Abdel Nader

Celtics Trade Abdel Nader To Thunder

JULY 23: The Celtics have traded Nader to the Thunder rather than waiving him. Our full story on the deal is here.

JULY 21: The Celtics are waiving swingman Abdel Nader, league sources tell Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. Nader was chosen by Boston with the 58th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft and spent a season with the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics’ G League affiliate, before signing an NBA contract with the Celtics last summer.

The Celtics will not be on the hook for Nader’s full 2018/19 salary, as his contract did not become fully guaranteed until August 1. He reportedly had a partial guarantee worth $450K.

The move will leave the Celtics with 14 fully-guaranteed contracts and a team salary of $125.85MM, about $2.07MM north of the tax line. Because the Celtics are in tax territory, they may be looking to enter the 2018/19 season with only 14 players on their roster, a la the Warriors. However, the C’s still have their full $5.3MM taxpayer mid-level exception to spend on a 15th player should they so choose.

Nader, 24, averaged 3.0 points and 1.5 rebounds per game in 48 contests (one start) with the Celtics in 2017/18, his lone NBA season.

Celtics Notes: Smart, Luxury Tax, Irving, Hayward

Marcus Smart essentially ended up with the same contract as the one the Celtics offered him via an extension last fall, sources tell Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. The combo guard inked a four-year deal worth $52MM on Thursday.

That contract technically has a base value of $50MM, but annual $500K bonuses will bring the total value to $52MM, notes Fred Katz of MassLive.com (Twitter link). Those incentives aren’t linked to playoff success or individual accolades, but rather to body-fat and weigh-in requirements, according to Katz. They’re considered likely to be earned, which means they’ll count toward Smart’s annual cap hits.

With Smart under contract, the Celtics are now about $3.9MM over the luxury-tax line, tweets cap expert Albert Nahmad. Boston could cut costs slightly by waiving Abdel Nader‘s partially guaranteed contract, which could also open up a roster spot for two-way free agent Jabari Bird, as Nahmad observes. Trading Marcus Morris‘ $5.38MM salary at some point could allow the C’s to avoid the tax, but there’s no indication the team is considering that for now.

Here’s more from Boston:

  • The Celtics may have first reached a four-year, $52MM agreement with Smart on Tuesday — a source tells Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link) that GM Danny Ainge changed his mind after initially making an offer at that price. In the ensuing 48 hours, Ainge changed his mind again and the deal was finalized, says Schultz.
  • Three player agents tell Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald that they expect Kyrie Irving to opt out and leave the Celtics next summer. However, sources close to Irving tell Bulpett that the point guard is happy with Boston and has been talking about his future with the franchise beyond the 2018/19 season.
  • In an Insider-only piece, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton explores what Smart’s new deal means for Irving and Terry Rozier, speculating that the Celtics may eventually have to decide between Smart and Rozier.
  • Re-signing Smart was worth the cost for the Celtics, according to Jeremy Woo of SI.com, who gives the club a B grade for the move.
  • During a media appearance on Thursday, Gordon Hayward expressed confidence that he’ll be back at full speed by August, suggesting he’ll “see how [his] ankle reacts to that,” per Jacob Wolf of ESPN.com. Hayward also said he likes the Celtics’ chances to make a run at a title in 2018/19.

Chris Crouse contributed to this post.

Celtics Swingman Abdel Nader Undergoes Wrist Surgery

Celtics swingman Abdel Nader underwent a right wrist arthroscopy and ulnar osteotomy on Friday to correct lingering issues from a fracture he suffered in high school, according to a team press release.

Nader is scheduled to return to basketball activities in approximately 2-3 months, and is expected to be at full strength for the start of training camp, the release adds.

Nader, a 2016 second-round selection, appeared in 48 regular-season games this past season. He averaged 3.0 PPG and 1.5 RPG in 10.9 MPG. The 6’6” Nader also appeared in 11 playoff games.

Nader is signed for three more seasons, but his $1.38MM salary next season is non-guaranteed.

Celtics Notes: Smart, Rozier, Nader, Monroe

The emergence of Terry Rozier may affect the Celtics’ willingness to trade Marcus Smart, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston. Rozier posted a triple-double earlier this week in his first NBA start, then followed that with a 31-point game.

Smart took over as Boston’s primary defensive stopper on the wing after Avery Bradley was traded to Detroit during the offseason. He has excelled in that role, posting the league’s second highest defensive rating of 98.9 among players averaging at least 30 minutes per game. But Smart will be a restricted free agent this summer, and the Celtics may be reluctant to match a sizable offer for someone who will be sharing time with Rozier.

There’s more today out of Boston:

  • Smart expects to remain out until after the All-Star break with a hand laceration he received by punching a glass picture frame, relays Taylor Snow of NBA.com. Smart, who was angry about misfiring on a potential game-winning shot against the Lakers in a January 23 game, suffered a cut that required 20 stitches. “Being a competitor, missing the last shot, you kind of get upset with yourself,” Smart said. “You rethink about that night and what you could’ve done differently. You kind of replay everything in your head. As a competitor you want to make every shot, especially with the game on the line, and we fell short. So it was just a lot of frustration about my play as well.”
  • The younger Celtics are taking advantage of increased playing time with Kyrie Irving sidelined by a right quadriceps injury, Blakely writes in a separate story. Rozier has been the obvious beneficiary, but rookie forward Abdel Nader has also been making some important plays. “I just think when you’re young and you get the opportunity to play, it’s great experience when you have the responsibility of the game on your shoulders instead of just, you know, when you increase your minutes played,” said Celtics coach Brad Stevens.
  • Once free agent Greg Monroe formally signs, he will make the Celtics the clear favorite in the Eastern Conference, Blakely adds in another piece. The veteran center announced his plans to come to Boston after agreeing to a buyout with the Suns earlier this week. He cleared waivers Saturday and is expected to sign soon. Blakely notes that Monroe will give the Celtics the additional size and inside scoring that they have been needing.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 1/21/18

Here are Saturday’s G League assignments and recalls from across the NBA:

8:30pm:

3:56pm:

  • The Celtics have recalled Guerschon Yabusele and Abdel Nader from the G League, the team announced today (via Twitter). Yabusele and Nader were sent down yesterday for the Maine Red Claw’s tilt against the Westchester Knicks.
  • The Hawks have recalled DeAndre’ BembryTyler Cavanaugh and Isaiah Taylor to their G League affiliate in Erie, the team announced in a press release. Additionally, Josh Magettewho has appeared in nine games with Atlanta, was sent down to Erie.
  • The Thunder have assigned Dakari Johnson to the team’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, the team announced in a press release. Johnson has appeared in one game for the Blue, posting a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He has played in 21 games for OKC.
  • The Suns have recalled guard Davon Reed to their Northern Arizona affiliate, per Scott Bordow of Arizona Central Sports (via Twitter).

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 1/20/18

Here are Saturday’s G League assignments and recalls from across the NBA:

  • The Spurs have assigned guards Brandon Paul and Derrick White to their G League affiliate, according to a press release. White has played eight games for the Austin Spurs this season, but it’s Paul’s first assignment. The duo figures to suit up for Austin tonight in the club’s game against Grand Rapids.
  • The Lakers have recalled rookie big man Thomas Bryant from the G League, the club announced today (via Twitter). Bryant scored a team-high 23 points on Friday to help lead the South Bay Lakers to a win.
  • Second-year forward Troy Williams has been recalled from the G League by the Rockets, per Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). Williams struggled with his shot for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Friday night, scoring 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting (2-for-9 on threes).
  • The Celtics have sent Guerschon Yabusele and Abdel Nader to the G League, the team announced today (via Twitter). They’ll look to help the Maine Red Claws, Boston’s affiliate, pick up a win tonight against Westchester.
  • The Suns have assigned guard Davon Reed to their Northern Arizona affiliate, the team announced (via Twitter).

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 1/8/18

Here are Monday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

3:50pm:

  • The Celtics have recalled Abdel Nader and Guerschon Yabusele from the G League, according to the team (Twitter link). Nader and Yabusele played for the Maine Red Claws during Sunday’s loss to the Raptors 905.
  • The Hornets have assigned Dwayne Bacon to the G League for the third time this season, the team announced today in a press release. Bacon has played two games for the Greensboro Swarm so far this season, averaging an eye-popping 38.5 PPG.

3:12pm:

  • The Nets have assigned injured guard D’Angelo Russell to the G League, the club announced today in a press release. As first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link), Russell is practicing with Brooklyn’s affiliate today as he rehabs the knee issue that his kept him out of action for several weeks. He’ll be recalled to the NBA after that practice.
  • Rookie guard Davon Reed has been re-assigned to the G League by the Suns, according to an announcement from the team. Reed, who recently made his G League debut after recovering from a torn meniscus, has yet to appear in an NBA game.
  • The Kings have recalled Justin Jackson and Georgios Papagiannis from the Reno Bighorns, tweets James Ham of NBC Sports California. The two youngsters have yo-yo’d back and forth between Sacramento and Reno over the last few days, appearing in a pair of games for the Bighorns since Friday.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 1/7/2018

Here are Sunday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

  • The Lakers recalled rookie center Thomas Bryant from their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers so he could play in tonight’s game, per a press release. Bryant has appeared in two NBA games this season. Bryant has appeared in two games for the Lakers this season. With South Bay, Bryant has averaged  21.3 PPG and 7.5 RPG  in 29.7 minutes per game.
  • The Bucks have recalled D.J. Wilson from their G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, the team announced in a press release. Wilson has appeared in 12 games with Milwaukee this season.
  • After recalling the duo on Saturday, the Kings re-assigned Justin Jackson and Georgios Papagiannis to the G League on Sunday, per RealGM’s transactions log. The duo helped lead the Reno Bighorns to a victory, combining for 43 points and 20 rebounds.
  • A pair of Celtics, Abdel Nader and Guerschon Yabusele, headed to the G League on Sunday, according to RealGM’s transactions log. The two youngsters suited up for the Maine Red Claws in Sunday’s loss to the Raptors 905.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/14/17

Here are Thursday’s G League assignments and recalls from around the NBA:

  • On the heels of a solid game for the Erie BayHawks on Wednesday, rookie guard Tyler Dorsey was recalled today by the Hawks, the team announced in a press release. Dorsey, the 41st overall pick in 2017’s draft, recorded 15 points and 11 boards in Erie’s win over Wisconsin yesterday.
  • The Cavaliers have recalled center Ante Zizic to the NBA, according to a press release issued by the club. Zizic poured in 16 points in 16 minutes for the Canton Charge on Wednesday night, helping to lead Cleveland’s G League affiliate to a victory over the Grand Rapids Drive.
  • Sixers guard Furkan Korkmaz is on the move once again, having been assigned to the Delaware 87ers today, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). It’s already the 10th G League assignment of the year for Korkmaz.
  • The Celtics assigned Guerschon Yabusele and Abdel Nader to their G League affiliate, the team announced on Twitter.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 12/1/17

Here are Friday’s G League assignments and recalls from across the NBA:

  • The Celtics have assigned a pair of rookies, Guerschon Yabusele and Abdel Nader, to the G League, the team announced today (via Twitter). Both players figure to suit up for the Maine Red Claws in the club’s Friday night game.
  • Rookie center Ante Zizic, acquired by the Cavaliers in the Kyrie Irving blockbuster, has been re-assigned to the G League, according to a press release from the club. Zizic will play in his third game for the Canton Charge tonight after averaging a double-double (14.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG) in his first two.
  • The Bulls have assigned point guard Kay Felder to the Windy City Bulls, the team announced in a press release. Felder joins teammates Nikola Mirotic and Zach LaVine, who are rehabbing injuries with Chicago’s G League affiliate.
  • The Sixers announced today that they’ve sent rookie guard Furkan Korkmaz back to the G League, where he’ll travel with the Delaware 87ers and play for the club on Saturday against the Memphis Hustle.
  • After playing for Orlando’s G League affiliate on Thursday, Khem Birch and Wesley Iwundu were recalled to the NBA, the Magic confirmed (via Twitter). Birch had a huge game in a losing effort for the Lakeland Magic last night, putting up 20 points and 16 rebounds.