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Blazers Convert Skylar Mays To Standard Contract

November 11th, 2023 at 1:25pm CST by Rory Maher

NOVEMBER 12: Mays’ promotion is official, the Blazers confirmed in a press release.

NOVEMBER 11: Trail Blazers guard Skylar Mays is receiving a promotion from his two-way deal, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who reports (via Twitter) that Mays will be converted to a standard contract.

Portland’s backcourt has been hit hard by injuries early on in 2023/24, with Scoot Henderson (ankle), Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring strain) and Anfernee Simons (thumb surgery) all missing time. In their stead, head coach Chauncey Billups turned to Mays on Wednesday at Sacramento and he played well, recording 18 points (on 8-of-15 shooting), 11 assists (against three turnovers) and two steals in 37 minutes of action.

As Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report observes (Twitter link), the Blazers have an open standard roster spot, so no corresponding move will be necessary to promote Mays. Converting him will make Mays eligible to appear in every game for Portland — players on two-way deals can only be active for up to 50 games, Highkin notes.

Mays, who played four years of college ball at LSU, was the 50th overall pick in the 2020 draft and spent his first two professional seasons with the Hawks. He was on two-way contracts until being promoted to Atlanta’s standard 15-man roster during the final week of the 2021/22 regular season.

The 26-year-old spent most of last season in the G League, but caught on with Portland at the end of ’22/23. He impressed the club in his six games, averaging 15.3 PPG on excellent .500/.462/.923 shooting splits, while also chipping in 8.3 APG, 3.2 RPG and 1.0 SPG. The Blazers signed him to a two-way deal on October 1.

Portland will reportedly use its newly created two-way opening to sign Jamaree Bouyea, as we detailed in a separate story.

John Wall Continues To Seek New NBA Opportunity

November 10th, 2023 at 9:57am CST by Luke Adams

Five-time All-Star John Wall hasn’t been on an NBA roster since he was traded from the Clippers to the Rockets and then waived by Houston in February. However, he’s still attempting to make it back into the league, as he confirmed during an appearance in Melbourne, Australia, per BasketNews.com.

Wall is in Melbourne to visit with the South East Melbourne Phoenix, the National Basketball League team he owns a stake in.

“Whenever I can help the game grow in different countries and in different places, it’s super exciting for me to be hands-on and come and watch these guys working, to let them see the type of work I put in individually at the level I’m at and trying to get back to the NBA,” said Wall, who did some workouts with the team on Friday and will watch the Phoenix in action on Sunday.

“I love the game, I still get up every morning at 6:00 am, work out. I’m still dedicated to getting back in, I think something will happen soon,” Wall continued. “For me, I still love the grind, I still love to get up and put the work in. You just saw me work out for an hour, hour-thirty. No matter what, I still love the game. If I still have the hunger and desire to be [in the NBA], I’ll continue to chase my dream to get back in. It’s just being patient, staying ready, and just letting God do his work, and being ready whenever your name is called.”

Wall is no stranger to NBA comebacks. He missed he entire 2019/20 season due to heel and Achilles injuries before returning the following season for the Rockets. He was also held out of the entire 2021/22 campaign while under contract with Houston before getting an opportunity with the Clippers last season.

While he’s no longer the explosive scorer and play-maker he was earlier in his career, Wall has put up strong offensive numbers in his two most recent seasons, averaging 16.3 points and 6.1 assists in 27.6 minutes per game across 74 total appearances (43 starts). However, his shooting line was just .405/.313/.725 during that time and injuries have diminished some of the 33-year-old’s lateral quickness on defense.

Wall, who held a private workout for teams in July, remains focused on potential NBA opportunities, though he also didn’t rule out the possibility of someday suiting up for his NBL team.

“You never know what the future might hold down the road,” Wall said when asked about the idea of playing for the Phoenix. “I’m not going to make any promises. It’s super exciting to put the jersey on. They surprised me. I came with my own workout stuff on, and they said, ‘We’ve got shorts, we’ve got a jersey.’ I turn around, I got my college number with the name on the back. … That’s some memorabilia I get to take home, and hopefully, I can get all the guys to sign it before leaving so I can put it into my little trophy case.”

Jameer Nelson Named GM Of Sixers’ G League Team

November 10th, 2023 at 8:43am CST by Luke Adams

Jameer Nelson has received a promotion, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who reports that the longtime NBA guard has been named the general manager of the Delaware Blue Coats, the Sixers‘ G League affiliate.

Nelson has been with the organization since 2020, when he was hired as a scout for the 76ers and as the Blue Coats’ assistant GM.

The 41-year-old appeared in 878 regular season games as an NBA player from 2004-18, averaging 11.3 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 27.9 minutes per contest for the Magic, Mavericks, Celtics, Nuggets, Pelicans, and Pistons. He earned All-Star honors for the 2008/09 Orlando team that advanced to the NBA Finals.

Nelson’s performance as an executive earned him a mention back in July from Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, who took a closer look at rising execs around the NBA and noted that Nelson’s work in Philadelphia has made him a “valued member” of the organization’s front office. This promotion reflects that.

Nelson will be taking over the GM role from Prosper Karangwa, who is moving into a “more prominent” position in the 76ers’ front office, per Wojnarowski, after putting together the Blue Coats roster that won last season’s G League championship.

Tyler Herro To Miss Multiple Weeks With Grade 2 Ankle Sprain

November 9th, 2023 at 2:39pm CST by Luke Adams

After undergoing an MRI on Thursday on his injured right ankle on Thursday, Heat guard Tyler Herro has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 sprain, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald (Twitter links).

The plan is for Herro to wear a walking boot for the next 10 days and to be reevaluated in two weeks, Chiang continues.

It sounds like the guard’s absence will extend beyond the two-week mark, however. The Heat’s announcement indicates they’ll have a better of Herro’s return timeline at that point, and sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link) that the 23-year-old will be out for “several” weeks.

Herro suffered the injury on Wednesday vs. Memphis when he landed on Jaren Jackson Jr.‘s foot after shooting a floater in the first quarter. He fell to the court in pain, then hobbled to the locker room without putting any weight on the ankle.

“It was something I felt right when it happened,” Herro said. “I felt it and I kind of knew mentally. I heard some crunches and cracks in my ankle. I’m like, ‘Yeah, that will be it.’ I actually told the bench, ‘I’m done. I can’t keep going.’ It’s unfortunate, but I’m just going to continue to work hard. I’ve been through this injury stuff before and I’m just going to keep working.”

The subject of persistent trade rumors this summer as the Heat were linked to Damian Lillard for months, Herro stayed put in Miami and said in multiple media interviews ahead of the season that he was determined to make himself too valuable to move.

He was off to a good start toward that goal, having averaged 25.3 points per game on .446/.410/.909 shooting in his seven healthy games (all starts) while also chipping in 5.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists per night.

Duncan Robinson started the second half on Wednesday in Herro’s place and may see his role expand with the team’s other top shooter on the shelf. Kyle Lowry, Dru Smith, Josh Richardson, and Haywood Highsmith are among the other candidates to see bumps in minutes for as long as Herro remains unavailable.

Andre Iguodala Named Acting Executive Director Of NBPA

November 9th, 2023 at 2:19pm CST by Arthur Hill

2:19pm: The NBPA has formally announced Iguodala’s appointment as acting executive director, confirming the news in a press release.

“I am honored to take on this role and serve the players, who are the heart and soul of the NBA,” Iguodala said in a statement. “I’m presented with a unique opportunity to take all that I’ve learned as a player over the course of my 19-year career and apply it to creating an even stronger and more influential union for current and future generations of players. I am thrilled to work alongside our extremely committed Executive Committee to lead the brotherhood through its next stage of advancement and development.”

2:00pm: Andre Iguodala has been named the acting executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. He replaces Tamika Tremaglio, who is resigning after less than two years as head of the union. Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news that Iguodala was being considered for the role (Twitter link).

Iguodala confirmed his retirement last month, officially ending his 19-year playing career. An All-Star in 2012, he will be best remembered for his role in helping the Warriors capture four titles.

ESPN hired Iguodala as a studio analyst in October, and he currently owns stakes in two soccer teams, Leeds United in the EFL and Bay Area FC in the NWSL, along with the San Francisco branch of the TGL golf league.

A formal search for Tremaglio’s successor will begin soon, sources tell Wojnarowski (Twitter link). There’s no indication on whether Iguodala will be considered as part of that search.

Although Tremaglio held the job for a relatively short time, she helped to negotiate the union’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was approved in June. She began to discuss stepping down after the CBA negotiations ended, Wojnarowski adds (Twitter link).

Mason Plumlee To Miss “Multiple Months;” Clippers Interested In Daniel Theis

November 9th, 2023 at 1:04pm CST by Arthur Hill

Mason Plumlee will be sidelined for “multiple months” with an MCL sprain in his left knee, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (video link). The Clippers are optimistic that Plumlee will be able to return sometime before the end of the season, Charania adds.

The team is considering several veteran big men as potential replacements, Charania hears, including Pacers backup center Daniel Theis. He states that Indiana isn’t “rushed” to make a move with Theis, but is willing to listen to offers.

Plumlee suffered the injury Monday when Knicks forward Julius Randle hit his knee while diving for a ball. Plumlee couldn’t put any weight on the knee and had to be helped off the court by two members of the team’s training staff.

The 33-year-old center had appeared in all six of L.A.’s games before the injury and was averaging 5.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in 17 minutes per night. The Clippers acquired him from Charlotte in a February trade, and he re-signed with the team this summer.

Theis, who hasn’t played yet this season, expressed unhappiness with his situation in Indiana last week. He is currently fourth among centers on the Pacers’ depth chart and doesn’t appear to have a future with the team.

After playing just seven games last season, Theis was hoping for an expanded role following his performance with Germany in the World Cup this summer, but it looks like a trade or buyout is the only way that will happen.

Theis makes $9.1MM this season, and his contract includes a $9.5MM team option for 2024/25.

Bradley Beal To Make Suns Regular Season Debut On Wednesday

November 8th, 2023 at 6:10pm CST by Luke Adams

November 8: Beal will play on Wednesday but he’ll be on a minutes restriction, Vogel told reporters, including Rankin (Twitter video link).

November 7: Suns guard Bradley Beal is getting closer to making his regular season debut for his new team, having gone through a full practice on Tuesday, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.

Beal, who appeared in just two preseason games and has missed Phoenix’s first seven regular season contests due to back issues, has been upgraded to questionable for Wednesday’s game in Chicago. Rankin suggests the former Wizard is “on course” to play vs. the Bulls, barring a setback.

“He got some good work in yesterday, he got some live work in today,” head coach Frank Vogel said (Twitter video link via Rankin). “He looks good, we’ve just got to make sure we see how he feels from the work today, see how his body responds to it.”

Vogel added with a smile that it was “awesome” to see Beal go through a full practice after the three-time All-Star was limited in workouts for weeks.

“It’s great to see him doing his thing in a Suns uniform and soon our fans will get a chance to see that as well,” Vogel said.

While Beal is seemingly on the verge of suiting up for the Suns, Devin Booker has already been ruled out for Wednesday’s game due to his right calf strain and his return doesn’t appear imminent. According to Rankin, Vogel said that Booker didn’t take part in practice at all today except for some light shooting at the end of the session.

Jamal Murray Likely Out 3-4 Weeks With Hamstring Strain

November 8th, 2023 at 5:18pm CST by Rory Maher

Nuggets guard Jamal Murray will likely be out three-to-four weeks due to his right hamstring strain, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Murray sustained the injury in the second quarter of Saturday’s game vs. Chicago. In addition to missing the rest of that contest, he also sat out Monday’s game and will likely be sidelined for the remainder of November, according to Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski’s report lines up with what head coach Michael Malone said on Monday.

“We’ll kind of continue to talk to our doctors, but his injury is not a one- or two-game injury,” Malone said. “That’s what I do know. This will be something that will be longer than we would like.

“… You have to have the big picture in mind and make sure we’re putting him in position to get healthy before he comes back. Because this is an injury that, if you keep having recurring hamstring injuries or soft tissue injuries, they can linger and become even worse. And that’s the one thing we do not want to happen.”

It’s a tough blow for Murray, who missed the entire 2021/22 season with a torn ACL. His return last season was well worth the wait, however, as he had a spectacular playoff run in helping Denver win its first title.

Through six healthy games, Murray was averaging 18.7 PPG, 2.7 RPG and 8.7 APG on .436/.438/.842 shooting (34.4 MPG). Denver’s starting point guard is under contract through ’24/25.

Murray is one of the players who would become eligible for a super-max veteran extension – worth 35% of the cap instead of 30% – if he earns All-NBA honors in ’23/24. But the league instituted a games-played requirement (min. 65) to make All-NBA teams going forward, and the 26-year-old will likely be out at least 12-to-14 games with the hamstring strain. Even assuming he has an All-NBA caliber season, it could be challenging for him to play at least 65 games.

Reggie Jackson has been starting in Murray’s place, with Collin Gillespie receiving minutes at backup point guard. Rookie first-rounder Julian Strawther has also been receiving more run and playing well. The defending champions are currently 7-1 ahead of Wednesday’s matchup with Golden State.

Walker Kessler Out At Least Two Weeks With Elbow Sprain

November 8th, 2023 at 4:55pm CST by Rory Maher

Second-year center Walker Kessler suffered a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow and will be reevaluated in two weeks, the Jazz announced in a press release.

According to the Jazz, Kessler initially sustained the injury during the team’s season opener on October 25. However, the injury wasn’t formally diagnosed until recently, when the 22-year-old underwent an MRI. He had been playing through discomfort the past couple weeks.

While it’s obviously unfortunate that Kessler was injured, it doesn’t sound like the UCL sprain will require surgery. The 7’1″ big man will be resting and participating in non-contact activities over the next two weeks in order to facilitate his recovery process, per the team.

Tony Jones of The Athletic first reported that Kessler would likely be out multiple games with an elbow injury.

Kessler, the 22nd overall pick in 2022, was an All-Rookie First Team selection in 2022/23 and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 9.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 2.3 BPG while shooting 72.0% from the field across 74 games (40 starts, 23.0 MPG). He was particularly effective in the second half of last season once he became Utah’s full-time starting center, averaging 11.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 2.9 BPG in 34 games (29.0 MPG).

The Jazz have gotten off to a slow start in 2023/24, currently sitting with a 2-6 record. Kessler’s numbers are down compared to his rookie season as well — he has averaged 8.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG and 2.1 BPG while shooting 54.9% from the floor through eight games (24.0 MPG). Obviously, the elbow injury may have been negatively impacting his performance.

With Kessler sidelined for at least the next seven games, frontcourt players like Kelly Olynyk, Omer Yurtseven and Luka Samanic figure to move up on the depth chart.

Pistons Sign Kevin Knox

November 8th, 2023 at 2:59pm CST by Luke Adams

2:59pm: The Pistons have officially signed Knox, the team confirmed today in a press release (Twitter link).

11:50am: The Pistons have reached an agreement to bring back free agent forward Kevin Knox on a one-year deal, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

The ninth overall pick in the 2018 draft, Knox spent his first three-and-a-half NBA seasons in New York but has bounced around since then, spending time with Atlanta, Detroit, and Portland from 2022-23.

He signed a two-year, $6MM contract with the Pistons during the 2022 offseason and appeared in 42 games last season for the club before being traded to the Trail Blazers in the four-team deadline deal that sent James Wiseman to Detroit.

Knox averaged 6.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game across 63 total appearances for the Pistons and Blazers in 2022/23, then had his $3MM team option for ’23/24 turned down by Portland in June.

The Blazers re-signed him, but Knox’s contract was non-guaranteed and he didn’t make the regular season roster. He reported to the Rip City Remix – Portland’s G League affiliate – last week for training camp.

Rather than opening the season in the NBAGL, however, Knox is being promoted back to the NBA, where he’ll fill the 15th spot on the Pistons’ roster. As we noted a few days ago when we examined the open roster spots around the NBA, Detroit was one of the few teams with an open 15-man spot and no luxury tax concerns, so we expected that opening to be filled sooner rather than later.

Knox will provide some depth for a club whose roster has been plagued by injuries this fall. Bojan Bogdanovic (calf), Alec Burks (forearm), Joe Harris (shoulder), Jaden Ivey (illness), Isaiah Livers (ankle), and Monte Morris (quad) are all currently on the shelf, while Jalen Duren (ankle) has been in and out of the lineup.

Beyond the fact that it’s a one-year deal, the details of Knox’s agreement with the Pistons have yet to be reported. A non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract is most likely, but we’ll have to wait for confirmation on that.