Trivia
Trivia: Who are the seven players in NBA history who:
Made 5+ All-Star games with a franchise
Then played for a different franchise
Then returned to the franchise where they starred
?
The answers don't include Damian Lillard or Chris Paul – yet.
Chris Paul
Chris Paul is signing a one-year minimum-salary contract with the Clippers, according to Chris Haynes.
This is a neat nostalgia story. But Paul also fills a key role as playmaking guard who can play both behind and next to James Harden. Bradley Beal isn't an ideal fit as a lead ball-handler. Even at 40, Paul is a strong decision-maker/passer.
The Clippers have really cleaned up this summer, adding Brook Lopez, Beal and Paul while re-signing Harden and Nicolas Batum.
Trivia answer
Trivia answer: The seven players who made 5+ All-Star games with a franchise then had a second stint with that franchise:
Dwyane Wade (MIA)
LeBron James (CLE)
Kevin Garnett (MIN)
Allen Iverson (PHI)
Alonzo Mourning (MIA)
Scottie Pippen (CHI)
Chris Mullin (GSW)
Presumably, Damian Lillard (seven-time All-Star with Trail Blazers) and Chris Paul (five-time All-Star with Clippers) will join the list.
Returns
Just how often have players starred for a franchise then had another stint with that franchise? Not even necessarily five All-Star appearances, but even a single one.
Players who made an All-Star team with a franchise then had another stint with that franchise:
D'Angelo Russell (BRK)
Al Horford (BOS)
Dwyane Wade (MIA)
Jeff Teague (ATL)
Dwight Howard (LAL)
LeBron James (CLE)
Chauncey Billups (DET)
Mo Williams (CLE)
Kevin Garnett (MIN)
Allen Iverson (PHI)
Ben Wallace (DET)
Steve Francis (HOU)
Antoine Walker (BOS)
Alonzo Mourning (MIA)
Antonio Davis (TOR)
Theo Ratliff (PHI)
Dale Davis (IND)
Scottie Pippen (CHI)
Jason Kidd (DAL)
Tyrone Hill (CLE)
Dan Majerle (PHO)
B.J. Armstrong (CHI)
Sean Elliott (SAS)
Chris Mullin (GSW)
Kevin Willis (ATL)
Ricky Pierce (MIL)
A.C. Green (LAL)
Dale Ellis (SEA)
Mark Jackson (NYK)
Terry Cummings (MIL)
Moses Malone (PHI)
Artis Gilmore (CHI)
Paul Westphal (PHO)
Campy Russell (CLE)
Maurice Lucas (POR)
Randy Smith (BUF/SDC)
Billy Knight (IND)
Don Buse (IND)
Bob Dandridge (MIL)
Elvin Hayes (SDR/HOU)
Butch Beard (CLE)
Walt Hazzard (SEA)
Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valanciunas said, though the possibility of playing in Greece excited him, he's committed to honoring his contract with the Nuggets, via Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.
Denver must appreciate Valanciunas finally clearing the air. He must still show his heart is in it when he reports to the Nuggets, but at this point, he has at least done all he can do by saying this.
Doug McDermott
The Kings are re-signing Doug McDermott to a one-year, minimum contract, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
McDermott shot 44% on 3-pointers for Sacramento last year. The 33-year-old can still fill a role.
Orlando Robinson
The Orlando Magic have signed Orlando Robinson to a two-way contract.
Elite fit.
Terry Rozier
Terry Rozier's attorney said his client is not a target of the federal investigation into gambling involving Rozier's player props, though a U.S. Attorney's Office spokesperson refused to confirm that, via David Purdum of ESPN.
Purdum reports additional details surrounding the 2023 game in question – which Rozier left after just 10 minutes, citing a foot issue – including that one bettor placed 30 bets totaling $13,759 involving Rozier that all won.
-Dan Feldman