Here's a look back at the past week of activity:
- The Dwight Howard saga continues, with the latest significant development being Kobe Bryant's apparent message to Howard that he would be a third option on the Lakers, which seems to have turned the 26-year-old superstar center off from the idea of playing in Los Angeles. The Nets appear to be the frontrunner to land Howard at this point, although he is said to be interested in the Bulls as well.
- The biggest transaction of the week was Kenyon Martin's FIBA clearance to return to the NBA, and subsequent agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers on a one-year contract worth the $2.5MM room exception.
- Martin's former Nuggets teammate J.R. Smith is also set to return to the NBA soon after a stint in China, and has been linked in recent days to the Clippers and Knicks.
- The Hornets took Chris Kaman off the market after shopping him aggressively in recent weeks. New Orleans also signed Lance Thomas to a 10-day contract following Carl Landry's sprained MCL.
- The Lakers have discussed acquiring Gilbert Arenas or Ramon Sessions to solve their point guard issues, but questions of Arenas' health and the prospect of giving up a first-round pick for Sessions has made them hesitant to pull the trigger on either one. The Knicks also have interest in Sessions.
- Washington forward Andray Blatche is on the trading block, with the Bobcats a possible match, although nothing is close.
- Veteran center Joel Przybilla has received offers from Miami and Chicago and is expected to decide between them soon.