Magic sign head coach Jamahl Mosley to contract extension

The Orlando Magic have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with Head Coach Jamahl Mosley, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. The contract extension runs through the 2027-28 season.

“Jamahl (Mosley) and his staff have done a tremendous job not only this season, but since we hired him back in 2021,” said Weltman. “His preparation, work ethic, ability to connect with the players, and passion he brings to the job every day brings positive results, both on the court and off. We are very happy to have Jamahl lead the Magic for years to come.”

This season, Mosley has led Orlando to a 37-28 record (.569), good for fifth-best in the Eastern Conference and just one-half game out of fourth. The Magic won their 35th game on Mar. 3, surpassing last season’s win total with 21 games remaining. Mosley was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for October/November 2023, becoming the sixth coach in franchise history to be named NBA’s Coach of the Month and the first since March/April 2019.

Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin suffers season-ending shoulder injury

The Indiana Pacers announced Saturday that guard Bennedict Mathurin has been diagnosed with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, an injury which will require surgery. The procedure will be performed by renowned surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles next week.

Mathurin will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season and is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Jazz sign guard Taevion Kinsey to 10-day contract

The Utah Jazz have signed guard Taevion Kinsey to a 10-day contract.

Kinsey (6-5, 190, Marshall) has appeared in 25 games for the Salt Lake City Stars, the team’s G League affiliate, in 2023-24, owning averages of 10.2 points on 55.8 percent from the field and 46.8 percent from beyond the arc, along with 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 28.7 minutes per contest. He was selected to compete in the G League Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, where he earned second place.

The Columbus, Ohio, native played five seasons at Marshall (2018-23), appearing in 154 games (130 starts), owning averages of 17.1 points on 50.7 percent from the field, along with 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 34.1 minutes per contest and left the school as its all-time leading scorer with 2,641 points. He was named the 2022-23 Sun Belt Player of the Year following his final college season, with averages of 22.1 points, 5.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 32 games (all starts) and was also named to the 2022-23 All-Sun Belt First Team. He competed for the Utah entries at 2023 Salt Lake City Summer League and NBA 2K24 Summer League.

Karl-Anthony Towns injured, out at least four weeks

The Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday announced the following injury update on forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns.

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) taken yesterday on Towns revealed a Left Knee Lateral Meniscus Tear. Towns will undergo surgery early next week on the torn meniscus and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Further updates will be provided when available

Grizzlies sign Wenyen Gabriel to 10-day contract

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed forward Wenyen Gabriel to a 10-day contract as a Call-Up from the NBA G League’s Wisconsin Herd.

Gabriel (6-9, 205) has started all 40 of his NBA G League showcase and regular season appearances for the Herd this season and has averaged 14.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks in 31.3 minutes. The 26-year-old has averaged 16.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks in 33.3 minutes while shooting 52.7 percent from the field and 45.6 percent from 3-point range in 24 games during the regular season.

A native of South Sudan, Gabriel went unselected in the 2018 NBA Draft following his sophomore year at Kentucky. He holds NBA career averages of 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.8 minutes in 145 games (eight starts) over four seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets, LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. He has competed in 14 NBA playoff games (two starts) for the Trail Blazers and Lakers and has appeared in 110 NBA G League showcase and regular season games with the Herd and Stockton Kings.

Yet again, Nets guard Ben Simmons out for remainder of season

Brookly Nets guard Ben Simmons will remain out for the remainder of the season while he consults with specialists and explores treatment options for the nerve impingement in his lower back. Simmons, along with his representatives and Nets medical personnel, are currently in discussions with numerous experts to determine the course of action that will provide him with the best opportunity for long-term sustainable health.

Via the NY Post:

Simmons has missed 47 games this season and after he misses the next 20, he will have played in just an absurd 57 of 191 total games since the Nets acquired him at the 2022 trade deadline.

Over those three seasons, Simmons has made $103.3 million, meaning he has made an outrageous $1.82 million per game played.

With a $40 million expiring salary next season, the Nets could attempt to trade him this summer or possibly even buy him out.

Via NY Newsday:

It’s the third straight season in which Simmons’ availability and production has been extremely limited due to his back issues. It’s the second time this season he’s dealt with the injury.

Thunder bring back Mike Muscala

The Oklahoma City Thunder this past Saturday signed forward/center Mike Muscala.

Muscala returns to Oklahoma City after spending four seasons with the Thunder (2019-2023) where he appeared in 168 games (seven starts) and averaged 7.0 points on 39.2% 3-point shooting (248-632 3FGs) and 3.0 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game.

Currently in his 11th NBA season, the Bucknell product was originally drafted 44th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft and in 532 career games (45 starts), Muscala has averaged 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 15.3 minutes per game.

Nets sign Jacob Gilyard to two-way contract

The Brooklyn Nets this past Saturday signed guard Jacob Gilyard to a two-way contract.

Gilyard (5’9″, 160) has appeared in 37 games (14 starts) with Memphis this season, posting averages of 4.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 17.7 minutes per game. The 25-year-old Gilyard has also played in five games (all starts) for the Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League, recording averages of 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 34.1 minutes per contest. The second-year pro appeared in one game for the Grizzlies last season after signing a two-way contract with the team on April 8, 2023. He spent the majority of the 2022-23 season with the Hustle, appearing in 31 regular season games (25 starts) and averaging 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.9 steals in 30.4 minutes per game. The Kansas City, Mo., native went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft after a five-year collegiate career (2017-22) at the University of Richmond, where he became the NCAA’s all-time Division I steals leader with 466 career swipes. In 154 games (all starts) for the Spiders, Gilyard recorded averages of 13.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 3.0 steals in 37.3 minutes per contest.

Brooklyn’s roster stands at 18 players, including three two-way players.

Raptors sign DJ Carton to two-way contract

The Toronto Raptors this past Saturday signed guard DJ Carton to a two-way contract.

Carton, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, signed a 10-day contract with Toronto on Feb. 21 and appeared in two games. Prior to his time with Toronto, Carton averaged 18.6 points, 5.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 35.4 minutes in 29 Showcase Cup and regular season games (all starts) with Iowa in the NBA G League. He shot .527 (184-349) from the field, .395 (51-129) from three-point range and .796 (74-93) at the foul line.

A native of Bettendorf, Iowa, Carton has played three seasons in the G League with Iowa (2022-24) and Greensboro (2021-22), holding career averages of 15.3 points, 5.0 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 31.4 minutes in 61 regular season games (46 starts). Carton played collegiately at Ohio State (2019-20) before transferring to Marquette (2020-21).

76ers sign Jeff Dowtin Jr. to two-way contract

The Philadelphia 76ers this past Saturday signed Jeff Dowtin Jr. to a two-way contract.

In 16 G League games this season with the Delaware Blue Coats, the 76ers’ affiliate, he is averaging 18.1 points (38.4% 3FG), 3.1 rebounds, and a team-leading 5.9 assists per game. Dowtin Jr. is coming off a 25-point outing (9-17 FG, 4-8 3FG) against Greensboro on March 1, marking his fourth 20-point performance in his last five games.

A two-year pro, Dowtin Jr. holds averages of 2.4 points, 1.2 rebounds and, 1.2 assists in 10.8 minutes per game across 34 contests with Orlando, Milwaukee, Golden State, and Toronto. Dowtin Jr. originally signed with the G League’s Lakeland Magic following the 2020 NBA Draft, helping the team to the 2021 NBA G League title. He made his NBA debut the ensuing season with Golden State on Nov. 3, 2021.

A Washington D.C.-area native, Dowtin Jr. spent four seasons playing collegiately at Rhode Island. As a senior in 2019-20, he posted 13.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals in 35.6 minutes per game across 29 contests (all starts). The Rams appeared in two NCAA Tournaments during Dowtin Jr.’s tenure (2017 and 2018).

Dowtin Jr. will wear No. 11 with the 76ers.