Five Key Stories: 12/15/19 – 12/21/19

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:

The Mavericks feel like they “dodged a bullet” when Luka Doncic‘s sprained right ankle turned out not to be severe. Doncic, who has been an MVP candidate through the first third of the season, was projected to miss about two weeks.

Lloyd Pierce’s job is safe in Atlanta although the Hawks are off to a disappointing 6-24 start. Management has been patient because the team is playing without John Collins, who is nearly done serving a 25-game suspension. Pierce’s contract is guaranteed through next season, with a team option for 2021/22.

Potential No. 1 pick James Wiseman opted to leave Memphis and prepare for the 2020 draft on his own. Wiseman played just three college games and was serving a 12-game suspension related to recruiting violations.

• The Raptors had a disastrous injury week with Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Norman Powell all out indefinitely. Toronto, which sits in fourth place in the East coming into tonight, will try to stay competitive with a diminished lineup.
• The Nets lost David Nwaba for the season with a torn Achilles. He has a July 7 trigger date for his non-guaranteed $1.82MM salary for next season.
• The Wizards signed Anzejs Pasecniks to a two-way contract to help their depleted frontcourt. Chris Chiozza was waived to make room.
• The Wizards also guaranteed Jordan McRae‘s $1.6MM contract for the rest of the season.
• Reports this week suggest the Mavericks aren’t interested in trying to acquire Andre Iguodala from the Grizzlies. Memphis has vowed not to pursue a buyout with the veteran forward and is seeking a first-round pick in any trade.
• Former Cavaliers coach David Blatt joined the Knicks as a basketball operations consultant. Blatt’s duties involve the organization’s G League affiliate and international scouting.
• The players union filed an appeal of Dion Waiters‘ latest suspension. The NBPA hopes to regain at least some of the money the Heat guard lost as a result of the ban.
• No. 1 pick Zion Williamson has progressed to full weight-bearing exercises as he continues to rehab from knee surgery. The Pelicans still haven’t released a timeline for when he might make his NBA debut.
• The Timberwolves are among several teams that have contacted the Knicks about Dennis Smith Jr. The 2017 lottery pick has seen minimal playing time this season.
• Trey Burke‘s father issued a trade demand for his son on his Instagram account. The Sixers‘ back-up point guard, who signed a one-year deal this summer, issued a statement through the team saying he wants to stay in Philadelphia.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.