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NBA Rumors
The hottest daily NBA rumors page, with great stories from around the web
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TODAY'S NBA RUMORS
Updated Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 9:45 p.m. ETThe Dwight Howard saga continues, this time turning the clock back to 2013. The 33-year-old center, who only played nine games for the Wizards a season ago, will be bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies and sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Los Angeles reportedly expressed interest in Howard after center Demarcus Cousins tore his ACL during a workout last week. NBC Sports Washington
Why didn't Zach LaVine receive more national praise last season? Fresh off a $78 million contract, the 25-year-old averaged 25.6 points on 44% shooting, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 36.1 minutes in October/November. He led the non-James Harden NBA in usage rate (32.5%), a slight tick above Kevin Durant (32.1%), Joel Embiid (32.0%), Devin Booker (31.4%) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (31.3%). NBC Sports Chicago
So why didn't LaVine get more attention? Because points aren't everything and wins matter. The latter isn't really LaVine's fault. The Bulls went 5-18 during LaVine's heavy usage stretch, but that was more a by-product of the injuries and decimated rotation. It would have been tough for Giannis Antetokounmpo to drag the Bulls to a win in late October when Cam Payne scored 15 points, Cristiano Felicio led the team in rebounds and Antonio Blakeney played 22 minutes off the bench. LaVine needed to play flawlessly for the Bulls to win - he averaged 30.6 points in the Bulls' five wins. The Bulls couldn't have won last season. NBC Sports Chicago
Markkanen had every excuse to regress in Year 2, and instead put together a promising season bookended by two injuries. He was lethal in February, averaging 26.2 points and 12.0 rebounds. He dropped a career-high 35 points on the Celtics’ No. 4 defense, made some defensive improvement late in the season and heeded his coach's advice to be aggressive on the glass and move the ball up the floor himself - he had 20 double-doubles as a sophomore, six more than his rookie season in 16 fewer games. NBC Sports Chicago
In stunning fashion, the United States Men's National Basketball Team had their 78-game international winning streak snapped on Friday with a 98-94 loss to Australia. The loss was Team USA's first defeat in a major international tournament or exhibition since the 2006 world championship semifinals. With the 2019 FIBA World Cup a week away, this depleted Team USA is far from winning gold. NBC Sports Bay Area
Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma will not be able to go on participating with Team USA basketball due to a left ankle injury. The decision, which was announced after Team USA lost for the first time in nearly 13 years, sets the club’s roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup. LA Times
Between Nikola Jokic’s Serbian national team, France, Greece and Australia, the international tournament appears wide open. Nuggets forward Juancho Hernangomez will represent Spain, another medal contender. Team USA will play one more exhibition against Canada on Monday prior to the start of the World Cup, which runs from Aug. 31-Sept. 15 in China. Denver Post
Julius Randle — who signed a three-year, $63 million deal with the first two guaranteed — has worked out tirelessly this offseason, knowing a lot of the load will fall on him. The 2014 Lakers lottery pick is coming off a career year in which he averaged 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds for the Pelicans. Chemistry could be the Knicks’ big issue more than talent, Randle said. That’s why their get-together in L.A. was crucial. After Labor Day, players start to come to New York for informal workouts as training camp beginning Sept. 30. NY Post
Randle, 24, pulled out of Team USA’s World Cup roster because of family issues. A source said he needed to be around and the commitment overseas was too long. Team USA already misses him, losing in an exhibition in Australia on Friday night. Randle is just focused on the Knicks’ fortunes. Expectations have been set low with Las Vegas putting an Over-Under win total at 28. NY Post
Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton, accused earlier this year in a lawsuit of sexual assault, has been cleared by his team and the NBA after an independent investigation found insufficient basis for the allegations. But the cloud over Walton’s career and reputation is not yet fully lifted. His accuser, Kelli Tennant, a former sports broadcasting colleague of Walton’s, filed a sexual battery lawsuit against Walton that may take years to conclude. Tennant alleged in the lawsuit and in an April news conference that Walton pinned her down and sexually assaulted her in a Santa Monica hotel room in 2014. Sacramento Bee
NBA RUMORS FROM FRIDAY
Team USA saw how it wanted to play on Thursday night. It’s just that, for one half, the Americans saw it from the other team. After two quarters in which Australia hung tough with the No. 1 overall basketball team in the world, trailing by just a margin of 44-43 at the half, Gregg Popovich’s American backcourt came out of halftime copying the Boomers’ defensive urgency and an offensive spark to end up running away with Thursday’s FIBA World Cup warmup contest, 102-86. Salt Lake TribuneThe trial of a man charged with first-degree murder in the killing of former Clippers player Lorenzen Wright has been delayed because of unspecified “new information.” Billy Ray Turner’s trial had been scheduled to start Sept. 16 at the Shelby County Criminal Court in Memphis, Tenn. LA Times
President Donald Trump’s mispronunciation of certain places and words has been scrutinized in the past, but he’s hardly the first to struggle when it comes to Worcester. During a White House ceremony Thursday afternoon to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Boston Celtics great Bob Cousy, the president was reading from written remarks recalling the Holy Cross alum’s early basketball-playing days when he encountered the puzzling spelling of New England’s second-largest city. Boston.com
President Donald Trump honored Celtics legend Bob Cousy with the nation’s highest civilian award Thursday afternoon at the White House: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And the 91-year-old former basketball player, coach, and broadcaster paid Trump back with some high compliments as well. “Mr. President, I know in your world you’re well on your way to making America great again,” Cousy said in his acceptance speech. “In my world it’s been great for 91 years.” Boston.com
NBA RUMORS FROM WEDNESDAY
Lamar Odom has some hefty competition standing in his way from "Dancing With The Stars" greatness ... but there's one fellow world champ who specifically has him SHOOK. The ex-NBA star is competing on the newest season of 'DWTS' with celebs like Hannah B. from the 'Bachelorette', Kel Mitchell and James Van Der Beek ... but revealed to Adam Glyn who he thinks is his biggest threat. TMZ.comLarry Bird is adamant he's NOT a "tattooed guy" -- and he ain't happy with a new mural in Indiana that depicts him as a walking canvas. The NBA legend's attorney has reached out to Jules Muck, the artist who created the Bird tribute on a Fountain Square building in Indianapolis ... an image that shows a young Bird with ink on his face, chest and arms. TMZ.com
Official 2019-20 NBA preseason schedule dates: Sept. 30 through Oct. 18. InsideHoops Twitter
James Dolan’s plan to build futuristic orb-like entertainment amphitheaters around the globe is coming under attack. Dolan, who owns the New York Knicks, saw support for his ambitious new project start to fizzle Tuesday after executives of his entertainment company, Madison Square Garden, said the first high-tech orb could cost half a billion dollars more than forecast. NY Post
EuroLeague: AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan got its training camp underway also this week. The team started its preparations for the upcoming 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season with the athletic workouts under the guidance of team’s conditioning coach Giustino Danesi at Visamara Sports Center, not too far from its Mediolanum Forum, the place where in couple of days the new head coach Ettore Messina will have his team hit the basketball floor. Eurocupbasketball.net
NBA RUMORS FROM WEDNESDAY
Ty Lue has agreed to a deal with the LA Clippers to become a top assistant coach on Doc Rivers' staff, a source told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Lue was a leading candidate to become the Los Angeles Lakers head coach until negotiations broke down earlier this summer. Lue wanted to coach LeBron James again -- the pair helped produce an NBA championship in Cleveland in 2016 -- but the coach and the Lakers could not agree on contract terms before the team ultimately decided to hire Frank Vogel. ESPN.comIn May, Lue was considered the leading candidate and take the helm with the Lakers to reunite with LeBron James, before talks between him and the team reportedly collapsed over contract terms. Instead, Lue will reunite with Rivers, whose staffs he previously was on in Boston and with the Clippers. Rivers said last season that Lue is “like a son” to him. OC Register
A week ago, the 29-year-old Cousins was set to be a pivotal piece of the Lakers’ rotation, possibly a starter at center and, in a best-case scenario, a potential third star if he ever found his 2017-18 heights again. But with Cousins tearing his ACL in an open gym session in Las Vegas, the Lakers are likely to be without him for most of the season. OC Register
That thrusts JaVale McGee into a more defined role, and the 31-year-old returning center appears to be the de facto starter as long as the Lakers remain committed to Anthony Davis playing more at power forward. But depth at center is light, and the Lakers are reportedly looking at Dwight Howard, Joakim Noah, Marreese Speights and Marcin Gortat to fill out the bench with no reported plans yet to work out the younger (29), albeit shorter Kenneth Faried (6-foot-8). OC Register
The Phoenix Suns have six players they can't trade until Dec. 15: Ricky Rubio, Frank Kaminsky, Cheick Diallo, Jalen Lecque, David Kramer and Tariq Owens. Under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, free agents can't be traded for three months after they sign their contract with their new team or Dec. 15, whichever is latest. Arizona Republic
Bronx native Derrick Alston has been named head coach of the Westchester Knicks, the NBA G League affiliate of the Knicks, the team announced on Tuesday. Alston had been an assistant coach with Westchester under Mike Miller, who was added to the Knicks' coaching staff as an assistant on Monday. Alston becomes the fourth head coach in Westchester Knicks history. NY Newsday
The Mavericks re-signed point guard J.J. Barea to a one-year contract for the veteran’s minimum. Barea has a reputation as a good locker room guy, and he often finds ways to hurt the Warriors with his shooting. The pesky 5-9 veteran is a big reason why Dallas, one of the league’s weakest teams in recent years, has somehow beaten the vastly superior Warriors three times over the past four seasons. NBC Sports Bay Area
NBA RUMORS FROM TUESDAY
After agreeing to return to the Dallas Mavericks for another year, point guard J.J. Barea officially put pen to paper on his one-year contract on Monday, the team announced. Dallas Morning NewsJust two weeks before agreeing to terms with the Knicks on July 1, Taj Gibson’s father needed a heart transplant. “In June. I was out there all the time with my dad,’’ said Gibson, the former Bulls defensive stalwart who had been with Minnesota the past two seasons. “We were trying for him to get healthy and recover, waiting for him to find a healthy heart.” Wilbert got a new heart and Taj got a new team soon thereafter. On Aug. 31, Gibson will host his annual “Back to School Basketball Bash’’ at the Ingersoll Houses on Myrtle Avenue. NY Post
When rumors were floated recently that Dwight Howard might be a fit for the Lakers, the reaction of Los Angeles fans was predictable. Seven years after he spurned the team’s billboard campaign begging him to stay in purple and gold, he remains, arguably, the most vilified former player in Lakers history. However, that anger is misplaced. Howard isn’t nearly the villain he’s been made out to be . He actually saved the Lakers from themselves. LA Times
Travis Schlenk will keep building the Hawks. The general manager and architect of the current franchise transformation agreed to a promotion and a multi-year contract extension on Monday as part of several changes to the front office. Schlenk will now be titled president of basketball operations and general manager. AJC.com
The Knicks announced on Monday afternoon that they have added Mike Miller to their coaching staff. Miller has spent the past four seasons as coach of the Westchester Knicks, the franchise's NBA G League affiliate. NY Newsday
From projected lottery prospect to mid-second rounder, Bol Bol had a huge drop in the NBA draft. And his peers noticed. The Nuggets rookie center tied for the draft’s biggest steal in a survey of the NBA’s 2019 draft class. Cleveland’s Kevin Porter Jr., who was selected with the 30th pick in the first round, also received 19% of the votes. “As it often does, this question got the biggest range of answers, including each of the last six picks of the first round. But Bol and Porter, two of the six players from the Pac-12 Conference, clearly stood out among the group,” NBA.com’s John Schuhmann wrote about the vote. Denver Post
Bol also received votes for best defender. Philadelphia’s Matisse Thybulle (37%) was the best in the category. New Orleans’ Zion Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick, received 35% of the votes for rookie of year, followed by Memphis’ Ja Morant (27%). Williamson was overwhelming selected as the most athletic rookie with 87% of the votes. Denver Post
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry is one of the NBA's biggest stars, but he's not the favorite player of the any of the league's rookies, according to the NBA's 2019-20 Rookie Survey. The survey, which was released on Monday, polls the NBA's newest players on a variety of topics related to their NBA draft class, like who they think will be Rookie of the Year, who they think is the best shooter, or what will be the toughest adjustment to make coming from the NCAA to the NBA. SF Chronicle
At the end of the survey, NBA rookies say who their favorite players are, and the top vote getters are who you might expect – LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Damian Lillard. But Curry wasn't just excluded from the top five; he wasn't selected by any rookies as their favorite player. SF Chronicle
NBA RUMORS FROM MONDAY
While the Heat looks to be done offering standard contracts this offseason barring a trade because of its situation against the hard cap, it still has room to sign two players to two-way deals. Miami’s roster currently includes 17 players, with three eligible for two-way contracts. Forwards Kyle Alexander and Chris Silva, and guard Jeremiah Martin signed with the Heat this summer on Exhibit 10 deals, which do not count against the salary cap or hard cap and can be converted to two-way contracts. Miami HeraldThe Heat is expected to keep at least one — and potentially both — of its two-way contract spots open entering training camp. Why? One official in touch with the team’s front office told the Miami Herald because the Heat has no room left under the hard cap to sign any more players to a standard contract, it’s trying to entice players to sign Exhibit 10 contracts with the expectation that they will have a legitimate chance to earn a two-way contract during training camp. Miami Herald
If a two-way contract is not offered to these players, the Exhibit 10 deal is limited to a $50,000 guarantee and leaves the option open for them to eventually play for Miami’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, after training camp. Miami Herald
Devin Booker is capable of leading the league in scoring. After all, James Harden shouldn't average 36 points per game playing alongside Russell Westbrook, but Booker should have easier scoring opportunities playing with a true point guard in Ricky Rubio. But scoring isn't Booker's problem. Defending is. The Suns need him to get better on that end. Take fewer chances and stay more disciplined on consecutive trips. Arizona Republic
He needs Deandre Ayton to become that 22 and 12 guy. Booker said last season Ayton is a "30 and 20" player, but he didn't mean it literally and shouldn't be taken as such. Booker's point was Ayton has the ability to be a dominant player night in and night out, but Ayton might not be that in the traditional sense of what a big man is supposed to be. It's Ayton giving a mix of inside/outside play, running the floor, rebounding, blocking shots, passing and yes, knocking down a couple of threes a game. Arizona Republic
With $170 million committed to John Wall over the next four years, the Washington Wizards will do everything they can to make sure they get his rehab from a ruptured Achilles right. The future of their franchise depends on it. So, in order to certify that things are going well, there is a team of people at work. Jesse Phillips, the Wizards' director of player performance and rehabilitation, has spent much of his summer in Miami, FL where Wall makes his offseason home. Steve Smith, the team's senior director of health wellness and performance, flies in to be with Wall Monday through Thursday. NBC Sports Washington
John Wall also has his own people who are Miami-based. He has a physical trainer, Dr. Brett Fox, who counts many professional athletes as his clients including Wall's former teammate Jeff Green and NFL wide receiver Allen Hurns. And Wall has a personal trainer, Andy Luaces at Core Fitness, who has worked with Green, Hornets point guard Terry Rozier and many college and pro football players who reside in the Miami area. NBC Sports Washington
Elton Brand was aggressive in signing veteran Al Horford. Horford will play with Embiid in the starting lineup at the four, but will also be the team’s primary backup center. There may not be a better backup five in the entire league. Horford’s abilities on both ends of the floor will soften the blow of having Embiid on the bench. And let’s not forget about Kyle O’Quinn. The veteran big is solid defensively and would’ve served as a better option than any backup big Brett Brown went to against the Raptors. He’s a strong insurance policy as the team’s third-string center. NBC Sports Philly
Olympiacos Piraeus released a letter from head coach David Blatt on Monday revealing that the former Alexander Gomelskiy Coach of the Year has been diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. In the letter, Blatt detailed how the disease is affecting him and what he is doing to continue leading the Reds in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague this season in the best way possible. "Fatigue/balance and strength are real issues for me. I have taken on a specific regimen of strengthening and balance exercises as well as swimming and aquatic workouts to improve overall body conditioning and help with muscle pliability and motion," Blatt wrote. Eurocupbasketball.com
Pete Anton, the Spurs’ longest tenured employee and the oldest active employee in the NBA last season, has died. He was 94. Anton died Saturday from complications after a stroke. Anton joined the Spurs as a media services assistant in 1973, the year the team moved to San Antonio from Dallas. San Antonio Express News
NBA RUMORS FROM SATURDAY
In a surprising move, Sacramento Kings point guard De'Aaron Fox has withdrawn from Team USA, managing director Jerry Colangelo told ESPN on Saturday. The decision comes just hours before the group was scheduled to fly to Australia for exhibition games leading up to the FIBA World Cup in China. ESPN.comHis decision will likely mean Derrick White, who plays for head coach Gregg Popovich's San Antonio Spurs, will make the final roster as the team is now carrying just 13 players as it goes overseas. ESPN.com
But the USA Basketball roster is not ruled by the mob – it’s up to a group of men led by the often inscrutable Gregg Popovich, who is in his first year leading the program. While Kuzma’s odds are as good as ever – the national team needs to make only two cuts to reach the 12-man group they’ll take to the FIBA World Cup in China – much of the buzz from a week of camp in L.A. indicates that he’s still squarely on the bubble. Kuzma made some strides to help himself Friday night, in the USA’s 90-81 exhibition win over Spain, a slightly past-its-prime basketball power. But still sharing a court with NBA stalwarts such as Ricky Rubio and Marc Gasol, Kuzma held his own with seven points, five rebounds and three assists – potentially helping make his case that he belongs in red, white and blue next month on the international stage. OC Register
Former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins was burglarized in Los Angeles ... and TMZ Sports has learned the thieves made off with the NBA star's shoes and luggage. Law enforcement sources tell us the 24-year-old -- who's been in L.A. training for the NBA this summer -- had his place broken into earlier this month. But, we're told cops described the scene as "amateur hour" ... because the burglars left jewelry and other valuables in the heist, and only took about $1,000 worth of the stuff instead. TMZ Sports
NBA RUMORS FROM THURSDAY
Meet the new owner of the Brooklyn Nets. Joseph Tsai, the billionaire co-founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba, is close to signing a deal to buy the 51 percent of the Brooklyn Nets he does not already own from Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, sources told The Post. The deal is expected to be announced this week, sources said. NY PostThe $2.35 billion transaction would mark the highest price ever paid for a sports franchise — beating hedge fund owner David Tepper’s $2.2 billion acquisition last year of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, and Tilman Fertitta’s $2.2 billion purchase of the NBA’s Houston Rockets in 2017. NY Post
Washington hired former NBA forward Antawn Jamison to be its director of pro personnel, the team announced. Jamison spent six of his 16 seasons with the Wizards, averaging 20.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. He made the All-Star Game twice and the playoffs four times with the Wizards. Jamison has served the last two years as a scout with the Los Angeles Lakers. Washington Times
Jamison will join the staff headed by Johnny Rogers, the newly hired vice president of pro personnel, in NBA and G League scouting. For the last two seasons, Jamison, 43, has worked as a scout with the Los Angeles Lakers. “We are absolutely thrilled to bring Antawn back to the Wizards organization,” Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard said in a statement. “In addition to his strong feel for the game and basketball knowledge, he has always been a true professional and a dedicated worker. We look forward to him bringing those qualities to our front office.” Washington Post
The Lakers signed 6-foot-1 guard Demetrius Jackson, who has appeared in 26 NBA games since he was drafted 45th overall out of Notre Dame by the Boston Celtics in 2016. The team announced the Exhibit 10 signing on Tuesday. LA Times
After suffering a knee injury in competition last week, Miami Heat forward Kelly Olynyk will be unable to compete for Canada in the FIBA World Cup, a source tells ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Olynyk is expected to be ready for the start of the NBA season. ESPN.com
The NBA released schedules for all 30 teams Monday at 12 p.m. PT and there was one big change for the Warriors: A bunch of national TV games have earlier tip-off times than before. In order to get more fans on the East Coast watching Western Conference teams, the number of nationally televised games for the upcoming season with start times of 7:30 p.m. PT has decreased from 56 to 33. The Warriors are one of the main factors for the change. NBC Sports Bay Area
There was probably a time when Brook Lopez thought he might spend more than one season with the Lakers, but last summer wound up in Milwaukee on a one-year deal for just $3.4 million before being re-signed to a multi-year contract in July — a bit of a sore subject for Lakers fans who saw Splash Mountain play a pivotal role for the Eastern Conference finalists. That’s all the past for Lopez now: His future is with the Bucks. But there has been an upshot to joining Team USA that’s related to his brief Lakers tenure: reconnecting with teammate Kyle Kuzma, who Lopez mentored during the 2017-18 season. OC Register
Kuzma said he felt compelled to follow Brook Lopez’s example of work ethic, noting that he was typically one of the first players back at the practice facility court the morning after a game. “Brook’s my guy,” Kuzma said. “He’s one of the guys that I always looked at when I was a rookie as being one of the best bigs in the league when he was Brooklyn. … He was great when I was a rookie, and having a chance to play with him now is great.” OC Register
Israel: Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv signed homegrown forward Omri Casspi to a three-year deal, the club announced Tuesday. Casspi (2.05 meters, 31 years old) is a product of the Maccabi youth system and played three seasons for its senior squad before moving to the NBA, where he spent the past decade. Eurocupbasketball.net
EuroLeague: Khimki Moscow Region added size and experience to its roster by inking versatile forward Jonas Jerebko to a two-year deal, the club announced on Wednesday. Jerebko (2.08 meters, 32 years old) arrives from Golden State of the NBA, where he averaged 5.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in 89 NBA games last season, helping his team reach the finals. Euroleague.net
NBA hooper Kelly Oubre Jr. and smokin' hot Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Jasmine Sanders are taking things to the next level ... hitting up a West Hollywood hot spot together and packin' on the PDA!! There have been reports the 2 gorgeous humans have been dating recently ... and judging by these pics of them holding hands while leaving Bootsy Bellows, it's safe to say they don't care to keep things under wraps. TMZ Sports
NBA RUMORS FROM TUESDAY
The Nuggets signed PJ Dozier to a training camp contract with the potential to make the roster or earn a two-way spot, a league source told The Denver Post’s Mike Singer. The Nuggets are trying to maintain flexibility by keeping the 15th guaranteed spot open heading into the season. The expectation is that second-round pick Bol Bol will sign a two-way contract, but nothing is official. Denver PostThe NBA schedule was announced on Monday and the Bulls will play just one game on national TV, a January 17 tilt against the Philadelphia 76ers (it's one of 24 national games for Joel Embiid and Co.) The Bulls are one of eight teams with just a single nationally televised game in 2019-20, joining the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards. NBC Sports Chicago
The Washington Wizards appear headed for a rough season, and it seems national TV outlets hardly want anything to do with it. The Wizards will have just one nationally televised game this upcoming season — Nov. 8 at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers on ESPN. The Wizards, along with the rest of the league, released their schedule Monday. Washington Times
Boston will have 25 games broadcast on national channels, starting with their season opener in Philadelphia to face former Celtic Al Horford and the 76ers on Oct. 23. The team’s first home game at TD Garden will take place two days later, when they take on the defending champion Toronto Raptors. That matchup will also be notable as three-time All-Star and 2019 All-NBA guard Kemba Walker makes his TD Garden debut as a member of the Celtics. Boston.com
As previously announced, the Pistons will face the Mavericks in Mexico, the franchise’s first game outside of the United States or Canada since the London game against the Knicks in 2013. It will be a Pistons home game. (The Mavericks don’t have any trouble selling tickets with Luka Doncic.) The Pistons split the two-game series in 2018-19. Detroit Free Press
Arguably the biggest takeaway may just be that the Nets have climbed up the NBA food chain from invisible to must-see. They’ll be on national TV 20 times: Six on ESPN, six more on TNT and eight on NBA TV. They had just one national game last year — on NBA TV — after being shut out altogether the previous three seasons. NY Post
Even after Ringling Bros. went out of business, the Nets have had some brutal road trips, including a seven-game, 17-day trek in last year’s stretch run. But next season the longest trip is a manageable nine-day, five-game trip Nov. 8-16. They don’t have more than nine road games in any month, also in November. NY Post
The Brooklyn Nets and New York Islanders are taking a chain of health clinics to court — and seeking nearly $2 million for broken contracts, according to a new lawsuit. The Nets and an Islanders-related events company entered into a series of 10-year sponsorship deals with ProHEALTH Corp. worth $3.4 million in 2014 — with the health company paying for “sponsorship, promotional and other rights” at the Nets training facility and the Barclays Center during certain Islanders events, according to the Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit filed Monday. NY Post
Ex-NBA star Sebastian Telfair has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years behind bars for possessing an illegal firearm in 2017 ... TMZ Sports has learned. As we previously reported ... the 34-year-old former high school phenom was busted back in June 2017 in Brooklyn .... after cops found an arsenal of weapons in his car during a traffic stop. TMZ Sports
“Please don’t take me from society right now,’’ said the onetime Abraham Lincoln HS star from Brooklyn in a rambling statement. “I am 34. I can go play in China for six years and take care of my family. I’m waiting for my daughter right now to get her period. Real mental illness because I wasn’t around … She hasn’t even gotten her period yet.” NY Post
Shouting and crying as he spoke, Telfair added, “Sebastian Telfair is going to jail for a … victimless crime. “Put a gun in his hand and fight for us n—a … I go to the gun store. I got an American Express.’’ NY Post
The NCAA has amended its certification process for agents representing basketball players who are deciding whether to stay in school or explore the NBA draft and will no longer require them to have a bachelor's degree. Instead, agents who don't have a bachelor's degree will have to be in good standing with the National Basketball Players Association. "We are committed to providing student-athletes who are deciding whether to stay in school or explore NBA draft options with access to a wide array of resources to make their decision," the NCAA said in a statement on Monday. ESPN.com
NBA RUMORS FROM MONDAY
The NBA today released its complete game schedule and broadcast schedules for TNT, ESPN, ABC, NBA TV and ESPN Radio for the 2019-20 regular season. The league’s 74th regular season will tip off on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, and conclude on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. Inside HoopsBelow are 2019-20 schedule highlights: In an effort to present national television games to the largest possible audience, the NBA worked closely with its teams and domestic broadcast partners to schedule earlier start times for doubleheaders. This season, 12 of TNT’s 31 doubleheaders and 22 of ESPN’s 36 doubleheaders will tip off at 7:30/10 p.m. ET or 7/9:30 p.m. ET instead of 8/10:30 p.m. ET. The number of doubleheaders at 8 p.m./10:30 p.m. ET on the two networks has been reduced by a combined 42 percent from last season (57 in 2018-19 compared with 33 in 2019-20). Inside Hoops
Instances of teams playing games on back-to-back days will be an all-time low for the fifth straight season. Teams will play an average of 12.4 back-to-backs in the 2019-20 season, down 36 percent since the 2014-15 season (19.3 per team) and a 7 percent reduction from last season (13.3 per team). Inside Hoops
The NBA will feature five games on Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec. 25 in Week 10) for the 12th year in a row. ABC or ESPN will televise all five matchups during the 72nd edition of the NBA on Christmas Day. Inside Hoops
The Knicks’ home opener will take place Saturday, Oct. 26 vs. the revamped Celtics at the Garden, The Post has learned. The immediate Celtics visit means ex-Knick center Enes Kanter will make an early Garden return. It also will give new Knicks forward Marcus Morris, who played for the Celtics, a chance to go against his former club. NY Post
A source confirmed the Knicks will see Kristaps Porzingis for the first time in a Dallas uniform on Nov. 14. Porzingis has not played a game at the Garden since Feb. 6, 2018, so it will be his first showing in 21 months, if he is healthy. The Knicks, who will not be on the marquee Christmas schedule, open training camp Sept. 30 in Tarrytown. NY Post
As the NBA prepared to release its 2019-20 schedule Monday afternoon, another morsel leaked that morning. The Thunder will face Houston on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 20), according to a report by The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Other notable matchups that day include the Warriors and Trail Blazers, and the Lakers and Celtics. Oklahoman
One of the Kings’ most promising young players has withdrawn his name from consideration for the U.S. national team, but two others are expected to remain with the team this week as it prepares for the FIBA World Cup. A USA Basketball official confirmed to The Sacramento Bee on Sunday night that Kings forward Marvin Bagley III had withdrawn from team activities. Marc Stein of the New York Times was the first to report Bagley’s decision, citing unnamed league sources who said Bagley wanted to focus on the upcoming NBA season. Sacramento Bee
Professional golfer Michelle Wie and Golden State Warriors executive Jonnie West were married Saturday in Beverly Hills, Calif. About 150 guests attended the ceremony and reception, which was held at a private home. Wie shared news of the wedding late Sunday on Instagram with the hashtag #wiegoeswest. Bay Area News Group
EuroLeague: When the Summer market had already started dwindling, defending champion CSKA Moscow made sure to make a big splash with the announcement of the signing of star point guard Mike James for the next season. James (1.85 meters, 28 years old) arrives from AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan, where last season he led the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in scoring and won the Alphonso Ford Trophy as best scorer with 19.8 points per game. James also added 6.4 assists per game (second best in the league). Euroleague.net
NBA RUMORS FROM SUNDAY
The Detroit Pistons are working to add the No. 2 overall pick of the of the 2008 NBA draft to the training camp roster. Multiple sources with firsthand knowledge of the situation tell the Free Press the Pistons are working toward an agreement on a one-year deal with free agent forward Michael Beasley. Detroit Free PressThe veteran-minimum deal wouldn’t become guaranteed unless Beasley makes the regular-season roster. The Pistons have 14 guaranteed contracts on the roster and added big man Christian Wood on a non-guaranteed deal last month. The final roster spot could be a decision between Wood and Beasley. Beasley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 draft, could help the Pistons’ depth at small forward, with few experienced options on the roster before they enter training camp in the fall. Beasley, though, is facing a five-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. Detroit News
Isaiah Roby signed a four-year, $6.7 million contract [with the Mavs]. His $1.5 million cap hit in year one will be the largest salary a player selected in the 2nd round of the draft out of college has earned in their first year in the NBA. My understanding of the contract is in years two, three and four he will make minimum salary and none of it is guaranteed after the second season. So it looks as though the Mavs pushed the bulk of the money upfront to have some salary space on the back end of his deal. Dallas Morning News
Bam Adebayo’s time with USA Basketball proved to be short-lived as he was released by the program Friday in the initial round of cuts in advance of next month’s World Cup in China. A late addition in the wake of the withdrawal of several prominent NBA players, the third-year center was let go along with Chicago Bulls forward Thaddeus Young after a Friday scrimmage in Las Vegas that followed a week of training there under USA coach Gregg Popovich. Sun Sentinel
In the White vs Blue scrimmage Young was limited to 11 minutes. In that 11-minute stint, Young collected 5 points, 1 assist, and 1 turnover. He didn't shoot well from the field, shooting a paltry 33.3 percent from the field, including going 1/4 from the 3-point line and no free throw attempts. Despite not making the final 12-man roster, Popovich was likely pleased with Young's presence at Team USA training camp. Young has 12 years of NBA experience under his belt and was one of the handful of veterans in training camp for a Team USA squad that will be relying on many young NBA talents to bring home the gold in September. NBC Sports Chicago
Could NBA teams also be making behind-the-scenes requests to their players to sit out? The Nuggets certainly don’t appear to be doing so. They have four players on either national or select team rosters — franchise cornerstone Nikola Jokic for Serbia, Juancho Hernangomez for Spain, Mason Plumlee for the U.S. and Torrey Craig for the USA Select Team. “There’s definitely a concern, because of their health,” Nuggets assistant coach Jordi Fernandez said. “That’s the only concern. But, as an organization, we support them representing their countries, because that means a lot, and that’s also a big part of what they do.” Denver Post
And in his first game — okay, just a intrasquad scrimmage, but the public’s first chance to see this version of Team USA — Donovan Mitchell got the start as well, next to Kemba Walker in the backcourt. Yes, it required the likes of James Harden, Bradley Beal and others dropping out before camp began, but still, Mitchell had the spot. He even led all guards on the Blue team in minutes under head coach Gregg Popovich, playing 16:51 overall. And it was the guards who were most dangerous for Team USA on the night. Mitchell, Walker, De’Aaron Fox and a shooting burst from Celtics wing Jayson Tatum pushed the Blue team, primarily comprised of the players who will head to China come late August, to a 97-78 win over the White team on Friday night. Salt Lake Tribune
The Timberwolves signed forward Kelan Martin to a two-way contract on Friday. Martin played for the Wolves’ entry in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 12.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in 21.9 minutes over seven games. In a quarterfinal win over Dallas, he scored a game-high 23 points with five 3-pointers. He scored a game-high 19 points in the title game against Memphis. Pioneer Press
The Wizards' roster overhaul will require an adjustment for head coach Scott Brooks. He's a coach who has been to the NBA Finals and conference finals. In two of his three years with the Wizards, they have made the playoffs. But this year his job will be more so to teach. He will be tasked with overseeing the development of guys like Rui Hachimura, Troy Brown Jr., Admiral Schofield, and Moe Wagner. Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said at his introductory press conference last month that Brooks is embracing the change. NBC Sports Washington
NBA RUMORS FROM SATURDAY
Former Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee is selling his Encino, Calif. mansion for $3.3 million. He purchased the home in 2015 from singer Marc Anthony, reports the L.A Times. Mercury NwesThe Sixers are bringing in a former All-Star center … but not to play. The team is hiring nine-year NBA veteran Roy Hibbert as a player development associate, a team source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia. Shams Charania of the Athletic and Stadium reported it first. NBC Sports Philly
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle spent 90 minutes on Thursday leading a clinic for coaches at the Jr. NBA Global Championship, an international tournament for 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls teams in Orlando. And after Carlisle and Mavericks assistant Jenny Boucek finished the question-and-answer session, covering topics sports specialization to creativity versus structure to practice planning, he discussed another strategy. Dallas Morning News
NBA RUMORS FROM FRIDAY
As the two finished their shooting drills at the end of Team USA’s week-long training camp on Thursday afternoon in Las Vegas, Donovan Mitchell and Kyle Kuzma walked from one side of the court to the other, joking about a missed dunk by the Jazzman that USA coach Gregg Popovich didn’t seem too pleased about. They sat down on chairs at the edge of the court together, getting ready for post-practice media interviews. Salt Lake TribuneMitchell will get a chance to prove himself over the next five weeks of work. On Friday, Team USA will split up into two teams and scrimmage each other at 8 p.m. MT at T-Mobile Arena, giving Mitchell a nationally-televised chance to show off what he’s learned. From there, they’ll continue to practice from Aug. 13-15 in Los Angeles, before playing a scrimmage against Spain on the the 16th. Salt Lake Tribune
It's the end of an era for Oakland: The letters are coming down at Oracle Arena. The stadium has been the home of the Golden State Warriors for nearly 47 years, even through the many name changes for the building: first the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, then The Arena in Oakland, followed by Oakland Arena and, lastly, Oracle Arena in 2006. San Francisco Chronicle
The Sixers have signed the maximum 15 players to NBA contracts, but there are still moves to be made. The team on Thursday signed former Saint Joseph’s standout Isaiah Miles to a deal. The contract has an Exhibit 10 attachment. In that instance, the team has the right to convert the contract to a two-way deal. NBC Sports Philly
The Dallas Mavericks won't have ads on their jerseys anymore...for now at least. In a press release Thursday the Mavs announced the conclusion of their jersey partnership with 5miles, a Dallas-based E-commerce application, one year ahead of schedule. The NBA's jersey sponsorship program will be in the final season of its pilot test and the Mavericks partnership with 5miles began in the 2017-18 season. Dallas Morning News
NBA RUMORS FROM THURSDAY
As one of the most decorated players in USA Basketball history, Carmelo Anthony expressed interest through a representative in joining the team for the 2019 FIBA World Cup, USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo told Sports Illustrated. Colangelo commended Anthony for his contributions to the international team over the years, but maintained that the squad was moving forward with a new group for this tournament and beyond. “I love Carmelo,” Colangelo said. “He made a great contribution. He was a very good international player. But for where we are and what we’re doing, that conceivably could have been a distraction. I understand why the request was made. He’s trying to reestablish himself. I think that has to be done in the (NBA).” USA TodayMikal Bridges loves competition. So he’s been having a great time being part of the USA Basketball Select Team training with Team USA in Las Vegas ahead of the FIBA World Cup, which begins later this month in China. "It's going good," said Bridges after Wednesday’s practice. "Just out here competing. Playing as hard as I can. Just trying to do the best I can do." It's another valuable experience for Bridges to take into his second year with the Phoenix Suns, who completely revamped their roster during the offseason starting at the top with new head coach Monty Williams. Arizona Republic
Miami Heat big man Kelly Olynyk suffered a bruised knee in an exhibition, but he is still expected to play in the FIBA World Cup for Canada, coach Nick Nurse said Thursday. ESPN.com
NBA RUMORS FROM WEDNESDAY
Kevin Durant finally has broken his silence. And his words likely will trigger Knicks fans’ pain — and delight Nets fans big time. “If I was leaving the Warriors, it was always going to be for the Nets,” Durant told Yahoo Sports in his first comments since his stunning free-agency decision. “They got the pieces and a creative front office. I just like what they were building.” NY PostAsked when he decided on the Nets, Durant said, “June 30. That morning. I never wanted to disrespect the game by putting my focus on the future. It was always about that day, focusing on that day and what was most important that day. And throughout the season, basketball is the No. 1 thing.” NY Post
But Durant vehemently shut down reports that the Warriors were to blame for the Achilles fiasco. Durant tore his right Achilles in the Finals after surprisingly returning from a strained right calf that was expected to keep him out the remainder of the postseason. NY Post
“Hell, no. How can you blame [the Warriors]? Hell, no,” Durant told Yahoo Sports. “I heard the Warriors pressured me into getting back. Nobody never said a word to me during rehab as I was coming back. It was only me and [director of sports medicine and performance] Rick [Celebrini] working out every day. Right when the series started, I targeted Game 5. Hell, nah. It just happened. It’s basketball. S--- happens. Nobody was responsible for it. It was just the game. We just need to move on from that s--- because I’m going to be back playing.” Yahoo Sports
Durant attempted to watch the remainder of Game 5 from his hotel room with his business partner, Rich Kleiman, and his Nike representative, Chuck Terrell, but dealing with a whirlwind of emotions, he turned the channel, only to switch it back a few minutes later to cheer on his teammates. “Yeah, I still think about that night,” Durant told Yahoo Sports. “Every experience I’ve been through in the league is obviously always ingrained in my mind, but that one is definitely always going to be a huge part of my career because it’s the biggest stage and the type of injury I had. But now I look at it as me just going out there playing basketball, and I happened to get hurt. And now I’m just waiting to get back. I know it’s a huge deal to everybody else, but I just try to take it on the chin and keep it moving.” Yahoo Sports
It sounds like the Indiana Pacers and Domantas Sabonis don't have any desire to have contract issues hanging over them in the upcoming season. Sabonis, who will play for Lithuania in the FIBA World Cup, told reporters Wednesday he believes he will sign a contract extension before the 2019-20 season starts. However, he's not getting ahead of himself. "Like my dad said, 'You did your job. You did your best and now you just have to wait.'" Indianapolis Star
LeBron James, in an effort to get his teammates to jell quickly for an NBA championship run, has organized workouts for the Lakers next month in Las Vegas that every player plans on attending, according to several people who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The sessions will be at Impact Basketball and are scheduled for Sept. 22-26. Each training session will last about 2 1/2 hours. The players will stay at the Wynn, and each is paying his own way. LA Times
With eight new players on the Lakers’ roster, James wanted to get together early because of a condensed training camp that includes a trip to China. James hopes they get to know one another’s games in a closed environment in preparation for training camp and a rigorous 82-game schedule . After the practices, they will have team dinners. LA Times
NBA RUMORS FROM TUESDAY
The 45th overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft officially signed with the Dallas Mavericks, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN. Marks has reported that Roby signed a four-year, $6.7 million contract. His $1.5 million cap hit in year one will be the largest salary a player selected in the 2nd round of the draft out of college has earned in their first year in the NBA. Dallas Morning NewsThe Timberwolves have locked up another potential member of their young core, while maintaining valuable financial flexibility. Minnesota has agreed to a four-year deal with second-round draft pick Jaylen Nowell, a source confirmed to the Pioneer Press. KSTP was the first to report the agreement... The 6-foot-4 combo guard is guaranteed $1.4 million in the first year of the deal, a hefty number for a second-round pick. Pioneer Press
The Atlanta Hawks have signed Brandon Goodwin to a two-way contract. Goodwin, a 6-foot-2 guard, did get some NBA run last season, playing in 16 games for the Nuggets. In G League play last season with the Iowa Wolves and the Memphis Hustle, Goodwin put up big stats: 22.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 36.8 minutes per outing. Inside Hoops
Once again, the Jazz will play a 5-game preseason schedule, with three of those games at Vivint Smart Home Arena and two on the road. Yes, one of those games played in Salt Lake City will be against an Australian opponent; this time, the Adelaide 36ers on Oct. 5 — who the Jazz also played in 2018. Salt Lake Tribune
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