Jayson Tatum says his knee is improving

Per Boston.com:

After missing two games earlier this month, Jayson Tatum says his body is healing up.

The Celtics’ star missed a pair of contests against the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 4 and 12 due to right patella tendinopathy. Those are the only games Tatum’s missed all season.

Speaking with reporters on Saturday ahead of Boston’s tilt versus the Chicago Bulls, he chalked the ailment up to playing frequently at the beginning of December.

“That was just a tough stretch. I think we played, like, six games in nine days, or something like that,” Tatum said when asked about his knee. “But it’s definitely getting better.”

Hawks waive Seth Lundy

The Atlanta Hawks have requested waivers on two-way guard/forward Seth Lundy.

Lundy appeared in nine games with the Hawks during the 2023-24 season and 25 contests with the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League. In those 25 games with the Skyhawks (23 starts), he averaged 20.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocks in 32.6 minutes (.462 FG%, .400 3FG%, .803 FT%).

Selected by Atlanta with the 46th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Lundy spent the 2023-24 season on a two-way contract and was signed to another two-way contract by the Hawks on July 9, 2024.

Dallas Mavericks name Rick Welts as new CEO

The Dallas Mavericks organization has named Rick Welts the new Chief Executive Officer of the NBA franchise, effective Jan. 1, 2025, following Cynt Marshall’s nearly seven-year tenure.

In his remarkable 46-year career in sports and entertainment, Welts has previously held roles as President and COO of the Golden State Warriors, President of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and the NBA’s Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and President of NBA Properties.

“Inspiring leadership has been a staple of the Dallas Mavericks since Cynt Marshall started leading the organization in 2018 as CEO. I’m extremely proud that her legacy of success and our family’s vision for the future of this franchise will soon be in the hands of another great leader,” said Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont. “Rick Welts is among the most successful executives in the history of the NBA and a member of the Hall of Fame. To have him join us as we continue to build on the successful history of the Mavericks is a clear signal that this organization is serious about both growing its position as an elite NBA team and further positioning the franchise among the most popular sports teams in the world.”

“The chance to lead this organization in this city at this time is both incredibly exciting and unexpected,” said Welts. “I appreciate Patrick’s confidence in selecting me to build upon the culture and success that Cynt Marshall and Nico Harrison have created. My long-standing friendships with them both give me a lot of confidence in accepting this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started learning all I can about Dallas and how best to serve our fans and this community.”

“It gives me great pleasure to pass the baton to my friend, Rick Welts. From the day I joined the Mavs, I’ve benefited from his knowledge and vast experience in the sports and entertainment industry,” said Marshall. “I love our team so much and I’m happy that they will be in such great hands. There is no doubt that Rick and his family will embrace and enjoy the wonderful fans, employees and communities in Dallas.”

Pistons sign Javante McCoy

The Detroit Pistons have signed guard Javante McCoy to a contract.

McCoy, 6-5, 180, has appeared in 12 games this season for the Motor City Cruise, NBA G League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, averaging 14.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 26.1 minutes per game. McCoy is shooting 51.4% from 3-point range, which leads the Cruise and ranks seventh in the NBA G League (among qualified players). The Milwaukee native has appeared in 96 career NBA G League games for the South Bay Lakers, Austin Spurs and Motor City Cruise while averaging 11.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 22.8 minutes.

McCoy played collegiately at Boston University for five seasons (2017-22) holding career averages of 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists across 147 games (138 starts). He was named to the 2021-22 All-Patriot League First Team after leading the league in scoring with a career-high 17.4 points per game.

Nets trade Dennis Schroder to Warriors

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired guard De’Anthony Melton and two-way guard Reece Beekman along with three unprotected second round draft picks (2026 via Atlanta, 2028 via Atlanta and 2029 Golden State’s own) in a trade with the Golden State Warriors for guard Dennis Schröder and a 2025 second round draft pick (via Miami).

In a related transaction, the Nets have requested waivers on forward Cui Yongxi.

Melton (6’2″, 201) saw action in six games with Golden State this season after signing with the team as a free agent on July 8, registering averages of 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 20.2 minutes per game. He suffered a season-ending partially torn left ACL on November 12.

Beekman (6’1″, 198) signed a two-way contract with the Warriors on July 3 and appeared in two games with Golden State. He also played in nine Tip-Off Tournament games (seven starts) with Golden State’s NBA G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, recording averages of 18.7 points on 51.5 percent shooting from the field, 5.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists (ninth in the NBA G League) and 2.8 steals (third in the NBA G League) in 31.5 minutes per contest. Prior to beginning his professional career, the 23-year-old Milwaukee native spent four years (2020-24) at the University of Virginia, where he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior, becoming the third player to ever win the award in consecutive seasons. He finished his collegiate career as Virginia’s all-time leader in steals (228).

Schröder, who was originally acquired by Brooklyn on Feb. 8, 2024, in a trade with Toronto, played in a total of 52 games (48 starts) for the Nets across two seasons, posting averages of 16.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 32.7 minutes per game. Schröder has played in and started 23 games this season, registering averages of 18.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 33.6 minutes per game.

Cui signed a two-way contract with Brooklyn on Sept. 20, 2024. He appeared in five games for Brooklyn and five games for the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s NBA G League affiliate, this season.

Heat trade Thomas Bryant to Pacers

The Miami Heat this weekend traded center Thomas Bryant to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the right to swap second round picks in 2031. Miami will have the more favorable of the HEAT and Pacer second round picks in 2031.

Bryant appeared in 10 games with the HEAT this season and averaged 4.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 11.5 minutes.

Bryant will wear number 3 for the Pacers

Pistons waive Paul Reed

The Detroit Pistons recently waived forward/center Paul Reed.

Reed, claimed off waivers by the Pistons on July 9, 2024, is averaging 4.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in 12 games this season.

Per the Detroit Free Press, “the Pistons, after moving on from Reed’s $7.7 million in salary, have dropped below the NBA’s salary floor of $126.5 million by roughly $1.4 million, according to ESPN. The CBA dictates teams are required to reach the floor by the end of Sunday. Reed’s salary would’ve been guaranteed on Jan. 10.”

Sixers rookie Jared McCain out with major knee injury

Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain reported left knee soreness after a recent game against the Pacers.

An MRI today revealed a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee. The injury will require surgery and he is likely out for an extended period of time.

Per the Philadelphia Inquirer, “this news comes after McCain, the No. 16 pick in the first round of NBA draft from Duke, appeared to suffer a third-quarter head injury after falling to the court while being fouled. McCain bumped the back of his head on that play.”

Raptors sign AJ Lawson to two-way contract

The Toronto Raptors recently signed guard AJ Lawson to a two-way contract.

Lawson, 6-foot-6, 185 pounds, averaged 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 35.1 minutes in 11 games (all starts) this season with the Long Island Nets, the NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets. He shot .440 (85-193) from the field and .829 (34-41) from the free throw line. Lawson scored 20+ points eight times and 30+ points twice, including a career-high 37 points on Nov. 22 at Raptors 905.

A native of Toronto, Ontario, Lawson holds career averages of 3.4 points, 1.2 rebounds and 7.4 minutes in 57 career games with the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves over the last two seasons. During this span, he also averaged 21.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 34.1 minutes in seven games with the Texas Legends in the 2023-24 NBA G League season and 20.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 31.9 minutes in 22 games with the Legends, Iowa Wolves and the College Park Skyhawks in the 2022-23 campaign.

Prior to the NBA, Lawson played three collegiate seasons (2018-21) at South Carolina where he posted averages of 14.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 30.2 minutes in 81 career games. In 21 games as a junior, he averaged 16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 31.4 minutes and earned Second Team All-SEC honours.

Raptors waive DJ Carton

The Toronto Raptors last week waived guard DJ Carton.

Carton signed a two-way contract with the Raptors in March after originally signing a 10-day contract on Feb. 21. In eight games with Toronto, he averaged 1.8 points, 1.0 rebounds and 8.6 minutes.

Toronto’s roster now stands at 15 players, with two two-way players.