HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets today announced they have signed guard Josh Christopher and forward/center Alperen Sengun.

Sengun (6-9, 235), was the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by Oklahoma City before his rights were acquired by Houston in exchange for two future first round picks owed to the Rockets via Detroit and Washington.  The native of Turkey recently turned 19 years old and was the Turkish Super League MVP this past season for his club, Besiktas.

In 34 league games, Sengun averaged 18.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals while shooting 62.6% from the floor and 81.2% from the foul line.  The 19-year-old also averaged 23.0 ppg on 71.0% shooting in three FIBA Europe Cup games and played for the Turkish national team during Olympic qualifying this summer.

Christopher (6-5, 215) was the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by Houston following his freshman season at Arizona State.  He appeared in 15 games for the Sun Devils, averaging 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.5 steals.

The 19-year-old scored 28 points in his second career game vs. Villanova and posted 22 points with 11 rebounds against UCLA, which went onto play in the Final Four.  A McDonald’s All-American, Christopher averaged 29.4 points and 11.2 rebounds as a senior at Mayfair High School in California.

The Sacramento Kings announced today that the team has acquired center-forward Tristan Thompson from the Boston Celtics as part of a three-team trade that will send guard Delon Wright to the Atlanta Hawks.

During the 2020-21 season, Thompson averaged 7.6 points (.518 FG%), 8.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 23.8 minutes per game in 54 games (43 starts). A 10-year NBA veteran, the Texas product has garnered career averages of 9.3 points (.518 FG%), 8.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 27.7 minutes per game in 673 games (472 starts) with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2011-12 – 2019-20) and Boston Celtics (2020-21).

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1424116907897147395

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has completed a three-team trade with the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets. The Pelicans have acquired center Jonas Valančiūnas and the draft rights to 2021 first round pick Trey Murphy III (17th overall) and 2021 second round pick Brandon Boston (51st overall) from the Grizzlies. In exchange, New Orleans has conveyed center Steven Adams, guard Eric Bledsoe, the draft rights to 2021 first round pick Ziaire Williams (10th overall) and 2021 second round pick Jared Butler (40th overall), and a protected 2022 first round pick to Memphis. Additionally, the Pelicans have acquired guard Devonte’ Graham from the Hornets in exchange for forward Wes Iwundu, a future protected first round draft pick and cash considerations. As part of the three-team deal, Memphis has traded the draft rights to Tyler Harvey, the 51st overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

“As we entered this offseason, we were intently focused upon improving our shooting, leadership and the overall fit of our roster,” said Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “The players that are joining us today speak directly to those areas of concern. More importantly, their strength of character as men, and teammates that are eager to be part of our larger Pelicans family will be critical as we continue building towards sustainable success.

Pelicans acquire Valančiūnas and Graham in a three-team trade with Grizzlies and Hornetshttps://t.co/1R9TLB7FfC

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) August 7, 2021

The Sacramento Kings have re-signed center Richaun Holmes to a contract, according to General Manager Monte McNair. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“This is a great day for Richaun and the entire Kings organization,” said McNair. “Richaun brings toughness, skill and versatility to the court. His energy is the perfect fit for our style of play and he represents the values of this organization. I’m excited to see what the future holds for him and this tremendously talented team we’re building.”

The 37th overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft achieved career-high averages of 14.2 points (.637 FG%, .794 FT%), 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 29.2 minutes per game through 61 games (all starts) during the 2020-21 season.

https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/1423720539487678466

Your Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed forward P.J. Tucker. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“P.J. Tucker is the perfect addition to this team,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He brings both shooting and most importantly, the ability to defend a lot of perimeter players. We love his versatility in order to put a defensive team on the court, where all five guys can defend, while also having enough shooting and scoring to win games.”

Tucker, who helped the Bucks to the 2021 NBA Championship, split last season between Houston and Milwaukee appearing in 52 games (33 starts) and averaged 3.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.17 steals and 26.1 minutes. In 23 postseason games (19 starts) while helping lead Milwaukee to their first NBA Championship in 50 years, he averaged 4.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 29.6 minutes. Tucker ranked among postseason hustle leaders in charges drawn (third), loose balls recovered (fourth), contested two-pointers (eighth), contested shots (ninth), box outs (tied-12th), contested three-pointers (15th) and deflections (tied-16th).

OFFICIAL: The Miami HEAT have signed forward P.J. Tucker – https://t.co/PS0u1PmkJT@MiamiHEAT // @ftx_us pic.twitter.com/fF4cNYSj6F

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 7, 2021

Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today that the team has signed free agent Kelly Oubre Jr. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

During the 2020-21 season, Oubre averaged 15.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per game in 55 games while shooting .439% from the field with the Golden State Warriors. Over his six seasons in the NBA, Oubre has appeared in 403 career games with Golden State, Phoenix and Washington, accruing averages of 11.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 25.0 minutes per game with a career field goal percentage of .433%.

Oubre has played in 18 career postseason games with the Wizards during the 2017 and 2018 playoffs. He holds career averages of 7.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game in the postseason.

A New Orleans native, Oubre was originally selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft out of Kansas.

WELCOME TO BUZZ CITY @KELLYOUBREJR!

🔗: https://t.co/X1P7DKGfNf#AllFly pic.twitter.com/u3Qf6SmxdW

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) August 7, 2021

Your Miami HEAT announced today that they have re-signed forward Jimmy Butler to a contract extension. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Jimmy is the anchor and face of our franchise along with Bam and Kyle,” said HEAT President Pat Riley.  “With Jimmy, we get an All-NBA player, an All-NBA Defensive player, tough as nails and a complete player across the board. He’s very deserving of this contract as he continually puts himself at the top of the league at his position. Having him in the HEAT organization has been a great, great coup for us.”

The All-NBA Third Team recipient started all 52 games in which he appeared last season and averaged a team-leading 21.5 points, a team-best 7.1 assists, 6.9 rebounds and an NBA-leading 2.08 steals in 33.6 minutes while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 86.3 percent from the foul line.

Many more Buckets (and $BFC) to come!

OFFICIAL: The Miami HEAT have re-signed forward Jimmy Butler to a contract extension – https://t.co/nZvSZGqHYX@MiamiHEAT // @ftx_us pic.twitter.com/QMtAt8Rve1

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 7, 2021

The Golden State Warriors have signed three-time NBA champion and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry to a contract extension, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Over 12 seasons with Golden State, Curry has helped orchestrate the most successful stretch in franchise history, leading the Warriors to three NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018), five consecutive NBA Finals appearances (2015-19) and seven consecutive postseason berths (2013-19) while garnering a pair of MVP awards, seven NBA All-Star selections and seven All-NBA selections (four First Team).

“We’re thrilled to have Stephen in the fold for the next five years, with the vision of him playing his entire career with our franchise,” said Warriors President of Basketball Operations / General Manager Bob Myers. “He epitomizes everything that you’d want in the leader of your basketball team with incredible character, humility, community-minded spirit and a team-oriented approach. On the court, he’s a generational player who has changed the game and won consistently at the highest level. We’re blessed and fortunate to have him on our team, and are thankful to be part of an organization, led by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, that is committed to winning.”

Over 12 seasons with the team, @StephenCurry30 has helped orchestrate the most successful stretch in franchise historyhttps://t.co/m8CpUAlCyu

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) August 6, 2021

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has re-signed guard Mike Conley. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

“We’re excited to be bringing Mike back to our team after his past two stellar seasons with us,” said Jazz General Manager Justin Zanik. “He has had a profound impact both on and off the court and has made our team more competitive and our community better.”

Mike is staying in the mountains 🗻🎤 pic.twitter.com/9SukAArFHd

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) August 6, 2021