The San Antonio Spurs have waived guard Cameron Payne.
Payne was acquired on July 17, along with a 2025 second round pick (via New Orleans) and cash considerations, from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for a protected second round pick in 2024.
Team USA finishes 4th in 2023 FIBA World Cup
The United States conceded an overtime thriller to Canada, falling 127-118 in the third-place game at the FIBA Men’s World Cup in Manila, Philippines. The U.S. finished the tournament in fourth-place.
Starting Out: The United States used its third starting lineup of the tournament: Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and Walker Kessler. Paolo Banchero, Brandon Ingram and Jaren Jackson Jr. did not play due to illness.
Worth Noting: With today’s 127-118 overtime loss, the falls to 7-1 all-time vs. Canada in the FIBA Men’s World Cup. The U.S. is now 3-1 in third-place games at this event. A total of 245 points were scored tonight, making it the second-highest scoring game ever in the FIBA World Cup (251 points, Brazil and China, 1978).
100+ Club: With tonight’s 118 points scored, the U.S. averaged 104.5 points per game during the FIBA Men’s World Cup. Only twice before a team ended a World Cup tournament with 100+ points per game in the 21st century – the USA in 2006 (103.6 ppg) and also in 2014 (104.6 ppg).
Leading the Way: With his 24 points today, Edwards led the U.S. in scoring for the fifth time this tournament and ninth time this summer. He ends the tournament as the team’s leading scoring, averaging 18.9 points per game. He joins Kevin Durant (2010, five games) and Paul Pierce (2022, four games) as USA players to have scored more than 20 points in 4+ games at the World Cup.
Double-Digit Scorers: The U.S. had six double-digit scorers on Sunday afternoon, marking the sixth time this tournament that the U.S. had at least four double-digit scorers. In addition to Edwards, Austin Reaves (23), Bridges (19), Bobby Portis Jr. (14), Brunson (13) and Josh Hart (10) scored in double figures on Sunday afternoon.
With the Assist: Tyrese Haliburton led the U.S. with seven assists on Sunday afternoon to total 45 assists in the World Cup, the most for a USA player in a single tournament over the last 30 years (Chris Paul, 44, 2006).
Bridges Ends Strong: Bridges notched 19 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer with less than a second left. Bridges averaged over 18 points in the USA’s final four games of the World Cup after averaging 8.9 points per game in the first four games. Bridges also led the U.S. in rebounds on Sunday afternoon with nine—one board shy of a double-double.
Reaves Shines: Reaves scored a total of 110 points off the bench, the most of any substitute player in the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup.
Lakers sign Scotty Pippen Jr., Vincent Valerio-Bodon, Damion Baugh and Bryce Hamilton
The Los Angeles Lakers signed forward Vincent Valerio-Bodon and guards Damion Baugh, Bryce Hamilton and Scotty Pippen Jr., it was announced today.
The deals are likely non-guaranteed, and for training camp purposes.
Valerio-Bodon (6’9”, 200) most recently appeared in 30 games (all starts) for Sopron KC of the Hungarian NBIA during the 2022-23 season, averaging 8.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 25.7 minutes per game while shooting 50.3 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from 3-point range and 87.9 percent from the free-throw line. The 22-year-old previously played for DEAC of the Hungarian NBIA in 2021-22, appearing in 28 games (24 starts) and averaging of 5.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19.3 minutes per game. Valerio-Bodon saw action in one game for the Boston Celtics at 2023 NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas, recording 13 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3PT, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one block in 25 minutes.
Baugh (6’4”, 194) begins his professional career after spending the past four seasons at TCU (2021-23) and the University of Memphis (2019-21). Collegiately, the Tennessee native appeared in 117 career games (88 starts), registering averages of 7.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.8 minutes. In his final season as a Horned Frog, Baugh appeared in 29 games (all starts) and averaged 12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 35.0 minutes per game, earning him All-Big 12 Second Team honors. He concluded the season ranked third in the conference in total assists (169) and 13th in the NCAA in assists per game (5.8).
Hamilton (6’4”, 205) appeared in 29 regular season games (27 starts) as a rookie last season for the South Bay Lakers, averaging 14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 28.2 minutes per game. The Pasadena, Calif., native played four collegiate seasons at UNLV (2018-22), appearing in 119 games (69 starts) and averaging 14.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.0 minutes per contest. His career-high 21.8 points per game average as a senior led all conference players. Hamilton earned a spot on three consecutive All-Mountain West conference teams, including two first team selections in 2019-20 and 2021-22.
As a rookie in 2022-23, Pippen Jr. (6’1”, 185) suited up in 19 NBA G League regular season games (four starts) for South Bay, posting averages of 21.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 27.9 minutes per game. The 22-year-old was selected to participate in the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend and was named NBA G League Player of the Week on Dec. 19. Additionally, he appeared in six games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, averaging 2.3 points in 5.3 minutes. In three collegiate seasons (2019-22) at Vanderbilt University, he appeared in 90 games (89 starts) and averaged 17.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 31.6 minutes. Pippen Jr. earned All-SEC First Team honors following his sophomore and junior campaigns.
Lakers sign Christian Wood
The Los Angeles Lakers signed forward/center Christian Wood, it was announced today by Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka.
Wood (6’10”, 223) most recently appeared in 67 games (17 starts) with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2022-23 season, averaging 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 blocks in 25.9 minutes per game, while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from 3-point range. Last season, the California native notched 12 double-doubles and scored in double figures in 54 games, including 25 contests scoring 20 or more points. Wood blocked at least one shot in 42 games last season, including 17 games with multiple rejections and two games in which he swatted a season-best five shots.
Per the LA Times, it’s “a two-year deal with a player option for the second year. Wood will make the veteran’s minimum, which for him is $2.7 million this season. In terms of talent versus cost, it’s an absolute bargain. The 6-foot-10, soon-to-be 28-year-old Wood is one of only a handful of players in the NBA with his size and skills. Last season, only six players 6-10 or taller made at least 37% of their three-points shots while taking more than 250 attempts. Wood was one of them — along with Lauri Markkanen, Brook Lopez, Kristaps Porzingis, Bobby Portis and Michael Porter Jr.”
Across seven NBA seasons with Dallas, Houston (2020-22), Detroit (2019-20), New Orleans (2018-19), Milwaukee (2018-19), Charlotte (2016-17) and Philadelphia (2015-16), the 27-year-old has appeared in 289 career games (139 starts), posting averages of 14.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.2 minutes per contest, while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Wood played two collegiate seasons (2013-15) at UNLV, appearing in 63 total games (34 starts) and averaging 10.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game.
Nets sign Harry Giles III
The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent forward/center Harry Giles III.
Giles III (6’10”, 229) has logged 142 career games (17 starts) over three NBA seasons with the Sacramento Kings (2018-20) and Portland Trail Blazers (2020-21). He holds career averages of 5.9 points on 51.1 percent shooting from the floor, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 12.9 minutes per contest. He also made his lone career playoff appearance in 2021 with Portland during a first round series against Denver. The 25-year-old most recently played in three NBA G League Showcase Cup games in 2021 for the Ontario Clippers, averaging 11.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks in 19.4 minutes per game. Giles III was originally selected by the Trail Blazers with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft before being traded to the Kings on draft night. The Winston-Salem, N.C., native played in 26 games (six starts) during one season (2016-17) at Duke University, where he averaged 3.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per contest and helped lead the Blue Devils to an ACC Tournament Championship.
On Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma and the Wizards offense
Per NBC Sports Washington:
One aspect of the Wizards that could add intrigue and potentially make for a fun 2023-24 season is the unknown element of what they will be. The team was significantly reshaped this summer, namely with the trades sending Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis elsewhere.
What is arguably fairly clear, however, is that Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma are set up to be focal points in the Wizards’ offense. They both averaged 20-plus points per game last season and they also happen to be the highest-paid players on the team. The odds appear good; those two will be the Wizards’ top scorers this season…
Get ready to see a lot of threes from Poole and Kuzma, as both of them were top-20 last season among qualified players in 3-point attempts per game. They combined to take over 15 threes per game with Poole at 7.8 attempts per contest and Kuzma at 7.5. The Wizards as a team averaged 31.7 3-point shots last season and Poole and Kuzma could account for about half that number all by themselves. Only once in Wizards franchise history have they featured two players who averaged at least 7.0 threes attempted per game (2019-20: Beal, Davis Bertans).
Sixers announce coaching staff for 2023-24 NBA season
The Philadelphia 76ers today announced the team’s coaching staff under Head Coach Nick Nurse. Bryan Gates, Bobby Jackson, Rico Hines, Matt Brase, Coby Karl, Mike Longabardi and Doug West will serve as assistant coaches.
John Corbacio (Assistant Coach/Head Video Coordinator), Fabulous Flournoy (Assistant Coach/Player Development) and Jason Love (Assistant Coach/Player Development) also join Nurse’s staff, while TJ DiLeo, Terrel Harris, Toure’ Murry and Reggie Redding will serve as player development associate coaches. Kareem Thawer is the team’s assistant video coordinator.
In addition to his duties as a 76ers assistant coach, Mike Longabardi will serve as the head coach of Philadelphia’s NBA G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. Delaware captured the 2022-23 G League championship and 2021 G League Showcase Cup championship under Karl, who joins the 76ers’ bench this season.
“Assembling a great staff with a rich collection of experience was paramount on my to-do list this summer,” Nurse said. “I’m proud to have built many relationships in our league that have led me to feel as confident as I am in every member of this group. I can’t wait to get to work as we embark on our journey toward an NBA title.”
Grizzlies sign Shaquille Harrison
The Memphis Grizzlies have signed guard Shaquille Harrison.
Harrison (6-4, 195), who signed a 10-day contract with the Grizzlies during the 2021-22 season, has competed in 180 regular season games (23 starts) over six NBA seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets and Portland Trail Blazers and has averaged 5.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 15.4 minutes. Last season, he averaged 8.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 24.0 minutes in five regular season games for the Trail Blazers before appearing in eight playoff games for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 29-year-old Kansas City, Mo., native also started all 50 of his NBA G League appearances with the South Bay Lakers during the 2022-23 regular season and G League Showcase and averaged 12.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 33.1 minutes. He was named the 2021-22 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year as a member of the Delaware Blue Coats.
Harrison went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft following a four-year collegiate career at the University of Tulsa.
Grizzlies sign GG Jackson II to Two-Way contract
The Memphis Grizzlies have signed forward GG Jackson II to a Two-Way contract.
Jackson II (6-9, 215), the No. 45 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, was named to the 2023 SEC All-Freshman Team after appearing in 32 games (29 starts) and averaging 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in 31.9 minutes for the University of South Carolina.
The 18-year-old South Carolina native averaged 10.6 points, including 1.9 3-pointers made per game and 4.8 rebounds in 20.9 minutes in eight games (two starts) during the 2023 Salt Lake City Summer League and NBA2K24 Summer League 2023 in Las Vegas.
Celtics sign Svi Mykhailiuk
The Boston Celtics have signed forward Svi Mykhailiuk.
Mykhailiuk, 6-7/205, split time between the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks last season where he appeared in 32 games (eight starts) and averaged 6.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 14.6 minutes per game while shooting a career-high 42.4 percent from three.
The Cherkasy, Ukraine native has played in 252 career games (54 starts) and has also suited up for the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Toronto Raptors during his five-year career. He owns career averages of 6.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 40.3 percent from the field. Mykhailiuk was selected with the 47th overall pick by the Lakers in the 2018 NBA Draft.
The Kansas product appeared in 136 collegiate games (70 starts) in four seasons with the Jayhawks, averaging 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. Mykhailiuk set the KU single-season three-point field goals made record with 115 threes and earned All-Big 12 honors his senior year.