Pelicans Notes: Williamson, Looney, Poole
Zion Williamson is getting some tough love from executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and that’s just fine with the talented Pelicans forward, according to Brett Martel of The Associated Press.
“He’s going to hold me accountable, and as he holds me accountable, he’s going to give me a lot of responsibility as well, which I’m excited for,” Williamson said. “I know he’s going to hold me to a really high standard, and if I slip up or anything, I know he’s going to be right there to make sure I get right back on the path.”
The oft-injured Williamson appeared in just 30 games last season. He’s had numerous frank conversations with Dumars and general manager Troy Weaver, who have been impressed with his commitment to conditioning.
“They embraced me,” Williamson said, per Rod Walker of NOLA.com. “I told them, ‘I’m not going to let y’all down.’ That helps a lot that they really believe in me. They are going to hold me accountable and with that accountability they will give me a lot of responsibility. And I’m here for it.”
We have more on the Pelicans:
- Longtime Warriors big man Kevon Looney believes the Pelicans have the pieces in place to move up the Western Conference standings. Looney signed a two-year deal with New Orleans as a free agent. “It’s a young team that has a chance to be really special,” he said in a video posted by the team (Twitter link). “I want to be part of a team that’s striving in the direction where they feel like they can make that jump. Sometimes when you go to a team you feel that it’s a total rebuild, but I feel like they already had the pieces — they just had be healthy.”
- Coach Willie Green says Jordan Poole, whom the Pelicans acquired in a trade with Washington, feels rejuvenated by the change of scenery. “We’re getting Jordan at a really key point in his career,” Green told Marc J. Spears of Andscape. “He goes to Golden State after being drafted there and wins a championship. He signs the big contract. He goes to D.C. and he’s playing on a team where at the end of it they don’t have a chance to compete for the playoffs. So, coming here, he’s excited. He’s excited to have an opportunity to compete. I love what he brings to the table. He’s 26 years old. He works his tail off to put himself in a position to step on the floor and be really good. We’re getting him at a good time, man. So, I’m about having an opportunity to coach him.”
- In case you missed it, Dumars touched on a number of topics with the media earlier this week. Get all the details here.
Nets Notes: Thomas, Highsmith, Demin, Powell, Claxton
Cam Thomas signed his qualifying offer worth just under $6MM earlier this month after the restricted free agent couldn’t come to terms on a contract with the Nets. That suggests that Thomas won’t be on the roster beyond this season but general manager Sean Marks tried to downplay that aspect of the failed negotiations.
“It’s maybe the ugly part of the business when you can’t find a common ground,” Marks said, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). “… I also don’t want to jump to conclusions because a common ground couldn’t be met this summer doesn’t mean he’s not a Net in the future or throughout the season.”
Thomas struck a similar tone with the media.
“I’d rather control my situation,” he said. “As a player, that’s the type of control you want in your situation…Just going to finish the year and we’ll see what happens. But I’m happy to be here to play in front of fans again.”
Thomas will now roll the dice on himself, as he’ll be an unrestricted free agent next summer. That outcome excites the high-scoring guard, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post (Twitter links).
“It was more pros to me taking the QO than taking any other deal,” Thomas said. “You want to keep the power that you have as a player as much as you can, as long as you can. So that was really the main deciding factor in taking the qualifying offer.”
Here’s more on the Nets:
- Forward Haywood Highsmith, acquired from the Heat in mid-August, tore the meniscus in his right knee during an offseason workout and underwent surgery to address the injury. He believes he’s on track to suit up by opening night, Lewis reports (Twitter link). “Right now, I’m six-and-a-half weeks out of surgery, so I’m doing jogging, spot-shooting, movements and workouts,” Highsmith said. “Not 100 percent. Light contact. And the plan for me is to be ready for the start of the regular season.”
- Rookies Egor Demin and Drake Powell will be limited at the start of training camp because of injuries, according to C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News. Demin, the No. 8 pick of the draft, has been recovering from a plantar fascia tear suffered after Summer League. Powell, selected with the No. 22 pick, missed Summer League with left knee tendinopathy and has yet to be cleared for full 5-on-5 work. “I’m not a doctor, so it’s hard for me to even tell what’s going on with it,” Demin said. “So, for me, it’s just important to stay present and I’m trying to focus on whatever plan I have from the physicians, right, and whatever timing I have from them.”
- Nic Claxton signed a four-year, $100MM contract to remain with the team last summer but the big man averaged fewer points, rebounds and blocks than in the previous season, in part due a nagging back injury. Claxton said his back is fine now and that he’s mentally and physically ready to go for camp, Lewis tweets.
Pacers Add Samson Johnson, Gabe McGlothan On Camp Deals
The Pacers have added big man Samson Johnson and forward Gabe McGlothan on Exhibit 10 contracts and waived guards Steven Ashworth and RJ Felton, according to a team press release.
It’s expected that Johnson and McGlothan will also be waived in the near future with the intent of having them join their NBA G League franchise, the Noblesville Boom. Each player would be eligible for a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he spends at least 60 days with Noblesville.
Indiana’s intent to sign Johnson was reported just after he went undrafted in June. Johnson won back-to-back national championships with UConn in 2023 and 2024 as a role player for the Huskies. He averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 19.4 minutes per contest as a senior last season (34 games) and played for the Pacers’ Summer League squad in July.
McGlothan was on the Nuggets’ training camp last year but was waived before opening night. He spent the season with the Grand Rapids Gold of the G League, averaging 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 42 games. McGlothan went undrafted after playing four collegiate seasons at Grand Canyon and was on Dallas’ Summer League roster this July.
Ashworth and Felton were signed to Exhibit 10 deals on Monday.
Ashworth spent three years at Utah State before spending his final two college seasons at Creighton. As a “super senior” in 2024/25, he averaged 16.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG and a Big East-best 6.8 APG in 35 games (36.0 MPG) for the Blue Jays.
Felton, who played four years of college ball at East Carolina, averaged 18.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.5 APG and 1.2 SPG on .414/.376/.743 shooting splits in 30 games (34.5 MPG) last season for the Pirates.
Ashworth and Felton also suited up for the Pacers’ Summer League team in July.
Jazz Expect Kevin Love To Join Them At Training Camp
The Jazz expect veteran forward Kevin Love to join them at training camp, Grant Afseth of RG.org reports.
Earlier this month, a report surfaced that the longtime big man was unlikely to begin the season with Utah as he sought pathways out of the organization, including a buyout. Love was dealt from Miami to Utah as part of a three-team swap in early July.
Love has an expiring contract, which will pay him $4.15MM this season, and it doesn’t seem likely he’d have a meaningful on-court role with the rebuilding Jazz. There have been instances in the past where veterans dealt under similar circumstances have not reported to the team.
However, according to Afseth, Utah has not engaged in serious buyout discussions with Love and is moving forward with the plan of having him report to camp.
Last year with Miami, Love appeared in 23 games and averaged 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game, all career lows. The 37-year-old could be a valuable piece for Utah on two fronts, Afseth notes. He brings championship experience, professionalism and leadership to the table and could be a mentor for the team’s young core. His expiring contract could also prove useful in a trade.
Playoff-caliber teams are expected to continue monitoring Love’s situation, especially if buyout talks eventually gain traction and he winds up getting waived.
Sixers Sign Four Players
September 23: Philadelphia has waived Martin, who is expected to join the Delaware Blue Coats, Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports tweets.
September 22: The Sixers have signed a quartet of free agents, forward Emoni Bates, point guard Kennedy Chandler, wing Malcolm Hill, and forward Jaylen Martin, according to the team.
Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports (Twitter link) that all four players have been inked to Exhibit 10 deals.
The 6’10” Bates, still just 21, was selected with the No. 49 pick out of Eastern Michigan in 2023 by Cleveland. He played sparingly with the Cavaliers across his first two pro seasons as a two-way signing. In 25 appearances, he averaged 3.1 points and 0.8 rebounds per game.
The six-foot Chandler played for the Grizzlies 2022/23, suiting up for 36 contests. Chandler has been plying his trade in the G League ever since, suiting up for the Memphis Hustle, Long Island Nets and Raptors 905.
Hill, a 6’6″ swingman, played in just 24 games for Atlanta and Chicago from 2021-23. He was also signed to the Pelicans on a 10-day deal in 2024, although he never appeared in a game on that deal. A journeyman since going undrafted out of Illinois in 2017, Hill has played for NBAGL affiliates more than he has seen NBA action. Most recently, he played for New Orleans’ G League club, the Birmingham Squadron.
Martin split his rookie season in 2024/25 between the Nets and Wizards on two-way deals. In 16 games, he averaged 4.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.1 APG and 0.6 SPG.
Igor Milicic previously signed an Exhibit 10 contract with Philadelphia, while Izan Almansa reportedly agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal as well, though it has yet to be officially completed.
If an Exhibit 10 recipient is cut by his NBA squad before the season and then spends at least 60 days with that team’s G League affiliate, he’ll earn a bonus worth up to $85,300.
Jazz Waive Forward KJ Martin
The Jazz have waived forward KJ Martin, according to a team press release. In the process, Utah shed Martin’s non-guaranteed $8MM contract for the upcoming season.
Martin appeared in 19 games (nine starts) last season with Utah, averaging 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 22.7 minutes per game. He wound up with the Jazz as part of February’s blockbuster five-team trade in which Jimmy Butler was dealt to Golden State.
While on the Sixers’ roster, Martin missed a big chunk of last season due to a foot injury. He appeared in 24 games with Philadelphia, including seven starts, averaging 6.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per game.
The No. 52 pick of the 2020 draft, Martin spent his first three NBA seasons in Houston prior to being traded to the Clippers in a five-team deal in the 2023 offseason. He only played two games for Los Angeles, having been sent to Philadelphia in November 2023 as part of the James Harden blockbuster. After playing a modest role for the Sixers in 2023/24, Martin re-signed with the club on a two-year, $16MM deal.
By waiving Martin, the Jazz opened up a training camp spot. They have 15 players on guaranteed contracts.
According to Spotrac contributor Keith Smith (Twitter link), the Jazz could create up to $10.5MM in salary cap space but will continue to operate as an over-the-cap team for now. Utah has an $18.4MM traded player exception for John Collins that is keeping them over the cap.
Martin could be an interesting option for a team seeking help at the forward spots once he clears waivers.
Rockets Notes: VanVleet, Sheppard, Thompson, Bostic
While the Rockets could turn to the trade market as they explore ways to replace Fred VanVleet following his ACL tear, half of their roster is currently ineligible to be dealt, and several other players are unlikely to be moved. Free agency also isn’t an option for Houston at the moment — although the Rockets have an open 15th roster spot, they don’t have enough room below their first-apron hard cap to sign a free agent to a minimum-salary contract.
Given that context, Houston will likely have to stay in house to replace VanVleet, at least for now. Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required) considers the team’s options, suggesting that Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, and Aaron Holiday could all take on increased ball-handling responsibilities.
In Lerner’s view, Sheppard has the skill set that’s the closest to VanVleet’s in terms of three-point shooting and play-making. While Thompson is capable of handling the ball, Lerner believes the Rockets want to be able to take advantage of his off-ball movement rather than making him their primary distributor.
Exploring what the Rockets are losing as a result of VanVleet’s injury, Lerner points out that the veteran point guard is an underrated defender and screener who led the team in deflections per game (3.1) last season and had more screen assists per game than any non-center on the roster.
Here’s more on the Rockets:
- According to Dan Woike of The Athletic (Twitter link), people he has spoken to were already expecting Thompson to have a larger on-ball role even before the VanVleet injury. Chris Mannix of SI.com echoes that sentiment, suggesting that Thompson could get a chance to become Houston’s lead play-maker. As Mannix notes, Thompson recently told SI.com that improving his play-making was a priority this offseason.
- John Hollinger of The Athletic believes the Rockets could be in trouble without VanVleet and questions some of the roster moves the front office made this offseason, such as acquiring Clint Capela. According to Hollinger, the team loaded up on its frontcourt while leaving itself with little cap flexibility or reliable backcourt depth. Still, if there’s a silver lining, it’s the fact that Thompson and Sheppard will get a chance to sink or swim in increased roles, Hollinger writes. If they thrive with those added responsibilities, it would give the Rockets more reasons for optimism going forward.
- Josh Bostic, who has been a player development coach in Houston for the past two seasons, is being promoted to an assistant coach role, reports Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). A longtime professional basketball player in non-NBA leagues, Bostic will presumably be taking the spot formerly occupied by Mike Moser, who accepted a job on David Adelman‘s staff in Denver.
Jayson Tatum: ‘I Haven’t Said I’m Not Playing This Season’
Appearing on ESPN’s First Take on Tuesday (YouTube link), Celtics forward Jayson Tatum made it clear that he’s not closing the door on the possibility of returning from his Achilles tear at some point before the end of the 2025/26 season.
“I haven’t said I’m not playing this season,” Tatum said in response to a question from Stephen A. Smith about how the new-look Celtics might fare without him. “The most important thing is a full recovery, being 100%, not rushing it at all. But also, I don’t go to rehab six days a week for nothing.”
Tatum is one of several notable NBA players in the process of rehabbing a torn Achilles, which typically requires a recovery period of a full year — or close to it. The Celtics star underwent surgery to repair his Achilles tear on May 13.
While the Pacers have already ruled out Tyrese Haliburton – who tore his Achilles on June 22 – for the entire 2025/26 season, the Celtics haven’t done the same for Tatum, and there have been a number of positive updates on the early stages of his recovery process. Tatum’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Martin O’Malley, was the latest to offer an encouraging assessment of the forward’s progress.
“I don’t think I’ve seen a person’s calf look as strong as his,” O’Malley told Eileen Finan of People Magazine. “At six or eight weeks he was doing double heel rises. He worked his calf so hard that the side effect of loss of strength, I don’t think he’s going to have any.”
The Celtics’ medical staff will presumably have the final say on Tatum’s availability this season. That decision could hinge in part on how Boston performs without its leading scorer — if the team is scuffling around or below .500 after the All-Star break and doesn’t look capable of making a deep playoff run, there likely won’t be any urgency for Tatum to return.
Still, Tatum is holding out hope that he won’t have to wait until the start of the 2026/27 season to suit up again for the Celtics. In the meantime, he’s going to try to stay as connected to the team as he can.
“I’m going to be at practices and go to games and travel,” Tatum told Finan. “As frustrating as it’ll be to not be able to play, feeling like I’m a part of the team will help me out.”
Grizzlies Sign Braxton Key
The Grizzlies have signed free agent forward Braxton Key, the team announced today in a press release (Twitter link). Memphis had an open spot on its 21-man offseason roster, so no corresponding move was necessary to make room for Key.
A 6’8″ forward who has played for the Sixers, Pistons, Nuggets, and Warriors, Key spent most of the 2024/25 season in the G League. He made a total of 49 appearances for the San Diego Clippers and Santa Cruz Warriors, averaging 16.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 31.7 minutes per game.
Key’s strong play in the G League earned him a late-season call-up to the Warriors’ roster. He signed a two-way contract in March and was promoted to a standard deal on the final day of the season, though he only logged 11 total minutes in three garbage-time appearances for Golden State.
While the Grizzlies didn’t specify what kind of contract Key signed, it’s likely a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal. If so, it could be converted to a two-way contract prior to the regular season or it could make Key eligible to earn a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he’s waived and then spends at least 60 days with the Memphis Hustle. The Grizzlies’ G League affiliate would need to acquire his returning rights from the Clippers’ affiliate for that to happen.
Assuming Key is in fact on an Exhibit 10 deal, he’s one of three Exhibit 10 signees on Memphis’ roster, along with Lawson Lovering and Tyler Burton. The team is also carrying 15 players on guaranteed deals and three on two-way contracts.
Hornets Sign Terrell Brown Jr.
The Hornets continue to swap players in and out of the final spot on their 21-man offseason roster, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve signed guard Terrell Brown Jr.
Since waiving veteran wing DaQuan Jeffries last Thursday, the Hornets have rotated players on Exhibit 10 contracts through that 21st roster spot in order to ensure those players receive bonus money if and when they report to Charlotte’s G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm.
Prior to signing Brown, the Hornets also briefly carried DJ Rodman, Marcus Garrett, Brandon Slater, and Keyontae Johnson. Rodman was waived to make room for Brown.
Brown, who went undrafted out of Washington in 2022, has spent most of his first three professional seasons in the G League, including the past two years with the Greensboro Swarm. He appeared in 48 NBAGL games in 2024/25, averaging 7.6 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 22.0 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .405/.229/.859.
In all likelihood, Brown will soon be waived and will have the opportunity to earn an Exhibit 10 bonus worth up to $85,300 if he spends at least 60 days with the Swarm this season.