Week in Review News & Rumors

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

Paul Millsap opted out of his contract with the Hawks and will become a free agent. The decision to opt out was expected and Millsap reportedly plans to remain in Atlanta. In opting out, the star power forward turned down a salary of slightly more than $21.4MM for next year.

Isaiah Thomas missed the remainder of the postseason after re-aggravating a hip injury in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The news came as a crushing blow to a top-seeded Celtics team that lost the first two games of the series at home to the defending champions Cavaliers. The injury first occurred in March, forcing the star point guard to miss two starts. IT aggravated the injury in Game 6 against the Wizards before re-aggravating it again against the Cavs in Game 2.

Former Bucks GM John Hammond was hired by the Magic to be their new GM. In addition to hiring Hammond, Orlando also brought in Jeff Weltman to be the team’s President of Basketball Operations. The Raptors will receive a 2018 second-round pick from Orlando as compensation for Orlando’s decision to hire Weltman.

Travis Schlenk was named the general manager of the Hawks. The team has a GM again after being without one since Wes Wilcox was reassigned to a different front office role earlier this month. Schlenk will begin his duties on June 1st.

Chris Bosh and the Heat have reached a tentative agreement to part ways and the players’ association has granted its approval. The agreement would permanently remove Bosh’s cap figure, which was set to be an approximate $52.1MM over the next two years, from Miami’s books. Bosh would still get paid, of course, and would now stand a much better chance of playing again in the NBA for a different team. The pact has not yet been finalized.

Ten More Stories

• Isaiah Thomas wants the Celtics to upgrade before he discusses an extension.
• An extension for John Wall will be the top priority for the Wizards this offseason
• Is there mutual interest between Chris Paul and the Spurs?
• The Nets plan to pursue restricted free agents Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Otto Porter this offseason.
• Caleb Swanigan of Purdue will remain in the draft, while Hamidou Diallo will withdraw and return to Kentucky next season.
• The Knicks have parted ways with Kristaps Porzingis favorite, assistant coach Josh Longstaff.
• Lonzo Ball will not work out for the Celtics, the team that possesses the first overall pick in next month’s draft.
• The Timberwolves plan to target unrestricted free agent Derrick Rose this offseason.
• Before the Hawks and Magic hired their new GMs, neither team was granted the permission it sought to interview Cavaliers GM David Griffin.
• The country of Turkey has issued an arrest warrant for Enes Kanter.

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

The Celtics won Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery. One day after winning the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Boston took home the top pick in next month’s draft. The Lakers moved up to No. 2, which ensures that they’ll keep this year’s pick, as well as their 2019 first-round selection. The Sixers grabbed the third overall pick, exercising their right to swap with the Kings. The Suns fell to No. 4.

The NBA announced the All-NBA teams for 2017. Notably, Paul George and Gordon Hayward were not among the 15 players named to this year’s All-NBA squads. This means that neither George nor Hayward will be eligible to receive the Designated Veteran Extension from their teams this offseason, thus drastically lowering the price the Pacers or Jazz could offer their respective stars. Russell Westbrook, James Harden, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis were named to the All-NBA First Team.

The Pelicans will retain head coach Alvin Gentry and GM Dell Demps. Team owner Tom Benson announced this week that Gentry and Demps will keep their jobs entering the 2017/18 season. Gentry has coached the team for the past two seasons, compiling a 64-100 record. Beginning next season with a frontcourt of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, the expectations will be high, likely meaning that neither Gentry nor Demps would be able to survive another sub-.500 season.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban admitted the team tanked down the stretch. Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, Cuban said the Mavs “did everything possible to lose games” and improve their draft position after being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. These comments came just a few months after Cuban stated that his team had no interest in tanking.

Marcin Gortat may seek a trade from the Wizards this offseason. The big man claims that he has been underappreciated and sacrificed more than any of his teammates. Gortat still has two seasons and more than $26MM left on his current deal with the Wizards.

10 More Stories

• Kawhi Leonard re-injures ankle: missed Game 2 and will miss Game 3
• Celtics to prioritize Gordon Hayward in free agency
• Mavericks interested in Jrue Holiday
• Latest on Hawks‘ front office search
• NBA reveals award finalists
• Cavaliers attempt to retain GM David Griffin; Magic in hot pursuit
• Lonzo Ball may only work out for Lakers
• Hawks offered four first-round picks for Paul George
• Lakers confident they can sign Paul George?
• Several teams evaluating potential trades for D’Angelo Russell

With critical offseason decisions already being made and the NBA Draft Lottery a mere days away, we had another busy week in the Association. Here’s our recap of what you need to know for the past seven days:

Transactions

• Kyle Lowry confirms that he will opt out of his contract with the Raptors.
• Rudy Gay of the Kings will also opt out of his contract.

News

• Kristaps Porzingis tweets message to the Clippers. Or was he hacked?
• According to Kristaps Porzingis’ brother, Kristaps wishes to remain in New York.
• Houston’s Mike D’Antoni and Miami’s Erik Spoelstra were named co-recipients of the NBA Coaches Association’s first Coach of the Year Award.
• Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri admitted that it would be impossible for the team to re-sign all four of its key free agents.
• Sean Deveney reported that Donatas Motiejunas was pursuing legal action against the Rockets and the NBA, prompting Motiejunas to refute the claim on social media.
• The Clippers are finalizing their plans to unveil a D-League team of their own next season.
• Rudy Gobert will not play for Team France in Eurobasket 2017.

Rumors

• There may have been “philosophical” differences in the Hawks front office.
• League sources believe that Troy Weaver will emerge as a top candidate to head the Hawks front office.
• The Kings are reportedly not in the mix for Serbian international star Milos Teodosic after all.
• It is being widely speculated that Danny Ainge of the Celtics is determined to keep the Nets‘ 2007 first-round pick.
• The Mavericks have reportedly begun the process of signing Chinese free agent Ding Jinhui.
• Draft-and-stash Sixers prospect Furkan Korkmaz hopes to join the team for next season.

Draft

• Markelle Fultz will interview with several teams at the combine.
• The Mavericks are more likely to keep their pick than trade it.
• The Lakers are focused on four prospects for their potential lottery pick.
• Duke guard Frank Jackson will remain in the draft.
• Chance Comanche too will remain in the draft, as will James Blackmon.

Injuries

• Nene was ruled out for the remainder of the postseason.
• Allen Crabbe will undergo foot surgery.
• Steve Kerr had a spinal cord leak procedure.
• Tyler Ulis underwent a surgical procedure on his right ankle.

With the offseason in full effect for many teams and the NBA Draft lottery just 10 days away, a great deal happened this week. Here’s our recap of what you need to know for the last seven days:

News

• Thunder GM Sam Presti is hopeful that the team can sign Russell Westbrook to a long-term extension this summer.
• Kelly Oubre Jr. was suspended for Game 4 of the Celtics–Wizards series as a result of his altercation with Kelly Olynyk in their previous game.
• Former Hawks forward Mike Scott was cleared of drug charges in a Georgia court, accelerating a possible NBA comeback.
• The head of the NBPA is concerned that Phil Jackson is trying to “shame” Carmelo Anthony out of playing for the Knicks.
• The NBA announced the lineup for its first eLeague season.
• Tyronn Lue revealed that the Cavaliers reached out to Kevin Garnett during the season, attempting to lure the legendary big man out of retirement.
• The Timberwolves finalized their purchase of the Iowa Energy, a D-League franchise that previously had a relationship with the Grizzlies.
• Bucks general manager John Hammond indicates that the team intends to retain Tony Snell and that the medical staff hopes Jabari Parker can return by next season’s All-Star break.
• Bulls executives John Paxson and Gar Forman said that Fred Hoiberg will return as head coach and that “there’s a really good chance” that Rajon Rondo will be back as well.
• At age 40, Grizzlies veteran Vince Carter wants to play two more seasons.
• The NBA will use D-Leaguers to represent team USA in qualifiers for the 2019 Basketball World Cup, which will be used to determine which countries make the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• Rashad McCants, who played five seasons in the NBA and won an NCAA championship, was the first player selected in the BIG3 three-on-three league draft.

Front Office News

• The Hawks will retain Wes Wilcox, and Mike Budenholzer will remain as head coach, but both Wilcox and Budenholzer will have reduced roles in the basketball operations department.
• Larry Bird officially stepped down as president of the Pacers.
• The Magic have begun to hold interviews in their quest to hire a president of basketball operations.
• Milwaukee’s John Hammond and Toronto’s Jeff Weltman are under consideration for the Magic opening, as well as Kevin McHale and Cleveland’s GM David Griffin.
• LeBron James continues to express support for David Griffin, whose contract with the Cavaliers expires after the postseason ends.
• Two top candidates for the Hawks‘ top front office position are reportedly David Griffin and Joe Dumars.

Rumors

• The Knicks and Clippers are expected to re-open trade talks involving Carmelo Anthony.
• Teams are reportedly inquiring about Kristaps Porzingis after he skipped his exit meeting.
• The role of Bulls vice president John Paxson might expand, as the team considers front office changes this offseason.
• The Pelicans continue to evaluate Alvin Gentry and Dell Demps, with no deadline set for the organization to decide on either’s fate with the team.
• Will Barton is expected to turn down a contract extension from the Nuggets and become an unrestricted free agent in 2018.

Injuries

• Tony Parker will be sidelined for the remainder of the postseason with a ruptured left quadriceps tendon.
• Steve Kerr remains out indefinitely as a result of flaring complications from his back surgery two years ago, making his return for Golden State’s series against the Jazz extremely unlikely.
• Alec Burks‘ knee injury could prevent him from returning for the Jazz this postseason.
• Luol Deng underwent successful surgery on his right pectoral muscle and expects to be fully recovered for the Lakers training camp.

Draft

• Markelle Fultz and De’Aaron Fox highlight the official NBA draft combine list.
• Jayson Tatum, Malik Monk, and other top prospects will skip the combine, just as Lonzo Ball has announced he will do.
• Louisville combo-guard Donovan Mitchell will hire an agent and stay in the draft.
• Theo Pinson will return to North Carolina, the Knicks will consider taking French point guard Frank Ntilikina with their seventh pick, among other draft updates.

The playoff picture is clearing up as the offseason arrived for seven teams earlier than they expected. Here are this week’s stories that played out against the backdrop of the postseason.

Transactions

• Larry Bird is stepping down as president of the Pacers.
• The Pelicans‘ Dante Cunningham declined his player option.
• The Hawks‘ Paul Millsap discussed his intention to opt out.
• Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey confirmed that Festus Ezeli won’t return next season.
• Stephon Marbury left his Chinese Basketball Association team in Beijing.
• Andrea Bargnani parted ways with his Spanish team.

Injuries

• Lingering health problems from his 2015 back surgeries forced Warriors coach Steve Kerr to miss the final two games of the series with the Trail Blazers, and he remains out indefinitely.
• Golden State’s Kevin Durant was held out of Game 3 with a calf injury.
• Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic was able to bounce back from a fracture in his leg and play in Games 3 and 4.
• Jazz center Rudy Gobert overcame a knee injury and returned to the series with the Clippers in Game 4.
• Clippers guard Austin Rivers returned for Game 5 on a minutes restriction.

News

• Duke point guard Frank Jackson declared for the NBA draft, but hasn’t hired an agent.
• The Bulls’ Rajon Rondo and the Rockets‘ Patrick Beverley were each fined $25K for their actions in playoff games.
• Joel Berry, Theo Pinson and Tony Bradley of North Carolina elected to test the draft waters.
• French point guard Frank Ntilikina declared for the draft.
• Bam Adebayo of Kentucky and Jaylen Johnson of Louisville hired agents and will stay in the draft.
• Kristaps Porzingis says he wants to stay with the Knicks.
• Pat Riley wants one more title with the Heat before retirement.
• The Pelicans trimmed their list of possible D-League affiliates to six cities.
• The D-League announced its all-league teams.
• The NBA confirmed 182 early entrants for this year’s draft.
• Shabazz Muhammad hired a new agent.
• Rockets owner Leslie Alexander was fined $100K for confronting an official during a playoff game.
• The Nuggets announced surgery for rookie guardd Jamal Murray.
• The Knicks will send assistant Joshua Longstaff to Latvia to monitor Porzingis as he plays for the national team.
• Russell Westbrook expressed a desire to remain in Oklahoma City.
• The Raptors‘ affiliate won the D-League championship.

Rumors

• A teammate says Paul George has talked openly about joining the Lakers.
• Draft-and-stash prospect Zhou Qi hopes to join the Rockets next season.
• Kevin McHale is among the candidates to be the next president of the Magic.
• Orlando plans to offer the president’s post to Cavaliers GM David Griffin.

The NBA playoffs are well underway and we’ve already seen some unexpected plot twists and notable developments. Here’s a breakdown of the week that was, the players who will watch their squads play from the sidelines and a few rumors that may shed light on what the lottery-bound lot might do this offseason.

Transactions

• The Hornets opted to decline their team option on 21-year-old Christian Wood‘s contract. The big man was sparsely used in his first season in Charlotte.

Injuries

• For the second year in a row, Clippers forward Blake Griffin will exit the postseason before his team. In Game 3 of their first-round matchup with the Jazz, Griffin injured the plantar plate of his big toe.
• In Game 1 of their first-round series against the Clippers, Jazz center Rudy Gobert injured his knee and hasn’t played since.
• A fractured thumb will sideline Bulls guard Rajon Rondo indefinitely, he sustained the injury in Game 2 of their first-round series with the Celtics.

News

• The Kings have hired Scotty Perry to serve as their executive vice president. Perry was most recently the assistant general manager to Rob Hennigan with the Magic.
• The NBA’s draft order is coming into view following the breaking of several regular season tiebreakers.
• Tragedy struck the NBA community this week when Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas‘ younger sister, Chyna Thomas, was killed in a car accident just prior to the start of the postseason.
• A former fiancee has accused Jazz center Jeff Withey of domestic violence but Withey’s attorney emphatically denies the claim.

Rumors

• Word has it the Pistons will match any offer restricted free agent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can scrounge up this offseason. The two-guard averaged 13.8 points per game in a down year for Detroit.
• Though he plans to opt out with his player options, Danilo Gallinari is said to prefer staying with the Nuggets through free agency.
• There were no shortage of reaction posts to Phil Jackson‘s bizarre, negative press conference earlier this month. The head of the player’s union, Michele Roberts, formally called the Knicks executive’s behavior  “inappropriate.”
• The Magic are said to be eyeing Cavaliers general manager David Griffin as a possible replacement for Rob Hennigan, with whom they parted ways last week.
• The Celtics coaching staff was reportedly interested in acquiring Carmelo Anthony this season but the front office, not so much.
• If it’s up to him, Clippers head coach and president of basketball operations, Doc Rivers, said that he’d like to retain L.A.’s core, despite the looming free agencies of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick.
• After a down season in New York, Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis says that he’ll spend his offseason in Latvia. It’s also been reported that Carmelo Anthony could dig in and resist a trade this summer.

With the playoffs ready to begin in a few hours, we look back at the final week of the regular season, as football and basketball came together in Dallas and Carmelo Anthony and Phil Jackson looked ready to break apart in New York.

Transactions

• The Cavaliers waived DeAndre Liggins.
• The Mavericks claimed Liggins off waivers.
• The Suns signed Elijah Millsap to a multi-year contract.
• The Pistons tried to waive Beno Udrih and sign Lorenzo Brown, but the move was blocked by the league.
• The Hornets picked up their option for next season on GM Rich Cho.
• The Pelicans signed Axel Toupane.
• The Sixers signed Alex Poythress for the rest of the season.
• The Cavaliers signed Dahntay Jones.
• The Cavaliers waived Larry Sanders and signed Edy Tavares.

Injuries

• A “significant” wrist injury sidelined Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo.
• A strained left calf will keep Wizards center Ian Mahinmi out for the start of the playoffs.
• A torn rotator cuff will keep Knicks center Joakim Noah out of action for four to six months.
• A strained calf has sidelined Grizzlies guard Tony Allen indefinitely.

News

• A New York-based knee specialist assessed Derrick Rose‘s medical outlook after his latest surgery.
• Russell Westbrook broke the NBA record for triple doubles in a season.
• Indiana’s OG Anunoby declared for the NBA draft.
• Metta World Peace said he hopes to play two more NBA seasons, bringing his career total to 20.
• Spurs assistant James Borrego turned down a coaching offer from New Mexico.
• Baylor’s Johnathan Motley entered the draft.
• Michigan’s DJ Wilson and Moritz Wagner will test the draft waters.
• Oregon’s Tyler Dorsey declared for the draft.
• Gonzaga’s Zach Collins entered the draft.
• Texas’ Jarrett Allen declared for the draft.
• The NBA rejected the idea of Tony Romo signing a contract with the Mavericks.
• Oregon’s Dillon Brooks decided to test the draft waters.
• Stan Van Gundy promised that change is coming to the Pistons.
• The Nuggets aren’t sure if Danilo Gallinari will be re-signed if he opts out.
• Wake Forest’s John Collins entered the draft.
• Team president Phil Jackson and the Knicks exercised a mutual option for the next two seasons.
• The Magic fired GM Rob Hennigan.
• North Carolina’s Justin Jackson declared for the draft.
• Carmelo Anthony asked for a “commitment to win” from the Knicks.
• Dirk Nowitzki announced that he will return for a 20th season with the Mavericks.
• Udonis Haslem said he wants to play another season for the Heat.
• Kevin Durant stated that he doesn’t plan to leave Golden State.
• Phil Jackson said Anthony might be “better off somewhere else.”
• Michigan State’s Miles Bridges will skip the draft.
• Kristaps Porzingis missed his exit interview with Phil Jackson.

Rumors

• The Nuggets plan to pursue an extension with Gary Harris.
• Changes may be coming to the league’s buyout and waiver process.
• The Knicks‘ Carmelo Anthony is leaning toward waiving his no-trade clause.
• An extension for Clippers guard Chris Paul may already be in place.

As the playoffs creep ever closer, the highlights of this April week are the returns of several prominent players to playoff-bound contenders. The week also saw a number of younger players audition on short-term contracts and, ahem, the announcement of an NFL Pro Bowler’s NBA debut. Seriously. April Fools’ Day was last week.

Transactions

• The Bucks released forward Terrence Jones.
• The Magic released guard C.J. Wilcox.
• The Nets signed guard Archie Goodwin.
• The Pelicans signed guard Quinn Cook.
• The Bucks signed guard Gary Payton II.
• The Sixers signed forward Alex Poythress.
• The Magic signed forward Marcus Georges-Hunt.
• The Pelicans signed forward Axel Toupane.
• The Magic signed guard Patricio Garino.

Injuries

• After a 19-game absence, Kevin Durant is returning for the Warriors.
• After a 21-game absence, Kyle Lowry is returned for the Raptors.
• After an 11-game absence, Dwyane Wade is returning for the Bulls.
• A torn meniscus will sideline Knicks guard Derrick Rose for the remainder of the season.
• A broken hand will keep Rockets forward Sam Dekker out of action for 3-4 weeks.

News

• The NBA projected that there will be a $101MM salary cap in 2017/18.
• The Mavs will make Tony Romo a “Maverick for a Day“, whatever that means. He’s not expected to play in the team’s home finale Tuesday (but we can hope).
• Former Knicks star Patrick Ewing has been hired to coach at the Georgetown University, his alma matter.
• Forward LeBron James supports the idea of the Cavaliers extending general manager David Griffin.
• The Sixers were granted an injury exception (which they used to sign Alex Poythress)
• The Lakers shut down guard Nick Young for the remainder of the season.
• The Pistons likely shut down guard Reggie Jackson for the rest of the season.

Rumors

• The Knicks are interested in retaining Ron Baker, who is set to hit restricted free agency this summer.
• The Mavericks will be looking for a pass-first point guard in the offseason.
• General manager Rob Hennigan insists that the “leaked white board” photo does not hint at Magic‘s offseason plans.

Plenty of prominent freshmen decided to enter the draft, the Pacers re-signed Lance Stephenson and the Suns will reportedly explore the trade market for Eric Bledsoe. Those were just a few items in another very busy week around the NBA. Here’s our recap of what you need to know for the last seven days:

News

• Jeanie Buss reached a legal agreement with her brothers that ensures she will be the Lakers’ controlling owner as long as the family owns the team.
• Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson hasn’t played the last four games and he may be shut down the remainder of the season.
• Pacers star forward Paul George ripped his teammates for lacking a sense of urgency during the stretch drive.
• Pistons shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a restricted free agent, was arrested after failing a sobriety test just hours following the team’s one-point loss to the Heat.
• Knicks center Joakim Noah began serving his 20-game suspension for using a banned substance.
• Veteran big man Reggie Evans would like to continue his NBA career.
• The Pelicans will have their own D-League team in operation by the 2018/19 season.
• Spurs assistant Becky Hammon declined an offer to coach the Florida women’s basketball team.
• Dayton hired Thunder assistant Anthony Grant as its head coach.

• The Kings are interested in hiring ex-Sixers executive Sam Hinkie to run the franchise, despite a club denial.
• The Suns will explore trades for starting point guard Eric Bledsoe this offseason.
• A handful of teams that underachieved this season could make front office changes.
• The Bulls could move Jimmy Butler before Dwyane Wade‘s player option decision is due.
• Lakers guard Nick Young is undecided whether to opt in for $5.67MM next season or become a free agent.

• Harry Giles, Duke (freshman) (link)
• Dennis Smith Jr., North Carolina State (freshman) (link)
• Edmond Sumner, Xavier (sophomore) (link)
• Lauri Markkanen, Arizona (freshman) (link)
• TJ Leaf, UCLA (freshman) (link)
• Kostja Mushidi, Serbia (link)
• This list includes top-60 prospects, based on DraftExpress.com’s rankings. For the full list of early entrants so far, check out our breakdown.

• Kevin Durant will likely be on a minutes restriction when he returns from his knee injury. The Warriors announced he hasn’t had any setbacks.
• The Sixers have shut down center Jahlil Okafor and forward Robert Covington for the rest of the season.
• Bulls guard Dwyane Wade hopes to return in the postseason if Chicago qualifies.
• Hawks forward Paul Millsap is expected to return soon from a knee injury.
• Clippers guard Austin Rivers is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with a hamstring strain.
• Lakers center Ivica Zubac is out for the season with a high ankle sprain.
• Pelicans center Omer Asik and guard Quincy Pondexter will miss the remainder of the season.
• The Kings shut down swingman Malachi Richardson for the rest of the season.
• Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic fractured his right leg.

It was a fairly eventful week in the NBA, as many of this year’s early entrant draft announcements begin to roll in, while there were plenty of notable non-draft news items and rumors to round up as well. Here’s our recap of what you need to know for the last seven days:

News

• Former Bulls general manager Jerry Krause, the architect of the roster that won six championships in the 1990s, passed away at age 77.
• The NBA was unhappy that the Cavaliers rested star players in a marquee, nationally televised game. The growing trend of sitting healthy players prompted commissioner Adam Silver to send a memo to all 30 teams calling it a “significant issue” and suggesting there will be “significant penalties” for teams that don’t provide sufficient notice.
• Knicks center Joakim Noah received a 20-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program.
• Bulls center Robin Lopez and Raptors forward Serge Ibaka were suspended one game apiece for fighting.

Rumors

• Magic general manager Rob Hennigan‘s job is in jeopardy.
• Clippers head coach and president of basketball operations Doc Rivers dismissed the idea that he could head to the Magic in a similar role this summer.
• Hawks big man Paul Millsap is still expected to opt out of his contract this offseason.
• Warriors head coach Steve Kerr disputed a report that suggested Golden State was “furious” and “bewildered” about the Thunder’s treatment of Kevin Durant when he returned to OKC.
• Among other Pacers rumors, we heard that Paul George would love to play with Gordon Hayward and got details on what the Sixers offered for George before February’s trade deadline.
• The Clippers and Heat are said to have interest in former NBA big man Carlos Boozer, who has been playing in China.
• Spurs assistant Becky Hammon is reportedly considering an offer from the University of Florida.
• Italian power forward Nicolo Melli is drawing interest from multiple NBA teams.

Transactions

• The Timberwolves signed forward Omri Casspi to a rest-of-season contract.
• The Rockets signed forward Troy Williams to a rest-of-season contract.
• The Lakers signed David Nwaba to a multiyear contract.
• The Mavericks signed guard Manny Harris to a second 10-day contract.
• The Mavericks signed forward Jarrod Uthoff to a second 10-day contract.
• The Pelicans signed guard Quinn Cook to a 10-day contract.
• The Suns signed forward Jarell Eddie to a 10-day contract.
• The Nets signed guard Archie Goodwin to a second 10-day contract.

Early Entrants

• Lonzo Ball, UCLA (freshman) (link)
• Jayson Tatum, Duke (freshman) (link)
• Jonathan Isaac, Florida State (freshman) (link)
• Jarrett Allen, Texas (freshman) (link)
• John Collins, Wake Forest (sophomore) (link)
• Donovan Mitchell, Louisville (sophomore) (link)
• Ivan Rabb, Cal (sophomore) (link)
• Tyler Lydon, Syracuse (sophomore) (link)
• Semi Ojeleye, SMU (junior) (link)
• Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State (sophomore) (link)
• Dwayne Bacon, Florida State (sophomore) (link)
• Cameron Oliver, Nevada (sophomore) (link)
• Texas A&M freshman Robert Williams opted to return to school.
• This list includes top-60 prospects, based on DraftExpress.com’s rankings. For the full list of early entrants so far, check out our breakdown.

Injuries

• Sixers center Joel Embiid, who is out for the season, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
• Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons underwent season-ending surgery on his left knee.
• The Warriors are reportedly optimistic that Kevin Durant can return from his knee injury before the end of the regular season.
• Omer Asik and Quincy Pondexter aren’t expected to get back on the court for the Pelicans this season.
• Spurs rookie Dejounte Murray is out for another two to three weeks due to a pelvic bone injury.
• Pacers swingman Glenn Robinson III will be sidelined for at least two weeks with a calf injury.