NBA Free Agency and Trades Tracker for 2016-17 Season: Cavaliers Waive Jones, Bucks Sign Rookies, McGee on Make-Good Deal with Warriors
August is here, and a couple of NBA teams are still completing their rosters for the upcoming 2016-17 NBA Season. Here's a look at some of the latest NBA free agency moves.
1. Cavaliers Waive Dahntay Jones
Dahntay Jones was released by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 12-year veteran Jones played only one game in the 2015-16 regular season with the Cavs. That was the finale game, where he scored 13 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 2 assists on 42 minutes of playing time.
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Jones played 15 games for the Cavaliers in the off-season, but perhaps his most memorable off-season game was in the Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. He led the team to a 5-0 run that stopped the Warriors' momentum. One crucial play Jones did was a drive to the basket followed by an and-one shot over Draymond Green.
His career averages are 5.4 points, 0.8 assist and 1.7 rebounds per game.
2. Bucks Sign Malcolm Brogdon, Thon Maker
Milwaukee Bucks officially signed rookies Thon Maker and Malcolm Brogdon.
Maker is a 7'1" power forward who is described by NBA.com Draft Prospect Analysis as "physically gifted with height and decent length, incredibly athletic and agile for a player his height."
He played 5 games in the 2016 NBA Summer League; averaged 14.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.0 block per game, and made it to the All-NBA Summer League 2nd team.
Brogdon is a 6'5" shooting guard and the 36th draft pick of the Milwaukee Bucks. He played for Virginia in college, averaging 18.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in his senior year.
Brogdon's notable achievements include 2016 ACC player of the year and ACC defensive player of the year. He is also a unanimous 2016 1st team All-American selection.
3. Willie Green New Warriors Assistant Head Coach
Head Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors hired Willie Green as an assistant head coach.
Green spent 12 seasons with the NBA. His first 7 seasons was spent with the Philadelphia 76ers. He last played in the 2014-15 season for Orlando Magic. His career averaged 8.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
Completing the coaching staff for the Wizards are Kerr, Mike Brown (top assistant), Ron Adams and Jarron Collins (ex-NBA player). The staff responsible for player development is made up of Bruce Fraser, Chris DeMarco and Willie Green.
4. McGee signs Make-Good deal with Warriors
The Warriors lost depth after they made a blockbuster NBA free agency move by signing Kevin Durant. Losing Bogut and having Zaza Pachulia, Varejao and rookie Damian Jones meant a decline in defensive prowess in the front court.
That's why the Warriors signed veteran center Javale McGee, a highly athletic big man who can help defend the basket.
Marc Stein, NBA reporter for ESPN, tweeted "The Warriors are signing veteran center Javale McGee to a make-good deal for a chance to make the team in training camp, league sources say."
That means McGee needs to do a good job in training camp to get into the Warriors roster. In particular, he needs to be a good rim protector. His career stats show he has the ability to do so, averaging 1.7 blocks per game over an 8-year NBA career.
