Transactions Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Lakers Release Two-Way Player Quincy Olivari

January 15th, 2025 at 4:59pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The Lakers have cut two-way guard Quincy Olivari, sources inform Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). The move has been confirmed in the NBA’s official transaction log.

As Scotto notes, Olivari has put up solid numbers this season while mostly playing for L.A.’s NBAGL affiliate squad in El Segundo, the South Bay Lakers.

Across 13 combined Tip-Off Tournament and G League regular season games, Olivari averaged 17.2 points, 4.4 dimes, and 4.4 boards per night. He also notched a .421/.406/.711 shooting line, taking 7.8 three-point tries per game to reach that 40.6% mark.

The 23-year-old rookie guard cameoed in just two contests for the Lakers at the NBA level, logging 10 total minutes of mop-up time.

Scotto reports that Olivari is anticipated to have a market as a free agent.

The 6’3″ guard spent his first four collegiate seasons as an All-Conference USA talent at Rice, before finishing out his NCAA tenure at Xavier in 2023/24. He went undrafted over the summer, but impressed the Lakers enough in the 2024 preseason to earn a two-way slot.

The Lakers are reportedly expected to fill their newly opened two-way slot by signing big man Trey Jemison. Forward Armel Traore and center Christian Koloko are the club’s other two-way players.

Pete Nance Returns To Sixers On Two-Way Contract

January 14th, 2025 at 8:59am CST by Arthur Hill

After waiving Pete Nance last week, the Sixers announced (via Twitter) that they have re-signed him to a two-way contract.

The 24-year-old power forward originally joined the team on a two-way deal on December 3. Philadelphia saved a little bit of money by parting with Nance for a week, but his new contract – which doesn’t count against the cap – will be guaranteed for the rest of the season.

Nance appeared in one game with the Sixers, playing three minutes December 30 at Portland. He also saw action in 14 G League contests with the Cleveland Charge and Delaware Blue Coats, averaging 16.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 blocked shots while shooting 50% from the field.

Nance, the younger brother of Hawks big man Larry Nance Jr., appeared in eight games last year on a two-way contract with Cleveland. He was waived in October just before the season started and got the opportunity with Philadelphia a few weeks later.

The Sixers have all three of their two-way slots filled again, with Justin Edwards and Jeff Dowtin holding the other two. Golden State and Orlando are the only remaining teams with openings, as our two-way contract tracker shows.

Grizzlies Sign Zyon Pullin, Waive Colin Castleton

January 10th, 2025 at 1:50pm CST by Rory Maher

1:50pm: The moves are now official, the Grizzlies confirmed in a press release (Twitter link).

1:25pm: The Grizzlies are signing free agent guard Zyon Pullin to a two-way deal covering two seasons, reports Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian (Twitter links).

According to Hill, Memphis will waive center Colin Castleton in order to add Pullin to the roster.

A 6’4″ guard out of Florida, Pullin played for UC Riverside from 2019-23 before transferring to the Gators for his super-senior year. He was an All-SEC honoree in 2023/24 after averaging 15.5 points, 4.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per contest in 33 games (27 starts), with a shooting line of .444/.449/.847.

Pullin quickly agreed to terms with the Heat after going undrafted in June, officially signing a two-way contract with the team on the first day of the new league year on July 1. However, he didn’t see much playing time for Miami’s Summer League squad and was waived on July 25 when the club needed to open up a roster spot to sign Summer League standout Josh Christopher to a two-way deal.

Pullin re-signed with the Heat on an Exhibit 10 deal in August, then was released shortly before the ’24/25 season began. He has spent his first pro season playing for Miami’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

The 23-year-old had a relatively modest role with the Skyforce during the Tip-Off Tournament this past fall, averaging 9.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.8 APG, and 0.8 SPG on .476/.318/.765 shooting in 17 games (22.4 MPG). However, he has received more playing time (38.3 MPG) in his first six regular season games with Sioux Falls, and he has excelled in those outings, averaging 24.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 7.7 APG, and 1.2 SPG on .535/.424/.731 shooting.

Castleton, who spent ’23/24 with the Lakers on a two-way deal, hasn’t played much for the Grizzlies during his second season, logging just 46 NBA minutes in 10 games. The 24-year-old big man put up 17.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.2 APG, and 1.3 BPG in 10 outings with the Memphis Hustle (31.8 MPG), though he struggled with turnovers (3.8 per game) and scoring efficiency (.438/.261/.756 shooting line).

Castleton recently had his full-season salary guaranteed by the Grizzlies, but two-way contracts don’t count against the salary cap, so Memphis won’t face any tangible financial ramifications for making the roster swap.

Thunder Sign Branden Carlson To 10-Day Contract

January 10th, 2025 at 9:29am CST by Rory Maher

The Thunder have signed rookie center Branden Carlson to a 10-day contract, the team announced in a press release.

It’s a reunion for the two sides, as Oklahoma City waived Carlson a few days ago before his full-season salary became guaranteed.

A 25-year-old from Utah, Carlson played five college seasons for the Utes prior to going undrafted in 2024. Known for his ability to stretch the floor, Carlson initially signed a two-way deal with Toronto in July, but was cut in mid-October, a few days before the 2024/25 season began.

Carlson, who opened the season with the Raptors 905 in the G League, signed a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Thunder in mid-November. He only saw garbage-time action with Oklahoma City at the NBA level, logging 25 total minutes across seven outings.

However, he has been pretty productive at the NBAGL level, averaging 14.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 blocks in eight appearances with the 905 and Oklahoma City Blue (27.9 minutes per contest). He posted a shooting line of .490/.367/.500 in those outings.

The move will ensure that Carlson remains in the Thunder’s system, at least temporarily. His G League rights are controlled by the 905, but NBA deals take precedence.

Pelicans Waive Trey Jemison, Sign Keion Brooks

January 9th, 2025 at 6:40pm CST by Tristan Tucker

6:40 pm: The Pelicans have used their open two-way slot to sign Keion Brooks Jr., the team announced (Twitter link via William Guillory of The Athletic).

Brooks, who went undrafted in 2024 out of Washington, is averaging 17.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.4 blocks in 20 games with New Orleans’ G League affiliate in Birmingham. After signing the 6’7″ forward, the Pelicans will have all three two-way slots filled with 14 players on standard contracts.

5:01 pm: The Pelicans are waiving two-way center Trey Jemison, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto (Twitter link). The Pelicans originally claimed Jemison on waivers from the Grizzlies last July.

Jemison, 25, has experience with the Wizards, Grizzlies and Pels. He made 16 appearances with New Orleans this season, averaging 2.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per night. He didn’t play much with the Pelicans’ G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, this season, but did average 10.9 PPG, 11.8 RPG and 1.6 BPG with the Squadron last season.

The 6’11” center originally went undrafted in 2023 after playing collegiately with Clemson and then UAB. The Pelicans signed him to an Exhibit 10 deal last September, but he was cut and played with Birmingham in the G League as an affiliate player.

The Wizards signed him to a 10-day deal last January before he caught on with the Grizzlies on a 10-day contract after his Washington contract expired. Jemison impressed for a Grizzlies team needing bodies last year, earning a two-year, two-way deal and averaging 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in 23 games (14 starts).

Because he’s being waived two days after the league-wide salary guarantee deadline, Jemison will be assured of earning his full-season two-way salary.

By waiving Jemison, the Pelicans will open up a two-way roster spot, with Brandon Boston Jr. and Jamal Cain occupying the two others. New Orleans also has an open standard roster slot. Boston is likely to earn a promotion to a standard deal at some point this year after becoming a rotation mainstay.

Eugene Omoruyi Joins Raptors On 10-Day Deal

January 8th, 2025 at 8:42pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Raptors have signed Eugene Omoruyi to a 10-day contract, the team announced in a press release.

The 27-year-old small forward has been playing for Raptors 905 in the G League, where he was averaging 19.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 28.1 minutes in 14 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games. Toronto’s affiliate acquired him off waivers in November.

The Raptors will be the fifth NBA team for Omoruyi, who appeared in 43 games with Washington last season.

He signed a two-way contract with Dallas after going undrafted in 2021, moved on to Oklahoma City on a two-way deal in 2022, then went to Detroit in 2023 on a pair of 10-day contracts before being signed for the rest of the season. He inked an Exhibit 10 deal with Minnesota in September, but was waived before the season began.

Omoruyi has appeared in 87 NBA games, averaging 5.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per night.

He will fill the roster opening created Tuesday when the Raptors waived veteran center Bruno Fernando. The signing brings Toronto back to a full roster, with all 15 regular spots and all three two-way slots filled.

Omoruyi’s contract will run through January 17, giving him an opportunity to play in five games. He will be eligible for a second 10-day deal when this one ends, but after that the Raptors would have to sign him for the rest of the season if they want to keep him on the roster.

Kings Waive Orlando Robinson

January 7th, 2025 at 4:45pm CST by Luke Adams

4:45 pm: The Kings have officially waived Robinson, per NBA.com’s transaction log.

1:57 pm: The Kings, who entered the day with four players on non-guaranteed contracts, will retain three of those players and waive one, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).

According to Charania, Sacramento is cutting center Orlando Robinson, but will hang onto veteran forwards Doug McDermott and Jae Crowder, guaranteeing their full-season salaries. Defensive ace Keon Ellis also technically had a non-guaranteed deal, but was never in danger of being released.

Robinson, 24, joined the Kings as a free agent over the summer to provide depth at center behind Domantas Sabonis and Alex Len. However, the former Heat big man has appeared in just nine games, averaging 2.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in 6.3 minutes per contest. Sacramento has primarily used Len and power forward Trey Lyles to back up Sabonis.

By waiving Robinson, the Kings will take on a dead-money cap hit of $959,779, which is also the salary he’ll earn for the time he spent with the team.

Retaining McDermott, Crowder, and Ellis will mean locking in cap charges of $2,087,519, $1,655,619, and $2,120,693, respectively. McDermott ($3,303,771) and Crowder ($2,620,232) will earn salaries exceeding their cap hits because the NBA reimburses a team for a portion of a player’s salary if he has more than two years of experience and signs a one-year, minimum-salary contract.

The transaction will leave the Kings with an open spot on their 15-man roster. The team is unlikely to fill that spot immediately, since it could be useful in trade season and keeping it open for the time being will give the club a little extra breathing room below the luxury tax line. Sacramento will be about $3.2MM below the tax line once the move is official, notes ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link).

Sixers Cut Two-Way Player Pete Nance

January 7th, 2025 at 4:15pm CST by Luke Adams

The Sixers have placed two-way player Pete Nance on waivers, the team announced today (via Twitter).

Nance, who is the younger brother of Hawks big man Larry Nance Jr., signed with Philadelphia a little over a month ago after beginning the season with the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate. He appeared in one NBA game for the Sixers and five G League contests for the Delaware Blue Coats during his time on a two-way deal with the organization.

Across 13 total NBAGL outings for the Charge and the Blue Coats this season, Nance has averaged 17.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 34.3 minutes per game. He posted a solid shooting line of .500/.375/.731 in those 13 appearances.

The Charge would hold Nance’s rights if he decides to return to the G League.

Although the contracts for two-way players don’t count against the salary cap, their salaries become fully guaranteed if they remain under contract through January 7. Nance will receive only a prorated portion of his two-way salary for the month-plus he spent under contract with the 76ers, who will become one of three teams around the NBA with an open two-way slot.

Raptors Waive Bruno Fernando

January 7th, 2025 at 10:11am CST by Luke Adams

10:11 am: The Raptors have officially waived Fernando, tweets Murphy.

7:25 am: The Raptors are waiving big man Bruno Fernando, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet (Twitter link). Fernando is on a non-guaranteed contract, so cutting him on Tuesday will ensure Toronto isn’t on the hook for his full-season salary.

Fernando, who signed a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Raptors in August after previously suiting up for the Hawks, Celtics, and Rockets, was sparingly used during the first half of this season even though centers Kelly Olynyk and Jakob Poeltl both missed some time due to injuries.

Fernando appeared in 17 games for Toronto, making two starts. He averaged 3.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 8.6 minutes per contest.

The language in Fernando’s non-guaranteed contract initially called for his full $2,425,403 salary to be locked in if he made the Raptors’ opening night roster. However, the two sides agreed to amend the deal, pushing back the salary guarantee date to the league-wide deadline of January 7.

If Fernando hadn’t agreed to adjust the terms of his deal, he likely would’ve been released before earning any of his $2.43MM salary. Instead, he’ll end up making $1,115,128, a prorated portion of his minimum deal.

That’s also the cap charge the Raptors will carry on their books for the 26-year-old, assuming he’s not claimed on waivers. A waiver claim would ensure Fernando’s full salary becomes guaranteed and would take Toronto off the hook for his cap hit, but it’s an unlikely outcome.

According to Grange, the expectation is that the Raptors will maintain some flexibility with their 15th roster spot for now, perhaps auditioning players on 10-day contracts. That opening could come in handy at the trade deadline to accommodate certain deals. As Blake Murphy of Sportsnet observes (via Twitter), it could also potentially be used later in the season to promote two-way player Jamison Battle to the standard roster.

As for Fernando’s next step, the veteran center is considered a potential target for the Turkish club Fenerbahce, which has been in the market for frontcourt help, notes Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops. Exploring a deal with the EuroLeague powerhouse could be an appealing option for Fernando if he doesn’t get an offer from an NBA team right away.

Thunder Cut Branden Carlson

January 7th, 2025 at 10:06am CST by Luke Adams

The Thunder have placed center Branden Carlson on waivers, the team announced today. The move ensures that Oklahoma City won’t be on the hook for Carlson’s full-season salary, since his deal was non-guaranteed.

Carlson, who opened the season with the Raptors 905 in the G League, signed a one-year, minimum-salary contract with the Thunder in mid-November.

Carlson only saw garbage-time action with Oklahoma City at the NBA level, logging 25 total minutes across seven outings. He also appeared in five Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games for the OKC Blue, averaging 15.2 points and 8.6 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per contest.

A team that wants to avoid locking in a player’s non-guaranteed salary for the rest of the season must waive him by January 7, which is why the Thunder are making this move today. Although Carlson won’t earn his full $990,895 salary, he’ll be credited for 55 days of service, resulting in a salary (and dead-money cap hit) of $365,767.

The Thunder will open up a roster spot as a result of the transaction. I’d expect them to keep it open or use it for 10-day signings until they get a sense of whether it will be useful for trade purposes.

As Blake Murphy of Sportsnet tweets, the Raptors 905 still control Carlson’s G League rights, so if he ends up returning to the NBAGL, Toronto’s affiliate would have the option of bringing him back to the team.