Five Key Stories: 10/28/17 – 11/4/17

In case you missed any of this past week’s NBA headlines, we have you covered. Here are some of the more noteworthy stories from the last 7 days.

The Sixers opted not to exercise Jahlil Okafor‘s fourth-year team option for 2018/19. The decision will maintain the Sixers’ cap flexibility for next summer as they try to secure some notable free agents, re-sign Robert Covington, and pay for Joel Embiid‘s max extension. In light of the Sixers’ decision, Okafor confirmed to reporters that he would like to be bought out or traded as soon as possible.

The Magic explored trading Mario Hezonja before ultimately deciding not to exercise his fourth-year option for 2018/19. The decision by the Sixers and the Magic to decline the options of Okafor and Hezonja, respectively, marks the first time in six years that a pair of players selected in the top six of the draft both had their final season’s options declined.

Despite rumors to the contrary, the Pistons are apparently not interested in trading Reggie Jackson for Eric Bledsoe. Reports surfaced earlier this week that the Suns, Pelicans, and Pistons were involved in trade discussions that would have sent Bledsoe to Detroit and Jackson to New Orleans, but Pistons head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy says no deal is in the works.

Both the Warriors and head coach Steve Kerr are confident that the two sides will finalize a new contract in 2018. Kerr, who has battled some health problems over the last few seasons, says that he opted to table extension talks until next summer so that he can be sure his health will allow him to make a long-term commitment to the franchise.

Cavaliers starting center Tristan Thompson is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a calf injury. Thompson, 26, sustained the left calf strain during the second quarter of Wednesday night’s game vs. Indiana.  Despite the loss of Thompson, the Cavs are not expected to make a roster move at this time.

Here are 10 more notable NBA headlines from the last week:

• The Kings exercised all five of their available rookie-scale options — on Willie Cauley-Stein, Buddy Hield, Georgios Papagiannis, Malachi Richardson, and Skal Labissiere.
• The Celtics picked up 2018/19 rookie-scale options on Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier.
• After nearly being waived in the preseason, Jarell Martin had his fourth-year option exercised by the Grizzlies.
• The Bucks picked up their third-year option on Thon Maker, but have decided to turn down Rashad Vaughn‘s fourth-year option.
• The Clippers have declined Brice Johnson‘s rookie-scale option after deciding to exercise the fourth-year option of Sam Dekker.
• In addition to Okafor, Hezonja, Vaughn, and Johnson, three other players on rookie-scale contracts (Josh Huestis – Thunder, Chris McCullough – Wizards, and Kevon Looney – Warriors) also had their options declined.
• According to his brother, Kristaps Porzingis is not a guarantee to re-sign with the Knicks.
• Glen Davis is returning to the G League in an effort to resurrect his NBA career.
• Lakers forward Larry Nance has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks with a fractured hand.
• The Rockets waived point guard Isaiah Canaan less than a week after he signed with the team.