Latest news with #SanAntonioSpurs
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs sign David Jones-Garcia, former Memphis basketball star, to two-way contract
The San Antonio Spurs signed David Jones-Garcia − a former Memphis basketball star − to a two-way contract on July 22, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The move comes on the heels of a dominant showing by the one-time Tiger during NBA Summer League earlier this month in San Francisco (California Classic) and Las Vegas. The 6-4 guard, who went by David Jones throughout his collegiate career (which included one season, 2023-24, at Memphis), averaged 21.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Spurs in five summer league games in Las Vegas. His standout play earned him a spot on the All-Summer League First Team, which was also announced July 22. Jones-Garcia also averaged 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in three games at the California Classic. The Spurs have not yet announced the transaction. Jones-Garcia transferred to Memphis from St. John's prior to the 2023-24 season. He blossomed into a star under coach Penny Hardaway, averaging 21.8 points and 7.6 rebounds while connecting on 38% of his 3-point attempts, earning a first-team all-American Conference nod. With one season of collegiate eligibility remaining, Jones-Garcia opted instead to turn pro. He was not selected in the 2024 NBA Draft, instead signing a two-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. While he has not played in an NBA game, Jones-Garcia found plenty of success in the G League with the Mexico City Capitanes. He also played in two games for the Salt Lake City Stars. Jones-Garcia is one of several former Tigers who played under Hardaway who are currently signed to two-way contracts with NBA teams, alongside Lester Quinones, Nae'Qwan Tomlin and Emoni Bates. Reach sports writer Jason Munz at follow him @munzly on X. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Spurs sign David Jones-Garcia, former Memphis star, to two-way deal
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs Summer League coach drops blunt take on Carter Bryant's struggles
The post Spurs Summer League coach drops blunt take on Carter Bryant's struggles appeared first on ClutchPoints. As much as he's stood out defensively during the NBA Summer League, San Antonio Spurs first-round lottery pick Carter Bryant has struggled offensively. His head coach during summer competition, Mike Noyes, also serves as the franchise's director of player development. 'With our roster, we hope he competes for playing time,' Noyes said. 'He brings a lot to the table and it's not just on the defensive end.' Given Noyes' standing within the organization, it stands to reason he means the San Antonio roster as opposed to his squad now or the Austin Spurs, where several of the summer players will land. For many years, the franchise sent their draft picks to their minor league affiliate during those rookie years. That protocol has changed recently. Their highest selections in each of the previous three years have spent their first campaigns with the big club. There's expectation that 2025 second overall pick Dylan Harper will follow the footsteps of Jeremy Sochan and Rookie of the Year winners Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. Even before the Silver and Black's Summer League competition began in the California Classic, Bryant's status posed a bit of a question mark. Regarded as more athletic than skilled, relatively speaking for a 19-year-old, it's natural to ask whether Bryant will join the paths of 2022 Spurs first-round picks Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley, who both spent time in Austin before they were traded this summer. In Las Vegas, Nevada games against the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz, Bryant has shot 3/24 from the field, including 1/12 from three-point range. They're numbers Noyes dismisses. 'I couldn't be less worried about it. He's gonna make shots. He is an NBA player,' the UConn alum said. 'His defense has overshadowed his offense because he's been so good at times defensively. Carter has a great offensive game. The nerves out of the way, he understands his role.' Spurs' Carter Bryant opens up about offensive struggles As much as he's struggled offensively, Bryant has excelled defensively. A possession in which he chased Cooper Flagg all over the court before causing the number one overall pick to turn it over made the highlight reel and social media rounds. 'You're gonna look back and enjoy your career much more than you would have if you're like, 'Damn, I only made two shots.' I think I shot like 0-for-7,' Bryant said following that win vs. the Dallas Mavericks. 'Who cares? I got another one. I get to go and compete. So I'm just grateful to compete.' Bryant has sandwiched five-point outings around his two-point contest vs. the Mavs. 'This shot's going to fall, this shot's not gonna fall. At the end of the day, I've been shooting a basketball the same exact way since I was four or five years old,' Bryant said. Bryant's confidence in his offense hasn't taken a hit. In fact, the 2025 fourteenth overall pick says he'll be near the top by the time it's all said and done. 'I believe that I'm gonna be one of the best shooters in this league. Zero for seven from three-point line. That's not gonna define what I am as a basketball player.' Related: Spurs' De'Aaron Fox debuts his newest Curry Fox 2 Related: Victor Wembanyama reveals long-term Spurs 'dream'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chris Paul is a 'natural fit' for Clippers as reserve point guard
Chris Paul spent six seasons with the Clippers and was a part of their "Lob City" era. (Carrie Giordano / Associated Press) The Clippers had a need for a playmaker and ballhandler, and they were able to find that 'natural fit' with Chris Paul. Paul spent six seasons with the Clippers, a time when he had plenty of success leading them to relevancy and now he's back to play his 21st season, which might be his last. Advertisement Paul, 40, a 12-time All-Star, agreed to a contract that will pay him $3.6 million next season. 'Chris was a natural fit,' Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations, said over Zoom on Tuesday. 'His roots with the organization are deep and meaningful. He obviously played a tremendous role in the upward trajectory of the franchise. He wanted to return to the Clippers and we wanted it the same, as long as it made sense with our current roster — and it does.' Paul has spent his entire 20-year career as a starter in the NBA, playing in all 82 games last season with the San Antonio Spurs. He averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 28 minutes per game while shooting 42.7% from the field. Over the course of playing in 1,354 regular-season games, Paul has started in 1,314. Advertisement Read more: Clippers to land Bradley Beal after Suns buy out his contract Frank said Paul will 'slot into our roster as a reserve point guard,' a role the two of them discussed. 'So, we don't take that lightly when you're taking on a different role,' Frank said. 'And so there were a lot of conversations. You put everything on the table and get everyone comfortable with it. But the fact that Chris wanted to come back, wanted to be at home, wanted to be with the Clippers, we obviously know what his skill set is, but we also wanted to make sure the role made perfect sense from both people's perspective. 'And so I thought it was a very, very thorough process in terms of how we went about it, just to make sure that everyone knows exactly what we're signing up for and we feel really, really good about it.' Advertisement Playing time also could be tricky at the guard spot with Paul now on board. James Harden, who averaged 35.3 minutes per game last season, and Bradley Beal are the likely starters in the backcourt for Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. Then there is Kris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Paul who could be in the rotation. 'We know that ballhandling was a little bit of an issue for us last year and we wanted to get … Chris was the best guy for the job as long as everyone understood exactly what the role was and we can all embrace it,' Frank said. 'And so, we've been very, very honest and direct and we feel great that Chris is back.' Frank said Harden played a big role in the team acquiring Beal. Frank was asked if Harden talked to Paul about returning to the Clippers. Harden and Paul played two seasons together in Houston, from 2017 to 2019, and there were reports that their relationship was strained. Advertisement Frank said, 'They did.' when asked if Harden and Paul had talked. 'And when talking to James, talking to Kawhi [Leonard] — and we talked about what the role would be — both guys said CP would be the best guy for this role,' Frank said. Paul and Beal have both worn No. 3 their entire careers. But Frank said Beal will let Paul wear No. 3 and decide later what his new number will be. 'So, it's awesome that Brad made such a great gesture like that,' Frank said. 'And so Chris will be No. 3.' During his six seasons with the Clippers, from 2011 until 2017, Paul helped the franchise reach new heights. He joined Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan to form 'Lob City.' Advertisement But it sounds as if this will be Paul's last season in the NBA and it'll be with the Clippers and it'll allow him to play in front of his family that lives in the Los Angeles area. 'Well, I think there's the nostalgic aspect,' Frank said. 'But I think the No. 1 question that we always say, is how can he help impact winning? … And yeah, look, there's the heartstrings part of it, of someone who was such a significant part of the Clippers' rise to be able to bring it back. Whether this is his last year or not, that's obviously Chris' story in terms of what he feels and what he wants. But I think No. 1 is his ability to help impact winning.' Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Trail Blazers sign former first-round G Blake Wesley
July 22 - The Portland Trail Blazers signed guard Blake Wesley on Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Wesley, 22, averaged 3.7 points and 2.0 assists in 58 games off the San Antonio Spurs' bench last season. He has averaged 4.3 points and 2.4 assists in 156 career games (four starts) since the Spurs drafted him in the first round (25th overall) in 2022. Wesley shot 36.1 percent from 3-point range in 26 games after the All-Star break last season. --Field Level Media
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Blake Wesley signs with Portland Trail Blazers as sharpshooting guard gets fresh start
Blake Wesley signed with Portland Trail Blazers (Image via Instagram / @theblakewesley) According to league sources who spoke to Hoops Hype, Blake Wesley and the Portland Trail Blazers have reached an agreement on a one-year contract. In exchange for versatile big man Kelly Olynyk, the San Antonio Spurs traded the player to the Washington Wizards. To enter free agency before his fourth professional season, he later negotiated a buyout with the team. When guard depth and long-range scoring are top concerns, Blake Wesley, a versatile wing, can offer tenacious defense and intermittent perimeter sparks. On a team that also features veterans like Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, he brings a youthful energy. Portland adds depth and youth to backcourt with Blake Wesley signing The Portland Trail Blazers have signed a free agent shooting guard who finished the previous season with a strong 3-point game to add depth to their backcourt in 2025-2026. Shortly after this, the ESPN insider, Shams Charania , took to X to announce the news. He wrote on July 22: 'Free agent guard Blake Wesley has agreed to a one-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. The former Spurs first-round pick shot 37% on 3s in the second half of last season and now lands a new role in Portland…' With his buyout and new contract with the team, Blake Wesley will now reportedly make more money overall this season. Additionally, the ESPN insider also mentioned in another X post that he scored on 37% of his triple tries for the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of 2024-25. However, throughout his career, he has only shot 29.7 percent from long range on 1.1 triple tries. He only made an above-average number of triples once, in 2022–2023, when he made 38.5 percent of his 1.4 takes from a distance as a rookie. Blake Wesley was in San Antonio Spurs (Image via Instagram / @theblakewesley) Blake Wesley's new contract with Portland Trail Blazers has not yet been revealed, but it seems likely to be a veteran's minimum deal worth $2.38 million. One of the fifteen regular roster spots is filled by the signing. The NBA player also adds perimeter shooting and defensive toughness to the team's guard rotation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Urologists: Enlarged Prostate? Every Man Should Stop This 1 Habit! Prostate Health Journal Click Here Undo The basketball player is primed to make a big impact in Portland Trail Blazers' backcourt given his age and potential. He will probably earn role minutes behind the starters. Additionally, he is given a fresh start, as the team provides athletic wing depth. Also read: Is DeAndre Ayton leaving Portland Trail Blazers? His agent approached the team about a buy-out Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
