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:
Nets guard Kyrie Irving will undergo a procedure on his right shoulder and miss the rest of the season. Irving, who has played just 20 games since signing with Brooklyn last summer, saw a specialist this week to get an evaluation of the shoulder. He got a cortisone shot earlier this season to try to relieve the pain.
Kevin Durant, the Nets’ other free agent prize from last summer, confirmed that he won’t try to make a comeback this season. Brooklyn knew the chances were slim that Durant would take the court during his first season with the team. “The best thing for me is to continue to rehab, get as strong as I can and focus on next season,” he said.
The Cavaliers made a long-rumored coaching change, as John Beilein resigned midway through his first season behind the bench. Beilein, who signed a five-year contract last spring, will be assigned to a different role in the organization.
The West-leading Lakers are poised to add depth to their roster with the expected signing of Markieff Morris, who agreed to a buyout with the Pistons. L.A. plans to open a roster spot by waiving injured center DeMarcus Cousins.
The new target score ending for the All-Star Game received rave reviews after it produced a close finish that brought back some of the intensity that recent games have been missing. A league official expects the format to be retained for next season.
Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from around the basketball world this week:
- All-Star Weekend featured controversy as Orlando’s Aaron Gordon strung together five straight 50s, but still lost the dunk contest to Miami’s Derrick Jones Jr. Gordon and many observers were unhappy with the 47 he received in the final round after jumping over 7’5″ Celtics rookie Tacko Fall.
- Also last weekend, commissioner Adam Silver announced that the All-Star MVP award would be renamed in honor of Kobe Bryant.
- The Warriors ended speculation about a possible Klay Thompson comeback by declaring him out for the rest of the season. Thompson is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in last year’s Finals.
- Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns will miss at least two more weeks with a fractured wrist. It marks Towns’ second extended absence of the season.
- The Bulls may have lost Kris Dunn for the rest of the season with a sprained right MCL. He’s scheduled to continue his current rehab program through mid to late March.
- Reggie Jackson signed with the Clippers after reaching a buyout agreement with the Pistons.
- The Rockets added a pair of veterans by signing DeMarre Carroll, who completed a buyout with the Spurs, and inking Jeff Green to a 10-day contract.
- After being traded from the Clippers to the Knicks at the deadline, Maurice Harkless won’t seek a buyout with New York.
- After winning MVP honors last season, Joe Johnson will return to the BIG3. The 38-year-old earned a training camp invitation from the Pistons after his impressive showing last summer.
- The NBA released 2020/21 projections for its mid-level and bi-annual exceptions.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Time to start the “healing process” for the many unhappy observers at the dunk contest-
1 day at a time…….
Yet another disaster for the Brooklyn Nets, just like seven years ago when they made that huge trade with Boston. We all know how well that worked out.
Also rumored to be developing =
The L A Lakers will be renamed the L A Kobes and the team name “Lakers” will be returned to it’s rightful place in Minnesota. It is hoped that this will end the curse on the current Minnesota Timberwolves.
Will their new mascot be a giant kobe steak?