Bulls Waive Caleb Grill
The Bulls have waived Caleb Grill, according to NBA.com’s transaction log.
Grill signed an Exhibit 10 deal with Chicago in July after going undrafted in June. The 6’3″ guard played four games with the Bulls’ Summer League team, averaging 8.0 points and 1.3 steals in 15.0 minutes per contest while making 44.4% of his field goal attempts, including 36.4% of his three-pointers. He scored 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting during his final game in Las Vegas.
The 25-year-old previously played six seasons in college, the final two with Missouri. He averaged 13.3 PPG and 3.5 RPG and made 39.6% of his threes during his final year in 2024/25.
Grill is now eligible to join the Bulls’ G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, and earn a bonus up to $85,300 if he stays with the team for at least 60 days.
Cavaliers Sign Killian Hayes, Four Others
September 26: The Cavaliers have officially signed Hayes, according to the team, which formally announced its training camp roster on Friday.
The Cavs also completed previously reported Exhibit 10 agreements with Baylor forward Norchad Omier and former Auburn forward Chaney Johnson, in addition to signing free agent wing Tristan Enaruna and forward Miller Kopp. The club now has a full 21-man roster for camp.
September 23: The Cavaliers and former lottery pick Killian Hayes have agreed to a contract, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.
Details were not disclosed but it’s almost certainly a training camp deal with no certainty of making the opening night roster. However, the Cavaliers need to fill out their 21-man preseason roster — adding Hayes would give them 16 players, five short of the training camp maximum.
In a related move, Cleveland acquired Hayes’ G League rights in a trade with the Nets’ affiliate. The Long Island Nets acquired a first- and a second-round pick in the 2026 NBA G League Draft from the Cleveland Charge in exchange for the returning player rights to Hayes.
Hayes reportedly drew interest from teams in Europe this offseason, but was focused on earning another NBA opportunity.
ASVEL Basket in France reportedly made Hayes a strong offer and Real Madrid in Spain and Anadolu Efes in Turkey also registered some interest in the free agent point guard.
However, Hayes is hoping to stick in the NBA after appearing in 216 regular season games across the past five seasons. The seventh overall pick in the 2020 draft by the Pistons, he struggled to adjust to the NBA game in Detroit, where he made just 38.2% of his field goal attempts and 27.7% of his 3-point attempts across four seasons from 2020-24.
Still, Hayes is just 24 years old and played well in a very small sample with Brooklyn last season, averaging 9.0 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 27.0 minutes per game and making 38.1% of his three-point tries in six appearances (five starts). The 6’5″ Frenchman spent most of 2024/25 playing for the Long Island Nets in the G League, where he put up 17.3 PPG, 7.4 APG, and 5.4 RPG on .463/.371/.689 shooting in 33 outings (32.9 MPG).
Hayes is no longer eligible for a two-way contract, so if he hopes to make an NBA roster this fall, he’ll have to do it by earning a standard 15-man spot.
Details On Blazers Sale Lawsuit
Reporting earlier this week indicated that RAJ Sports, which had made an unsuccessful bid to buy the Blazers, had filed a lawsuit against the Cherng family after they joined Tom Dundon‘s new ownership group, citing a breach in an exclusivity agreement.
The lawsuit centers on the relationship between the Cherng family, founders of the Panda Express restaurant chain, and the Bhathal family, which owns RAJ Sports and holds stakes in the Portland Thorns and the newly established WNBA team, the Portland Fire.
According to new details in the lawsuit, reported by Sean Highkin for the Rose Garden Report (subscriber link), the Bhathals allege that the Cherngs – described in the complaint as “longstanding Bhathal family friends” – entered into a “confidentiality and exclusivity agreement” with them once the Bhathals began preparing to make a bid on the Blazers, and were eager to be a part of the Bhathals’ potential ownership group.
The language of the agreement contained the following clause:
“You agree that, for a period of (1) year from the Effective Date, you shall not, directly or indirectly, without [RAJ Sports’] prior written consent: (a) pursue or enter into any agreement, arrangement, understanding, acquisition, investment transaction, merger, or other combination transaction with or involving [the Trail Blazers franchise], any portion of the [the Trail Blazers franchise’s] assets, or any direct or indirect equity interests in the [Trail Blazers franchise], (b) contact, solicit, or attempt to contact or solicit a Transaction with existing or future holders of equity interests in the Teams without [RAJ Sports’] consent, or (c) otherwise circumvent, bypass, interfere with, compete with, or attempt to circumvent, bypass, interfere with or compete with [RAJ Sports] . . . in connection with the Transaction or any similar or related transaction involving the [Trail Blazers franchise], any portion of the [Trail Blazers franchise’s] assets, or any direct or indirect equity interests in the [Trail Blazers franchise].”
Even after it was announced in mid-August that the Allen estate had entered into a tentative agreement with the Dundons, the Bhathal group continued to build its case for winning the bid, believing it could still make a superior offer.
“Those efforts included working feverishly to finalize equity commitments with [RAJ Sports]’s co-investors, including [the Cherng family],” the lawsuit states.
The claim states that in late August, despite previous communication between the lawyers of the Cherngs and Bhathals that everything was proceeding accordingly, the Cherngs’ lawyers reported that they would be “ceasing discussions with your client regarding the transaction.” The suit also claims that Alex Bhathal called Andrew Cherng to directly ask him if he was joining the Dundon ownership group, which Cherng denied.
Weeks later, on September 12, the formal sale of the team to the Dundon group was complete, and the Cherng Family was listed as an investor.
Highkin notes that the lawsuit is aimed only at the Cherng Family, not the Blazers themselves, nor the Dundon group. RAJ Sports has requested a temporary restraining order that would prevent the Cherngs from moving forward as investors in the team, a request that will be heard by a judge in a few weeks.
The next step is a hearing on a temporary injunction against the Cherngs formalizing their investment with the Dundon group. If either were to be granted, the Dundons would either have to wait out the results of the trial process – which Highkin writes could take the entire year – or find a new investor to replace the Cherng family.
If neither is granted, the Cherngs can move forward with their investment, though with litigation underway, it would mark a risk for the Cherngs, who could be forced to pay damages if the judge rules in favor of the Bhathals. Highkin writes that it appears unlikely that, in such a scenario, a judge could undo the finalized sale outright.
Pacers Waive Samson Johnson
The Pacers have waived Samson Johnson, according to the NBA.com’s transaction log.
Johnson signed his Exhibit 10 contract with Indiana on September 23, though the deal had reportedly been agreed to near the end of June.
The 6’10” forward played four years for UConn, winning two national championships in 2023 and 2024. In his senior year, he averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 19.4 minutes per game.
Johnson went undrafted earlier this year, then played in two games for the Pacers’ Summer League team, scoring six points and collecting two blocks in 16 total minutes.
This move lets the Pacers to keep Johnson in their system, and will allow him to earn a bonus of up to $85,300 if he stays with Indiana’s G League affiliate, the Noblesville Bloom, for 60 days or more.
Lakers Waive Jarron Cumberland, Sign Tevian Jones
The Lakers have waived Jarron Cumberland to make room to sign Tevian Jones, reports Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Cumberland signed his Exhibit 10 deal with the Lakers on Thursday after Los Angeles waived forward Arthur Kaluma to make room on the roster for him. The terms of Jones’ deal weren’t reported, but it will almost certainly also be an Exhibit 10 as well.
Jones, a 6’7″ guard, went undrafted in 2023 after five years of college, two with Illinois and the final three with Southern Utah. He averaged 17.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in his senior season.
The 25-year-old played for the Grand Rapids Gold in 2024/25, averaging 15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game in the G League regular season, with a shooting line of .415/.346/.732.
Jones was previously signed and waived by the Pelicans in 2023. If he’s cut prior to the start of this season, he will be eligible to join the Lakers’ G League team, the South Bay Lakers, who acquired his returning rights in a trade earlier this month. Jones would earn a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he sticks with the team for 60 days or more — Cumberland and Kaluma will be eligible for the same deal.
Nuggets Waive Javante McCoy, Justyn Hamilton
The Nuggets have waived Javante McCoy and Justyn Hamilton, according to the NBA’s transaction log.
Denver’s signing of McCoy to an Exhibit 10 deal was reported on September 21. The 6’5″ guard has spent the last three seasons in the G League after a five-year career with Boston University. He averaged 10.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game last season for the Motor City Cruise while shooting 25% from three.
The signing of Hamilton hadn’t been previously reported, though earlier today, the Oklahoma City Blue and Grand Rapids Gold, G League affiliates of the Thunder and Nuggets, respectively, completed a deal that sent Hamilton to the Gold for the rights to Andrew Funk and a second-round pick.
Hamilton was presumably signed and waived by Denver in order to ensure he receives a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he reports to the Gold and spends at least 60 days with the G League team.
Hamilton played 26 games for the Blue last season, averaging 7.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in 15.5 minutes per contest.
Sixers Sign Saint Thomas
The Sixers have signed Saint Thomas to an Exhibit 10 contract, reports Keith Pompey of the Philly Inquirer (via Twitter).
The 22-year-old forward played four games for Philadelphia during the Las Vegas Summer League in July, averaging 3.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 9.7 minutes per contest after going unselected in the 2025 draft.
Thomas played his senior year at USC after starting his collegiate career at Loyola Chicago and transferring to Northern Colorado for his junior season. In his final year, he averaged 9.5 points, 5.9 points, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 46.5% from the floor and 30.3% from beyond the arc.
Thomas’ Exhibit 10 deal will make him eligible to earn a bonus of up to $85,300 if he is cut and spends at least 60 days with the team’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.
Clippers Waive TyTy Washington, Zach Freemantle, Taylor Funk
The Clippers have waived TyTy Washington Jr., Zach Freemantle, and Taylor Funk, according to the NBA.com transaction log.
Washington was signed in early August to an Exhibit 10 deal, and it was subsequently reported that he received the maximum Exhibit 10 bonus of $85,300 in the deal, which pointed to him ending up with the team’s G League affiliate in San Diego if he didn’t get converted into a two-way deal.
Washington, the 29th pick in the 2022 draft, has played for the Rockets, Bucks, and Suns in his three years in the NBA, holding career averages of 3.3 points and 1.2 assists in 10.5 minutes per game. Still just 23 years old, the 6’3″ guard out of Kentucky has struggled to find consistency with his shot in limited minutes, though he scored efficiently in the G League.
The Clippers signed Freemantle to an Exhibit 10 deal on September 10 as the 21st member of the team’s offseason roster. He previously played five seasons at Xavier, posting averages of 16.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in his age-24 season before going undrafted earlier this year.
The signing of Funk had not been previously reported, which would indicate that he was offered a sign-and-waive deal in order to ensure he gets a bonus for joining the team’s G League affiliate.
The 27-year-old forward was a six-year collegiate player, spending five years with St. Joseph’s before ending his career with Utah State. He averaged 13.4 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 37% from three and 90% from the free throw line in his final season. He was previously signed and waived by the Celtics in 2023 and the Wizards in 2024.
All three players will be eligible for their Exhibit 10 bonuses if they stay with the San Diego Clippers for 60 days or more.
Raptors Sign Jared Rhoden
The Raptors have signed Jared Rhoden, per Blake Murphy of Sportsnet (via Twitter). The terms of the deal were not reported, though it’s likely to be an Exhibit 10 contract.
Rhoden, 22, was previously with the Raptors on a two-way contract, but was waived in July while recovering from a torn labrum in his right shoulder that limited his time with the team.
The 6’6″ guard played 10 games for Toronto last season, averaging 11.4 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 32.4% from three. He had previously played for the Pistons and Hornets from 2022-24.
Rhoden is the 21st and final player on the Raptors’ training camp roster. He will fight for a spot with the team, and if waived, will be eligible for a bonus of up to $85,300 should he stay with the Raptors 905 (Toronto’s G League team) for at least 60 days.
Sixers Notes: George, Embiid, Grimes, Edgecombe
The Sixers are already starting training camp without prized sophomore Jared McCain, who recently sustained a torn thumb ligament, and it looks like they will also be without star wing Paul George, according to The Athletic’s Tony Jones (subscriber link). George told reporters at Philadelphia’s media day on Friday that he won’t be a full participant in camp.
Jones writes that George is still working his way back from the knee injury that required surgery in June, though he is apparently reaching the final stages of his recovery process. According to George, he has done almost everything except for full-contact gameplay, and the next few weeks will be critical for understanding his timeline.
“I’m feeling stronger and stronger,” George said. “I feel a lot better now than I did at this point last year.”
When it comes to his on-court outlook, George has said that he’s “very comfortable playing at the four spot this year,” according to Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports (via Twitter).
That willingness to play power forward could be important for a team light on that position in the depth chart. Outside of George, the team only has Trendon Watford and two-way player Jabari Walker to man the four. George notes that the ball-handling and play-making he brings could be very valuable at the power forward position.
We have more from the Sixers:
- Joel Embiid is feeling “pretty good” as he works to return from his knee injury, but there is still no specific timeline for his return, as Jeff Borzello for ESPN and Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix write. “Obviously the goal is to play consistently and not be the position that we were last year.” Embiid said. “… I want to play every single game. I’ve been pretty unlucky when it comes to that compared to most NBA players. When you get to the point where I was last year where it was so unpredictable, it sucks. It is mentally draining.” When it comes to managing Embiid’s health, president Daryl Morey said, “The doctors’ advice, what Joel said on listening to his body, which is a big component on how doctors manage injuries — that’s going to be what carries the day this year.”
- Despite the public reports of a significant gap in negotiations between the Sixers and restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, Morey said he’s feeling optimistic about the partnership, Borzello writes. “I think we will get to a resolution in the next few days, hopefully,” Morey said. “But we’re excited to bring him back. He’s a big part of what we’re trying to do, now and into the future, if we can get things resolved.”
- Sixers head coach Nick Nurse indicated that No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe will get a chance to play a role for the team as a rookie, per Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports (via Twitter). “I think success for him this year is minutes. How many minutes did he play? Because we need to let him play through the ups and downs,” Nurse said, adding that Edgecombe has been working hard on his shooting since being drafted. With McCain set to miss the beginning of the season, Edgecombe will have a chance to earn some playing time early on. Capitalizing on that opportunity could be an important part of his season’s trajectory.