A number of teams elected to shut down key players this week, either to play it safe with injuries or “develop young players”. There were also a number of 10-day players who managed to convince their teams to commit for the remainder of the season. Hey, not every week can be exciting as the trade deadline! Here’s everything you need to know.
Transactions
- The Cavaliers signed center Larry Sanders to a multi-year contract.
- The Cavaliers waived center Andrew Bogut.
- The Pelicans signed guard Jordan Crawford for the remainder of the season.
- The Hornets signed guard Briante Weber to a multi-year contract.
- The Hornets signed forward Johnny O’Bryant III to a multi-year contract.
- The Nets signed guard Archie Goodwin to a 10-day contract.
- The Grizzlies signed guard Wayne Selden to a multi-year contract.
- The Grizzlies waived guard Toney Douglas.
- The Sixers signed forward Shawn Long to a multi-year contract.
Injuries
- After missing a month with an injured knee, Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is expected to return soon.
- An MRI revealed that Jazz forward Derrick Favors has a bone bruise and will be out indefinitely.
- Sidelined with a heart arrythmia, Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been cleared to resume playing.
- Diagnosed with an elbow sprain and slight fracture, Dwyane Wade will miss the remainder of the season for the Bulls. He could return in the postseason.
- Citing his knee soreness, the Suns have elected to shut down Eric Bledsoe for the remainder of the season.
- An injured foot will sidelined Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica for the remainder of the season.
- Free agent forward Omri Casspi has been cleared to play after breaking his thumb.
News
- The Lakers have shut down center Timofey Mozgov so that they can get a closer look at young players. He is not injured.
- The Lakers also shut down a healthy Luol Deng for the remainder of the season, too.
- Highly anticipated international guard Sergio Llull is expected to remain in Europe net season. His rights are held by the Rockets.
- Much anticipated 2016 draft pick Ante Zizic is expected to be on the Celtics roster for 2017/18.
Rumors
- Waived by the Pelicans due to injury, free agent forward Omri Casspi, now healthy, is looking to sign on with a contender.
- Finished in China, Celtics rookie Guerschon Yabusele will spend time and could ultimately play with Boston’s D-League affiliate.
- Pending free agent Jeff Teague likes New York but isn’t a fan of the triangle offense that the Knicks run.
- The Pelicans could explore replacing head coach Alvin Gentry and general manager Dell Demps.
- To some Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony appeared to be staging a “protest” against the triangle offense.
- The Knicks are unlikely to move away from head coach Jeff Hornacek despite the teams struggles.
- Former Pelicans coach Monty Williams is expected to be among the “elite candidates” on the coaching market this offseason.
- Last seen with the Knicks, former head coach Derek Fisher would like to return to coaching.