21 or bust
Dirk Nowitzki on Monday re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks and is set to become the first player in NBA history to play 21 consecutive seasons for the same franchise.
The Thunder agreed to a trade with Boston on Monday, sending Rodney Purvis to the Celtics for forward Abdel Nader.
Purvis had just been acquired by the Thunder on Friday from Orlando in a deal which sent Dakari Johnson to the Magic.
In 48 games for Boston, Nader (6-foot-6, 225 pounds) averaged three points and 1.5 rebounds per game as a rookie, including 35.4 percent from 3-point range. Nader was named the G-League Rookie of the Year in 2016-17, averaging 21.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Maine Red Claws.
According to multiple reports, Nader is on a contract this season which is guaranteed for $450,000, but he's due $1.4 million if he's on a roster by Aug. 1. Purvis' contract was non-guaranteed.
The Thunder used the trade exception created in the Johnson trade to absorb Nader's salary. The Thunder will also receive cash considerations in the deal.
The trade was first reported by Shams Charania Yahoo! Sports.
The trade keeps the Thunder's roster at 13 players, two under the maximum 15 guaranteed contracts, leaving OKC the option of adding players in a potential two-for-one trade, signing any of its second-round picks (Hamidou Diallo, Devon Hall, Kevin Hervey) to secondround minimum deals, or signing one of its two-way players from a season ago (Daniel Hamilton, P.J. Dozier )to a guaranteed contract.
Along with Diallo, Hall, Hervey, and Timothe LuwawuCaberrot (Cabbarot was acquired along with Dennis Schroder in the Carmelo Anthony trade to Atlanta), of Nader is another young wing the Thunder has acquired this offseason who can slot into multiple positions, closer to what Billy Donovan wants in a shift to a quicker, more versatile team.
Nowitzki re-signs with Mavs for record 21st season
Dirk Nowitzki is officially signed for a record 21st season with the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks announced Monday that they had resigned the 13-time All-Star. That was their plan when they declined a team option on Nowitzki's contract at the start of free agency to create more room under the salary cap before signing DeAndre Jordan.
Nowitzki, a former NBA MVP who turned 40 last month, is set to become the first player in NBA history to play 21 consecutive seasons for the same franchise. The 7-foot German is one of six players overall, and the only international player, with more than 30,000 career points.
His $5 million contract is the same amount he would have been guaranteed for 2018-19 for the second season of a two-year deal signed last summer.
Lakers sign Michael Beasley
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Michael Beasley to a one-year contract, adding the veteran forward to their revamped core around LeBron James.
Beasley averaged 13.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game last year in a productive season with the New York Knicks, his sixth NBA franchise in 10 years in the league.
The former No. 2 overall pick was James' teammate during the 2013-14 season with the Miami Heat.
Beasley joins Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee in Los Angeles' offseason signings around James, who left Cleveland for the Lakers in free agency. Beasley's 6-foot-9 ranginess and versatility fit the stated desire of Lakers boss Magic Johnson for resourceful, multitalented veterans rather than role players.
Howard vows that Washington will be his last team
Dwight Howard brought the charm to his introductory news conference with the Washington Wizards on Monday. The eight-time All-Star has lots of experience in such situations. The center now playing for his fourth team in four seasons said Washington would be his last stop.
The three-time defensive player of the year is joining a Wizards team that includes All-Star guards John Wall and Bradley Beal, but he is coming off a frustrating season that ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Raptors.
Frustration is nothing new to the 6-foot-11 Howard. He's gone from taking the Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals to joining six teams since leaving Orlando in 2012.
Washington and Howard agreed this month to a twoyear, $11 million contract with a player option for the 2019-20 season.
Howard, 32, became available after the Nets bought out his contract following a trade with the Hornets this offseason for a return of Timofey Mozgov's contract and a pair of second-round picks.
Howard averaged 16.6 points and 12.3 rebounds last season for Charlotte, averaging a double-double during each of his 14 NBA seasons.