Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last week at Hoops Rumors:
Chris Paul was traded to the Rockets. In the blockbuster trade, the Clippers will receive Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, DeAndre Liggins, Darrun Hilliard, Kyle Wiltjer, and $661K in cash (the amount to which Paul agreed to reduce his trade bonus) and a 2018 first-round pick. The Rockets had been rumored to aggressively pursue CP3 as a free agent signing, but Houston landed its man before the free agency period even began. Since Paul opted into the final year of his contract before the trade, the perennial all-star point guard will become a free agent next offseason. Whether it lasts beyond a single season, Paul and Harden are poised to combine for a lethal backcourt combination in 2017/18.
The Knicks have officially parted ways with Phil Jackson. The team’s statement described the departure as a mutual decision. If the two sides did not reach some sort of buyout agreement, the Knicks still owe Jackson a reported $24MM for the final two years of his contract. Jackson had been the Knicks’ team president since March of 2014. GM Steve Mills will run the team until a replacement is named.
Ricky Rubio was traded to the Jazz for a first-round pick. The pick the Timberwolves will receive is Top-14 protected and originally from OKC. The deal is done and awaiting league approval.
Russell Westbrook was named Most Valuable Player for the 2016/17 season. The other award winners were Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green, Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, Sixth Man of the Year Eric Gordon, Most Improved Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Coach of the Year Mike D’Antoni. The award winners were announced live on TNT during a two-hour special.The All-Defensive and All-Rookie teams were revealed earlier the same day.
Hornets executive Chad Buchanan will be the Pacers’ new general manager. The Pacers had had a vacancy at GM since May when Kevin Pritchard was promoted to president to replace Larry Bird, who resigned as team president. Buchanan had served as assistant GM under Rich Cho in Charlotte and will now report to Pritchard.
Ten More Stories
- Raptors assistant GM Bobby Webster was promoted to general manager.
- Gordon Hayward will meet with the Heat, Celtics, and Jazz, and he hopes to decide on a team quickly. Hayward declined his player option this week.
- The Wizards are expected to offer John Wall a Designated Veteran Extension.
- The Mavericks will decline their option on Dirk Nowitzki and work out a new deal for 2017/18.
- The Clippers are confident about re-signing Blake Griffin. He will, however, meet with the Suns.
- Paul Millsap will also meet with the Suns.
- The Pelicans are heavy favorites to re-sign Jrue Holiday.
- The Nuggets have picked up head coach Mike Malone‘s option, which runs through the 2018/19 season.
- Rajon Rondo has been waived by the Bulls.
- Nerlens Noel and Joe Ingles received qualifying offers from the Mavericks and Jazz, respectively. Kenneth Caldwell-Pope (Pistons) and Andre Roberson did also, as did Wizards players, Otto Porter Jr. and Bojan Bogdanovic.