If case you missed any of this past week’s biggest headlines from around the NBA (e.g. trade deadline), we’ve got you covered with our Week in Review. Below are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days.
The Cavaliers traded away half of their rotation – including former MVP-candidate Isaiah Thomas – in what became a wild day in Cleveland on Thursday. All told, the Cavaliers traded away six players (Thomas, Channing Frye, Jae Crowder, Derrick Rose, Iman Shumpert, and Dwyane Wade), their 2018 first-round pick (lightly protected – LAL), and a second-round pick in 2020 (SAC) in exchange for four players (George Hill, Rodney Hood, Jordan Clarkson, and Larry Nance Jr.) and a heavily protected second-round pick in 2024 (MIA). Frye and Thomas head to the Lakers, Crowder and Rose to the Jazz, while Shumpert is now on the Kings and Wade returns to the Heat. Meanwhile, Joe Johnson was sent from Utah to Sacramento.
Speaking of Johnson, he was bought out by the Kings this afternoon and will sign with the Rockets once he clears waivers on Monday. Johnson, 36, was rumored to be favoring the Celtics or the Warriors after he hit free agency, but has evidently decided to sign with Houston instead. In addition, the Rockets are expected to sign 11-year veteran Brandan Wright after he completes a buyout with the Grizzlies. In order to make room on the roster for the new additions, Houston will waive Bobby Brown, who the team had just signed yesterday, and will need to cut one more player.
In another deadline-day deal, three former lottery selections changed teams in a three-way deal between the Knicks, Mavericks, and Nuggets. The trade will send Emmanuel Mudiay to the Knicks, Devin Harris to the Nuggets, and Doug McDermott to the Mavericks. Additionally, Denver acquired a second-round pick from New York and Dallas acquired a second-round pick from Denver – both in this year’s draft.
In non-trade related news, Clippers break-out star Lou Williams has signed a three-year contract extension with a partial guarantee in the third year. Williams will make $8MM annually, with the third-year guarantee paying $1.5MM for a total of $17.5MM in guaranteed money. Given Williams’ play so far this season, most pundits estimated a yearly guarantee exceeding that amount, but Williams is reportedly happy in Los Angeles and prefers the stability this new contract provides as opposed to testing the free agent market.
In yet another tough break for Team LeBron, not to mention the Knicks, All-Star forward Kristaps Porzingis suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during Tuesday night’s game against Milwaukee and will miss the remainder of the season. And, despite being able to put weight on the knee after the injury occurred, recovery time could be as long as 12 months.
Here are 11 more worthwhile NBA headlines from last week:
- The Suns acquired Elfrid Payton from the Magic for a second-round pick in this year’s draft. Isaiah Canaan was waived to make room on the Suns’ roster for Payton.
- The Hawks and Marco Belinelli reached an agreement on a buyout, with Belinelli expected to draw interest from plenty of suitors.
- The Knicks traded Willy Hernangomez to the Hornets in exchange for Johnny O’Bryant and Charlotte’s second-round picks in 2020 and 2021.
- The Pistons acquired Jameer Nelson from the Bulls in exchange for Willie Reed and the Bulls’ right to swap second-round picks in 2022.
- The Grizzlies traded James Ennis to the Pistons in exchange for Brice Johnson and a 2022 second-round pick.
- The Bucks acquired Tyler Zeller from the Nets for Rashad Vaughn and a protected 2018 second-round pick. Then, on deadline day, Vaughn was traded by Brooklyn to the Pelicans in exchange for Dante Cunningham.
- The Trail Blazers traded Noah Vonleh to the Bulls, thereby lowering Portland beneath the luxury tax line.
- The Heat acquired Luke Babbitt from the Hawks in exchange for Okaro White, who Atlanta then waived.
- The Kings traded Malachi Richardson to the Raptors in exchange for Bruno Caboclo. Despite an initial report, Caboclo will not be released at this time.
- 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo admitted that it’s possible Markelle Fultz won’t play again this season.
- Nets point guard Jeremy Lin has opted into his $12.5MM player option for the 2018/19 NBA season.
Feel bad for players suffering injuries, but really don’t give a crap how it affects the all star teams. It’s an exhibition game, nothing more.