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Lakers’ Russell Westbrook keeps making the NBA history books with new personal scoring record – Basketball Insiders

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8 months ago

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Two of the most prolific basketball players of the past decade keep making a name for themselves in the NBA history books, as this week Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook both carved new personal scoring records to enter an elite group of basketball hall-of-famers.

On this past Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers player became the 28th highest scorer in NBA records as he dropped over 24,000 points throughout his career. The only unfortunate thing was the record came after they lost for the tenth consecutive time against their city rivals, the Clippers.

The veteran point guard finished his night with 17 points, one rebound, five assists and two steals in 25 minutes of playing time.

The 2017 MVP’s role has changed a lot ever since he became a Los Angeles resident, as he isn’t dedicated as much to offensive responsabilities as he used to. That’s why this is a more than impressive milestone for his already remarkable resume.

He has played in 46 games (43 off the bench) and has averages of 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.0 steals per contest. As he has been a starter all throughout his career, many former players and coaches have praised him this season for embracing the bench role.

Former Pelicans trainer, Stan Van Gundy had much to say about it. “What’s impressed me the most is that he’s really tried to focus on being more of a playmaker, to get in the paint and make plays for other people,” he said. “I don’t see him pouting about coming off the bench. He’s not making passive-aggressive comments in the media. I see acceptance from a guy who’s trying to make it work.”

According to some of our favorite sport betting sites, Westbrook is the favorite to win the 2023 6th Man of The Year Award (-175).

This comes as no surprise, as the Lakers man has already broken many records coming in as a substitute in recent matches. For example, just last week he made more scoring history, as he became the first player to make multiple triple-doubles coming off the bench with the Los Angeles side.

Los Angeles are enduring a hard spell this season as they have struggled to find their best version to compete for playoff qualification. However, they recently recovered their star Anthony Davis after a 20-game-absence due to injury. And even better, the Lakers latest signing Rui Hachimura already played for his new club with a 12-point debut last night against the San Antonio Spurs.

Curry enters the Top 40 all-time NBA scorers

Just as Westbrook did this week, last night it was time to shine for Stephen Curry, as the player flew past the 21,000-point-record to become the 40th highest scorer in NBA history.

The 34-year-old achieved his record after a tight clash against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Golden State star was even ejected before he was able to score 34 points for his team to squeeze in the 122-120 victory, as Jordan Poole made the final game-winning shot.

In 33 games played for the 2022-23 season, Curry is averaging 29.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and  6.2 assists per game.





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Celtics sign forward Lamar Stevens to a partially guaranteed deal

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3 hours ago

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September 23, 2023

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The Boston Celtics have signed forward Lamar Stevens to a partially guaranteed deal, per sources. Stevens, 26, is expected to compete for a roster spot during training camp.

The 6-foot-6 forward went undrafted out of Penn State in 2020. Stevens spent his first three NBA seasons (2020-23) with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a two-way contract and a regular deal.

Per multiple NBA betting sites, the Boston Celtics are tied with the Denver Nuggets as favorites to win next season’s championship in 2024. Sportsbooks are still showing great odds for the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat.

The Pennsylvania native made 13 starts in 63 appearances with the Cavaliers in the 2021-22 season. During his sophomore season, Lamar Stevens averaged a career-high 6.1 points, along with 2.6 rebounds, and 16.1 minutes per game.

In addition to shooting a career-best 48.9% from the floor in 2021-22, the forward scored a career-high 23 points in Cleveland’s 111-91 win over the Utah Jazz on Jan. 12, 2022. He finished 10-of-15 (66.7%) shooting from the field.

Boston Celtics sign former Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lamar Stevens to a partially guaranteed deal; Stevens was waived after being traded to the San Antonio Spurs

The undrafted forward then made 25 starts in 62 appearances with Cleveland in the 2022-23 season. He averaged 5.3 points and career highs of 3.3 rebounds and 18.1 minutes per game.

Stevens also shot 44.8% from the floor, a career-best 31.6% beyond the arc, and 70.2% at the foul line. In the Cavaliers’ 105-90 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 14, 2022, the wing recorded season highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes as a starter.

As part of a three-team trade this past July, the Cavaliers traded Stevens, Cedi Osman, and a 2030 second-round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs and sent their 2026 second-rounder to the Heat.

In exchange, Cleveland received Max Strus from the Heat. The Spurs waived Stevens on July 17. Stevens would have entered the final season of the four-year, $5.88 million contract he signed with the Cavs in April 2021.

At the moment, the Boston Celtics have 11 players signed to fully guaranteed contracts. Svi Myhailiuk, Dalano Banton, and Luke Kornet inked non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed minimum-salary deals.

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Pelicans sign forward Kaiser Gates to a two-way contract

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4 hours ago

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September 23, 2023

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The New Orleans Pelicans have signed free agent forward Kaiser Gates to a two-way contract, according to reports. Gates, 26, went undrafted out of Xavier University in 2018.

In September 2018, the 6-foot-7 wing signed a training camp contract with the Chicago Bulls. However, he was waived a month later without appearing in an NBA game.

With the Windy City Bulls, Chicago’s NBA G League affiliate, Gates averaged 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per contest in 50 appearances. Plus, he shot 41% from the field.

Per a few NBA betting sites, the New Orleans Pelicans hold 15th-ranked odds to win next season’s 2024 championship. Sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Sacramento Kings.

As a matter of fact, the Georgia native finished fourth in the G League in 3-pointers (137), fifth in 3-point attempts (365), and eighth in defensive rebounds (270). Gates then signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics on Sept. 30, 2019.

Nonetheless, he was waived a month later in October without making his first NBA appearance.

In the 2019 G League Draft, Gates’ returning rights were traded to the Maine Red Claws (now Celtics) for the No. 4 overall pick. In 36 starts with the Red Claws in the 2019-20 season, Gates averaged 12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.

New Orleans Pelicans sign forward Kaiser Gates to a two-way contract; the Xavier product is set to join two-way guard Dereon Seabron

Additionally, in 12 games played with the Long Island Nets during the 2020-21 season, the forward averaged 9.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest.

On Dec. 17, 2020, he was waived a day after signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Brooklyn Nets.

Moreover, Gates signed with Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. of the Israeli Basketball Premier League for the 2021-22 season.

Last November, the forward was named to the opening night roster for the Long Island Nets. The Xavier product made 13 starts in 24 appearances, averaging a career-high 14 points per game.

Along with logging 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 23.4 minutes per contest, he shot career bests of 53.4% from the floor and 55.4% beyond the arc. Not to mention, he averaged 70.4% shooting at the foul line.

Furthermore, Kaiser Gates is now set to join guard Dereon Seabron as the Pelicans two-way players. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, each NBA team can sign a maximum of three two-way players.

An Exhibit 10 contract can be converted into a two-way deal before the regular season begins.

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Pacers sign former NBA champion Jordan Bell to an Exhibit 10 deal

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5 hours ago

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September 23, 2023

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The Indiana Pacers are signing free agent center Jordan Bell to an Exhibit 10 contract, per sources. Bell, 28, was selected 38th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2017 NBA Draft out of the University of Oregon.

The 6-foot-8 center was immediately traded to the Golden State Warriors for $3.5 million cash. Bell spent his first two NBA seasons (2017-19) with the Warriors. The former Duck’s rookie 2017-18 season was his best season.

Bell made 13 starts in 57 games played with the Warriors. He averaged career highs of 4.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 14.2 minutes per game. Plus, he shot career bests of 62.7% from the floor and 68.2% at the foul line.

Referring to a few NBA betting sites, the Indiana Pacers hold 26th-ranked odds to win next season’s 2024 championship. Sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls.

In Golden State’s 113-106 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 22, 2017, the center recorded a career-high 20 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 25 minutes as a starter.

Furthermore, Bell made 17 appearances off the bench for the Warriors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs. As a reserve, he averaged 2.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 10.2 minutes per game while shooting 53.1% from the field.

During Game 2 of the 2019 Western Conference Finals, the center posted a playoff career-high 11 points, in the Warriors’ 114-111 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.

In July 2019, he signed a multi-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Indiana Pacers sign former Golden State Warriors center and 2018 NBA champion Jordan Bell to an Exhibit 10 contract; all three of Indiana’s two-way spots are occupied

However, after 27 games off the bench with Minnesota in the 2019-20 season, the Wolves traded Jordan Bell to the Houston Rockets. He was then dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies. Of course, Memphis waived him in March 2020.

Although Bell signed a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he never made an appearance. In November 2020, the Cavs traded him to the Lakers, and L.A. waived the center a couple of days later.

In December that year, the California native inked an Exhibit 10 contract with the Washington Wizards. He was waived after a day and went on to sign a pair of 10-day contracts. Bell never joined Washington’s G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go.

In May 2021, Bell re-joined the Warriors on a two-way contract. Nonetheless, the center only appeared in one NBA game in the 2021-22 season before he was waived by Golden State.

While Bell was reacquired by the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s G League affiliate, on Jan. 9, 2022, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers’ G League team, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, three weeks later.

Last season, the Oregon product played for the Guangzhou Loong Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). In 40 games with the Lions, the former NBA champ averaged 10.8 points, 9.1 boards, 3.5 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.9 blocks, and 24.6 minutes.

An Exhibit 10 contract can still be converted into a two-way deal before the regular season begins. But the Indiana Pacers have already filled their three two-way spots with forwards Kendall Brown and Oscar Tschiebwe and guard Isaiah Wong.

Bell will likely spend time with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the 2023-24 season.

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