Missed any of this past week’s biggest headlines from around the NBA? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days.
The Bucks fired head coach Jason Kidd, and assistant coach Joe Prunty will take over for Kidd as the interim head coach in Milwaukee for the remainder of the 2017/18 season. Despite currently holding on to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, management is disappointed with the team’s mediocre record so far, especially after the in-season acquisition of point guard Eric Bledsoe. All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo was reportedly “devastated” by Kidd’s firing, so it will be interesting to see how the relationship between the Bucks and Antetokounmpo plays out in the future.
Pelicans All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins suffered a torn achilles tendon in last night’s game against Houston and will miss the remainder of the 2017/18 season. The injury occurred with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter after Cousins notched his second triple-double in three games. Cousins will undergo surgery to repair the tendon as soon as possible and his estimated recovery period is six to ten months.
Despite a steadfast denial from within the Spurs’ organization and a stellar track record of good rapport between players and management, there are reports that the relationship between the Spurs and their superstar forward Kawhi Leonard has soured over differences in opinion regarding the treatment and rehabilitation of Leonard’s lingering quadriceps injury. Leonard is currently sidelined indefinitely as he focuses on rehabbing his quad.
After being pummeled by the Thunder on national television last Saturday, the Cavaliers held an emotional team meeting on Monday where teammates questioned Kevin Love about his early exit from both the game and arena as a result of an apparent illness. His teammates questioned whether he was truly sick, but Love defended himself and there was apparently a sense after the meeting that team had worked out some issues.
The NBA All-Star lineups and teams were finalized this week. As was highly publicized, leading vote getters LeBron James and Stephen Curry picked their teams from the pool of remaining starters and reserves. Team LeBron’s starting lineup includes James, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins and Kyrie Irving. James’ reserves will be comprised of Bradley Beal, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, Kristaps Porzingis and John Wall. Team Curry’s starting lineup includes Curry, James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Joel Embiid. Curry’s reserves will be Damian Lillard, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Kyle Lowry, Klay Thompson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Al Horford.
After requesting a trade from the Cavaliers in the offseason, Celtics’ All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving threatened to undergo knee surgery that would sideline him for most or all of the 2017/18 season if the Cavs didn’t move him, thereby convincing Cleveland’s front office and owner Dan Gilbert that the relationship wasn’t fixable. LeBron James apparently asked the front office not to move Irving, but they felt they had no choice.
Here are 10 more NBA headlines from the last week worth noting:
- As part of their potential efforts to trade point guard Kemba Walker, the Hornets would like to engage the Knicks in trade discussions.
- The Pelicans have signed guard DeAndre Liggins to a second 10-day contract after appearing in just one game during his first 10-day stint.
- Tony Parker, the Spurs’ 17-year veteran point guard, has ceded his starting role in the team’s first-unit to second-year point guard Dejounte Murray.
- Current Lakers’ shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is being prioritized by the Knicks as a free agent target this offseason.
- In addition to already-reported interest from the Cavaliers and Bucks, the Trail Blazers are also interested in a potential trade for Clippers’ big man DeAndre Jordan.
- The Cavaliers have inquired into the availability of the Hawks’ Kent Bazemore in anticipation of the upcoming trade deadline.
- The NBA has awarded the Jazz a $2.62MM disabled player exception as a result of the season-ending knee injury suffered by veteran swingman Thabo Sefolosha.
- LeBron James is apparently upset with the Cavaliers front office for not upgrading their roster with potential targets’ Paul George and Eric Bledsoe.
- Despite rumors throughout the last week, a trade between the Kings and Cavaliers for point guard George Hill is not imminent.
- The Mavericks are open to the possibility of trading guard Wesley Matthews, but are only looking to do so if they can get a first-round pick in return.
Giannis wasn’t devastated, he was disappointed but he is now excited to see what Prunty can do!