By R.L. Bynum
NBA camps opened this week with Harrison Barnes returning to Sacramento — where there are heightened expectations — Danny Green back at Philadelphia, Cameron Johnson injured, Cole Anthony talking about Orlando’s “path to greatness,” and Nassir Little and Reggie Bullock settling in with new teams.
There are 11 UNC alums on NBA rosters, but only Barnes, Green, Johnson, Bullock and Leaky Black played more than one season for the Tar Heels.
Barnes re-signed in July with Sacramento for three years and $54 million after helping the Kings earn their first playoff berth since 2006. The Kings finished third in the Western Conference (48–34). But after losing a seven-game first-round series to Golden State, the Kings hope to take another step this season.
“For us, it’s validating our new standard. We had a great season last year, and we want to do it again this year,” Barnes said at media day on Monday. “There’s been a lot of change. It’s a very thin line in terms of where things could have gone on this journey, in order to come back. So, I’m excited to be back to continue to build with these guys — to keep making more memories.”
Green, 36, returns to the Sixers, who traded him to Houston on Feb. 9. The Rockets waived him three days later, and he finished the season with Cleveland.
Green will likely come off the bench in his 15th NBA season, playing behind Tobias Harris and Kelly Oubre Jr. Green could get more playing time if James Harden doesn’t work out a deal with the Sixers.
Johnson, a reserve on the United States team last summer at the FIBA World Cup, suffered a mild left hamstring injury during an on-court workout last week. He was out as the Brooklyn Nets opened training camp, but it shouldn’t be an issue by the time the season starts.
Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said he’ll play Day’Ron Sharpe more this season to help a team that didn’t rebound well last season.
“I’ve been putting the work in the last two years,” said Sharpe, whose rookie contract expires at the end of the 2025–26 season. “It’s showing that they’ve seen that, and I’ve been trying to be more professional this year. At the end of the day, everybody knows I get boards. That’s what I do.”
Anthony and the young Orlando team hope they are ready to turn their fortunes around after finishing 13th in the 15-team Eastern Conference last season at 34–48.
“I’m super-excited, and we’ve got a really talented, really eager group ready to go,” Anthony said. “Everybody’s got to take accountability. That’s the first step to being great.”
Nagging injuries have marked Anthony’s first three NBA seasons, limiting him to 47 games in his rookie season, 65 two seasons ago and 60 last season. He’s worked on his game in the offseason, particularly off-the-ball skills, and done what he can to avoid physical issues this season.
“I think the biggest thing I worked on this summer was to change my diet,” Anthony said at media day on Monday. “Did a complete 180 in terms of my diet — got a personal chef now. I don’t want to have more ticky-tack injuries, ankle sprains, stuff like that. I don’t want to deal with any of that. I want to play 82 games and have fun doing it.”
He’s only under contract through the end of the upcoming season and could become a restricted free agent next summer.
“I’m not worried about that,” Anthony said. “I’m just worried about getting ready for training camp.”
Little said his first reaction when he learned that Portland was trading him to Phoenix was “damn!” He was in the middle of a workout when he got the news.
The Blazers dealt Little to Phoenix on Sept. 27 as part of a three-team deal that sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee. Little likely will compete for playing time off the bench to relieve Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, playing some at the 3 spot.
Bullock is reportedly headed to Houston after the San Antonio Spurs bought out his contract on Saturday. Get more details on his situation in this earlier Tar Heel Tribune story.
Coby White is back for his third NBA season and so is his big hair after agreeing on a three-year, $36-million deal in the offseason.
“This season, I think I’m going to try to go back to my high school roots,” White said of his hair. “That’s the vibe I’m on. That’s the wave I’m on. That could change tomorrow. I’m just going with the flow right now.”
White, who will play both guard spots off the bench, told NBC Sports Chicago that he worked in the offseason to improve overall, particularly shooting off the dribble.
“I just want to grow and continue to get better,” White said. “The biggest thing is to just be more consistent, play the same way day in and day out. Obviously, you’re going to have bad nights here and there. Try to eliminate all the bad nights, especially the consecutive bad nights.”
Shot-blocking sensation Walker Kessler will likely start at center for the Utah Jazz ahead of Kelly Olynyk. Kessler, Johnson’s teammate on the U.S. World Cup team, has bulked up to 255 pounds, about 15 more than at the end of last season.
“Really hitting the ground running,” said Kessler, who got most of his 40 starts during the second half of the season. “Learning how to play a consistent game and show up every night. I think that will be a big learning point for me.”
Two rookies — Charlotte’s Leaky Black and Cleveland’s Pete Nance — will play reserve roles and likely play their share of games in the G League.
Theo Pinson recorded a triple-double for the Dallas Mavericks against the San Antonio Spurs with 23 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists on the final day of last season. But his one-year contract ran out, and he hasn’t yet signed with another team.
After starting last season with the Boston Celtics, Justin Jackson finished the season with the Texas Legends in his fourth stint with the G League team. Boston dealt Jackson to Oklahoma City on Feb. 9 and the Thunder waived him the next day. Jackson still hasn’t signed with a team.
Tony Bradley, who Chicago released Feb. 21, has still not signed with a team.
Wayne Ellington returns to the Miami Heat this season but as a developmental coach. One of the best 3-point shooters in franchise history, he replaced Anthony Carter, who joined the Memphis Grizzlies’ coaching staff.
Ellington, 35, who last played with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2021–22 season, scored 227 3-pointers in the 2017–18 season, a franchise record at the time that has since been broken.
Where Tar Heels stand as training camps start
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
Age 23 | 6–3, 185 | fourth NBA season | $5,539,771 salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
113–88 Sunday win vs. Milwaukee — 17 minutes, 13 points, 5–9 FG, 1–3 3PFG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover 3 fouls, +13
Season statistics — 81 games, 11.6 points, 43.5 FG%, 33.8 3P%, 82.6 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists
Record — Finished 47–35, 5th in Eastern Conference; Next game — Saturday, Game 1 of the first-round series as No. 5 East seed at No. 4 Cleveland
Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward
Age 31 | 6–8, 225 | 12th NBA season | $17,000,000 salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
121–82 Sunday win vs. Portland — Started; 31 minutes, 17 points, 5–8 FG, 2–4 3FG, 5–7 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnovers, 1 foul, +37
Season statistics — 82 games, 12.2 points, 47.4 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 80.1 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Record — Finished 46–36, tied for 9th in Western Conference; Next game — 10 p.m. Tuesday as No. 9 seed in play-in tournament vs. No. 10 Golden State, TNT (loser eliminated)
Leaky Black, Charlotte Hornets guard
Age 24 | 6–9, 209 | rookie NBA season | Two-way contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
120–110 Sunday win at Cleveland — 32 minutes, 11 points, 4–4 FG, 2–2 3FG, 1–1 FT, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 fouls, +22
NBA season statistics — 26 games, 2.7 points, 48.1 FG%, 45.0 3FG%, 66.7 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist
G League season statistics — 25 games, 7.1 points, 43.7 FG%, 33.3 3FG%, 61.9 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.5 of a block
Record — Finished 21–61, 13th in Eastern Conference;
Reggie Bullock, Houston Rockets guard
Age 32 | 6–6, 205 | 11th NBA season | $10,489,600 salary | UNC 2010–13 (3 seasons)
116–106 Sunday loss at Los Angeles Clippers — 6 minutes, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnovers, 1 foul, -1
Season statistics — 44 games, 2.2 points, 41.5 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 1–1 FT, 1.7 rebounds, 0.3 of an assist
Record — Finished 41–41, 11th in Western Conference
Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 27 | 6–8, 210 | fifth NBA season | $25,679,348 salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
107–86 Sunday loss at Philadelphia — Didn’t play (left big toe sprain); missed last two games
Season statistics — 58 games, 13.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 39.1 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Record — Finished 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz center
Age 22 | 7–0, 245 | second NBA season | $2,831,160 salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
123–116 Sunday loss at Golden State — Didn’t play (nasal fracture); missed last six games
Season statistics — 64 games, 8.1 points, 65.5 FG%, 21.1 3P%, 60.2 FT%, 7.5 rebounds, 0.9 of an assist, 2.4 blocks
Record — Finished 31–51, 12th in Western Conference
Nassir Little, Phoenix Sun wing
Age 23 | 6–4, 220 | fifth NBA season | $6,250,060 salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
125–106 Sunday win at Minnesota — 5 minutes, 4 points, 2–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, -5
Season statistics — 45 games, 3.4 points, 46.0 FG%, 30.0 3P%, 85.0 FT%, 1.7 rebounds, 0.5 of an assist
Record — Finished 49–33, 6th in Western Conference; Next game — Saturday, Game 1 of the first-round series as No. 6 seed at No. 3 Minnesota
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 21 | 6–9, 265 | third NBA season | $2,210,040 salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
107–86 Sunday loss at Philadelphia — Didn’t play (wrist injury); missed three of last six games
Season statistics — 61 games, 6.8 points, 57.1 FG%, 26.7 3P%, 51.0 FT%, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Record — Finished 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard
Age 23 | 6–5, 195 | fifth NBA season | $11,111,111 salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
120–119 Sunday overtime loss at New York — Started; 43 minutes, 26 points, 12–18 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +1
Season statistics — 79 games, 19.1 points, 44.7 FG%, 37.6 3P%, 83.8 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists
Record — Finished 39–43, 9th in Eastern Conference; Next game — 9:30 Wednesday as No. 9 seed vs. No. 10 Atlanta in play-in tournament, ESPN (loser eliminated)
In G League
Tony Bradley, Texas Legends center
Age 25 | 6–11, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Season statistics — 17 games, 14.1 points, 67.1 FG%, 71.9 FT%, 9.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.6 block
Record — Finished 18–16, 9th in Western Conference; finished 6–10 in Showcase Cup
Justin Jackson, Texas Legends guard
Age 28 | 6–8, 220 | seventh pro season | UNC 2014–17 (3 seasons)
Season G League statistics — 44 games, 19.9 points, 46.4 FG%, 40.5 3P%, 85.0 FT%, 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.7 of a steal, 0.5 of a block
Season NBA statistics (with Minnesota) — 2 games, 1 minute, 0 points
Record — Finished 18–16, 9th in Western Conference; finished 6–10 in Showcase Cup
Pete Nance, Cleveland Charge
Age 23 | 6–10, 225 | rookie pro season | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
G League season statistics — 42 games; 13.2 points, 46.8 FG%, 35.8 3FG%, 74.5 FT%, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.8 of a steal, 1.5 blocks
Season NBA season statistics (with Cleveland) — 8 games, 27 minutes, 3 points, 1–6 FG, 1–1 3FG, 0–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 steal, 2 fouls
Record — Finished 15–7, 11th in Eastern Conference; finished 6–10 in Showcase Cup
Theo Pinson, Texas Legends guard
Age 27 | 6–7, 212 | sixth pro season | UNC 2014–18 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 46 games, 14.8 points, 42.6 FG%, 38.2 3P%, 82.2 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.7 of a block
Record — Finished 18–16, 9th in Western Conference; finished 6–10 in Showcase Cup
Photo via @SacramentoKings
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