NBA Player News

Okongwu signed a four-year, $62 million contract extension with Atlanta on Monday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Okongwu had a career-best year last season, averaging 9.9 points and 7.2 rebounds in 23.1 minutes per game over 80 appearances. The 22-year-old also displayed some floor-spacing abilities during the preseason this year, going 5-for-13 from beyond the arc after minimal work from long distance over his first three seasons in the league. He'll likely begin the 2023-24 campaign as a bench player while Clint Capela starts at center, but Okongwu should still have plenty of opportunities to contribute.

Badji was waived by the Trail Blazers on Monday, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.

Badji joined the Trail Blazers on a two-way contract last November but didn't make his NBA debut and underwent season-ending knee surgery in early March. While he returned to full health during the offseason, he was unable to make the team's final roster and will be let go after Portland signed Duop Reath to a two-way deal Monday.

Reath signed a two-way contract with the Trail Blazers on Monday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Reath was let go by Portland on Saturday but will quickly rejoin the team on a deal that will allow him to easily move between the G League and parent club. He hasn't yet appeared in a regular-season game in the NBA but could have a chance to carve out some minutes for the rebuilding Trail Blazers this year.

Gibson was waived by the Wizards on Monday, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.

Gibson's production declined during his first year in Washington last season, as he averaged 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game over 49 appearances. The 38-year-old was unable to make the Wizards' final roster this year and will now have to seek out other opportunities for the 2023-24 campaign.

Harrell (knee) was waived by the 76ers on Monday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Harrell sustained a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee in early August and underwent surgery later that month. While he was unable to make Philadelphia's final roster this season, he's aiming to return to the court sometime after the All-Star break, so it's possible he will contribute for a team late this year.

Allen (ankle) did not practice on Monday, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reports.

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he was unsure if Allen would be able to practice Tuesday, and that's notable because he wants his center to get in a practice before clearing him to play. More information on Allen's status for Wednesday's season opener at Brooklyn should arrive after Tuesday's practice. If Allen is unable to play, Evan Mobley shift to center, allowing payers like Georges Niang and Dean Wade to see more time at power forward.

Butler agreed to a two-way contract with the Wizards on Monday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

After getting cut loose by Portland following the conclusion of the preseason, Butler quickly caught on with another organization on a two-way pact. The seven-foot, 190-pound Butler was a two-way player with the Trail Blazers throughout the 2022-23 campaign, but he appeared in just 19 games at the NBA level, averaging 2.4 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 11.6 minutes per contest. The 20-year-old isn't projected to open the season as a member of Washington's rotation, but he should have a better chance at carving out a role in a Wizards frontcourt that's lacking in quality depth behind frontcourt starters Kyle Kuzma and Daniel Gafford.

Clarke (Achilles) has no timeline for return after suffering a torn Achilles in March, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Clarke underwent a secondary procedure on his Achilles in the offseason, but updates on his recovery have been scarce. The 27-year-old's absence is exasperated by news of Steven Adams' season-ending knee surgery. Xavier Tillman, Santi Aldama and potentially David Roddy will be heavily relied upon in the frontcourt.

Collins signed a two-year, $35 million extension with San Antonio on Sunday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Collins locks up a payday through the 2025-26 season. San Antonio is seemingly confident in Collins' frontcourt chemistry with Victor Wembanyama, and his connectivity was on display as he racked up 19 assists across four preseason games. He also profiles as a physical enforcer and leader on a young Spurs squad. The 25-year-old averaged 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 51.8 percent from the field with a career-high workload last season.

The Grizzlies announced Sunday that Adams will undergo season-ending surgery to address instability in his right knee. He's expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Adams was diagnosed with a PCL sprain in the knee last January, and despite gaining clearance to start training camp, he didn't respond as well as hoped to non-surgical treatment and will be forced to go under the knife. The loss of Adams is a brutal blow to Memphis' frontcourt, which is also slated to be without Brandon Clarke (Achilles) for most of 2023-24. As a result, Xavier Tillman and Santi Aldama are both expected to be thrust into increased roles for the playoff-hopeful Grizzlies. It's not immediately clear which of the two players will settle into a starting role alongside Jaren Jackson, or if Memphis will go in a different direction.