Pelicans Sign Gary Clark To Two-Way Deal, Waive Jared Harper
The Pelicans have signed forward Gary Clark to a two-way contract, the team announced in a press release. To create space, the club waived two-way guard Jared Harper.
Clark was previously on a non-guaranteed deal with New Orleans, averaging 3.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in eight games (11.9 MPG). The team waived him on Friday before his contract became fully guaranteed.
Prior to signing with the Pelicans, Clark was playing for Mexico City Capitanes in the G League. The 27-year-old went undrafted in 2018 and holds experience with Houston, Orlando, Denver and Philadelphia.
Harper, 24, only appeared in two games for the Pelicans this season, averaging 3.5 points in five minutes per contest. He’s also averaging 21.7 points and 5.1 assists per outing in the G League this year.
Pistons Sign Cassius Stanley To Second 10-Day Contract
The Pistons have signed guard Cassius Stanley to a second 10-day contract using the COVID-related hardship allowance, the team announced (via Twitter). Stanley’s first 10-day hardship deal with the club expired on Tuesday.
Stanley averaged 10.7 points in his three games with Detroit, shooting 48% from the floor and 44% from downtown. In 12 G League games with Motor City this season, he’s averaged 10 points, 4.2 rebounds and 23.6 minutes per contest.
The Pistons own the second-worst record in the league at 7-30. Along with Stanley on a 10-day deal, the team’s current backcourt rotation includes Killian Hayes, Cade Cunningham, Saben Lee and Rodney McGruder.
Knicks’ Julius Randle Fined $25K By NBA
Knicks star Julius Randle has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for the egregious use of profane language during media interviews, the league announced in a press release. Randle made his comments after the team’s practice on Wednesday and after the club’s game against Boston this week.
Randle originally said that he “doesn’t give a s–t” about the outside criticism the Knicks have faced this season, as relayed by Mark Sanchez of the New York Post. According to the New York Post’s Mark Berman, the second half of his remarks came when he explained why he gave a “thumbs down” to fans at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.
New York defeated Boston 108-105 in the contest, recording an important home win. For his part, Randle finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and two steals, shooting 8-of-20 from the floor and recording a plus-14 net rating. The two teams will meet again on Saturday night in Boston.
On the season, Randle has averaged 19.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. New York owns the 10th-best record in the East at 19-20.
Grizzlies’ Taylor Jenkins Enters Protocols
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated (Twitter link). Assistant Brad Jones will coach when the team plays the Clippers on Saturday, Mannix notes.
Jenkins is one of many coaches to enter protocols as the league deals with a surge in COVID-19 cases this season. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd entered said protocols this month, while Lakers coach Frank Vogel, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Thunder coach Mark Daigneault all recently exited them.
Jenkins guided Memphis to a 12-4 record in December despite missing Ja Morant for 10 games, receiving Coach of the Month honors for the Western Conference. The Grizzlies own a 26-14 record on the season and have won seven straight games.
Aside from coaches, the NBA has also seen over 200 players enter health and safety protocols this season. As shown in our tracker, nearly 50 players are currently in the league’s protocols.
Hasheem Thabeet Signing In China
Former NBA center Hasheem Thabeet is signing a deal in the Chinese Basketball Association with the Fujian Sturgeons, agent Jerry Dianis told Hoops Rumors.
Thabeet most recently played in Taiwan, averaging 18.3 points, 14.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game while receiving Defensive Player of the Year honors. This will be Thabeet’s first time playing in China during his professional career.
“Hasheem is the best rim protector on the planet,” Dianis said. “China has 1.4 billion people and he’s excited to play on this stage. His ultimate goal is to return to the NBA, something that could happen as soon as this year.”
Thabeet, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, has made past NBA stops with Memphis, Houston, Portland, and Oklahoma City. Known as a fierce shot-blocker at 7’3″, he also spent three collegiate seasons at UConn and holds international experience in Japan.
Prior to signing in Taiwan, Thabeet worked out for several teams, including the Knicks, Nuggets, Bucks, Warriors, and Sixers. He carries 224 games of NBA experience and joins a team that has signed veterans such as Christian Wood and Amar’e Stoudemire in past years.
Heat Notes: Chalmers, Guy, Depth, Dragic
When veteran guard Mario Chalmers received a call about signing a 10-day hardship contract with the Heat, the two-time champion found it hard to believe, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes.
The Heat weren’t in touch with Chalmers and his agents throughout the week. Rather, the opportunity for Chalmers came quickly on Thursday afternoon, a deal he accepted without giving much second thought. The team also badly needed players as it dealt with a sudden COVID-19 outbreak.
“I’m not going to lie. My immediate reaction is I didn’t believe it,” Chalmers admitted. “I thought my agent was playing with me.”
Here are some other notes out of Miami tonight:
- New Heat guard Kyle Guy praised the team’s system and history of developing players, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel writes. Miami also gave a 10-day contract to Guy, who recorded an impressive 17 points, four rebounds and three steals off the bench against Houston on Friday. He shot 6-of-8 from the floor and 4-of-6 from three-point range in the contest.
- In a separate article for the Sun Sentinel, Winderman examines whether Guy’s strong first impression may prompt the Heat may reconsider their depth chart. At full strength, Miami has a second unit consisting of Victor Oladipo, Tyler Herro, Max Strus, Markieff Morris and Dewayne Dedmon, along with impressive third-stringers Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin and Omer Yurtseven.
- Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald explores why a reunion between the team and Goran Dragic is unlikely this season. Dragic is currently away from the Raptors and was recently seen working out at Miami’s facility, but the Heat are ineligible to reacquire him unless he’s traded to another team. Miami can’t acquire him in a trade with the Raptors or sign him if Toronto releases him.
Eastern Notes: Johnson, Celtics, Wizards, Sabonis, Walton, Sixers
The Celtics won’t retain veteran guard Joe Johnson past his first 10-day hardship contract, head coach Ime Udoka said, as relayed by Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (Twitter link).
Udoka believes Johnson could still sign another deal in the NBA, but Boston has had players clear the health and safety protocols since signing him. Johnson only appeared in one game, logging just under two minutes and making his only shot attempt.
As Washburn notes (via Twitter), Boston would have to make another roster move or lose additional players to protocols in order to retain Johnson. The 40-year-old now enters free agency as an 18-year NBA veteran, owning 1,397 games of experience between the regular season and playoffs.
There’s more out of the Eastern Conference tonight:
- ESPN’s Zach Lowe says not to be surprised if the Wizards kick the tires on Pacers center Domantas Sabonis prior to this season’s trade deadline. Lowe views Washington as a good candidate to make a consolidation trade, since the team has plenty of depth and could use a running mate for Bradley Beal.
- Pistons guard Derrick Walton is living his hometown dream by playing with the franchise, James Edwards III of The Athletic writes. Walton, 26, is currently on a 10-day hardship deal with the organization.
- The Sixers appear to be ready to overcome adversity and compete for a championship, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer opines. Philadelphia remains firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture despite dealing with a series of injuries, COVID-19 cases, and Ben Simmons‘ absence. The team’s ceiling could increase significantly if Simmons returns or is traded for quality pieces.
Northwest Notes: Jones, Nuggets, Blazers, Williams, Howard
Nuggets assistant Popeye Jones won his first game as acting head coach on Saturday against the Rockets, Mike Singer of the Denver Post writes. Jones was coaching in place of head coach Michael Malone and lead assistant David Adelman, both of whom entered health and safety protocols.
“I’m blessed to be a part of this organization,” Jones said after the game. “You come in as the only new guy, and guys are trying to get a feel for you. … To come into this culture, and all these guys are such good guys, man. They don’t complain, they work hard every day. Like I told them, ‘You established this culture. I’m blessed just to be a part of it.’”
Denver won the contest 124-111 behind Facundo Campazzo‘s 22 points, 12 assists and five steals. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic also added 24 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Nuggets secure their third-straight victory.
There’s more from the Northwest Division tonight:
- The Trail Blazers have hired Rodney Billups as an assistant coach, the team announced in a press release. Billups is the younger brother of head coach Chauncey Billups, who joined the franchise last June. Portland owns the third-worst record in the West at 13-22 and has lost four straight games.
- Every championship contender will take a look at Thunder forward Kenrich Williams leading up to the trade deadline, ESPN’s Zach Lowe opines. Williams has averaged 6.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 20.8 minutes for Oklahoma City this season, shooting 46% from the floor and 41% from three-point range. He also shot 44% from deep last season.
- Nuggets two-way guard Markus Howard has hired new representation, choosing to sign with Octagon, the agency announced on social media (Twitter link). Howard will be represented by agents Josh Beauregard-Bell and Alex Saratsis. He’s averaged 4.3 points and 7.3 minutes in 16 games this season and is currently sidelined due to a knee injury.
COVID-19 Updates: Green, Anderson, Butler, Satoransky, Nesmith, Gill, Brooks
Warriors star Draymond Green has cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocols, according to Marc J. Spears of ESPN’s The Undefeated (Twitter link). He’s expected to play in Monday’s game against Miami.
Green missed two games due to protocols, including Golden State’s road contest against Utah on Saturday. The Warriors still ended up winning 123-116 and currently own the league’s best record at 28-7.
Here are some other COVID-19 updates from around the association:
- Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson has entered the league’s health and safety protocols, the team announced on social media (Twitter link). Anderson joins Shaq Buchanan, Dillon Brooks, John Konchar, De’Anthony Melton and Xavier Tillman as Grizzlies players in protocols.
- The Heat have its entire coaching staff back for Sunday’s game, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald tweets. Assistant coach Caron Butler was previously in the health and safety protocols.
- The Pelicans have added guard Tomas Satoransky to the league’s protocols, Andrew Lopez of ESPN tweets. New Orleans is also listing center Jonas Valanciunas (protocols) as questionable to play on Monday against the Jazz.
- Celtics guard Aaron Nesmith has re-entered the protocols, head coach Ime Udoka said, as relayed by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps (Twitter link). Nesmith briefly exited the protocols before being placed back into them, Udoka added.
- The Wizards are listing Anthony Gill in the protocols, as relayed by the team on social media (Twitter link). Gill logged nearly 25 minutes in the team’s loss to Chicago on Saturday, recording nine points, three rebounds and three steals.
- Rockets guard Armoni Brooks has entered the protocols, Ben DuBose of The Rockets Wire relays (via Twitter). DuBose also notes that Garrison Mathews and D.J. Augustin are no longer on the team’s injury report, meaning both players likely cleared health and safety protocols.
And-Ones: Referees, Protocols, Thornton, Koufos
The NBA has reached a season-high number of referees who are in health and safety protocols, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com. As of Thursday afternoon, Wojnarowski reported that 25 of 70 officials (36%) were in quarantine.
As our health and safety protocols tracker shows, over 100 NBA players are currently out due to the virus. Eleven games have been postponed this season, including – most recently – Thursday’s Warriors-Nuggets game.
The NBA has called up G League officials to make up for various absences. Some games have been played with two referees instead of three, but Wojnarowski reports that the league is working to limit these instances.
Here are some other odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- The NBA and NBPA have agreed to change the absence timeline for a player who enters protocols, Wojnarowski and Baxter Holmes write in a separate story for ESPN. The adjustment only impacts asymptomatic and vaccinated players. As the duo writes, players were allowed to return after seven days if their CT levels were above 35, but the change now allows players to return after five days if their CT levels are above 30.
- Eight-year NBA veteran Marcus Thornton has signed a contract in the G League, sources told Hoops Rumors. Thornton has played 483 NBA games, making past stops with New Orleans, Sacramento, Brooklyn, Boston, Phoenix, Houston and Washington during his career. He last played with the Pistons’ G League affiliate during the 2018/19 season.
- Free agent center Kosta Koufos will no longer sign with Italian club Reyer Venezia due to new guidelines and travel restrictions in the country, according to Marc Stein (Twitter link). Koufos, an 11-year NBA veteran, owns 686 games of experience since being drafted No. 23 overall in 2008.