Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the past week at Hoops Rumors:
Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta agreed to buy the Rockets for a record price of $2.2 billion. The NBA’s Board of Governors must approve the deal before it can be finalized. Former Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo claims his group was close to matching the sale price.
Rumors emerged that Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov may sell the team in a two-part process. The Russian businessman will reportedly try to unload a minority stake in the franchise, then give that a buyer a chance to buy the whole thing at a later time.
The NBA is considering significant changes to the way it conducts its draft lottery. The Competition Committee has proposed giving equal odds for the top pick to the three teams with the worst records and barring teams from picking in the top three in consecutive years, among other changes. A vote could be held before the season starts.
Dwyane Wade is dropping hints that buyout talks with the Bulls could be imminent. Wade reportedly hasn’t spoken to anyone in Chicago’s front office since deciding to opt in for next season and feels misled by the team’s trade of Jimmy Butler.
Cavaliers GM Koby Altman admits no timetable has been set for Isaiah Thomas to return from a hip injury. Altman says there is a “non-surgical” plan in place for the newly acquired point guard and the team expects him to return “at some point.” Thomas is in the process of changing agents to prepare for free agency next summer.
Ten more stories:
- The Nets‘ unprotected first-rounder may have been the most valuable piece the Cavaliers landed in the Kyrie Irving deal, but they could use it as a trade chip rather than keeping it until June.
- Spurs point guard Tony Parker is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a quadriceps injury and could return sooner than expected. Parker suffered the injury in the second round of the playoffs and has been projected to start playing again in January.
- Former Pacers guard Rodney Stuckey has lined up visits with several teams in hopes of getting an invitation to training camp.
- Former All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire announced his retirement from basketball after playing one season in Israel. Stoudemire will continue as a shareholder for his Hapoel Jerusalem team.
- Pacers owner Herb Simon issued a statement indicating he is satisfied with the results of the league’s investigation into tampering involving the Lakers and Paul George. There had been rumors that Simon was considering legal action against the league and the Lakers.
- Lakers president Magic Johnson offered to pay the $500K fine from the tampering case from his own salary, saying he didn’t want owner Jeanie Buss to have to come up with the money.
- Anthony Morrow and Trey Burke were among a group of free agents who worked out for the Timberwolves. Minnesota has just 11 players with guaranteed contracts and is looking to add a backup point guard and veteran wings.
- Tyler Zeller, who was waived by the Celtics in July, had a workout for the Nets. Brooklyn is seeking frontcourt depth after a flurry of offseason moves.
- Two teams already have health concerns at point guard. The Bulls announced Cameron Payne will miss three to four months after foot surgery, and the Hornets‘ Michael-Carter-Williams may not be ready for opening night after a procedure on his knee in August.
- The Grizzlies have no plans to trade Marc Gasol or Mike Conley.