By R.L. Bynum
It was a week of transition for former UNC players in the NBA, with Coby White and Cole Anthony dealt before Thursday’s trade deadline, Cameron Johnson finally returning from a knee injury. Meanwhile, Portland has a decision later this month to make on Caleb Love.
The Chicago Bulls traded White to the Charlotte, but he still hasn’t made his Hornets debut as he nurses a left calf strain.
It’s more complicated and frustrating for Anthony, who hasn’t reported to Phoenix since the Suns acquired him in a three-team trade last week. The Suns are reportedly expected to waive Anthony as part of a salary dump.
This comes after a frustrating stint in Milwaukee after the Bucks acquired Anthony from Orlando in an offseason trade. He averaged 6.7 points in 35 games, and did not play for eight consecutive games from Dec. 27 to Jan. 28 despite not being hurt.
Johnson returned last week to the Denver Nuggets lineup after missing 24 games with a right knee bone bruise suffered on Dec. 23. His return came at a good time, with Peyton Watson battling through a hamstring strain.
Johnson started both games since his return. In his first game back on Saturday, a 136–120 home win over Chicago, he contributed 14 points, two 3-pointers, four rebounds and was +21. He had 10 points, two 3-pointers, four rebounds and three steals in Monday’s 119–117 home loss to Cleveland.
Love is playing for Portland on a two-way contract, which means that he is limited to 50 NBA games. He played in only two of the Trail Blazers’ four games last week, delaying a decision until Feb. 24 on whether to sign him to a full NBA contract since he’s played 44 games.
After playing nearly 8½ scoreless minutes in Tuesday’s 130–125 home loss to Phoenix, Love had 17 points, three 3-pointers and a season-high eight assists in Saturday’s 122–115 home win over Phoenix.
Harrison Barnes only started one of three San Antonio games last week, but had his best game in weeks. In Thursday’s 135–123 win at Dallas, he scored 19 points and five 3-pointers in his best scoring output since netting 20 points on Dec. 23.
He scored nine points in each of the other two games in which he came off the bench, Wednesday’s 116–106 home win over Oklahoma City and Saturday’s 138–125 victory over Dallas, and is averaging 10.6 points per game.
Pete Nance is playing well off the bench for Milwaukee and will likely stick there for a while since he’s only played 21 of the allotted 50 games as a two-way player.
In Tuesday’s 131–115 home win over Chicago, he had 15 points and and a season-high eight rebounds. He followed that up with a season-high 16 points in Wednesday’s 141–137 overtime home win over New Orleans. He only combined for 10 points in the Bucks’ other two games.
Brooklyn won two of three games last week, with Drake Powell and Day’Ron Sharpe each having one standout game.
Powell collected 14 points and five rebounds in Monday’s 123–115 home win over Chicago, combining for 11 points in the two other games.
Sharpe had 19 points and nine rebounds in Saturday’s 127–113 home win over Washington, combining for 10 points in the other two games.
Tony Bradley remains in limbo after his 10-day contract with the Indiana Pacers ran out. It was reported that the Pacers could re-sign him after the trade deadline, but that hasn’t happened.
RJ Davis, who earned G League Player of the Week honors, keeps stacking good games. As his South Bay Lakers went 1–2 on an East Coast trip last week, Davis scored 17 points, 25 points and 20 points.
The Lakers split two road games against Leaky Black’s Capital City Go-Go, winning 124–111 on Wednesday and falling 115–114 on Friday. Black’s best game of the week was 17 points and five 3-pointers in the Wednesday game. He combined for 12 points in the other two games, including a 122–116 home loss to the Birmingham Squadron.
Garrison Brooks is no longer on the Birmingham roster after averaging 5.3 points in 26 games.
Harrison Ingram put up another strong double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds in his Austin Spurs’ 112–111 loss Saturday at the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He had eight points and 13 rebounds on Wednesday in their 104–95 home win over the Texas Legends.
Cormac Ryan was only active for two of the Wisconsin Herd’s games last week, but was productive in both. He had 23 points and four 3-pointers in Thursday’s 105–103 loss at the Delaware Blue Coats and had 14 points and nine rebounds in Monday’s 104–98 home loss to Birmingham.
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: 31–22, 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 last week.
Next game — 9 p.m. Tuesday vs. Dallas
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 — 52 games, 10.6 points, 44.0 FG%, 37.6 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 36–16, 2nd in Western Conference
Wednesday: 116–106 win vs. Oklahoma City —Didn’t start; 29:33, 9 points, 3–9 FG, 2–7 3FG, 1–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, +/- of 0
Thursday: 135–123 win at Dallas — Started; 34:23, 19 points (most points since scoring 20 on Dec. 23 against Oklahoma City), 5–7 FG, 5–7 3FG, 4–4 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +8
Saturday: 138–125 win vs. Dallas — Didn’t start; 22:03, 9 points, 3–6 FG, 3–5 3FG, 0–2 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, -12
Next game — 10:30 Tuesday at Los Angeles Lakers, NBATV
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: 13–40, 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 — 30 games, 11.7 points, 47.5 FG%, 43.9 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 34–20, 3rd in Western Conference
Saturday: 136–120 win at Chicago — Started; 27:15, 14 points, 6–9 FG, 2–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +21
Monday: 119–117 loss vs. Cleveland — Started; 29:23, 10 points, 4–5 FG, 2–3 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, -7
Next game — 9 p.m. Wednesday vs. Memphis
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: 26–28, 9th in Western Conference
Tuesday: 130–125 loss vs. Phoenix — Didn’t start; 8:20, 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 turnover, -2
Friday: 135–115 win vs. Memphis — Not active for game
Saturday: 122–115 win vs. Memphis — Didn’t start; 27:14, 17 points 7–18 FG, 3–11 3FG, 1 rebound, season-high 8 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -3
Monday: 135–118 win vs. Philadelphia — Didn’t play, which pushed his two-way eligibility deadline to Feb. 24
Next game — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Minnesota
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: 21–30, 12th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 131–115 win vs. Chicago — 27:14, 15 points, 6–8 FG, 3–5 3FG, season-high 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, +19
Wednesday: 141–137 OT win vs. New Orleans — 18:49; season-high 16 points, 6–9 FG, 4–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 fouls, +4
Friday: 105–99 win vs. Indiana — 18:01, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, -4
Monday: 105–99 win vs. Indiana — 9:35, 5 points, 2–2 FG, 1–1 3FG, 1 turnovre, 2 fouls, -3
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Orlando
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 — 41 games, 6.2 points, 43.4 FG%, 29.8 3FG%, 90.2 FT%, 1.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 15–37, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 3:42, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -6
Thursday: 118–98 loss at Orlando — Didn’t start; 18:59, 6 points, 3–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 0–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -2
Saturday: 127–113 win vs. Washington — Didn’t start; 22:28, 5 points, 2–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 2 fouls, +24
Monday: 123–115 win vs. Chicago — Didn’t start; 22:53, 14 points, 4–8 FG, 2–5 3FG, 4–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -7
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Indiana
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 — 50 games, 8.3 points, 60.7 FG%, 21.9 3P%, 67.7 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 15–37, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 125–109 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Didn’t start; 25:43, 19 points, 9–12 FG,1–1 FT, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnovers, 4 fouls, +14; third double-double of season
Thursday: 118–98 loss at Orlando — Didn’t start; 13:10, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, -6
Saturday: 127–113 win vs. Washington — Didn’t start; 19:38, 19 points, 9–11 FG, 1–1 FT, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 4 fouls, +26
Monday: 123–115 win vs. Chicago — Didn’t start; 15:57, 6 points, 2–8 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–4 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls, -7
Next game — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Indiana
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
Tuesday: 131–115 loss with Chicago at Milwaukee — Started; 30:20, 21 points, 7–17 FG, 2–8 3FG, 5–7 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -15
Hasn’t played yet in Charlotte because of a left calf strain
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Atlanta
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: 124–111 loss vs. South Bay Lakers — Started; 33 minutes, 17 points 5–8 FG, 5–7 3FG, 1–1 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 fouls, 2 steals, 1 turnover, -6
Friday: 115–114 win vs. South Bay Lakers — Started; 39 minutes, 2 points, 1–4 FG, 0–1 3FG, 0–1 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, +0
Saturday: 122–116 loss vs. Birmingham Squadron — Started; 37 minutes, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–3 FT, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 2 steals, -10
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday 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 — 31 games, 19.5 points, 44.8 FG%, 40.6 3P%, 87.1 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Monday: 137–133 loss at Osceola Magic — Started; 31 minutes, 17 points, 6–15 FG, 2–6 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 5 turnovers, -6
Wednesday: 124–111 win at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 31 minutes, 25 points, 9–15 FG, 3–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 fouls, 2 turnovers, +7
Friday: 115–114 loss at Capital City Go-Go — Started; 20 points, 6–17 FG, 2–7 3FG, 3–4 FT, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 6 turnovers, 1 block, -8
Next game — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. San Diego Clippers, ESPN+
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 — 23 games, 14.7 points, 46.9 FG%, 30.8 3P%, 61.2 FT%, 11.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Wednesday: 104–95 win vs. Texas Legends — Started; 37 minutes, 8 points, 3–12 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1–2 FT, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 fouls, 5 turnovers, +16
Saturday: 112–111 loss at Rio Grande Valley Vipers — Started; 33 minutes, 23 points, 8–14 FG, 3–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 block, -6
Next game — 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Iowa Wolves
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 24 games, 20.0 points, 49.3 FG%, 41.6 3P%, 91.1 FT%, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Thursday: 105–103 loss at Delaware Blue Coats — Started; 30 minutes, 23 points, 8–14 FG, 4–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 block, -1
Saturday: 99–94 loss at Delaware Blue Coats — Inactive for game
Monday: 104–98 loss vs. Birmingham Squadron — 25 minutes, 14 points, 4–14 FG, 2–8 3FG, 3–3 FT, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, 3 turnovers, +6
Next game — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Birmingham Squadron, ESPN+
Photo via @nuggets
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