It was a very busy week in the NBA, with teams around the league exercising options for 2013/14, and making cuts in advance of the regular season. In addition to all those roster moves, there were a pair of big stories involving the NBA commissioner and the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. Here's a round-up of the week's news and rumors:
- Late Saturday night, the Thunder stunned the league by sending James Harden to the Rockets along with Cole Aldrich, Lazar Hayward, and Daequan Cook. Oklahoma City received Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and a handful of draft picks in return. As you might imagine, the deal inspired plenty of reactions.
- David Stern will step down as NBA commissioner in February of 2014, exactly 30 years after he took over the job. Before he retires, Stern is hoping to return an NBA team to Seattle.
- The NBA has officially eliminated the center position from the All-Star ballot, allowing fans to select two guards and three frontcourt players instead. The league also formally approved the sale of the Grizzlies to Robert Pera.
- NBA.com's annual general manager survey was released and included some interesting results.
- The Cavaliers reportedly offered Nicolas Batum a $52MM deal in restricted free agency this summer before Batum signed the Timberwolves' offer sheet.
- Nothing is finalized yet, but Gilbert Arenas appears to be closing in on a deal with China's Guangdong Southern Tigers.
- The Pacers aren't presently interested in trading Danny Granger.
- After he and Derrick Brown were waived by the Spurs, Eddy Curry was claimed on waivers by the Mavericks. Delonte West is expected to be cut to make room for Curry.
- San Antonio also released Josh Powell, Wesley Witherspoon, and JaMychal Green, and picked up its 2013/14 options on Kawhi Leonard and Cory Joseph.
- Chris Douglas-Roberts, Greg Somogyi, and Andrew Goudelock were all released by the Lakers.
- The Mavericks signed Melvin Ely and Douglas-Roberts, then waived them. Both players are candidates to join the Mavs' D-League squad.
- With ankle issues plaguing Stephen Curry once again, a contract extension before Wednesday's deadline appears unlikely.
- Raja Bell and the Jazz are no longer discussing a buyout for the veteran forward.
- Byron Scott is under contract with the Cavaliers for two more seasons, after the team exercised his 2013/14 option.
- The Thunder won't extend Eric Maynor's contract this month, allowing him instead to hit restricted free agency next summer.
- In addition to exercising their fourth-year option on Paul George, the Pacers waived Luke Nevill, Sundiata Gaines, and Blake Ahearn.
- The Jazz exercised 2013/14 options for Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Gordon Hayward, and Alec Burks. Utah also waived Darnell Jackson and Chris Quinn.
- The Kings reduced their roster to 14 players by waiving Tony Mitchell, Hamady N'Diaye, and Willie Reed.
- A pair of 2009 lottery picks were cut loose when the Pistons released Terrence Williams and Jonny Flynn. Detroit also picked up its 2013/14 options on Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe.
- The Bucks picked up a trio of options, locking up Larry Sanders, Ekpe Udoh, and Tobias Harris for 2013/14. The team also cut four camp invitees: Alando Tucker, Eddie Gill, Mustapha Farrakhan, and Orien Greene.
- Evan Turner had his fourth-year option exercised by the 76ers. The team also waived Devin Searcy to reduce the roster to 14 players.
- The Raptors set their regular-season roster by waiving Jerel McNeal and Chris Wright, along with Jamaal Magloire.
- The Bobcats made a series of moves, exercising 2013/14 options on Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo, as well as waiving Josh Owens and DaJuan Summers.
- A pair of point guards hit the market when the Nuggets released Anthony Carter and Ben Uzoh. Denver also exercised its third-year options on Kenneth Faried and Jordan Hamilton. However, extension talks between the team and Ty Lawson appear to be at an impasse.
- The Wizards waived four players: Brian Cook, Shelvin Mack, Steven Gray, and Shavlik Randolph.
- D'Aundray Brown's D-League rights were obtained by the Cavaliers after the team signed him and then waived him along with Micheal Eric and Kevin Jones.
- The Suns' roster casualties included Solomon Jones and Ike Diogu. Phoenix also picked up its 2013/14 option on Markieff Morris, but has yet to do so for Wesley Johnson.
- The Warriors reduced their roster to 15 by waiving Carlon Brown, Lance Goulbourne, Rick Jackson, and Tarence Kinsey. The team also exercised its third-year option on Klay Thompson.
- Adam Morrison was one of five players released by the Trail Blazers.
- The Grizzlies also cut five players, including Jerome Jordan and Ronald "Flip" Murray.
- The Clippers worked their way down to 15 players by releasing Marqus Blakely, Hank Thorns, and Trent Plaisted.
- Marko Jaric and Ryan Allen were released by the Bulls.
- The Magic cut Christian Eyenga and Armon Johnson, along with Quentin Richardson, Justin Harper, and Chris Johnson. Eyenga, Richardson, and Harper all had guaranteed contracts. Orlando also exercised its 2013/14 option on the recently acquired Nikola Vucevic.
- The Nets waived three camp invitees: Stephen Dennis, James Mays, and Carleton Scott.
- J.R. Smith's brother Chris Smith was dropped by the Knicks following his patella injury. New York also waived Oscar Bellfield, John Shurna, Mychel Thompson and Henry Sims to get to the 15-man limit.
- The Thunder released Walker Russell Jr., as well as Andy Rautins, Daniel Orton and Hollis Thompson.
- The Celtics finalized their roster by cutting Rob Kurz and Micah Downs.
- The Heat waived three players: Rodney Carney, Jarvis Varnado, and Garrett Temple.
- Damion James and James Anderson were released by the Hawks.
- The Rockets claimed and cut Reeves Nelson, securing his D-League rights. Houston also waived JaJuan Johnson.
- The Timberwolves reduced their roster to 15 by waiving Chris Johnson and Mike Harris.
- The Hornets dropped Solomon Alabi and Chris Wright.
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