Week in Review News & Rumors

Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the past week at Hoops Rumors:

Lawrence Frank replaced Doc Rivers as the Clippers’ president of basketball operations. Although Rivers will continue to have a “strong voice” in personnel and basketball matters, and will work closely with Frank, he’ll no longer have the title of president of basketball operations, and will instead focus primarily on coaching. With Rivers stripped of his president title, only Gregg Popovich, Stan Van Gundy, and Tom Thibodeau hold dual roles as head coach and president of basketball ops for their respective clubs.

The Kings have hired Brandon Williams to be their new assistant GM. Sacramento’s new hire most recently served as the Sixers VP of Basketball Administration and GM of Delaware 87ers, the team’s G-League affiliate. Williams previously worked within the NBA league office as Director of Player Development and Associate Vice President of Basketball Operations.

The Nuggets have named Calvin Booth the team’s assistant general manager. Booth, Denver’s new assistant GM, had worked in the Timberwolves front office for the past four seasons and played for seven teams during his 10-year NBA career. Also this offseason, Denver promoted Arturas Karnisovas to general manager and Tim Connelly to team president.

The Timberwolves are working on signing Andrew Wiggins to a five-year, maximum salary extension. These contract talks, however, are in the early stages. Owner Glen Taylor also added that the team plans to extend Karl-Anthony Towns next offseason. Based on projections, a five-year, max extension for Wiggins would net him slightly under $148MM. The Wolves are not offering Wiggins in any potential trades for Kyrie Irving.

Here is the latest from Steve Kyler on the status of potential Kyrie Irving and Carmelo Anthony trades. The Cavaliers are not operating with a sense of urgency and are rather in “fact-finding mode” at this point. Also on the Irving front, the Wolves and Suns have a strong chance to land the disgruntled point guard, but likely only if they relent on including Wiggins and Josh Jackson or Devin Booker, respectively. As for Anthony, the Rockets will likely have to sweeten their offer for the Knicks to agree to a deal. If not, the Knicks appear willing to bring Melo to training camp.

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• After NBA owners unanimously approved the Pistons‘ move to downtown Detroit, the team will begin playing at Little Caesars Arena in 2017/18.
• Pop star Beyonce Knowles-Carter is reportedly considering buying stake in her hometown Rockets.
• Speaking of Clutch City, former Rockets guard confirms that he requested to be traded before Houston dealt the point guard to the Clippers.
• Recently-signed 76ers guard J.J. Redick revealed that he also had offers from the Rockets and Nets.
• Executives around the NBA are keeping a close eye on DeMarcus Cousins and the Pelicans this season to determine whether he is worthy of pursuing in free agency next offseason.
• The Heat are expected to offer a contract extension to wing Josh Richardson.
• Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari suffered a fractured thumb punching an opponent in an exhibition game with the Italian national team, but he is expected to be ready for Clippers training camp.
• The Hawks have agreed to sign Luke Babbitt to a one-year, $1.9MM deal.
• The Pelicans have signed Ian Clark to a one-year, $1.6MM deal.
• Free agent guard Gerald Henderson may miss the season with a hip injury.

Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the past week at Hoops Rumors:

The Cavaliers have signed free agent point guard Derrick Rose. The signing of the former MVP is now official and comes at a time when the future of the Cavaliers‘ current starting point guard Kyrie Irving remains in limbo. Rose’s contract is for one year at a minimum salary. The long-time Bull played last season with the Knicks, averaging 18.0 PPG, while shooting 47.1% from the floor and 87.4% from the charity stripe.

The Nets have acquired Allen Crabbe via trade. In the deal, the Trail Blazers will receive Andrew Nicholson, who the team will subsequently waive and stretch his contract. Just a year ago, the Nets presented Crabbe with an extremely generous offer sheet that ended up being matched by Portland.

Brandon Knight is expected to miss the entire 2017/18 season. Knight suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and will undergo surgery. The Suns guard averaged 11.0 PPG last season in 21.1 MPG.  The Kentucky product is owed $13.6MM this season, $14.6MM next, and $15.6MM more the following season.

Several teams have made offers for Kyrie Irving. Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Spurs, Clippers, Knicks, Suns, and Timberwolves have each made a trade offer for the disgruntled Cavaliers star point guard. The Heat were originally included by Woj in that group, but Miami denied putting an offer on the table for Irving.

The Knicks will hire Gerald Madkins as their assistant GM.  Madkins had been an assistant GM with the Clippers for the past two seasons. Since joining the organization in 2012, he also served as director of basketball operations and director of scouting. The Kings and Bucks had also expressed interest in Madkins.

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• Andrew Wiggins is seeking a maximum salary contract extension.
• NBA commissioner Adam Silver described expansion as “inevitable” and said that Seattle is on the short list.
• Mikhail Prokhorov may consider selling controlling interest in the Nets.
• The Magic signed Marreese Speights to a minimum salary deal. Arron Afflalo also signed with Orlando for a year.
• The Warriors will re-sign JaVale McGee to a one-year contract.
• The Hawks have claimed former Maverick Nicolas Brussino off waivers.
• The Knicks are signing Ramon Sessions to a one-year deal.
• The Kings are actively seeking a VP of Basketball Operations and Otis Smith has withdrawn from consideration.
• The Suns reportedly will not include Josh Jackson in any trade offer for Kyrie Irving.
• Thunder rookie Terrance Ferguson has obtained FIBA clearance that will allow him to sign his NBA contract.

Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the past week at Hoops Rumors:

Kyrie Irving has requested that the Cavaliers trade him. Irving’s trade request left running mate LeBron James “blindsided and disappointed.” According to the ESPN report, Irving prefers to be the focal point of his team. Irving provided Cleveland with four preferred landing spots: New York, Miami, San Antonio, and Minnesota. The star point guard does not, however, possess a no-trade clause. The Knicks would consider a package involving Carmelo Anthony and future first-round picks.

The Cavaliers will be promoting Koby Altman to general manager. Altman’s promotion from assistant general manager is considered “imminent.” Earlier this summer, general manger David Griffin parted ways with the organization and Chauncey Billups turned down an offer for the vacant position. Altman’s first order of business will almost certainly be handling Irving’s trade request. Since Griffin left the Cavs, Altman has been performing the duties of G.M. Mike Gansey is expected to be named the new assistant general manager following Tony Leotti‘s announced departure.

The Houston Rockets franchise is up for sale. Team owner Leslie Alexander is also putting Clutch City Sports & Entertainment on the market. Ownership prefers the sale occur “sooner rather than later.” While Yao Ming and Daryl Morey reportedly will not seek to purchase the franchise, Dikembe Mutombo is trying to put together a group to buy the team.

The Wizards will sign John Wall to a four-year extension. The extension will be worth $170MM and will include both a fourth-year player option and a 15% trade kicker. It will take effect in 2019, when Wall’s current contract is set to expire. In the summer of 2013, Wall signed a five-year max extension.

Pau Gasol will re-sign with the Spurs. The agreement was expected all along, but now contractual details are becoming clear. The veteran big man will sign a three-year contract with the third year being partially guaranteed. Gasol opted out of the final year of his contract earlier this summer to facilitate the team’s offseason, leaving $16.2MM on the table in the process.

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• The Spurs are finalizing a contract with Manu Ginobili.
• Timberwloves coach Tom Thibodeau indicated that the team is working on an extension for Andrew Wiggins.
• The Rockets have signed Luc Mbah a Moute to a one-year, minimum-salary contract.
• Free agent Nerlens Noel is “very disappointed” with his negotiations with the Mavericks.
• Carmelo Anthony is reportedly willing to waive his trade kicker if the Knicks can trade him to the Rockets.
• Here’s the latest on Derrick Rose, who is expected to make his free agency decision next week.
• James Jones will retire and join the Suns front office, where he will report to general manager Ryan McDonough, who has just received a multiyear contract extension.
• The Celtics have signed draft-and-stash prospect Guerschon Yabusele and will sign Shane Larkin, who played in Spain last season.
• The Grizzlies have re-signed Mario Chalmers to a one-year, partially guaranteed contract.
• The Rockets will re-sign Troy Williams and Bobby Brown.

Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last week at Hoops Rumors:

The Lakers signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. KCP, at 24 years old, had widely been considered the top unrestricted free agent still available. The former Piston signed a one-year, $18MM deal, which is now official. The Lakers still have their $4.3MM room exception available for free agents.

The Rockets have signed James Harden to a massive contract extension. The Designated Veteran Extension will keep the superstar guard with the Rockets through the 2022/23 season. The contract begins in 2019/20, replaces Harden’s player option, and will add four years to the guaranteed two years on his current deal. Harden is now on track to earn approximately $228MM over the next six seasons.

The Wizards have matched Otto Porter Jr.‘s offer sheet from the Nets. Brooklyn had offered Porter a four-year, $106.5MM deal, but the small forward is to remain a Wizard. Porter will be coming off a career season, which witnessed him averaging 13.4 points per game, while shooting 43.4% from three-point territory and 51.6% from the field.

Jamal Crawford has agreed to sign with the Timberwolves. Although the move cannot be official until the waiver process is complete, Crawford will be offered a two-year contract worth $8.9MM with a player option on the second season. After the Hawks placed Crawford on waivers, the Cavaliers had been the favorites to land him.

Scott Perry has agreed to become the Knicks’ new general manager. The Kings will receive a 2019 second-round pick and cash as compensation for Perry’s departure. With the shakeup, Steve Mills, who had been acting general manager, will become the Knicks‘ team president.

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• Here is the latest on Carmelo Anthony trade talks and the forward’s reported frustration.
• The Hawks did not match Tim Hardaway Jr.‘s offer sheet, making him a member of the Knicks.
• In a trade, C.J. Miles was sent to the Raptors, while Cory Joseph landed with the Pacers.
• The Raptors traded DeMarre Carroll to the Nets.
• The Magic have agreed to sign Jonathon Simmons to a three-year contract.
• The Pelicans will sign Rajon Rondo to a one-year deal.
• The Cavaliers have agreed to sign draft-and-stash prospect Cedi Osman for three years.
• The Jazz agreed to sign three free agents this week: Thabo Sefolosha (link), Jonas Jerebko (link), and Ekpe Udoh (link).
• The Hawks will sign Dewayne Dedmon and re-sign Ersan Ilyasova.
• Paul George characterized his interest in joining the Lakers next offseason as “overstated.”

Saying it has been a wild week in the Association would certainly be an understatement. Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the past week at Hoops Rumors:

Paul George was traded to Oklahoma City. In a shocking trade, the Thunder landed one of the league’s top players from the Pacers in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Multiple teams had made trade offers for George that they deemed to be more competitive than the one Indiana ultimately accepted.

Blake Griffin will re-sign with the Clippers. Griffin agreed to re-sign with the Clippers after canceling free agent meetings with the Suns and Nuggets. The muscular power forward’s contract will be for five years and a maximum salary. This places the overall value of the deal in the vicinity of $173MM.

Gordon Hayward will sign with Boston. The rising star small forward made his announcement in a piece for The Players’ Tribune. Hayward will receive a four-year maximum salary contract from the Celtics with a player option on the final year. The Jazz were hoping to retain Hayward, while the Heat also engaged the free agent.

The Raptors have re-signed Kyle Lowry. The new deal is worth three years and $100MM and includes incentives. The veteran point guard’s contract comes in at slightly less than a maximum salary deal. Like Hayward, Lowry made his announcement to rejoin the Raptors in a piece for The Players’ Tribune.

Paul Millsap has reached a deal with the Nuggets. The agreement will be for three years and $90MM, with the third year being a team option. Prior to committing to join the Nuggets, Millsap met with the Kings and Suns. According to the star power forward, the Hawks never made him a formal offer.

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• Kevin Durant agreed to re-sign with the Warriors for two years and just $53MM, so the team could re-sign key players. Stephen Curry will sign a five-year, $201MM supermax deal to remain with the team.
• Danilo Gallinari was traded to the Clippers as part of a three-way deal. In the trade, Jamal Crawford was dealt to the Hawks, then subsequently bought out.
• The 76ers and J.J. Redick have agreed to a one-year deal worth a whopping $23MM.
• The Raptors have re-signed Serge Ibaka to a three-year deal worth $65MM.
• The Warriors will re-sign Andre Iguodala to a three-year, $48MM contract.
• The Timberwolves will sign Jeff Teague to a three-year deal worth $57MM.
• The Pelicans re-signed Jrue Holiday to a massive five-year, $126MM contract.
• The Kings and George Hill have agreed to a three-year deal worth $57MM.
• The Mavericks re-signed Dirk Nowitzki for two years and $10MM.
• The Celtics finalized a trade that sent Avery Bradley and a 2019 second-round pick to the Pistons for Marcus Morris.

Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last week at Hoops Rumors:

Chris Paul was traded to the Rockets. In the blockbuster trade, the Clippers will receive Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, DeAndre Liggins, Darrun Hilliard, Kyle Wiltjer, and $661K in cash (the amount to which Paul agreed to reduce his trade bonus) and a 2018 first-round pick. The Rockets had been rumored to aggressively pursue CP3 as a free agent signing, but Houston landed its man before the free agency period even began. Since Paul opted into the final year of his contract before the trade, the perennial all-star point guard will become a free agent next offseason. Whether it lasts beyond a single season, Paul and Harden are poised to combine for a lethal backcourt combination in 2017/18.

The Knicks have officially parted ways with Phil Jackson. The team’s statement described the departure as a mutual decision. If the two sides did not reach some sort of buyout agreement, the Knicks still owe Jackson a reported $24MM for the final two years of his contract. Jackson had been the Knicks’ team president since March of 2014. GM Steve Mills will run the team until a replacement is named.

Ricky Rubio was traded to the Jazz for a first-round pick. The pick the Timberwolves will receive is Top-14 protected and originally from OKC. The deal is done and awaiting league approval.

Russell Westbrook was named Most Valuable Player for the 2016/17 season. The other award winners were Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green, Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, Sixth Man of the Year Eric Gordon, Most Improved Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Coach of the Year Mike D’Antoni. The award winners were announced live on TNT during a two-hour special.The All-Defensive and All-Rookie teams were revealed earlier the same day.

Hornets executive Chad Buchanan will be the Pacers’ new general manager. The Pacers had had a vacancy at GM since May when Kevin Pritchard was promoted to president to replace Larry Bird, who resigned as team president. Buchanan had served as assistant GM under Rich Cho in Charlotte and will now report to Pritchard.

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• Raptors assistant GM Bobby Webster was promoted to general manager.
• Gordon Hayward will meet with the Heat, Celtics, and Jazz, and he hopes to decide on a team quickly. Hayward declined his player option this week.
• The Wizards are expected to offer John Wall a Designated Veteran Extension.
• The Mavericks will decline their option on Dirk Nowitzki and work out a new deal for 2017/18.
• The Clippers are confident about re-signing Blake Griffin. He will, however, meet with the Suns.
• Paul Millsap will also meet with the Suns.
• The Pelicans are heavy favorites to re-sign Jrue Holiday.
• The Nuggets have picked up head coach Mike Malone‘s option, which runs through the 2018/19 season.
• Rajon Rondo has been waived by the Bulls.
• Nerlens Noel and Joe Ingles received qualifying offers from the Mavericks and Jazz, respectively. Kenneth Caldwell-Pope (Pistons) and Andre Roberson did also, as did Wizards players, Otto Porter Jr. and Bojan Bogdanovic.

In easily the most jam-packed week of the offseason thus far, here are the most newsworthy stories:

The Bulls traded Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves. The trade also included the No. 16 pick in Thursday’s draft going to Minnesota in exchange for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and the No. 7 pick. The Bulls drafted Lauri Markannen with the seventh pick, while the Timberwolves selected Justin Patton with the sixteenth. The deal reunites Butler with his long-time former head coach in Chicago, Tom Thibodeau.

Dwight Howard was traded to the Hornets. In the trade, Charlotte received Howard and the No. 31 pick for Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli, and the No. 41 pick. The Hornets will be Howard’s fifth team in seven years. The move was Hawks‘ general manager Travis Schlenk‘s first large-scale move in his new capacity.

The Lakers and Nets teamed up for a blockbuster trade. Brook Lopez and the No. 27 pick in Thursday’s draft went to Los Angeles in exchange for D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov. The Lakers managed to cut long-term costs by dealing Mozgov’s large contract and received Lopez, who has one year remaining on his contract. Meanwhile, the Nets finally get rid of Lopez and acquire a promising point guard in Russell.

Blake Griffin has formally opted out of his contract with the Clippers. Griffin would have earned $21.4MM in 2017/18. The Celtics are Rockets are said to be targeting the athletic power forward. In addition to Griffin, Chris Paul is expected to opt out of his Clippers contract, but he has yet to formally tell the team or file with the league.

Markelle Fultz was selected first overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. In addition to the 76ers‘ top pick, here are the entire draft results. The trade that brought the No. 1 pick to the Sixers via the Celtics was finalized on Monday. In exchange for No. 1, Boston received Thursday’s No. 3 pick, along with the Lakers’ 2018 first-round pick if it falls between No. 2 and No. 5. If it does not, Boston receives the more favorable of the Kings’ or 76ers’ 2019 first-round pick (unless that pick is No. 1 overall, in which case the Celtics would receive the less favorable selection).

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• Dwyane Wade will pick up his player option and remain with the Bulls.
• David Griffin‘s contract as GM of the Cavaliers was not renewed. Chauncey Billups has been offered the team’s president of basketball operations position.
• Paul George has told the Pacers he plans to leave the team and the Lakers are his top choice.
• Kevin Durant will decline his player option with the Warriors, but plans to re-sign with the team in July.
• Pau Gasol too will decline his player option, while planning to resign with the Spurs.
• Mason Plumlee and JaMychal Green have received qualifying offers from the Nuggets and Grizzlies, respectively. Jonathon Simmons was tendered a qualifying offer by the Spurs.
• Greg Monroe is opting in with the Bucks, while Nick Young is opting out of his Lakers‘ contract.
• Rockets GM Daryl Morey signed a four-year extension, The team also plans to offer star player James Harden an extension this offseason.
• The Wizards traded the No. 52 pick in this year’s draft to the Pelicans for Tim Frazier.
• The Kings released Arron Afflalo and the Timberwolves waived Nikola Pekovic.

Here are some of the biggest stories from the last week at Hoops Rumors:

 The Celtics and 76ers are engaged in serious trade talks regarding the No. 1 overall pick in next week’s draft. In the trade, the Celtics would receive several draft picks, including this year’s No. 3 pick. This deal could presumably lead to the 76ers drafting Markelle Fultz and Josh Jackson falling to the Celtics. The move would also afford the Celtics additional financial flexibility to utilize in free agency this offseason. Here is the latest on the potential trade.

Special consultant Jerry West will leave the Warriors for a similar position with the Clippers. West helped the Warriors build a team that has won two of the past three championships and has been named Executive of the Year twice. The man whose likeness serves as the NBA’s logo also has been instrumental in the front offices of the Lakers and Grizzlies. The Warriors hoped to retain West, but the legend was ready to move on.

The Bucks have officially named Jon Horst their general manager. Horst’s promotion from director of basketball operations is surprising, given that the reported finalists for the position were Bucks assistant GM Justin Zanik, Nuggets assistant GM Arturas Karnisovas, and former Hawks GM Wes Wilcox. A “contentious ownership disagreement” reportedly led to Horst’s ascension.

The Nuggets also have a new general manager: Arturas Karnisovas. Before the Nuggets promoted Karnisovas from assistant GM, he was a finalist for the Bucks‘ GM opening. As a player, Karnisovas was a 6’8″ small forward who won two Olympic bronze medals with Lithuania and three Spanish League championships.

Monta Ellis and Reggie Bullock have been suspended five games apiece for violated the NBA’s anti-drug policy. The suspensions are believed to be marijuana-related. Both the Pacers guard and Pistons wing will serve their time to open the 2017/18 regular season, assuming they are physically able to play.

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• The 76ers have exercised their team option on Robert Covington.
• Rudy Gay did not pick up his player option with the Kings and will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
• The Hawks are unlikely to offer a full max contract to free agent Paul Millsap this offseason.
• Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are willing to be flexible with their contracts to give the Warriors the best chance of repeating as champions.
• The Mavericks are serious contenders to sign Jrue Holiday, as well as his brother, Justin Holiday.
• The Cavaliers are expected to offer GM David Griffin a significant pay raise to retain him.
• The Clippers are making progress towards building a new arena in Inglewood.
• CSKA Moscow is attempting to retain NBA prospect Milos Teodosic.
• Possible first-round pick Rodions Kurucs withdrew from the 2017 NBA Draft.
• Possible lottery pick OG Anunoby is aiming to be back at full health by late November or early December.

Here are some of the biggest stories from the last week at Hoops Rumors:

Steve Kerr returned to coach Game 2 of the NBA Finals. The Warriors head coach had been away since Game 3 of the team’s first-round series against the Blazers and intends to patrol the sidelines for the remainder of the Finals. Mike Brown served as head coach while Kerr’s back pain kept him out.

French prospect Jonathan Jeanne was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome. This diagnosis almost certainly thwarts Jeanne’s chances of being drafted this year. The big man had previously been viewed as a probable first-round selection in the draft. Earlier this year, former Baylor prospect Isaiah Austin, whose career was also derailed by Marfan Syndrome, made his professional debut overseas.

The Bucks have narrowed down their GM search to three finalists. The leading contenders for the position are Nuggets assistant GM Arturas Karnisovas, Hawks advisor and former GM Wes Wilcox, and Bucks assistant GM Justin Zanik. Interviews for the opening began earlier this week.

The Magic will hire Pete D’Alessandro as their new assistant general manager. The new hire last served as an executive with the Nuggets. D’Alessandro served as general manager of the Kings from 2013 to 2015.

3-on-3 basketball will debut as an event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The new competition will feature 64 players in total, with eight teams apiece for men and women. It remains unclear whether NBA players will participate in the event. If FIBA rules for three-on-three play are adopted, the games will last 10 minutes if neither team reaches 21 points first, with only one- and two-point shots.

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• The Jazz reportedly view the Heat as a serious threat to land Gordon Hayward in free agency.
• The Pistons are gauging the trade market for Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson.
• Former sixth overall pick Jan Vesely is drawing interest from NBA teams.
• What’s the latest on the Pistons‘ plans to move to downtown Detroit?
• Dwight Howard is working on adding a three-point shot ahead of next season.
• The Pelicans hired Chris Finch as an assistant coach.
• Markelle Fultz worked out for the Celtics this week.
• Paul George is currently not being discussed by the Pacers in trade talks.
• Jimmy Butler has hired a new agent.
• Former Knicks head coach Derek Fisher was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving following a car accident.

Here are some of the biggest stories from the last week at Hoops Rumors:

Danilo Gallinari will decline his player option and become a free agent. The Nuggets have strong interest in bringing Gallo back and the small forward remains open to the opportunity. Gallinari would have made $16.1 MM next season had he exercised his option.

Dion Waiters will decline his player option, becoming a free agent. In declining his option, Waiters will turn down $3.2MM next season to stay with the Heat. During the 2016/17 campaign, the former Syracuse guard averaged 15.8 PPG to go with career highs of 4.3 APG and 3.3 RPG.

C.J. Miles will opt out of his contract with the Pacers and become a free agent. In opting out, the veteran is turning down approximately $4.77MM in search of a more lucrative deal. Last season, Miles sunk a career-best 41.3% of his field-goal attempts from three-point territory.

The NBA and the players’ union have formally ruled that Chris Bosh‘s blood clotting condition is career-ending. The Heat are expected to waive Bosh shortly now that the logistics are finalized. Although it won’t count towards the Heat’s payroll, the power forward will still receive the remaining portion of his contract. If Bosh were to pursue an NBA comeback, he would need to present compelling medical evidence to the league that it is reasonably safe for him to play.

The Clippers remain the “overwhelming favorite” to land Chris Paul. Despite the Clippers‘ status as the apparent leader on the market, Paul’s interest in the Spurs is serious. Adrian Wojnarowski gives the Clips a significant advantage because of the extra money they can offer and Paul’s significant continuing marketing opportunities in Los Angeles. Woj also contends that the Spurs would need to gut their payroll to sign Paul and such a move is unprecedented within their organization.

Ten More Stories

• Dewayne Dedmon will decline his player option with the Spurs and become a free agent.
• Other transactions this week include Willie Reed planning to opt out  and the Kings waiving Anthony Tolliver.
• Does Carmelo Anthony want to remain with the Knicks? Former teammates J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert are he convinced that he does.
• Nine-year NBA veteran Emeka Okafor has been medically cleared and is poised to return to the league.
• The Heat have purchased controlling interest in their D-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
• There is “some optimism” that Steve Kerr could coach Golden State in Game 2 of the Finals.
• What is the latest on the Bucks‘ GM search?
• Lonzo Ball has an individual workout and meeting scheduled with the Lakers.
• The Clippers are interested in luring Jerry West from the Warriors.
• Kevin Durant is open to re-signing with Golden State for less than the max.