Pelicans
The Pelicans are promoting forward/center Jeremiah Robinson-Earl from a two-way contract to a standard two-year deal, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The second year of the contract includes a team option, according to Christian Clark of NOLA.com. Robinson-Earl, 23, is averaging 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in 21 games this season, his first with New Orleans.
- One NBA executive told Howard Beck of The Ringer that the Pelicans will “have to choose” between forwards Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. “I think that (decision) happens this summer,” he said. For the record, an Eastern Conference GM told Hoops Wire that he doesn’t think that will at all be the case.
Rockets
Forward Dillon Brooks is having the most efficient offensive year of his career in his first season with the Rockets, as relayed by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
“In general this year, I think he’s done a good job of really expanding his game and not getting pigeonholed into (the) defensive side only,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “… It’s a lot to play both sides of the ball, not just be a scorer or a defensive guy only. I think he welcomes that role this year. It was good carryover from the Canadian national team and the things he did with them.“
- The Rockets reportedly had trade interest in Kelly Olynyk, Andre Drummond, Jericho Sims and Xavier Tillman ahead of the deadline. Our Ashish Mathur has the full story here.
Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers have promoted center Duop Reath from a two-way to a standard contract, the team announced.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the deal is for two years. Reath, 27, is 6-11 and averaging 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.
His path to the NBA was undoubtedly an unconventional one.
“Reath fled South Sudan for Australia at 9, had a stop at LSU and played pro ball overseas in Lebanon, China, Serbia and Australia before landing a two-way deal with Blazers,” Wojnarowski wrote.
- Former Blazers star and current Bucks guard Damian Lillard said he would “definitely” have interest in becoming part-owner of the franchise someday. We have that full story here.