Reece Beekman

Magic Notes: Banchero, Suggs, Richardson, Two-Way

Paolo Banchero knows that expectations for the Magic have risen dramatically this offseason, and he’s ready to embrace the challenge of meeting them, writes Josh Robbins for The Athletic (subscriber link).

I think, just as a competitor, as a winner, as a player, you want to be expected to be great,” Banchero said.

Robbins writes that Banchero was stunned by the Magic’s trade for Desmond Bane, which sent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and four first-round picks to the Grizzlies, but quickly grew excited about the prospect of teaming up with the sweet-shooting guard.

I felt like there were some guys that were kind of up on the list of who we would maybe trade for, at least in my head, and Desmond Bane was not one of them,” Banchero said. “So when I heard that one, I was like, ‘Desmond Bane!’ I was like, ‘S–t, he’s a hell of a player.'”

Banchero spoke about the impact that Bane, as well as Tyus Jones, who signed with the team on a one-year deal, should have this year.

I think it’s going to do a lot of great things, not only on the court but off the court, just with the way they are as people and how they’re able to kind of control a room,” he said. “They talk with so much experience that you listen to them. Both of them offensively are just really experienced players, and they just know how to play. They have great feels for the game, feels for the court, when to make plays, when to shoot, when to drive.

We have more from the Magic:

  • Jalen Suggs is working hard to get back from the arthroscopic knee surgery that ended his season in March, but his updates remain cryptic, writes Jason Beede for the Orlando Sentinel. “This is definitely the hardest summer that I’ve had so far,” he said last week in a podcast appearance. “The knee is coming along but I’m just really getting to work on minute muscles and really detailed parts about my body that just have been overlooked up to this point. So it’s been great. Camp and the return will come in time, in [God’s] time, but our process is really working and I love the spot that we’re in right now.” Beede notes that a more concrete update on his timeline, as well as that of Moritz Wagner, who is recovering from an ACL tear, should come tomorrow.
  • In the same article, Beede writes that the Magic’s bench will look dramatically different with the departures of Anthony, Gary Harris, Cory Joseph, and Caleb Houstan, but adds that internal development for Anthony Black, Jett Howard, and Tristan Da Silva should help boost the unit around Jones’ floor generalship. Beede also suggests that, given head coach Jamahl Mosley‘s preference to keep his rotations intact, if Suggs misses the start of the season, it could open a pathway for rookie Jase Richardson to start. While Black and Jones are capable of stepping up, Beede observes that in the past, Mosley has often looked to the third-string players in such situations.
  • The Magic currently have Jamal Cain and Orlando Robinson on two-way contracts, with plenty of options for the third slot. Among the most likely candidates, Beede lists Reece Beekman, Colin Castleton, Justin Minaya, Lester Quinones, and Alex Morales, all of whom are currently on Exhibit 10 deals with the team. Beede notes that Castleton and Morales both have experience with the franchise, as both spent time with the G League affiliate in Osceola — Morales for three seasons and Castleton for part of last year.

Magic Sign Four Players To Exhibit 10 Contracts

The Magic have announced four new signings ahead of training camp (Twitter link). Orlando has added free agent guard Reece Beekman, wings Justin Minaya and Lester Quinones, and center Colin Castleton.

Although the team didn’t divulge terms of the agreements, Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel reports that all four deals are Exhibit 10 contracts.

Castleton’s signing was previously confirmed in the NBA’s transaction log, while Quinones’ deal with the Magic was reported last month. The additions of Beekman and Minaya are new. Beekman is especially notable since he had reportedly reached a tentative agreement to join the Nuggets in June. That deal was never officially finalized, however.

Castleton has spent the previous two seasons with the Lakers, Grizzlies, Sixers and Raptors. He began his pro career out of Florida on two-way contracts with Los Angeles and Memphis, but graduated to 10-day deals with Toronto and Philadelphia. He was brought back by the Raptors on a two-year standard deal at the end of 2024/25, but they ultimately waived him earlier this summer.

A 6’4″ guard out of Memphis, Quinones most recently split the 2024/25 season with two-way deals for the Sixers and Pelicans. He has appeared in 54 total NBA regular season games in three years since going undrafted out of Memphis in 2022. His best season came in 2023/24, when he averaged 4.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per night with a .364 3PT% in 37 outings for Golden State.

Beekman signed a two-way deal with Golden State last July after going undrafted out of Virginia. He made just two brief appearances for the Warriors before being sent to the Nets in mid-December as part of the Dennis Schröder trade. Beekman got a larger NBA opportunity after arriving in Brooklyn, appearing in 34 games and averaging 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 13.7 minutes per night.

Minaya, a 6’5″ small forward, has been a two-way player for the Blazers since 2022. He has made 57 total appearances but played a very limited role, averaging 1.7 points and 1.4 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per contest.

All four players are eligible to have their Exhibit 10 deals converted into two-way contracts before the start of the regular season. The Magic currently have one open two-way slot alongside Jamal Cain and Orlando Robinson.

If any of the four new Magic players are cut by Orlando ahead of the season and spent at least 60 days with the club’s NBAGL affiliate, the Osceola Magic, they’ll be eligible to earn bonuses worth up to $85,300.

Nuggets Agree To Deal With Reece Beekman, Won’t Retain PJ Hall

5:12pm: Denver will create a two-way opening by not re-signing Hall, league sources tell Tony Jones of The Athletic (Twitter link). The 23-year-old center out of Clemson spent one year with the team and averaged 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 19 games.

Meanwhile, Durando has removed his report on Beekman agreeing to an Exhibit 10 contract with Denver and now says (via Twitter) that the guard has a Summer League agreement in place with the Nuggets.

Two-way free agents who won’t be retained by their previous team are typically permitted to seek out new Summer League opportunities before the new league year begins, but full-fledged contract agreements with new teams can’t technically be negotiated until 5:00 pm Central time on June 30. I’d still expect Beekman to eventually sign an Exhibit 10 contract with Denver.


4:34pm: The Nuggets will sign Reece Beekman to an Exhibit 10 contract, sources tell Bennett Durando of The Denver Post (Twitter link).

The 23-year-old point guard finished the season as a two-way player with the Nets, and the reported agreement is a strong sign that he won’t receive a qualifying offer from Brooklyn for another two-way contract.

Beekman signed a two-way deal with Golden State last July after going undrafted out of Virginia. He made just two brief appearances for the Warriors before being sent to the Nets in mid-December as part of the Dennis Schröder trade.

Beekman got a larger NBA opportunity after arriving in Brooklyn, appearing in 34 games and averaging 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 13.7 minutes per night.

Trey Alexander, PJ Hall and Spencer Jones were Denver’s two-way players when the season ended, but they’re all headed for free agency and aren’t guaranteed to return to the team, so there could be an opportunity for Beekman.

An Exhibit 10 contract can be converted into a two-way deal prior to the start of the regular season. Beekman will be eligible to earn a bonus worth up to $85K if he’s waived and then spends at least 60 days with the Nuggets’ G League affiliate.


Luke Adams contributed to this story.

Re-Signing Cam Thomas, Day’Ron Sharpe Will Be Priorities For Nets

Whether the Nets decide to continue rebuilding or pursue a star, a priority for this summer will be re-signing Cam Thomas and Day’Ron Sharpe, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscription required).

Both players were first-round picks in 2021, and they’ve become part of Brooklyn’s foundation during their four NBA seasons. Neither of them reached an extension prior to the deadline last fall, so they’ll both be restricted free agents if the Nets extend qualifying offers.

General manager Sean Marks talked to Lewis about the importance of hanging on to players that the organization has developed.

“It’s always great when you are able to draft somebody like those two specifically, and then they get this opportunity to [decide]: Are they going to sign their second contract with us?” Marks said. “So, I look forward to the summer, and look forward to those conversations with their agents, and we’ll see where it all plays out. But I do think it’s important to be able to keep your homegrown talent.”

Thomas, a 23-year-old shooting guard, established himself as a dynamic scorer during a breakout 2023/24 season, averaging 22.5 PPG in 66 games while shooting 44.2% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range. He increased his scoring averaging to 24 PPG this season and handed out a career-best 3.8 assists per night, but he was limited to 25 games because of a series of hamstring injuries and didn’t play after March 13.

“When I was available, I thought I had a great season when I was able to play,” Thomas said. “Obviously, I’d love to be playing more, but sometimes, that’s just how the cards are dealt. Hungry and ready to get back to playing so this never happens again. … I feel really good, way better than I was. Rehab is going real good, feeling real good. Going into the offseason, feeling good is positive.”

Cap expert Yossi Gozlan told Lewis that Thomas can expect a new contract similar to Collin Sexton‘s, but “adjusted for inflation.” Sexton signed a four-year, $70MM deal with Utah in 2022. Lewis talked to another source who expects Thomas’ annual salary to fall in the range of $20MM to $22MM.

Sharpe isn’t expected to be as costly, with Lewis citing a Spotrac projection that has him re-signing with the Nets at $30MM over three years. The 23-year-old big man has been a reliable reserve during his time in Brooklyn and posted career highs this season with 7.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 50 games.

“I’m new to this so whatever happens, happens,” Sharpe said. “But I like Brooklyn, so God willing, [I’ll be back].”

Lewis points out that Thomas and Sharpe are among numerous personnel decisions Marks will face this offseason. Ziaire Williams, Tyson Etienne and Reece Beekman can also be made restricted free agents by giving them qualifying offers. In addition, De’Anthony Melton and Trendon Watford will be unrestricted free agents, and Lewis doesn’t expect the club to keep Melton, who was out for the year with a torn ACL when he was acquired from Golden State in December.

Brooklyn holds team options on Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, Drew Timme and Jalen Wilson.

Nets Notes: Beekman, Timme, Williams, Lottery

Reece Beekman is the latest young player to get a shot a major minutes for the Nets, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post.

The 23-year-old rookie hadn’t appeared in seven of the previous eight games leading up to Thursday’s matchup with Minnesota, when he played 18 minutes off the bench, then received his first career start in Sunday’s loss to Toronto. The 6’1″ point guard finished with 14 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals in 36 minutes.

First, it’s a blessing for this to be my first year and have a start in the NBA; that doesn’t happen a lot. So I’m just blessed to be in this opportunity,” said Beekman, who is on a two-way contract with Brooklyn. “But it just took time to settle in. It’s a fast-paced game. I’m still learning in my first year. So, just learning different spots on the court, learning where to be effective and just try to make a mark on both ends of floor.”

Here’s more on the Nets:

  • Rookie big man Drew Timme also got his first career start Sunday, Lewis writes in another story for The New York Post. Head coach Jordi Fernandez has been pleased thus far with Timme, who signed a two-year, minimum-salary contract at the end of March. “Yeah he’s been very good. Like again he connected with his teammates right away,” Fernandez said. “He fits in, his personality and his game. … So very happy with him. But not just the production. Sometimes the ball’s going to go in, sometimes it’s not going to go in. But his intentions, how good of a teammate he is. He comes in and works every day. So I’m very happy with Drew.”
  • In a subscriber-only story, Lewis details how Ziaire Williams has become a regular contributor for Brooklyn, averaging 10.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 1.0 SPG in 61 appearances, including 43 starts (24.7 MPG). Williams will be a restricted free agent this summer if he’s tendered a qualifying offer (he’ll be unrestricted if he doesn’t get a QO).
  • Sunday’s matchup with Toronto had lottery implications, and the loss means that the Nets are now 3.5 games “ahead” of the Raptors in the reverse standings with four games left on their schedule, as Lewis relays. Brooklyn will likely finish with the sixth-worst record entering the 2025 draft lottery, with a 37.2% chance of landing a top-four pick, per Tankathon.

Atlantic Notes: Knicks/Raptors Dispute, Shamet, Simmons, Beekman, Celtics

The NBA has scheduled an arbitration hearing regarding the Knicks/Raptors dispute for late July, reports Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Twitter link). As Bondy points out, that means the hearing will occur nearly two years after the Knicks initially filed a lawsuit against the Raptors and over a year after a U.S. District Court judge referred the matter back to the league.

The Knicks filed a suit in August 2023 alleging that former video coordinator Ikechukwu Azotam illegally took thousands of proprietary files with him to a position with the Raptors and shared them with his new club. New York was seeking $10MM in damages from Toronto.

The Raptors, referring to the suit as “baseless,” argued that the issue ought to be resolved through the NBA’s arbitration process rather than in court. The Knicks countered by contending that commissioner Adam Silver can’t provide an impartial ruling due to his close relationship with Raptors chairman Larry Tanenbaum, who is also the chairman of the league’s Board of Governors.

The Knicks, who have put out statements every step of the way criticizing the league for its handling of the situation, did so again on Tuesday.

Last June, the Courts ordered the NBA to arbitrate this theft of proprietary and confidential files – and now, after the NBA sat on this for seven months, we are being told that we will finally get a hearing in another seven months,” an MSG spokesperson said (Twitter link via Bondy). “We remain skeptical because the NBA has consistently demonstrated no desire to address this matter, most likely due to the fact that the Chairman of the NBA is the defendant.”

We have more from around the Atlantic:

  • Landry Shamet, who dislocated his shoulder during the preseason, returned to action on Monday for the Westchester Knicks, scoring 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting in 20 minutes. There has been a belief that the Knicks will re-sign Shamet once he’s healthy and ready to contribute at the NBA level, but that won’t happen quite yet, according to head coach Tom Thibodeau, who attended Monday’s game (Twitter video link). “It’s good to see him out there healthy again,” Thibodeau said. “(But) there’s a number of things that have to happen before he can play with us.”
  • Ben Simmons played a season-high 31 minutes on Monday in his first game as the Nets‘ primary point guard following the trade of Dennis Schröder, but struggled running the offense and turned the ball over six times in a blowout loss to Cleveland, notes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. “I think it’s just reading the game. When you speed up, you’re gonna have more errors,” said Simmons, who was making an effort to push the pace. “But that’s on me to just know where my guys are gonna be and taking care of the ball as a point guard.”
  • New Nets two-way player Reece Beekman wasn’t active on Monday, but he’s embracing his new opportunity after being sent to Brooklyn in the Schröder trade, Lewis writes in a separate New York Post story. “For this to be my rookie year and not even halfway through the season for me to get traded is a little crazy,” Beekman said. “But that’s life in the league. So I just got to be able to adjust fast. Just blessed for this opportunity. New situation, but got to get settled in and be ready to hoop. Just do whatever the team needs. I’m coming in with a work-hard mentality and try to do what’s best for the team to put ourselves in a better position.”
  • Brian Robb of MassLive takes a look at what the Celtics can and can’t do on the trade market this season, given their second-apron restrictions, and considers whether the team has any areas of need to address.

Nets Notes: Schröder, TPE, Beekman, Milton

Discussing the trade that sent Dennis Schröder to Golden State, Nets general manager Sean Marks acknowledged that the veteran point guard, who was having perhaps the best season of his 12-year NBA career on the court, will be missed and explained why he decided to move him, per Brian Lewis of The New York Post.

“We’re going to miss Dennis the person, on and off the court. What he did for us in the locker room, his leadership, he exemplifies the Brooklyn grit we talk about,” Marks said on Sunday. “But these are decisions you have to make when your ultimate goal is long-term, sustainable success. We’re weighing a lot of factors … looking at the big picture, this is what’s best for our organization long term.”

Marks cited the draft assets the Nets acquired from the Warriors as a major reason why the team made the trade, but as Lewis writes, it’s more important to note that moving Schröder will help Brooklyn maximize the value of its own 2025 first-round pick, since losing him will hurt Brooklyn on the court.

The veteran point guard had been the driving force of an offense that was more effective than expected this fall — the Nets’ 113.1 offensive rating ranks 13th in the NBA, ahead of starrier teams like the Warriors and Lakers. It’s safe to assume that figure will drop with Schröder gone, which will make things harder on first-year head coach Jordi Fernandez. However, Fernandez made it clear on Sunday that he and the front office are aligned on the long-term vision for the franchise.

“Are we going to miss him here? Yes, because he’s a great guy and did great things for us. But we have assets, and moving forward that will be a good thing for our future,” Fernandez said. “So, I understand that’s how it works. It’s not my part of the job. My job is to work with these guys … and make them play hard. Our vision from ownership to the front office to the coaching staff is aligned, and we’re going to keep doing it this way.”

Here’s more on the Nets:

  • According to Lewis (Twitter link), the Nets opted against using their mid-level exception or the $23MM trade exception from the Mikal Bridges deal to take on Melton’s $12,822,000 salary. Using either one of those exceptions to acquire Melton would’ve generated a $13MM-ish exception worth Schröder’s outgoing salary, but Brooklyn opted to keep the MLE and the large TPE intact, creating just a minuscule TPE worth the difference between Schröder’s and Melton’s salaries ($203,250).
  • Kevin Pelton of ESPN (Insider link) gave the Nets a B-plus grade for the Schröder trade, though he wondered how much more value the club could’ve extracted if it had been willing to take back multiyear salary instead of expiring money.
  • Two-way player Reece Beekman, sent from Golden State to Brooklyn along with De’Anthony Melton, wasn’t just a throw-in. He’ll give the Nets another option at point guard, and Marks said on Sunday the team is looking forward to taking a “good close-up look” at the rookie, who will get a chance to compete for rotation minutes, Lewis writes for The New York Post. “Yeah, excited to have him,” Fernandez added. “Defensive-minded player; I think he led his conference in steals (last season). A point guard that will help our ball pressure, our activity on defense, play-making, running the team. So, excited to have him. He’ll get here soon, so we’ll get to work with him soon.”
  • Schröder’s exit also means that veteran guard Shake Milton figures to see more playing time at the point, which is a challenge he’s looking forward to taking on, according to Lewis. “Just continuing to do what we do: Get out, play fast, play with pace, pace and space. Get in the lane. Create for myself, create for others,” Milton said of his goals. “(Schröder’s) points for sure, something that we’re gonna miss. But he also (had) around seven assists a game. And then also he was the leader when it came to picking up full court. So those are important things you’ve got to pick up on, too.”

Warriors Acquire Dennis Schröder From Nets

DECEMBER 15: The trade is official, according to press releases from the Warriors and Nets. As detailed below, Brooklyn received Melton, Beekman, and three second-round picks from Golden State in exchange for Schröder and a second-round pick.

As first reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link), the Nets received Atlanta’s second-round picks in 2026 and 2028, along with Golden State’s second-rounder in 2029, while the Warriors acquired Miami’s 2025 second-rounder (top-37 protected).

In order to open up a two-way slot for Beekman, Brooklyn waived rookie Yongxi Cui, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear earlier this week.


DECEMBER 14: The Warriors are finalizing an agreement with the Nets to acquire veteran point guard Dennis Schröder, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.

Sources tell Charania that Brooklyn will send Schröder and one second-round pick to Golden State in exchange for injured guard De’Anthony Melton and three second-rounders.

Marc Stein and Jake Fischer (Twitter links), who first reported that Brooklyn’s return would include Melton’s expiring contract and second-round compensation, suggest the deal is on track to be completed on Sunday, when Melton officially becomes trade-eligible.

Fischer hears that the two teams also discussed Nets forward Cameron Johnson, but he won’t be included in this trade (Twitter link). However, Warriors two-way player Reece Beekman is expected to be added to Golden State’s outgoing package, Fischer notes (via Twitter).

Both Melton and Schröder are on expiring contracts and will hit free agency in 2025. Melton has a cap hit of $12,822,000 this season, while Schröder is earning $13,025,250. The Warriors, who are currently operating just $533K-ish below their hard cap, will move closer to that threshold as they take on an extra $203K in salary in the swap with the Nets.

Melton, 26, signed a one-year deal deal worth the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception with the Warriors over the offseason to try to rebuild his value following an extended absence last season due to a back ailment. Unfortunately, the defensive stalwart suffered a partially torn ACL just six games into his tenure with Golden State, requiring him to undergo season-ending surgery.

Schröder is off to an excellent start to the ’24/25 campaign and is a major reason why the Nets have been surprisingly competitive to this point. In 23 games, all starts (33.6 MPG), he’s averaging 18.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 6.6 APG and 1.1 SPG on .452/.387/.889 shooting.

Charania reported earlier this week that the Nets had been discussing trades involving Schröder, Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith, with the Warriors expressing interest in all three players. Now a deal for Schröder is being finalized.

Multiple reports indicated Brooklyn was hoping to land a first-round pick for Schröder, but that was considered an overly optimistic ask for a role player on an expiring contract. The team will ultimately accept a net gain (pun not intended) of two second-rounders. Moving on from the point guard sooner rather than later will also limit the Nets’ upside on the court, potentially increasing the value of their own 2025 first-round pick.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link), the Nets continue to be active in trade discussions, particularly involving Johnson and Finney-Smith.

While Melton won’t return this season, his contract could come in handy in a subsequent trade for Brooklyn — he’ll become eligible to aggregated again on February 5 as long as the Nets and Warriors complete their deal on or before Monday. The Nets could hang onto him until then, then perhaps waive him after the Feb. 6 deadline if they don’t find a use for his expiring contract on the trade market.

Justin Holiday Reportedly Worked Out For Warriors

Justin Holiday is among a group of “several” veteran free agents who have worked out for the Warriors in recent weeks, league sources tell Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Slater also confirms that Nassir Little worked out for Golden State, as previously reported.

Holiday, 35, spent last season with the Nuggets. He averaged 4.0 PPG, 1.2 RPG and 1.2 APG on .454/.404/.750 shooting in 58 regular season games with Denver in 2023/24 (14.9 MPG).

Holiday is the definition of a journeyman, having played for 10 NBA teams over the course of his 11 seasons in the league. One of his first stops was with the Warriors — he played for Golden State in ’14/15. He holds career averages of 8.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG and 1.4 APG on .400/.365/.817 shooting in 680 regular season games, including 296 starts (23.1 MPG).

However, a reunion seems pretty unlikely. According to Slater, the Warriors have no plans to fill their 15th standard roster spot to open the season due to their proximity to the first tax apron, at which they’re hard-capped for the ’24/25 campaign. While it’s possible that a veteran could outplay Gui Santos or Lindy Waters — both of whom are on non-guaranteed deals — in training camp and preseason, Slater expresses skepticism that the Warriors will release either player.

Slater also provides an update on No. 52 overall pick Quinten Post, who remains unsigned. According to Slater, Post has been earmarked for a two-way contract, which means one of Golden State’s three two-way players — Pat Spencer, Reece Beekman or Daeqwon Plowden — will have to be cut soon.

It’s worth noting that Atlanta’s G League affiliate recently gave up a second-round NBAGL draft pick in a trade to acquire Plowden’s returning rights. While G League draft picks (especially second-rounders) aren’t all that valuable, it still seems unlikely that the College Park Skyhawks would’ve given one up if they expected Plowden to remain with the Warriors all season, since he’d continue to play for Santa Cruz in the NBAGL as long as he remains on his two-way deal with Golden State.

Warriors Sign Reece Beekman To Two-Way Contract

JULY 3: Beekman’s two-way contract has been officially completed, according to the transaction log at NBA.com.


JUNE 27: The Warriors are signing former Virginia point guard Reece Beekman to a two-way contract, sources inform Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter).

Last season, the 6’3″ senior posted averages of 14.3 points, 6.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 0.5 blocks per night while starting all of his 34 games.

The 22-year-old was twice named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year across his past two seasons with the Cavaliers, and was a three-time ACC All-Defensive player overall. He was named to the All-ACC Second-Team in 2024 and the All-ACC Third-Team in 2023.

However, Beekman’s jump shot could use some work. For his entire collegiate career, he averaged shooting splits of .429/.319/.767. Only once did he connect on at least 35% of his three-point tries, as a junior in 2022/23. That year, Beekman shot 35.1% from long range on a fairly modest 2.4 attempts per game.

After not making a pick on day one of the draft, the Warriors added Boston College center Quinten Post at No. 52 on day two before heading to the undrafted free agent market and reaching a deal with Beekman.