NBA Player News
-
Kenneth Lofton Jr. PF | UTA
Kenneth Lofton: Let go by Utah
The Jazz waived Lofton on Wednesday.
Lofton signed a multi-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Jazz in March and made four appearances, averaging 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 22.8 minutes. However, he doesn't fit into Utah's long-term plans after a mediocre showing during Summer League. The Jazz also waived Darius Bazley on Wednesday.
-
Darius Bazley PF | UTA
Darius Bazley: Waived by Utah
The Jazz waived Bazley (illness) on Wednesday.
Bazley signed a multi-year, non-guaranteed deal with Utah in March and appeared in six games for the Jazz in 2023-24, averaging 8.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 23.7 minutes per game. However, the 2019 first-round pick doesn't fit into Utah's future after a disappointing performance during Summer League. The Jazz also waived Kenneth Lofton on Wednesday.
-
James Johnson PF | IND
Pacers' James Johnson: Returning to Indiana
Johnson and the Pacers agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million contract Wednesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Johnson has appeared in only 27 games for the Pacers over the last two seasons. However, the 37-year-old's veteran bench presence has been a bonus for a young team led by Tyrese Haliburton.
-
Nikola Topic PG | OKC
Thunder's Nikola Topic: Undergoes knee procedure
Topic underwent a successful left ACL procedure Wednesday and will miss the 2024-25 season, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
It was previously reported that Topic would miss the entire 2024-25 season, but the Thunder will be relieved that the surgery was a success and the rookie can slowly begin his rehab process. The No. 12 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Topic will be an exciting prospect for the Thunder to develop in the coming years.
-
Trey Jemison C | MEM
Trey Jemison: Waived by Memphis
The Grizzlies waived Jemison on Wednesday.
Jemison was forced to make way with the Grizzlies signing Jay Huff to a two-way contract. While on a two-way contract with the Grizzlies during the 2023-24 regular season, Jemison made 25 appearances with averages of 7.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks.
-
Andrew Nembhard PG | IND
Pacers' Andrew Nembhard: Nets three-year extension
Nembhard agreed Wednesday with the Pacers on a three-year, $59 million contract extension, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
After the Pacers selected him with the first pick in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft, Nembhard signed a three-year, $6.4 million contract that included a $2.19 million team option for 2025-26. According to Wojnarowski, the Pacers will decline that team option as part of the extension, which will go into effect beginning in 2025-26 and keeps him on the books through his age-27 campaign in 2027-28. Nembhard was solid enough in a supporting role during the 2023-24 regular season with averages of 9.2 points, 4.1 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 three-pointers in 25.0 minutes while shooting 49.8 percent from the field over 68 appearances (47 starts), but it was his performance in the playoffs that likely has the Pacers even more excited about his prospects moving forward. He averaged 14.9 points, 5.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 32.6 minutes over his 17 playoff contests and became the fourth player in NBA history to shoot at least 55 percent from the floor and at least 45 percent from three-point range in a single postseason, per ESPN Stats & Information. The new deal locks him in as Tyrese Haliburton's running mate in the backcourt for at least the next four years.
-
Franz Wagner PF | ORL
Magic's Franz Wagner: Leads Germany in scoring Monday
Wagner accumulated 18 points (6-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and three steals across 29 minutes in Germany's 92-88 exhibition game loss to the United States on Monday.
Wagner led Germany in both points and steals Monday, keeping the squad on pace with Team USA in the close loss. The 22-year-old played a game-high 29 minutes, and he will likely continue to do so in the Paris Olympics as he will be expected to help lead Germany to a successful Olympic campaign. Wagner is coming off a career-best year with Orlando, during which he averaged 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.5 minutes across 72 regular-season appearances.
-
Dennis Schroder PG | BKN
Nets' Dennis Schroder: Game-high 10 assists in loss
Schroder put up 13 points (3-15 FG, 3-11 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 10 assists, two rebounds and one block across 17 minutes in Germany's 92-88 exhibition game loss to the United States on Monday.
Schroder produced a rough showing from the field in Monday's loss to Team USA. However, the 30-year-old did tally a game-high 10 assists as Germany kept the exhibition match close. Schroder and Franz Wagner will aim to lead the squad to Olympic success in Paris, and Germany's ability to hang with Team USA bodes well for their Olympic hopes, especially after winning the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time in 2023.
-
Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Efficient from field in win Monday
Embiid posted 15 points (5-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block across 22 minutes in Team USA's 92-88 exhibition game win over Germany on Monday.
Embiid followed up a 2-for-8 performance from the field Wednesday against Serbia with two extremely efficient outings, shooting a combined 10-for-14 across the USA's last two exhibition games. Embiid's ability to move the ball Monday was also impressive as he led the squad in assists. The All-Star has been elite on the boards through five exhibition matchups thus far, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game.