NBA News: Nets, Ricky Council IV, Timberwolves, Johnny Juzang, Devonte’ Graham

Ricky Council IV, 76ers, nba news — File photo

Nets

NBA free agent Ricky Council IV is getting another opportunity in the Atlantic Division.

After being waived by the 76ers last week, the 6-foot-6 swingman has agreed to a one-year deal with the Nets, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

A Cleveland native and former Arkansas standout, Council went undrafted in 2023 but spent the past two seasons with Philadelphia, appearing in 105 games — including a team-high 73 during the 2024-25 campaign.

While Council showed promise as a rookie, his production declined in an expanded role last season, averaging 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 17.1 minutes per game. He shot just 38.2% from the field and 25.8% from three.

Still just 23 — he turns 24 on Sunday — Council will now join a rebuilding Nets team that is better positioned to take a flier on his athleticism and potential than the win-now Sixers, who leaned on him heavily amid a string of injuries.

Contract terms weren’t disclosed, but it’s expected to be a minimum-salary deal and likely non-guaranteed.

Timberwolves

Free agent guard Johnny Juzang has agreed to a one-year deal with the Timberwolves, Charania also reported. The deal will be non-guaranteed, per Chris Hine of the Star Tribune, and Juzang is expected to compete for a spot on Minnesota’s 15-man roster or a two-way contract.

Juzang, 24, spent the last three seasons with the Jazz after going undrafted out of UCLA in 2022. He signed a four-year deal with Utah last summer, but only the first season was guaranteed. The Jazz waived him in June before his $2.84 million salary for 2025-26 became locked in.

After appearing in just 38 games across his first two seasons, Juzang carved out a rotation role in 2024-25, averaging 8.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 64 games. He shot a solid 42.9% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc, but struggled defensively, posting a 120.3 defensive rating, second-worst among Jazz players with 500+ minutes.

Juzang’s addition brings the offseason roster total to 16.

International

Devonte’ Graham is officially heading overseas, as the 30-year-old point guard has signed with Serbian club Crvena Zvezda, the team announced. Eurohoops first reported the nearing deal earlier this week.

Graham spent last season in the G League after being waived by the Hornets last summer. He was in training camp with the Trail Blazers but didn’t make the regular season roster. He later joined the South Bay Lakers and was traded to the Rip City Remix in February, though he never appeared in a game for them.

Originally drafted No. 34 overall in 2018, Graham showed early promise in Charlotte, averaging 18.2 points and 7.5 assists in 2019-20. But he never quite regained that form, and was traded to the Pelicans in 2021 and then to the Spurs in 2023.

Graham has played in 336 NBA games (171 starts) with career averages of 11.1 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 rebounds.