If you missed any of this past week’s biggest headlines from around the NBA, we’ve got you covered with our Week in Review. Below are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days:
In one of the more interesting stories of the week, general managers of smaller-market teams are “privately expressing outrage” over what they perceive as the NBA’s unwillingness to enforce its own tampering rules after Lakers’ star forward LeBron James said this week that it would be “amazing” to team up with Pelicans’ forward Anthony Davis in Los Angeles. Earlier in the week, it was already reported that the Lakers refused to break up their young core to acquire Trevor Ariza from the Suns because they’re saving their assets for a run at Davis. The NBA confirmed that James’ comments were not tampering.
The Suns waived veteran point guard Austin Rivers after it was determined between him and the team that Rivers probably fits better on an older team contending for the postseason. In 29 games this season, Rivers is averaging 7.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG and 2.0 APG. Those totals are down from the previous two seasons, but Rivers still has significant postseason experience and could be a helpful piece to a team that needs scoring off the bench. After initially being thought to be signing with the Grizzlies, there are now four or five teams expressing interest in Rivers.
The Wizards have signed guard Ron Baker to a new contract and waived forward Okaro White in a corresponding move. After trading away Rivers and Kelly Oubre to the Suns, the Wizards really needed a guard more than a forward/big man, so it makes sense that Baker would replace White. That said, the Wizards only have 14 players on standard contracts, so they could have kept White and signed Baker. They apparently chose not to do so for luxury tax reasons.
While not necessarily noteworthy stories on their own, the following injuries and transactions shaped a lot of the news cycle this week.
Injuries
- Bulls’ guard Zach LaVine is expected to miss two to four weeks with a sprained left ankle, but surgery is not expected.
- Heat guard Goran Dragic underwent surgery to clean up his right knee and is expected to be out until after the All-Star break.
- Celtics’ center Aron Baynes suffered a broken left hand and will be out indefinitely after he undergoes surgery.
- Rockets’ point guard Chris Paul injured his left hamstring and will miss at least two weeks of action.
- Kristaps Porzingis is making good progress in his rehabilitation and will be re-evaluated in mid-February.
Transactions
- The Rockets waived seldom-used big man Zhou Qi.
- The Wizards signed point guard Chasson Randle to a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract.
- The Bulls will sign shooting guard Brandon Sampson to a two-way deal and waive Tyler Ulis.
- The Nuggets signed rookie guard Brandon Goodwin to a two-way contract.
Here are 11 more notable NBA headlines from the last week:
- While things are going well for Kawhi Leonard in Toronto, hometown Los Angeles is still his focus.
- Both the Jazz and Knicks are said to have interest in Bulls’ trade candidate forward Jabari Parker.
- Knicks’ owner James Dolan won’t entirely rule out the possibility of selling the team.
- The Thunder picked up the fifth-year option on the contract of head coach Billy Donovan.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the Rockets‘ top trade target as they look for wing help. The Rockets have been offering guard Brandon Knight and a first-round pick in potential packages for a wing.
- The Nets are hinting in talks with other teams that they might be buyers at the trade deadline.
- Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo is not looking to join forces with other stars.
- The Pelicans will also be buyers at the trade deadline, and they have a certain type of player in mind.
- For the first time ever, the NBA will play games in India during the 2019 preseason.
- The Warriors are still prepared to match any offer sheet that restricted free agent Patrick McCaw signs.
- The NBA has granted the Bucks salary-cap relief on Mirza Teletovic’s contract due to his career-ending injury.
James would hurt Davis.