Tag: NBA

Spurs acquire DeMarre Carroll in three-team deal

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The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have acquired forward DeMarre Carroll from the Brooklyn Nets. In the three-team deal, San Antonio sends forward Davis Bertans to Washington and the draft rights to Nemanja Dangubic to Brooklyn, while the Wizards send the draft rights to Aaron White to the Nets.

Carroll, 32, played in 67 games for the Nets last season, averaging 11.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 25.4 minutes. The Birmingham, Alabama native recorded 12.3 points and 5.9 boards in 140 appearances during his two-year stint in Brooklyn from 2017-19.

A 10-year veteran in the NBA, Carroll holds career averages of 9.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.2 minutes while shooting .430 from the field and .360 from beyond the arc in 554 games. His teams have reached the playoffs in five of the last six seasons, with Carroll logging 62 games of playoff experience. He has career averages of 9.1 points, 4.4 boards and 1.1 assists in 28.2 minutes in the postseason.

Prior to his time in Brooklyn, Carroll spent two years each with the Toronto Raptors (2015-17) and Atlanta Hawks (2013-15). The former Missouri Tiger also spent time with the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz after being drafted in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies (27th overall), where he spent parts of his first two seasons.

Bertans spent his first three seasons in San Antonio, averaging 6.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 16.0 minutes over 220 career games with the Silver and Black.

76ers’ Brand on Josh Richardson: He’s one of the best two-way players in NBA

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The Philadelphia 76ers have made it official today as the team has acquired Josh Richardson as part of a four-team trade involving Miami, Portland, and the L.A. Clippers.

As part of the deal, Miami acquired Jimmy Butler and Meyers Leonard, Portland received Hassan Whiteside, and the L.A. Clippers obtained Maurice Harkless, the draft rights to Mathias Lessort and a protected first-round pick from Miami.

“We are thrilled to welcome Josh to the 76ers family,” Brand said. “He has worked diligently and improved each season. As one of the NBA’s best young two-way talents, Josh’s ability to space the floor while also effectively guarding multiple positions at an elite level will bolster our lineup immediately. We look forward to seeing Josh’s continued development as we strive to win a championship for the city of Philadelphia.”

The 76ers are getting a very talented player in Richardson. He appeared in 73 games (all starts) for Miami last season, averaging career highs of 16.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 34.8 minutes per game. For the fourth straight year to begin his career, Richardson increased his scoring, rebounding and assist averages. A career .368 shooter from three-point range, Richardson has connected on 120-plus threes in each of the past two seasons, including a career-high 164 in 2018-19.

Obviously, the 25-year-old Richardson will not be the shooter that JJ Redick was for Philadelphia (signed with Pelicans), but he can shoot the three at a decent clip, and he is a much superior defender. He’s young and should only get better, which is good news for the 76ers.

Report: DeMarcus Cousins to the Lakers

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Free-agent C DeMarcus Cousins has signed with the Lakers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

It is a one-year deal, according to the report.

The 28-year-old Cousins spent last season with the Golden State Warriors. In 30 regular season games, he averaged 16.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, and 3.6 apg.  The four-time All-Star will be reunited with his former teammate in New Orleans, Anthony Davis.

If he can stay healthy, Cousins can help the Lakers. Also, it would put him in line to get a big raise the following season.

Report: Leonard, George to the Clippers

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The Los Angeles Clippers have just broken the internet. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clippers will sign free agent Kawhi Leonard, but it does not stop there. The Clippers have acquired OKC’s Paul George in exchange for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick, and two pick swaps, according to Wojnarowski.

This is a stunner. Many believed Leonard was going to sign with either the Lakers or Raptors, but in the end, the Clippers got it done.

There is going to be a lot of great basketball at Staples Center next season.

Cris Carter: Kawhi will not make decision today

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Six days into NBA free agency, and we still do not know where Kawhi Leonard will play next season, and according to NFL Hall of Famer and Leonard confidant, Cris Carter, we won’t find out today.

Here is what Carter tweeted out today:

Leonard can get the most money and years if he stays in Toronto. He can sign a five-year, $190 million deal with the Raptors. The 28-year-old NBA Finals MVP could also sign a two-year contract with Toronto, which would get Leonard to 10 years of service, and will allow him to sign for the highest max deal in 2021.

At this point, it seems it will come down to the Lakers and Raptors, but in reality, who knows. I guess we might have to wait until tomorrow.

Kenny Smith on Kawhi Leonard: ‘Without question, he’s gotta take his time’

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The first day of free agency in the NBA saw a lot of big names come off the board. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving went to Brooklyn, Jimmy Butler went to Miami, and Kemba Walker went to Boston, but there is still one big name out there, and that is NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, and according to reports, it seems it will come down to the Clippers, Lakers, and Raptors. Where will he go? Who knows, but according to TNT NBA analyst Kenny Smith, Leonard needs to take his time.

“I think he really has to take his time, honestly because he doesn’t have the opportunity to make this decision again,” Smith told TMZ Sports about Leonard. “This is the biggest decision for him at this stage of his life and his career that he can’t just make that decision that quickly. Kevin Durant and all those guys have had big contracts before. This is his first huge, mega contract, so, without question, he’s gotta take his time.”

Leonard is more than likely going to get a max contract wherever he goes, but he can get an extra year and more guaranteed money if he decides to stay in Toronto. Also, he will have a chance to help the Raptors defend their NBA title. If he does go to the Lakers and joins LeBron and Anthony Davis, obviously that would be a tough team to beat.

Leonard’s last big contract came in 2015 when he signed a max contract at five-years, $94 million with San Antonio. Leonard is always composed on the court and can get to all his spots while taking his time and staying under control, and he seems to be handling free agency in the same manner. He’ll make his decision, but only when he is ready to do so.

76ers sign C Norvel Pelle to two-way contract

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The Philadelphia 76ers and C Norvel Pelle have agreed to a two-way contract, the team announced today.

Pelle is currently participating in 2019 Philadelphia 76ers Summer League Minicamp and spent the 2018-19 season with the team’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. He appeared in 36 G League games (26 starts) and averaged 11.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks (fourth in the G League) in 22.8 minutes per game. Pelle’s .703 field-goal percentage led the G League, while he posted 13 double-doubles, including a 20-20 performance. Following the season, Pelle was named to the 2018-19 G League All-Defensive Team and finished third in voting for Defensive Player of the Year. In May, Pelle was selected to the NBA G League Elite Camp, a league-run, three-day scouting event featuring the NBA G League’s top prospects from the 2018-19 season.

Prior to joining the Blue Coats last season, Pelle participated in 2018 Philadelphia 76ers Training Camp. A native of Antigua and Barbuda, Pelle began his professional career in 2013 with the Blue Coats, which chose him with the No. 6 overall pick in the NBA Development League draft. All told, Pelle has played internationally in Italy, Lebanon and Taiwan, including time with the Lebanese national team.

Per NBA rules, teams are permitted to have a maximum of two players under two-way contracts in addition to the players under standard NBA contracts. A two-way player for the 76ers will provide services to the team’s G League affiliate – the Delaware Blue Coats – but can spend up to 45 days with the 76ers, not including any time spent with Philadelphia

Clippers announce Vegas Summer League roster

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The L.A. Clippers announced their roster and schedule today for the 2019 MGM Resorts NBA Summer League in Las Vegas from July 5-15 at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The team is highlighted by 2019 draftees Mfiondu Kabengele and Terance Mann, as well as current Clippers guard Jerome Robinson. The team will be coached by head coach of the Agua Caliente Clippers, Brian Adams. Please note, the Clippers Summer League roster is subject to change.

L.A. opens their Summer League campaign on Saturday, July 6, at 4:30 p.m. PDT against the Los Angeles Lakers on ESPNU. The Clippers will complete their opening round with contests against the Memphis Grizzlies (Sunday, July 7, at 8:30 p.m. PDT on ESPN2), the Washington Wizards (Tuesday, July 9, at 8:30 p.m. PDT on NBATV) and the Sacramento Kings (Thursday, July 11, at 7:00 p.m. PDT on NBATV).

Following the opening four games, the top eight teams are then seeded in a tournament, which culminates with a Championship Game on July 15 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.  Teams that do not qualify for the tournament will each play a consolation game.  Every team will play at least five games and as many as seven at MGM Resorts NBA Summer League.

L.A. CLIPPERS 2019 NBA LAS VEGAS SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER
NO PLAYER POS HT WT DATE OF BIRTH PRIOR TO NBA/HOME COUNTRY YRS
36 Cliff Alexander C 6’8″ 245 11/16/1995 Kansas/USA 1
39 Oshae Brissett F 6’8″ 210 06/20/1998 Syracuse/Canada R
55 Robert Carter F 6’9″ 240 04/04/1994 Maryland/USA R
41 Amir Coffey G 6’8″ 205 06/17/1997 Minnesota/USA R
47 Kaiser Gates F 6’8″ 205 11/08/1996 Xavier/USA R
28 Nigel Hayes F 6’8″ 254 12/16/1994 Wisconsin/USA 1
37 Isaac Humphries C 7’0″ 255 01/05/1998 Kentucky/Australia R
38 Tramaine Isabell G 6’1″ 180 06/27/1995 Saint Louis/ USA R
25 Mfiondu Kabengele F 6’10” 250 08/14/1997 Florida State/Canada R
14 Terance Mann G 6’7″ 215 10/18/1996 Florida State/USA R
27 David Michineau G 6’4″ 180 06/06/1994 France R
1 Jerome Robinson G 6’5″ 190 02/22/1997 Boston College/USA 1
26 Derrick Walton Jr. G 6’1″ 189 04/03/1995 Michigan/USA 1

 

L.A. CLIPPERS 2019 NBA LAS VEGAS SUMMER LEAGUE SCHEDULE (all times PDT)
Game Day Date  Opponent Time Arena TV
1 Saturday July 6 Los Angeles Lakers 4:30PM Thomas & Mack ESPNU
2 Sunday July 7 Memphis Grizzlies 8:30PM Thomas & Mack ESPN2
3 Tuesday July 9 Washington Wizards 8:30PM Thomas & Mack NBATV
4 Thursday July 11 Sacramento Kings 7:00PM Cox Pavilion NBATV

Are 76ers better today than they were at the end of last season?

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The Philadelphia 76ers were very active on the first day of free agency. They reportedly re-signed Tobias Harris to a five-year deal, traded Jimmy Butler(signed four-year deal with Miami) to the Heat in a sign-and-trade for Josh Richardson(deal still being worked on), and signed Al Horford to a four-year contract. Also, Mike Scott re-upped with the team, and JJ Redick has moved on to the Pelicans. These deals can’t be official until July 6.

So, at this point, Philly’s projected starting lineup is Ben Simmons, Richardson, Harris, Horford, and Joel Embiid. That is an excellent lineup, and this lineup has the potential to be very good on the defensive end. All the starters will be at least 6’6″ or taller. However, is it better than what they had to finish last season? Not so sure.

One of the issues Philly had before they brought in Butler, was not having a guy who can beat you off the dribble and effectively create their own shot. Butler did that for the 76ers. He was a guy you can give the ball to and ask him to make a play, which was on full display against the Raptors in the playoffs, where he led the team in points per game(22.0) and assists per game(5.6). He was Philly’s best player in that series. People forget it was Butler who tied the game up late in the fourth quarter before Kawhi Leonard hit that miracle shot to close out the series. With Butler taking his talents to South Beach, it’s going to be imperative for Ben Simmons to step up. Simmons, who made his first All-Star team last season, can do a lot, but since he has not developed his jump shot yet, he can’t be your closer. Also, Harris is a good offensive player. However, while he is solid off the dribble, he is not Butler, and for as good as Embiid is, he is not a guy who can get a shot off the way Butler can late in games.

It’s going to be interesting to see how this new lineup works for Philadelphia. It’s definitely more versatile and more athletic, on paper than what they had last season, but in terms of better, time will have to be the judge of that. Remember, this team was a couple of bounces away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals and beating the eventual champions, the Toronto Raptors.

Obviously, they will add more pieces to this roster, but for now, it’s too close to call on whether this starting five and team will be better than what they had last season.

I guess we gotta see how this all plays out!

Report: Warriors trade Andre Iguodala to Grizzlies

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The Golden State will look a lot different next season. On Sunday afternoon, Kevin Durant made the announcement that he was headed to Brooklyn to join the Nets. Late Sunday night, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Warriors had acquired D’Angelo Russell from the Nets in a sign-and-trade for Kevin Durant. It’s a four-year, $117 million max contract for Russell, according to the report.

Finally, according to Wojnarowski, Golden State shipped Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies.

This is a lot to unpack, and there could be some more moving parts, but here is what you need to know for now; Durant to Brooklyn, Russell to Golden State, and Iguodala to Memphis.

What a day!