Western Notes: Bass, Mavericks, Thunder

Brandon Bass, who signed a two year, $6MM deal with the Lakers this offseason, wanted to remain in Boston, but the Celtics immediately went after power forward Amir Johnson, who signed a two year, $24MM with the team, and left Bass to look elsewhere, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe writes.

“I would have never, ever thought I would not be in Boston,” Bass said. “I thought I was going to retire a Celtic, even when it was coming up to me signing with the Lakers. I just thought I’ll still be a Celtic. Boston was my home, man. I had a great experience, family loved the town. I loved the town, really got comfortable there. It feels surreal, but it’s definitely part of the business.”

Bass is averaging  5.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 15.8 minutes per game off the bench for Los Angeles this season.

Here are a few notes from the Western Conference:

• The Mavericks have recalled Salah Mejri from the Texas Legends, the team’s D-League affiliate, according to a team press release. Mejri is averaging 5.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in 20.9 minutes per game during his three games with the Legends this season.
• The Thunder have recalled Josh Huestis and Mitch McGary from the team’s D-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, per a team press release. Huestis averaged 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.38 blocks in 34.0 minutes per game for the Blue this season. McGary has averaged 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in five games for the Blue this year.
• Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman examines which players are more valuable to new coach Billy Donovan than they were to coach Scotty Brooks. Enes Kanter, who signed a four year, $70MM deal with OKC during the offseason, is among the players getting less minutes under Donovan.