Jamil Wilson

Atlantic Notes: Harris, Brogdon, Horford, Handy

The Sixers don’t know if free agent Tobias Harris will be on their roster next season, but two of his younger brothers might be, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Tyler Harris, 24, was part of the organization’s free agent workouts on Friday and Saturday and Terry Harris, 22, has a pre-draft session set for tomorrow.

The 24-year-old Tyler is a 6’10” forward who might be in the running for a two-way contract with the Sixers next season, according to Pompey. Terry, 22, is a 6’6″ forward who just completed his senior season at North Carolina A&T. He is projected as a possible late second-round selection and could be on the board when Philadelphia selects at No. 54. Terry had recent workouts with the Suns and Clippers and has sessions upcoming with the Kings, Nets and Mavericks.

Rashad Vaughn, Jamel Artis and Jamil Wilson were other players of interest at the Sixers’ free-agent workouts, Pompey adds.

  • Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon could be an attractive alternative if the Sixers can’t re-sign Harris or Jimmy Butler, Pompey suggests in a separate story. Brogdon will be a restricted free agent, but he could become expendable with Milwaukee facing a free agent crunch of its own. He was a steady contributor this year, posting a 15.6/4.5/3.2 line before his season was cut short by a plantar fascia tear in his right foot. Pompey states that Brogdon could work as a complement to Ben Simmons in the backcourt or he could become the primary ballhandler if the Sixers decide to make Simmons a forward.
  • The Rockets’ willingness to reshape their roster could provide an opportunity for the Celtics, states Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. The best chance for a deal, according to Forsberg, is if Kyrie Irving leaves Boston and the Celtics decide to commit to a youth movement. If Al Horford decides to opt into a $30.1MM salary, the organization may look to send him elsewhere, or there’s a chance both sides work out a sign-and-trade deal. In either scenario, Houston is an intriguing location because Horford met with the Rockets when he was a free agent in 2016. “It was a privilege,” Horford said at the time. “(Hakeem Olajuwon) and Clyde (Drexler) were there, and my dad went to high school here in Houston, and he was pushing Houston hard. Hakeem, to him, was a big deal.”
  • Sam Amick of The Athletic talks to Raptors assistant coach Phil Handy, who is facing the Warriors in the NBA Finals for the fifth straight year.

Former Clipper Jamil Wilson To Play In Italy

Former Clippers forward Jamil Wilson has reached a deal to play in Italy, a source tells Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. According to Carchia, Wilson will sign a contract with Fiat Torino that includes both NBA and EuroLeague outs (Twitter link).

Wilson, 27, appeared in 15 games (10 starts) on a two-way contract with the Clippers last season, averaging 7.0 PPG and 2.1 RPG with a .469/.429/.500 shooting line in 18.3 MPG. However, he was waived by Los Angeles in January.

The Lakers considered signing Wilson after he became a free agent, reportedly reaching an agreement on a 10-day deal. The club quickly reversed course though, deciding against adding Wilson to its roster after he was named in a civil suit involving sexual battery and fraud. While the Lakers didn’t publicly confirm that those legal issues led to their change of heart, Wilson’s agent said at the time that the “false accusations” had “irreparably harmed” his client’s NBA career.

Wilson, a 6’7″ small forward, later signed with Italian club Virtus Bologna to finish the 2017/18 season, and is now set to stick in Italy for the 2018/19 campaign. He’ll have until January 1 to opt out of his contract for a EuroLeague opportunity and until February 1 to opt out for an NBA offer, per Carchia. Assuming he doesn’t receive interest from teams in either of those leagues, Wilson will spend the season playing for former NBA head coach Larry Brown with Fiat Torino.

Jamil Wilson Close To Signing In Italy

Talks between former Clippers forward Jamil Wilson and Italy’s Fiat Torino have reached the advanced stage.

The news was originally reported by Tuttosport and relayed by Sportando.

Wilson will apparently leave the door open for a return to the NBA. The contract being discussed would have NBA and EuroLeague escapes, according to the report.

Wilson appeared in 15 games on a two-way contract with the Clippers last season, including 10 starts, and averaged 7.0 PPG in 18.3 MPG. He was waived in January and the Lakers seriously considered signing him. They decided not to give him a 10-day contract after he was named in a civil suit involving sexual battery and fraud, though it was never made clear whether that led to their change of heart.

He eventually wound up with the Pacers’ G League team in Fort Wayne, Ind. before signing with Italy’s Serie A team, Virtus Bologna.

Wilson will be under the guidance of a familiar face if he joins the Italian club. Longtime NBA coach Larry Brown signed a contract early this summer to coach Fiat Torino.

International Notes: Webb, Wilson, Patterson, Austin

Former Nets forward James Webb III has officially signed a one-year contract with Germany’s Telekom Baskets Bonn, according to a Sportando report. Webb reportedly had an agreement to play in Italy earlier in August but it fell through. Webb played 10 games with Brooklyn last season after signing a two-way deal in January. He also played 19 games for the Long Island Nets in the G League, averaging 14.3 PPG and 6.6 RPG, after starting his NBA career in 2016 with the Sixers’ G league affiliate.

We have more news from overseas:

  • Ex-Clippers forward Jamil Wilson has received interest from Italy’s Fiat Torino but the two parties are not close to an agreement, according to another Sportando post. Wilson appeared in 15 games on a two-way contract with the Clippers last season, including 10 starts, and averaged 7.0 PPG in 18.3 MPG. He was waived in January and eventually wound up with the Pacers’ G League team in Fort Wayne, Ind. before signing with Italy’s Serie A team, Virtus Bologna.
  • Center Isaiah Austin, who has been medically barred from playing in NBA, is posting big numbers in China, as Leo Sepkowitz of Bleacher Report details. The 7’1” Austin, who has Marfan syndrome, is averaging 35.1 PPG,  10.3 RPG, 1.8 BPG for Guangxi in the Chinese National Basketball League. “I’m in really good shape, which is why it’s really hurtful that people won’t give me an opportunity,” he told Sefkowitz. However, it’s unlikely the NBA will ever give him the green light to play, as Kurt Helin of NBC Sports notes.
  • Former Hawks guard Lamar Patterson is close to an agreement with Australia’s Melbourne United, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando tweets. Patterson, the 48th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, spent his first professional season in Turkey before joining Atlanta for the 2015/16 campaign. In parts of two NBA seasons, the former Pitt standout appeared in 40 games, averaging 2.3 PPG and 1.4 RPG in limited minutes. He played in Italy and China last season.

Ex-Clippers Forward Wilson Signs With Italian Team

Former Clippers small forward Jamil Wilson has agreed to a contract for the remainder of the European League season with Italian Serie A team Virtus Bologna, according to Daniele Labanti of Corriere di Bologna, as relayed by Sportando.

Wilson had a whirlwind season. He signed a two-way contract with the Clippers during the offseason and appeared in 15 games with them, including 10 starts, while averaging 7.0 PPG in 18.3 MPG. The Clippers decided to waive him in early January, rather than converting his deal to a standard contract.

The Lakers were on the verge of signing him to a 10-day contract, then changed their mind. A TMZ report surfaced around that time, revealing Wilson had been named in a civil suit involving sexual battery and fraud. Wilson eventually joined the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Pacers’ G League team.

The 6’7” Wilson, 27, spent time in training camp with the Suns and Mavericks in past years, but this season marked his first NBA experience. He played in Italy last season with Torino, according to Sportando.

Lakers Decide Not To Sign Jamil Wilson

The Lakers have changed their minds about offering a 10-day contract to Jamil Wilson, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The free agent forward was named in a civil suit filed this week involving sexual battery and fraud, according to a TMZ report. It’s not clear if the suit had anything to do with the Lakers’ decision, but league sources tell Wojnarowski the team hasn’t ruled out the possibility of adding Wilson in the future.

“Jamil has been irreparably harmed by the recent accusation which has now resulted in damage to his NBA career,” said Wilson’s agent, Steve McCaskill of Catalyst Sports. “We will not tolerate these false accusations, but will pursue all legal remedies with the full force of the law.”

L.A. was expected to sign Wilson today so he would be available for Thursday’s game. The team had hoped he could help reinforce the roster during a stretch of five games in 10 days, according to Bill Oram of The Southern California News Group (Twitter link).

Wilson was waived Saturday after playing 10 games for the cross-town Clippers, 10 of which were starts. He averaged 7.0 points in a little more than 18 minutes per night on a two-way deal. Wilson, 27, had spent time in training camp with the Suns and Mavericks in past years, but this season marked his first NBA experience.

Lakers To Sign Jamil Wilson To 10-Day Deal

4:14pm: Wilson will sign a 10-day contract with the Lakers,  Wojnarowski tweets. He’s expected to sign Wednesday and play Thursday, the tweet adds.

JANUARY 8th, 10:18am: After being waived by the Clippers on Saturday, rookie forward Jamil Wilson may not have to leave town to continue his NBA career. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter), the Lakers are the strong frontrunners to sign Wilson to a 10-day contract, assuming he clears waivers later today.

Wilson, 27, spent time in training camps with the Suns and Mavericks in past years, but had never appeared in a regular season NBA game until 2017/18. The former Marquette standout inked a two-way contract with the Clippers and appeared in 15 games (10 starts) for the club, averaging 7.0 PPG and 2.1 RPG with solid shooting numbers (.469 FG%, .429 3PT%).

Although Wilson was solid for the Clippers, his 45 NBA days were running out, and the club needed some additional backcourt depth. Los Angeles waived Wilson in order to sign Tyrone Wallace to a two-way contract on Saturday, and now the former Clipper could join the NBA’s other L.A. team.

Assuming Wilson goes unclaimed on waivers and joins the Lakers, no corresponding roster move would be required. The Lakers waived veteran center Andrew Bogut on Saturday before his salary became fully guaranteed, so the club has an open roster spot.

Clippers Sign Tyrone Wallace, Waive Jamil Wilson

JANUARY 6, 4:15pm: Wallace’s signing is official, according to Real GM’s transactions report.

JANUARY 5, 4:58pm: The Clippers will sign Tyrone Wallace and waive Jamil Wilson, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets. Wallace’s deal with the club will be a two-way pact, as was Wilson’s.

Wojnarowski adds that despite his release, Wilson had looked like a serviceable NBA player during his stint with the Clippers; the organization simply needed backcourt help at this point in the season.

With both Austin Rivers and Patrick Beverley on the sidelines, the Clippers have lacked guard depth behind sixth man Lou Williams. Wallace, the final pick of the 2016 NBA draft, will look to bring some of the skills he’s flashed with Los Angeles’ G League affiliate now that he’s been called up to the big league club.

In 23 contests with the Agua Caliente Clippers, a team he’ll continue to play for intermittently due to the two-way deal, Wallace has averaged 22.8 points and 5.4 assists per game. His ability to score the ball will be much appreciated by the team currently getting just 13.7 points per game out of the starting backcourt of Milos Teodosic and C.J. Williams.

As Wojnarowski mentioned in his tweet, Wilson had played well for the Clips, averaging 7.0 points per game in 18.3 minutes. He started 10 of his 15 games with the big league franchise and played five more in the G League.

Clippers Notes: Williams, Rivers, Evans, Wilson

The Clippers now have a formidable 1-2 offensive punch in power forward Blake Griffin and combo guard Lou Williams, Elliott Teaford of the Orange County Register writes. Franchise player Griffin pumped in 24 points on Friday after missing 14 games with a knee injury. Williams, who became the team’s top scorer in his absence, poured in 40 points off the bench on Sunday as the Clippers won their third straight. “He’s been unbelievable for us,” Griffin told Teaford and other media members. “I knew he could score and all that, but he’s been better than advertised in my opinion.” Williams, 31, is averaging a career-high 21.4 PPG and 4.8 APG.

In other developments concerning the Clippers:

  • The team was relieved that Austin Rivers right Achilles tendon injury wasn’t serious, Teaford reports in a separate story. Rivers was injured on Friday but an MRI revealed no structural damage and he could return to action on Wednesday. “I didn’t see it,” coach and father Doc Rivers said. “I just saw him lying on the ground. My nerves came from our trainer’s look when he pointed to his Achilles. Whenever someone points to an Achilles we’ve been conditioned to think like Pavlov’s dog, ‘Oh my.’ Talking to Austin, he was scared and I think that probably played into it, as well. He’s good now.”
  • Rookie guard Jawun Evans made his first NBA start on Sunday in place of Rivers, as Teaford notes. Evans, who is averaging 5.4 PPG and 1.9 APG, has made a strong impression on Doc Rivers. “Jawun has been way more effective than I ever thought,” he said. “We didn’t know we were going to play Jawun and we were getting him ready for the G League. He’s had an impact in games.”
  • Forward Jamil Wilson, who is on a two-way contract, didn’t think he’d get a chance to play in the NBA until the Clippers gave him a shot on their summer-league team, Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times reports. Wilson, 27, thought he’d spend the rest of his career overseas. “I’m not going to lie about it. When I was in Italy, it was a crossing point for me,” he told Woelfel. “I wasn’t seeing any real NBA interest and I decided if nothing happened I’d continue my career over there. I could play in Europe until I was 38 or 39. As long as you can shoot the ball, you can play over there. I thought I’d be over there a while.’’

Pacific Notes: Evans, Clippers, James, Dudley

It’s rare to have a rookie play like a seasoned veteran on either side of the ball but Jawun Evans‘ impact on the Clippers‘ defense has been considerable. Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times writes that Evans’ presence on the court has resulted in fewer points for the opposition and head coach Doc Rivers has noticed.

“I think Jawun’s ball pressure has been great,” Rivers said. “My entire theory on defense is the more clock you can [make the offense] use before they start, the less time they have to hurt you. And what Jawun’s doing when he’s in the game, he pressures the ball and teams are starting their offense at 13 and 12 seconds. It’s tough to score on a team in 12 seconds. And so I think that’s helped as well.”

Evans, 21, has appeared in 26 games this season, averaging 5.5 PPG and 1.9 APG. The Clippers have struggled this season and currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference. Evans, however, has turned heads with his defensive abilities.

Below you can read up on other news out of the Pacific Division:

  • The Clippers face a roster predicament with Jamil Wilson and C.J. Williams, Elliot Teaford of the Orange County Register writes. Both Winston and Williams are on two-way deals, meaning they can only spend 45 days with the Clippers. The team can sign them to NBA deals but do not have two open roster spots. “It’s going to be tough,” Rivers said. “I won’t tell you our plans, but they’re not going to be great, I can tell you that. That’s all I can tell you. You’ll see. No, we just don’t have a lot of good options. We have to play them right now because we need them, and they’re playing great.”
  • Mike James, who the Suns waived last week, has cleared waivers, Scott Bordow of Arizona Republic tweets. The Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association are making a “hard push” to sign James, Marc Stein of the New York Times tweets. James, 27, averaged 10.4 PPG and 3.8 APG in 32 games for Phoenix before being waived.
  • Suns’ forward Jared Dudley has embraced the role of a veteran leader for Phoenix, the 32-year-old said to James Blancarte of Basketball Insiders. Dudley has only appeared in 14 games this season and is averaging career-lows across nearly every category. However, he enjoys helping the team’s younger players.“I think that through my knowledge and wisdom that I’ve helped [the young players] out and that is something that I can continue to do,” Dudley said. “I mean every NBA team is getting younger by the year and teams are looking for vets to help out.”