Transactions Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Cavaliers Sign Jacob Gilyard, Zhaire Smith

September 25th, 2024 at 7:14am CST by Luke Adams

SEPTEMBER 25: Gilyard and Smith have each officially signed with the Cavs, per RealGM’s transaction log.

Having cut Tomlin and Osabuohien on Tuesday, Cleveland is back up to 21 players under contract, with Nance’s deal now official too.

SEPTEMBER 24: Free agent guards Jacob Gilyard and Zhaire Smith are signing Exhibit 10 contracts with the Cavaliers, reports Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required).

Gilyard, 26, spent last season on two-way deals with the Grizzlies and Nets, appearing in a total of 41 games for the two teams. The 5’9″ point guard held his own in a rotation role for Memphis, averaging 4.7 points and 3.5 assists with a .425 3PT% in 17.7 minutes per game across 37 outings (14 starts).

However, two-way players can’t be active for more than 50 NBA games, so with Gilyard just about at that limit, the Grizzlies opted to waive him rather than promote him, putting him on track to finish the season in Brooklyn. He became an unrestricted free agent this summer after the Nets opted not to tender him a two-way qualifying offer.

As for Smith, the former No. 16 overall pick spent most of last season with the Cleveland Charge in the G League, briefly earning an NBA call-up on a 10-day contract with the Cavaliers in February. In 47 Showcase Cup and regular season games for the Cavs’ NBAGL affiliate, the 6’4″ guard averaged 13.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 33.0 minutes per contest, posting an impressive shooting line of .539/.394/.836.

Since Cleveland controls Smith’s G League returning rights and recently acquired Gilyard’s rights in a trade with the Memphis Hustle, the plan will likely be for both players to report back to the Charge this fall. Their Exhibit 10 contracts will make them eligible for bonuses worth up to $77.5K as long as they spend at least 60 days with the Cavs’ G League team.

According to Fedor, before they’re waived, Gilyard and Smith will get the opportunity to attend training camp with the Cavs along with fellow invitees Pete Nance and Jules Bernard. A report on Monday indicated that those two players, along with Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Gabe Osabuohien, had agreed to Exhibit 10 deals with Cleveland. Fedor confirms that reporting, but says Tomlin and Osabuohien are expected to be waived before camp begins.

The Cavs’ deals with Bernard, Tomlin, and Osabuohien are now official, per RealGM’s transaction log.

The Cavs are already carrying 14 players on standard contracts and three on two-way deals, so they’ll be at the 21-man limit once their back-of-the-roster transactions are complete.

Heat Sign Nassir Little To Non-Guaranteed Contract

September 24th, 2024 at 7:24pm CST by Dana Gauruder

SEPTEMBER 24: The Heat have officially signed Little, the team announced today in a press release.

According to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald (Twitter link), Little’s one-year contract is fully non-guaranteed.

SEPTEMBER 23: Nassir Little has agreed to a one-year contract with the Heat, NBA insider Chris Haynes tweets.

The free agent forward had worked out for a number of other teams, including the Celtics, Warriors and Kings.

The Heat already have 14 players on fully guaranteed deals, plus others on training camp or non-guaranteed contracts. They have major luxury tax considerations and would surpass the second tax apron threshold by carrying a 15th man, so it remains to be seen what kind of contract Miami offered. It’s likely to be a non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed deal.

Little, 24, has been a free agent since Phoenix waived him late last month. The combo forward appeared in 45 games for the Suns last season, making two starts and posting 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per night. The former No. 25 overall pick spent his first four NBA seasons in Portland before coming to Phoenix in a three-team trade last September.

Hornets’ Soriano, Pelicans’ Robinson, Two Cavs Among Tuesday’s Cuts

September 24th, 2024 at 7:15pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Hornets have waived Joel Soriano, according to the NBA.com official transaction log. Soriano was on an Exhibit 10 contract, which he signed earlier this month.

A 6’10” center, Soriano went undrafted in June after finishing his college career at St. John’s. The big man averaged a double-double (14.5 points, 10.7 rebounds) in 66 games during his final two college seasons while also chipping in 1.6 blocks and 1.4 assists in 29.3 minutes per contest.

Soriano could receive a bonus worth up to $77.5K after he clears waivers, then spends at least 60 days with the Greensboro Swarm, Charlotte’s G League affiliate.

Here are a few more of the latest cuts from around the league:

After announcing earlier today that they’ve signed him to an Exhibit 10 contract, the Pelicans have already waived Galen Robinson Jr., per NBA.com’s transaction log. The Birmingham Squadron, New Orleans’ G League affiliate, holds Robinson’s returning rights, so the quick sign-and-waive transaction was simply designed to get him an Exhibit 10 bonus (worth up to $77.5K) on top of his standard G League salary if he spends at least 60 days with the Squadron this season.
Shortly after signing them to Exhibit 10 contracts, the Cavaliers have waived Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Gabe Osabuohien, according to the transaction log at NBA.com. The cuts had been expected, since today’s reporting indicated that Cleveland had agreed to Exhibit 10 deals with six players but only had room to bring four of them to training camp. Tomlin and Osabuohien figure to open the season with the Cleveland Charge, the Cavs’ G League affiliate.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Pelicans Sign Three Players To Camp Deals

September 24th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Luke Adams

The Pelicans have signed forward Keion Brooks Jr., guard Galen Robinson Jr., and guard Izaiah Brockington, the team announced in a press release. According to Christian Clark of NOLA.com (Twitter link), all three players received Exhibit 10 contracts.

Brooks went undrafted in June after a five-year college career that included three years at Kentucky and two at Washington. He averaged 21.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in 32 starts for the Huskies in 2023/24, then played for the Pelicans’ Summer League team in Las Vegas in July.

Robinson is a G League veteran who played his college ball at Houston from 2015-19. While he has played in Germany, Mexico, and France since going pro five years ago, he has spent most of those five seasons in the NBAGL, including for the Birmingham Squadron, New Orleans’ G league affiliate, in 2023/24.

Brockington also played for the Squadron last season after missing nearly all of the 2022/23 campaign due to a torn ACL. His agreement with the Pelicans was previously reported.

All three players will likely end up with the Squadron to open the 2023/24 season. Signing Exhibit 10 contracts will entitle them to bonuses worth up to $77.5K if they’re waived by New Orleans and then spend at least 60 days with the Pelicans’ G League team.

The Pelicans now have a full 21-man preseason roster. Elfrid Payton is also reportedly signing a camp contract with the team, so someone will have to be waived before that deal can be officially completed.

Raptors Sign, Waive Quincy Guerrier

September 24th, 2024 at 2:59pm CST by Luke Adams

2:59pm: The Raptors have waived Guerrier, putting him on track to become an affiliate player for the Raptors 905, tweets Murphy. The team once again has an open spot on its 21-man preseason roster.

10:49am: Nearly three months after his agreement was initially reported, undrafted free agent forward Quincy Guerrier has officially signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Raptors, tweets Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca.

Guerrier spent two years at Oregon and two more at Syracuse before finishing out his college career by playing for Illinois as a “super-senior” in 2023/24. In 38 games (all starts) for the Fighting Illini last season, he averaged 9.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in 24.1 minutes per game, posting a shooting line of .476/.374/.569.

After going undrafted in June, Guerrier quickly agreed to terms on a training camp contract with the Raptors and joined the club for the Las Vegas Summer League. He played a limited role in three games in Vegas, averaging 4.7 PPG and 4.7 RPG in 12.9 MPG.

In all likelihood, Toronto expects Guerrier to suit up this season for the Raptors 905, their G League affiliate. Assuming he’s waived before the NBA season tips off and then spends at least 60 days with the 905, his Exhibit 10 deal will entitle him to a bonus worth up to $77.5K on top of his standard NBAGL salary.

The Raptors now have a full 21-man roster, though there’s still plenty of time to continue making tweaks before training camp gets underway next Tuesday.

Spurs Sign Jameer Nelson Jr.

September 24th, 2024 at 7:48am CST by Luke Adams

The Spurs have signed free agent guard Jameer Nelson Jr., according to Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot, who cites the team’s official roster page.

While the terms of the agreement aren’t known, it’s likely a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract. An Exhibit 10 contract can be converted to a two-way deal prior to the regular season (the Spurs have one open slot) or can make a player eligible to earn a bonus worth up to $77.5K if he’s waived and then spends at least 60 days with his team’s G League affiliate (in this case, the Austin Spurs).

The son of longtime NBA point guard Jameer Nelson, Jameer Jr. spent his first two college seasons at George Washington, followed by two years at Delaware and a single season at TCU in 2023/24. As a super-senior for the Horned Frogs, he averaged 11.2 points, 3.3 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 steals in 25.0 minutes per game across 34 appearances (22 starts), with a shooting line of .434/.306/.738.

After going undrafted in June, Nelson caught on with the Spurs for Summer League play, appearing in eight total games with the team in the California Classic and Las Vegas leagues. He struggled with his shot (.277/.267/.600) in a limited role (11.2 MPG), but it appears the Spurs still envision him having a spot on their G League team.

San Antonio now has a full 21-man roster, though more moves are expected in the coming days and weeks.

Warriors Sign Blake Hinson To Exhibit 10 Contract

September 24th, 2024 at 6:30am CST by Luke Adams

SEPTEMBER 24: The Warriors have officially signed Hinson, per RealGM’s NBA transaction log.

SEPTEMBER 19: The Warriors and free agent wing Blake Hinson have agreed to terms on an Exhibit 10 contract, league sources Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

Hinson began his college career at Ole Miss in 2018 and spent two years with the program before transferring to Iowa State. He never ended up playing for the Cyclones, transferring again to Pittsburgh, where he played from 2022-24. The 24-year-old put up impressive stats in his super-senior year in ’23/24, averaging 18.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He was one of the NCAA’s best outside shooters, making 42.1% of 7.9 three-point attempts per game.

After going undrafted in June, Hinson signed a two-way deal with the Lakers during the first week of July and played for the team at the Las Vegas Summer League. However, he was waived on Monday when Los Angeles needed to open up a two-way slot for big man Christian Koloko. Hinson, who cleared waivers on Wednesday, chose Golden State over “several” interested clubs, according to Scotto.

While Hinson’s Exhibit 10 deal will make him eligible to be converted to a two-way contract before the regular season begins, the Warriors have no shortage of candidates for those spots — all three two-way slots are currently occupied and second-round pick Quinten Post is still expected to sign a two-way deal, supplanting one of the current players.

Hinson may end up being waived and then earning an Exhibit 10 bonus worth up to $77.5K by spending at least 60 days with the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s G League affiliate.

Suns Sign Moses Wood To Exhibit 10 Contract

September 24th, 2024 at 6:15am CST by Rory Maher

SEPTEMBER 24: The signing is official, according to RealGM’s transaction log.

SEPTEMBER 23: The Suns plan to sign Moses Wood to an Exhibit 10 contract, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

Wood went undrafted in June, making him an unrestricted free agent. He played five college seasons with Tulane, UNLV, Portland and Washington from 2018-24. As a “super senior” with the Huskies in 2023/24, the 6’8″ forward averaged 11.9 PPG and 4.5 RPG while shooting 39.6% from three-point range in 32 games (32.5 MPG).

Wood is a strong outside shooter, having made 40.4% of his career three-point attempts in college. The 25-year-old suited up for the Hawks’ Summer League team in July, Scotto notes, though he struggled with his shot in four appearances, going 6-of-21 from behind the arc (28.6%). Overall, he averaged 5.5 PPG and 3.0 RPG in 22.4 MPG with Atlanta in Las Vegas.

The transaction is almost certainly designed to give Wood an opportunity to earn a bonus worth up to $77.5K if he’s waived before the season begins and spends at least 60 days with Phoenix’s new NBA G League affiliate, the Valley Suns.

The Suns currently have 18 players under contract, with Wood joining several players who have reportedly agreed to Exhibit 10 deals that are not yet official.

Suns Sign Tyrese Samuel To Exhibit 10 Contract

September 23rd, 2024 at 9:45pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Suns have signed Tyrese Samuel to an Exhibit 10 contract, Spotrac contributor Keith Smith tweets.

Phoenix’s intention to sign Samuel was reported shortly after he went undrafted out of Florida. He saw action in four Las Vegas Summer League contests with the Suns.

Samuel, a 6’10” All-SEC big man, spent his first four collegiate seasons at Seton Hall before transferring to the Gators in 2023/24. He scored 13.9 points per game on 56.4% field goal shooting and 56.2% foul shooting. He also averaged 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest.

Samuel will be eligible for a bonus up to $77.5K if he’s waived and the spends at least 60 days with the Valley Suns, Phoenix’s G League club.

Cavs Adding Four Players To Fortify Camp Roster

September 23rd, 2024 at 8:06pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Cavaliers have agreed to training camp deals with Pete Nance, Jules Bernard, Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Gabe Osabuohien, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.

Cleveland had 17 players, including two-way contracts, on its roster. If the Cavs don’t make any additional moves after finalizing these newly reported deals, they’ll have a full 21-man roster entering training camp.

Nance is a familiar name to Cavs fans. He finished last season on a two-way contract with Cleveland and also played on the Cavs’ Summer League team. The 24-year-old forward appeared in eight Cavs games last season.

Bernard, a 24-year-old guard, played 19 games for the Wizards last season on a two-way contract. The Cleveland Charge, the team’s NBA G League squad, recently acquired his returning rights.

Tomlin is an undrafted rookie forward out of Memphis. Osabuohien, another forward, has spent the last two seasons with the Charge.