Welcome to the second edition of the NBA Rumors and Trades bulletin on February 29th. It’s your periodic source on Jumper Brasil for league market movements.
Mike Muscala Agrees to Contract Termination with Pistons
Center Mike Muscala is another player available to strengthen competitive teams before the playoffs. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the veteran is finalizing the termination of his contract with the Detroit Pistons. He becomes a free agent, making him eligible to play for another franchise in the postseason. Currently, there is no information about potential suitors for the player. The 32-year-old joined the Pistons after a trade before the trade deadline but was never in the team’s plans. The Michigan executives, therefore, do not pose obstacles to the reserve’s departure. He has not been used by coach Monty Williams in the last four games as he had expressed a desire to leave. Muscala has played 37 games this season, averaging 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Hornets Signs Fan Favorite Aleksej Pokusevski
Aleksej Pokusevski did not stay without a team in the NBA for long. The fan favorite from the Oklahoma City Thunder is on his way to the Charlotte Hornets in the coming days. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the North Carolina team has already reached an agreement with the young center. The duration of this new contract is not yet known.
The 22-year-old reinforcement is likely to have a chance to secure a spot in the rotation immediately as Mark Williams is injured. Nick Richards is currently the only recognized center in coach Steve Clifford’s rotation. Pokusevski has played 150 games in his career, averaging 7.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
Bulls Signs Regular Contract with Turkish Forward Onuralp Bitim
Forward Onuralp Bitim will remain in the Chicago Bulls’ roster, at least until the end of the current season. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the franchise converted the Turkish forward’s two-way contract into a regular one. He signed a three-year deal while receiving $4.6 million in salaries. The agreement is guaranteed until the end of this campaign. The 24-year-old athlete scored his first NBA points on Wednesday after the victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers. “Onuralp was amazing. He’s not a typical rookie as he was already a professional in Europe before coming here. Today, he certainly played like someone who belongs to the league,” praised veteran Andre Drummond.
Serbian Team Aims to Acquire Nikola Jovic from Miami Heat
After an initial lack of playing time, Nikola Jovic has earned minutes in the rotation of the Miami Heat. However, the time he spent on the sidelines has caught the attention of some European teams. The desire to bring the young Serbian talent back to the old continent is strong. According to Eurohoops, Crvena Zvezda is monitoring the situation of the 20-year-old player. “We have interest in various players and in the development of those who are here. We want, for example, Nikola Jovic. Of course, we wish him great success in the NBA, but if he can’t play there, we would like to have him here. He is a player we are keeping an eye on,” said the team’s president, Nebojsa Covic.
Jovic has participated in 24 Heat games this season and has started in 16 of them. The young player averages 5.9 points and 4.0 rebounds in the campaign, shooting over 46% from long distance.
