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SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt and AJ Neuharth-Keusch discuss a pair of surprising teams, but for different reasons. USA TODAY Sports
The Santa Cruz Warriors are signing former first-round pick Terrence Jones, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal to add the 25-year-old forward won’t be official later this week.
Jones, who was taken 18th overall out of Kentucky by the Houston Rockets in 2012, signed a one-year, $2 million deal with a Chinese Basketball Association team (Qingdao) in July and was waived in late November. Santa Cruz, which is the G-League affiliate of the defending champion Golden State Warriors, has the first claim in the rotating waiver pool by which they will acquire Jones.
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In four seasons with the Rockets and a fifth season that was split between the New Orleans Pelicans (51 games played) and the Milwaukee Bucks (three games), he averaged 10.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
Follow Sam Amick on Twitter @sam_amick.
NBA photo of the day
NBA photo of the day: 2017-18 season
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Dec. 12: Dallas Mavericks fans reacts to a basket by J.J. Barea during the second half of a 95-89 win over the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center.
Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 11: The Golden State Warriors' David West dunks the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won the game, 111-104.
Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 10: Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris makes a pass against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won the game, 126-116.
Brian Spurlock,USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 9: Rockets guard James Harden celebrates after Houston's 124-117 win against the Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Ore. Harden finished with 48 points.
Jaime Valdez, USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 8: Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried falls on top of fans during a game against the Orlando Magic.
Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 7: Los Angeles Lakers' Larry Nance Jr., Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle celebrate after Ingram hit the game-winning shot against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 6: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) throws a pass in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won, extending their winning streak to 13 games.
David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 5: Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts after making a three-point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Beal scored a career-high 51 points on the night.
Craig Mitchelldyer, USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 4: Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (2) and Charlotte Hornets center Dwight Howard (12) grab for a rebound in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Hornets won the game, 104-94.
Jeremy Brevard, USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 3: The Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo is fouled by the Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green during the second half of the Warriors' 123-95 win at American Airlines Arena.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 2: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) is introduced and runs past a Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper before the game against the LA Clippers at the American Airlines Center.
Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 1: Pacers guard Victor Oladipo throws down a one-handed flush on the break during the first half against the Raptors in Toronto.
Tom Szczerbowski, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 30: Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson (33) during the second half at Staples Center. The Jazz won the game, 106-95.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 29: Houston Rockets guard James Harden celebrates after scoring a basket during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers.
Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 28: NBA referee Kane Fitzgerald ejects LeBron James during the Cleveland Cavaliers' 108-97 win over the Miami Heat at Quicken Loans Arena.
David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 27: Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) fouls and falls over Cleveland Cavaliers guard JR Smith (5) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 26: Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (8) blocks the shot of Memphis Grizzlies guard Tyreke Evans (12) during the second half at FedExForum. The Nets won the game, 99-88.
Justin Ford, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 25: Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1) reacts after a dunk against the Boston Celtics at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 24: Workers assemble the basketball court at TD Garden before the start of the Celtics-Magic game in Boston.
David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 22: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) goes up for a dunk during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Quicken Loans Arena.
Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 21: The Los Angeles Lakers' Josh Hart moves to the basket against the defense of the Chicago Bulls' Robin Lopez during the the Lakers' 103-94 win at Staples Center.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 20: Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts after drawing a technical foul against Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 19: Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dunks against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Air Canada Centre.
Dan Hamilton, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 18: Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) blocks a shot by Atlanta Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon (14) in the first quarter at Philips Arena.
Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 17: Miami Heat forward James Johnson (16) attempts to dunk the ball as Washington Wizards forward Jason Smith (14) defends in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena.
Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 16: Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving reacts after a play during a 92-88 win over the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden.
David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 15: New York Knicks forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (3) celebratesalong with guard Courtney Lee (5)after hitting a three-point shot late in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden.
Adam Hunger, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 14: Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (42) fouls Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) on a play during the third quarter at Toyota Center. The Raptors won the game, 129-113.
Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 13: LeBron James and New York Knicks center Enes Kanter are separated by New York Knicks shooting guard Courtney Lee during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 12: Rockets guard Chris Paul wasn't in uniform, but that didn't keep him from arguing his team's case with an official against the Pacers in Indianapolis.
Trevor Ruszkowski, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 11: Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) dunks the ball on a lob from center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center.
Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 10: L.A. Clippers forward Blake Griffin shoots a layup against Oklahoma City Thunder center Dakari Johnson (during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 9: Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) dunks the ball as Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) looks on in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena.
Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 8: Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) dunks against the New York Knicks during the second half at Amway Center.
Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 7: Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons goes for the dunk against Utah Jazz forward Thabo Sefolosha in the third quarter of a 104-97 win for the 76ers at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Jeffrey Swinger, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 6: Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (20) hangs from the rim as he celebrates a second half dunk against the Brooklyn Nets.
Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 5: Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) jumps over Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman (16) for a dunk during the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena.
Scott Galvin, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 4: Kings guard Frank Mason III (10)tries to pass around Pistons defender Eric Moreland (24) during the first half in Detroit.
Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 3: Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) blocks a shot attempt by Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. (1) during the second quarter in Dallas.
Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 2: Spurs guard Danny Green (14) throws down a one-handed flush over Warriors defender Kevin Durant (35) during the first half in San Antonio.
Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports
Nov. 1: LeBron James reacts in the fourth quarter of
a 124-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Quicken Loans Arena. It was the fourth consecutive loss for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
David Richard, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 31: The Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Oklahoma City Thunder's Raymond Felton battle for a loose ball in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Thunder won the game, 110-91.
Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 30: Spurs guard Brandon Paul blocks a shot attempt by Celtics forward Jaylen Brown during the first half at TD Garden in Boston.
Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 29: Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) reacts after hitting a game-winning shot against the San Antonio Spurs.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 28: New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates after a dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 27: Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dunks over Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3).
Kyle Terada, Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 26: The Bucks returned to the building formerly known as the MECCA for a game against the Celtics.
Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 25: Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) dunks against the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter at Barclays Center.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 24: Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is congratulated by teammates during a game against the New York Knicks.
Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 23: Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards.
Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 22: Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball (2) watches teammates during pre-game warmups.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 21: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Justin Ford, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 20: Sacramento Kings guard Vince Carter (15) and Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) joke around prior to the game at American Airlines Center.
Andrew Dieb, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 19: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against the New York Knicks.
Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 18: Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after a three-point basket against the Sacramento Kings.
Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports
Oct. 17: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (11) hug after the Cavs beat the Celtics 102-99.
Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports
Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:
Replay
![Dec. 12: Dallas Mavericks fans reacts to a basket by]()
1 of 56![Dec. 11: The Golden State Warriors' David West dunks]()
2 of 56![Dec. 10: Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris makes a pass]()
3 of 56![Dec 9: Rockets guard James Harden celebrates after]()
4 of 56![Dec. 8: Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried falls]()
5 of 56![Dec. 7 -]()
6 of 56![Dec. 6: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23)]()
7 of 56![Dec. 5: Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts]()
8 of 56![Dec. 4: Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (2) and Charlotte]()
9 of 56![Dec. 3: The Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo is fouled by the]()
10 of 56![Dec. 2: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41)]()
11 of 56![Dec. 1: Pacers guard Victor Oladipo throws down a one-handed]()
12 of 56![Nov. 30: Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) moves]()
13 of 56![Nov. 29: Houston Rockets guard James Harden celebrates]()
14 of 56![Nov. 28: NBA referee Kane Fitzgerald ejects LeBron]()
15 of 56![Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) fouls and]()
16 of 56![Nov. 26: Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (8)]()
17 of 56![Nov. 25: Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson (1)]()
18 of 56![Nov. 24: Workers assemble the basketball court at TD]()
19 of 56![Nov. 22: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23)]()
20 of 56![Nov. 21: The Los Angeles Lakers' Josh Hart moves to]()
21 of 56![Nov. 20: Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21)]()
22 of 56![Nov. 19: Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dunks]()
23 of 56![Nov. 18: Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) blocks]()
24 of 56![Nov. 17: Miami Heat forward James Johnson (16) attempts]()
25 of 56![Nov. 16: Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving reacts after]()
26 of 56![Nov. 15: New York Knicks forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (3)]()
27 of 56![Nov. 14: Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (42) fouls]()
28 of 56![Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23)]()
29 of 56![Nov. 12: Rockets guard Chris Paul wasn't in uniform,]()
30 of 56![Nov. 11: Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35)]()
31 of 56![Nov. 10: L.A. Clippers forward Blake Griffin shoots]()
32 of 56![Nov. 9: Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30)]()
33 of 56![Nov. 8: Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) dunks]()
34 of 56![Nov. 7: Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons goes for]()
35 of 56![Nov. 6: Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (20) hangs]()
36 of 56![Nov. 5: Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) jumps]()
37 of 56![Nov. 4: Kings guard Frank Mason III (10)tries to pass]()
38 of 56![Nov. 3: Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) blocks]()
39 of 56![Nov. 2: Spurs guard Danny Green (14) throws down a]()
40 of 56![Nov. 1: LeBron James reacts in the fourth quarter of]()
41 of 56![Oct. 31: The Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo]()
42 of 56![Oct. 30: Spurs guard Brandon Paul blocks a shot attempt]()
43 of 56![Oct. 29: Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) reacts]()
44 of 56![Oct. 28: New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis]()
45 of 56![Oct. 27: Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green]()
46 of 56![Oct. 26: The Bucks returned to the building formerly]()
47 of 56![Oct. 25L Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James]()
48 of 56![Oct. 24: Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is]()
49 of 56![Oct. 23: Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) reacts]()
50 of 56![Oct. 22: Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball (2) watches]()
51 of 56![Oct. 21: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry]()
52 of 56![Oct. 20: Sacramento Kings guard Vince Carter (15) and]()
53 of 56![Oct. 19: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony]()
54 of 56![Oct. 18: Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates]()
55 of 56![Oct. 17: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23)]()
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