Hawks reportedly signing Cole Aldrich

Here’s the latest on center Cole Aldrich, who must work hard to solidify his place in the league beyond the training camp signing reported below by the St Paul Pioneer Press:

Hawks reportedly signing Cole Aldridge

Cole Aldrich is signing a training camp deal with the Atlanta Hawks, he told the Pioneer Press on Thursday.

In a cost-cutting move, the Timberwolves waived the veteran center earlier this offseason after inking Aldrich to a three-year, $21 million deal in 2016. The Bloomington Jefferson standout ended up on the end of the bench last season, playing in just 21 games.

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WNBA: Storm take 1-0 Finals lead vs Mystics

The 2018 WNBA Finals have begun. Here’s NBC Sports Washington on the results of Game 1:

Game 1 of the biggest stage in women’s basketball took place Friday night in Seattle.

Using a healthy 48-32 halftime lead, the Storm cruised to take a 1-0 series hold in the 2018 WNBA Finals defeating the Washington Mystics, 89-76.

Breanna Stewart, Natasha Howard and Jewell Loyd combined to score 60 of the team’s 89 points. The team shot a sizzling 54 percent from the floor.

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And here’s ESPNW.com:

The rim seemed huge for guard Jewell Loyd, who struggled a bit during the semifinals, and center Natasha Howard. And they took advantage of that, going a combined 17 of 21 from the field. Loyd led Seattle in scoring with 23 points. As good as the Mystics’ defense can be — even though we didn’t see it Friday — it’s still a bit of a relief for Loyd that she’s not still facing a defender as pesky as Phoenix’s Briann January…

Howard had 19 points, and MVP Breanna Stewart had 22…

The Storm led by as much as 27 in the third quarter. If this wasn’t their best offensive game on display, it was — at the very least — indicative of how potent a team Seattle is when things are working. Which has been the case most of this season.

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Anthony Davis reportedly parts ways with agent

Anthony Davis is one of the league’s top stars, though his Pelicans squad needs more talent for their win totals to turn anyone’s heads. But on an individual level, Davis has decided to make a change. Here’s ESPN.com reporting:

New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis has parted ways with longtime agent Thad Foucher, sources told ESPN.

To officially change agents, players are required to file paperwork with the players’ union and then wait 15 days. Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, who represents LeBron James among others, is a leading contender to represent Davis, sources said.

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Celtics guard Jabari Bird arrested

Here’s Boston.com with an update on new Celtics backup guard Jabari Bird, who probably will receive very few minutes this coming season, but right now has something far bigger to worry about:

Celtics shooting guard Jabari Bird is under arrest and facing charges for an alleged domestic violence incident that took place Friday night in Brighton.

According to the Boston Police Department (BPD), Bird is “currently being guarded” at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. A BPD spokesman said in a statement Saturday morning that the victim involved in the incident was transported to a separate hospital for “treatment of injuries sustained.” Complaints will be sought against Bird for assault and battery 209A, strangulation, and kidnapping.

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Hawks sign R.J. Hunter

The Atlanta Hawks yesterday (Friday) signed guard R.J. Hunter.

Hunter has played in 44 career regular season games (one start) in three seasons with Boston, Chicago and Houston, averaging 2.6 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.4 minutes.

Last season, he appeared in five contests on a two-way contract for the Rockets, starting one, averaging 3.8 points and 1.0 rebounds in 9.0 minutes. In 45 games (28 starts) with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League, he put up 20.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 30.8 minutes (.443 FG%, .377 3FG%, .803 FT%).

Hunter was originally selected in the first round (28th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Celtics as an early-entry candidate. He was a two-time Sun Belt Player of the Year at Georgia State, where he played under his father, head coach Ron Hunter. He is the Panthers’ all-time scoring leader (1,819) in three seasons.

Hunter is a native of Indianapolis, IN (Pike High School).

Clippers match Pelicans offer sheet, retain Tyrone Wallace

The L.A. Clippers have exercised their right of first refusal and will retain guard Tyrone Wallace.

Per NBA rule, the Clippers had two days to match the offer sheet provided to Wallace by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Wallace spent training camp with Los Angeles before the club’s G League affiliate, the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario, acquired his returning player rights from the Salt Lake City Stars in October 2017. He spent the early part of the 2017-18 season with Agua Caliente, appearing in 26 games and averaged 22.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. On January 6, Wallace signed a two-way contract with the L.A. Clippers, appearing in 30 games for Los Angeles and averaged 9.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 28.4 minutes.

“We identified Tyrone as a versatile, competitive and tough-minded player who adds to the organizational culture,” said Frank. “Ty worked hard with our staff at Agua Caliente and Los Angeles, and his growth has been a reflection of his commitment to getting better. Together with our team’s player development program, Ty demonstrated impressive improvement and contributed meaningfully to our team last season. We are excited to welcome Ty back to the Clippers.”

A native of Bakersfield, CA, Wallace was selected 60th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2016 NBA Draft out of the University of California, Berkeley.

On Memphis Grizzlies training camp

The vast majority of NBA training camps have a similar structure. For a quick overview on Grizzlies camp, which like the rest of the league opens later this month, here’s the Memphis Commercial Appeal:

The Memphis Grizzlies will kick off training camp on Sept. 25 in Memphis.

Camp will be held inside FedExForum for the third straight year after being held away from Memphis from 2013-15.

The team’s annual media day is set for Sept. 24, and training camp will run until Sept. 28. On Sept. 29, the Grizzlies will hold an open practice and scrimmage at FedExForum, which will be free to the general public. Fans in attendance will receive vouchers for a Grizzlies preseason game and a Memphis Hustle regular-season game.

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Several Blazers to be busy with FIBA World Cup qualifiers

Here’s NBC Sports Northwest reporting on a pair of Trail Blazers players who will be busy with international competition as the NBA season approaches:

When the Portland Trail Blazers get together for pre-camp workouts soon, they are going to be without two players who were starters last season. And those two players could be missing right up to or past the start of training camp on Sept. 25.

Al-Farouq Aminu (Nigeria) and Jusuf Nurkic (Bosnia and Herzegovena) are scheduled to represent their countries in the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifying rounds. The format of the World Cup has been changed and teams now will be required to play qualifying rounds in 2018 to move into the 2019 Cup finals, scheduled to be played in China.

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Dewayne Dedmon suffers ankle injury

Dewayne Dedmon suffers ankle injury

Atlanta Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon sustained a left ankle injury during a workout around one week ago, on Monday, August 27.

An X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an avulsion fracture and he has been placed in a walking boot. He will be re-evaluated in one week, and his status will be updated as appropriate.

The Hawks are in rebuilding mode. Their core includes Jeremy Lin, Kent Bazemore, and a lot of youth. The team will probably give Dedmon decent minutes this season.

NBA news: Pacers sign coach Nate McMillan to contract extension

The Indiana Pacers have signed head coach Nate McMillan to a multi-year contract extension.

McMillan will enter his third season as Pacers’ coach after serving as the team’s Associate Head Coach for three seasons under Frank Vogel. In his first two seasons, the 54-year-old McMillan has a 90-74 record and helped guide the Pacers to two playoff appearances. Before the 2017-18 season, the Pacers were projected by many to be a lottery team, but ended up one of the biggest surprises in the NBA with a 48-34 record and a No. 5 seed in the East. The Pacers lost to Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, but extended the Cavaliers in a closely-contested seven-game series. McMillan finished sixth in Coach of the Year balloting.

“I’m really proud of what Nate and our coaching staff have done,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “Nate is very deserving of this extension. We have a wonderful culture and he has been a big part of implementing that culture. He’s dedicated leader, a very good coach and we’re lucky to have him here with the Pacers.”

“I’m very appreciative of Kevin and Mr. Simon (team owner, Herb Simon) for this show of faith in what we are doing,” said McMillan. “Going back two years ago when I was hired, the trust Larry (Bird) and Mr. Simon had in myself and my staff meant a lot. Now with this extension, it’s an affirmation of what we all – front office, coaches, players, staff – are trying to accomplish.”