NBA rumors

Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas today announced the additions of Joseph Blair (Assistant Coach), Aaron Blackshear (Director of Analytics), Josh Gershon (College Scouting Coordinator), Javair Gillett (Vice President of Sports Science and Player Performance), Tru Pettigrew (Vice President of Player Programs/Diversity and Inclusion), Nick Reick (Video Associate), Pat Sullivan (Player Development/Defensive Associate) and Rudy Tomjanovich (Player Personnel Consultant). The promotion of Tony Adams to Director of Team Security was also announced.

“We are pleased to announce the additions of Joseph, Aaron, Josh, Javair, Tru, Nick, Pat and Rudy to the Timberwolves basketball operations staff,” said Rosas. “We continue our efforts to build a world class basketball organization and it is all about our people. These individuals are incredibly talented and possess skills and experience that will assist in building a sustainable winning program in Minnesota. In addition, Tony is a dedicated and loyal member of our family and his promotion is well deserved.”
Blair joins the Timberwolves coaching staff after spending the previous season as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to the 76ers, Blair spent four seasons with the Houston Rockets G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, one of which as head coach (2018-19). Blair led the team to the 2019 G League title over the Long Island Nets after amassing a 34-16 overall record. In 2015, he originally joined the Rockets organization as an assistant with Rio Grande Valley. He also spent two seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, the University of Arizona.

As Director of Analytics, Blackshear will oversee the analytics department while working with Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Sachin Gupta. Blackshear joins the Timberwolves after spending four seasons with the Detroit Pistons, including the 2019-20 season as the Director of Research and Analytics.

Gershon will act as the team’s College Scouting Coordinator, assisting in draft preparation and player personnel evaluations. He is a former national recruiting analyst for 247 Sports and held similar roles for Scout/FOX Sports.
Gillett joins the Timberwolves as the Vice President of Sports Science and Player Performance with more than 20 years of experience in the industry, most recently serving as the Director of Athletic Performance for the Houston Rockets (2014-2020). Gillett also spent 10 years with the Detroit Tigers as the club’s Head Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Pettigrew will oversee the Timberwolves player programs and diversity and inclusion efforts, as one of the country’s top Millennial Empowerment experts and cross-generational thought leaders. As the founder of Tru Access, Pettigrew serves as an inspiration and empowerment consultant to help individuals and organizations bridge gaps across areas that cause division, dysfunction and separation.
Reick joins the Timberwolves after spending three seasons with the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, as the Director of Basketball operations. Reick, a native of Germany, has served in a variety of roles with the German National Team, UCLA Women’s Basketball, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Westchester Knicks and Dallas Wings.

Sullivan comes to the Timberwolves after spending two seasons as an Assistant Coach with the New York Knicks. He has collected more than a decade of coaching experience in the League, with stints in Los Angeles with the Clippers, New Jersey Nets, Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards. As a college coach, Sullivan served as an assistant coach for three seasons at his alma mater, the University of North Carolina and for two seasons as assistant coach for the women’s team at NC-Wilmington.

Tomjanovich, a 2020 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, will provide perspective on draft, trade and free agency prospects and processes for the Timberwolves. He joins the staff after registering a 20+ year NBA coaching career, including Head Coach of the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers. Tomjanovich coached USA Basketball Men’s National Team to a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He was selected second-overall in the 1970 NBA Draft by the San Diego (Houston) Rockets, leading to an 11-year professional career with the club. Tomjanovich was selected as an NBA All-Star five times throughout his career, including four consecutive seasons (1974-1977).

Adams has served as a traveling member of Minnesota’s security team for two years. He has also been a member of the Minneapolis Police Department for more than 30 years, where he started assisting with security measures for all Timberwolves home games in 1996. While on the force, Officer Adams made it his own personal goal to take steps in bridging the gap between the community and the police department, helping organize a Police Activities League (PAL) — a program for third through 12th graders to encourage participation in sports.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have waived Melvin Frazier Jr., according to the NBA’s transactions log.

Frazier was signed on Dec. 3, most likely on a non-guaranteed deal to make him eligible to join the NBA G League’s OKC Blue as an affiliate player.

The New Orleans Pelicans announced they’ve signed free agent guard Rawle Alkins to a contract. According to ESPN’s Andrew Lopez, Alkins agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal.

Alkins most recently played for FC Porto in Portugal last season. He also appeared in 10 NBA games with the Chicago Bulls in 2018-19.

The Sacramento Kings have officially signed second-round pick Jahmi’us Ramsey.

The former Texas Tech guard signed a three-year deal with two years guaranteed, according to Jason Jones of The Athletic.

The Houston Rockets today announced they have acquired guard John Wall and a future first round pick from Washington in exchange for guard Russell Westbrook.

Wall (6-4, 210) was originally the first overall pick by Washington in the 2010 NBA Draft.  In 573 career games with 561 starts for the Wizards, he averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.70 steals.  Wall joins Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history with career averages of at least 19.0 ppg, 9.0 apg, and 4.0 rpg.

Over the past six seasons, Wall is the only player in the league to have averaged at least 20.0 ppg and 10.0 apg.  The five-time All-Star ranks sixth in NBA history in assists per game and is second to Chris Paul among active players.

Wall earned All-NBA Third Team honors in 2016-17 and was named All-Defensive Second Team in 2014-15.  He led the league in total steals (157) in 2016-17 and has ranked top-10 in that category four times.

During his lone season at Kentucky in 2009-10, Wall was teammates with recently signed Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins.  The Wildcats posted a 35-3 mark and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

Protection on the first-round pick that the Wizards traded to Houston in Russell Westbrook/John Wall trade: 2023, Lottery; 2024, Top 12; 2025, Top 10; 2026, Top 8; then becomes two second-rounders.