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.
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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.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve
Final regular-season statistics — 77 games, 9.9 points, 45.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 82.9 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Monday: 115–102 win vs. Philadelphia — Didn’t start; 17:08, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 3 fouls, +4
Wednesday: 112–101 win vs. Portland — Didn’t start; 26:47, 9 points, 2–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 5–6 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, +13
Friday: 139–120 win vs. Dallas — Didn’t start; 28:08, 15 points, 6–9 FG, 2–4 3FG, 1–1 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, +13
Sunday: 128–119 loss vs. Denver — Didn’t start; 25:09, 12 points, 5–11 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, -5
Next game — First round Game 1 as No. 2 seed in the West: 9 p.m. Sunday vs. the No. 7 seed (the winner of the 10 p.m. Tuesday play-in game between Phoenix and Portland), NBC, Peacock
Leaky Black, Washington Wizards guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Final regular-season G League statistics — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 15 games, 7.1 points, 38.8 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Team record: 17–65, 14th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 129–98 loss vs. Chicago — Started; 23:57, 3 points, 1–4 FG, 1–3 3FG, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, team-low -31
Thursday: 119–108 loss vs. Chicago — Started; 40:51, 14 points, 6–14 FG, 2–8 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block 1 turnover, 3 fouls, -12
Friday: 140–117 loss vs. Miami — Started; 31:43, 8 points, 3–11 FG, 2–8 3FG, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, 5 fouls, -11
Sunday: 130–117 loss at Cleveland — Didn’t start; 9:22, 0–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, -3
The Wizards didn’t qualify for the postseason
Tony Bradley, Atlanta Hawks center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Final regular-season statistics — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Team record: 46–36, 6th in Eastern Conference
Monday: 108–105 loss vs. New York — 3:34, 0–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -2
Wednesday: 122–116 loss at Cleveland — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Friday: 124–102 win vs. Cleveland — 9:04, 7 points, 3–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, -14
Sunday: 143–117 loss at Miami — Started; 4 points, 2–6 FG, 0–1 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, -18
Next game — First round, Game 1: 6 p.m. Saturday at New York, Prime Video
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.
Final regular-season statistics — 54 games, 12.2 points, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 54–28, 3rd in Western Conference
Monday: 137–132 win vs. Portland — Started; 36:40, 17 points, 6–9 FG, 1–3 3FG, 4–5 FT, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 turnovers, 5 fouls, team-high +25
Wednesday: 136–119 win vs. Memphis — Started; 29:43, 18 points, 8–12 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +7
Friday: 127–107 win vs. Oklahoma City and Sunday: 128–118 win at San Antonio — Didn’t play (ankle injury)
Next game — First round, Game 1 as No. 3 seed in the West: 3:30 Saturday vs. No. 6 Minnesota, Prime Video
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Final 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
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 47 games, 5.4 points, 51.5 FG%, 42.0 3P%, 36.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Team record: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 96–90 loss at Brooklyn — Started; 26:25, 8 points, 3–8 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, team-low -13
Wednesday: 137–111 loss at Detroit — Didn’t start; 18:00, 0–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 4 fouls, team-low -21
Friday: 125–108 win vs. Brooklyn and Sunday: 126–106 loss at Philadelphia— Didn’t play (right knee sprain)
The Bucks didn’t qualify for the postseason.
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
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 63 games, 6.5 points, 40.2 FG%, 28.0 3FG%, 89.6 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Final regular-season G League statistics — 5 games, 11.8 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 72.7 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Team record: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 96–90 win vs. Milwaukee — Started; 40:27, 11 points, 4–16 FG, 1–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -2
Thursday: 123–94 loss vs. Indiana — Didn’t start; 20:04, 2 points, 1–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 0–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, -17
Friday: 125–108 loss at Milwaukee — Didn’t play (injury/illness)
Sunday: 125–108 loss at Milwaukee — Started; 25:15, 8 points, 3–10 FG, 0–4 3G, 2–2FT, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, team-low -32
The Nets didn’t qualify for the postseason.
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Final season G League statistics (Wisconsin Herd) — 31 games, 20.9 points, 48.8 FG%, 42.2 3P%, 89.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 11 games, 14.3 points, 52.0 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 92.3 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 96–90 loss at Brooklyn — Didn’t start; 33:43, 14 points, 5–12 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1– FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 6 fouls, -5
Wednesday: 137–111 loss at Detroit — Didn’t start; 24:31, 16 points, 6–9 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1–1 FT, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, -11
Friday: 125–108 win vs. Brooklyn — Started; 33:58, 28 points, 10–17 FG, 5–9 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 4 fouls, +21
Sunday: 126–106 loss at Philadelphia — Started; 38:15, 22 points, 8–20 FG, 3–12 3FG, 3–3 FT, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -18
The Bucks didn’t qualify for the postseason.
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets forward
Age 26 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind LaMelo Ball
Final regular-season statistics — 50 games, 17.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 36.2 3PFG, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: 113–102 loss at Boston — Didn’t play (groin injury)
Friday: 118–100 loss vs. Detroit — Didn’t start; 16:10, 11 points, 3–7 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–4 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, team-low -20
Sunday: 110–96 win at New York — Didn’t start; 16:18, 19 points, 6–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 4–6 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, team-high +18
Next game — First round, Play-in Tournament: 7:30 Tuesday vs. Miami, Prime Video (loser eliminated; winner faces loser of the Philadelphia-Orlando game in another elimination game)
Out for season
— Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe (UCL tear in left thumb); season statistics: 62 games, 8.7 points, 60.1 FG%, 23.1 3P%, 67.8 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists
— 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
Waived
— Cole Anthony by the Phoenix Suns
— Tony Bradley by the Indiana Pacers
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Final regular-season statistics — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.6 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Final playoffs statistics — 3 games, 14.3 points, 45.2 FG%, 35.3 3P%, 6–6 FT, 1.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists
G League season over.
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 4 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +11
Final regular-season G League statistics — 40 games, 16.6 points, 49.2 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.9 FT%, 12.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals
Friday with Spurs: 139–120 win vs. Dallas — 5:38, -2
G League season is over.
Caleb Love, Rip City Remix (Trail Blazers) guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Final regular-season NBA season statistics — 49 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 10.4 points, 38.8 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists
Final G League regular-season statistics — 10 games, 24.7 points, 43.3 FG%, 23.5 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.6 turnovers
Wednesday with Blazers: 112–101 loss at San Antonio — 2:12, 1 turnover, -4
Sunday with Blazers: 122–110 win vs. Sacramento — 1:39, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3G, -4
Next Blazers game — First round, Play-in Tournament: 10 p.m. Tuesday at Phoenix, Prime Video (loser eliminated; winner faces San Antonio in first-round series beginning Sunday)
Photo via @nuggets
