Tag: Keon Johnson

Report: Brooklyn Nets sign guard Keon Johnson to two-way contract

It was reported on Tuesday that the Brooklyn Nets agreed to a two-way contract with free-agent guard Keon Johnson.

The Brooklyn Nets achieved their first win of the season on Monday after they beat the Charlotte Hornets in convincing fashion despite missing two starters. While Brooklyn’s injury woes are only getting worse, it looks like they are adding more youth to the roster for evaluation purposes.

On Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the Nets agreed to a two-way deal with guard Keon Johnson. Brooklyn has one two-way spot remaining and now, they have used that open spot on Johnson.

Johnson, 21, was the 21st overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft out of Tennessee, but will be on his third team in as many seasons. He started his NBA career with the Los Angeles Clippers before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. Johnson has played in 77 games in his two seasons in the league and has averaged 4.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 37.6% from the field and 34.6% from behind the three-point line.

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NBA preseason: Former Vols’ results for Oct. 12

A look at how former Vols performed in the NBA on Oct. 12.

Three former Vols competed in NBA preseason games Thursday.

Phoenix defeated the Trail Blazers, 122-111, at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

Keon Johnson played for the Suns against his former team. He totaled seven points and one rebound in 15 minutes.

He converted 2-of-6 field goal attempts and 3-of-3 free throw attempts.

Chicago defeated Denver, 133-124 in overtime, at United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

Julian Phillips recorded eight points, two rebounds and one assist in 19 minutes for the Bulls.

He converted 2-of-4 field goal attempts, 1-of-2 three-point attempts and 3-of-4 free throw attempts.

Orlando defeated Cleveland, 108-105, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

Admiral Schofield recorded one rebound for the Magic in eight minutes.

Here is everything the Trail Blazers have received in return for Damian Lillard (so far)

This is MUCH better than what Miami reportedly offered.

After months of speculation, the Portland Trail Blazers traded Damian Lillard. In return, they have received a hefty package of players and picks.

The seven-time All-Star was sent to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team trade involving the Phoenix Suns. He was traded alongside former teammates Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson.

In return, the Trail Blazers received a package centered around Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday. Portland, however, then re-routed Holiday to the Boston Celtics and landed two helpful players (Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon) and additional draft assets.

RELATED: The fallout from the Damian Lillard trade might have the Trail Blazers in big trouble with the NBA

Portland sends:

  • Damian Lillard
  • Jusuf Nurkic (to PHX)
  • Nassir Little (to PHX)
  • Keon Johnson (to PHX)

 

Portland receives: 

  • Deandre Ayton (via Suns)
  • Robert Williams (via Celtics)
  • Malcolm Brogdon (via Celtics)
  • Toumani Camara (via Suns)
  • 2024 1st-round pick (via Warriors)
  • 2029 1st-round pick (via Bucks)
  • 2029 1st-round pick (via Celtics)
  • Two first-round pick swaps with Bucks (2028, 2030)

So that’s three first-round picks and two pick swaps as well as a former No. 1 pick (Ayton) and other valuable assets.

Meanwhile, the package could grow a bit more before it is all said and done. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Trail Blazers are expected to keep Williams to pair alongside Ayton in the frontcourt.

However, the trade package could continue to grow if Brogdon is traded to another team before the season begins at the end of the month.

All things considered, this return is obviously much better than anything the Miami Heat reportedly offered.

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All the players who could wear a No. 6 jersey in 2022-23 after the NBA’s plans to retire it to honor Bill Russell

The league recently announced plans to retire Russell’s No. 6 jersey across the league to honor the Celtics great, but some players are excepted.

The NBA and Boston Celtics plan to honor Hall of Fame big man Bill Russell for his unparalleled career in the league and his dedication to fighting for civil rights and social justice by retiring his No. 6 jersey league-wide.

The move — unprecedented in league history — honors the singular life Russell lived on and off the court. Russell was the NBA’s ultimate winner with a record 13 titles to his name as a player or player-coach. He also  achieved or was a part of many milestones, including being a part of the first all-Black starting five and the first Black head coach in league history. Through it all, he used his platform to fight for others in a time when that put his career at great risk.

The players in the league wearing No. 6 jerseys in 2021-22 will be allowed to continue to do so until they either switch to a new number or retire from the game. Let’s take a look at the players who could wear that jersey number next season.

Former Vols win NBA summer league championship

Two former Vols win the NBA summer league championship.

Portland defeated New York, 85-77, Sunday, winning the NBA summer league championship at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Two former Tennessee basketball players made contributions for the Trail Blazers.

Kyle Alexander came off the bench and played 16 minutes. He recorded 14 points, four rebounds, three blocks, one steal and one assist.

Alexander was 4-for-6 in field goal attempts, 2-for-5 in three-point attempts and 4-for-4 from the free throw line.

Keon Johnson started for Portland and played 31 minutes. He recorded two points, three rebounds, three steals and one assist.

Johnson was 1-for-6 from the floor and 0-for-4 in three-point attempts.

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Kyle Alexander, Keon Johnson to play for NBA summer league championship

Former Vols Kyle Alexander and Keon Johnson to play for NBA summer league championship.

Portland will play New York for the NBA summer league championship Sunday.

Former Vols Kyle Alexander and Keon Johnson will play in the championship game for the Trail Blazers.

Johnson is a second-year NBA player and started last season for Portland. He was acquired at the trade deadline from the Clippers.

Johnson was a two-way player, splitting time between Los Angeles and Agua Caliente, the team’s NBA G-League affiliate based in Ontario, California.

Alexander played for the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League during the 2021-22 season.

The Canadian native was a two-way player for Miami from 2019-20. He split time between Miami and the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Tip off for the championship game is slated for 3 p.m. EDT at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The contest will be televised by ESPN.

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Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. earns first double-double in loss to Portland

Jabari Smith Jr. (19/10) had his best statistical game yet, but the Rockets struggled from 3-point range in Thursday’s summer league loss to Portland, making just 7-of-38 (18.4%).

Prized rookie Jabari Smith Jr. continued his run of strong summer league play with 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Houston Rockets, but it wasn’t enough to offset a cold shooting night for the team in Thursday’s 80-72 (box score) loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in Las Vegas.

The Rockets were short-handed on offense after shutting down leading scorer Josh Christopher (right hip soreness), and it showed with just 47 points over the final three quarters of Thursday’s game, combined. Houston made just 7-of-38 shots from behind the 3-point arc (18.4%).

Smith connected on 7-of-13 shots overall (53.8%), though he was 7-of-8 on two-point shots (87.5%) and 0-of-5 on 3-pointers. Fellow rookie Tari Eason had 17 points and 7 rebounds, though he shot just 7-of-19 (36.8%). With Christopher out, the new starting backcourt of Daishen Nix and TyTy Washington combined to shoot just 6-of-19 (31.6%).

In defeating Houston (2-2), the Trail Blazers (3-1) were led by 23 points from second-year guard Keon Johnson, who shot 8-of-13 from the field (61.5%) and made 4-of-8 from 3-point range (50.0%).

We’ll have more coverage in the days ahead as the Rockets gear up for a final summer league game on Saturday night (schedule) versus the Sacramento Kings. For now, here’s a look at Thursday’s highlights and immediate reaction by players, coaches, media members, and fans.

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Trail Blazers: Chauncey Billups offers positive injury update on Keon Johnson

The Trail Blazers acquired Johnson from the Clippers on Feb. 4 in the five-player trade involving Norman Powell and Robert Covington.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups on Wednesday remained hopeful that rookie Keon Johnson can debut with the team on Thursday versus the Golden State Warriors.

The Trail Blazers acquired Johnson from the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 4 in the five-player trade involving Norman Powell and Robert Covington. However, he has yet to suit up with the team after dealing with a right ankle sprain suffered with the Clippers.

Johnson said following the trade that it would still likely be a few more weeks before he could return to play but appears to have made good progress in his recovery.

“Keon is getting close,” Billups said. “I’m hopeful that he’ll be out there tomorrow. He practiced today, looked good. Obviously, we have to see how he feels after a live practice. It is his first time in quite a while so I’m hoping he can help us tomorrow.”

Johnson, the 21st pick, played sparingly with the Clippers, averaging 3.5 points in 15 appearances. He spent much of the season in the NBA G League and averaged 15.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 16 games with the Agua Caliente Clippers.

The 19-year-old spent much of the season with the Clippers in a developmental role and it will be worth monitoring how he progresses along in a new situation. He earned praise from L.A. for his ability to pick things up so he should be able to do that again in Portland.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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NBA trade deadline 2022: Complete tracker of every deal prior to Thursday

Rookie Wire is keeping track of every trade ahead of the Thursday deadline based on the latest intel available.

With the NBA nearing the trade deadline, teams and players around the league are on high alert with several notable names linked to rumors and other speculation.

The trade last week involving the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers tipped off the festivities with other transactions now beginning to filter in. The action will certainly heat up as the 3 p.m. EST deadline on Thursday rapidly approaches.

NBA Rising Stars 2022: Full rosters revealed in draft announcement

From the likes of Ben Simmons to James Harden, there could be some notable players moved ahead of the trade deadline this year. Of course, other players are certainly on the trading block as teams look to improve their respective rosters.

Rookie Wire will keep you informed of every trade made prior to the deadline in this tracker. It will be updated with each reported move ahead of Thursday.

Keon Johnson traded to Portland

Former Vol Keon Johnson traded to Portland in a five-player deal.

NBA rookie and former Tennessee guard Keon Johnson was traded Friday as part of a five-player deal between the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland.

Johnson, Justice Winslow and Eric Bledsoe have been traded to the Trail Blazers in exchange for Robert Covington and Norman Powell.

Johnson spent one year with the Volunteers. He was a first-round selection in the 2021 NBA draft (No. 21) by New York.

Johnson was traded to the Clippers on draft night, where he was a two-way player, splitting time between Los Angeles and the NBA G-League’s Agua Caliente Clippers.

He appeared in 15 contests for Los Angeles and averaged 3.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.

Johnson was named to the SEC’s All-Freshman Team in 2021.

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