BC-BKN–Trail Blazers-Gasol

Published 5:00 am Friday, July 26, 2019

By The Associated Press

Paul Gasol signs with Trail Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Trail Blazers added six-time All-Star Pau Gasol to their roster.

President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey announced Gasol’s signing Thursday.

“Pau is a future Hall of Famer that brings invaluable championship experience and an elite skill set and basketball IQ to our roster,” Olshey said in a statement.

The 39-year-old Gasol has averaged 17.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists over an 18-year career that has included stints with Memphis, the Lakers, Chicago, San Antonio and Milwaukee. He won two NBA titles with the Lakers.

Gasol has averaged 15.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and, 3.2 assists in the playoffs.

Raptors sign

journeyman Payne

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors signed Cameron Payne, a guard who played last season with Chicago and Cleveland.

The NBA champions on Thursday did not disclose financial terms for the free agent. They are looking to bolster a backcourt led by Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet.

The 6-foot-3 Payne averaged 6.3 points, 2.7 assists and 17.8 minutes in 40 games last season. For his career, he has averaged 6.0 points and 2.5 assists in 153 games.

Payne was drafted 14th by Oklahoma City in 2015 after two seasons at Murray State.

Miles undergoes foot surgery

WASHINGTON — Wizards forward C.J. Miles underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot.

The team said the operation took place in New York and that he was expected to be re-evaluated in six weeks.

Washington acquired Miles from the Memphis Grizzlies this summer for center Dwight Howard. New General Manager Tommy Sheppard said the Wizards’ medical team has done a “fantastic job of proactively diagnosing C.J.’s condition and establishing a treatment protocol.”

The 32-year-old veteran averaged 6.4 assists a game last season with Toronto and Memphis. Miles played 838 regular-season NBA games for five teams before joining the Wizards.

Bucks add Korver for guard depth

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks added veteran guard Kyle Korver.

The team announced the signing Thursday. The 38-year-old guard was waived July 7 by Phoenix — which acquired him in a trade with Memphis — making him a free agent.

Korver had been traded to Memphis by Utah, where he played most of last season.

Korver appeared in a combined 70 games with the Cavaliers and Jazz last season, averaging 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists and shooting 39.7 percent from 3-point range. The 2015 All-Star ranks third among all active NBA players in 3-point field goal percentage (42.9) and ninth in NBA history.

Korver has averaged 9.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 16 seasons. He was an All-Star in 2015 with the Hawks, and is fourth in NBA history with 2,351 3-pointers.

Deal reached in player’s death

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The NBA and the Detroit Pistons settled a lawsuit with the family of a G League player who died after collapsing during a game last year.

Zeke Upshaw played for the Grand Rapids Drive, a G League affiliate of the Pistons. He died two days after he was stricken.

A lawsuit filed by Upshaw’s estate said lifesaving measures weren’t attempted in a timely manner.