Transactions Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Sixers Sign, Waive Jared Brownridge

September 4th, 2024 at 5:39pm CST by Luke Adams

SEPTEMBER 4: Brownridge has been signed and waived, a team spokesman told Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports (Twitter link). He’s expected to return to Delaware for this season.

SEPTEMBER 3, 8:00pm: The deal is official, per RealGM’s transaction log.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2:01pm: The Sixers are signing veteran shooting guard Jared Brownridge to an Exhibit 10 contract, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

The move will almost certainly be a procedural one, lining up Brownridge to earn a bonus worth up to $77.5K once he’s waived by Philadelphia and then spends at least 60 days with the Delaware Blue Coats, the Sixers’ G League affiliate.

Players who sign Exhibit 10 contracts are sometimes promoted to two-way deals before opening night or can even earn regular season roster spots if they impress in the preseason. But that’s not likely to be the plan for Brownridge, who has been a Delaware mainstay since 2018, spending the past six-plus seasons with the 76ers’ NBAGL team.

After winning a G League championship with the Blue Coats in 2023, Brownridge appeared in a career-high 50 Showcase Cup and regular season games last season, averaging 8.4 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.5 rebounds in 21.7 minutes per game while posting a shooting line of .407/.417/.667.

Brownridge is known as a sharpshooter and floor-spacer, having made 39.3% of his career three-point attempts in the G League. The former Santa Clara standout ranks third all-time in NBAGL regular season three-pointers (603), behind only Andre Ingram (845) and Reggie Hearn (674).

The Sixers currently have 19 players officially under contract, so no corresponding roster move will be necessary to add Brownridge, since teams can carry up to 21 players during the offseason.

Magic To Sign Mac McClung To Exhibit 10 Contract

September 4th, 2024 at 4:26pm CST by Arthur Hill

Mac McClung has agreed to a deal with the Magic, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). It’s an Exhibit 10 contract, a source tells Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link).

The 25-year-old guard was named MVP of the G League last season, but he’s best known for winning the past two Slam Dunk Contests at All-Star Weekend. He has limited NBA experience, appearing in two games with the Sixers on a two-way deal after becoming the 2023 dunk champion and playing one game each with the Bulls and Lakers during the 2021/22 season.

McClung was also in training camp with Orlando last fall on an Exhibit 10 deal. He was waived before the start of the season and joined the Magic’s G League affiliate in Osceola, where he averaged 25.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists in 27 games.

Orlando already has 15 players with standard contracts, so it will be difficult for McClung to earn a spot on the 15-man roster. The team has a pair of two-way openings remaining, so that’s likely his best path back to the NBA.

McClung has received numerous NBA opportunities since going undrafted out of Texas Tech in 2021. He signed two contracts with the Lakers, a pair of 10-day deals with Chicago and spent time with Golden State before joining Philadelphia and Orlando.

If McClung fails to win a roster spot, the Exhibit 10 contract will allow him to earn a bonus worth up to $77.5K if he spends at least 60 days with Osceola.

The signing will give the Magic 17 players on their training camp roster, four short of the league maximum.

Clippers’ Ivica Zubac Signs Three-Year Extension

September 3rd, 2024 at 6:35pm CST by Dana Gauruder

SEPTEMBER 3: The Clippers have officially signed Zubac to an extension, per a team press release.

“We don’t take for granted that we can pencil in our starting center and defensive anchor every night, every year,” team president Lawrence Frank said. “Zu is a rock for our organization and will remain so.”

AUGUST 30: The Clippers and starting center Ivica Zubac have reached an agreement on a three-year, $58.6MM extension, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.

Zubac was entering his walk year and will make $11,743,210 in 2024/25. His new deal will run through the 2027/28 season. The big man is the 14th player to sign a veteran extension since the end of last season, Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets.

The contract represents the maximum three-year extension available under the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Zubac, who was eligible to receive up to 140% of this season’s estimated average salary, with 8% annual raises.

The breakdown of Zubac’s extension is as follows:

2025/26: $18,102,000
2026/27: $19,550,160
2027/28: $20,998,320

Zubac, who entered the league in 2016 with the Lakers, posted career highs of 11.7 points and 9.2 rebounds in 26.4 minutes per game last season. A traditional center who doesn’t venture out to the 3-point line, the 27-year-old shot 64.9% from the field and also averaged 1.4 assists and 1.2 blocks per contest.

Zubac is solidly entrenched as the Clippers’ starting center. Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year extension in January and the team brought back guard James Harden on a two-year deal but lost their other star forward, Paul George, to Philadelphia in free agency. The Clippers are replacing him in the lineup with Derrick Jones, who was signed to a three-year deal in free agency.

Pacers Sign T.J. McConnell To Four-Year Extension

September 3rd, 2024 at 10:59am CST by Luke Adams

SEPTEMBER 3: The Pacers have officially announced McConnell’s extension, confirming the deal in a press release.

“It is safe to say that every team in the NBA would like a player that possesses the same intensity, competitive spirit, and passion for the game and his teammates as T.J. McConnell,” Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said in a statement. “T.J. has become a steadying veteran presence for our team both on and off the court, and his value to our franchise cannot be overstated. He was an integral part of our success last year and we’re happy that he will continue to be a part of what we’re building here.”

AUGUST 30: The Pacers and veteran guard T.J. McConnell have reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension worth $45MM, agents Mark Bartelstein and Andy Shiffman tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The deal will begin in 2025/26 following the expiration of McConnell’s current contract, which will pay him $9.3MM this season. In total, he’ll be owed $54MM for the next five years, taking him through the ’28/29 season.

McConnell, who has been with the Pacers since 2019 after spending the first four years of his NBA career in Philadelphia, began last season out of Indiana’s crowded rotation. However, it didn’t take long for him to reestablish himself as one of the team’s top reserves.

The 32-year-old ended up appearing in 71 games, averaging 10.2 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per game. He posted a .556/.409/.790 shooting line and earned Sixth Man of the Year votes, then played a key role off the bench in the postseason, putting up 11.8 PPG, 5.1 APG, and 3.1 RPG in 17 games (20.5 MPG).

With Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard cemented as building blocks in the Pacers’ backcourt, it was unclear how aggressively the team would pursue an extension with McConnell as he nears his mid-30s and the cost of the roster continues to rise. However, today’s news signals that the front office remains as confident as ever in his ability to be a positive contributor for many years to come.

When we discussed McConnell’s extension candidacy in our recent Offseason Check-In story on the Pacers, we identified Mike Conley‘s recent two-year, $20.75MM deal as a potential point of comparison for the Indiana guard. Now locked up for $54MM over five years, McConnell will earn an annual salary slightly above Conley’s for a significantly longer term.

While McConnell is four-and-a-half years younger than Conley, it’s still a little surprising to see the Pacers make such a lengthy commitment to a bench player at this stage of his career. We’ll have to wait for the full details, but it wouldn’t be surprising if some of McConnell’s salary on the back end of the deal is non-guaranteed.

McConnell is the fourth Pacer to sign a long-term contract worth at least eight figures annually this summer. Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin received lucrative four-year deals a free agents, while Nembhard inked a three-year extension that ensures he’ll be under contract for the next four seasons.

With McConnell locked up, just one of the top eight players from Indiana’s postseason rotation is entering a contract year — starting center Myles Turner will become extension-eligible in January.

Sixers Sign Judah Mintz To Exhibit 10 Contract

September 1st, 2024 at 2:40pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Undrafted free agent rookie guard Judah Mintz has signed an Exhibit 10 training camp contract with the Sixers, the team announced today in a press release.

A former All-ACC Second Teamer during his two-year tenure at Syracuse, the 6’3″ guard posted averages of 18.8 points, 4.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game last season, with a shooting line of .438/.282/.765.

Former Rice forward Max Fiedler is the other player currently on an Exhibit 10 deal in Philadelphia. All three of the Sixers’ two-way contract slots are occupied at present, by Justin Edwards, David Jones and Jeff Dowtin. Thirteen players are currently signed to guaranteed standard roster spots, with a 14th, shooting guard Ricky Council IV, inked to a non-guaranteed deal.

It’s possible that, should Mintz or Fiedler impress in training camp, the Sixers could waive one of the current two-way signings and convert either player to a two-way deal. However, it’s more likely that they’ll become affiliate players for the Delaware Blue Coats, Philadelphia’s G League affiliate.

If an Exhibit 10 signee is waived and then spends at least 60 days with his team’s NBAGL affiliate, he can earn a bonus worth up to $77.5K.

Sixers Sign Max Fiedler To Exhibit 10 Contract

August 31st, 2024 at 10:49am CST by Dana Gauruder

The Sixers have officially signed undrafted rookie big man Max Fiedler to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to a team press release.

Philadelphia’s intent to sign Fiedler was reported just after the draft. He most recently appeared in a pair of games for the 76ers during the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 2.0 points and 2.5 rebounds.

Exhibit 10 contracts allow players to earn bonuses worth up to $77.5K if they’re waived by their NBA teams and then spend at least 60 days with the club’s G League affiliate, in this case the Delaware Blue Coats.

Fiedler spent five collegiate seasons at Rice from 2019-24, averaging 9.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. He ended his college career as Rice’s all-time leader in rebounds (1,144), assists (571), field-goal percentage (65.8%), games played (148), and games started (135), while ranking second in total blocked shots (125).

He made NCAA Division I history by becoming the first player to record 1,000 career points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists, 100 blocks, and 100 steals.

Celtics Sign Lonnie Walker To Exhibit 10 Deal

August 30th, 2024 at 3:56pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

AUGUST 30: Walker’s Exhibit 10 deal is official, according to RealGM’s transaction log.

AUGUST 28: The Celtics are signing free agent shooting guard Lonnie Walker IV, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter), Walker will receive an Exhibit 10 training camp contract.

The 6’4″ swingman will be competing for the reigning champs’ 15th and final regular season roster spot. If Walker is waived before the regular season begins and decides to play in the G League with the Celtics’ affiliate, his Exhibit 10 contract would make him eligible for a bonus worth up to $77.5K.

Should he make Boston’s regular season roster, Walker could actually compete for rotation minutes off the bench, at least during the regular season. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer notes (via Twitter) that the veteran wing connected on almost 40% of his catch-and-shoot three-point tries across his past two seasons, while with the Lakers and Nets.

The 25-year-old is also deceptively athletic, and can finish effectively around the rim when given more extended time on the ball.

The high-flying guard spent his first four pro seasons with the Spurs, who selected him with the No. 18 pick out of Miami in 2018. He spent 2022/23 with the Lakers, providing useful bench minutes sporadically during L.A.’s run to the Western Conference Finals. In 2023/24, while on the lottery-bound Nets, Walker averaged 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.6 steals across 17.4 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .423/.384/.763.

Boston’s interest in Walker dates back at least to last season. Ahead of February’s trade deadline, the Celtics inquired with Brooklyn about a potential deal for Walker, tweets Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

Wizards Sign Kira Lewis, Jaylen Nowell, Leaky Black

August 30th, 2024 at 6:45am CST by Luke Adams

SEPTEMBER 30: Over a month after agreeing to terms with them, the Wizards have officially signed Lewis, Nowell, and Black, having listed all three players as part of their 21-man training camp roster.

AUGUST 28: The Wizards have reached contract agreements with free agents Kira Lewis, Jaylen Nowell, and Leaky Black, league sources tell Josh Robbins and Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

According to Robbins and Charania, all three players will sign Exhibit 10 contracts with Washington and will be given an opportunity to compete in training camp for regular season roster spots.

Lewis, 23, was the 13th overall pick in the 2020 draft, but only appeared in 131 games across his first four NBA seasons due in large part to injuries, including a torn ACL he suffered during the 2021/22 season. The 6’1″ guard has averaged 5.2 points and 1.8 assists in 13.3 minutes per game for the Pelicans, Raptors, and Jazz. Last season, he was traded three times – from New Orleans to Indiana to Toronto to Utah – before reaching unrestricted free agency when the Jazz declined to issue a qualifying offer.

Nowell, a 6’4″ shooting guard, spent his first four NBA seasons in Minnesota from 2019-23, averaging 9.1 points per game on .447/.322/.798 shooting in 184 appearances for the Timberwolves. Despite showing promise as a scorer, Nowell was unable to find a regular NBA job last season — he was waived by Sacramento ahead of opening night, then signed two 10-day contracts apiece with the Grizzlies and Pistons during the season. The 25-year-old spend most of the 2023/24 campaign with the Stockton Kings in the G League.

Black, 25, spent his rookie season with the Hornets after going undrafted out of UNC in 2023. The 6’6″ forward saw limited action in 26 NBA games while on a two-way contract with Charlotte. He played a larger role for the Greensboro Swarm in the NBAGL, posting averages of 7.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 2.1 APG in 24.8 MPG across 25 total Showcase Cup and regular season outings. His two-way deal covered two seasons, but he was waived by the Hornets about four weeks ago.

Exhibit 10 contracts allow players to earn bonuses worth up to $77.5K if they’re waived by their NBA teams and then spend at least 60 days with the club’s G League affiliate, so it’s possible Lewis, Nowell, and/or Black will end up playing for the Capital City Go-Go. Exhibit 10 deals can also be converted to two-way contracts prior to opening night, but Lewis and Nowell have more than three years of NBA service and are therefore ineligible to be two-way players.

The Wizards currently have 16 players on standard contracts (15 guaranteed), with a pair on two-way deals. While Black figures to be in the mix for the team’s open two-way slot, it will be an uphill battle for Lewis or Nowell to make the standard regular season roster unless Washington intends to trade or waive a player with a guaranteed contract.

Stephen Curry Signs One-Year Extension With Warriors

August 29th, 2024 at 6:33pm CST by Rory Maher

6:33pm: Curry has signed the extension, the team’s PR department announced (via Twitter).

11:28am: Two-time MVP Stephen Curry has agreed to a one-year, $62.6MM extension with the Warriors, agent Jeff Austin tells Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).

Curry was limited to a one-year extension due to the Over-38 rule. He was already under contract for the next two seasons, with salaries of $55.8MM in 2024/25 and $59.6MM in 2025/26. His new extension will cover the 2026/27 campaign, meaning he won’t hit free agency until 2027.

Curry’s salary on the one-year extension won’t be affected by where the ’26/27 cap lands, since he’ll be eligible for a 5% raise on his previous salary, even though that figure will exceed that season’s league-wide maximum.

Widely regarded as the greatest shooter in basketball history, Curry holds career averages of 24.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.5 steals on .473/.426/.910 shooting in 956 regular season games (34.2 minutes per contest). The 10-time All-NBA guard, who has won four championships and made six NBA Finals appearances, has spent his entire 15-year career with Golden State.

The Warriors had an up-and-down season in ’23/24. They went 46-36 and were eliminated in the play-in tournament by the Kings. The 36-year-old still performed at a very high level though, averaging 26.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists on .450/.408/.923 shooting in 74 regular season games (32.7 minutes). Curry earned an All-NBA Third Team nod for his efforts.

Curry is coming off a star showing at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, when he was dominant in both the semifinal (vs. Serbia) and final (vs. France) en route to his first gold medal with Team USA. He had struggled for much of the tournament leading up to those games, but obviously stepped up in a major way when he was needed most.

As ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets, Curry will surpass $500MM+ in career on-court earnings with the new extension, joining LeBron James and Kevin Durant as the only players to reach that threshold.

Curry, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., and owner Joe Lacob have all expressed a desire for the 6’2″ guard to remain with the Warriors for the rest of his illustrious career. The extension agreement has both sides one step closer to achieving that goal.

Sixers Sign Guerschon Yabusele To One-Year Contract

August 29th, 2024 at 3:58pm CST by Rory Maher

After parting ways with Real Madrid, forward Guerschon Yabusele has officially signed with the Sixers, Philadelphia announced in a press release.

The 76ers did not disclose the terms of Yabusele’s contract, but reporting from a couple weeks ago — when the news first broke that he would be landing with Philadelphia — indicated that the 28-year-old would sign a one-year, minimum-salary deal. Since he has two years of NBA experience, his salary for 2024/25 will be $2,087,519.

The 16th overall pick of the 2016 draft, Yabusele spent a year as a draft-and-stash prospect in China, then played for the Celtics for two seasons from 2017-19. He appeared in 74 games with Boston and had a modest role, averaging 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per contest.

While his first NBA stint didn’t go the way he hoped, Yabusele has thrived overseas in recent years, winning a EuroLeague title (2023) and two Spanish League (Liga ACB) titles (2022, 2024) with Real Madrid after claiming a French League (LNB Pro A) championship with ASVEL in 2021. He was also one of the key contributors to the French national team that won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics this summer.

Last season with Real Madrid, Yabusele appeared in 64 Liga ACB and EuroLeague games, averaging 9.7 points and 4.0 rebounds, with a shooting slash line of .531/.445/.813. In six games with France at the 2024 Olympics, he averaged 14.0 points and 3.3 rebounds on .519/.286/.815 shooting, earning second-team honors for the tournament.

The Sixers now have 17 players under contract, four shy of the offseason limit.