Week In Review: 2/11/17 – 2/18/17

There has been no shortage of trade discussion in the week prior to the league’s February 23 deadline, basketball fans even saw two significant deals already go through. Here’s a look back at the week that was.

News

• Former NBA player Fab Melo passed away of a heart attack at age 26. The big man played for the Celtics during the 2012/13 season.
• The Knicks and Lakers are the NBA’s most valuable franchises in Forbes’ latest update of their annual valuation list.
• The Heat have hired retired forward Shane Battier as Director of Basketball Development and Analytics.
• Warriors guard Klay Thompson has changed agencies.
• The NBA Developmental League will be renamed the NBA Gatorade League in 2017/18.
• Retired forward Charles Oakley is the latest to be named a BIG3 League player coach.

Injuries

• Cavaliers forward Kevin Love will miss six weeks as he undergoes arthroscopic knee surgery.

Rumors

• The Pacers are willing to trade their 2017 first-round pick in an effort to support Paul George with more help.
• The Sixers have been in talks with several teams regarding Jahlil Okafor. Okafor recently returned to the team after being held out of two games during the discussions.
• The Knicks could possibly have several options interested in Derrick Rose as a trade candidate.
• The Pistons and Magic supposedly discussed a Reggie Jackson–Jeff Green swap.
• The Trail Blazers are looking to trade Festus Ezeli and shed his contract.
• The Pelicans and Nets reportedly discussed a deal centered around Brook Lopez.
• The Bulls are said to be seeking a 2017 first-round pick in exchange for center Robin Lopez or forward Doug McDermott.
• The Lakers are allegedly shopping sixth man Lou Williams.
• The Hawks are looking to add to their roster, as opposed to previous notions that they may be embracing a rebuild.

Updates

• The Magic will re-evaluate general manager Rob Hennigan this summer and not during the 2016/17 season.
• The Lakers are the latest team linked to Larry Sanders.
• Recently signed Lakers executive Magic Johnson clarifies that he’d like to eventually be the final decision maker.
• For a second time this season, Lance Stephenson may be released by a team because of an injury.
• The Timberwolves are intent on making the playoffs this season.
• The Lakers have been more involved in trade talks than they have been in previous seasons.
• Despite the whirlwind of trade rumors that surrounded Paul Millsap earlier this year, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer insists the forward is not going anywhere.
• Suns general manager Ryan McDonagh says Eric Bledsoe is unlikely to be traded.
• Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue denies that he played Kevin Love despite knowing about his knee injury.
• Sixers rookie Ben Simmons is progressing from a broken foot at a slow, cautious pace.

Transactions

• The Magic have traded Serge Ibaka to the Raptors in a deal for Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick.
• The Nuggets traded Jusuf Nurkic and a 2017 first-round pick (from Memphis) to the Trail Blazers for Mason Plumlee, a 2018 second-round pick and cash.
• The Hornets traded a 2017 second-round pick to the Cavaliers in exchange for injured center Chris Andersen, Charlotte then immediately waived the veteran big man.
• The Warriors signed Briante Weber to a second 10-day contract.
• The Spurs have signed center Joel Anthony for the remainder of the season.