Mavericks trade Cason Wallace and Davis Bertans to Thunder for Dereck Lively II

The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired the draft rights to guard Cason Wallace (10th overall) and forward Dāvis Bertāns in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks for the draft rights to Dereck Lively II (12th overall), it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Wallace (6-4, 193) was named to the SEC All-Freshman team this past season after averaging 11.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 32 games at the University of Kentucky. His 63 steals this past season represent the third most by a freshman in Kentucky history.

Bertans (6-10, 225) has appeared in 432 NBA games (40 starts) and averaged 7.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 18.2 minutes per game with the San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards and Mavericks.

Lively (7-1, 234) was an early-entry candidate to this year’s draft after spending one season at Duke. In his lone season with the Blue Devils, he averaged 5.2 points (.658 FG%), 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game across 34 appearances. Lively was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team and the ACC All-Defensive Team.

“We really love Dereck’s combination of size, shot blocking ability and defensive versatility,” Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison said. “As one of the youngest players in the draft we are looking forward to Dereck growing with the team and fostering his development.”

In his lone year at Duke, Lively blocked 82 shots – only five shy of the NCAA lead. With a 7-4 wingspan, he led all Division I freshmen in blocks and ranked second in the ACC (eighth nationally).

The Philadelphia native was ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the ESPN 100 for the class of 2022 as a five-star center out of Westtown School in West Chester, PA. He was named the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022 after leading Westtown to a 31-7 record and the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association state championship in 2022.

Heat trade Victor Oladipo to Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired guard Victor Oladipo, a 2029 second-round draft pick and a 2030 second-round draft pick in a trade with the Miami Heat for cash considerations, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

In 504 career NBA games (397 starts), Oladipo has averaged 16.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists as a member of the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets and Heat. During the 2016-17 season with the Thunder, Oladipo appeared in 67 games (all starts) and averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

Raptors sign forward Jalen McDaniels

The Toronto Raptors have signed forward Jalen McDaniels to a multi-year contract.

McDaniels, 6-foot-9, 205 pounds, averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 23.9 minutes in 80 games (24 starts) with the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers last season. He shot .455 (281-617) from the field and .841 (116-138) from the free throw line. He scored 20+ points in six games, including a career-high 26 points Jan. 16 vs. Boston.

“Jalen is a hard-working, defensive-minded player who we believe has tremendous potential for growth,” Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri said. “He brings versatility to both ends of the floor, and we’re excited to see him develop as a member of the Raptors.”

In 56 games (21 starts) for the Hornets last year, McDaniels averaged 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 26.7 minutes. He recorded nine games with three-or-more steals and five games with two-or-more blocks. After being acquired by the 76ers at the trade deadline, he averaged 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 17.5 minutes in 24 games (three starts).

The four-year pro has played in 198 games (44 starts) with Charlotte and Philadelphia, sporting career averages of 7.7 points (.465 FG%, .345 3PT%, .784 FT%), 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 20.2 minutes. The Federal Way, Washington native was selected in the second round (52nd overall) by the Hornets in the 2019 NBA Draft. He played for two seasons at San Diego State, where he was named to the All-Mountain West Conference Tournament First Team and the All-MWC Second Team as a sophomore. His younger brother, Jaden McDaniels currently plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves while his cousin, Juwan Howard, is a former 19-year NBA veteran.

Raptors re-sign center Jakob Poeltl

The Toronto Raptors have re-signed center Jakob Poeltl to a multi-year contract.

Poeltl, 7-foot-1, 260 pounds, averaged 12.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 blocks and 26.5 minutes in 72 games (71 starts) with San Antonio and Toronto last season. He shot .629 (389-618) from the field – his highest field goal percentage since the 2018-19 season – which ranked ninth in the NBA.

“Jakob brought an immediate presence on the floor when he returned to us last season. He’s a smart, hard-nosed rim protector,” Raptors Vice-Chairman and President Masai Ujiri said. “We have been strong believers in Jakob as a player and as an individual since day one, and we are thrilled that he will be a Raptor for years to come.”

After being acquired on Feb. 9, he played 26 games (25 starts) for the Raptors, averaging 13.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 27.2 minutes. He tied Pascal Siakam (eight) for most double-doubles on the team since the trade deadline and also led the Raptors in total rebounds (237), blocks (34), and field goal percentage (.652) in that span. Poeltl recorded 21 points and a career-high 18 rebounds Feb. 23 vs. New Orleans becoming the sixth player in franchise history to record 20/18 in the regular season.

A native of Vienna, Austria, Poeltl owns career averages of 8.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 21.1 minutes in 488 games (235 starts) with San Antonio and Toronto. He was selected ninth overall by the Raptors in the 2016 becoming the first Austrian player in league history.

Prior to the NBA, Poeltl played two years (2014-16) at Utah and one season (2013-14) for the Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions in Austria. He was the 2016 Pac-12 Player of the Year, an AP second-team All-American and the recipient of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award for the nation’s top centre his sophomore year with the Utes.

Spurs sign guard Sir’Jabari Rice to two-way contract

The San Antonio Spurs have signed guard Sir’Jabari Rice to a two-way contract.

Rice, 6-5/170, transferred to the University of Texas in 2022-23 as a graduate student where he averaged 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists. As a Longhorn, Rice earned the honors of Big 12 Conference Sixth Man of the Year and was named to the All-Big 12 Third Team. Prior to Texas, Rice played four seasons at New Mexico State. In his career as an Aggie, Rice played in 111 games (74 starts) and averaged 10.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists. The Houston, Texas native was named to the 2022 WAC All-Tournament Team, 2021-22 All-WAC Second Team, 2020-21 All-WAC Second Team and 2019-20 All-WAC First Team.

Rice is currently on the Spurs Summer League roster and will wear No. 11.

Pistons sign rookie Marcus Sasser

The Detroit Pistons have signed rookie Marcus Sasser, who was selected 25th overall by the Pistons in the 2023 NBA Draft, to a contract.

Sasser, 6’2”, 195, averaged 16.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals in 30.8 minutes across 36 games in his senior season at Houston. After leading the Cougars to a 33-4 record and a No. 1 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, Sasser was a consensus 2022-23 All-American First Team selection. Sasser won the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year award in 2022-23. In addition, he was a Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year finalist and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist.

The Dallas, Texas, native was the first Houston consensus First-Team All-American since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984. Sasser finished 15th in Houston history with 1,458 career points and set the school record with 276 career 3-pointers.

Pelicans waive Garrett Temple

The New Orleans Pelicans have waived Garrett Temple.

Temple, 6-5, 195, appeared in 84 games (16 starts) over two seasons with New Orleans, averaging 4.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 15.0 minutes per contest.

Temple holds averages of 6.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 716 games over his 13-year NBA career with Houston, Sacramento, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Washington, Memphis, the LA Clippers, Brooklyn, Chicago, and New Orleans.

Orlando Magic promote Anthony Parker to general manager and Pete D’Alessandro to executive vice president

The Orlando Magic have restructured their basketball operations, promoting Anthony Parker to general manager and Pete D’Alessandro to executive vice president, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed.

In addition, John Hammond, who has served 32 seasons in the NBA, will transition to the role of senior advisor to the president of basketball operations.

“We are excited for John’s well-deserved next chapter,” said Weltman. “He has, and will continue to be, an invaluable resource. His experience has helped set the table for the Magic’s future and we look forward to continuing to lean on him in regard to everything from player evaluation to player development. He helped build a great team in Milwaukee and won a championship in Detroit. He has, and will continue to be, a great friend, mentor and confidant to the Magic family.

“We are equally excited for Anthony and Pete in their well-deserved promotions. Anthony brings a unique perspective to our group as a former player and it has been great to watch his progression from player to scout to G League GM to the Magic’s assistant general manager. Anthony is the ultimate team player and we look forward to his continued leadership, experience and energy.

“Pete has been instrumental in multiple areas, ranging from salary cap expertise to coordination with the league office. He is an outstanding leader and his creativity, experience and knowledge are instrumental to what we’re doing.”

Parker has spent the last two seasons (2021-23) as assistant general manager with the Magic. He rejoined Orlando after spending four seasons (2017-21) as general manager of the Lakeland Magic (now Osceola Magic) of the NBA G League. Under his leadership, Lakeland recorded 94 regular season victories since beginning play, tied for the most in the NBA G League during that span. They capped off the 2020-21 campaign by winning the NBA G League championship.

Prior to joining Lakeland, Parker spent five seasons (2012-17) as a scout with the Orlando Magic.

Originally selected in the first round (21st overall) of the 1997 NBA Draft by New Jersey, Parker played in 494 career NBA regular season games (423 starts) during nine seasons (1997-2000, 2006-12) with Philadelphia, Orlando, Toronto and Cleveland, averaging 9.1 ppg., 3.2 rpg. and 2.3 apg. in 27.8 minpg., while shooting .404 (596-1,474) from three-point range. He also appeared and started in 22 career NBA playoff contests, averaging 10.9 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 1.4 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 34.9 minpg., while shooting .407 (33-81) from three-point range.

Parker also spent six seasons (2000-06) playing professionally in Europe – five seasons in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv and one in Italy with Lottomatica Roma. While with Maccabi, he helped them capture five Israeli Super League national championships, five Israeli National Cups and three European titles (two EuroLeague championships and one FIBA SuproLeague championship). Parker was named EuroLeague MVP in both 2003-04 and 2004-05.

Parker played at Bradley University for four seasons from 1993-97. He completed his collegiate career as one of only two players in school history (joining Hersey Hawkins) to finish in the school’s top 10 all-time lists in scoring (1,683 points, eighth), assists (355, ninth), steals (159, seventh) and blocked shots (78, fifth). Parker was named Most Valuable Player of the Missouri Valley Conference following his junior season (1995-96) and was honored as one of 15 players named to Bradley’s All-Century basketball team in 2003.

Parker also excelled academically while at Bradley. As a chemistry major, Parker was a two-time recipient of the Major Robert H. Lawrence Jr. Scholarship, given annually to an African-American student who does outstanding work in the field of chemistry. He switched his major during his senior year to liberal arts and science.

Nets sign rookie Jalen Wilson to two-way contract

The Brooklyn Nets have signed forward Jalen Wilson, the 51st overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, to a two-way contract.

Wilson (6’8″, 225) spent four years (2019-23) at the University of Kansas, appearing in 104 total games (89 starts) and recording averages of 14.2 points on 43.4 percent shooting from the field, 31.6 percent shooting from 3-point range and 73.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 30.7 minutes per game. Wilson became just the 10th Jayhawk all-time to register at least 1,400 career points (1,475) and 800 career rebounds (802). The 22-year-old was named a consensus All-America First Team selection and earned Big 12 Player of the Year honors following a redshirt junior season in which he averaged 20.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 35.4 minutes per contest across 36 games (all starts). As a redshirt sophomore, the Denton, Texas, native helped lead the Jayhawks to a national championship while also securing All-Big 12 Third Team honors.

Grizzlies sign Derrick Rose

The Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, July 3 signed guard Derrick Rose.

A 14-year NBA veteran, Rose (6-3, 200) has appeared in 699 regular season games (511 starts) and has averaged 17.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 31.0 minutes for the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons. Last season, the 34-year-old recorded 5.6 points in 12.5 minutes over 27 games with the Knicks.

Rose also has competed in 52 playoff games (44 starts) over eight trips to the postseason and has averaged 21.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 37.7 minutes.

A native of Chicago, Rose was selected by the Bulls with the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft out of the University of Memphis. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2009 and the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2011. His other career highlights include a selection to the 2010-11 All-NBA First Team, three consecutive NBA All-Star appearances (2010, 2011, 2012) and 2008-09 All-Rookie First Team honors.