NBA notebook: Monroe signs with Celtics; Bulls trade Mirotic to Pelicans

UNB! Sports Staff Report

Greg Monroe will sign a one-year, $5 million deal with the Bostpn Celtics, league sources tell ESPN.

The New Orleans Pelicans could only offer Monroe $2.2 million. They also offered Monroe the chance to be the starting center, but Monroe will join the Celtics with fewer assurances on playing time.

Bulls trade Mirotic to Pelicans

According to ESPN, the Chicago Bulls traded Nikola Mirotic to the Pelicans on Thursday.

New Orleans is planning to guarantee the $12.5M salary of Mirotic in the 2018-19 season.

In return, the Bulls acquire Omer Asik, Tony Allen, Jameer Nelson, and a 2018 first-rounder with "minima" protections.

Sources also told ESPN that the Bulls may waive Allen. They may keep Nelson, according to report after a previous one that said the Bulls wouldn't. 

Hornets sign G Stone

The Charlotte Hornets signed guard Julyan Stone on Wednesday after being released from his contract with an Italian team.

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound Stone appeared in 47 career NBA games (two starts) over three seasons with the Denver Nuggets (2011-13) and Toronto Raptors (2013-14), averaging 1.3 points and 1.1 assists in 7.0 minutes per contest.

Stone, 28, joins the Hornets after a stint with Reyer Venezia Mestre of the Lega Basket Serie A in Italy, appearing in 26 games and helping the team to a 2017 Serie A Championship. Prior to his time with Reyer Venezia Mestre, Stone played with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League last season, seeing action in 33 games (31 starts) and averaging 7.9 points, 8.6 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 34.7 minutes.

Stone also played for Royal Hali Gazientep (2015-16) of the Turkish Basketball Super League, a first stretch with Reyer Venezia Mestre (2014-15) and the G League's Iowa Energy (2013) and Idaho Stampede (2012).

Stone was a four-year collegiate player at the University of Texas-El Paso (2007-11).

Knicks, G Sessions agree to one-year contract

The New York Knicks and point guard Ramon Sessions agreed to a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum, according to multiple reports Friday.

The deal is worth $2.3 million, according to The Vertical.

The Knicks were searching for a veteran to help mentor rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina, who was selected with the No. 8 overall pick in this year's draft.

Sessions, who has played 10 NBA seasons, averaged 6.2 points and 2.6 assists for the Charlotte Hornets last season. He was limited to 50 games due to a meniscus injury.

Sessions, 31, owns career averages of 10.6 points, 4.1 assists and 23.7 minutes.

The Knicks are interested in trading for Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving, who asked to be traded during a recent meeting with owner Dan Gilbert.

New York is one of six teams that made an offer to Cleveland for Irving earlier in the week, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Irving reportedly told the Cavaliers that the Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat were his preferred teams if the trade request is honored.

The Knicks told teams last week they would not be including Kristaps Porzingis in a trade for Irving but would be open to dealing Carmelo Anthony and at least one future first-round pick for Irving, according to ESPN. Houston has been Anthony's primary landing spot in trade talks.

Raptors sign F Brown to two-way deal

The Toronto Raptors signed guard Lorenzo Brown to a two-way contract, the team announced Tuesday.

Brown, 26, averaged 3.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 63 career NBA games with the Philadelphia 76ers (2013-14), Minnesota Timberwolves (2014-15) and Phoenix Suns (2015-16).

Brown split the 2016-17 season between the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Chinese Basketball Association and the Grand Rapids Drive of the NBA G League.

Brown was selected 52nd overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by Minnesota.

Magic sign F Iwundu

The Orlando Magic have signed second-round draft pick Wesley Iwundu, the team announced Tuesday.

The 6-foot-7 Iwundu, who was the 33rd overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft, averaged 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists at Kansas State last season.

He was selected to the All-Big 12 third team by the coaches in both his junior and senior seasons.

AP source: Lakers sign Caldwell-Pope for 1 year, $18 million

By GREG BEACHAM and JON KRAWCZYNSKI
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a one-year, $18 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.

Caldwell-Pope was among the top talents remaining on the free agent market after spending his first four NBA seasons with the Detroit Pistons. The former eighth overall pick from Georgia averaged 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists last season while starting 75 games.

After hitting a career-best 35 percent of his 3-pointers last season, the 6-foot-5 Pope could play a major role next year for the Lakers alongside point guard Lonzo Ball, the second overall pick. Los Angeles traded D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn last month, and Nick Young signed with Golden State.

Caldwell-Pope also is a strong two-way player who is expected to improve the Lakers’ defensive competence. Los Angeles became a solid offensive team last season under first-year coach Luke Walton, but only two teams allowed more than the Lakers’ 111.5 points per game.

Detroit renounced its rights to Caldwell-Pope last week after acquiring Avery Bradley in a trade with Boston. Caldwell-Pope has been a starter since his rookie season with the Pistons, but they elected not to award him a lucrative long-term deal to stay.

By agreeing to a one-year deal with the rebuilding Lakers, Caldwell-Pope will be able to hit the market as an unrestricted free agent in 2018 when a longer-term deal could be available from the Lakers or another club.

The person who told the AP about the contract spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the deal hasn’t been announced.

Los Angeles appears to be using all of its available salary cap space on Caldwell-Pope. He will be their second highest-paid player next season behind newly acquired center Brook Lopez, who also will be a free agent next summer.

General manager Rob Pelinka has said the Lakers are firmly committed to preserving enough cap space in 2018 to sign two free agents to max contracts. Luol Deng and Jordan Clarkson are the only veterans on Los Angeles’ roster with a contract beyond the upcoming season.

Caldwell-Pope is suspended for the first two games of next season. He was arrested in March, and he pleaded guilty last month to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

___

Krawczynski reported from Las Vegas.

Cavs reportedly sign Green

Jeff Green is headed to Cleveland to bolster the Cavaliers' bench.

The 30-year-old veteran forward is joining the defending Eastern Conference champions on a one-year, $2.3 million deal, according to ESPN.

Green had "active conversations" with Cavaliers star LeBron James before making his decision to sign with the team, per ESPN.

The minimum-level deal will cost the Cavaliers roughly $8 million in salary and tax for next season. Cleveland's current payroll for the 2017-18 season is $135 million with $46 million in tax.

Green averaged a career-low 9.2 points on 39.4 percent shooting and 3.1 rebounds in 69 games with the Orlando Magic last season.

Before joining the Magic, Green played eight seasons between the Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers.

The former No. 5 overall draft pick in 2007 has career averages of 13.5 points and 4.7 boards over 705 games.

Warriors reportedly bring back Pachulia

Golden State Warriors center Zaza Pachulia has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract, multiple outlets reported on Friday.

Pachulia served as the starter of a three-center rotation last season, during which he averaged 6.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in 70 games.

The 33-year-old's numbers took a slight dip in the postseason, as he averaged 5.1 points and 3.8 rebounds with Warriors en route to their second championship in three years.

Pachulia played for $2.9 million last season.

Grizzlies sign Gs Evans, McLemore

The Memphis Grizzlies signed free-agent guards Tyreke Evans and Ben McLemore on Friday.

Evans reportedly agreed on a one-year, $3.3 million deal. McLemore reportedly landed a two-year deal worth $10.7 million.

Evans played one season of college basketball at the University of Memphis before embarking on his NBA career. He has career averages of 16.1 points, 5.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds over eight pro seasons.

Evans finished last season with the Sacramento Kings after being dealt from the New Orleans Pelicans in the DeMarcus Cousins trade. He has been plagued by knee issues in recent seasons.

McLemore also arrives from the Kings after four seasons in the NBA. He has career marks of 9.4 points and 2.6 rebounds.

"We want to welcome Ben McLemore to the Grizzlies organization," general manager Chris Wallace said in a statement. "Ben brings tremendous athleticism, significant upside and a tireless work ethic to our franchise, while adding more outside shooting to our rotation. We are confident he will continue his development as a player and thrive under head coach David Fizdale and his staff."

Pacers, Bogdanovich agree to two-year deal

The Indiana Pacers agreed to terms with swingman Bojan Bogdanovic on Friday, according to multiple reports.

ESPN reported Bogdanovic received a two-year, $21 million contract.

The agreement came shortly after the Washington Wizards renounced Bogdanovic's rights, making him an unrestricted free agent. Bogdanovic averaged a career-best 13.7 points last season while splitting time with the Brooklyn Nets and Washington.

Bogdanovic is averaging 11.3 points over three NBA seasons.

The Pacers also officially announced the signing of point guard Darren Collison. Published reports from earlier this week stated Collison received a two-year, $20 million deal.

Collison averaged 13.2 points and 4.6 assists for the Sacramento Kings last season. He previously played two seasons for the Pacers (2010-12) and averaged 11.9 points and 5.0 assists during that stint.

"Having had Darren here in the past, we obviously knew what we were getting, both on the floor and in the locker room," Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said in a statement. "When you bring in a player like Darren, you know you're not only getting a point guard, you're adding a veteran presence to your team."

Indiana also released forward Rakeem Christmas on Friday. He averaged 2.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 30 games over two seasons with the Pacers.

Raptors' re-signings of Lowry, Ibaka become official

The Toronto Raptors officially re-signed All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry and free agent power forward Serge Ibaka to multi-year contracts on Friday.

Lowry's contract is a reported three-year, $100 million deal, and Ibaka's is for three years and worth $65 million.

In five seasons with Toronto, Lowry averaged 18.2 points, 6.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 35.0 minutes during 354 regular-season games. He also averaged 18.1 points, 5.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 39 playoff appearances.

Lowry is the Raptors' all-time career leader with 828 made 3-pointers, second in assists (2,405) and sixth in scoring with 6,430 points. Over the past four seasons, he leads all Eastern Conference players with 727 3-pointers made.

"Kyle has been a valuable part of our team's success the past five years," Raptors team president Masai Ujiri said in a statement. "He has grown as a player and person during his time in Toronto and we are excited that he wants to be here to help us continue building a championship program."

Lowry averaged a career-high 22.4 points and shot a career-best 41.2 percent (193 of 468) from 3-point range in 60 games during the 2016-17 season.

The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Ibaka averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks (10th in the NBA) and 30.7 minutes in 79 games (all starts) last season between the Orlando Magic and Raptors.

Ibaka averaged 14.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 30.7 minutes in 10 playoff games. The Raptors acquired him from the Magic on Feb. 14.

"We are thrilled with the skills and intangibles Serge brings to our team," Ujiri said. "He is one of the top two-way power forwards in the NBA and his ability to stretch the floor is a valuable asset today's game."

A native of the Republic of Congo, Ibaka owns career averages of 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 29.1 minutes in 603 career games (492 starts) with Oklahoma City, Orlando and Toronto.

Reports: Vince Carter lands one-year deal with Kings

Free agent Vince Carter agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal with the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, according to multiple media reports.

At 40 years old, Carter is the NBA's oldest active player.

Last season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Carter averaged 8.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game.

The eight-time All-Star ranks 22nd on the league's all-time scoring list with 24,555 career points.

Carter, the fifth pick in the 1998 draft, was the 1998-99 Rookie of the Year with the Toronto Raptors. He subsequently played for the New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis.

For his career, Carter is averaging 18.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Knicks sign Hardaway Jr. to offer sheet

Tim Hardaway Jr. signed a four-year, $71 million offer sheet with the Knicks on Thursday, raising the possibility that the Atlanta Hawks' restricted free agent could return to New York.

Hardaway, a 25-year-old shooting guard, played his first two seasons with the Knicks before being traded on draft day in 2015 to Atlanta for the rights to guard Jerian Grant.

The Hawks have two days to match the deal or let Hardaway go. They have indicated in the past that they would try to keep him.

Detroit Pistons assistant coach Tim Hardaway Sr. told the New York Post that his son had "no bad blood" with the Knicks and wouldn't mind a return to the organization with Phil Jackson no longer running the team. It was Jackson who traded Hardaway.

It is believed that if Atlanta does not match, New York would not be able to bring back guard Derrick Rose for financial reasons. The addition of Hardaway would also eliminate almost all the Knicks' projected cap space, unless they can trade Carmelo Anthony or Courtney Lee.

During his first season with the Hawks, Hardaway told the Post: "Everybody wants to stay with the team they got drafted with. A lot of times, it doesn't work that way. You got to move on and build a new legacy somewhere else.

"The passion you bring, you have to take to that team you're with. They brought me here for a reason. They know what I can do. I'm here for a reason."

Hardaway raised his career average to 11 points after scoring 14.5 per game last season, shooting a career-best 45.5 percent from the field in 79 games (30 starts).

Reports: Vince Carter lands one-year deal with Kings

Free agent Vince Carter agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal with the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, according to multiple media reports.

At 40 years old, Carters is the NBA's oldest active player.

Last season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Carter averaged 8.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game.

The eight-time All-Star ranks 22nd on the league's all-time scoring list with 24,555 career points.

Carter, the fifth pick in the 1998 draft, was the 1998-99 Rookie of the Year with the Toronto Raptors. He subsequently played for the New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis.

For his career, Carter is averaging 18.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Gay, Spurs reportedly agree to two-year deal

Free agent forward Rudy Gay and the San Antonio Spurs agreed to a two-year, $17.2 million deal on Thursday, according to an ESPN report.

The second year reportedly is a player option.

Gay posted a picture of a Spurs jersey on his Instragram account.

The 31-year-old Gay, an 11-year NBA veteran, averaged 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in 30 games with the Sacramento Kings last season before sustaining a season-ending complete tear of his left Achilles tendon on Jan. 18 against the Indiana Pacers.

Gay opted out of the final year of his contract with the Kings before the June 10 deadline, allowing him to become a free agent.

Gay was the eighth overall pick in the 2006 draft by the Houston Rockets. He played for the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors before joining the Kings in 2014-15.

In 753 career games (714 starts), Gay has averages of 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Heat sign C Olynyk

Free agent center Kelly Olynyk reached agreement with the Miami Heat on a four-year, $50 million deal, ESPN reported Thursday.

The fourth year includes a player option.

Olynyk played for the Boston Celtics the past four seasons, and averaged 9.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game this past season.

The Celtics were forced to give up their rights to him earlier this week to make salary-cap room after landing Gordon Hayward.

The Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers were the other teams that showed interest in the 7-foot Canadian.

Rockets officially sign C Nene, F Tucker

The Houston Rockets signed free agent forward P.J. Tucker and re-signed center Nene, the team announced Thursday.

Both deals had been reported a few days ago, but the Rockets made them official.

Nene agreed to a new three-year, $11 million contract, according to ESPN. Their original four-year contract agreement was nullified Saturday based on the NBA's over-38 rule that limits long-term deals.

In his first season as a Rocket, Nene appeared in 67 games with eight starts, while averaging 9.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game. Dating back to 1979-80, he was one of three players with at least 40 games played to have averaged at least 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in fewer than 18.0 minutes per game in a single season.

"Nene was a big part of our success last season, especially in the playoffs," said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. "He is a true professional and we are fortunate to have him remain a Rocket."

Nene has the seventh-highest field goal percentage (54.8) among active players and would have ranked fifth in the NBA in 2016-17 had he qualified (61.7). During the playoffs, he shot 70.6 percent.

"The Rockets bring out the best in me," said Nene. "I love the entire organization from my teammates and coaches, to management and ownership. We have great leader in James Harden and will continue to work hard to bring another championship to Houston."

Terms of Tucker's deal were not disclosed, but multiple reports indicated it is a four-year, $32 million deal.

Tucker met with the Toronto Raptors once free agency started, but he talked to members of the Rockets, including All-Star guard James Harden.

The Raptors reportedly offered three years and $33 million.

New Rockets point guard Chris Paul also helped recruit Tucker to Houston, according to ESPN. The two players have been close since growing up in North Carolina.

Tucker averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds 1.4 steals in 81 games for the Suns and Raptors last season.

NBA notebook: Nowitzki close to two-year deal with Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks are in the process of finalizing a two-year, $10 million deal with Dirk Nowitzki, ESPN reported Thursday.

The Mavericks declined Nowitzki's $25 million team option on his existing contract, but there was never a doubt that the Mavs would re-sign Nowitzki, considered the greatest player in the team's history.

Dallas reportedly plans to re-sign restricted free-agent Nerlens Noel, and the team's moves suggest the Mavericks may not be pursuing any high-salary free agents.

The 39-year-old Nowitzki, who was the NBA MVP in 2007, played in 54 games last season, all as a starter, and averaged 14.2 points, his lowest since his rookie season in 1998-99.

--The Los Angeles Clippers have reached agreement with Serbian guard Milos Teodosic on to a two-year, $12.3 million deal, ESPN.com reported.

The flamboyant 30-year-old Teodosic is considered a creative playmaker. He had to pay an expensive contract buyout with CSKA Russia to move to the NBA this season.

Teodosic was named to the all-EuroLeague first-team three times and was the EuroLeague MVP in 2010. Teodosic averaged 16.3 points and 6.5 assists while shooting 54.2 percent from the field and 38.6 percent on 3-pointers while playing for Moscow last season.

--The Memphis Grizzlies showed their appreciation to Zach Randolph by announcing that the veteran forward/center will be the first player in franchise history to have his No. 50 jersey retired.

The Grizzlies announced the move in an open letter to Randolph, two days removed from the two-time All-Star ending his eight-year tenure with the club by agreeing to a two-year, $24 million deal with the Sacramento Kings.

Randolph ranks first in franchise history in rebounds (5,612) and is second behind Mike Conley in points (9,261). The 35-year-old excelled in a reserve role last season, averaging 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds.

--The Houston Rockets signed free agent forward P.J. Tucker and re-signed center Nene.

In his first season as a Rocket, Nene appeared in 67 games with eight starts, while averaging 9.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game.

Tucker averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds 1.4 steals in 81 games for the Suns and Raptors last season.

--The Detroit Pistons signed free agent guard Langston Galloway.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the club for Galloway, but ESPN reported the contract was for three years and $21 million.

Galloway averaged 7.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 74 games last season with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings.

--The Chicago Bulls re-signed forward-center Cristiano Felicio.

The move had been reported several days ago, but the team has now made it official. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but multiple media outlets reported the deal is for four years and worth $32 million.

In his two seasons in Chicago, Felicio averaged 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 14.0 minutes per game while shooting 57.3 percent from the field. Last season, he averaged 4.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game with a field goal percentage of 57.9.

--The Denver Nuggets signed rookie forward Tyler Lydon to a multi-year contract.

Denver selected Lydon with the 24th overall pick after trading down in the first round of last month's draft. The 21-year-old Lydon joined third-year forward Trey Lyles in the draft-night trade with the Utah Jazz for the rights to the 13th overall pick, which was Donovan Mitchell.

Lydon averaged 11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 blocks in 71 career games with the Orange.

Rockets officially sign C Nene, F Tucker

The Houston Rockets signed free agent forward P.J. Tucker and re-signed center Nene, the team announced Thursday.

Both deals had been reported a few days ago, but the Rockets made them official.

Nene agreed to a new three-year, $11 million contract, according to ESPN. Their original four-year contract agreement was nullified Saturday based on the NBA's over-38 rule that limits long-term deals.

In his first season as a Rocket, Nene appeared in 67 games with eight starts, while averaging 9.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game. Dating back to 1979-80, he was one of three players with at least 40 games played to have averaged at least 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in fewer than 18.0 minutes per game in a single season.

"Nene was a big part of our success last season, especially in the playoffs," said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. "He is a true professional and we are fortunate to have him remain a Rocket."

Nene has the seventh-highest field goal percentage (54.8) among active players and would have ranked fifth in the NBA in 2016-17 had he qualified (61.7). During the playoffs, he shot 70.6 percent.

"The Rockets bring out the best in me," said Nene. "I love the entire organization from my teammates and coaches, to management and ownership. We have great leader in James Harden and will continue to work hard to bring another championship to Houston."

Terms of Tucker's deal were not disclosed, but multiple reports indicated it is a four-year, $32 million deal.

Tucker met with the Toronto Raptors once free agency started, but he talked to members of the Rockets, including All-Star guard James Harden.

The Raptors reportedly offered three years and $33 million.

New Rockets point guard Chris Paul also helped recruit Tucker to Houston, according to ESPN. The two players have been close since growing up in North Carolina.

Tucker averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds 1.4 steals in 81 games for the Suns and Raptors last season.

Clippers on verge of adding Serbian PG Teodosic

The Los Angeles Clippers have reached agreement with Serbian guard Milos Teodosic on to a two-year, $12.3 million deal, ESPN.com reported Thursday.

The flamboyant 30-year-old Teodosic is considered a creative playmaker.

He had to pay an expensive contract buyout with CSKA Russia to move to the NBA this season. It suggests the Clippers have big plans for the 6-foot-5 Teodosic, who will try to fill the void left by the departure of Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets.

Teodosic was named to the all-EuroLeague first-team three times and was the EuroLeague MVP in 2010.

Teodosic averaged 16.3 points and 6.5 assists while shooting 54.2 percent from the field and 38.6 percent on 3-pointers while playing for Moscow last season.

Teodosic gained exposure when he faced Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the finals of the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

"As good a player, as good a guard, as there is in Europe," Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said of Teodosic, according to ESPN.