Hoops Rumors has you covered in case you missed any of this past week’s NBA headlines. Below are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last 7 days.
The Sixers and Robert Covington reached an agreement on a four-year extension valued at $62MM. The Sixers made the news official yesterday with a press release from President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo, who hailed Covington as a prime example of someone whose hard work has paid dividends. Covington is expected to receive a raise to this season’s salary for all of the Sixers’ remaining cap room (roughly $15MM).
The Knicks waived Mindaugas Kuzminskas in order to clear a roster spot for newly reinstated Joakim Noah. The Lakers, Bulls, and Hawks are all reportedly said to have interest in Kuzminskas now that he has cleared waivers and become an unrestricted free agent. Given his salary figure, Kuzminskas was not originally expected to be a casualty of Noah’s return, but a public declaration of unhappiness from earlier this month seemed to be the beginning of the end of his tenure in New York.
Jazz All-Star center Rudy Gobert is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a bone bruise in his right knee. Interestingly, the injury occurred on a play in which the big man collided with Heat guard Dion Waiters, and Gobert suggested after the game that he believed the play was “dirty”. Gobert will be reevaluated in early to mid-December.
Nikola Mirotic has returned to the Bulls after the now-infamous altercation with teammate Bobby Portis. Portis has been open with his willingness to let bygones be bygones, but Mirotic apparently still doesn’t feel the same way, as he and Portis have yet to make contact with one another since the altercation.
Despite impressing the Mavericks during the preseason, Gian Clavell‘s time in Dallas has come to an end. The Mavericks released Clavell yesterday in order to make room for Antonius Cleveland, who the Mavs have signed to a two-way contract in place of Clavell. The Mavericks were recently reported as looking to make roster upgrades, so perhaps they feel that Cleveland can provide a spark to their roster.
Here are 10 more NBA headlines from the last week.
- Given their lack of frontcourt depth and size, the Cavaliers have “strong interest” in Suns center Greg Monroe.
- D’Angelo Russell was expected to miss “several games” after injuring his left knee. However, after undergoing successful arthroscopic surgery, the timetable for his return is now unknown.
- Metta World Peace has signed on to play in the BIG3 next season. Interestingly, he’ll be playing under his former name – Ron Artest.
- USA Basketball announced its 12-man roster for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers.
- Nicolas Batum, JaMychal Green, and Ersan Ilyasova all returned to action this week for the Hornets, Grizzlies, and Hawks, respectively.
- Also returning to the court this week was perennial All-Star Chris Paul. The Rockets have started the season 11-4 almost entirely without Paul’s services.
- Heat forward Okaro White is out indefinitely after breaking a bone in his left foot during practice.
- The NBA and the NBPA formally discussed the one-and-done rule with the federal government’s Commission on College Basketball.
- In addition to the Lakers, Bulls, and Hawks, the Bucks also have interest in Kuzminskas.
- Mike Conley will remain out of the Grizzlies’ lineup for at least two weeks after missing Wednesday’s game with a troublesome left heel and Achilles.
Okafor and 2nd rounder for mitoric