G League Ignite will again host an international series
LAS VEGAS — Building off the success of last year's games involving Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson, the G League is bringing more international talent into Las Vegas this fall.
The G League Fall Invitational will be held Sept. 6 and Sept. 8, pitting the G League Ignite against the Perth Wildcats. Just like last year's games between the Ignite and Boulogne-levallois — Henderson's team from this past season against Wembanyama's French team from this past season — the matchups will showcase at least three projected firstround picks in the 2024 NBA draft.
“The international presence within the G League grows stronger each year, and with these preseason games against a storied and successful program in the Perth Wildcats, we're excited to continue to showcase some of the best young prospects and top talent from around the globe,” G League President Shareef Abdur-rahim said. “If last year's games are any indication, this will be another competitive and electrifying preseason.”
Wembanyama and Henderson went head-tohead twice last October in Henderson, Nev., the Las Vegas suburb where the Ignite play their home games. Wembanyama became the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft by San Antonio; Henderson went No. 3 in the draft to the Portland Trail Blazers. Those games last fall brought scouts from all 30 NBA teams, plus generated global media attention.
Ignite has produced 10 NBA draft picks in the past three seasons, the most of any team, including four top-10 selections with more likely coming. Lottery hopefuls and Mcdonald's Allamericans Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland are on the Ignite roster for this coming season.
Another likely firstround pick in the 2024 draft is Perth standout Alexandre Sarr — whose brother is Oklahoma City's Olivier Sarr.
Holiday reaches deal with Rockets
The Rockets on Thursday reached agreement with free-agent guard Aaron Holiday months after they acquired and released his brother Justin Holiday in February, a person with knowledge of the deal said.
Aaron Holiday could provide backcourt depth as a solid shooter and defender, largely at the point at 6-0 but with skills and strength defensively to play off the ball.
He had been with the Hawks with Justin, the second time two of the three Holiday brothers had been NBA teammates while Jrue Holiday became an All-star with the 76ers and Bucks. The Rockets acquired Justin Holiday at the trade deadline but agreed to release him to allow him to join a playoff contender. He signed with the Mavericks who did not reach the play-in games with Holiday unable to carve out a consistent role.
Chosen by the Indiana Pacers with the 23rd pick of the 2918 NBA draft out of UCLA, Holiday, 26, has averaged 6.6 points and 2.2 assists in 17.2 minutes in his five NBA seasons.
He has made 37.7 percent of his 3s, allowing him to fit into the Rockets' determination to acquire players that can be strong defensive players that shoot well with range.
Haliburton signs 5-year max deal
The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they had agreed with All-star guard Tyrese Haliburton on a five-year max contract that could pay a franchise record $260 million.
Haliburton's new deal keeps him with Indiana through 2028-29. He's been considered the centerpiece of Indiana's rebuild after he was acquired in a trade with Sacramento before the 2021-22 trade deadline.
Since joining the Pacers, Haliburton has averaged 19.7 points, 10.2 assists and 1.7 steals in 82 games. Last season, he scored a career-high 20.7 points and averaged a league best 10.4 assists but did not qualify for the statistical crown because he needed to play in two more games to meet the NBA'S eligibility standard of 58.