In case you missed any of this week’s biggest NBA stories, we’ve got you covered with our Week in Review. Listed below are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days.
After declaring last week that Jimmy Butler is indeed available, it was reported this week that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor wants the trade to be completed as soon as possible, ordering GM Scott Layden to start aggressively pursuing a trade. Yet, it was also reported that coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau met with Butler on Monday in an attempt to coax Butler to rejoin the team. Butler reportedly declined. The Cavaliers, Rockets, and Heat are the latest teams to have reported interest in trading for Butler, with Miami as the reported favorite.
In other, more positive Timberwolves’ news, the team has officially signed All-NBA big man Karl-Anthony Towns to a five-year, super-max salary contract extension. The deal could end up paying Towns as much as $190MM over five years. Terms of the contract enable Towns to earn 30% of the team’s salary cap by making an All-NBA team or by being named MVP or Defensive Player of the Year this season. If Towns doesn’t meet the super-max criteria, his new deal would start at 25% of the cap rather than 30%. Towns’ new deal does not contain any options.
The Knicks and Joakim Noah are finally close to a buyout agreement after months of speculation that a deal would get done. The buyout was expected to be finalized either Monday or Tuesday, but it’s still in the works. When the deal gets done, it’s almost certain to be a waive and stretch agreement with Noah likely retaining most of his guaranteed salary. Regardless of when the agreement is finalized, Noah has not and will not report to training camp. He has been away from the team since he was suspended in January for a clash with ex-coach Jeff Hornacek over playing time.
Veteran NBA forward Mirza Teletovic is retiring from basketball after being diagnosed with pulmonary emboli in both lungs while playing for the Bucks last season. Teletovic, 33, has accepted an offer to become the new president of the Bosnian Basketball Federation. When reports surfaced in the winter suggesting that Teletovic’s playing career was likely over, the six-year NBA veteran denied it. However, he was waived by Milwaukee the following week, so his retirement decision seemingly appears to be motivated by his health issues. Teletovic averaged 8.1 PPG and 3.2 RPG in 324 regular season contests with the Nets, Suns, and Bucks over his NBA career.
Bulls power forward Lauri Markkanen will be out for an estimated 6-to-8 weeks after suffering a high-grade right lateral elbow sprain during practice on Thursday. Markkanen underwent an MRI on Friday. Markkanen had an outstanding rookie campaign, averaging 15.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG in 29.7 MPG while appearing in 68 contests. With the second-year man out, the Bulls will likely thrust Bobby Portis into a starting role or move Jabari Parker from small forward to the four spot and start Justin Holiday or Denzel Valentine.
Here are 10 more notable NBA headlines from the last week:
- The Warriors entered training camp without swingman Patrick McCaw, who continues to contemplate the team’s $1.7MM qualifying offer.
- The Bucks have signed reserve point guard Tim Frazier to their training camp roster.
- Pelicans’ superstar forward Anthony Davis has signed with agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.
- Heat forward James Johnson hasn’t been medically cleared for contact and may not be ready for the team’s season opener.
- In other Butler news, the Kings and their cap space are open to facilitating a three-team deal with the Wolves involving Butler.
- Former second-overall pick Derrick Williams has agreed to a contract with Bayern Munich in Germany.
- The NBA has announced that it will make fourth quarters of certain games available for purchase this season.
- Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes may miss the preseason due to a hamstring injury he suffered in practice.
- Longtime NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy has been hired as an NBA studio analyst by ESPN.
- The Lakers have hired Kurt Rambis as their senior basketball advisor to president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson.