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International Notes: Ramsey, Cordinier, Okeke, Maledon, Batum

July 26th, 2025 at 9:51am CST by Rory Maher

As expected, Italian club Pallacanestro Trieste has officially signed former NBA guard Jahmi’us Ramsey to a one-year deal, confirming the news in a press release.

The 43rd pick of the 2020 draft, Ramsey appeared in a total of 39 NBA games with Sacramento and Toronto from 2020-24. The former Texas Tech standout has spent most of the past three seasons in the NBA G League with the Oklahoma City Blue.

In 34 games with the Blue last season, Ramsey averaged 20.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals on .496/.363/.685 shooting in 28.6 minutes per game. The 24-year-old shooting guard also represented Team USA in AmeriCup qualifying games last fall and winter.

Trieste went 18-12 in Italy’s top basketball league during the ’24/25 regular season, good for the No. 6 seed, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to No. 3 Brescia, the eventual runner-up.

Here are a few more odds and ends from overseas:

  • Turkish EuroLeague team Anadolu Efes has added Isaia Cordinier on a two-year contract, announcing the signing on social media (Instagram link). As Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops notes, Cordinier is a former second-round pick (No. 44 overall in 2016) who spent last season with Virtus Bologna, averaging 12.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG and 3.9 APG in 34 EuroLeague contests (26.9 MPG). Brooklyn renounced its rights to the French guard in 2021, and Cordinier was reportedly looking to see if an NBA opportunity would materialize before signing with Efes.
  • Veteran NBA forward Chuma Okeke is expected to sign with Real Madrid, as first reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Askounis of Eurohoops, relaying a report from Javier Maestro of Spanish outlet Encesando, says Okeke’s deal with Madrid will cover two years and will feature an NBA out clause for the 2026 offseason. Theo Maledon‘s new contract with the Spanish EuroLeague club also has an out clause for next summer, according to Maestro.
  • Clippers forward Nicolas Batum has retired from international play, but he will serve as an analyst for France’s games at the upcoming EuroBasket tournament, the French national team announced (via Twitter).
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Chuma Okeke Expected To Sign With Real Madrid

July 18th, 2025 at 4:31pm CST by Eli Cohen

Chuma Okeke is finalizing a deal to join Real Madrid, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (via Twitter).

Okeke, a former Auburn standout who spent the first five seasons of his career with the Magic after being drafted with the No. 16 pick in 2019, appeared in seven games with the Sixers last season and five with the Cavaliers, including three in the playoffs.

The 26-year-old spent the majority of the year with the Knicks’ G League affiliate in Westchester, where he averaged 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per contest.

Orazio Cauchi of Basket News, who first reported that Okeke and Real Madrid were in advanced talks, says the 6’6″ wing is expected to primarily helm the power forward spot for the Spanish club.

Assuming a deal is finalized, Okeke would join former NBA players Facundo Campazzo, Theo Maledon, Mario Hezonja, Edy Tavares, Usman Garuba, Bruno Fernando, and Xavier Rathan-Mayes on Madrid’s roster.

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Cavaliers Decline Team Option On Chuma Okeke

June 29th, 2025 at 5:09pm CST by Eli Cohen

The Cavaliers are declining their team option on forward Chuma Okeke, reports Michael Scotto for HoopsHype (via Twitter). Okeke will now become an unrestricted free agent.

The 6’6″ forward, who spent the first four years of his career with the Magic, spent a majority of last season with the Knicks’ G League affiliate team, where he averaged 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 35.9% from three.

He then played seven games for the Sixers, averaging 24.4 minutes per game for the much-injured Philadelphia team, before being picked up by the Cavaliers.

Okeke appeared in two regular season games and three playoff contest for the Cavaliers, but only saw 38 total minutes of action. The 26-year-old will now explore his options in unrestricted free agency.

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2024/25 All-NBA G League Teams Announced

April 17th, 2025 at 1:14pm CST by Rory Maher

In a series of tweets, the NBA has announced the three All-NBA G League teams for the 2024/25 season. Here’s the full list of honorees:

First Team

Second Team

Third Team

* Denotes two-way contract

^ Denotes standard contract

~ On a standard contract with the Cavaliers

While each player selected has some level of NBA experience, four of them — Flynn, Nowell, Brown and Warren — are currently free agents. Of that group, only Warren didn’t appear in an NBA regular season game during the ’24/25 campaign.

Davison, Tshiebwe and Nowell finished first, second and third in voting (in that order) for this season’s G League Most Valuable Player award, so it’s no surprise that they made the First Team. McClung, who was the league’s 2023/24 MVP, helped Osceola make the NBAGL Finals this spring, with the final spot going to former Pistons guard Flynn, who signed a 10-day contract with Charlotte last month.

Mason Jones recently helped Stockton win its first G League title, earning Finals MVP in the process. He’s joined on the Second Team by NBAGL Most Improved Player Harkless, McGowens, Brown, and Timme.

Former first-round pick Okeke signed a pair of 10-day contracts with Philadelphia before signing with Cleveland ahead of the playoffs. NBA veteran Warren, G League Rookie of the Year Alexander, Heat two-way guard Christopher, and Kings big man Jones round out the Third Team.

Davison and Isaac Jones were promoted from two-way deals to standard contracts at the end of the season. Timme was an NBA free agent before Brooklyn gave him a two-year standard contract in March due to his strong play in the NBAGL.

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Cavaliers Sign Chuma Okeke

April 5th, 2025 at 12:15pm CST by Luke Adams

April 5: Okeke’s deal with the Cavaliers is now official, per a team press release.

April 3: The Cavaliers and Chuma Okeke have reached a contract agreement, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, who reports (via Twitter) that the 6’7″ forward will fill the open spot on Cleveland’s 15-man roster.

Okeke, the 16th overall pick in the 2019 draft, spent a year recovering from a torn ACL before signing his rookie scale contract with Orlando in 2020. He appeared in 189 regular season games over the course of four seasons with the Magic, averaging 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 20.3 minutes per night.

After becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2024, Okeke has spent most of the current season with the Westchester Knicks in the G League. In 45 total outings for Westchester, he has put up 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 36.5 minutes per game.

The 26-year-old also appeared in seven NBA games while on a pair of 10-day contracts with the Sixers in February and March.

Known as a talented perimeter defender, Okeke didn’t display much upside on the offensive end during his time in Orlando, shooting 38.3% from the floor and 31.8% on three-pointers. He has taken some positive steps forward as a shooter this season, however, hitting 36.2% of his outside shots in the G League and 45.5% in a very small sample at the NBA level.

The Cavaliers have been carrying 14 players on standard contracts since Nae’Qwan Tomlin‘s 10-day deal expired about a month ago, so they won’t need to cut anyone to open up a roster spot for Okeke.

Okeke’s deal will include a second-year team option, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). Assuming it’s worth the veteran’s minimum, Okeke would earn $12,860 per day for the rest of this season (through April 13) — his exact earnings and the Cavs’ exact cap hit would depend on when the team officially completes the signing.

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Sixers Sign Phillip Wheeler To 10-Day Deal

March 26th, 2025 at 2:07pm CST by Luke Adams

2:07 pm: Wheeler’s 10-day deal with the Sixers is now official, the club announced in a press release.

1:58 pm: The Sixers intend to sign G League forward Phillip Wheeler to a 10-day contract, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

Wheeler, who went undrafted in 2022, has spent the last few years playing in the G League and the Puerto Rican league. He has appeared in a total of 38 NBAGL games this season for the Texas Legends and Maine Celtics, averaging 15.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 steal in 28.2 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .495/.365/.612.

Wheeler should have a good opportunity to make his NBA debut for a banged-up Sixers team that has awarded rotation roles to several young prospects, two-way players, and 10-day signees in recent weeks.

Chuma Okeke, who averaged 24.4 minutes per game across seven outings with Philadelphia, had his second 10-day contract with the team come to an end on Tuesday night, which will create a roster slot for Wheeler.

Technically, the 76ers have a full 15-man standard roster, but due to all their injured players, they’ve qualified for multiple hardship exceptions as of late and figure to use another one to bring Wheeler aboard. Forward Marcus Bagley is also currently on a 10-day hardship deal with Philadelphia.

Wheeler will earn $66,503 over the course of his 10-day contract and will be eligible for the Sixers’ next five games if the signing is officially completed on Wednesday.

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Sixers Sign Marcus Bagley To 10-Day Contract

March 24th, 2025 at 3:54pm CST by Rory Maher

The Sixers have signed free agent forward Marcus Bagley to a 10-day contract, the team announced in a press release.

Bagley, 23, went undrafted in 2023 after three injury-riddled seasons with Arizona State. He has been a member of Philadelphia’s organization ever since, initially playing for the 76ers’ Summer League squad that year and spending the past two seasons with the team’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.

Bagley struggled to make an impact during his first professional season in 2023/24 and got off to a relatively slow start this past fall during the Tip-Off Tournament. However, he has been more productive since the NBAGL regular season got underway in the winter, averaging 11.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18 games (29.3 minutes per contest). His shooting line over that span is .436/.320/.759.

The 76ers currently have a full 15-man roster, but they are permitted to carry extra players via the hardship exception due to injuries. It’s likely they qualify for a second hardship exception, as Chuma Okeke is currently on his second 10-day contract with the club — his deal expires March 25.

While it’s also possible Philadelphia decided to end Okeke’s contract a day early, there’s no mention of Okeke in the press release. Either way, Bagley will be getting his first standard NBA contract.

Bagley will earn $66,503 over the course of his 10 days with the team and Philadelphia will carry an identical cap hit on its books. Bagley, whose older brother is Grizzlies big man Marvin Bagley III, will be eligible to appear in five games for the Sixers.

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Sixers Sign Chuma Okeke To Second 10-Day Contract

March 16th, 2025 at 10:32am CST by Arthur Hill

March 16: Okeke’s second 10-day contract with Philadelphia is now official, per the team.

March 15: Chuma Okeke, who played one game for the Sixers on a 10-day contract last month, will return to the team on another 10-day deal, sources tell NBA insider Marc Stein (Twitter link). Stein adds that Okeke will be available for Sunday afternoon’s game at Dallas.

The 26-year-old combo forward inked his first 10-day contract on February 7, but was waived after just six days when the team promoted two-way player Jared Butler to the 15-man roster. Okeke saw two minutes of action in his only appearance, finishing with no points and one rebound.

Apart from his brief NBA appearance, Okeke has spent the season with the Knicks’ G League affiliate in Westchester, averaging 18.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 25 regular season games.

Okeke was mentioned as a potential addition for New York when the team became financially eligible to add a 15th player in late February. New York opted to sign P.J. Tucker to a 10-day deal instead.

The Sixers have a full roster, but they are able to make additions through 10-day deals under the hardship exception because they have several players who have missed at least three consecutive games and are expected to remain sidelined for at least two more weeks.

Free agent forward Oshae Brissett signed a 10-day hardship contract with the team on Friday. Assuming the Sixers don’t plan to release Brissett in order to sign Okeke, they’ll need to have at least five players who meet the hardship criteria in order to make a second 10-day signing. Joel Embiid, Eric Gordon, Jared McCain, Paul George, and Kyle Lowry may all fit the bill.

If Okeke’s deal becomes official on Sunday, he will be eligible to appear in six games before it expires on March 25. Players are limited to two 10-day contracts per team in a season, so the Sixers would have to give him a standard deal to keep him any longer.

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Moses Brown, T.J. Warren, Chuma Okeke On Knicks’ Radar

February 28th, 2025 at 8:58pm CST by Luke Adams

For the first time this season, the Knicks are in position to sign a 15th man. New York has been limited by a restrictive hard cap since acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns in October and currently has $540,127 in wiggle room below that second-apron cap, as we detailed earlier this month. As of Friday, a rest-of-season minimum-salary contract for a veteran free agent would carry a cap hit of $539,876.

The Knicks added a crucial piece to their active roster ahead of Friday’s game, with center Mitchell Robinson cleared to play for the first time this season following ankle surgery. But they didn’t make a free agent addition on Friday and are still weighing their options for that 15th spot.

According to Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link), center Moses Brown, forward T.J. Warren, and forward Chuma Okeke are among the players on the Knicks’ radar for their final roster opening.

Warren and Okeke have long been viewed as candidates to become New York’s 15th man — both players were in camp with the team in the fall and have spent the season playing for the Westchester Knicks. They’re also both thriving at the G League level. Warren has averaged 24.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game on .492/.359/.836 shooting in 30 outings for Westchester, while Okeke has put up 17.0 PPG and 8.4 RPG with a .457/.365/.706 shooting line.

Brown is technically under contract with Dallas right now, but his 10-day deal expires on Saturday night. Because the Mavericks have even stricter hard cap constraints than the Knicks, they can’t complete another signing until April 10, meaning they won’t be able to immediately re-sign Brown once his current contract is up.

That could open the door for the Knicks or another team to sign the veteran big man, who had 20 points and 11 rebounds in a start for the Mavs on Thursday. Although New York got Robinson back on Friday, the team traded away Jericho Sims at this month’s deadline and saw rookie center Ariel Hukporti go down with a knee injury earlier in the week, so its frontcourt depth has taken a bit of a hit.

It’s worth noting that 10-day signings are an option for the Knicks if they don’t want to commit to a rest-of-season deal with so much time still left in the season. A 10-day contract would carry a cap charge of $119,972 and would allow the club to audition players or temporarily address holes on the roster while retaining late-season flexibility.

As cap expert Yossi Gozlan notes (via Begley at SNY.tv), not signing anyone on Friday means the Knicks will have enough room under their hard cap to complete a second signing before the end of the regular season if they so choose.

New York currently has 14 players under contract, so a second signing would require the team to waive one of the players on its standard roster. But if the Knicks, for example, want to have both Warren and Okeke on their playoff roster, they could sign one of them on Saturday and the other on the final day of the season, cutting a little-used player such as Delon Wright at that time. The later they complete one signing, the earlier they could make a second roster move.

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Knicks Notes: Roster Candidates, Anunoby, Bridges, Hukporti

February 27th, 2025 at 9:39am CST by Dana Gauruder

The Knicks can add a free agent via a prorated veteran’s minimum contract while remaining below their hard cap as early as Friday. They have an open roster spot, though as a first-apron team, they can’t sign a player who made more than $12.8MM before being bought out.

Noting that there are few notable options on the buyout market this winter, The Athletic’s James Edwards III takes a closer look at the players who fit the bill, plus several other free agents who might make sense for New York. He identifies T.J. Warren, Chuma Okeke, Chris Duarte, Christian Wood and Josh Richardson as potential targets, with Warren and Okeke topping the list since both are playing for the Westchester Knicks, the team’s NBA G League affiliate.

We have more on the Knicks:

  • The Knicks made two major trades to acquire forwards OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, then gave Anunoby a huge contract in free agency. However, those investments are not paying off against the league’s elite, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post notes. In a combined seven losses to Cleveland, Boston and Oklahoma City, Anunoby is averaging 9.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 35.3 minutes per game while shooting 39% overall and 24% on three-point tries. In those same games, Bridges is averaging 14 points and two rebounds in 34 minutes while shooting 44% overall and 28% on threes.
  • Ariel Hukporti made his first start on Wednesday with Karl-Anthony Towns sidelined. Hukporti didn’t finish the game, exiting in the second half with a sprained left knee, according to Peter Botte of the New York Post. The rookie big man had eight points and two rebounds in 16 minutes. “I thought Ariel gave us good minutes,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He’s a young guy who’s learning and getting better.” Hukporti was promoted to a standard contract in early November after originally being signed to a two-way deal.
  • In case you missed it, there’s reportedly optimism that center Mitchell Robinson will make his season debut as soon as this weekend. Get the details here.
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