Five Key Stories: 3/8/20 – 3/14/20

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:

An unprecedented week for the NBA saw the league suspend operations indefinitely due to the spread of the coronavirus. The league is preparing for the shutdown to last at least 30 days as health officials discourage large gatherings in an effort to get the virus under control. Commissioner Adam Silver admitted it’s possible that the current season will not be finished.

The G League also suspended its season this week, while the NBA 2K League season was canceled. The NCAA decided to call off its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments after giving consideration to a 16-team field.

Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus shortly before Wednesday’s scheduled game between the Jazz and Thunder, forcing it to be postponed. Teammate Donovan Mitchell also contracted the virus.

Silver penned a letter to NBA fans to explain the situation. He explained that tickets to all games will be honored once the season begins, and refunds will be issued if they have to be canceled or played in an empty arena.

Many teams around the league announced that arena staff will continue to be paid during the shutdown. Several players have contributed money to make sure that workers can survive financially until the games resume.

Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from around the basketball world this week:

• Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff has a new contract that runs through the end of the 2023/24 season. He took over when John Beilein stepped down as head coach last month.
• Veteran center Joakim Noah signed a 10-day contract with the Clippers. Both sides were planning to test out the arrangement before working out a deal for the rest of the season.
• The Warriors signed rookie guard Mychal Mulder to a multi-year deal. He impressed the coaching staff with his performance on a 10-day contract that expired last Saturday.
• Sheldon Mac returned to the NBA after a three-year absence, signing a 10-day contract with the Cavaliers. He had been with the team’s G League affiliate in Canton.
• Jontay Porter agreed to a multi-year contract with the Grizzlies. He is still recovering after a pair of knee injuries and is expected to be ready for training camp in September.
• The Suns released two-way player Jared Harper. He got into just three NBA games and played eight total minutes during his time with the organization.
• Bulls forward Chandler Hutchison opted for shoulder surgery, which will sideline him for 12 to 16 weeks. Injuries have limited him to a combined 72 games in his first two NBA seasons.
• Vince Carter addressed the possibility that his long NBA career might be over if the season doesn’t resume.
• Before the season was suspended, Lance Stephenson talked to the Pacers about possibly returning to the team. He is currently under contract with the Liaoning Flying Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association.
• Disabled Player Exceptions expired this week across the league. Six teams were granted DPEs that weren’t used.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.