer sheet he may sign with another team. Queen will become a restricted free agent on July 1.

Queen (6’6”, 190, 5/15/00) played in 14 games with Orlando last season, averaging 2.9 ppg., 1.4 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 11.8 minpg. He also played and started in 19 regular season games with Osceola of the NBA G League, averaging 22.3 ppg., 7.0 rpg., 5.2 apg. and 2.26 stlpg. in 33.8 minpg. Queen was named to the 2023-24 All-NBA G League Second Team and the 2023-24 NBA G League All-Showcase Team. He was also named MVP of the 2024 NBA G League Up Next Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.

Undrafted by an NBA franchise, Queen has played in 31 career NBA regular season games with Houston, Indiana and Orlando, averaging 3.4 ppg. and 1.7 rpg. in 10.0 minpg. He has also appeared in 77 career NBA G League regular season games (59 starts) with Rio Grande Valley, Fort Wayne and Osceola, averaging 20.7 ppg., 5.8 rpg., 4.1 apg. and 2.29 stlpg. in 31.6 minpg. Queen was the 2021-22 NBA G League Most Valuable Player and led Rio Grande Valley to the 2022 NBA G League championship, earning NBA G League Finals MVP honors.

Queen wears #12 with the Orlando Magic.