If you missed any of this past week’s biggest headlines from around the NBA, we’ve got you covered with our Week in Review. Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days:
Warriors forward Draymond Green agreed to a four-year, $100MM extension. The free agent class next summer took another hit as Green decided to stay with the team that drafted him. Green potentially could have signed for much more next summer with either Golden State or another team. However, the defensive specialist elected for long-term security before hitting the market. His decision may have been influenced by seeing Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant suffer serious injuries just before hitting free agency.
The Blazers signed shooting guard C.J. McCollum to a three-year, $100MM extension. McCollum still has two years left on his current deal but both sides were eager to make a longer commitment. McCollum, who has averaged at least 20.8 PPG in each of the last four seasons, won’t be eligible for unrestricted free agency until 2024. Portland locked up McCollum’s backcourt partner Damian Lillard with a four-year, super-max extension earlier this summer.
Pelicans top executive David Griffin said he was miserable running the Cavaliers’ front office when LeBron James was there. Griffin was quoted in the Sports Illustrated article as saying that he and others were unhappy there because “LeBron is getting all the credit and none of the blame. And that’s not fun for people.” He also questioned James’ desire after Cleveland won the championship. Griffin later clarified his comments on ESPN’s The Jump, saying he was miserable in his former job because of the pressure to build a title team, not because of a rift with James. He also said James proved he didn’t lose his desire by reaching the Finals again.
Forward Patrick Patterson was bought out by the Thunder and plans to sign with the Clippers. Patterson’s playing time and production diminished last season but he’ll rejoin Paul George on a serious title contender. Los Angeles is limited to offering the veteran’s minimum, which is roughly $2.3MM for a player with Patterson’s level of experience. He had one year and approximately $5.7MM left on his deal with OKC.
Carmelo Anthony is hoping another NBA team will give him a chance to extend his career. Following a brief and unhappy experience with the Rockets last season, Anthony finds himself in limbo. The 35-year-old forward says he’s ready and willing to play a reduced role and is “in the gym every single day” as he awaits another opportunity. He also denied that he was looking for a farewell tour.
Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from the past week:
- A showdown between the Clippers and Lakers headlines the Christmas Day schedule.
- Shooting guard Nik Stauskas signed with a Spanish team.
- Guard Ron Baker signed with CSKA Moscow.
- Shooting guard Lance Stephenson, who was on the Lakers’ roster last season, opted to play in China.
- The Grizzlies signed Euro guard Marko Guduric to a two-year contract.
- The Hornets signed brothers Cody Martin and Caleb Martin.
- Several teams showed interest in trading for Pacers big man Myles Turner prior to the draft.
- The Heat waived forward Yante Maten.
- Center Timofey Mozgov signed with a Russian team.
- Blazers big man Zach Collins is recovering from an ankle injury suffered this offseason.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Melo is in the gym eating bagels before practice and donuts after practice.
2020 Free Agent class is brutally bad. After DeRozan and Gallinari a lot of average talent will get overpaid.