It was a fairly eventful week in the NBA, as many of this year’s early entrant draft announcements begin to roll in, while there were plenty of notable non-draft news items and rumors to round up as well. Here’s our recap of what you need to know for the last seven days:
News
- Former Bulls general manager Jerry Krause, the architect of the roster that won six championships in the 1990s, passed away at age 77.
- The NBA was unhappy that the Cavaliers rested star players in a marquee, nationally televised game. The growing trend of sitting healthy players prompted commissioner Adam Silver to send a memo to all 30 teams calling it a “significant issue” and suggesting there will be “significant penalties” for teams that don’t provide sufficient notice.
- Knicks center Joakim Noah received a 20-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program.
- Bulls center Robin Lopez and Raptors forward Serge Ibaka were suspended one game apiece for fighting.
Rumors
- Magic general manager Rob Hennigan‘s job is in jeopardy.
- Clippers head coach and president of basketball operations Doc Rivers dismissed the idea that he could head to the Magic in a similar role this summer.
- Hawks big man Paul Millsap is still expected to opt out of his contract this offseason.
- Warriors head coach Steve Kerr disputed a report that suggested Golden State was “furious” and “bewildered” about the Thunder’s treatment of Kevin Durant when he returned to OKC.
- Among other Pacers rumors, we heard that Paul George would love to play with Gordon Hayward and got details on what the Sixers offered for George before February’s trade deadline.
- The Clippers and Heat are said to have interest in former NBA big man Carlos Boozer, who has been playing in China.
- Spurs assistant Becky Hammon is reportedly considering an offer from the University of Florida.
- Italian power forward Nicolo Melli is drawing interest from multiple NBA teams.
Transactions
- The Timberwolves signed forward Omri Casspi to a rest-of-season contract.
- The Rockets signed forward Troy Williams to a rest-of-season contract.
- The Lakers signed David Nwaba to a multiyear contract.
- The Mavericks signed guard Manny Harris to a second 10-day contract.
- The Mavericks signed forward Jarrod Uthoff to a second 10-day contract.
- The Pelicans signed guard Quinn Cook to a 10-day contract.
- The Suns signed forward Jarell Eddie to a 10-day contract.
- The Nets signed guard Archie Goodwin to a second 10-day contract.
Early Entrants
- Lonzo Ball, UCLA (freshman) (link)
- Jayson Tatum, Duke (freshman) (link)
- Jonathan Isaac, Florida State (freshman) (link)
- Jarrett Allen, Texas (freshman) (link)
- John Collins, Wake Forest (sophomore) (link)
- Donovan Mitchell, Louisville (sophomore) (link)
- Ivan Rabb, Cal (sophomore) (link)
- Tyler Lydon, Syracuse (sophomore) (link)
- Semi Ojeleye, SMU (junior) (link)
- Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State (sophomore) (link)
- Dwayne Bacon, Florida State (sophomore) (link)
- Cameron Oliver, Nevada (sophomore) (link)
- Texas A&M freshman Robert Williams opted to return to school.
- This list includes top-60 prospects, based on DraftExpress.com’s rankings. For the full list of early entrants so far, check out our breakdown.
Injuries
- Sixers center Joel Embiid, who is out for the season, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
- Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons underwent season-ending surgery on his left knee.
- The Warriors are reportedly optimistic that Kevin Durant can return from his knee injury before the end of the regular season.
- Omer Asik and Quincy Pondexter aren’t expected to get back on the court for the Pelicans this season.
- Spurs rookie Dejounte Murray is out for another two to three weeks due to a pelvic bone injury.
- Pacers swingman Glenn Robinson III will be sidelined for at least two weeks with a calf injury.