If you missed this week’s NBA headlines, we’ve got your covered. Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the past seven days:
Eric Bledsoe expressed on social media that he didn’t want to remain in the Suns’ organization. The team’s brass took swift action, holding the starting point guard out of games while seeking to trade him. The Knicks, Bucks and Nuggets are among the teams interested in Bledsoe but the Suns are driving a hard bargain, trying to package veteran center Tyson Chandler with Bledsoe. The Suns fired coach Earl Watson shortly after Bledsoe’s tweet but the team’s brass insisted there was no connection between those two actions.
Jahlil Okafor has seen his playing time dramatically decrease in the early going, which is why the Sixers are collaborating with his representatives to find a suitable trade partner. Okafor’s has been a healthy scratch in a majority of Philadelphia’s games this season. Those trade discussions will play a role in whether or not the Sixers pick up the center’s fourth-year option before Tuesday’s deadline.
Meyers Leonard suffered a significant ankle sprain that will keep him out of action an estimated 4-6 weeks. The Trail Blazers big man, who suffered the injury during practice on Wednesday, avoided major structural damage. Leonard had lost playing time to Ed Davis prior to the injury.
The Bobby Portis–Nikola Mirotic saga took a couple more twists, with Mirotic reportedly willing to waive his no-trade clause while the Bulls exercised their option on Portis’ contract. Mirotic suffered a concussion and facial fractures when Portis punched him during a scrimmage scuffle, resulting an eight-game suspension for Portis.
The Celtics were granted an $8.4MM disabled player exception due to Gordon Hayward‘s season-ending injury. The Celtics can use the exception any time before March 10 and don’t appear to be in any hurry to add another player. Boston can sign, trade or claim a player whose contract expires at the end of the season.
Here are 10 more notable NBA headlines from the last week:
- Joseph Tsai, the co-founder of Alibaba, has agreed to buy a 49% share of the Nets’ franchise.
- Josh Smith is on the verge of returning to the NBA. Smith is expected to sign with the Pelicans, who have an extra roster spot via an injury hardship exception.
- Top overall pick Markelle Fultz will miss at least three games due to a sore right shoulder. The injury has affected the Sixers’ point guard’s shooting stroke.
- Hawks forward DeAndre’ Bembry will miss 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery on his fractured wrist.
- The Lakers picked up their 2018/19 team options on forwards Brandon Ingram and Larry Nance Jr.
- Point guard Isaiah Canaan signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract to fill the Rockets’ final roster spot.
- The Rockets also signed another point guard, Briante Weber, via a two-way contract.
- Nuggets forward Juan Hernangomez is out at least two weeks after contracting mononucleosis.
- Clippers guard Milos Teodosic is out indefinitely due to a foot injury.
- The Pelicans signed point guard Jameer Nelson to a one-year deal.