The Charlotte Hornets will have 2021 first-round pick Kai Jones away from the team indefinitely and there’s no timetable for his return, sources tell The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Jones will miss training camp due to personal reasons, and team remains in constant communication with him.
The Houston Rockets have signed forward Joshua Obiesie on an Exhibit 10 deal.
The 23-year-old German athlete spent the 2022/23 season with the Fraport Skyliners, producing averages of 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in the BBL.
Obiesie has already been released and will most likely start the season in G League with the Rockets’ affiliated team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
The Houston Rockets have signed wing Joshua Obiesie to a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 training camp contract, a league source tells @spotrac.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 1, 2023
September 29, 2023 – Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today the team has re-signed guard Théo Maledon to a two-way contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Maledon appeared in 44 games for the Hornets during the 2022-23 season and averaged 6.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and a career-high-tying 3.5 assists per game. He also set personal bests in field goal percentage (.402) and free-throw percentage (.851), and he dished a career-high 14 assists vs. Toronto (April 2).
Prior to the Hornets, Maledon played two seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder, accruing averages of 8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game across 116 contests (56 starts). He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (34th overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft following five professional seasons in France.
After signing Maledon, the Hornets roster stands at 19. Hive Society Memberships for the 2023-24 season are available now, with extremely limited availability in the lower level. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 704.HORNETS
OFFICIAL: We have re-signed guard Théo Maledon to a two-way contract.
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) September 29, 2023
The Los Angeles Clippers have announced the arrival of Joshua Primo on a two-way contract.
The 20-year-old guard will have to serve a four-game disqualification for the events of a year ago, which led to his break-up with the San Antonio Spurs.
Primo averaged 5.9 points and 1.8 assists in his 54 games with the Texan team that selected him at No. 12 in the 2021 NBA Draft.
https://twitter.com/ClippersPR/status/1707896943807189112
The Milwaukee Bucks did not approach Giannis Antetokounmpo before they moved forward with their trade of Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Bucks believe their trade for Lillard improves their title odds, while also increasing the likelihood Antetokounmpo chooses to eventually sign an extension.
The NBA is likely to award the 2025 All-Star Game to the Golden State Warriors, reports The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Warriors last hosted the All-Star Game in 2000 when they had recently renovated Oracle Arena, and would host the event in San Francisco’s Chase Center.
The day has finally come for the long-awaited trade of Dame Lillard, who moves to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The point guard was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team deal that also includes the Phoenix Suns.
The details of the deal, from Adrian Wojnarowski: Lillard to the Bucks, while Portland gets Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, an unprotected pick, and two swap rights from Milwaukee.
The Suns improve the supporting cast around 3 stars with the arrivals of Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson.
The Bucks send a loud and clear message to the rest of the league by forming the Lillard-Antetokounmpo super pair.
Lillard goes Milwaukee as part of a 3-team deal with Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 unprotected MIL 1st, and unprotected MIL swap rights in 2028 and 2030 to Blazers. Phoenix lands Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson. https://t.co/Ge0H91AiIA
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 27, 2023
Rudy Gay has reached an agreement with the Golden State Warriors on a one-year contract.
The veteran forward spent last year with the Utah Jazz (5.2 points, 2.9 rebounds per game), but during the offseason he was traded first to Atlanta and then to Oklahoma City, where he was released.
Gay will have the opportunity to earn a roster spot during training camp.
Free agent F Rudy Gay has agreed on a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors, Sam Permut of @RocNationSports tells ESPN. Gay will compete for team’s open roster spot in camp. This will be his 18th NBA season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 27, 2023
The New York Knicks promoted Gersson Rosas to Senior VP of Basketball Operations, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Rosas — who had been a team consultant for past year — will be among organization’s elder decision-makers now. He was previously Timberwolves’ president, Mavericks’ GM and a Rockets executive.
Free agent G/F Matt Ryan is signing a two-way NBA deal to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Ryan shot 38.1 percent from 3-point land across 34 games for the Lakers and T’Wolves last season.
The Golden State Warriors have announced the arrival of Usman Garuba on a Two-Way Contract.
The big man was without a team after being cut by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Garuba was the No.23 pick of the 2021 NBA Draft.
Born in Spain, now playing in The Bay.
The Warriors have signed Usman Garuba to a two-way contract 💪 pic.twitter.com/usIYlQVE2N
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) September 25, 2023
The Warriors have signed center Usman Garuba to a two-way contract: pic.twitter.com/QLhhDR2Djr
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) September 25, 2023
The Dallas Mavericks are among the teams interested in acquiring Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers, as reported by The Stein Line. However, there are some points to consider:
Firstly, despite the interest, there haven’t been significant developments in discussions between the Mavericks and the Pacers at this time. Indiana doesn’t appear willing to consider a trade that includes Tim Hardaway Jr. but would like a first-round pick as part of the exchange.
The Dallas Mavericks are among the teams interested in pursuing a Buddy Hield trade with the Indiana Pacers, per @TheSteinLine.
More notes:
1.) There is “no traction” in talks involving the Mavs.
2.) The Pacers are “not inclined” to make a trade involving Tim Hardaway Jr.…
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) September 23, 2023
Jordan Bell has agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Indiana Pacers, Michael Scotto reports.
The Oregon product will most likely play the season in the G League with the Mad Ants (Pacers’ affiliated team).
The No.28 pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, Bell spent last season in CBA with the Guangzhou Loong Lions (10.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2 SPG, 2 BPG).
Former NBA champion Jordan Bell is signing an Exhibit 10 deal with the Indiana Pacers, league sources told @hoopshype. Bell will be a veteran leader for Indiana’s G League affiliate, the Mad Ants.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 23, 2023
The Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors have emerged as teams who are believed to have engaged with the Portland Trail Blazers on trade talks for Damian Lillard, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. The Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz could participate in a multi-team scenario.
The Blazers have strongly considered acquiring Deandre Ayton as part of a multi-team trade for Lillard. The Blazers have registered interest in Ayton in the past with the current scenario involving Jusuf Nurkic going to the Suns.
Free agent G/F Lamar Stevens has agreed to a deal with the Boston Celtics, sources tell The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Stevens appeared in 62 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, averaging 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game. The Cavaliers traded Stevens to the San Antonio Spurs as part of the Max Strus sign-and-trade.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has reported that there could be some momentum on a Damian Lillard trade because the Portland Trail Blazers want to make a deal before the start of the training camp. Portland is scheduled to kick-off its season with the Media Day on October 2.
The New Orleans Pelicans are signing forward Kaiser Gates on a two-way NBA contract, sources tell The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Gates averaged 14 points on 55.4 percent 3-point shooting for G League Long Island last season.
Dinamo Sassari officially signs Alfonzo Mckinnie to a guaranteed contract until the end of the season.
After five seasons in the NBA, the athletic forward spent last year in G League with the Mexico City Capitanes, where he averaged 14.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1 steal per game.
Hapoel Alufa B.C. strengthens the roster on the perimeter with the arrival of Cassius Stanley.
The explosive former Duke guard arrives in Europe for the first time after three seasons spent between NBA and G League (15.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 2.4 APG last year with Rio Grande).
Stanley was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the No. 54 pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.
קסיוס סטנלי, בוגר אוניברסיטת דיוק ששיחק בעבר באינדיאנה ובדטרויט, משלים את הסגל של הפועל עפולה pic.twitter.com/r7cteEbxE8
— Winner League (@WinnerLeague) September 21, 2023
Teams have started making preparations for the potential that Giannis Antetokounmpo would become available through trade as he has publicly questioned his future with the Milwaukee Bucks. The futures of Luka Doncic with the Dallas Mavericks and Joel Embiid with the Philadelphia 76ers have made it possible for other MVP candidates to become available in trades during the course of the upcoming season.
This circumstance is one of the elements that has also decreased Damian Lillard’s trading market.
What the NBA portal and trade market will look like in the next summer, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. “Trades with significant talent may be possible for the next season. maybe at trade deadline. Possibly next year. First-team All-NBA caliber players who may be in that market are being considered by teams as they assess their options for trading for Damian Lillard against other players who might be available.
Ramona Shelburne of ESPN’s NBA Today stated that Malcolm Brogdon is reportedly dissatisfied with the Boston Celtics. Shelburne clarified that Brogdon’s annoyance was not related to the trade negotiations.
Shelburne remarked, “I don’t think the negative sentiments are gone involving him in any trade conversations. “I believe his elbow issue has a lot to do with this,” the author said.
Shelburne claimed that Brogdon is knowledgeable about the trading procedure and will manage it competently. Her belief is that the veteran guard is concerned about the condition of his elbow and how it has been treated since he was hurt during the playoffs the previous season.
Austin Rivers spoke with Bill Simmons in-depth about his career, the NBA, and basketball in general while he was a guest on The Bill Simmons Podcast. When the subject of his unsigned status came up, Rivers acknowledged his surprise but mentioned the two organizations he had his sights set on.
The seasoned guard expressed his desire to join the Miami Heat. Rivers said he is waiting and keeping an eye on the issue because if Miami trades for Damian Lillard, they would probably need to fill a number of roster positions.
Rivers added that the Boston Celtics are a team he’d like to play for. He mentioned that he got in touch with Brad Stevens, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, immediately.
After contract extension negotiations fell through, Buddy Hield and the Indiana Pacers have begun discussing a potential trade.
While there are no concrete trade talks with other teams at the moment, Hield is open to a move. The Pacers had offered the player a contract extension in recent weeks, but Hield reportedly didn’t feel valued enough.
Hield is in the final year of his contract with a salary of $19.2 million and will be one of the key free agents next summer. He has been the NBA’s leader in three-pointers made over the past five years.
The Houston Rockets re-signed Boban Marjanović to a partially guaranteed one-year, $2.89 million deal, league sources told Hoopshype. Serbian center got $1.3 million guaranteed on his deal.
Aleksej Pokusevski sustained a right ankle sprain during an offseason workout in Oklahoman City yesterday. He will be re-evaluated in approximately six weeks to determine his return to play.
Federico Casarin, president of Reyer Venezia, spoke about the case of Bruno Caboclo who has not yet appeared in Laguna to join the team.
These are the words of Casarin in Il Corriere del Veneto.
“We do not know if he really joined a team in Israel, there are also some voices that give it to the Partizan. However, we have sent through our lawyers an official communication to all basketball leagues to discourage any club from hiring him, since Caboclo is under contract with us” said Casarin.
There are rumors of Bruno Caboclo engaging with an Israeli company for a NBA tour.
Kelly Oubre Jr. and the Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to a one-year contract.
Oubre played with the Charlotte Hornets over the previous two seasons, averaging 20.3 points per game.
After losing Shake Milton, Jalen McDaniels, and Georges Niang, the Sixers now have depth on the wings in Oubre.
The San Antonio Spurs have agreed to a two-way contract with forward Seth Millner, reports Michael Scotto.
The rookie closed his last season at Toledo with 16.1 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Millner played both the Sacramento and Las Vegas Summer League with the Spurs.
The San Antonio Spurs have agreed to a two-way deal with Seth Millner, league sources told @hoopshype. Millner played for San Antonio in Summer League and graduated from Toledo.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 18, 2023
Luka Dončić, the star of the Dallas Mavericks, is on the brink of becoming eligible for a Supermax contract, as reported by ESPN. Should the Slovenian player meet one of the necessary criteria, such as being selected to one of the All-NBA Teams for the third time or winning the regular-season MVP award, he could sign a contract extension worth up to $235 million.
Notably, Dončić could become the first player in NBA history to earn $70 million in a single season, thereby setting a historic record. This would not only represent a significant investment for the Mavericks but also a long-term commitment to one of the league’s brightest talents.
This potential Supermax contract raises questions about the Mavericks’ future. With such a large investment in a single player, will they have the financial resources needed to build a competitive team around him?
The signing of a Supermax contract by Dončić would be a historic moment for the Mavericks franchise and could have long-term implications for the entire NBA.
Daishen Nix signs a one-year deal with Minnesota Timberwolves.
Former Ignite guard averaged 4 points, 2.3 assists last season with Houston Rockets.
Guard Daishen Nix is signing a one-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. After his first two NBA seasons with Rockets, Nix will go to camp with Minnesota.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 17, 2023
