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Per reports by Shams Charania from The Athletic and Stadium, Kevin Knox has been re-signed by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Knox is coming off a year where played for the Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers. The former Kentucky star was traded in the middle of the season from Pistons to Trail Blazers.
He concluded the year while avergaing 6.6 points and 2.8 assists per contest while shooting 45.8% from the field and 34.9% from the three-point range in 63 regular season games. This summer, Knox became a free agent, and on Saturday, Charania reported that he would re-sign with Portland.
Free agent forward Kevin Knox is signing a one-year deal to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell @TheAthletic@Stadium. Knox, the No. 9 pick in the 2018 Draft, averaged 8.9 points and 17.1 minutes in 21 games for Portland last season.
After playing college basketball for one season with the Wildcats, Knox was the initially the ninth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. In addition to playing for the Knicks, Pistons and Trail Blazers, he has also been with the Atlanta Hawks.
In the course of five seasons, the 24-year-old has a career averaging 7.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest while shooting 38.5% from the field and 34.2% from the three-point range in 275 regular season matches (he has been in three NBA playoff matches too).
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are off a year where they were the 13th seed in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record. Portland has missed the postseason for two consecutive years.
On Saturday, Italy lost to Slovenia in the FIBA World Cup by a score of 89-85. This victory placed Slovenia in seventh place and Italy in eight place in the tournament.
Datome who played for Italy, previously announced on Instagram that he would retire at the end of the World Cup. So, the game on Saturday marked the end of his 20-year career as a pro.
He finished his last game with one point and two rebounds in ten minutes of playing time.
During his time in the National Basketball Association, Gigi played two seasons in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics. With more than 37 matches with the Pistons, he averaged 2.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 35.8% from the field.
With the Celtics, he played 18 regular season matches and averaged 5.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 49.4% from the field and 47.2% from the three-point range.
He also competed in three NBA playoff games (the Celtics were swept in the first round by the Cleveland Cavliers in 2015). In addition to playing in the NBA and G League, Datome had an long overseas career
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Debatebly, Gigi Datome’s best season was in 2013 when he appeared in 29 games for Acea Roma and averaged 16.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals per contest while shooting 48.2% from the field and 41.9% from the three-point range in 33 minutes of playing time.
His career averages are 8.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per contests while shooting 47.7% from the field and 42.9% from the three-point range in 565 games.
The Los Angeles Lakers signed four new players on Thursday. Forward Vincent Valerio-Bodon and guards Damion Baugh, Bryce Hamilton and Scotty Pippen Jr.
Valerio-Bodon (6’9’’, 200) recently appeared in 30 matches (all starts) for Sopron KC of the Hungarian NBIA during the 2022-23 season, averaging 8.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 25.7 minutes per game while shooting 50.3 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from 3-point range and 87.9 percent from the free-throw line.
He previously played for DEAC of the Hungarian NBIA in 2021-22, appearing in 28 games (24 starts) and averaging 5.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19.3 minutes per game. Valerio-Bodon participated in one game for the Boston Celtics at 2023 NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas, recording 13 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3PT, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one block in 25 minutes.
Baugh (6’4’’, 194) began his professional career after spending the past four seasons at TCU (2021-23) and the University of Memphis (2019-21). Collegiately, the Tennesse native appeared in 117 career games (88 starts), registering averages of 7.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.8 minutes. In his last season as a Horned Frog, Baugh played in 29 matches (all starts) and averaged 12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 35.0 minutes per game, earning him All-Big 12 Second Team honors. He ended the season ranked third in the conference in total assists (169) and 13th in the NCAA in assists per game (5.8).
Hamilton (6’4’’, 205) showed in 29 regular season games (27 starts) as a rookie last season for the South Bay Lakes, averaging 14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assista in 28.2 minutes per game. He played four collegiate seasons at UNLV (2018-22), appearing in 119 games (69 starts) and averaging 14.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.0 minutes per contest.
His career-high 21.8 points per game average as a senior lead all conference players. Hamilton secured a spot on three successive All-Mountain West conference teams, plus two first team selections in 2019-20 and 2021-22.
Pippen Jr. (6’1’’, 185) as as rookie in 2022-2, joined in 19 NBA G League regular season games (four starts) for South Bay, posting averages of 21.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 27.9 minutes per game. The 22-year-old was chosen to participate in the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend and was named NBA G League Player of the Week on December 19.
In addition, he played in six games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, averaging 2.3 points in 5.3 minutes. In three collegiate seasons (2019-22) at Vanderbilt University, he appeared in 90 games (89 starts) and averaged 17.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 31.6 minutes. Pippen Jr. earned all All-SEC First Team honors after his sophmore and junior campaings.
Stan ‘Whitey’ Von Nieda died Thursday at 101 years in Elizabethtown, PA.
Von Nieda was not just the oldest living former NBA player, but he was also the only one to reach 100 years. He got a certificate verifying that on June 19, 2022, the date he reached age 100, from the National Basketball Retired Players Association.
Stan, a 6-foot-1 swingman, broke into the NBA with the NBL Tri-Cities Blackhawks in 1947 and was a member of the NBL’s All-Rookie team.
After his second pro season, Von Nieda logged his one “official’’ NBA season, the NBAL and BAA merged in August 1949 with Tri-Cities and Baltimore. He averaged 5.3 points and 2.4 assists per game in 59 matches before an eye injury in January 1950 ended his basketball career.
“I could play either (guard or forward),” Von Nieda was quoted in Lancaster (Pa.) Online’s obituary. “Sometimes I’d take my man down inside and hook it over him.”
October 29, 1949, He scored 14 points in the inaugural post-merger NBA game pitting Tri-Cities vs. Denver.
His coach with Tri-Cities? Red Auerbach. The Tri-Cities franchise has operated uninterrupted, relocating to become the Milwaukee, St.Louis and eventually became Atlanta Hawks. Interestingly, Von Nieda’s nickname was shared by his uncle, Harry Von Nieda.
Why did the native of Ephrate, PA, become a 25-year-old rookie? After his freshman year at Penn State, Von Nieda enlisted in the Army and became a paratrooper during and after World War II. He parachuted behind German lines during the Battle of the Bulge.
After his NBLA/NBA stint, He coached three seasons at Elizabethtown College in Lancaster County. He later had a career in advertising sales and worked as a bartender.
Stan and his first wife, the late Dorothy, raised six children. He reportedly continued to play basketball, semi-pro, and recreationally, into his 60s.
Von Nieda’s widow, Arlene, told Lancaster Online that they were many social occasions where people would ask, “Is that Whitey Von Nieda? I saw him play years ago … he was great.”
Fans in 20 countries and territories can enjoy the FIBA World Cup 2023 live in the NBA App and NBA.com with Courtside 1891’s FIBA World Cup Pass. See below for everything you need to know about how to purchase and watch the FIBA Basketball World Cup, starting Friday, August 25th.
How Can I Watch The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023?
Courtside 1891’s FIBA World Cup Pass will provide access to live and on-demand games, including replays, extended highlights, and top plays. Learn more.
“For fans watching in the U.S., games are also available on ESPN platforms, including ESPN2 and ESPN+. Six games will air exclusively on ESPN2, including three in the First Round featuring Team USA. All other 86 games will be carried by ESPN+.”
Courtside 1891’s FIBA World Cup Pass can be purchased NBA.com/WorldCup.
Only fans residing in the countries or territories listed above will be able to buy it. Other fans will see the NBA League Pass package page, which is different from (and does not include) World Cup Pass.
What Devices Are Compatible With World Cup Pass?
Fans can watch the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 from their favourite devices after subscribing to the FIBA World Cup Pass at NBA.com/WorldCup. Here is the list of supported devices for the NBA App:
The 2023 NBA Christmas Day schedule will be graced by the latest edition of the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, and a game between the last two champions; Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors.
As usual, the will be five marquee games running through out the day. In the event, the Milwaukee Bucks will travel to Madison Square Garden to play against the New York Knicks, while the Philadelphia 76ers will face the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks will meet the Phoenix Suns.
This will be seventh season in a row that Boston has played on Christmas, and the fifth time overall they’ve played the Lakers on the day. The most recent Christmas showdown between the age-long rivals was in 2008, when Los Angeles scored a 92-83 win behind 27 points, nine rebounds, and five assists from the late Kobe Byrant.
The Celtics later had the last laugh of that season, when they went ahead to win the Finals over the Lakers in six games; they will hope to repeat this history.
Denver and Golden State on the other hand, have both been staples on the Christmas schedule in recent years, this will be the 11th consecutive time they are participating, but they have never played each other on the day. They have had many thrilling matches since their respective cores have been together, and this has the makings of being the most exciting game of the day.
The Milawukee Bucks trip to New York to play the Knicks, will be rematch of the 2018 Christmas game, which Giannis Antetokounmpo and his team easily won. Madison has favoured Antetokounmpo throughout his career; he mad his NBA debut there, jumped over Tim Hardaway Jr. for a dunk and shot the game-winner in 2017.
It is curious that the 76ers and Heat are scheduled to play on the 2023 NBA Christmas Day especially since both clubs are presently in limbo about a few key players.
Philadelphia is figuring out what to do with James Harden, who has requestd a trade and wants to play for the Los Angeles Clippers.
While Miami is hoping for a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers to buy Damian Lillard. These two teams could look different by December.
Fans can expect a great basketball day when Dallas and Phoenix get placed last. This will be a rematch of the teams’ intriguing 2022 second-round series, which the Mavericks won in seven games. It will also be the first time that they have ever played a match on Christmas. With Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal set to make an appearance, the game should be a high-scoring fixture.
The 2023 NBA opening night schedule for the 2023-24 season has been released, and it will feature four of the best teams in the Western Conference on October 24th. The defending champions Denver Nuggets will host the Los Angeles Lakers in a Western Conference Finals rematch, while the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors face off, per report by Shams Charania.
Additionally, No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama is ready for his official debut for the San Antonio Spurs on October 25th against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, according to Marc Stein.
Nikola Jokic missed being MVP last season, but he got a reward when he led the Nuggets to their first title in franchise history, and was named Finals MVP. On opening night, he will get his first ring, and witness the banner raised to the rafters of Ball Arena with all his teammates. Then he will play to defeat the Lakers again after booting them off the playoffs last season.
Although, Jokic will not care much for all the glamour of ring night, it will still be a special moment for him, the team, and Denver. The Nuggets have existed since 1967, and have never had someone like Jokic or won a championship before last season. This will provide an opportunity for them to celebrate this accomplishment again before beginning their title defense.
The other match, will largely center around veteran point guard Chris Paul. After three season at Phoenix, Paul was traded to the Washington Wizards this summer in the Bradley Beal blockbuster, then later joined the Warriors in exchange for Jordan Poole. This matchup will be both a debut with the Warriors and a first shot at revenge on the Suns.
No matter, the 2023 NBA opening night will be a chance for both teams to indicate where they stand in the West after shorter playoff runs than they may have hoped and big offseason changes. Can Phoenix hmake the perimeter-heavy trio of Kevin Dutant, Devin Booker and Beal with limited depth? And how will the Warrios, intergrate Paul as they wish to cling to contender status.
Another interest thing about the 2023 NBA opening night is that no Eastern Conference team will be featured. The defending champion is always in action, but the league usually splits the event up with one marquee game for every conference.
Maybe the uncertainity following the defending East champions, the Miami Heat, is responsible for this. If they had gotten Damian Lillard, then they’ll surely they’ll be shown, but this has not happened yet, and the NBA does not seem excited about how the whole thing is playing out. Howver, it is still strange that no East team will be making an appearance.
Daryl Morey the Philadelphia 76ers general manager disclosed to ‘97.5 The Fanatic’ that James Harden would “rather be somewhere else’’, but said the team would only exchange him for a big-time player who would keep the Sixers as title contenders.
Harden chose to execute his 35.6 million dollar contract for the 2023-24 season before free agency, with the intention of being traded.
His demand, according to NBA sources, is to play for the Los Angeles Clippers, where he will form a brutal ‘Big Three’ squad with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
Morey who was James Harden’s general manager for eight seasons at the Houston Rockets, said he is “trying to accommodate’’ Harden’s request, but only for the right price. “If we don’t get a very good player or someone we can turn into a very good player, then we just won’t do it,’’ he told The Fanatic.
“If James were to change his mind, we’d all be happy for him to stay. We’ve all heard his teammate Joel Embiid’s comments on that. But at this point, he’d prefer to be traded, and we’re trying to accommodate him,” is the official line.
Embiid also wants to leave the Sixers
Morey made his statements a day after a video of Embiid saying he wants to win a championship “whether it’s in Philadelphia or anywhere else’’ went viral. Philadelphia’s general manager highlighted the importance of ensuring the team stays competitive next season, no matter what happens.
“We need to make sure Joel Embiid, who is one of the best players in the land, has a top teammate,” He said. “We know we need more talent, whether it’s with James continuing or what we turn James into.”
Daryl also discussed a postseason where the 76ers lost three rotation players Jalen McDaniels, Shake Milton, and Georges Niang, stating the team wants to maintain flexibility moving forward. Embiid and PJ Tucker are the only players with sure money in Philadelphia’s budget for the 2024-25 season.
“What we’re trying to do is have the best team possible this year, but also have the ability to be in an optimal situation next season, to be the team with the most amount of space under the salary cap,” Morey said.
The 2023 free agency coming to an end, it is time to look toward 2024. And if your NBA team missed this year’s class, it may find something good among these free agents for next summer.
Some of the players listed could get their contracts extended between now and July 1, 2024, but currently, they are all potential free agents.
LeBron’s son, Bronny James, will be eligible for the Draft next year, and his dad has a player option for 2024-25, making him a free agent that can sign anywhere. Davis may do the same via an option for early termination.
Los Angeles has reshuffled their roster four times since winning the championship in 2020. The only players remaining from that squad are Davis and James. And the biggest reshuffle could happen in 2024.
Next on the list of free agents for 2024 is Jaylen Brown. Brown is not a player to be cast aside, so Boston would want to sign him to an extension this summer. Although the Celtics have the most wins (regular season and playoffs) over the last six years, they do not have a championship backing this claim. And Brown’s weaknesses were exposed in the closing round of the playoffs.
However, he is still a talented and dynamic player, and Boston is trying something new by adding Kristaps Porzingis during the offseason.
With Fred VanVleet gone, there appear to be some doubts about Siakam’s future. If he does not sign an extension, then he joins the free agents, and the Raptors lose another important veteran. So there may be lots of trade talks (and/or trade) before he joins free agency.
Siakam had a solid season in ‘22-23, averaging career-highs in points (24.2) and assists (5.8) per game.
Anunoby has not quite reached the peak of his career as an all-round wing with size. But he was second-team All-Defense, shooting 38.7% from 3-point range in 2022-23.
He is also three years younger than Siakam, so Toronto would value him more if they plan on being a team of the future rather than of the present. OG has a $20 million player option for 2024-25 that he will most likely reject to secure a bigger payday.
Harden called in his player option for the 2023-24 season, and he reportedly wants a trade out of the Sixers. If he cannot sign an extension (with whichever team he is on) before next summer, he will become one of the free agents.
There is no clear reason why Harden wants to leave a team that was third-best in the regular season. But Philadelphia cannot afford to regress with the reigning Kia MVP in his prime, and Harden (although his finishing ability has reduced over the last two years) plays a huge role in Joel Embiid becoming the league MVP.
Five first-round picks from the 2020 Draft have signed rookie extensions: Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, Isaiah Stewart and Desmond Bane. Maxey is better than the rest, in a list that also has Devin Vassell (Spurs), Immanuel Quickley (Knicks) and Jaden McDaniels (Wolves).
Any of those athletes that do not sign an extension this summer will become a restricted free agent in 2024. This may be the case with Tyrese if the 76ers want to maintain flexibility. Currently, they have only four players (including Embiid) under contract for 2024-25, with Harden, Tobias Harris and De’Anthony Melton all being unrestricted free agents (unless they sign extensions).
Nic Claxton is one of the best bargains and most improved players in the league, on a two-year, $17.3 million contract. He led the NBA in field goal percentage and can defend inside and out. The 24-year-old is due for a big raise (as an unrestricted free agent) next summer.
However, Brooklyn (who does not have many players on the frontline) will not let him get away.
DeRozan will turn 35 at the beginning of the 2024-25 season. But he stays a bucket, he missed only 14 matches in two seasons with Chicago, and ‘22-23 was the most efficient (true shooting percentage of 59.2%) he had been in his 14-year career. It will exciting to see what DeMar will do (in terms of contention, location, and compensation) a year from now.
Gracing the list of prospective free agents, at number 9 is Klay Thompson from Golden State Warriors. The coming season will be the 11th one with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Thompson playing together, with Green signing a new four-year contract this summer. Thompson is next up in terms of free agency, with one year left on the five-year $190 million contract he signed (with a torn ACL) in 2019.
Since coming back from a two-and-a-half-year absence in January of 2022, Thompson played in 136 (84%) of an estimated 161 games. He took just 21% of his shots ( the lowest in his career) in the paint in 2022-23. But, Klay shot 41% from 3-point range.
Hield is one of the best shooters in the world, not just off the catch. Out of 95 players who tried at least 75 pull-up 3-pointers this last season, only Curry and Malcolm Brogdon delivered them better than Hield (43.8%). Every team needs shooting and Hield still has wings attached to his feet.
Bridges missed the whole of last season and is suspended for another 10 games to begin 2023-24. After signing Charlotte’s qualifying offer, he will join the free agents’ list next summer. The last time he was spotted, Miles was a Kia Most Improved Player candidate, averaging 20.2 ppg for a top-10 offence.
Without him this last season, the Hornets were in last place in offensive rating, witnessing the NBA’s biggest drop in points scored per 100 possessions.
Martin broke out in the playoffs, almost receiving the MVP award for the Eastern Conference Finals, having averaged 19.3 ppg on 60% shooting as Miami beat Boston in seven games.
Caleb turns 29 at the start of the 2024-25 season, so his peak probably is not much higher than the athlete he is present. But he is just the type of dynamic wing every team would be lucky to have.
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