Pelicans sign Daniel Theis

The New Orleans Pelicans recently signed free agent center Daniel Theis.

Theis, 6-8, 245, appeared in 60 games (three starts) with the Pacers and Clippers during the 2023-24 season, averaging 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game.

Over his seven-year NBA career, Theis has appeared in 373 games (151 starts) for Boston, Chicago, Houston, Indiana and the LA Clippers, averaging 7.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.9 blocks in 19.1 minutes per contest. The native of Salzgitter, Germany, holds career shooting averages of .541 from the field, .331 from deep and .718 from the free throw stripe.

Lakers sign rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James

The Los Angeles Lakers recently signed 2024 draft selections Dalton Knecht and Bronny James.

Selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Knecht (6’5”, 212) averaged 21.7 points (45.8 FG%, 39.7 3P%, 77.2 FT%), 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 36 games (all starts) last season at the University of Tennessee. The 2023-24 SEC Player of the Year earned First Team All-America honors and ranked third in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage last season. In 103 career Division I games (79 starts) across one campaign at Tennessee and two seasons at Northern Colorado (2021-23), the guard averaged 16.9 points (46.1 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 76.8 FT%), 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

James (6’2”, 210), drafted by the Lakers with the 55th overall pick, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games (six starts) in his lone season at the University of Southern California in 2023-24. Born in Akron, Ohio, the guard attended Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles where he was named a McDonald’s All-American following his senior season where he averaged 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals.

Knecht will wear jersey No. 4 for the Lakers, while James will wear No. 9. Both will be in action for the Purple and Gold’s summer league team later this month.

Kings sign Isaiah Crawford and Isaac Jones to two-way contracts

The Sacramento Kings recently signed Isaiah Crawford and Isaac Jones to two-way contracts.

Crawford, a 6-6, 220-pound forward, averaged 16.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game during the 2023-24 season for Louisiana Tech. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Crawford became the 18th player in program history to reach 1,500 career points and ranked second in Conference USA (CUSA) field goal percentage (48.5%), while also shooting a team-best 41.4 percent from three-point range. Crawford was named CUSA Player of the Year and CUSA Defensive Player of the Year for the 23-24 season.

Jones, a 6-9, 242-pound forward, averaged 15.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per game during the 2023-24 season for Washington State. Jones, a Spanaway, Washington native, earned All-Pac-12 Conference First Team honors and finished fourth in the Pac-12 Conference for total rebounds.

Cavaliers sign rookie Jaylon Tyson

The Cleveland Cavaliers recently signed their 2024 NBA Draft pick, guard Jaylon Tyson.

Tyson (6-6, 218), who was selected with the 20th overall pick in last week’s draft, appeared in 31 games (30 starts) as a junior at the University of California this past season, averaging 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 34.3 minutes. Among Pac-12 players this past season, Tyson ranked third in scoring, seventh in rebounding and eighth in assists, earning him a selection to the All-Pac-12 First Team. His 607 total points this past season were the most in a season at California since 2012-13. He was also a Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Top 10 Finalist for the 2023-24 season.

A native of Plano, Texas, Tyson played in a combined 70 games (61 starts) throughout his collegiate career at California (2023-24), Texas Tech (2022-23) and Texas (2021-22), averaging 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 28.8 minutes while shooting .372 from the three-point line.

Tyson became the second player out of University of California selected in the First Round of the NBA Draft in Cavaliers team history (Kevin Johnson, No. 7 pick in the 1987 NBA Draft).

Celtics re-sign Xavier Tillman

The Boston Celtics recently re-signed forward/center Xavier Tillman Sr.

“When we got Xavier at the trade deadline, he came with the reputation of a winner and great teammate,” said Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations. “Xavier is a hard-worker who brings grit, toughness, and a team-first mentality that we appreciate. We are excited that Xavier has chosen to come back to the Celtics.”

Tillman Sr. appeared in 20 games (two starts) for the Celtics during the 2023-24 season after being acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies on February 7. In 54 games this season, he averaged 5.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 18.0 minutes per game.

On January 12, Tillman Sr. scored a season-high 20 points on 8-of-10 made field goals and grabbed nine rebounds vs. the Clippers. He recorded 10 multi-steal games this season, including a career-best six steals on January 13 when he became one of seven NBA players to register at least 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, and six steals in a game this season.

The Grand Rapids, Michigan native was selected with 35th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft after playing three seasons at Michigan State. In three NBA seasons, Tillman Sr. owns career averages of 6.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 227 career games (58 starts).

Celtics re-sign Luke Kornet

The Boston Celtics recently re-signed center Luke Kornet.

“Luke has been an integral part of our team over the past few years,” said Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations. “He is the ultimate teammate and his attitude and spirit have a contagious effect on our team. On the court, Luke had his best season as a Celtic and played a big role in helping us win. We are excited about the impact he’ll have moving forward.”

Kornet appeared in 63 games for the Celtics during the 2023-24 season, averaging 5.3 points, a career-high 4.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 15.6 minutes per game. The seven-year veteran played in 13 playoff games during the Celtics’ 2024 NBA Championship run while averaging 3.0 points and 3.2 rebounds.

The Vanderbilt alumnus has appeared in 280 career NBA games (42 starts) and owns career averages of 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds. Kornet will suit up for his fourth season with the Celtics after he was originally acquired on March 26, 2021.

Spurs sign rookie Stephon Castle

The San Antonio Spurs recently signed rookie guard Stephon Castle.

Castle, 6-6/215, was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Prior to the NBA, he played one season at the University of Connecticut, averaging 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 47.2% from the field to help UCONN to a program record 37 wins, including the 2024 NCAA National Championship.

The former Husky earned unanimous BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, he’s an 11-time BIG EAST Freshman of the Week and joined the 2024 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament and NCAA East Region All-Regional Teams.

From Covington, Georgia, the 19-year-old won a gold medal as a member of Team USA at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship.

Castle will be part of the Spurs Summer League team, which will open Summer League play in Sacramento at the California Classic followed by an appearance in Las Vegas at the NBA 2K25 Summer League.

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.