Week in Review News & Rumors

The first week of 2017 was a busy one as the Hawks began what appears to be a rebuild and NBA teams throughout the league scrambled to make decisions on players with non-guaranteed contracts. The deadline to cut a partially guaranteed player is today.

Rumors

• The Nets could make a strong push for pending free agent Otto Porter this offseason.
• The Hawks are looking for no less than a first-round pick for Paul Millsap. Here are the latest headlines on the matter.
• The Knicks could make a bid to acquire P.J. Tucker from the Suns.
• The Celtics hold the rights to a very valuable Nets pick and aren’t afraid to trade it.
• The Jusuf Nurkic/Nikola Jokic experiment isn’t working out and the Nuggets are supposedly shopping him.
• Word has it that the Nets could be looking for two first-round picks for Brook Lopez.
• The Trail Blazers may be considering a deal to acquire Tyson Chandler from the Suns.

Trades/Signings

• The Cavaliers have traded for sharpshooter Kyle Korver. In exchange, the Hawks receive Mike Dunleavy Jr., Mo Williams and a 2019 first-round pick.
• The Cavaliers separately traded their 2017 first-round pick to the Trail Blazers in order to re-acquire their 2018 first-round pick.
• The Pelicans have signed center Donatas Motiejunas.

Waivers

• The Hornets waived Aaron Harrison.
• The Sixers waived Hollis Thompson.
• The Suns waived John Jenkins.
• The Nuggets waived Alonzo Gee.
• The Hawks waived Ryan Kelly.
• The Mavs waived Pierre Jackson.
• The Magic waived Arinze Onuaku.
• The Timberwolves waived John Lucas III.

News

• Things haven’t gone well for Rajon Rondo this season. The guard will ask to be traded from the Bulls if he continues getting benched.
• In light of Justise Winslow‘s season-ending surgery, the Heat have applied for a disabled player exception.
• After missing the first two months of the season, Alec Burks returned for the Jazz.
• There’s a growing sentiment that the Celtics may already have a star to build around: Isaiah Thomas.
• Almost healthy, Jarrett Jack plans to hold an open audition for interested NBA teams.
• After a surprisingly productive season last year, Carl Landry is similarly looking to join an NBA team.
• After speaking candidly in a radio interview, Andrew Bogut drew criticism for saying he won’t likely return to the Mavs.
• The Cavaliers must acquire a backup point guard, says LeBron James.
• Though a centerpiece of trade speculation all week, Paul Millsap was nearly traded twice already in the last year.

Here’s a look back at all the notable news and events from around the NBA this past seven days:

Signings/Agreements

• The Heat confirmed they extended the contract of coach Erik Spoelstra during the offseason.
• PG Bryce Cotton signed with the Perth Wildcats in Australia.
• The Mavericks signed PG Pierre Jackson.
• PF Ante Zizic, a Celtics draft-and-stash prospect, is making the jump to the Euroleague after playing in Croatia.

Waivers

• The Spurs released PG Nicolas Laprovittola.
• The Bulls released SG R.J. Hunter.
• The Mavericks released PG Jonathan Gibson.

News

• Heat PF Josh McRoberts is out indefinitely with a foot injury.
• Celtics training camp invitee Damion Lee has a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season.
• Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy declared that “everything is on the table” regarding changes for his slumping team.
• Timberwolves C Nikola Pekovic could be headed for retirement because of persistent injury issues.
• The Lakers brought in free agent PF Donatas Motiejunas for an audition but didn’t sign him.
• Euro F Rade Zagorac will likely join the Grizzlies next season.
• Lakers PF Larry Nance Jr. is expected to miss four weeks because of a bone bruise to his left knee.

Rumors

• The Cavs could deal draft-and-stash prospect Cedi Osman in the near future.
• The Suns would like to move PG Brandon Knight before the February trade deadline.
• The Bulls are mulling a coaching change as the team continues to flounder under Fred Hoiberg.
• The Rockets are interested in acquiring Kings big man Kosta Koufos.
• The Magic could be in the mix for Kings C DeMarcus Cousins if he goes on the trading block.
• The Bucks are still trying to trade C Greg Monroe.

Here’s a look back at all the notable news items from around the NBA this past week, including several prominent injuries and the announcement of a new basketball league for retired NBAers:

News

• The ongoing saga in Philadelphia continues as the Sixers deliberate over what to do with their frontcourt logjam.  General manager Bryan Colangelo has said that he’s content finishing the season without trading one of the team’s young centers but it’s unclear whether that will work out for the rest of the parties involved. The club drew criticism when they publicly elected to remove Nerlens Noel from the rotation, a decision that they appear to have since backed off from.
• The Pistons have plummeted below .500 on the heels of five consecutive losses. Not surprisingly, head coach Stan Van Gundy has vowed to shake things up. Since then, drama in the team’s locker room has escalated considerably, though a trade is not necessarily expected.
• DeMarcus Cousins was fined substantially by the Kings for his actions and behavior regarding the media. A video showcasing the All-Star’s past incidents with the media was published by the Sacramento Bee.
• Pat Riley has decided that it’s finally time for the Heat to rebuild. Riley lauds the team’s collection of promising young assets and promises to rebuild fast.

Business

• The NBA’s salary cap rose dramatically over the summer and could continue to rise over the next few years. According to The Vertical, the official figure could rise from the $94MM it sits at now to as much as $120MM by 2020. In 2015/16, the salary cap was just $70MM.
• NBA owners and NBA players have all ratified the new collective bargaining agreement, making the new deal official.
• The new CBA will significantly change how teams are able to sign and extend their own free agents. For James Harden and Russell Westbrook, two players that signed contract extensions last summer, some these changes will be grandfathered in allowing them to be eligible for extensions this summer as well.
• A new independent medical panel will be established to handle potential life and death cases like the one facing Chris Bosh who has been prohibited from playing for the Heat due to blood clots.
• The wheels are in motion for a new basketball league that will allow retired NBA players to compete in half-court, three-on-three tournaments. Stephen Jackson and Jason Williams are said to be among the earliest batch of players on board.

Rumors

• The injury-depleted Rockets are gauging the trade market, searching for big men to possibly add to their lineup.
• Teams have called the Grizzlies inquiring about Tony Allen and the club is open to hearing offers.
• The Nuggets have been receiving offers for 25-year-old Will Barton, but the swingman is content staying in Denver.
• He’s since denied it, but Goran Dragic was rumored to be “open to a trade” from the Heat.

Injuries

• Blake Griffin will undergo a procedure to clean up “loose bodies” in his right knee, keeping him out of action for the Clippers until the New Year.
• The Rockets will be without center Clint Capela for six weeks as the big man recovers from a left fibula fracture.
• Trail Blazers big man Festus Ezeli has elected for season-ending knee surgery. The center rushed back from an injury prematurely last season and now has his long-term health to consider.
• J.R. Smith is the latest Cavaliers rotation player to go down with an injury, the swingman’s broken thumb could keep him sidelined for 12 to 14 weeks.
• Ian Mahinmi will miss six additional weeks battling back from knee procedures. The newly inked Wizards center will now under go platelet-rich plasma treatment.

Here’s a look back at all the notable news and events from around the NBA this past week:

Major News

• The NBA and the NBPA have reached an agreement on a new CBA. While the deal has not yet been ratified, both sides are allegedly on board with the new terms, the details of which soon came to light. As updates have poured in, the Hoops Rumors staff has consolidated and elaborated on the components of and reactions to the new agreement. Several new CBA mechanics will impact how rosters are constructed in the future.
• Legendary sideline reporter Craig Sager passed away on Thursday, just two days after being inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Sager had been battling an aggressive form of leukemia since 2014.

Transactions

• After renouncing their offer to Donatas Motiejunas, the Rockets re-signed Bobby Brown.
• The Grizzlies waived backup point guard Toney Douglas.
• Recently released Nets point guard Yogi Ferrell cleared waivers and returned to Brooklyn’s D-League affiliate in Long Island.
• Sixers camp invitee Brandon Paul signed a contract to play for Anadolu Efes Istanbul in Turkey.
• Journeyman center Henry Sims signed on with the Shanxi Brave Dragons in China.
• Former Wizards guard Gary Neal signed a D-League contract after failing to land an NBA deal this summer.

News

• Brett Brown believes that Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel can all coexist with the Sixers if they buy into his system. Alas, Noel – who changed agents earlier in the week – has been vocal with his displeasure since returning to the lineup.
• The Sacramento Bee published a video of past incidents between Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and the media. Disciplinary action could soon follow.
• Having established himself as a valuable part of their rotation, veteran forward Taj Gibson wishes to re-sign with the Bulls this summer. The 31-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career this summer.
• The NBA has promised the Cavaliers an All-Star Game after the completion of renovations at Quicken Loans Arena.
• Though it wasn’t the plan, Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki admitted that this season could be his last. The 38-year-old has battled Achilles issues for much of the 2016/17 campaign.
• Phil Jackson has faced criticism throughout his tenure as president of the Knicks, but remains fully committed to fulfilling the final two years of his contract.
• Try as they might, the Nets are still ineligible to sign Donatas Motiejunas having technically signed him to an offer sheet earlier this month.
• Starting as early as later this month, the NBA D-League will experiment with larger officiating crews.
• The Magic are the latest team to purchase their own D-League club, having announced plans to acquire and relocate their affiliate from Erie, Pennsylvania to Lakeland, Florida. The ownership group behind the existing Erie BayHawks, however, would like to partner with another NBA team in hopes of remaining in the league for the 2017/18 season.
• For personal reasons, veteran point guard Steve Blake has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the Sydney Kings of the Australian league and is unlikely to return.

Rumors

• The Pacers have no interest in dealing superstar Paul George, though teams have certainly tried, says Adrian Wojnarowski.
• Stanley Johnson has been underwhelming for the Pistons this year, but that doesn’t mean the club doesn’t value him. Detroit has reportedly “resisted overtures” for the second-year wing.
• Omer Asik remains on the trade block and is “very much available”, though it’s worth noting that the Pelicans big man is just two years into a substantial five-year contract.
• The Timberwolves could be in the market for frontcourt help. Currently Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng are seeing heavy workloads while summer acquisitions Jordan Hill and Cole Aldrich rarely see action.
• Virtually every team with cap room – and some without it – will likely check in with Gordon Hayward when he reaches free agency in 2017, and Hayward is expected to prioritize teams with the ability to contend for a title.

Injuries

• The Sixers will be without veteran point guard Jerryd Bayless this season as he has undergone wrist surgery. The club signed the playmaker over the summer but only saw him suit up for three games of action.
• Chris Andersen tore the ACL of his right knee at practice this week and now the Cavaliers big will miss the remainder of 2016/17.
• Back in the lineup for the Heat, Justise Winslow has recovered from the wrist injury he sustained last month. Now the versatile wing is hoping to avoid, or at least postpone, surgery.
• Grizzlies rookie Deyonta Davis has torn the plantar fascia in his left foot and could miss as many as six-to-eight weeks of action.
• Out since late November when doctors found fractures in his lower back, Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley has returned to the lineup.
• Also on the verge of returning for the Grizzlies issmall forward James Ennis, who has missed three weeks with a calf sprain.
• Monta Ellis will miss at least a week as a result of a strained groin. The struggling Pacers guard has recently found himself at the center of trade speculation.

Here’s a look back at all the notable news and events from around the NBA this past seven days:

Signings/Agreements

• The Rockets re-signed RFA PF Donatas Motiejunas to a four-year contract. The two sides negotiated a new contract after Houston matched the Nets’ offer sheet and Motiejunas declined to report to the team.
• The Grizzlies signed free agent PG Toney Douglas using a hardship exception.
• The Nets signed free agent PG Spencer Dinwiddie.
• The Pelicans reached an agreement to sign free agent G/F Reggie Williams.
• Free agent PG Pablo Prigioni signed with Saski Baskonia in Spain.
• Free agent PG Toure’ Murry signed with Yesilgiresun in Turkey.
• Free agent C Ryan Hollins signed with CB Gran Canaria in Spain.
• Free agent PG Andrew Andrews signed with Best Balikesir in Turkey.
• Free agent PG Lorenzo Brown signed with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China.
• Former first-round pick Royce White signed with the London Lightning in Canada.

Waivers

• The Nets released PG Yogi Ferrell.
• The Pelicans released SG Anthony Brown.
• The Rockets released PG Bobby Brown.

News

• The Bulls suspended Rajon Rondo for one game due to an incident with an assistant coach.
• Matt Barnes and DeMarcus Cousins were allegedly involved in an altercation at a New York City nightclub. Both players were sued, and Barnes may face charges.
• Knicks president Phil Jackson made comments about Carmelo Anthony‘s occasional tendency to be a ball-stopper on offense, leaving Anthony confused about why those concerns weren’t addressed privately.
• Steve Kerr admitted he tried marijuana as a way to alleviate his back pain.
• Kevin Durant said the Clippers “made it tough” to turn them down in free agency.
• Rudy Gay and Ty Lawson are now represented by Roc Nation Sports.
• The Sixers hired Elton Brand as a player development consultant.
• The Grizzlies signed three members of their front office, including GM Chris Wallace, to contract extensions.
• Dirk Nowitzki is out indefinitely with an Achilles strain.
• Reggie Bullock underwent surgery on his meniscus and will be out for four to six weeks.
• Nets first-rounder Caris LeVert was cleared to make his NBA debut.

Rumors

• The Magic are interested in trading for scoring help, and may be open to moving 2015 first-rounder Mario Hezonja.
• The Mavericks aren’t interested in moving Andrew Bogut now, but may change that stance before the deadline. Bogut is currently sidelined due to a bone bruise.
• Derrick Rose and his agent both expressed optimism about the point guard’s long-term future with the Knicks.
• Multiple league executives believe Otto Porter will get a maximum-salary contract in 2017.
• Chris Bosh will likely wait until the 2017/18 season to attempt a comeback.
• DeMarcus Cousins, the subject of much trade speculation, expects to remain with the Kings.

With approximately 25% of the regular season completed, here’s a look back at all the notable news and events from around the NBA this past seven days:

Waivers

• Point guard Norris Cole was released by his Chinese team.

Signings/Agreements

• The Nets signed the last restricted free agent on the market, Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas, to a four-year, $37MM offer sheet. Houston has until Monday to match the offer, which reportedly includes two non-guaranteed years.
• Free agent forward Chris Copeland opted to sign with a Turkish team.
• Veteran forward Jeff Ayres signed with the Lakers’ D-League affiliate, the D-Fenders.
• Guards Archie Goodwin and Tony Wroten signed D-League contracts.
• Guards Kendall Marshall and Jordan Adams were claimed by D-League teams.

News/Rumors

• Cavaliers swingman James Jones plans to retire after the 2017/18 season.
• Heat forward Luke Babbitt could be sidelined a few weeks.
• The banged-up Grizzlies have their eyes on Toney Douglas.
• Lakers guard Nick Young will miss 2-4 weeks with a calf strain.
• Draft-and-stash prospect Cedi Osman, whose rights are owned by the Cavaliers, is eager to make the jump to the NBA next season.
• Wizards rookie Danuel House is expected to miss six weeks with a fractured wrist.
• Pistons guard Reggie Bullock will undergo surgery for a left knee meniscus tear and could miss 2-4 months.
• Former Sixers executive Sam Hinkie would consider returning to the league next year.
• Magic GM Rob Hennigan might be on the hot seat in the wake of his team’s slow start.
• Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has no desire to go into tank mode the rest of the season.

With the regular season entering its fifth week, here’s a look back at all the notable news and events from around the NBA this past seven days:

Waivers

• The Pelicans waived Archie Goodwin.

Signings/Agreements

• The Pelicans signed Anthony Brown.

News/Rumors

• The Rockets pulled their latest contract offer to Donatas Motiejunas, though the team hasn’t cut ties with him completely. The restricted free agent is still seeking offers.
• Omri Casspi‘s representatives are “quietly been making inquiries” around the league about a potential trade.
• The Sixers reportedly “don’t have much desire” to trade Jahlil Okafor. Instead, Philadelphia prefers to trade Nerlens Noel since he and the team are “not on the same page at all.”
• The Pistons announced they will move to downtown Detroit for the 2017/18 season.
• Kevin Martin announced his retirement.
• Reggie Bullock suffered a torn meniscus.
• Dante Cunningham is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a fracture in his fibula.
• The Lakers will be without D’Angelo Russell for a few weeks after the point guard received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his left knee.
• The Pistons could have Reggie Jackson back on the floor sometime in the next couple weeks.
• The Bucks haven’t yet decided on a location for a future D-League affiliate and the team will take longer than expected to make its decision.
• D-League salaries are expected to rise, but only for two-way contracts, which is something that should be incorporated in the new CBA.
• Sergio Llull said he has no intention of joining the NBA before his current contract with Real Madrid expires in 2021.
• Jeff Ayres was released by CSKA Moscow and he’s looking to return to the NBA.
• Channing Frye will be on leave indefinitely from the Cavs
• Zach Randolph will be on leave indefinitely from the Grizzlies
• The Kings reportedly still don’t want to move DeMarcus Cousins.
• The Cavs are reportedly not looking to add a point guard to their roster.
• Chris Paul said his relationship with Blake Griffin is “better now than ever.”
• Anthony Davis reaffirmed his loyalty to the Pelicans.
• Chris Bosh missed his 41st consecutive game, which triggered an insurance policy that now covers more than half of his salary.

With the regular season entering its fourth week, here’s a look back at all the notable news and events from around the NBA this past seven days:

Waivers

• The Nuggets waived forward Jarnell Stokes.
• The Mavericks waived Quincy Acy.

Signings/Agreements

• After being waived by the Nuggets last month, D.J. Kennedy signed with China’s Foshan Lions.
• Perry Jones III signed with the Iowa Energy of the D-League.
• The Nuggets signed Alonzo Gee.
• The Mavericks signed Jonathan Gibson.

News/Rumors

• The agent for Kings forward Omri Casspi met with team officials this week, but Casspi denies that a trade was requested.
• Mario Chalmers, who continues to recover from the Achilles injury that ended his 2015/16 campaign prematurely, remains on track to get healthy this season, and is hoping to land with a title contender.
• Chris Patrick, formerly a member of Relativity Sports, left the agency to start the Sports Law Group, which will represent athletes, coaches, and schools.
• Nuggets starting shooting guard Gary Harris could be sidelined up to four weeks with a foot injury.
• Derrick Rose is seeking $70K in court costs related to his civil trial that concluded last month.
• Grizzlies power forward Brandan Wright underwent an arthroscopic debridement of his left ankle and will be out of action for at least two months.
• Kevin Durant is baffled by the notion that Celtics fans are angry at him for not signing with their team.
• Mavericks veteran point guard J.J. Barea will be sidelined approximately six weeks because of a left leg injury.
• Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson joined a group of investors seeking to build an NBA and NHL arena in Seattle.

With the regular season entering its second week, here’s a look back at all the notable news and events from around the NBA this past seven days:

Extensions

• C.J. McCollum (Trail Blazers): Four years, $106,633,450 (story)
• Steven Adams (Thunder): Four years, $100,000,000 (story)
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks): Four years, $100,000,000 (story)
• Rudy Gobert (Jazz): Four years, $94,000,000 (story)
• Victor Oladipo (Thunder): Four years, $84,000,000 (story)
• Gorgui Dieng (Timberwolves): Four years, $62,800,000 (story)
• Dennis Schroder (Hawks): Four years, $62,000,000 (story)
• Cody Zeller (Hornets): Four years, $55,625,000 (story)

Waivers

• The Hawks waived Edy Tavares.

Signings/Agreements

• The Hawks signed Ryan Kelly.
• The Kings signed Jordan Farmar.

Trades

• The Thunder dealt Ersan Ilyasova to the Sixers along with a conditional future draft pick. Oklahoma City will receive Jerami Grant in return.

Option Decisions

• The Bucks picked up the third-year option on Rashad Vaughn‘s rookie-scale contract.
• The Thunder exercised their third-year options on Josh Huestis and Cameron Payne.
• The Hornets exercised their third-year option on Frank Kaminsky.
• The Nets exercised their team options on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris McCullough for the 2017/18 season.
• The Rockets picked up their team option on Sam Dekker for the 2017/18 season.
• The Celtics exercised their 2017/18 team options on Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier.

News/Rumors

• Former NBA guard Marquis Teague was released by his Israeli team.
• Ex-NBA players Jeremy Evans and Robbie Hummel signed with Khimki Moscow.
• Ray Allen formally announced his retirement.
• Bulls guard Michael Carter-Williams is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks due to injuries.
• Jazz guard Alec Burks underwent a successful arthroscopic procedure to debride his left ankle and will be out indefinitely.
• Former second-round pick Orlando Johnson, who appeared in regular-season games with the Suns and Pelicans last season, signed a three-month deal with Russian team UNICS Kazan.
• The league announced the D-League affiliate players for each franchise.
• Free agent guard Jorge Gutierrez signed with the Turkish team Trabzonspor.
• Point guard Lorenzo Brown signed with Russia’s Unics Kazan.
• Forward Jonathan Holmes is headed overseas after agreeing to a contract with FC Barcelona.