Week In Review: 12/11/16 – 12/17/16

Here’s a look back at all the notable news and events from around the NBA this past week:

Major News

• The NBA and the NBPA have reached an agreement on a new CBA. While the deal has not yet been ratified, both sides are allegedly on board with the new terms, the details of which soon came to light. As updates have poured in, the Hoops Rumors staff has consolidated and elaborated on the components of and reactions to the new agreement. Several new CBA mechanics will impact how rosters are constructed in the future.
• Legendary sideline reporter Craig Sager passed away on Thursday, just two days after being inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Sager had been battling an aggressive form of leukemia since 2014.

Transactions

• After renouncing their offer to Donatas Motiejunas, the Rockets re-signed Bobby Brown.
• The Grizzlies waived backup point guard Toney Douglas.
• Recently released Nets point guard Yogi Ferrell cleared waivers and returned to Brooklyn’s D-League affiliate in Long Island.
• Sixers camp invitee Brandon Paul signed a contract to play for Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Turkey.
• Journeyman center Henry Sims signed on with the Shanxi Brave Dragons in China.
• Former Wizards guard Gary Neal signed a D-League contract after failing to land an NBA deal this summer.

News

• Brett Brown believes that Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel can all coexist with the Sixers if they buy into his system. Alas, Noel – who changed agents earlier in the week – has been vocal with his displeasure since returning to the lineup.
• The Sacramento Bee published a video of past incidents between Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and the media. Disciplinary action could soon follow.
• Having established himself as a valuable part of their rotation, veteran forward Taj Gibson wishes to re-sign with the Bulls this summer. The 31-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career this summer.
• The NBA has promised the Cavaliers an All-Star Game after the completion of renovations at Quicken Loans Arena.
• Though it wasn’t the plan, Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki admitted that this season could be his last. The 38-year-old has battled Achilles issues for much of the 2016/17 campaign.
• Phil Jackson has faced criticism throughout his tenure as president of the Knicks, but remains fully committed to fulfilling the final two years of his contract.
• Try as they might, the Nets are still ineligible to sign Donatas Motiejunas having technically signed him to an offer sheet earlier this month.
• Starting as early as later this month, the NBA D-League will experiment with larger officiating crews.
• The Magic are the latest team to purchase their own D-League club, having announced plans to acquire and relocate their affiliate from Erie, Pennsylvania to Lakeland, Florida. The ownership group behind the existing Erie BayHawks, however, would like to partner with another NBA team in hopes of remaining in the league for the 2017/18 season.
• For personal reasons, veteran point guard Steve Blake has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the Sydney Kings of the Australian league and is unlikely to return.

Rumors

• The Pacers have no interest in dealing superstar Paul George, though teams have certainly tried, says Adrian Wojnarowski.
• Stanley Johnson has been underwhelming for the Pistons this year, but that doesn’t mean the club doesn’t value him. Detroit has reportedly “resisted overtures” for the second-year wing.
• Omer Asik remains on the trade block and is “very much available”, though it’s worth noting that the Pelicans big man is just two years into a substantial five-year contract.
• The Timberwolves could be in the market for frontcourt help. Currently Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng are seeing heavy workloads while summer acquisitions Jordan Hill and Cole Aldrich rarely see action.
• Virtually every team with cap room – and some without it – will likely check in with Gordon Hayward when he reaches free agency in 2017, and Hayward is expected to prioritize teams with the ability to contend for a title.

Injuries

• The Sixers will be without veteran point guard Jerryd Bayless this season as he has undergone wrist surgery. The club signed the playmaker over the summer but only saw him suit up for three games of action.
• Chris Andersen tore the ACL of his right knee at practice this week and now the Cavaliers big will miss the remainder of 2016/17.
• Back in the lineup for the Heat, Justise Winslow has recovered from the wrist injury he sustained last month. Now the versatile wing is hoping to avoid, or at least postpone, surgery.
• Grizzlies rookie Deyonta Davis has torn the plantar fascia in his left foot and could miss as many as six-to-eight weeks of action.
• Out since late November when doctors found fractures in his lower back, Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley has returned to the lineup.
• Also on the verge of returning for the Grizzlies issmall forward James Ennis, who has missed three weeks with a calf sprain.
• Monta Ellis will miss at least a week as a result of a strained groin. The struggling Pacers guard has recently found himself at the center of trade speculation.