f you missed any of this week’s biggest NBA stories, don’t worry because we’ve got you covered with our Week in Review. Listed below are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days.
Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee. Westbrook is expected to miss the preseason and perhaps a few early-season games after what was labelled a maintenance procedure. Inflammation in the knee, which had already been operated on three times, led to the surgery. Westbrook has remained one of the league’s most explosive players and while the latest issue doesn’t appear to be serious, it’s certainly a blow to the Thunder, who have high hopes this season after re-signing Paul George.
Suns shooting guard Devin Booker underwent hand surgery. Like Westbrook, Booker is expected to miss all of training camp and perhaps some regular-season games. He will need approximately six weeks to recover from the surgery. Booker, who inked a five-year contract extension this summer for an estimated $158MM, initially injured the hand in March. In the short team, the Suns have issues at both guard spots. Phoenix has been looking to trade for a point guard since it dealt Brandon Knight to the Rockets.
Celtics guard Jabari Bird was arraigned on charges of assault and kidnapping. The disturbing allegations against Bird involving a domestic incident included claims that he choked the woman about a dozen times, kicked her and held her against her will. Bird entered a not guilty plea and issued a statement saying in part he was “taking some time away from the team as I deal with my legal and medical issues.” At the very least, Bird’s NBA career is in jeopardy after he signed a two-year contract in July.
Rodney Hood accepted the Cavaliers’ qualifying offer. A restricted free agent, Hood was seeking a long-term deal in the $9MM annual range. The market dried up on the shooting guard and he didn’t receive an offer sheet. A disappointing 2017/18 campaign contributed to the lack of interest in Hood. So, he chose to accept the $3.47MM qualifying offer with the hope of having a bounce-back season and getting a lucrative offer as an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The Knicks are expected to part ways with Joakim Noah before training camp. Noah’s unproductive and unpleasant stint with the Knicks appears to be coming to an end. The team continues to make calls in an effort to find a trading partner and is expected to waive and stretch the veteran center’s contract if a deal can’t be worked out. He has two seasons and $37.8MM remaining on the four-year, $72MM agreement he signed in 2016. With this year’s salary already locked in, New York can stretch the remaining $19.295MM over three years.
Here are 10 more notable NBA headlines from the last week:
- With training camp around the corner, Dwyane Wade still hasn’t decided if he’ll play this season.
- After recovering from his horrific leg injury, Celtics forward Gordon Hayward is confident he’ll be ready for opening night.
- Former Suns big man Alan Williams agreed to a two-way contract with the Nets.
- The Sixers and Lakers are interested in signing veteran free agent guard Jamal Crawford.
- The Heat exercised their third-year option on center Bam Adebayo.
- Center Andrew Bynum, who hasn’t played in the league since the 2013/14 season, has been working out at the Lakers’ facility.
- The Heat brought back forward Udonis Haslem for the 16th consecutive season.
- The Timberwolves signed former Laker Luol Deng, reunited him with coach Tom Thibodeau.
- Center Dakari Johnson, who was in the Thunder organization the past three seasons, has signed a contract to play in China.
- Point guard Kobi Simmons has agreed to a one-year contract with the Cavaliers.