The Miami Heat signed guard Wayne Ellington and forward James Johnson on Sunday as the team continues to reshape the roster following the departures of Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng and Joe Johnson, according to multiple reports.
Ellington agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal while James Johnson will receive $4 million on a one-year contract, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Ellington, 28, was the No. 28 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and started 41 of 76 games he appeared in for the Brooklyn Nets last season, averaging 7.7 points. He declined a player option to return to the Nets, and this will mark the fourth different team Ellington has signed with in as many years.
Johnson started 32 of 57 games for the Toronto Raptors last season, averaging 5.0 points and 2.2 rebounds. The 29-year-old was a first-round pick by the Chicago Bulls in 2009.
–The Boston Celtics continue to make modifications to their frontcourt as they opted against retaining forward Jared Sullinger, making him a free agent, multiple media outlets reported.
The Celtics renounced Sullinger’s qualifying offer of $4.4 million and his exception rights.
Sullinger, 24, averaged 10.3 points and a team-leading 8.3 rebounds per game last season while averaging 23.6 minutes. He also showed improvement on defense, however, his back condition continued to limit his effectiveness.
–Point guard Tim Frazier signed a two-year, $4 million deal to return to the New Orleans Pelicans, according to ESPN.
Frazier was signed late last season after being waived by the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 13.1 points, 7.5 assists and 29.3 minutes in 16 games for the Pelicans.
–Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James congratulated Serena Williams on her historic 22nd Grand Slam win on Saturday at Wimbledon.
Williams won her seventh Wimbledon and record-tying 22nd major singles title, beating Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-3. The 34-year-old American matched Steffi Graf’s Open Era record for majors.
James, who wears No. 23, posted a video on social media of his praise for Williams reaching the milestone.
“Before I take off and head to Hawaii with my family, I got to congratulate the great Serena Williams on 22,” James said in the video. “Twenty-two, are you all hearing what I’m saying? Tying for the record. And it only makes sense, or is it a coincidence, that she’s going to break it at that number 23? Hmmmm. I heard that No. 23 is something special, and a good-luck charm. Serena, the queen, congratulations. You’re the best of all time — the greatest of all time. You’re an inspiration to all the women and everybody in sports, including men too, so congratulations, and keep on striving for greatness.”
Following her Wimbledon victory, Williams told ESPN that she was inspired by the comeback of James and the Cavaliers in this year’s NBA Finals.