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:
The NBA’s long trade drought ended this week as the Jazz acquired Jordan Clarkson from the Cavaliers in exchange for Dante Exum and two second-round picks. It was the first deal completed since the Thunder sent Russell Westbrook to the Rockets in mid-July. Clarkson adds more scoring punch in Utah and strengthens the bench unit.
The Jazz also waived veteran forward Jeff Green to create room to sign G League standout Rayjon Tucker. Green cleared waivers on Thursday and is now an unrestricted free agent.
Wizards guard Isaiah Thomas received a two-game suspension after going into the stands to confront an unruly fan in Philadelphia. Although Thomas talked to the fan calmly, the league has a strict policy about players leaving the court to interact with fans during games.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone received a contract extension through the 2022/23 season. He has improved the team’s record each season since taking over in 2015/16.
Pacers guard Victor Oladipo has set late January or early February as his target date to return to the court. He is still recovering from a ruptured quad tendon that he suffered 11 months ago.
Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from around the basketball world this week:
- Zach Randolph confirmed his retirement after 17 years in the NBA. He hinted in September that he wanted to join a team in training camp, but that opportunity never happened.
- The Knicks have started monitoring Karl-Anthony Towns‘ situation with the Timberwolves to see if he might become available in a trade. Dealing for an unhappy star has become New York’s “dream scenario.”
- LeBron James is being urged to take some time off after aggravating a groin injury in the Lakers‘ Christmas Day game. James, an outspoken critic of load management, has also been bothered by a rib injury.
- The Wizards signed both Gary Payton II and Johnathan Williams as hardship players. Washington has four players with long-term injuries and several others who are currently sidelined.
- The Rockets converted Chris Clemons‘ two-way deal to a three-year contract after he reached his 45-day limit in the NBA. Houston signed William Howard to the open two-way slot.
- Kings guard Buddy Hield told reporters there are “trust issues” on the team after barely playing in the fourth quarter of a pair of games this week. Hield, who also clashed with former coach Dave Joerger, signed a four-year rookie scale extension in October.
- Dewayne Dedmon is also reportedly unhappy in Sacramento after signing a three-year, $41MM deal as a free agent this summer. Dedmon has fallen out of the Kings‘ rotation and may have several teams interested in acquiring him.
- The NBA conducted an investigation of the Clippers after they signed Kawhi Leonard in free agency. It was sparked by reports of improper benefits allegedly being requested by Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson.
- The Hawks are reportedly considering Thunder center Steven Adams as a trade target. He has one more season left on his contract and is owed $25.8MM this year and $27.5MM in 2020/21.
- The NBA is still debating what type of incentive to offer as a prize in its proposed in-season tournament.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Steven Adams would probably be an All-Star in the eastern conference.
No way, no how! Embiid, Vucevic, Drummond, Adebayo, Sabonis… All of them way ahead of him.