Pistons re-sign McGruder, add Kevin Knox

The Detroit Pistons have signed forward Kevin Knox and re-signed guard Rodney McGruder, the team announced Tuesday.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, it’s a two-year, $6 million deal for Knox, while McGruder reportedly signed a one-year contract.

Last season, the 6-7 Knox spent time with the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks. He averaged 3.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.4 minutes over 30 games. The 22-year-old played in two games for the Hawks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, recording double-digit scoring in both outings.

The Phoenix native, who was drafted ninth overall out of Kentucky in the 2018 draft, was traded on Jan. 13 of this previous season from New York to Atlanta after spending three-plus NBA seasons with the Knicks. In his rookie campaign with New York in 2018-19, Knox tallied clips of 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 28.8 minutes through 75 games (57 starts). 

McGruder, 31, has averaged 5.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 14.1 minutes through 67 games (four starts) for Detroit from 2020-22. McGruder holds shooting clips of .458 from the field and .406 from 3-point range while with the Pistons over the last two seasons. His 3-point shooting percentage marks the fifth-highest in Pistons history by a player with a minimum of 150 3-point attempts. Last season, McGruder averaged 5.4 points and 1.6 rebounds over 51 games.

The six-year NBA veteran was originally acquired by Detroit from the L.A. Clippers via a three-team trade also involving the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 19, 2020. He played three seasons for Miami before suiting up for the Clippers for the 2019-20 campaign. 

Clippers claim Rodney McGruder off waivers

The L.A. Clippers have claimed guard Rodney McGruder off waivers, the team announced today. McGruder, who was recently waived by the Heat, is not eligible to participate in the 2019 NBA Playoffs.

McGruder, 27, has appeared in 66 games for the Miami Heat this season, averaging 7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 23.5 minutes. The 6’4”, 200-pound guard holds career averages of 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 23.5 minutes in 162 appearances across three NBA seasons with Miami.

Prior to his time with the Heat, McGruder played two seasons in the G League, spending time with the Maine Red Claws and the Sioux Falls Skyforce.