Former Golden State big man Jordan Bell is looking for a new team after being waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.
After a stellar start to his career with the Golden State Warriors, Jordan Bell is looking for a new team. The 25-year old big man has been waived by the Memphis Grizzlies, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
As a junior in college, Bell led the Oregon Ducks to a Final Four appearance and was later drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 2017 NBA draft. On draft night, the Bulls traded Bell to Golden State for $3.5 million in cash considerations.
The Grizzlies have waived former Warriors/Timberwolves forward Jordan Bell, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA@Stadium.
During the Warriors 2017-18 championship season, Bell started 13 games as a rookie, averaging 4.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 14.2 minutes per game.
Bell used his explosive athletic ability for multiple highlight-reel moments during his first season with Golden State, including an off the backboard dunk against the Dallas Mavericks.
However, he could never match his numbers following his rookie season. In the 2019 offseason, Bell signed a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, leaving Golden State.
After averaging only 8.7 minutes per contest in 27 games with the Timberwolves, Bell was moved to the Memphis Grizzlies before the 2020 NBA trade deadline for Bruno Caboclo and a 2023 second-round draft pick swap.
In Memphis, Bell linked with his former college teammate Dillon Brooks. However, the Oregon reunion didn’t last long. The Grizzlies waived Bell after two games.
With around 20 games remaining in the season, Bell will be searching for an opportunity to prove he belongs in the NBA into the future.
Previewing Sunday’s Memphis Grizzlies at Washington Wizards sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Memphis Grizzlies (26-26) travel to meet the Washington Wizards (18-32) Sunday night at 6 p.m. ET at Capital One Area. We analyze the Grizzlies-Wizards odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Grizzlies at Wizards: Key injuries
Grizzlies
PG Grayson Allen (hip) out
SF Justise Winslow (back) out
Wizards
C Thomas Bryant (foot) out
PG John Wall (Achilles) out
Grizzlies at Wizards: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.
The GRIZZLIES (-129) are a nice play on the road, as they look to replicate the success they had Dec. 14 when they topped the Wizards (+105) by a 128-111 score in Memphis. The Grizz will be in even better shape if they get newly acquired G Jordan Bell and C Gorgui Dieng in the mix.
The GRIZZLIES (-1.5, -115) are a better play laying the points, as you won’t have to pay as much juice. Memphis is 5-0 ATS in the past five games as a favorite, 6-2 ATS in the past eight games overall and 4-1 ATS in the previous five against teams with a losing record. They’re also 8-3-1 ATS in the past 12 while working on one day of rest.
For the Wizards (+1.5, -106), they’re 4-1 ATS in the past five at home, but just 3-7 ATS in the past 10 after a straight-up win and 4-9 ATS in the past 13 following a cover.
The OVER 239.5 (-106) is a super high line, but it’s worth a small-unit play. The Over is 5-0 in the past five on the road for Memphis, and 4-1 in the past five overall. The Over is 7-1 in the past eight for Washington, too, and 6-1 in the past seven as a dog.
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On this episode of The HoopsHype Podcast, Alex Kennedy is joined by Ben Golliver of the Washington Post. They break down every deal from the 2020 NBA trade deadline, the biggest winners and losers, possible buyout candidates and more. Time-stamps are below!
1:35: Alex and Ben discuss their biggest winners of the deadline.
5:12: Alex and Ben discuss their biggest losers of the deadline.
7:55: Did the Golden State Warriors make the right move trading D’Angelo Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and a top-three protected 2021 first-round pick? Alex and Ben debate whether Golden State should’ve waited to see if a better offer emerged over the offseason, what to expect from Minnesota’s new-look team and more.
13:50: Breaking down the three-team deal that sends Marcus Morris to the Los Angeles Clippers. How much better does Morris make them? And what does this deal mean for the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards?
16:05: Alex and Ben discuss Darren Collison’s options if he decides to make an NBA comeback. If you were Collison, would you sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers or another team (such as the Denver Nuggets or Philadelphia 76ers, who have shown interest in him)?
20:15: The Cleveland Cavaliers added Andre Drummond and they didn’t have to give up very much to the Detroit Pistons. Alex and Ben discuss the trade, why they like the move for Cleveland and what Detroit was thinking. They also talk about what this trade says about the evolution of the NBA.
25:10: Alex and Ben discuss the four-team, 12-player trade between the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets. They break down Atlanta’s acquisition of Clint Capela, Houston’s addition of Robert Covington and the Rockets’ decision to go super small.
32:45: The Miami Heat acquired Andre Iguodala in a three-team deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves, parting ways with Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters and James Johnson. The Heat also added Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill from the deal. Alex and Ben discuss Iguodala’s fit in Miami and the two-year, $30 million extension he signed with the Heat, as well as Memphis’ return for the 36-year-old.
37:25: Alex and Ben rattle off the remainder of minor deals that went down before the deadline and discuss their significance.
39:25: After the trade deadline, focus shifts to the buyout market. Alex and Ben talk about a number of veterans who could potentially be bought out and what kind of impact they could make on a contending team.
If youâre interested in advertising on The HoopsHype Podcast, email hoopshype@hoopshype.com for more information.
Only hours after acquiring him, the Rockets traded Jordan Bell to Memphis for forward Bruno Caboclo, known best for his 7-foot-7 wingspan.
Late Wednesday night, the Houston Rockets formally acquired big man Jordan Bell from Minnesota as part of the massive four-team trade that landed defensive ace Robert Covington.
By Thursday morning, Bell already had a new destination.
In news broken by ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets traded Bell to Memphis for 24-year-old forward Bruno Caboclo. The deal also includes a pick-swap right on 2023 second-round selections.
Caboclo has played only sparingly for Memphis this season at 8.7 minutes per game over 22 outings. But in 2018-19, the athletic, lanky forward was a valued contributor with averages of 8.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game, all while shooting 36.9% on 3-pointers.
Memphis has the right to swap the least favorable of Dallas' and Miami's second-round picks in 2023 for Houston's second-round pick in 2023 — as long as Houston's pick is not 31 or 32, league source tell ESPN. https://t.co/YShcTchY0a
Caboclo is 6-foot-9 and 218 pounds, but his wingspan is extremely long at 7-foot-7 â which is likely a big part of his appeal to the Rockets. Like Covington, he’s another versatile option that head coach Mike D’Antoni could utilize to improve his team’s perimeter defense.
Through the 2019-20 season’s first 50 games, the Rockets (32-18) rank No. 3 in the NBA in offensive rating, but No. 15 on defense.
According to Alykhan Bijani of The Athletic, the Rockets and GM Daryl Morey had targeted Caboclo for several weeks.
On January 17th it was announced that Bruno Caboclo would miss four to six weeks due to a bone bruise in his left knee. We're almost three weeks into his recovery. #Rockets
At the moment, Caboclo is not available to play due to a bone bruise in his left knee. However, as Bijani notes, he could return within approximately one to three weeks, based on the original timetable.
Thursday’s NBA trade deadline arrives at 2 p.m. Central time in Houston, and Morey might not be done. According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets are still in talks regarding further deals, including possibly adding a center to help replace Clint Capela.
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Rockets working phones to fill open roster spot(s) if they think a player can get minutes, regardless of position. That includes, but not limited to landing a center, source said.
The Los Angeles Lakers will get the first look at a brand-new Houston Rockets team that is going all-in on small ball.
With only minutes to go before the expiration of the NBA trade deadline, the focus will soon shift back to the NBA schedule and tonight’s games. The Los Angeles Lakers, who could still make a move between now and the deadline, will welcome one of the teams that made a major change before the deadline in the Houston Rockets.
Earlier this week, the Houston Rockets traded long-time center Clint Capela in a four-team deal that landed Minnesota’s Robert Covington with the Rockets. According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, Covington is expected to be uniform tonight for the Rockets. The other player they acquired in the trade, Jordan Bell, has been traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
By getting rid of Capela and Bell, the Rockets identity is as clear as can be. They will lean further into the concept of small ball, relying heavily on PJ Tucker at center, due to Russell Westbrook’s inability to shoot well from the outside. This also puts more of an onus on Westbrook, Harden, Tucker, and everyone to be a cohesive rebounding unit.
That thin and small frontcourt will be put to the test tonight by the most bruising team in the league in Los Angeles. They’re physical, bigger and more skilled than every frontcourt. It will be interesting to see if Daryl Morey’s gamble on 3-point shooting outweighing the importance of rebounding works out for Houston tonight.
Robert Covington and Jordan Bell are now officially members of the Rockets, who weren’t able to expand the original trade agreement.
The Houston Rockets on Wednesday night formally announced the acquisitions of forward Robert Covington and big man Jordan Bell from Minnesota, along with a future second-round pick.
As part of a complex four-team, 12-player trade, the Rockets are sending centers Clint Capela and Nene to Atlanta, along with guard Gerald Green and their first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft to Denver.
Because Covington and Bell make several million dollars less in combined salary than Capela, Nene, and Green, there were reports in the hours after the verbal agreement that the Rockets hoped to expand the deal even more, since the NBAâs salary cap rules allow above-the-cap teams to take back 125% of their outgoing salary in a trade.
Reports had indicated that Houston wanted to land both a wing defender (Covington) and a proven big man to help replace Capela’s rebounding and rim protection, and a larger trade could have allowed GM Daryl Morey to absorb a contract from another team to fit that second need.
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But with the 2019-20 trade deadline just hours away at 2 p.m. Central time on Thursday afternoon, the Rockets apparently were unable to make such an expansion work out. They will receive multiple trade exceptions, which could help to facilitate a later acquisition.
Won't be any additions, changes to the Rockets-Hawks-Wolves-Nuggets deal, source said. They'll stop at 12 players.
The Rockets could also theoretically turn to the upcoming buyout market, which should get going shortly after the deadline with veterans who aren’t traded, to secure their desired center.
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One small benefit to the trade not being expanded is that it allowed the NBA to process it more quickly, while also facilitating a faster medical review process for the teams and players involved.
Based on that, it appears Covington and Bell could be available to play for the Rockets in the team’s next game on Thursday. That possibility seemed very unlikely earlier Wednesday when there was talk of a trade expansion, which could have dragged talks into the next day.
With deal done, Robert Covington and Jordan Bell expected to be with Rockets and available to play tomorrow, source said.
In the official trade announcement, here’s how the Rockets characterized their acquisition of the 29-year-old Covington:
For his career, Covington has appeared in 374 games with 327 starts while averaging 12.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 2.3 3-pointers made in 29.8 minutes per game. He is also shooting 81.2% from the foul line for his career.
Dating back to 2014-15, Covington joins James Harden and Paul George as the only players to have averaged at least 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.50 steals, and 2.0 3-pointers made. Over that same span, Covington, Harden and Andre Drummond are the only players with at least 4,500 points, 2,000 rebounds, 500 assists, 600 steals, and 300 blocks.
đ˘đđđđđđđ: The Rockets have acquired forwards Robert Covington & Jordan Bell from Minnesota as part of a four-team trade also involving Atlanta & Denver. Houston will also receive Golden Stateâs 2024 second round pick from the Hawks.
Meanwhile, here’s what the announcement said about the 6-foot-9 Bell, who might fill some of Capela’s minutes inside:
Per 36 minutes played for his career, the 25-year-old Bell is averaging 11.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.3 blocks. In 16 career starts, Bell has averaged 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 22.1 minutes while shooting 62.7% from the floor and 80.0% from the line.
Bell was a member of Golden Stateâs championship team in 2017-18 and averaged 13.8 minutes played against Cleveland in the NBA Finals while shooting 71.4% from the floor. Per 36 minutes played in 32 career playoff games, Bell has averaged 10.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.1 blocks.
The trade deadline arrives at 2 p.m. Central time Thursday, with buyout talks likely to begin around the league shortly thereafter.
Covington and Bell will then presumably make their Rockets’ debuts in Thursday night’s road game in Los Angeles against the Lakers, which tips off at 9:30 p.m. Central. It will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
Best known for his defense, 6-foot-7 forward Robert Covington is on his way to Houston in a trade sending center Clint Capela to Atlanta.
In news that broke late Tuesday night, the Houston Rockets agreed to acquire forward Robert Covington and reserve big man Jordan Bell from the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with a second-round draft pick.
As part of a four-way trade, the Rockets are sending starting center Clint Capela to Atlanta and their 2020 first-round draft pick to Denver, along with injured reserves Gerald Green (to Denver) and Nene (to Atlanta).
The complex deal was agreed to over a day before the NBA’s trade deadline for the 2019-20 season, which is at 2 p.m. Central time on Thursday. It’s certainly feasible that Houston could make another move by that time, since the Rockets now have two open roster spots.
The Rockets, Hawks, Timberwolves and Nuggets have agreed to a multi-player trade that includes Clint Capela and Robert Covington, among other players, and draft picks, sources told @wojespn. https://t.co/2R2J7Ig8DW
Best known for his defense, Covington is averaging 12.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 29.4 minutes per game this season. The lanky 6-foot-7 forward, who is shooting 43.5% from the field and 34.6% on 3-pointers, offers the defensive versatility to guard several positions.
The 29-year-old is signed through the 2021-22 season at an average salary of approximately $12 million. Per several reports, Covington has been a trade target of the Rockets for months.
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The Rockets selected Capela in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft. Now in his sixth season â all with the Rockets â the 25-year-old is averaging 13.9 points (62.9% shooting) and 13.8 rebounds per game, with that rebounding total ranking fourth in the league.
Despite the gaudy individual numbers, though, the Rockets are 10-1 (.909) in games that Capela has not played in the 2019-20 season due to injury or illness. Specifically, the Rockets have had a far superior rating on offense when not utilizing a traditional center.
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That seems to have prompted GM Daryl Morey to reallocate his team’s salary resources, with Capela’s slot of more than $16 million going to a more versatile forward in Covington and a cheaper center.
To that end, the Rockets had reportedly sought to bring in both a wing player and a replacement center for Capela as part of their planned transactions leading up to Thursday’s trade deadline. Since they are not acquiring a proven center in this deal, it could signal that another trade or an eventual buyout signing is in the works for that purpose.
Sources: Despite the recent additions via trade, the #Rockets are not done yet making moves and will continue to be active before the trade deadline as they search for a center.
The Rockets (32-18) have won six of their last eight games overall, with the last four wins without Capela. They’re in the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference playoff race and just a half-game back of No. 4 Utah (32-17).
But with a stated mission of winning the 2020 NBA title, their sights are much higher than their current standings placement. Morey’s hope is that the acquisition of Covington can move them closer to that ultimate goal.
Lack of three-point shooting hurts the Warriors in their attempt to steal a win in the first game of 2020 in Minnesota.
2020 started much how 2019 ended for the Golden State Warriorsâ a loss with a limited bench. For the second straight game, the Warriors were without D’Angelo Russell (shoulder), Willie Cauley-Stein (illness), Kevon Looney (abdomen) and it showed.
The Warriors have battled with Minnesota in their first two meetings, in the final matchup of the season, it was a different story. The Timberwolves dominated the shorthanded Dubs to start their 2020 with a lopsided loss, 99-84.
The Timberwolves have struggled from three-point range this season, yet they were able to outshoot Golden State from downtown by a wide margin. Minnesota shot 13-43 from three, while the Warriors only made three total three-pointers on 20 attempts.
Similar to beyond the arc, Minnesota dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Warriors 52-43. Minnesota especially hurt the Warriors on the offensive glass, stealing 17 offensive boards to Golden State’s seven.
The Warriors will have another chance to grab their first win of 2020 over the weekend when the Detroit Pistons travel to Chase Center for the first time.
Slow out of the gateÂ
The Warriors started the game on a downwards trajectory, getting outscored 34-19 in the first period of the game. Two Timberwolves, Josh Okogie and Shabazz Napier almost combined to outscore the entire Warriors roster in the first quarter. At the same time, Golden State’s leading scorer, Alec Burks, only registered five points.
The Warriors couldn’t stop the Timberwolves scoring in the first quarter with Minnesota shooting 50 percent from the field on 13-of-26 shooting while adding four three-pointers, more than Golden State had all game.
Omari Spellman shakes the earthÂ
While it was a sloppy game overall for the Golden State Warriors, Omari Spellman provided one of the highlights of the season in the fourth quarter.
The Villanova product caught the ball at the three-point line and used a shot fake to drive the lane then slammed down a vicious one-handed dunk over former Warrior, Jordan Bell.
Bell fouled Spellman trying to go for a block, giving the Warriors the chance to cut the Timberwolves lead down to single digits. Golden State couldn’t complete the comeback, but Spellman’s dunk provided a moment that will get shown on repeat on sports highlight shows across the country.
Alen Smailagic played in his fourth straight NBA game registering 16 minutes against the Timberwolves. Smailagic had seven points, three rebounds, a steal and an assist, registering a team-high plus nine in Minnesota.
Each time the 19-year old Serbian is on the floor, he flashes a new skill, with tonight being his passing ability. Smailagic drove into the lane and found a rolling Eric Paschall for an easy dunk.
Elfrid Payton was whistled for a delay of game penalty for having an untucked jersey in the Knicks game against Denver.
Turns out, Chris Paul isnât the only one refs âgotâ for not tucking in a jersey.
During New Yorkâs game against the Nuggets on Sunday night, Knicks guard Elfrid Payton was whistled for a delay of game for tucking in his jersey as he was entering the game.
When the whistle blew, Payton looked at the ref with his hands in the air.
The courtside mics picked up the ref telling Payton, âyâall thank Chris Paul for thatâ.
"You can thank Chris Paul"
The ref told Elfrid Payton to thank CP3 for getting a delay of game for having an untucked jersey đ pic.twitter.com/VD0bzxnlbw
Paul has raised the level of scrutiny on proper attire for players when entering a game since he called out Jordan Bell for coming into the Thunderâs game against Minnesota with an untucked jersey back on December 7.
Following the Jordan Bell jersey incident, Paul was whistled for two delay of game violations in OKCâs next game. Paul said of those calls that the refs “got him back” and were “trying to make a point”.
The NBAÂ rules clearly state that players should have their uniforms tucked in when entering the game. “If his shirt is untucked when he is beckoned into the game by the official, a delay of game violation shall be assessed”.
Two days after a delay-of-game violation and technical foul helped OKC beat Minnesota, Paul was assessed delay-of-games against Portland.
Turns out the delay-of-game violations go both ways.
Two days after Paul helped get a delay-of-game violation and technical foul assessed against the Timberwolves, a move that ultimately led to an Oklahoma City win in overtime, on Monday night against the Trail Blazers, Paul and OKC were both delay-of-game violations and a technical foul.
Referee Brian Forte whistled the Thunder for both delay-of-game violations. The first came in the first quarter with 53 seconds left — a violation Thunder coach Billy Donovan is still unclear about — while the second violation came with 2:31 left in the second quarter resulting in a technical foul.
When the second violation was assessed, the microphones picked up Paul, who was obviously unhappy with the call.
“You’re trying to prove a point,” Paul said. “You’re going to be on SportsCenter tonight, good job! You’re going to be on SportsCenter tonight.”
"He's trying to prove a point. You're going to be on SportsCenter tonight, good job."
Chris Paul was not happy with the ref after a delay of game call on the Thunder. pic.twitter.com/OPZpHeOyeK
According to Friedell, Billy Donovan said after the game that he didnât see the violations.
“The first one I’m not really sure about,” Donovan said. “The second one, the explanation was they stepped on the floor with their sweats on. I didn’t see it. … As they were stepping on the court they were taking their sweats off. That’s what was said, but I’m going to see. I don’t want to say yes or no, I just want to see. Because I hadn’t had a chance really to see it.
Meanwhile, Paul told reporters after the game that âhe got me backâ.
âTwo delay of games, on me? They both was on me, wasnât it? That was good. He got me, he got me back.â
Chris Paul on the Thunderâs two delay of game violations: âHe got me back.â pic.twitter.com/lomTAyZH5F
When asked if it was in response to the situation with Jordan Bell on Friday night, Paul responded, âwhat you think?â
The 34-year-old veteran did say that he learned something from the whole ordeal: that you canât have your shooting shirt and your pants on when youâre checking in.
âI learned something new,â Paul said. âBut we won, so Iâm good.â.
