Charles Bediako Signing With Nuggets
Free agent center Charles Bediako is signing a contract with the Nuggets, Bediako’s agent Daniel Green informs Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
The terms of the deal have yet to be divulged. But given the timing – and the fact that Denver is carrying 15 players on guaranteed contracts and three on two-way deals – it’s likely to be a training camp contract, probably with Exhibit 10 language. The Nuggets don’t have an open roster spot, so someone will need to be cut to make room for Bediako.
Bediako went undrafted out of Alabama in 2023, but ultimately latched on with the Spurs on a two-way deal for the 2023/24 season. However, he was cut near the end of December after tearing his meniscus.
The raw seven-footer didn’t appear in any NBA games for San Antonio, but did play in a total of 17 Showcase Cup and regular season bouts for the club’s G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs.
Across six regular season matchups with Austin after returning from his knee injury, Bediako averaged 1.3 points and 1.7 rebounds while playing just 4.2 minutes per game. Prior to the injury, he put up 7.7 PPG and 6.9 RPG in 19.0 MPG across 11 Showcase Cup outings.
Most recently, the 22-year-old spent his Summer League this past July suiting up for the Magic.
Denver is almost certainly bringing on Bediako with an eye toward having him play for the team’s G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold. The Gold acquired Bediako’s NBAGL returning rights from Austin in July.
P.J. Tucker Away From Clippers Indefinitely
The Clippers and P.J. Tucker have mutually agreed that the veteran forward will remain away from the team indefinitely, per Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
According to Marc J. Spears of Andscape (via Twitter), L.A. is working with Tucker’s agent to try find a new situation for the former NBA champ.
“We’ve had ongoing conversations with P.J. throughout the offseason and have both decided that he won’t be with the team for the time being,” the Clippers said in a statement, first shared by Spears. “P.J. is a pro who has achieved a lot in his career and there’s more he wants to accomplish. We will continue working with P.J. and his representative to find the best situation for him moving forward.”
It sounds like the two sides will try to find a trade involving Tucker’s expiring $11.54MM contract, but given his recent production, a buyout may be the inevitable outcome.
As Law Murray of The Athletic notes (via Twitter), Tucker – who was a healthy scratch during the Clippers’ Saturday preseason bout against the Warriors – was the lone L.A. player to not attend the team’s media day festivities last Monday.
The 6’5″ combo forward had an effective run as a venerated three-and-D role player on playoff teams in Houston, Miami and Milwaukee. Tucker won his lone NBA championship to date as a member of the Bucks in 2021 — a trade deadline addition that year, he came off the bench down the stretch for Milwaukee, then was elevated to the starting lineup during the team’s postseason title run.
The Texas alum was traded to the Clippers from the Sixers early in the 2023/24 season as part of the deal that also landed James Harden in Los Angeles. Tucker subsequently had his least productive season since his rookie year in 2006/07, serving as a fringe rotation player in L.A. and appearing in just 28 games for the team, including none for nearly three months from late November to late February.
Tucker spent some time away from the Clippers last season after word broke that he was unhappy with his situation in L.A. He was fined by the NBA in February for publicly expressing a desire to be traded. While there was a sense after he exercised his player option for 2024/25 in June that the Clippers might part ways with Tucker over the offseason, reporting in August indicated he was likely to open the season with the team.
Tucker, 39, averaged a career-worst 1.7 points per game in 31 total appearances for the Sixers and Clippers, adding 2.7 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and 0.5 steals in 15.7 minutes per contest. However, as a deep-bench piece on a more favorable contract, the aging pro could still add value to a contending franchise as a versatile frontcourt defender.
Even during his most prolific offensive season, 2013/14 with the Suns, Tucker averaged a fairly modest 9.4 points on .431/.387/.776 shooting, along with 6.5 boards, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He finished 12th in Defensive Player of the Year voting that season.
Pistons Notes: Beasley, Klintman, Point Guards
New floor-spacing Pistons shooting guard Malik Beasley has been a critical addition to Detroit’s revamped three-point shooting attack, writes Keith Langlois of Pistons.com.
Last year, Detroit ranked 29th in made three-pointers, 27th in attempts, and 26th in conversion rate. Beasley — along with fellow veterans Tobias Harris and Tim Hardaway Jr. — was brought in expressly to address that issue this year.
Across 79 contests as the Bucks’ (mostly) starting shooting guard last year, Beasley was an elite high-volume, long-range sniper. He averaged 11.3 points per game on .443/.413/.714 shooting splits, with 6.9 of his 9.1 nightly field goal attempts coming from the beyond the arc.
“We’re more talking about the type of [three-point] shots that we’re trying to create and how we’re going to create them,” new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of how he plans to approach his fresh optionality from beyond the arc. “Right now, the emphasis is on we want to create as many feet-set, catch-and-shoot threes as we can and then what do we have to do before that to get to those shots. That’s where we’re at right now.”
There’s more out of Detroit:
- Rookie Pistons combo forward Bobi Klintman missed a team practice late last week with a calf contusion, reports Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). Klintman will miss a few days as a precaution, Sankofa adds. Detroit selected Klintman out of Wake Forest with the No. 37 overall pick this summer.
- Detroit is looking to share ball-handling duties when starting point guard Cade Cunningham is on the bench, Sankofa writes in a story for The Free Press. Without another traditional point guard currently on the team, Bickerstaff is looking to spread the wealth and build the confidence of his other players as passers and play-makers. “We may not have guys who are historically initiators, but we’ve got guys that can handle the ball and make plays and use their intelligence,” Bickerstaff said. “You’re going to see, from us, a ton of guys that have the ball in their hands and are making decisions. We may not have a primary ball-handler all the time, but we can split it up and make ourselves a little more difficult to guard.” Combo guards Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser are among the players who figure to see minutes in that role.
- In case you missed it, the Pistons are looking to transition veteran big man Isaiah Stewart back to his preferred role of center for most of his minutes. Stewart had spent more time at power forward in recent years.
Texas Notes: Klay, Doncic, Adams, Rockets
Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban recently spoke with Shannon Sharpe on his Club Shay Shay podcast (Twitter link) about a variety of topics, including Klay Thompson‘s to depart the Warriors for Dallas in free agency.
“Klay Thompson’s got a lot to prove,” Cuban said. “Klay was ready for a move. All the grief he got last year – particularly the way it ended. So the timing was right.”
Thompson agreed to a three-year, $50MM deal with Dallas as part of a six-team sign-and-trade.
There’s more out of the Lone Star State:
- Five-time All-NBA Mavericks guard Luka Doncic has had a busier-than-normal offseason in 2024. Since guiding Dallas to its first NBA Finals appearance in 13 years, Doncic suited up for the Slovenian national team for the 2024 Olympic qualifiers, but was eliminated by Greece before making the cut. Doncic subsequently remained in his homeland to prep prior to the Mavericks’ own training camp, as Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal details at his Substack (subscription required).
- Veteran Rockets center Steven Adams didn’t suit up for Houston last season while recovering from a right knee surgery he underwent while he was a member of the Grizzlies. Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle explores how the 31-year-old will be deployed in Ime Udoka‘s system in 2024/25. As Feigen writes, Alperen Sengun enjoyed a breakout run last year and seems likely to preserve his starting spot, and he and Adams likely won’t play together often. Still, Adams – who is on an expiring $12.6MM salary – could earn increased playing time in certain matchups.
- The Rockets finished with a solid 41-41 record, but in a talented Western Conference it wasn’t enough to even make the play-in tournament. Instead, Houston finished with the West’s No. 11 seed. As Feigen writes in another story for The Chronicle, team owner Tilman Fertitta hasn’t clearly expressed what would constitute a successful season for the club in 2024/25, declaring that he has “high expectations” but not explicitly stating that he expects a playoff berth.
Pacers Waive Josiah-Jordan James
The Pacers have announced in a press statement that they’ve waived guard Josiah-Jordan James just ahead of training camp.
The 6’6″ Tennessee alum agreed to an Exhibit 10 training camp deal with Indiana shortly after he was skipped over in this year’s draft, but the deal wasn’t officially completed by the team until this week.
James enjoyed a successful 144 contests in Tennessee from 2019-24 and was a key part of the Vols’ Elite Eight squad this past spring. Across 36 contests (all starts) in 2023/24, James averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 boards and 1.9 assists per contest, with a shooting line of .402/.341/.831.
Reporting in June indicated James would have a chance to earn a two-way contract with the Pacers, but now that he’s been cut, it seems likely he’ll suit up for the team’s NBAGL affiliate squad, the Indiana Mad Ants.
As an Exhibit 10 signee, James will be able to earn a bonus worth as much as $77.5K should he stick with the Mad Ants for at least 60 days.
Sixers Notes: Embiid, Roster Questions, New Arena
Last week, All-Star Sixers center Joel Embiid inked a three-season, $192.9MM contract extension that runs through 2028, with a player option for ’28/29. According to Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer, this agreement is the latest example of a newfound stability in Philadelphia under team president Daryl Morey.
Mizell notes that, even with Embiid’s lengthy injury history, it was practically a given that the Sixers would lock up their best player long-term when given the opportunity. After All-Star point guard James Harden dramatically forced his way to the Clippers last season, this kind of steadying move is just what the doctor ordered.
Mizell notes that Tyrese Maxey has now evolved into an All-Star in Harden’s absence, and he, too, has been locked into a long-term new deal this summer.
There’s more out of the City of Brotherly Love:
- In a separate article for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Mizell cooks up a question for each player on the Sixers roster heading into the 2024/25 season. For Embiid, obviously the top question is how Philadelphia will manage the 30-year-old’s health throughout the regular season and heading into the playoffs. For new All-Star signing Paul George, the primary question becomes how he fits into the club’s system.
- Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker revealed some details on the agreement to build the new, $1.3 billion Sixers arena downtown, per The Associated Press. The team will fund the project itself, without relying on the city at all, per Parker. The new deal will also require a $50MM contribution to schools, communities and local businesses to offset any potential disruptions made during the build. “I truly am proud having made this decision and negotiated an agreement that will definitely ensure that our Sixers are staying home right here in Philadelphia, where they should be,” Parker said.
- In case you missed it, the Sixers recently completed a two-way deal with free agent guard Lester Quinones.
Southeast Notes: Bryant, Wizards, Williams, Bridges
Trading newly re-signed big man Thomas Bryant isn’t an option for the Heat at present, writes Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (subscriber-only link).
The 27-year-old big man doesn’t become trade-eligible until December 15, when most players signed to new contracts this offseason can be dealt. Bryant inked a one-year, $2.1MM veteran’s minimum deal to return to Miami for a second straight year.
Bryant appeared in just 38 contests (four starts) for Miami, as he was toggled in and out of head coach Erik Spoelstra‘s rotations. All told, the 6’10” center averaged 5.7 points on 57.7% field goal shooting and 87.2% foul line shooting, along with 3.7 rebounds, in 11.6 minutes of action.
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- The Wizards are fully embracing their rebuild this season, writes Joshua Robbins of The Athletic. During a preseason press conference on Thursday, top Washington executives Michael Winger and Will Dawkins spoke of their long play for relevance this year. “If we’re really to think about it, the phases of the rebuild… there’s the deconstruction phase,” Dawkins said. “There’s the laying-the-foundation phase. There’s the building it back up, and then there’s fortifying what you build. We’re still focused on deconstructing and laying that foundation. And I think that’s important to remind everyone, that we’re still early (in the process).” The team finished 15-67 in 2023/24, and made a pair of lottery picks this summer in big man Alex Sarr and point guard Carlton Carrington. Washington also acquired the draft rights to wing Kyshawn George, selected later in the first round. The Wizards will also be looking for internal growth from intriguing second-year small forward Bilal Coulibaly, their 2023 lottery selection.
- The Magic are set to pay tribute to recently deceased co-founder and longtime front office executive Pat Williams this season, the team announced via press release. Orlando players will wear patches with the initials “PW” on their jerseys. Williams served as the Magic’s general manager from their inaugural season in 1989/90 through 1996. He was subsequently promoted to a role as the club’s senior vice president.
- Recently re-signed Hornets forward Miles Bridges had options from several other clubs in free agency this summer, but wanted to remain in Charlotte, he told Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer. “With coach (Charles) Lee and the new coaching staff coming in, new management, I just feel like we are stepping in the right direction. And I just feel like I wanted to be a big part of that.” Bridges named the Clippers and Cavaliers as two of the teams that expressed interest in him. “Yeah, the Clippers are a great organization,” Bridges said. “They wanted me, the Cavaliers wanted me. But at the same time I was just trying to see what was the best fit for me, and what would make me and my family happy.”
Hawks Sign Joirdon Nicholas To Camp Deal
The Hawks have signed free agent forward Joirdon Nicholas to a training camp contract, Atlanta has announced in a press statement.
Terms of the agreement weren’t reported, but it is likely an Exhibit 10 deal.
Nicholas went undrafted out of Texas Southern in 2023. He suited up for the Lakers’ NBAGL affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, throughout the 2023/24 season. Across 39 combined regular season and Showcase Cup contests (16 starts), he averaged 8.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
Additionally, Nicholas appeared in 19 contests for the Mexican club Zonkeys de Tijuana in 2023/24. He posted averages of 10.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 1.8 APG on 41.4% field goal shooting and 64.7% free throw shooting.
The Hawks currently have all 15 of their standard roster spots and all three of their two-way vacancies occupied. Exhibit 10 signings can be converted into two-way agreements, so there’s a chance that if Nicholas impresses Atlanta, the team could opt to waive Seth Lundy, Keaton Wallace or Dominick Barlow.
The more likely scenario is that Nicholas will be in line for a $77.5K bonus if he’s waived and then spends at least 60 days with Atlanta’s NBAGL affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks. The Skyhawks recently traded for his returning rights.
Suns Cut Tyrese Samuel, Jaden Shackelford
The Suns have waived forward Tyrese Samuel and guard Jaden Shackelford ahead of training camp, per the NBA’s official transaction log.
Both players had been on Exhibit 10 training camp deals with Phoenix.
Samuel went undrafted out of Florida this summer. The 6’10” All-SEC honoree averaged 13.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks per game while connecting on 56.4% of his looks from the floor and 56.2% of his free throw attempts.
After going undrafted out of Alabama, the 23-year-old Shackelford has spent the last two seasons in the G League as a member of the Thunder’s NBAGL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. Last year, he recorded averages of 14.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 3.0 APG on .379/.356/.733 shooting across 50 Showcase Cup and regular season games.
Both players seem likely to end up with the Suns’ NBAGL squad, the Valley Suns, who acquired Shackelford’s rights in a trade earlier this month. Should Samuel and Shackelford stick with Phoenix’s G League team for at least 60 days, they will each be eligible for a bonus worth as much as $77.5K.
The Suns also confirmed that they have officially signed power forward/center Mamadi Diakite and center Frank Kaminsky, whose deals were previously reported. Phoenix has one opening on its projected 15-man standard roster. Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports tweets that Diakite, Kaminsky and previously confirmed training camp signee Moses Wood are all slated to compete for it.
Hawks Sign Daeqwon Plowden To Exhibit 10 Deal
SEPTEMBER 27: The signing is official, according to a team press release.
SEPTEMBER 26: The Hawks have agreed to a deal with free agent guard Daeqwon Plowden, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). According to Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link), Plowden is signing an Exhibit 10 contract with Atlanta.
Plowden signed a two-way deal with the Warriors earlier this offseason, but he was recently waived to accommodate the signing of second-round pick Quinten Post.
A 6’6″ swingman, Plowden went undrafted out of Bowling Green in 2022. He spent the 2022/23 season with the Pelicans’ G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, and played for the Magic’s NBAGL squad, the Osceola Magic, in 2023/24. Last year with Osceola, Plowden averaged 11.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks per game across 33 regular season bouts (nine starts). He posted a shooting line of .471/.390/.769.
Plowden had an impressive Summer League showing with the Warriors in July, averaging 14.6 PPG on .490/.397/.757 shooting in eight outings at the Las Vegas and California Classic events, per RealGM.
The College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta’s G League affiliate, acquired Plowden’s returning rights in a trade with Osceola earlier this month, so in all likelihood, he’ll be waived before the season begins and then report to College Park. If he spends at least 60 days with the Hawks’ affiliate, Plowden will be eligible for a bonus worth up to $77.5K.