Hoops Rumors has you covered in the event you missed any of this past week’s headlines from around the NBA. Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last 7 days.
Isaiah Thomas is expected to be back in uniform for the Cavaliers sometime within the first week of the new year. Thomas, who has been sidelined with a torn labrum in his right hip since last season’s Eastern Conference Finals, apparently feels good enough to play now, but the Cavs are being extra cautious to ensure that Thomas doesn’t re-injure himself. The Cavs begin 2018 with games against Portland (1/2), at Boston (1/3), and at Orlando (1/6).
In what was reported as an unpopular move within the locker room, the Bucks waived Gary Payton II in order to make room for Sean Kilpatrick, whom the Bucks signed to their second two-way contract slot alongside Joel Bolomboy. Kilpatrick was waived by Brooklyn back in early December in order to open up a roster spot for the trade that brought in Jahlil Okafor and Nik Stauskas.
Days after general manager Ryan McDonough spoke about how the Suns planned to keep newly-acquired Isaiah Canaan on the team’s roster moving forward, the team announced that Canaan has been signed for the remainder of the season. In order to make room for Canaan, the Suns had to waive rookie point guard Mike James, the first player to have his two-way contract converted to a standard NBA deal.
In what has become less and less surprising each time it occurs, LaVar Ball made an announcement this week. In it, he proclaimed that he will launch the Junior Basketball Association, a newly-formed professional basketball league for nationally ranked high-school players who have graduated from high school but do not want to go to college. Ball’s Big Baller Brand will fund the league, where players can reportedly expect to make between $3-10K per month.
The Jazz made some roster moves this week, waiving both of their two-way players – Eric Griffin and Nate Wolters. Griffin was released in order to make room for the signing of forward Erik McCree, who profiles as a stretch-4 with three-point range. Wolters was released a day later in order to open up a spot for newly signed two-way player Naz Mitrou-Long.
Here are 10 more headlines from around the NBA last week.
- Turkish prosecutors are seeking a ridiculous prison sentence for Knicks‘ center Enes Kanter in regard to insulting comments he made about Turkey’s president.
- According to the man himself, Vince Carter is confident that he will end up back on the Raptors‘ roster before he calls it a career.
- As expected, the Hawks converted the two-way contract of rookie big man Tyler Cavanaugh into a standard NBA contract.
- Mike Conley continues to undergo therapy and treatment on his left heel, and the Grizzlies do not expect him back before the new year.
- After leaving Monday night’s game against Golden State with a sprained right ankle, Lakers‘ starting center Brook Lopez is expected to miss at least three weeks.
- Despite the relatively rocky start to their season, the Thunder have no plans to trade Paul George.
- Mavericks‘ owner Mark Cuban, whilst discussing the sale of the Carolina Panthers, said he has no interest in owning an NFL franchise.
- The Cavaliers are quietly exploring the possibility of trading for Clippers‘ center DeAndre Jordan.
- After already missing time earlier this season, Clippers‘ offseason acquisition Danilo Gallinari is expected to miss several more weeks after re-injuring his glute.
- The Bulls waived seldom-used second-year guard Kay Felder.