Week in Review News & Rumors

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:

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson underwent meniscus surgery and will be out for six to eight weeks. The No. 1 pick’s regular-season NBA debut was one of the most anticipated events of the league’s opening week, but it sounds like it won’t happen until December now.

The Celtics signed Jaylen Brown to a four-year rookie scale extension that can be worth up to $115MM. The base value of Brown’s new deal, which will run through 2023/24, is said to be $103MM, but it features another $12MM in incentives. The 11th-hour agreement ensures that the swingman won’t become a restricted free agent in 2020.

Suns center Deandre Ayton has been suspended 25 games for violating the NBA’s drug policy. Ayton, who tested positive for a diuretic, is fighting the ban, but Phoenix is preparing to be without last year’s top pick until mid-December.

The Kings locked up Buddy Hield to a four-year extension worth up to $106MM. Hield’s new deal is heavy on incentives and may not ultimately be worth more than $86MM, but the two sides were happy to reach an agreement after a negotiation that got somewhat contentious.

Domantas Sabonis also got a rookie scale extension, signing a four-year, $74.9MM deal with the Pacers. Like Brown and Hield, Sabonis can make a little extra money via incentives. And like Hield, he’ll stick with his current team after it briefly looked as if the situation might go in an entirely different direction.

Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from around the basketball world this week:

• Dejounte Murray (Spurs), Taurean Prince (Nets), Cedi Osman (Cavaliers), and Joe Ingles (Jazz) were the other players to agree to contract extensions this week.
• A Harvard Business School study quoted Giannis Antetokounmpo as saying his contract decision would become “a lot more difficult” if the Bucks underperform in 2019/20. Antetokounmpo claimed he was misquoted.
• A broken thumb is expected to sideline Kings big man Marvin Bagley for four to six weeks.
• The Heat suspended Dion Waiters for their season opener for conduct detrimental to the team.
• Utah will host the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, the league announced.
• Pistons star Blake Griffin will be out until at least the first week in November due to hamstring and knee pain.
• The Knicks exercised their 2020/21 option on Frank Ntilikina, while the Grizzlies turned down theirs on Josh Jackson.
• The Cavaliers claimed Alonfzo McKinnie off waivers from the Warriors.
• The Pistons opted to retain Christian Wood, releasing Joe Johnson to make room on the roster.
• Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he’s not expecting Klay Thompson to play at all this season as he recovers from his torn ACL.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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 Bradley Beal trade rumors will have to wait as the high-scoring guard agreed to a two-year extension with the Wizards. The extension will pay Beal nearly $72MM, although he can opt out after the 2021/22 season. League rules prohibit players from being traded for six months after signing an extension, which takes him past this year’s deadline.

Two days before the deadline, the Raptors worked out a rookie scale extension for Pascal Siakam. The max deal will pay the reigning Most Improved Player nearly $130MM over four seasons and will keep an important piece of Toronto’s foundation in place through 2023/24.

The Pacers are reportedly looking for trade offers involving Domantas Sabonis. The talented young big man is eligible for an extension, but Indiana has long-term cap concerns that may make it wiser to move him.

The Jazz reached a multi-year extension agreement with coach Quin Snyder. It was a “top organizational priority” to keep Snyder, who is entering his sixth year as the team’s head coach.

The NBA had planned to feature Zion Williamson in this season’s first game, but the top pick in the draft will be sidelined for several weeks with a right knee injury. The Pelicans don’t believe it’s severe, but they’re handling the situation with “an abundance of caution.”

Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from around the basketball world this week:

• Raptors guard Kyle Lowry agreed to a one-year extension that will pay him $31MM and takes another star off next summer’s free agent market.
• Luol Deng announced his retirement after 15 years in the NBA. Before making the announcement Thursday, he signed with the Bulls so he could retire from the franchise where he enjoyed the most success.
• A sprained right thumb suffered by Lakers star Anthony Davis turned out to not be serious. An MRI revealed no ligament damage and he was cleared to return to preseason action.
• Doc Rivers indicated that Paul George will likely miss the Clippers‘ first 10 games of the season. That would put his season debut at November 13.
• Rockets reserve forward Gerald Green may miss the entire season because of a possible fracture in his left foot.
• Cavaliers center Ante Zizic will be sidelined for about four weeks due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
• Buddy Hield may demand to be traded if he can’t work out an extension agreement with the Kings by Monday’s deadline.
• The Clippers were chosen to win the NBA title in an annual survey of NBA general managers. Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was an overwhelming favorite to capture a second straight MVP award.
• The Celtics opted to keep fan favorite Tacko Fall on the roster, giving the 7’6″ rookie one of their two-way slots.
• Hasheem Thabeet will try to revive his NBA career through the G League, signing a contract that will make him eligible for next week’s draft.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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:

A Daryl Morey tweet expressing support for protestors in Hong Kong created an international incident between the NBA and China. While the Rockets general manager quickly deleted his tweet, Chinese officials and businesses didn’t took exception to it, with many of them suspending or cancelling partnerships with the NBA. The Lakers and Nets still went ahead and played two exhibition games in China this week, but those games weren’t televised by CCTV. All of our stories on the controversy can be found right here.

The Raptors and Kyle Lowry agreed to a one-year contract extension. The one-year, $31MM deal will keep the veteran point guard locked up through the 2020/21 season without impacting Toronto’s long-term cap flexibility.

Buddy Hield expressed a strong desire to sign a contract extension with the Kings this month. The two sides face an October 21 deadline, with Hield on track for restricted free agency in 2020 if a deal doesn’t get done now. “I’m ready to make things happen, man,” Hield said. “I want to make Sacramento my home. I’m ready to get this s–t done. I want to be here and if it doesn’t happen, then things can go the other way.”

Kevin Durant made waves by claiming that younger players don’t consider the Knicks a “cool” franchise. As Durant explains, those younger players don’t remember a time when the Knicks were a contender and don’t consider the team’s brand to be a strong as that of the Warriors or Lakers.

The Pistons and Andre Drummond are reportedly exploring a contract extension. The two sides are said to be “talking at a business level” and have exchanged numbers on a new deal for the All-Star center.

Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from around the basketball world this week:

• Kevin Love, a subject of frequent trade rumors, said he wants to remain with the Cavaliers.
• The Nuggets are reportedly engaged on extension talks for up-and-coming guard Malik Beasley.
• After being banished from training camp for not meeting conditioning/weigh requirements, James Johnson rejoined the Heat.
• Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown hired an agent to handle his contract extension negotiations.
• Free agent center Salah Mejri signed with Spanish team Real Madrid for the 2019/20 season.
• The Pistons may be interested in Knicks point guard Frank Ntilikina.
• The Rockets waived former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett, who is dealing with a knee injury.
• Jalen McDaniels, the last unsigned pick from the 2019 draft, officially joined the Hornets.
• Bucks point guard Eric Bledsoe is expected to miss two or three weeks with a rib injury.
• Trade chatter around the NBA is said to be especially quiet this fall. No trades have been completed since July 16.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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:

Giannis Antetokounmpo told reporters he won’t discuss contract speculation during the upcoming season. The reigning MVP will become eligible for a super-max deal next year and would be the top name on the market in 2021 if he turns down the offer. Antetokounmpo needs seven years of experience before he can sign a super-max, which would start at 35% of the salary cap.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle declared at Media Day that Kristaps Porzingis‘ recovery from a torn ACL is “complete.” Porzingis didn’t play for Dallas after being acquired from the Knicks in January, but his preseason debut is expected to happen this week.

Warriors fans shouldn’t expect any news about Klay Thompson‘s progress in recovering from a torn ACL until mid-February. President of basketball operations Bob Myers said the team won’t issue any updates before the All-Star break.

New Clippers star Paul George is targeting November for a return from shoulder surgery. George said he “still has a little ways to go” after having offseason procedures on both shoulders.

Erik Spoelstra agreed to a four-year extension in Miami. Spoelstra, who is beginning his 12th season as head coach of the Heat, is now under contract through the end of the 2023/24 season.

Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from the past week:

• Malik Beasley turned down a three-year, $30MM extension offer from the Nuggets. Beasley is coming off a breakthrough season and will be a restricted free agent next summer if no deal is reached.
• After winning Most Improved Player honors last season, Pascal Siakam is looking for a maximum extension from the Raptors. Siakam has an October 21 deadline to reach an extension, but president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said he’s in the team’s long-term plans whether they meet that deadline or not.
• The Celtics have begun extension talks with Jaylen Brown. Much like Siakam’s situation, Boston is expected to reach a new deal with Brown even if he becomes a restricted free agent next summer.
• DeMar DeRozan is holding extension discussions with the Spurs. DeRozan is eligible for a four-year, $149MM deal that would start with the 2020/21 season.
• A strained right Achilles tendon will keep Wizards center Ian Mahinmi out of action for at least six weeks. He is entering the final year of his current contract.
• Anthony Bennett‘s comeback attempt with the Rockets will end with knee surgery. The top pick in the 2013 draft was hoping to win an NBA job after a strong showing in the G League last season.
• Clippers owner Steve Ballmer expressed determination to build a new arena in Inglewood, even though several legal actions have been filed to stop the project. Ballmer wants to have the new facility ready to move into in 2024.
• The Spurs picked up 2020/21 options on Derrick White and Lonnie Walker.
• The Raptors exercised the fourth-year option on OG Anunoby, keeping him under contract through the 2020/21 season.
• The Lakers signed David Stockton, son of Hall of Fame guard John Stockton. Jordan Caroline was trimmed from the roster in an accompanying move.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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:

Nets GM Sean Marks quashed speculation that Kevin Durant may try to return before the end of the season. There had been talk around the league that Durant could recover from a torn Achilles in time to help Brooklyn late in the season and into the playoffs. “The expectation now is that he’ll be out for the year,” Marks told reporters. “We’re not going to plan on him playing.”

Andre Iguodala reached an agreement with the Grizzlies that won’t require him to report to training camp. Iguodala, who played an important role on the Warriors‘ five straight trips to the NBA Finals, was traded to Memphis over the offseason to open up cap room. He will remain apart from his new team as it tries to work out a trade.

The NBA fined the Bucks $50K for publicly discussing their desire to give Giannis Antetokounmpo a super-max contract. At a televised fan event, GM Jon Horst talked about giving the reigning MVP that new deal, which violates league rules because Antetokounmpo isn’t eligible yet.

It appears the Celtics won’t reach a rookie scale extension agreement with Jaylen Brown before the October 21 deadline. A source called the chances “pretty slim,” which means Brown would become a restricted free agent next summer.

Markelle Fultz received full medical clearance to participate in Orlando’s training camp. The No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft was traded to the Magic last winter, but hasn’t played for them because of thoracic outlet syndrome.

Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from the past week:

• Joakim Noah‘s scheduled workout for the Clippers was canceled. The veteran center remains unsigned as training camps around the league will be open by Tuesday.
• The Grizzlies won’t bring newly acquired forward Josh Jackson to camp and will have him begin the season in the G League. The Suns picked Jackson fourth overall in 2017, but a series of off-court incidents combined with disappointing performance have caused his stock to drop. He was shipped to Memphis this summer in a salary dump.
• The Lakers announced that Kyle Kuzma will be out of action for a while because of a stress reaction in his left foot. Kuzma will undergo an MRI, but not until mid-October after the team returns from China.
• Troy Brown will miss all of Wizards camp with a left calf strain. His prognosis has him returning around October 22, the night before the team’s season opener.
• The Cavaliers won’t have first-round pick Dylan Windler when the season opens because of a left tibial stress reaction. He will undergo treatment for four to six weeks before trying to play again.
• The Pelicans were awarded a Disabled Player Exception in the wake of Darius Miller‘s torn Achilles. New Orleans will have $3.625MM to work with, which is half of Miller’s salary for this season.
• The Mavericks picked up third-year options for 2020/21 on Luka Doncic and Justin Jackson. Doncic won Rookie of the Year honors last season, while Jackson played well after being acquired from the Kings in February.
• The Trail Blazers exercised options for Zach Collins and Anfernee Simons.
• Zach Randolph declared that he’s not ready to leave the NBA at age 38. Randolph spent last season with the Kings and Mavericks, but didn’t play a game for either team.
• LaMelo Ball is moving up draft boards and may be considered for the top pick in 2020.

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 Board of Governors unanimously approved new anti-tampering rules and guidelines. The league is looking to crack down on free agent tampering and his instituted harsher penalties for teams that violate those policies, including potential fines worth up to $10MM.

New Nets owner Joe Tsai was unanimously approved by the NBA’s Board of Governors. Tsai has now officially assumed control of the franchise from Mikhail Prokhorov. He has also named a new CEO, installing former Turner executive David Levy in that position.

Isaiah Thomas will miss approximately six to eight weeks due to a thumb injury. The Wizards announced this week that their newly-signed point guard underwent surgery to repair a ruptured ligament. Thomas isn’t expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

The Magic exercised their 2020/21 team option on Markelle Fultz. The former No. 1 overall pick has yet to play a game for Orlando, but the team was willing to guarantee his $12.3MM salary for ’20/21. The Magic also picked up rookie scale options on Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson expressed a desire to play in the 2020 Olympics. After Team USA’s disappointing World Cup showing, a handful of stars are showing interest in playing in Tokyo next year. Damian Lillard also said he’d like to participate.

Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from the past week:

• The Rockets agreed to sign Thabo Sefolosha to a guaranteed contract after he attended a mini-camp with the club.
• The Pelicans applied for a disabled player exception, while the Lakers‘ DPE request was granted.
• The NBA updated its salary cap projection for the 2020/21 season, reducing it by $1MM.
• Clippers head coach Doc Rivers revealed some interesting details about the team’s recruitment of Kawhi Leonard and acquisition of Paul George.
• Jason Terry was hired by the Texas Legends, the Mavericks‘ G League affiliate, as an assistant GM.
• The NBA and players’ union ruled that Nene’s new contract with the Rockets will have a value of $2.6MM – rather than $10MM – for matching purposes in a trade.
• Several Nets players reportedly remain in favor of the team signing Carmelo Anthony.
• The Raptors signed point guard Isaiah Taylor to a partially guaranteed contract.
• Iman Shumpert turned down a contract offer from the Rockets after “months of discussions.”
• Michael Beasley drew interest from a team in China but was ruled ineligible to sign in the CBA due to his pending NBA drug suspension.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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:

Joe Johnson returned to the NBA, agreeing to sign a partially guaranteed one-year deal with the Pistons. The 38-year-old sat out all of last season, but talk of a comeback was sparked by a dominant performance in the BIG3, where he earned MVP honors and led his team to the title. The Sixers, Bucks and Nets were also reportedly interested.

Team USA failed to medal at the World Cup and had its 58-game international winning streak snapped by France. The Americans also lost to Serbia and settled for a seventh-place finish. However, they did qualify for a spot in next year’s Olympics.

Shaun Livingston, who played an important reserve role for the Warriors during their five straight trips to the NBA Finals, announced his retirement. Livingston was able to overcome a severe knee injury in his third NBA season and put together a 15-year NBA career.

The Lakers petitioned the league for a disabled player exception to replace injured center DeMarcus Cousins. If granted, L.A. would have $1.75MM — half of Cousins’ $3.5MM salary — that could be used any time through March 10.

Kevin Durant discussed the free agency process, plus his experiences with the Warriors and Thunder, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. Durant revealed that he didn’t talk to anyone from the Nets’ organization before deciding to sign with Brooklym

Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from the past week:

• Jerry Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball, vowed to remember which players reneged on World Cup commitments when the Olympic team is formed next year.
• Donovan Mitchell, who was among the bright spots for the American team in China, expressed interest in participating in the Olympics.
• The Nets may have increased interest in Carmelo Anthony after losing Johnson to Detroit.
• The Heat exercised their fourth-year option on Bam Adebayo‘s rookie contract.
• The Grizzlies have no intention of negotiating a buyout with Andre Iguodala before camp.
• New Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard said the team isn’t considering any trades involving Bradley Beal.
• Owner Tilman Fertitta admitted that the Rockets have a limited championship window, saying that if they don’t win the title in the next three to four years, it probably won’t happen for the next 10.
• David Stern looked back on his time as NBA commissioner and said he has “no regrets” from his 30 years in office.
• The league announced that Sixers forward Mike Scott won’t be disciplined for reported scuffles with Eagles fans during the NFL team’s opening game.
• Michael Jordan is selling a portion of his ownership stake in the Hornets, but will retain control over the team.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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:

After an ex-girlfriend/mother of DeMarcus Cousins’ child accused the injured Lakers’ center of threatening her life, an arrest warrant was issued for the 29-year-old former All-NBA performer. Cousins, who allegedly made the threat after the woman refused to allow the former couple’s seven-year-old son to attend Cousins’ wedding, is accused of telling Christy West that he would “put a bullet through [her] f—ing head.” Both the Lakers and the NBA are currently performing investigations of the matter.

Nets swingman Caris LeVert signed a rookie scale extension worth $52.5MM over three years. The deal, which will go into effect during the 2020/21 season, will pay the 25-year-old LeVert $16.2MM, $17.5MM, and $18.8MM through the 2022/23 season. The deal will essentially use up all of Brooklyn’s cap space for next summer, but with an expected weak free agent class of 2020, that shouldn’t be an issue for a team that just signed Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and DeAndre Jordan this summer.

The Rockets and shooting guard Eric Gordon have reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension worth $75.6MM. The deal, which will go into effect during the 2020/21 season, will pay the 30-year-old Gordon $16.9MM, $18.2MM, $19.6MM, and $20.9MM through the 2023/24 season. Gordon’s 2023/24 salary is non-guaranteed, becoming fully guaranteed if the Rockets win a championship or Gordon is named an All-Star. As a result of the deal, Gordon can’t be traded during the 2019/20 season.

Nets forward Wilson Chandler has been hit with a 25-game suspension after testing positive for Ipamorelin, a banned performance-enhancing drug. Wilson released a statement accepting responsibility, claiming that he was prescribed the drug during an injury rehabilitation process and that at the time, he was not aware that it was a banned substance. The suspension will cost Chandler nearly $600K in salary.

Pelicans forward Darius Miller underwent surgery earlier this week to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon. No recovery timetable was provided by New Orleans, but it’s certainly possible that the 29-year-old veteran will miss the entire 2019/20 campaign. The earliest conceivable return date is probably late March to early April 2020.

Here are 10 more noteworthy headlines from the past week:

• In addition to the Clippers and Hornets, the Bucks have also shown interest in free agent shooting guard Jodie Meeks.
• Big man Dwight Howard has officially signed a fully non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract with the Lakers.
• Free agent point guard Jeremy Lin has signed overseas with the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association.
• The Warriors have signed free agent guard Andrew Harrison to a training camp deal.
• Free agent shooting guard J.R. Smith passed on a a contract offer from a team in the Chinese Basketball Association.
• Originally thought to be contemplating retirement, Jose Calderon says he’s still waiting on an NBA offer and is continuing to train and focus on staying in shape for the upcoming season.
• BIG3 player and former NBA All-Star Joe Johnson recently worked out for the Sixers, with other teams also showing interest.
• In other workout news, former big men Spencer Hawes and Hasheem Thabeet worked out for the Sixers (story) and Knicks (story), respectively.
• The Warriors have hired longtime NBA big man Zaza Pachulia and two-time champion with the franchise as a team consultant.
• The Thunder and free agent center Eric Moreland have agreed to a training camp contract.

Photo courtesy of USA Sports Images.