Michael Scotto

The Orlando Magic have waived two-way player Ethan Thompson. He played in 31 games with Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, and averaged 18.4 points per game. Orlando now has two open two-way spots after recently signing Orlando Robinson to a two-way contract.

JUST IN: The Portland Trail Blazers and Blake Wesley have agreed to a one-year deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Wesley will now earn more money combined this season from his Wizards buyout and new deal with the Blazers. He’s repped by Aaron Mintz and Dave Spahn of CAA Sports

Dame Lillard on Joe Cronin: “Me & Joe had a great relationship the time before he became GM & while he was GM. At that time (trade), it was a hard time… Last game we played here, I went over before the game & said hi to Joe & Jody. I wanted them to know it was no hard feelings.”

Dame Lillard on returning to the Portland Trail Blazers: “I want to thank Joe (Cronin) and Chauncey (Billups) because for this to be possible we all had to be on the same page about it. Like they both said, it never felt right not being home. Through it all, I found my way back.”

Blazers coach Chauncey Billups on Dame Lillard: “I think if we’re all being honest, we obviously never wanted to see him go, and even when he did, we all wanted to see him back.” “I told him that this year he’s going to be the highest-paid assistant coach in league history.” 😂

Update: Bradley Beal has a 15 percent trade kicker in his two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, league sources told @hoopshype. Beal also has a player option, as previously reported.

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived two-way center Trey Jemison.

The Orlando Magic have signed Orlando Robinson to a two-way contract.

Just In: The Boston Celtics are hiring Drew Nicholas as Executive Director of Player Personnel, league sources told @hoopshype. Nicholas spent last season as a scout for the Brooklyn Nets. Before that, he spent the prior two years as Director of Scouting for the Denver Nuggets.

Breaking: The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to a deal with 12-time All-Star Chris Paul, league sources told @hoopshype. Paul also drew interest from the Suns, Bucks, and other teams in free agency, sources said.

As mentioned yesterday, Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin were cut candidates to monitor due to their non-guaranteed contracts with Marcus Smart expected join the Lakers. Today, both Milton and Goodwin were waived to create the financial flexibility for the Lakers to sign Smart.

The Memphis Grizzlies waived Zyon Pullin. PJ Hall and No. 48 pick Javon Small are now both on two-way contracts for the Grizzlies. Memphis has one open two-way spot remaining. x.com/MikeAScotto/st…

Update: Blake Wesley agreed to a buyout with the Wizards to allow the former Spurs first-round pick to become a free agent, sources told @hoopshype. Wesley, a strong perimeter defender, shot 37% on threes in the second half last season and expects to land in a new role elsewhere.

With Marcus Smart expected to join the Lakers after his buyout agreement is completed with the Wizards and he clears waivers, keep an eye on Shake Milton ($3 million non-guaranteed salary) and Jordan Goodwin (Only $25K of his $2.35 million salary is guaranteed) as cut candidates.

The Washington Wizards have waived Blake Wesley, league sources told @hoopshype. Wesley, the 25th pick of the 2022 NBA Draft, was acquired from the San Antonio Spurs in the Kelly Olynyk trade.

The Atlanta Hawks have signed Keaton Wallace to a two-way contract, team says. Wallace averaged 5.4 points and 2.6 assists in 16.2 minutes per game in 32 games played for the Hawks last season. In his five starts, he averaged 13.8 points, 8.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals.

Real Madrid is finalizing a deal with Chuma Okeke, sources told @hoopshype. Okeke, who drew several EuroLeague offers, was the 16th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. The 26-year-old has averaged 6.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in five NBA seasons. He finished last season with the Cavaliers

Cam Johnson on Jordi Fernandez and the Brooklyn Nets: “I have so much respect for that coaching staff in Brooklyn. I really loved playing for Jordi. I think Jordi has a tremendously bright future in this league. I think Brooklyn has a bright future. Those are my guys for sure.”

Denver Nuggets executive Ben Tenzer on Jonas Valanciunas: “We’ve had great conversations with him, and there’s been nothing but healthy conversations in terms of him honoring his contract and him excited to be a Nugget.” Tenzer added he has “no concerns” on Valanciunas for camp.

New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen had successful surgery to address a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist and will be re-evaluated in about 12 weeks. Queen suffered the injury during the Pelicans’ Summer League contest against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 15.