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. Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days:
Ernie Grunfeld’s long tenure as GM of the Wizards came to an end Tuesday night. Washington got an early jump on the offseason by dismissing Grunfeld, who had been running the team since 2003. The Wizards will be among several organizations looking for a new GM this offseason.
A rape allegation against Kristaps Porzingis was made public. The incident allegedly occurred in New York City on the same day that Porzinigis suffered the ACL tear that ended his season last February. Mavericks officials said they were aware of the accusation when they traded for him in January.
The Lakers shut down LeBron James for the rest of the season to prevent any more damage to the injured groin that has been bothering him. James played just 55 games in his first year in L.A. and wasn’t able to end the team’s streak of non-playoff seasons that now stands at six.
Ja Morant of Murray State, one of the top prospects in college basketball, officially entered this year’s draft. The sophomore guard, who has been grabbing the attention of scouts all season, has been projected as high as No. 2 on many draft boards.
The status of another potential first-rounder is uncertain as Auburn’s Chuma Okeke suffered a torn left ACL in the NCAA Tournament. Okeke had been projected as a possible late first-round pick.
Here are more headlines from the past week:
- The Sixers added a big man for the postseason by signing Greg Monroe. He became available when his 10-day contract with the division rival Celtics expired.
- Michael Carter-Williams signed with the Magic for the rest of the season after impressing the organization with his performance on a pair of 10-day contracts. Isaiah Briscoe was waived to make room on the roster.
- Free agent center Tyler Zeller found a new home with the Grizzlies. He had been searching for an opportunity since being waived by the Bucks in the preseason and had spent 10 days with the Hawks.
- The Wizards decided to waive Wesley Johnson, who was acquired in a deadline deal with the Pelicans. The move allows Washington to get rid of his $9.2MM cap hold.
- The Nets gave extensions to GM Sean Marks, along with coach Kenny Atkinson and his staff. This has been a turnaround season for Brooklyn, which is in the midst of a battle for the playoffs after years of losing.
- The Pelicans started interviews for their open GM position, bringing in former Cavaliers GM David Griffin. Danny Ferry, currently serving as interim GM in New Orleans, is also among the candidates, along with Warriors assistant GM Larry Harris, Nets assistant GM Trajan Langdon, Rockets VP of basketball operations Gersson Rosas and Wizards interim GM Tommy Sheppard.
- Grizzlies assistant Jerry Stackhouse accepted a job as the new head coach at Vanderbilt. Stackhouse was in his first season with Memphis and interviewed for three NBA head coaching positions last year.
- The NBA reduced its projected salary cap for the 2020/21 season. The new projections of a $116MM cap and a $141MM tax level are $2MM less than the original figures.
- Chris Boucher of Raptors 905 was named Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year in the G League. Boucher collected the awards despite playing in just 28 of his team’s 50 games.
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