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, Phoenix Suns guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Uncertain
Season statistics — 35 games, 6.7 points, 42.4 FG%, 30.6 3P%, 61.5 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 32–23, 7th in Western Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win with Milwaukee vs. Chicago — 12:14, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +12
Hasn’t reported to Phoenix since getting traded.
Next game — 8:30 Thursday, Feb.19, vs. San Antonio in Austin, Texas
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Keldon Johnson
Season statistics — 54 games, 10.6 points, 44.4 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 84.2 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 33–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday: 136–108 win at Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 20:38, 11 points, 4–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, +20
Wednesday: 126–113 win at Golden State — Didn’t start; 21:45, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 foul, +29
Next game — 8:30 Thursday, Feb. 19, vs. Phoenix in Austin, Texas
Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center behind Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson
Season statistics — 38 games, 4.0 points, 55.7 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Team record: 15–40, 15th in Eastern Conference
Last 10-day contract expired; could return to Pacers later
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 29 | 6–8, 210 | 7th season | $22.54 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Tim Hardaway Jr.
Season statistics — 31 games, 11.5 points, 47.05 FG%, 43.7 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 35–20, 3rd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 122–116 win vs. Memphis — Started; 28:48, 5 points, 2–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 fouls, -6
Next game — 10:30 Thursday, Feb. 19, at Los Angeles Clippers
Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 44 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 11.3 points, 39.1 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Team record: 26–29, 10th in Western Conference
Wednesday: 133–109 loss at Minnesota — Didn’t play, which pushed his two-way eligibility deadline to Feb. 26
Next game — 9 p.m. Thursday at Utah
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 12 games, 19.0 points, 53.7 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 21 games, 5.0 points, 60.9 FG%, 52.6 3P%, 1.9 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 22–30, 12th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 116–108 win at Orlando — 4:19, 1 turnover, -3
Next game — 7:30 Thursday at Oklahoma City, Prime Video
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard
Season statistics — 42 games, 6.2 points, 43.1 FG%, 29.9 3FG%, 89.1 FT%, 1.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Team record: 15–38, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: 115–110 loss vs. Indiana — Didn’t start; 19:36, 6 points, 1–4 FG, 1–3 3FG, 3–4 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -18
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Cleveland
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–9, 265 | 5th season | $6.25 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup center behind Nic Claxton
Season statistics — 51 games, 8.5 points, 61.1 FG%, 21.9 3P%, 67.9 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Wednesday: 115–110 loss vs. Indiana — Started; 30:47, 19 points, 8–11 FG, 3–4 FG, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +12
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Cleveland
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets forward
Age 25 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard ahead of Ayo Dosunmu
Season statistics — 29 games, 18.6 points, 43.8 FG%, 34.6 3PFG, 80.5 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Team record: 25–29, 10th in Eastern Conference
Hasn’t played yet in Charlotte because of a left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 vs. Houston
Out for season
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (torn labrum in left shoulder); season statistics: 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks
Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go (Wizards) guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 32 games, 10.7 points, 46.5 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 68.30 FT%, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.0 steals
Wednesday: 136–119 loss at Greensboro Swarm — Started; 43 minutes, 7 points, 3–7 FG, 1–3 3FG, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, -8
Next game — 7 p.m. Thursday at Greensboro Swarm, ESPN+
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 32 games, 19.5 points, 45.2 FG%, 41.2 3P%, 87.6 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Wednesday: 128–116 win vs. San Diego Clippers — Started; 22 minutes, 18 points, 4–5 FG, 3–4 3FG, 4–4 FG, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, -13
Next game — 8:30 Friday, Feb. 20, at Texas Legends
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 25 games, 15.7 points, 49.0 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 61.2 FT%, 11.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steal
Tuesday: 130–124 win at Iowa Wolves — Started; 36 minutes, 30 points, 13–21 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 fouls, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, +3
Wednesday: 135–120 win at Iowa Wolves — Started; 32 minutes, 25 points, 10–14 FG, 3–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 fouls, 3 steals, 1 block, +32
Next game — 10:30 Thursday, Feb. 19, at San Diego Clippers
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 26 games, 19.8 points, 47.7 FG%, 41.0 3P%, 90.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 steals
Tuesday: 124–110 loss vs. Birmingham Squadron — 31 minutes, 20 points, 7–20 FG, 6–14 3FG, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -17
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, vs. Greensboro Swarm
Photo via @SacramentoKings
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