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Agent: Paolo Banchero, Magic agree to $239M max rookie deal

Agent: Paolo Banchero, Magic agree to $239M max rookie deal

The Orlando Magic are locking up cornerstone player Paolo Banchero, agreeing to a five-year, $239 million maximum rookie extension with the star forward on Monday, his agent told ESPN.

If Banchero is either named to an All-NBA team or wins NBA MVP or Defensive Player of the Year next season, the extension could reach $287 million, per Miller.

Banchero's deal includes a player option in 2030-31, which has not happened since Luka Doncic (then with the Dallas Mavericks) and the Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young finished out their rookie max contracts in 2021.

The Magic appear poised to be serious contenders in the Eastern Conference for the foreseeable future, with Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs also under contract for the next five seasons, newcomer Desmond Bane signed through the 2028-29 season and Tyus Jones joining on a one-year deal.

Banchero, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft, has guided the franchise to two consecutive postseason appearances, despite missing 34 games last season with an early oblique injury. After the All-Star break, he carried the Magic with averages of 29.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

He is also coming off a campaign in which he averaged career-high 25.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game along with 4.8 assists, becoming just the third Magic player to average more than 25 ppg (Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady).

Over his three seasons, the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year and 2023-24 All-Star has averaged 22.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 198 games (all starts).

Knicks make it official, hire Mike Brown as head coach

Knicks make it official, hire Mike Brown as head coach

The New York Knicks hired two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown as their new head coach on Monday.

Brown, 55, was fired by the Sacramento Kings last December after two-plus seasons. He previously coached the Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-10) and Los Angeles Lakers (2011-12) and has a career record of 454-304.

"After a thorough and extensive search process, we are pleased to announce Mike Brown as the head coach of the New York Knicks," Knicks president Leon Rose said in a statement. "Mike has coached on the biggest stages in our sport and brings championship pedigree to our organization."

Brown replaces Tom Thibodeau, who was fired a month ago after leading the Knicks to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years.

"(Brown's) experience leading the bench during the NBA Finals, winning four titles as an assistant coach, and his ability to grow and develop players will all help us as we aim to bring a championship to New York for our fans," Rose added.

The Knicks reportedly conducted a second interview with Brown last Tuesday and also reportedly interviewed former Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego, former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori.

The Knicks cast a wide net to replace Thibodeau. They attempted to interview current head coaches -- including Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, Chris Finch of the Timberwolves and Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets -- but were denied permission by those teams.

They also interviewed South Carolina championship-winning women's basketball coach Dawn Staley for the opening.

Brown has won four NBA championships as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs (2003) and the Golden State Warriors (2017, 2018 and 2022). He led the Cavaliers to the 2006-07 NBA Finals, where they were swept by the Spurs.

Pistons acquire Duncan Robinson from Heat for Simone Fontecchio

Pistons acquire Duncan Robinson from Heat for Simone Fontecchio

The Heat and Pistons formalized their agreement that sends 3-point specialist Duncan Robinson from Miami to Detroit in exchange for Simone Fontecchio on Monday.

It was previously reported that the Pistons were acquiring Robinson in a sign-and-trade, with the new contract worth $48 million over three years. The trade is one-for-one, Robinson for Fontecchio.

Robinson spent seven seasons with the Heat and is the franchise's all-time leader with 1,202 career 3-pointers. Robinson set up the move by declining his $19.9 million early termination option before the start of the new league year.

The 31-year-old Robinson will seek more playing time with the Pistons. He averaged 24.1 minutes per outing in 74 games (37 starts) with Miami last season. His career high of 31.4 minutes occurred in the 2020-21 season.

Robinson averaged 11.0 points and made 190 3-pointers last season. He has a career scoring average of 11.3 points in 423 games (283 starts).

Robinson knocked down 752 treys over a three-season span earlier in his career, topped by a career-best 270 in the 2019-20 season, a total that ties for 25th most in NBA history.

Fontecchio, 29, is a forward who has split his three NBA seasons between the Utah Jazz (2022-24) and the Pistons (2024-25). He averaged a career-low 5.9 points per game in 75 appearances off the bench for Detroit last season.

He has averaged 7.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest over 193 NBA games (49 starts).

Hawks officially bring in F/C Kristaps Porzingis, waive F David Roddy

Hawks officially bring in F/C Kristaps Porzingis, waive F David Roddy

The Atlanta Hawks officially welcomed Kristaps Porzingis on Monday while waiving forward David Roddy one day after he was acquired in the NBA's first seven-team trade.

Transactions could not be formalized until the start of the new league year on Sunday. The Hawks were part of a three-team trade with the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets that initially was reported on June 24.

Atlanta acquired the 7-foot-2 Porzingis and a 2026 second-round draft pick from the Celtics in exchange for Hawks forward Georges Niang and a 2031 second-round pick (belonging to Cleveland).

The Nets got Hawks guard Terance Mann and draft rights to their 2025 No. 22 pick, Drake Powell. Brooklyn sent cash considerations to Boston.

"Kristaps is a unique and versatile talent with championship pedigree," Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh said in a statement. "His ability to stretch the floor, protect the rim, and make plays on both ends adds another dimension to our team. We are fortunate to add a player of his caliber to our group."

Saleh also thanked Mann and Niang for their contributions last season, after they were obtained in separate Feb. 6 trades with the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers, respectively.

Porzingis, 29, was an All-Star in 2017-18 with the New York Knicks, who drafted him with the No. 4 overall pick in 2015. Derailed by injuries, he missed the entire 2018-19 season with a torn ACL and has played fewer than 60 games in six of his last seven campaigns.

He missed the start of this past season following offseason ankle surgery. The torn medial retinaculum injury, considered "rare," occurred during the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, which the Celtics won in five games.

Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 28.8 minutes in only 42 regular-season games (all starts) last season. He also played in 11 playoff games (seven starts) and averaged 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 21.0 minutes.

For his career, Porzingis averages 19.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 blocks and 30.8 minutes in 501 games (500 starts) for the Knicks (2015-18), Mavericks (2019-22), Washington Wizards (2022-23) and Celtics.

He earned $29.2 million this season and is due to earn $30.7 million in 2025-26.

Mann averaged 9.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 22.7 minutes in 30 games (one start) for Atlanta -- all improvements over his earlier averages in 37 games (12 starts) for the Clippers.

For his career, Mann, 28, averages 8.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 22.1 minutes in 412 games (169 starts) for the Clippers and Hawks.

The Indiana Pacers picked Niang in the second round of the 2016 draft. Niang, who turned 32 on June 17, has averaged 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 17.5 minutes in 544 games (32 starts).

Niang has played for the Pacers (2016-17), Utah Jazz (2017-21), Philadelphia 76ers (2021-23), Cleveland Cavaliers (2023-25) and Hawks. He averaged 12.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 23.0 minutes in 28 games (two starts) for Atlanta.

In a historic NBA trade highlighted by 15-time All-Star forward Kevin Durant leaving the Phoenix Suns for the Houston Rockets, Roddy, 24, was one of the moving pieces. He went from Houston to Atlanta along with cash, while the Hawks swapped second-round picks.

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Roddy with the 23rd overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft out of Colorado State. He was traded the next day with Danny Green to the Memphis Grizzlies for De'Anthony Melton.

The Hawks obtained Roddy in a July 29, 2024, trade with the Phoenix Suns for E.J. Liddell. Atlanta waived Roddy on Feb. 6 after he averaged 4.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 12.8 minutes in 27 games (three starts). He also spent short stints last season with the 76ers and Houston Rockets.

Roddy has career averages of 6.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 16.9 minutes in 168 games (20 starts) for the Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Hawks, 76ers and Rockets in three seasons.

Kyle Lowry to play 20th NBA season with hometown 76ers

Kyle Lowry to play 20th NBA season with hometown 76ers

Veteran guard Kyle Lowry, who spent parts of the last two seasons playing in his hometown of Philadelphia, signed a one-year deal on Monday to play his 20th NBA campaign with the 76ers.

Terms were not disclosed in the deal for the six-time All-Star, who debuted with the Memphis Grizzlies after they made him their first-round pick (No. 24) in the 2006 draft.

"Kyle's championship experience and Hall of Fame resume speaks for itself. He is a proven floor general with tremendous knowledge of the game that is a resource to everyone in the organization," 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said. "It's only fitting that his 20th NBA season will be right here in Philadelphia, the city he calls home."

Last season, the 39-year-old Lowry posted 3.9 points, 2.7 assists and 1.9 rebounds over 35 games (12 starts). Over his career, the former Villanova star has averaged 13.9 points, 6.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 1,173 games (898 starts) with the Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat and 76ers.

Among active players, Lowry ranks in the top 10 in assists (fifth, 7,099), 3-pointers (seventh, 2,205), steals (ninth, 1,499) and triple-doubles (10th, 21).

Along with winning an NBA title with the Raptors in 2019, Lowry captured an Olympic gold medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

Pacers confirm G Tyrese Haliburton to miss 2025-26 season

Pacers confirm G Tyrese Haliburton to miss 2025-26 season

The Indiana Pacers confirmed what was expected that star point guard Tyrese Haliburton will miss the entire 2025-26 season after surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon.

Pacers president Kevin Pritchard conformed the status Monday.

"I have no doubt that he will be back better than ever," Pritchard said on Indiana's WISH-TV. "The surgery went well. It was a little higher and he gets more blood to that (as he recovers). He will not play next year though. We would not jeopardize that now. So don't get any hopes up that he will play."

Haliburton was injured in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last month, with the Oklahoma City Thunder going on to win the game and their first title in franchise history. Without Haliburton, the Pacers were outscored 56-43 in the second half as Oklahoma City finished off a 103-91 victory.

The two-time All-Star scored nine points with three 3-pointers before leaving the floor. He averaged 14.0 points, 5.9 assists and 4.6 rebounds during the NBA Finals.

Haliburton, 25, averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 73 games (all starts) during the regular season and was selected All-NBA third team. He has career averages of 17.5 points, 8.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 333 games (294 starts) for the Sacramento Kings (2020-22) and Pacers.

Blazers' trade for Celtics' Jrue Holiday altered to swap for Anfernee Simons

Blazers' trade for Celtics' Jrue Holiday altered to swap for Anfernee Simons

The Portland Trail Blazers' acquisition of two-time All-Star guard Jrue Holiday was announced as official on Monday but has been amended from the terms reported on June 23.

The Boston Celtics will receive guard Anfernee Simons, but two future second-round picks are not part of the trade. It is now a straight player-for-player swap.

Trades could not be announced until they were finalized with the start of the new league year on Sunday.

The Oregonian reported on Monday that a review of Holiday's medical history did not reveal anything to negate the trade but led the Trail Blazers to change terms of the transaction. The 35-year-old Holiday, who missed 20 games last season due to multiple injuries, is considered healthy and available for training camp in September, per the report.

The Celtics have shed players with large contracts, such as Holiday and forward/center Kristaps Porzingis, who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Star forward Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon in the second round of the playoffs and a long recovery period is expected.

Holiday, who will earn $32.4 million next season, is owed approximately $72 million combined in 2026-27 and 2027-28 on the back end of a four-year, $134.4 million contract he signed with the Celtics in April of 2024.

Simons. 26, joins the Celtics on an expiring contract. Per ESPN, the deal saves Boston $40 million in luxury tax payments next season.

In 2023, Portland landed Holiday in a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks for Damian Lillard, then sent the 16-year veteran to Boston and acquired a pair of first-round picks. Holiday never played a game for the Blazers.

In his first season with the Celtics, Holiday played an instrumental role in the team's run to the 2024 NBA title, shooting a career-high 42.9 percent from 3-point range in 2023-24 and earning All-Defensive team honors. He averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals last season.

Holiday was a first-round pick (No. 17 overall) of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2009. He has career averages of 15.8 points, 6.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals with the 76ers (2009-13), New Orleans Pelicans (2013-20), Bucks (2020-23) and Celtics in 1,037 games (956 starts). He won his first NBA title with Milwaukee in 2021 and is a six-time All-Defensive Team selection.

Simons, 26, was also a first-round selection at No. 24 overall by the Blazers in 2018. He averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.8 assist last season.

In seven seasons with Portland, he averaged 15.0 points, 3.3 assists and 2.5 rebounds over 389 games (213 starts). He has averaged nearly nine 3-point attempts per game the last three seasons and is a career 38.1-percent shooter from distance.

Report: 3-way trade includes Norman Powell, John Collins

Report: 3-way trade includes Norman Powell, John Collins

The Heat, Clippers and Jazz have agreed to a deal that will send John Collins to Los Angeles, Norman Powell to Miami and veterans Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson to Utah, ESPN reported Monday.

The Jazz also will receive the Clippers' second-round draft pick in 2027.

Collins, 27, spent the past two seasons with the Jazz after six with the Atlanta Hawks, who selected the forward with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

He was limited to 40 games in the 2024-25 season, largely due to a sprained left ankle. He averaged 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds. Over 472 career games (410 starts), the forward has averages of 16.0 points and 8.1 rebounds over 29.1 minutes per game.

Powell, 32, began his career with the Toronto Raptors in 2015 and won the NBA title with the team in 2019. After a brief stop with the Portland Trail Blazers (2020-22), the guard was traded to the Clippers and was a key contributor last season, finishing second on the team in scoring with a career-high 21.8 points per game. He also averaged 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 60 games (all starts) and shot 41.8 percent from 3-point range.

He has career averages of 13.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 24.2 minutes over 617 games (259 starts).

Love, 36, is a 17-year NBA veteran and a five-time All-Star over his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and Heat. Injuries and personal issues limited him to 23 games (nine starts) and 5.3 points per game in 2024-25.

The forward has played in 952 games (693 starts) and averages a career double-double of 16.2 points and 10.0 rebounds. A career 36.9 percent shooter from long distance, he won the NBA title with Cleveland in 2016.

Anderson, 31, was traded to the Heat in February as part of a five-team deal and appeared in 25 games, averaging 6.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists. The forward was a first-round pick by the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and has played in 714 games (308 starts) for five teams, averaging 6.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

Agents: Bucks re-signing G Ryan Rollins to 3-year deal

Agents: Bucks re-signing G Ryan Rollins to 3-year deal

The Milwaukee Bucks are re-signing Ryan Rollins to a three-year, $12 million contract, the guard's agents told ESPN.

The deal includes a player option in the third season, according to Equity Sports' Mike Silverman and Brandon Grier.

Rollins, who turned 23 last week, originally joined the Bucks on a two-way deal in February 2024 and signed a rest-of-season contract this March, which made him an unrestricted free agent.

In his 19 starts in place of an injured -- and now departed -- Damian Lillard, Rollins averaged 10.2 points and shot 45.2 percent from 3-point range in 2024-25.

A second-round draft pick in 2022, Rollins has career averages of 5.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 81 games (19 starts) with the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards and Bucks. He is a 41.4 percent shooter from behind the arc.

Thunder give G Ajay Mitchell multi-year deal

Thunder give G Ajay Mitchell multi-year deal

After winning an NBA title in his rookie season, guard Ajay Mitchell received a multi-year contract extension from the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but reports indicate Mitchell received a three-year, $9 million deal.

Mitchell, 23, was selected 38th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, who traded him to the Thunder for fellow draft pick Oso Ighodaro.

Mitchell proceeded to appear in 36 games and make one start for Oklahoma City in the regular season. He averaged 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the floor and 38.3 percent from 3-point range.

Mitchell got into 12 games during the Thunder's playoff run and four games in the NBA Finals, where they beat the Indiana Pacers. Mitchell averaged 3.4 points in 7.0 minutes off the bench.

Mitchell, from Belgium, played college basketball for UC Santa Barbara. He averaged 20 points in his third and final season with the Gauchos.

Wizards acquire CJ McCollum, others in 3-team trade

Wizards acquire CJ McCollum, others in 3-team trade

The Washington Wizards completed a three-team trade on Sunday, acquiring guard CJ McCollum, center/forward Kelly Olynyk and forward Cam Whitmore from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for guard Jordan Poole, forward Saddiq Bay and the draft rights to guard Micah Peavy, along with sending two second-round draft picks to the Houston Rockets.

Washington also received the Warriors' second-round pick in 2027 via the Chicago Bulls in the trade. The second-round picks the Wizards sent to the Rockets will be in 2026 (via the Bulls) and 2029 (via the Sacramento Kings).

McCollum, 33, who is entering the second and final year of a contract extension worth $64 million, averaged 21.1 points, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 56 games (all starts) last season for the Pelicans.

In 12 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers and Pelicans, McCollum has career averages of 19.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 787 games (690 starts). Portland selected him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Olynyk, 34, was only with the Pelicans since a Feb. 6 trade from the Toronto Raptors. In 12 seasons, he is averaging 10.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 800 games (283 starts) with the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, Toronto and New Orleans.

The 20-year-old Whitmore was selected by the Rockets with the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. As a rookie, he flashed promise, averaging 12.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in only 18.7 minutes per game. In addition, he shot 35.9 percent from three-point range.

In his second season, Whitmore saw a slight minute reduction due to Houston's crowded depth chart; he averaged 9.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game.

The Pelicans get younger with the addition of 26-year-old Poole, whose 20.5 points per game was tops for the Wizards last season. He averaged 4.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 68 starts in his second season in Washington after spending the first four years of his career with the Golden State Warriors.

Poole has career averages of 16.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 412 games (249 starts) since the Warriors drafted him in the first round (No. 28 overall) in the 2019 draft.

Bey signed a three-year deal with Washington last July but never played a game for the Wizards, missing the entire season while recovering from a torn left ACL sustained while he was with the Atlanta Hawks in March 2024.

The 26-year-old has career marks of 14.1 points and 5.2 boards in 292 games (223 starts) with the Detroit Pistons (2020-23) and Hawks.

Peavy, 23, was selected by the Wizards in the second round of last month's draft out of Georgetown, where he averaged 17.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 32 games (all starts) last season.

In five college seasons with Texas Tech (2020-21), TCU (2021-24) and Georgetown, Peavy averaged 9.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 159 games (108 starts).

Report: NBA's first 7-team trade makes Kevin Durant officially a Rocket

Report: NBA's first 7-team trade makes Kevin Durant officially a Rocket

The NBA's first seven-team trade is official on Sunday with the start of the new league year as 15-time All-Star forward Kevin Durant is moving from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets, ESPN reported.

The transaction, initially reported on June 22, also involves the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, per Sunday's report.

The Rockets added Durant as well as veteran Clint Capela, who played for Houston from 2014-20 before spending the last five seasons with the Hawks.

The Suns received guard Jalen Green, guard/forward Dillon Brooks, center Khaman Maluach (the No. 10 overall pick of the 2025 draft, from Houston), forward Rasheer Fleming (31st pick of draft, from Minnesota), guard Koby Brea (41st pick, from Golden State), guard Daeqwon Plowden (from Atlanta) and a second-round selection.

The Nets ended up with two second-round draft picks, while the Warriors acquired forward Alex Toohey (52nd overall pick in 2025, from Phoenix) and Jahmai Mashack (59th pick, from Houston).

The Lakers added forward Adou Thiero, the 36th overall draft pick, from Brooklyn.

Atlanta swapped second-round picks and also brought in veteran forward David Roddy from Houston and cash.

The Timberwolves added Rocco Zikarsky (45th overall pick of 2025 draft, from the Lakers), two second-round selections and cash.

Durant now is eligible to sign a two-year extension worth up to $122 million. He has one season left on his current deal and is set to earn $54.7 million in 2025-26.

Durant will join a Rockets team that finished the regular season as the second seed in the Western Conference. The star forward will join All-Star Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet, among others, in Houston.

Durant, who turns 37 in September, played in 62 games with the Suns in 2024-25. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks, not far off of his career averages. He also shot 43.0 percent from 3-point range.

Selected to the All-NBA first team six times and the Most Valuable Player for the 2013-14 season, Durant has appeared in 1,123 games with the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (2007-16), Golden State Warriors (2016-19), Brooklyn Nets (2020-23) and Suns. He has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds. 4.4 assists and 1.1 blocks, shooting 39 percent from long distance.

Green, 23, averaged 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists while starting in all 82 games last season. He now joins All-Star Devin Booker in a potent backcourt for Phoenix.

Green has contributed 20.1 points, 4.3 boards and 3.4 assists in 307 games (all starts) since being selected by the Rockets with the second overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft.

Brooks, 29, averaged 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 75 games (all starts) in 2024-25.

He has contributed 14.2 points, 3.2 boards and 2.0 assists in 492 games (465 starts) with the Memphis Grizzlies (2017-23) and Rockets. He was selected by Houston in the second round of the 2017 draft.

Capela, 31, averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks in 55 games (41 starts) for Atlanta before a season-ending hand injury in March. The 25th overall pick in the 2014 draft by Houston, Capela sports career averages of 12.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.4 blocks in 664 games (587 starts).

Report: Grizzlies agree to deal with C Jock Landale

Report: Grizzlies agree to deal with C Jock Landale

The Memphis Grizzlies agreed to a deal with free agent center Jock Landale, per ESPN.

The move occurred minutes after ESPN reported the Grizzlies traded center Jay Huff to the Indiana Pacers.

After one-year stints with the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns, Landale signed with the Houston Rockets in 2023. Across two seasons, he averaged 4.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game.

However, the Rockets have assembled a plethora of quality centers on their roster in Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, and Clint Capela, leaving Landale as an odd man out.

In Memphis, Landale figures to compete with Brandon Clarke for the backup center spot. Landale could see an increased role to begin the season with starter Zach Edey recovering from ankle surgery.

Report: Grizzlies trade C Jay Huff to Pacers

Report: Grizzlies trade C Jay Huff to Pacers

The Memphis Grizzlies are trading center Jay Huff to the Indiana Pacers for one second-round pick and one second-round swap, according to ESPN.

Huff has spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets, and Grizzlies in his four-year NBA career. Last season, he established himself as a solid stretch five in Memphis, shooting an impressive 40.5 percent from deep.

The 7'1" big man averaged 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 11.7 minutes per game.

The Pacers gain a needed reinforcement in the frontcourt after they lost center Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency. Huff adds depth behind current center options Isaiah Jackson and Tony Bradley.

Huff, a member of the University of Virginia's 2018 national championship squad, has three years worth approximately $8 million left on his current deal; the final year is a club option.

Report: Rockets trade F Cam Whitmore to Wizards

Report: Rockets trade F Cam Whitmore to Wizards

The Houston Rockets are trading forward Cam Whitmore to the Washington Wizards for two second-round picks, per ESPN.

The 20-year-old was selected by the Rockets with the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. As a rookie, he flashed promise, averaging 12.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in only 18.7 minutes per game. In addition, he shot 35.9 percent from three-point range.

In his second season, Whitmore saw a slight minute reduction due to Houston's crowded depth chart; he averaged 9.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game.

Whitmore was already behind Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason in the rotation, but this offseason, the Rockets crowded the depth chart even more by adding superstar Kevin Durant and forward Dorian Finney-Smith.

In Washington, Whitmore has a clearer path to playing time, as he should become a key piece for the rebuilding squad. He will join their young core of Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and AJ Johnson.

Magic re-signing C Moritz Wagner to 1-year, $5M deal

Magic re-signing C Moritz Wagner to 1-year, $5M deal

The Orlando Magic are re-signing center Moritz Wagner to a one-year, $5 million contract, ESPN reported Friday.

Wagner, 28, averaged a career-high 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in 30 games (one start) with Orlando in 2024-25.

He underwent season-ending surgery after tearing his left ACL in a Dec. 21 game against the Miami Heat.

The 6-foot-11 Wagner has career averages of 9.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in 363 games (57 starts) with four teams.

The German international's younger brother, Franz, is under contract with the Magic through the 2029-30 season.

Reports: Lakers re-sign C Jaxson Hayes for one year

Reports: Lakers re-sign C Jaxson Hayes for one year

A day after adding free agent center Deandre Ayton, the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly agreed to a deal on Thursday to bring back their incumbent at the position, Jaxson Hayes.

The Lakers and Hayes settled on a one-year contract, according to ESPN and The Athletic. Financial terms weren't reported.

In his second season with Los Angles in 2024-25, Hayes averaged 6.8 points, a career-high 4.8 rebounds and a career-best 1.0 assists in 56 games (35 starts).

The 25-year-old Texas player started the first four games of the Lakers' five-game defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, contributing just 1.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.3 assists per contest.

The Lakers never brought him off the bench in their series-ending loss.

After getting selected eighth overall in the 2019 draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Hayes was immediately dealt to the Pelicans. He played four seasons in New Orleans, then signed with the Lakers in July 2023.

In 367 career NBA games (87 starts), Hayes has averages of 6.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists.

Ayton, 26, reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Lakers after the Portland Trail Blazers bought out his contract. He has career averages of 16.4 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 398 games (391 starts).

Ex-NBA player Ben McLemore convicted of rape charge

Ex-NBA player Ben McLemore convicted of rape charge

Following an 11-day trial and about 10 hours of deliberation, an Oregon jury found former NBA guard Ben McLemore guilty on Thursday of raping a woman in 2021.

McLemore, 32, who last played in the NBA in 2022 with the Portland Trail Blazers, was found guilty on one charge of first-degree rape, one charge of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and one count of second-degree sexual abuse by a jury in Clackamas County. He will be sentenced next Wednesday.

McLemore pled not guilty to those charges along with a fourth charge, an additional count of second-degree sexual abuse.

"We recognize there are those who fear individuals with celebrity status or a position of prominence can avoid prosecution," Clackamas County District Attorney John Wentworth said in a statement. "Not in Clackamas County. This case demonstrates my office prosecutes criminal acts regardless of the offender's community status."

McLemore was identified as a suspect after police investigated a sexual assault report in Lake Oswego, Ore., on Oct. 3, 2021.

The case went before a Clackamas County grand jury in February 2024, when the women who accused McLemore of assault provided testimony. Per Lake Oswego police, the grand jury put out an arrest warrant for McLemore and also issued an indictment against him.

McLemore was arrested by U.S. Marshals in April 2024.

The No. 7 overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2013 draft, McLemore also played with the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and the Trail Blazers before heading overseas to continue his career.

In 556 NBA games (268 starts), McLemore averaged 9.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

Report: Jared Dudley to join Nuggets as top assistant coach

Report: Jared Dudley to join Nuggets as top assistant coach

Jared Dudley is leaving the Dallas Mavericks' coaching staff to join the Denver Nuggets as an assistant coach under David Adelman, ESPN reported Thursday.

Dudley, who turns 40 next week, retired from the NBA in 2021 and immediately took on a role as an assistant coach with the Mavericks under head coach Jason Kidd.

Dudley is expected to move into the main assistant role under Adelman, who was named interim head coach of the Nuggets on April 8 when head coach Michael Malone was fired. Adelman was named the full-time head coach on May 22 after Denver advanced to the Western Conference semifinals.

In 14 NBA seasons with seven teams, including seven seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Dudley averaged 7.3 points with 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists over 904 games (286 starts). He won an NBA title in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers.

This move is among others on the Mavericks bench. ESPN reported Wednesday that Frank Vogel, who was the head coach of the Lakers in that 2019-20 championship season, is becoming Kidd's lead assistant.

In addition, ESPN said Dallas player development coach God Shammgod is moving to the Orlando Magic as an assistant coach.

Report: Mavericks re-sign G Dante Exum

Report: Mavericks re-sign G Dante Exum

Free agent guard Dante Exum is signing a one-year contract to return to Dallas, ESPN reported on Wednesday, as the Mavericks are quickly adding depth to the position while nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving recovers from a knee injury.

Dallas also is bringing in point guard D'Angelo Russell on a two-year contract worth $13 million, ESPN reported on Monday. Irving is recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in March, and Russell may be asked to start at point guard until Irving is healthy early in 2026.

Exum has dealt with injuries, too, needing wrist surgery in October 2024 and also breaking his hand last season. Exum, who will be 30 on July 13, also sustained foot and knee injuries in the 2023-24 season, and he missed the entire 2015-16 season with a knee injury.

He played in 20 games (13 starts) last season for Dallas and averaged 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 18.6 minutes. In two seasons with the Mavericks, Exum has averaged 8.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 19.5 minutes in 75 games (30 starts).

The native of Australia was selected fifth overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, where he played from 2014 to 2019. He spent parts of two seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2019-21) before playing two years in Europe.

For his NBA career, Exum averages 6.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 18.8 minutes in 320 games (102 starts).