The public funding plan for a new Bucks arena in Milwaukee received approval from the Wisconsin State Assembly by a 52-34 vote this past Tuesday. The measure passed the state senate two weeks ago and now heads to Governor Scott Walker for his signature. Walker has consistently supported the idea of a new building that would keep the team from leaving town. State, county and city leaders have been under pressure from the league to make sure an arena is ready by the start of the 2017/18 season, with the NBA having threatened to take the team away from owners Marc Lasry, Wesley Edens and Jamie Dinan and sell it to others who would move the team. The public is on the hook for half of the arena’s expected $500MM cost. Here’s more from the week that was…
Trades
- The Cavs dealt Brendan Haywood and Mike Miller to the Blazers and Cleveland created two trade exceptions as a result of the transaction — one for $10.5MM and another for $2.85MM — and also received cash from Portland.
- The Magic acquired Shabazz Napier from the Heat in exchange for a protected 2016 second-round pick.
- The Celtics acquired Zoran Dragic from the Heat in return for a protected 2019 second-round selection.
- The Warriors acquired Jason Thompson from the Sixers in exchange for Gerald Wallace. Philly also obtains the right to swap the lesser of the 2016 first-round picks coming their way from the Heat and the Thunder for Golden State’s 2016 first-round pick.
You can keep up with all of the offseason trades here.
Free Agent Signings
Eastern Conference
- The Pacers re-signed Lavoy Allen.
- Jae Crowder re-signed with the Celtics.
- The Pacers re-signed forward Shayne Whittington.
- Glenn Robinson III inked a deal with the Pacers.
- The Cavaliers re-signed point guard Matthew Dellavedova.
- Corey Walden inked a training camp deal with the Celtics.
- The Knicks signed Wesley Saunders.
- The Hornets signed a training camp deal with Elliot Williams.
- The Knicks re-signed Louis Amundson.
- The Bucks inked Chris Copeland.
- The Knicks and Sasha Vujacic agreed to a one-year deal.
Western Conference
- The Mavericks signed undrafted Arizona power forward Brandon Ashley.
- Jamil Wilson signed with the Mavericks.
- The Warriors agreed to sign shooting guard Ian Clark.
- The Clippers and undrafted center Yanick Moreira have a training camp deal.
- Will Barton re-signed with the Nuggets.
- The Spurs agreed to sign Youssou Ndoye to a training camp pact.
- Marcus Thornton signed a deal with the Rockets.
- The Mavericks inked veteran center Samuel Dalembert.
- The Thunder signed Josh Huestis.
- The Mavericks signed center Salah Mejri.
- The Rockets agreed to a deal with center Chuck Hayes.
- The Wolves struck a deal with guard Andre Miller.
- The Mavs signed Jeremy Evans.
You can stay up to date on all of the signings with Hoops Rumors’ free agent tracker.
2015 NBA Draft Pick Signings
- The Celtics signed No. 16 overall pick Terry Rozier and No. 28 overall pick R.J. Hunter to rookie scale contracts.
- The Pacers signed No. 36 overall pick Rakeem Christmas.
- The Nuggets signed No. 7 overall pick Emmanuel Mudiay to a rookie scale deal.
- The Heat signed No. 40 overall pick Josh Richardson.
- The Sixers signed the 37th overall pick Richaun Holmes.
- The Knicks signed first-round picks Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant to rookie scale deals.
You can stay up to date on all of the 2015 NBA Draft signings here.
Waivers
- The Heat waived Henry Walker.
- The Trail Blazers waived Brendan Haywood.
- The Knicks waived Ricky Ledo.
- The Kings waived Eric Moreland.
- The Pelicans waived Toney Douglas.
International Signings
- Former No. 6 overall pick Ekpe Udoh signed with Fenerbahce Ulker in Turkey.
- Former Warriors center Ognjen Kuzmic signed with Panathinaikos of Greece.
- Nikola Milutinov, whom the Spurs drafted with the No. 26 overall pick, signed a three-year deal with Olympiacos of Greece.
- Two-year NBA veteran center Justin Hamilton signed with Valencia Basket of Spain.
- Larry Drew II signed a deal with AS Monaco Basket in France.
- Olimpia Milano signed small forward Robbie Hummel.
- Shavlik Randolph signed with the Liaoning Flying Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association.
- Germany’s Ratiopharm Ulm signed guard DeAndre Kane.
- Former Mavericks center Bernard James signed a deal with the Shanghai Sharks of China.
- Jerel McNeal signed to play for Aris Thessaloniki following his release from the Suns earlier this month.
Coaching News
- The Kings hired Nancy Lieberman to head coach George Karl‘s staff.
- Golden State promoted Luke Walton to lead assistant to replace Alvin Gentry.
- The Suns officially added Earl Watson, Nate Bjorkgren and Jason Fraser to their coaching staff.
- The Raptors hired Jerry Stackhouse, Rex Kalamian, and Andy Greer as assistant coaches.