The Orlando Magic have signed six free agents: forward Cliff Alexander, forward Branden Dawson, guard Nick Johnson, guard Kevin Murphy, center Arinze Onuaku (ah-RIN-zay on-ooh-AH-koo) and forward Damjan Rudez (DAHM-yahn ROO-dezh), General Manager Rob Hennigan announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed. Orlando’s roster stands at 19 players (see below), as training camp opens on Tuesday, September 27. Alexander (#2, 6’8”, 245, 11/16/95) played in eight games last season during his rookie campaign with Portland, averaging 1.3 ppg. in 4.5 minpg. He also spent time with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League. Alexander, who was not drafted by an NBA franchise, played in 28 games (six starts) during his only season at the University of Kansas (2014-15), averaging 7.1 ppg., 5.3 rpg. and 1.32 blkpg. in 17.5 minpg.
More on Training Camp Invitations
The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they have signed veteran free agent forward/center Kevin Seraphin and rookie guard Nick Zeisloft. Per team policy, terms of the contracts are not released.
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed free agent guard Orlando Johnson and free agent forward J.J. O’Brien to the training camp roster, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed in accordance with team policy.
JJ O'Brien has signed a camp deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. O'Brien averaged 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 36.0 minutes over 46 games last season in the D-League for the Idaho Stampede.
The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have signed forward E.J. Singler. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed guards Andrew Andrews and Rasheed Sulaimon. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed. As a senior at the University of Washington last season, the 6-2 Andrews averaged career highs of 20.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 33.8 minutes per game. During his final collegiate campaign, he ranked first in the Pac-12 in scoring per contest and fourth in assists per game, earning 2015-16 All-Pac-12 First Team honors. The Portland, Ore., native appeared in 128 career games during his four-year career, owning averages of 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals in 30.7 minutes per game. He left Washington as the school’s all-time leader in free throws made (578) and ranked third all-time in points (1,812).
Adrian Wojnarowski: Free agent Elton Brand has signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, league source tells @The Vertical.
The Philadelphia 76ers announced today the team has agreed to terms with free agent forward Elton Brand. Over 17 NBA seasons, Brand has appeared in 1,058 career games with 868 starts, posting averages of 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks per game. He has played 34,910 career minutes, which ranks him 67th all-time. Brand was also the recipient of the 2005-06 Joe Dumars Trophy, presented each season to the player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court.
Jessica Camerato: The Sixers signed veteran Elton Brand. It is a one-year, non-guaranteed deal according to sources.
The Utah Jazz have signed rookie small forward Quincy Ford, the team formally announced on Wednesday morning. In a deal that comes with a partial guarantee of $75,000, Ford, a 6-foot-8 small forward out of Northeastern, will attend training camp, which starts on September 27th, and is expected to be on the Salt Lake City Stars roster, Utah's D-League affiliate.
Orazio Cauchi: Jazz have officially signed Quincy Ford. Roster now stands at 18. #NBA
The #Pacers signed 6′4″ guard Nick Zeisloft. Indy will be up to 19 players on the roster, 4 non-guarantees.
Shams Charania: Sources: Brooklyn free agent Markel Brown has agreed to a deal with Cleveland. Brown is among Cavs' camp invites to battle for open spots.
The Sacramento Kings today signed guard Isaiah Cousins, according to Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Vlade Divac. Selected by Sacramento out of Oklahoma in the second round (59th overall) of the 2016 NBA Draft, the 6-5 guard averaged 9.7 points (.408 FG%, .407 3pt%, .711 FT%), 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 27.7 minutes per game over 137 career contests in four seasons with the Sooners (2012-13 – 2015-16).
Shams Charania: Kings second-rounder Isaiah Cousins of Oklahoma has signed a partially guaranteed one-year deal, league sources tell The Vertical.
Difficult to see Rodney McGruder, Stefan Jankovich or Okaro White making the roster barring trades of veterans. The Heat hopes to stash all three in D-League. Miami loves Jankovic’s soft touch and range but he needs to gain at least 10 pounds.
GoldandBlack.com: Former #Purdue star Robbie Hummel has signed a contract with the NBA's Denver Nuggets. Two years partially guaranteed.
The Cavs are bringing DeAndre Liggins to training camp. He has an outside shot to make the team. The 28-year-old was the D-League's Defensive Player of the Year. He's 28 and 6-foot-6, 200 pounds and was on the Cavs' summer league team. They love how he defends small forwards and guards.
Michael Scotto: Source: The Bucks and Orlando Johnson have agreed to terms. Milwaukee has 15 guaranteed contracts, but is looking at ways to add wing depth.
Darren Wolfson: Busy day of news/scoops. #Twolves scoop: bringing in FA vets for workouts next week. Among those coming in: Dorell Wright + Rasual Butler.
Marc Stein: San Antonio has a deal with Argentina guard Nicolas Laprovittola and will give him a shot to win its 15th roster spot, league sources say.
The Spurs will have three Argentineans at training camp after the agent for Nicolas Laprovittola announced Friday his client will join fellow Rio Olympians Manu Ginobili and Patricio Garino. Agent Carlos Prunes said via Twitter that Laprovittola “will participate in the preseason of the Spurs” and is scheduled to travel with Garino to San Antonio this weekend. Laprovittola, 26, is a 6-foot-4 point guard who most recently played professionally for the Spanish club CB Estudiantes. He’s expected to compete for a bottom-of-the-roster spot with the Spurs.
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Julian Jacobs and forward Travis Wear, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.
Eric Pincus: The Lakers previously signed Zach Auguste, who is inked to a 2-yr min deal with $60k of his $543k rookie season guaranteed. The Zach Auguste $60k guarantee suggests he's D-Fenders bound, but he could certainly still make Lakers if a roster spot is opened up
The Philadelphia 76ers announced today the team has signed guard Anthony ‘Cat’ Barber.
David 'Dubi' Pick: Source: Cory Jefferson agreed to deal with Cavaliers. Hearing Eric Moreland is also a training camp target.
Former Kansas basketball forward Perry Ellis, who had successful sports hernia surgery Tuesday in Philadelphia, will attend preseason training camp of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets and attempt to make the team as a free agent, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told The Star on Tuesday afternoon.
The 6-foot-8 Ellis averaged 5.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game for the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA summer league in Las Vegas. He’s expected to miss three to four weeks of individual workouts prior to training camp following surgery. “It’s a really good fit. They like him a lot. They’ve talked about him all summer,” Bartelstein said of the Hornets. “We think it’s got a chance to be a really good opportunity for him. Coaches there are excited to have him. He has to get himself healthy here the next couple weeks. Then he’ll go into camp and compete.”
“There were a number of teams interested,” Bartelstein said. “They (Hornets) showed a lot of interest. Obviously you can only pick one. You’ve got to weigh everything. We looked at the coaching staff and the way they want to play and what they are looking for. We think he’s a really good fit for them. “There were a lot of people overseas that called about him. His heart right now is set in the NBA,” Bartelstein added.
Gery Woelfel: After Ra'shad James rejects camp invite and instead chooses to play in Croatia, Bucks will bring in journeyman Xavier Henry.
Shams Charania: After Lakers workout and deciding among options, Xavier Henry has agreed to a training camp deal with Milwaukee, sources tell The Vertical.
Michael Scotto: Source: Trey Freeman (ODU) has agreed to a partially guaranteed deal with the Detroit Pistons.
Adam Zagoria: The Pacers have 15 guaranteed contracts so Alex Poythress will go to their D-League team, league sources tell @SNYtv.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Lakers signed forward Travis Wear to a training camp deal, league source tells @The Vertical. He will compete for a roster spot.
Michael Scotto: Source: Trey Freeman (ODU) has agreed to a partially guaranteed deal with the Detroit Pistons.
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Zach Auguste, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.
Brett Dawson: Free agent Lance Stephenson will work out for the Pelicans, league source says.
The Toronto Raptors have agreed to terms with E.J. Singler, Raptors Republic has learned. While the deal is yet to be signed, Singler will be in training camp with the Raptors, with a chance to win the 15th roster spot. Failing that, Singler has agreed to head to Raptors 905 of the D-League, should he clear waivers. That’s an important note, as while it’s always the hope with camp invites, they’re not contractually obligated to a D-League season, even if they get a partial guarantee.
While Singler won himself fans in the organization with a strong finish to the D-League season and an impressive performance with the club at Summer League, it was unclear if he’d opt for a camp invite over taking more lucrative overseas opportunities. The contract will likely contain a small guarantee to help supplement a potential D-League salary – Fred VanVleet and Jarrod Uthoff both received $50,000 guarantees on their camp deals – and Singler’s chosen the chance to fight for an NBA roster spot over a return to the international market.
Marc Stein: The Wolves have signed Toure Murry and John Lucas III to bring them to camp and give both guards a shot at a roster spot, league sources say
Eric Pincus: I hear the Lakers have a deal with Zach Auguste, who played for the summer league squad, haven't gotten word on terms.
The Oklahoma City Thunder signed guard Semaj Christon, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Shams Charania: Free agent Nate Wolters has agreed to a deal with the Denver Nuggets, league sources tell The Vertical. Wolters was 38th pick in 2013 draft.
Chris Reichert: Cameron Jones will attend training camp with the Golden State Warriors, a league source tells U&M
Chris Reichert: Undrafted guard, Isaiah Taylor will attend training camp with the Houston Rockets, a league source tells U&M.
Ra'shad James is also the definition of “late bloomer’’, someone whose game has steadily improved over the years to the point where he is now a legitimate NBA prospect. Several teams have recently inquired about the possibility of him coming to their training camps, although all indicators point toward him agreeing to a non-guaranteed deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. “We’ve had interest in the Bucks and they have had interest in Ra’shad,’’ said Bill Neff, James’ agent. “Nothing is finalized; there’s still some paperwork to do. But both sides want to do it.’’
Tim Bontemps: The Wizards have signed guard Casper Ware to a training camp deal, according to a league source.
That drive led him to Wednesday’s free agent minicamp at the Lakers’ practice facility, where General Manager Mitch Kupchak labeled him as “one of the players that we did want to take a look at.” The Lakers only have so many spots left to fill for their 20-man training camp roster, and space for Henry is far from guaranteed. But it is nonetheless a major step for a player whose career could have very well been over. “I’ve been doing a lot of workouts this summer with a lot of different teams and getting feedback and seeing how I feel,” he said. “I’ve been feeling really good. I’m feeling blessed that I can even play basketball again.”
Three of those present at the Lakers’ practice facility — Jeff Ayres, P.J. Hairston and Johnny O’Bryant — played in the NBA just last season. Three more — Xavier Henry, Orlando Johnson and Travis Wear — also have experience in the world’s top league. Still, Kupchak cautioned that the team isn’t looking for a roster-shaking player with this one-day camp. “I don’t think we’re looking at players here that would be in the rotation, although you never know,” Kupchak said. “They come to camp and earn whatever they can get. But what I think we’re looking at here are known players. They’re free agents and we do have roster spots open in terms of our team. But also we have roster spots open in terms of training camp.”
Henry credited Santa Cruz’s training and coaching staffs with assisting his rehab and never letting him get too down on himself. In spite of this, it was still a far-from-perfect path for Henry, who only played nine games for the team. Nonetheless, his dedication to grinding his way back to the court was noticed from afar by his former general manager. “I think it’s a testament to a great kid,” Kupchak said. “That’s nothing new to us. We know the kid and we know what kind of heart he has. He’s had several different types of injuries and he’s worked his way through it. He’s still young enough to make a run at the NBA and playing basketball professionally, so we wish him the best.”
The Portland Trail Blazers have signed forward Grant Jerrett to a training camp contract, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey.
With the agreement with Udrih, it makes it unlikely that summer-team additions Stefan Jankovic, Okaro White and McGruder make the final roster, also putting into question the possibility of Weber surviving the final cut to 15. The Heat open training camp the final week of September, with the preseason to open the following week. The Heat open their regular season on Oct. 26 on the road against the Orlando Magic.
Emiliano Carchia: Askia Booker expected to join Suns training
David 'Dubi' Pick: The Warriors are bringing point guard Phil Pressey to training camp, according to source.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Portland has signed forward Grant Jerrett to a training camp deal, league source tells @The Vertical.
The Hawks open training camp next month. There will be a different narrative to start the new season. It won’t be about who makes the team, but who does not. The Hawks have 16 players under contract and 15 roster spots. Muscala has a strong chance to return. The Hawks picked up his option year this summer and he will enter the final year of his contract. Part of the big-man competition includes center Edy Tavares, who enters his second season after very limited playing time last year.
“Obviously, it’s something I know,” Muscala said of the Hawks’ need to trim a returning player barring a trade. “I understand it. All I can really do is work on my game and see what happens. I love the Hawks. I love the organization. As for who will be on the 15-man roster, I can’t say. It’s out of my control. A lot of people ask me about it but it’s out of my control. I keep working. I’ve learned through the years that if you do that, you make it hard on yourself. I’ve had to battle through non-guaranteed contracts. I came on a partially guaranteed two years ago. I battled through that. If I were to think I have to do this and this to stay on the team, it’s not that mindset. It’s make the right play and do good today in practice and it will figure itself out.”
University of Kentucky free-agent forward Alex Poythress has agreed to a partially guaranteed contract with the Indiana Pacers, league sources told The Vertical.
The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has signed forward Shawn Dawson. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
David 'Dubi' Pick: The Pelicans and forward Chris Copeland agreed on non-guaranteed deal for training camp, according to source.
Marc Stein: The Pelicans are bringing former Lakers center Robert Sacre to training camp, according to league sources
Scott Kushner: Source: Robert Sacre will join the #Pelicans for preseason camp.
The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have signed free agent guard Drew Crawford and centre Yanick Moreira (Yah-neek more-ERA). Per team policy, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Though he could've joined the Wizards for training camp next month, he passed to sign with the EuroCup club. Eric, 28, at least wanted a partial guarantee, similar to what was given to Daniel Ochefu ($50,000), to attend camp. The Wizards, however, aren't willing to hand out any more money with Sheldon McClellan and Danuel House also getting partial guarantees to be at camp.
The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team has signed guard/forward Wayne Selden Jr. , guard/forward DJ Stephens, forward Troy Williams and guard Tony Wroten. Per team policy, terms of the deals are not disclosed.
David 'Dubi' Pick: Source: Undrafted guard Rasheed Sulaimon, of Maryland, signed a vet-camp deal with Charlotte Hornets and will play in the D-League.
Brian Schmitz: Croatian F Damjan Rudez is expected to be on the Orlando Magic's training-camp roster, according to the team.
New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed guard Chasson Randle. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ian Begley: Knicks have agreed to a partially guaranteed deal with PG Chasson Randle, sources confirm. First reported by the NY Daily News.
Michael Scotto: Source: Hornets have invited Andrew Andrews (Washington) to training camp. Andrews led the Pac-12 in scoring averaging 20.9 points per game.
J. Michael: Shawn Dawson had an invite from the Wizards to attend camp but he has decided against attending, league sources tell @CSNMA #WizardsTalk
David 'Dubi' Pick: Source: Besiktas scorer Bobby Brown has invites to Pistons & Wizards camps. He hasn't lost hope for NBA return.
Jeff Zillgitt: Also looking to bolster depth at point guard, Sixers contemplating claiming Ish Smith before he clears waivers, I've been told.
Breaking: Sources indicate #Pelicans are nearing agreement to sign Ish Smith and he's currently in New Orleans. Waiting for waviers to clear
Shams Charania: Sacramento has waived guard David Stockton, son of Hall of Famer John Stockton, source tells Yahoo. Eric Moreland secures Kings roster.
Bobby Marks: That leaves Christian Felicio as roster spot 15 if they elect to keep him. CHI about $4.5m over the tax line.
Serena Winters: For what it's worth, Byron Scott called Metta World Peace a "very valuable asset."
Andy Larsen: I'm 100% sure that signing E.J. Singler (Kyle's brother!) is just to get his D-League rights on the Idaho Stampede. Good shooter, though.
