Wizards move Wes Unseld Jr. from head coach job to front office advisory position

Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger announced today that Wes Unseld Jr. will transition from his role as head coach of the Washington Wizards into a front office advisory position.

“After several thoughtful conversations with Wes, we determined together that a change was needed for the benefit of the team,” said Winger. “Wes embodies the characteristics we value in our organization, and his vast basketball experience will be an asset to the front office as we progress toward our long-term goals. We are thankful that he will continue his contributions to our organization and community.”

Unseld Jr. was named head coach of the Wizards on July 17, 2021. He compiled a record of 77-130 (.372) in his two-and-a-half seasons with the team.

“I am grateful to have served as head coach of the Washington Wizards,” said Unseld Jr. “I look forward to this new opportunity to work toward our organization’s continued progress.”

Per the Washington Post, “Unseld is under contract through the 2024-25 season, and his “advisory role” is nebulous for the time being, a way to keep him connected to the Wizards while providing the team a new on-court leader amid a season in which Washington has seen improvement on an individual level but has not been competitive as a team.”

Heat trade Kyle Lowry, draft pick to Hornets for Terry Rozier

The Miami Heat have acquired guard Terry Rozier in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Kyle Lowry and a protected 2027 first round pick.

Rozier has appeared in 30 games (all starts) with the Hornets this season averaging 23.2 points, 6.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.07 steals and 35.5 minutes while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 84.5 percent from the foul line. He is averaging career highs this season in scoring average, assists per game, field goal percentage, field goals made per game and free throws made per game. He has scored in double-figures in every game this season, except one, posting 29 double-digit scoring games, including 21 20-point games, six 30-point contests and one 40-point performance, recording a season-high 42 points and eight assists on December 29 at Phoenix, including eight three-point field goals in the game, becoming just the third player in NBA history to reach each of those minimums while not registering a single turnover. He recorded five 40-point games as a member of the Hornets, the fifth-most in team history and finished with 20 25-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist games, the fourth-most in team history. Rozier led the team in assists a team-high 20 times this season, in points a team-best 13 times, in steals seven times, blocks on four occasions and rebounds once. He has dished out a career-high 13 assists three separate times and currently ranks fifth in fourth quarter scoring average among all players this season.

On January 8 vs. Chicago, he posted 39 points and eight assists, connecting on seven three-point field goals and a career-high 12 free throws to become the first player in NBA history to reach each of those minimums without recording a single turnover. Earlier this season, he averaged 28.0 points and 10.6 assists while shooting 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the foul line during a five-game stretch from November 30 through December 11, becoming the first player with at least those averages over any five-game mark in franchise history. Rozier started the season scoring at least 20 points in six-straight games, his longest such streak to begin a season in his career and the second-longest 20-point streak to start a season in Hornets history. Additionally, prior to joining the Hornets, Rozier played four years in Boston, making the postseason each season, including two trips to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Lowry played two and a half seasons in Miami, helping the HEAT to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022 and the NBA Finals in 2023, appearing in 155 regular season games (142 starts) averaging 11.4 points, 5.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.05 steals.

Raptors trade Pascal Siakam to Pacers

The Toronto Raptors have acquired guard-forward Bruce Brown, guard Kira Lewis Jr., forward Jordan Nwora and three first round draft picks in a trade with the Indiana Pacers for forward Pascal Siakam.

In a corresponding move, the Raptors have also waived centre Christian Koloko.

“Pascal is a champion, an integral part of winning teams and an example of what can be achieved with dedication, perseverance, hard work and tenacity. We’re lucky to have seen Pascal develop into the man and player that he is today – and we are grateful for everything he has done for our city and for our franchise. We wish him all good things,” Raptors Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri said. “This is a time of change for our team, and we welcome Bruce, Jordan and Kira to the Raptors and to Toronto. Bruce is a world champion, and we look forward to his two-way play and added toughness on the court. We continue the work of getting better every day, and continue moving forward in our quest to win here in Toronto.”

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Pascal to Indiana,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “As a two-time All-NBA selection and two-time NBA All Star, Pascal is a player that our organization has long admired and respected. We feel that his unique offensive skillset will complement our style of play, while his defensive versatility will be a valuable asset to our team.”

Siakam will wear number 43 for the Pacers.

Brown, 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, is averaging a career-high 12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 29.7 minutes in 33 games (all starts) this season. He is shooting .475 (149-314) from the field, .327 (33-101) from three-point range and .817 (67-82) at the free throw line. Brown has scored in double figures 22 times, including a season-best 30 points Dec. 2 at Miami. He recorded his lone double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds at Denver on Jan. 14.

Now in his sixth season, Brown is averaging 8.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 25.0 minutes in 382 career games (245 starts) with Detroit, Brooklyn, Denver and Indiana. The Boston native was picked in the second round (42nd overall) by the Pistons in the 2018 NBA Draft following two collegiate seasons at Miami.

Nwora, 6-foot-9, 220 pounds, is averaging 5.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 10.2 minutes in 18 contests this season. He is shooting .451 (37-82) from the floor and scored a season-high 19 points Nov. 19 against Orlando.

A native of Buffalo, New York, Nwora was picked in the second round (45th overall) by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2020 NBA Draft. He holds career averages of 7.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 16.5 minutes in 172 games (29 starts) with Milwaukee and Indiana. Prior to the NBA, Nwora played three seasons at Louisville (2017-20) where he was a First Team All-ACC selection as a junior.

Lewis, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, was acquired earlier Wednesday by the Pacers from the New Orleans Pelicans. He is averaging 2.9 points, 1.2 assists and 9.6 minutes in 15 games this season. Lewis owns career averages of 5.4 points, 1.8 assists and 13.8 minutes in 118 career appearances with the Pelicans. A native of Meridianville, Alabama, Lewis played two collegiate seasons at Alabama (2018-20) prior to being picked 13th overall by New Orleans in the 2020 NBA Draft. As a sophomore, he earned All-SEC First Team honours with the Crimson Tide.

Siakam was picked 27th overall by the Raptors in the 2016 NBA Draft. He averaged 17.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 31.0 minutes in 510 games (416 starts) in eight seasons with Toronto. Siakam was named to the All-NBA Team in 2019-20 (Second Team) and 2021-22 (Third Team), earned All-Star honours twice (2020, 2023), and became the first player in team history to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player (2018-19).

Siakam helped the Raptors capture their first NBA championship in 2019, and departs Toronto ranked third on the franchise’s all-time rebounds list (3,324), and fifth in scoring (8,875), assists (1846) and games played (510).

Koloko averaged 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 13.8 minutes in 58 games as a rookie with the Raptors last season after being picked 33rd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Pelicans trade Kira Lewis Jr. to the Pacers

The New Orleans Pelicans announced have traded Kira Lewis Jr. and a 2024 second round pick to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for cash considerations.

Lewis Jr., 6-2, 175, who was selected by New Orleans with the 13th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, appeared in 118 games across four seasons with the Pelicans and averaged 5.4 points, 1.8 assists and 1.3 rebounds per contest.

Pistons trade Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Livers to Wizards for Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala

The Washington Wizards yesterday acquired forward/center Marvin Bagley III and forward Isaiah Livers along with second round draft picks in 2025 and 2026 in a trade with the Detroit Pistons in exchange for forward Danilo Gallinari and forward/center Mike Muscala.

“Marvin and Isaiah are young players with positional size, high character and a competitive nature who will have the opportunity to further their development within our system and build on the positives we’ve seen from them,” said Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins. “We are excited to welcome them while also adding draft picks, allowing us to enhance our current roster and continue to position ourselves for the future.”

Bagley III (6-11, 235) holds career averages of 12.9 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting .512 from the floor in 234 games between Detroit and Sacramento. He has posted 10.2 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting .591 in 26 games (10 starts) with the Pistons this season. Bagley III was selected second overall by the Kings in the 2018 NBA Draft and went on to earn 2018-19 All-Rookie First Team honors after averaging 14.9 points and 7.6 rebounds in his first season. He was acquired by the Pistons via trade on Feb. 10, 2022.

Livers (6-7, 230) has compiled career averages of 6.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 94 games with the Pistons. He has averaged 5.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in 23 games (six starts) this season. Livers was selected 42nd overall by the Pistons in the 2021 NBA Draft.

“Danilo and Mike lived up to their well-established reputations as true professionals while providing meaningful contributions on the court during their time with us,” said Dawkins. “We’re appreciative that our young players were able to learn from them and we wish them the best moving forward.”

Gallinari, 6-10, 233, is in his 14th NBA season. In 754 career NBA games, he’s averaged 15.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists with New York, Denver, L.A. Clippers, Oklahoma City, Atlanta and Washington. He was drafted sixth overall in the 2008 NBA draft. He’s averaged 15-plus points in seven seasons including a career-high 19.8 points with the Clippers in 2018-19.

A native of Italy, Gallinari began his professional career in Italy and was named Euroleague’s Rising Star in 2007-08. As a member of the U-18 National Team, he helped to lead Italy to a bronze medal at the 2005 U-18 European Championships.

Muscala, 6-10, 240, is a 10-year NBA veteran. He was drafted 44th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks and traded to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a draft-night deal. In 519 career NBA games, he’s averaged 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds with Atlanta, Philadelphia, L.A. Lakers, Oklahoma City, Boston and Washington.

The St. Louis Park, Minn., native played four seasons collegiately at Bucknell University where he was named 2011 Patriot League Men’s Basketball Player of the Year following an NCAA tournament appearance. In addition, he was named First Team All-Patriot League and AP All-American Honorable Mention in 2010–2011.

Wizards sign Hamidou Diallo to 10-day contract

The Washington Wizards have signed guard Hamidou Diallo to a 10-day contract.

Diallo (6-5, 202) joins Washington after beginning the year with the Capital City Go-Go (the Wizards’ NBA G League affiliate), where he has averaged 18.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting .521 from the field in 20 total (showcase + regular season) games (16 starts). The Kentucky product has scored in double figures on 18 occasions for the Go-Go and totaled a season-high 30 points (12-17 FG) to go along with eight assists and six rebounds on Nov. 27 at Raptors 905.

The five-year pro has appeared in 263 career games (44 starts) for the Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder, holding averages of 8.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per game on .495 percent shooting from the field.

A native of Queens, New York, Diallo was selected by Brooklyn with the 45th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

Lakers sign Skylar Mays to two-way contract

The Los Angeles Lakers yesterday signed guard Skylar Mays to a two-way contract.

Mays (6’4”, 205) joins the Lakers from the Portland Trail Blazers, where he appeared in 21 games (five starts) this season, averaging 6.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 17.0 minutes. In three-plus campaigns with Portland (2022-24) and Atlanta (2020-22), the Louisiana native has played in 88 career NBA contests (16 starts) and averaged 4.9 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 11.8 minutes. Competing in the NBA G League with Mexico City (2022-23), Delaware (2022-23) and College Park (2021-22), Mays owns career averages of 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 27.8 minutes per game in 30 total contests (15 starts).

The 26-year-old was selected with the 50th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Hawks following four collegiate seasons (2016-20) at LSU. Mays was named First-Team All-SEC as a senior and Second-Team All-SEC as a junior with the Tigers.

Mays will wear jersey No. 4 for the purple and gold.

Grizzlies guard Ja Morant to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery

The Memphis Grizzlies yesterday announced the following medical update for guard Ja Morant:

At Saturday’s training session, Morant suffered a subluxation of his right shoulder. Following ongoing soreness and instability, Morant underwent an MRI that revealed an underlying labral tear.

Morant will undergo season-ending surgery and is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.