Week in Review

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 coronavirus continues to dominate headlines as the NBA’s hiatus stretched past its second full week. The biggest development was the International Olympic Committee’s decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics until 2021. The move may affect the availability of NBA players, depending how the current season is resolved.

A tragic story surrounded Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, who announced that his mother is in a medically induced coma with COVID-19, while his father has also contracted the virus. Towns shared his mother’s story in a YouTube video as a way to promote the need for proper precautions.

Jazz stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, the first two players in the NBA to test positive for the coronavirus, have both been cleared after a two-week self-isolation. The Utah Department of Health confirmed that they are no longer carrying the virus.

Christian Wood is also fully recovered after registering a negative test result on Wednesday. He is the only Pistons player known to have been affected by the virus.

ESPN analyst Doris Burke revealed that she also contracted COVID-19. She began feeling the effects of the virus after working at a game March 11, the final night of play before the hiatus began.

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

• The top basketball league in Italy abandoned plans to resume play this season. No champion will be selected and the focus will shift to starting next season on time.
• The Korean Basketball League, which has been suspended since the end of February, also called off the remainder of its season. The Chinese Basketball Association pushed back its planned resumption to May after originally setting a target date of April 15.
• The NBA’s top-earning executives will have their salaries cut by 20% for the duration of the coronavirus crisis. The move will affect approximately 100 league employees.
• The Sixers called off a plan to reduce salaries by 20% for full-time employees who earn more than $50K per year.
• Las Vegas, the primary host for NBA Summer League games, is being considered as a possible site to complete the season. Under the scenario, no fans would be admitted to the games.
• Dayton’s Obi Toppin declared for the draft this week. He is considered a definite lottery pick with a chance to go in the top five.
• Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton, another potential high lottery pick, also announced that he will test the draft waters.
• There’s little chance that Wizards guard John Wall will play this season, no matter how late it resumes. The team plans to remain cautious with Wall, who is recovering from a torn Achilles.
• The Knicks seem likely to guarantee Reggie Bullock‘s $4.2MM salary for next season. He has $1MM in guaranteed money if the team lets him go.
• Clippers owner Steve Ballmer reached an agreement to buy the Forum, eliminating a major obstacle to his plan to build a new arena in Inglewood, California.

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 number of NBA players testing positive for the coronavirus grew significantly in the past week. The Pistons’ Christian Wood joined the list Saturday night, followed by four Nets players, including Kevin Durant, on Tuesday. Celtics guard Marcus Smart also tested positive, along with two unidentified Lakers. In addition, three members of the Sixers organization and a member of the Nuggets organization registered positive tests.

The NBA closed team facilities to staff and players starting Friday to help contain the spread of the virus. Several teams had already made the move on their own.

After learning he had the coronavirus, Jazz star Donovan Mitchell admitted to being frustrated with teammate Rudy Gobert. In an appearance on “Good Morning America,” Mitchell said it took him some time to “cool off.”

Players aren’t guaranteed to continue receiving salary checks after April 1. The NBA sent out a memo this week saying it will provide “additional guidance” on the next round of payments, which are scheduled for April 15.

In an ESPN interview, commissioner Adam Silver said he remains “optimistic” that the season can be saved. He discussed several options for resuming play, including a charity game involving players who have been quarantined to make sure they aren’t carrying the virus.

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

• The BIG3 is hoping to stage a “quarantined, reality show-style” tournament in April. The league wants to find 16 to 22 players who test negative for the coronavirus and keep them isolated in a house in Los Angeles.
• Australia called off its best-of-five championship series after three games because of virus concerns.
• Georgia guard Anthony Edwards, who is in the running for the first pick, declared for the NBA draft this week. He tops the latest draft projections by ESPN and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic.
• Auburn’s Isaac Okoro, also projected as a possible top-five pick, declared for the draft as well. The freshman forward has been rising up draft boards all season.
• Also entering the draft this week was Duke’s Tre Jones. The sophomore point guard was named ACC Player of the Year.
• The Knicks are reportedly interested in pursuing Pistons’ big man Christian Wood in free agency whenever the offseason arrives.
• Isaiah Thomas expressed confidence that he’ll be able to find another NBA job when the league resumes play. Thomas is a free agent after being waived by the Clippers, who acquired him at the trade deadline.
• It’s “not very realistic” to expect Kevin Durant to return this season, even if play gets extended into late summer, according to business partner Rich Kleiman.
• Clippers guard Terance Mann had hand surgery this week to fix a torn ligament.
• The NBA and the players union agreed to halt drug testing while the league is on hiatus.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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:

One of the NBA’s biggest stars returned to the court this week as Stephen Curry received medical clearance after missing four months with a fracture in his left hand. The two-time MVP scored 27 points in his first game back, but then came down with the flu.

In a surprising move, the Nets decided to part with coach Kenny Atkinson, who had been the longest-tenured active coach in New York professional sports. Assistant Jacque Vaughn will guide the team on an interim basis.

Leon Rose formally took over the Knicks’ front office this week, but the move was overshadowed by a public dispute with celebrity fan Spike Lee. The director has vowed not to attend any more games this season at Madison Square Garden.

The Lakers signed former Heat guard Dion Waiters for the rest of the season. L.A. opened a roster spot by waiving Troy Daniels, who wound up with the Nuggets.

Joakim Noah is returning to the NBA, reaching an agreement to join the Clippers. The veteran center will start on a 10-day deal with hopes of signing for the remainder of the season.

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

• Amid fears of a worsening coronavirus outbreak, NBA teams are being instructed to make plans to play games in empty arenas. Those measures are already in place in Italy, which is among the nations hardest hit by the virus.
• Magic coach Steve Clifford is OK after leaving Friday night’s game with dizziness in the third quarter. He was diagnosed with dehydration and was given clearance to continue coaching.
• The NBA denied a protest of the Mavericks‘ February 22 loss in Atlanta and fined owner Mark Cuban $500K for remarks he made about league officials.
• Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is attempting to buy the Forum in Inglewood, California, to help clear the way for a new arena for his team. The Forum is owned by Madison Square Garden Company, which has been engaged in a legal battle to block the new facility.
• Nets guard Kyrie Irving had arthroscopic surgery on his injured right shoulder. He is expected to make a full recovery in time for next season.
• Suns forward Kelly Oubre had surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks to determine if he will return this season.
• Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic set March 15 as a target date to return from the severe leg injuries he suffered last season.
• The Pistons obtained guard Jordan McRae with a successful waiver claim. The Suns were also reportedly interested, but Detroit was ahead of them in the waiver order.
• Bradley Beal expressed interest in remaining with the Wizards for the rest of his career. He signed an extension in October that will keep him in Washington through at least the 2021/22 season.
• Zach Randolph has committed to play in the BIG3 this summer.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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:

Sixers star Ben Simmons will miss a critical part of the season because of a nerve impingement in his lower back. He will be re-evaluated in early March, but the team doesn’t expect him back on the court for a while. Teammate Joel Embiid was also injured this week, suffering a sprained shoulder, but his prognosis is much better.

Hornets guard Malik Monk was suspended indefinitely for a violation of the NBA’s anti-drug program. He won’t be allowed to play again until he is in “full compliance.” The team and coach James Borrego both expressed their support for Monk.

The Pacers lost Jeremy Lamb for the rest of the season with a severe knee injury. Lamb suffered a torn left ACL, a torn meniscus and a lateral femoral condylar fracture. No recovery timeline has been provided beyond this season.

The slumping Jazz shook up their starting lineup, replacing Joe Ingles with Royce O’Neale. Original reports had O’Neale taking Mike Conley‘s place, but coach Quin Snyder opted to move Ingles to the bench.

Former Heat guard Dion Waiters will meet with Lakers officials Monday to talk about joining the team. Waiters has been a free agent since being waived by the Grizzlies after a trade sent him there at the deadline.

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

• The Lakers already added some help for the stretch run by signing Markieff Morris after he cleared waivers Sunday. Morris agreed to a buyout with the Pistons last week.
• Two other veterans are hoping to catch on with contenders after being cut loose earlier today. The Kings waived Anthony Tolliver, and the Timberwolves reached a buyout with Allen Crabbe.
• The Knicks have a few players who could help contending teams, but they don’t plan to negotiate any buyouts this season.
• After nearly a month-long wait, Leon Rose will take over as the Knicks‘ president of basketball operations tomorrow. Rose has been finalizing things with his agency and helped plan Dwyane Wade‘s three-day retirement celebration.
• The Sixers will reportedly consider trading Al Horford this summer. Horford has been a disappointment after signing a four-year, $109MM deal.
• After joining the Rockets on a 10-day contract, Jeff Green has signed with the team for the rest of the season.
• The Grizzlies signed Jarrod Uthoff to a 10-day contract out of the G League, marking an early end to Dusty Hannahs‘ 10-day deal.
• Bulls center Luke Kornet may be out for the season after suffering a severe left ankle sprain and a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot.
• The season is also in jeopardy for Suns forward Kelly Oubre, who has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee.
• The Mavericks filed a protest with the league regarding a loss in Atlanta.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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.

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:

USA Basketball announced a preliminary list of 44 players who will be considered for spots on the Summer Olympics team. The Lakers led the way with five selections in LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, Kyle Kuzma and JaVale McGee.

The late Kobe Bryant was among eight finalists announced for enshrinement into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Perennial All-Stars Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are also eligible for the first time.

Already sporting the league’s best record, the Bucks added some depth by signing Marvin Williams, who reached a buyout agreement with the Hornets. Milwaukee waived Dragan Bender to make room for Williams.

Darren Collison, who had been pondering an NBA comeback with the Lakers or Clippers, decided to sit out the rest of the season. The former Pacers guard may reconsider his plans this summer.

The Trail Blazers had a setback to their playoff hopes when Damian Lillard suffered a groin injury that will sideline him for one to two weeks. Lillard was replaced in the All-Star Game and Three-Point Contest by Suns guard Devin Booker.

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

• The Timberwolves‘ Karl-Anthony Towns may be sidelined past the All-Star break with a wrist injury. Minnesota is in contention for the league’s worst record and figures to be cautious with its franchise center.
• Paul George‘s troublesome left hamstring flared up again in the Clippers‘ final game before the break. It’s the third time this season that George has experienced a problem with the hamstring.
• MVP candidate Luka Doncic was back on the court Wednesday after missing seven games with an ankle sprain. He was also healthy enough to play in the Rising Stars Challenge.
• Knicks consultant Steve Stoute stirred up controversy by stating in an interview that interim coach Mike Miller won’t be brought back next season. In response, the team issued a statement denying that Miller’s fate has already been decided.
• The Knicks will consider Jeff Van Gundy and Tom Thibodeau as coaching candidates for next season.
• A report suggests unrest in Sacramento as owner Vivek Ranadive is unhappy with the direction of the franchise. General manager Vlade Divac and coach Luke Walton aren’t in any immediate danger of being replaced, but Ranadive plans to reassess the situation this summer.
• Michael Kidd-Gilchrist signed with the Mavericks after reaching a buyout agreement with Charlotte. Dallas waived Ryan Broekhoff to make room on the roster.
• The Hawks promoted two-way player Brandon Goodwin to their 15-man roster, signing him to a two-year contract. Atlanta had a roster opening after being active at the trade deadline.
• Dion Waiters expects to talk to the Lakers after clearing waivers. He was released by the Grizzlies this week after being acquired from Miami in the Andre Iguodala trade.
• The Knicks remain the most valuable franchise in the NBA in this year’s franchise valuations by Forbes.

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:

This season’s most anticipated NBA debut took place Wednesday in New Orleans as No. 1 pick Zion Williamson played in his first regular season game. Williamson was dominant in the preseason before suffering a meniscus injury that required surgery. He admitted that it was frustrating to be sidelined as his recovery time stretched to three months.

Starters were announced for this year’s All-Star game, which will be played February 16 in Chicago. Fans selected Trae Young, Kemba Walker, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid in the East and James Harden, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis in the West. As the top vote-getters in each conference, James and Antetokounmpo will conduct a mock draft.

The Mavericks picked up some frontcourt help by acquiring Willie Cauley-Stein from the Warriors. Golden State received Utah’s 2020 second-round pick in return. Dallas also traded Isaiah Roby to the Thunder for Justin Patton, who was waived to open a roster spot.

Dallas needed another big man because Dwight Powell was lost for the rest of the season with a ruptured right Achilles tendon. The long recovery time associated with the injury could keep Powell sidelined for most of the 2020/21 season as well.

The Warriors may get Stephen Curry back in their lineup by the beginning of March. Curry, who broke his left hand in late October, has set March 1 as a “target date” for a possible return.

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

• Curry’s former teammate, Kevin Durant, is also showing improvement in rehabbing his injury. Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said Durant is “progressing” after Achilles surgery, but there are still no plans for him to play this season.
• Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic was a full participant in practice this week for the first time since suffering compound fractures to his left tibia and fibula last March. Nurkic still doesn’t have a timeline to start playing again.
• The Bulls lost Lauri Markkanen for four to six weeks after an MRI revealed an early stress reaction of his right pelvis. He will be extension-eligible this summer.
• Andre Iguodala feels healthy and ready to start playing again after sitting out half the season while the Grizzlies try to find a trade partner. Memphis is seeking a first-round pick in return and has been reluctant to talk about a possible buyout.
• Despite some skirmishes with management and a few displays of frustration with his younger teammates, Kevin Love said he wouldn’t mind staying with the Cavaliers past next month’s trade deadline.
• The Kings seem determined to hold onto Bogdan Bogdanovic and take their chances with re-signing him as a restricted free agent this summer.
• The Knicks may have interest in trading for Hornets guard Malik Monk.
• The Pistons were granted a $9.258MM disabled player exception after Blake Griffin‘s injury. Detroit isn’t expected to sign anyone, but the DPE could be useful on the trade market.
• The Magic received a $4.629MM DPE for Al-Farouq Aminu‘s injury. Orlando has room under the tax line and may take advantage of the exception before the March 10 deadline.
• NFL star Larry Fitzgerald purchased an undisclosed share of the Suns. He and managing partner Robert Sarver are long-time friends.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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:

Kyrie Irving made headlines twice this week: first by returning to the court after a two-month absence caused by a shoulder injury, then by telling reporters the Nets have “glaring needs.” Irving later clarified that he isn’t calling for major changes by the trade deadline, but believes there are issues that need to be addressed in the long run.

The Timberwolves traded Jeff Teague to the Hawks, where he spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career. Atlanta also received swingman Treveon Graham in exchange for wing Allen Crabbe. Minnesota reportedly made the deal to gain flexibility in its pursuit of Warriors guard D’Angelo Russell.

Kent Bazemore and Trevor Ariza headlined a five-player trade between the Kings and Trail Blazers. The deal, which can’t be completed until Tuesday, will reduce Portland’s projected luxury tax payment by $12.6MM.

January 22 has been set as the date for Zion Williamson‘s NBA debut. The Pelicans have been protecting the top pick in the 2019 draft as he recovers from meniscus surgery, but he was able to participate in full practices this week without any issue.

A lingering foot injury will prevent LaMelo Ball from finishing his season in Australia. He played just 12 games for the Illawara Hawks, but his performance has some scouts convinced that he should be the first player selected in this year’s draft.

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

• The NBA has postponed a planned vote on several significant changes at its Board of Governors meeting in April. The league will get more input on proposals to create an in-season tournament and a postseason play-in tournament for the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference, and to reseed the conference finalists.
• Karl-Anthony Towns returned to action this week and shot down speculation that he wants the Timberwolves to trade him.
• The Cavaliers applied for a Disabled Player Exception after learning that Dylan Windler‘s leg injury will sideline him for his entire rookie season.
• The Magic suffered a setback in the playoff race with the news that D.J. Augustin will miss several weeks because of left knee bone irritation. The team plans to re-evaluate its back-up point guard in three to four weeks to see how he responds to treatment.
• The Nuggets will be without Jamal Murray for several games after he suffered an ankle injury.
• Pistons swingman Luke Kennard will miss at least another month due to bilateral knee tendinitis. The team hopes to get him back around the All-Star break.
• The Hawks and Knicks have both cooled their interest in Pistons center Andre Drummond. Detroit continues to shop its star big man, who can opt out of his contract for next season.
• The Wizards waived swingman C.J. Miles, who was lost for the season with a wrist injury in November. Miles is making $8.73 in the final year of his contract.
• Denzel Valentine spoke out about his lack of playing time with the Bulls. Valentine will be a restricted free agent this summer and may not have a future in Chicago.
• Several teams made roster moves this week prior to Wednesday’s deadline for signing players to two-way contracts.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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:

Blake Griffin is sidelined indefinitely after undergoing knee surgery. Griffin has only been able to play 18 games so far and may be lost for the rest of the season, increasing the chances that Andre Drummond will be moved before next month’s trade deadline. Detroit has applied for a Disabled Player Exception worth $9.26MM.

Also having surgery this week was Sixers center Joel Embiid, who will be re-evaluated in one to two weeks after an operation on his left hand. The All-Star center suffered a dislocation of his ring finger on Monday.

Anthony Davis will be a free agent this summer after turning down a four-year, $145.7MM extension offfer from the Lakers. The decision was financially based, as Davis will be eligible to sign a five-year deal with the team in July worth $202MM.

General manager Rob Pelinka received an extension and promotion from the Lakers this week. Now the vice president of basketball operations, Pelinka has transformed the franchise by signing LeBron James in 2018 and trading for Davis last summer.

In a move that could shake up the Eastern Conference playoff race, Victor Oladipo announced that he is hoping to return to action January 29. The Pacers‘ All-Star guard has been sidelined since suffering a torn quad tendon last January.

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

• Lakers backup center Dwight Howard was among several players around the league who had their contracts guaranteed for the rest of the season by staying on the roster through Jan. 7. Howard signed with L.A. for the veteran’s minimum of $2.56MM.
• The Warriors waived Marquese Chriss before the guarantee date, although both sides are interested in a possible reunion. Golden State used the open roster spot to convert Damion Lee, who was running out of NBA days on his two-way contract.
• Paul Watson became the first player to sign a 10-day deal this season, reaching an agreement with the Hawks. Sunday was the first day that 10-day contracts could be offered.
• Magic forward Al-Farouq Aminu may be lost for the rest of the season after having meniscus surgery on his right knee. Aminu won’t be re-evaluated for 12 weeks, which puts him out through the beginning of April.
• The Magic applied for two Disabled Player Exceptions after injuries to Aminu and Jonathan Isaac. If granted by the league, they would be valued at $4,629,000 for Aminu and $2,903,220 for Isaac.
• Nets guard Kyrie Irving, who has been sidelined since November 14 with a shoulder injury, appears ready to return tomorrow. He met with reporters earlier this week and said he had a cortisone short in hopes of avoiding season-ending surgery.
• First-year Cavaliers coach John Beilein apologized to his team for saying they had been playing like “a bunch of thugs,” saying he meant to use the word “slugs.”
• Cavaliers forward Kevin Love was also remorseful for a confrontation with general manager Koby Altman. Love was recently fined $1K for his behavior on the sidelines in a loss to Toronto and has exhibited frustration with some of his young teammates.
• Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie is ready to offer digital investment opportunities. Because the NBA objected to a plan to tie the investments to his contract, he has abandoned that part of the plan and won’t use the league’s likeness or name.
• The NBA may drop its proposal to reseed the final four playoff teams.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.