Category: NBA Basketball

Russell Westbrook traded to Washington for John Wall and first rounder

Brandon King

From Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN: The Washington Wizards and Houston Rocketshave agreed to trade two disgruntled star point guards, John Wall and Russell Westbrook, in a blockbuster deal, sources told ESPN. The Wizards are sending Wall and a lottery-protected 2023 first-round pick to the Rockets for Westbrook in a deal that both players wanted and had been simmering for weeks, sources said. Discussions had been stalled since mid-October, sources said, until the two general managers, Washington’s Tommy Sheppard and Houston’s Rafael Stone, decided to get on the phone Tuesday afternoon. They worked out a deal within…

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NBA and NBPA announce 48 of 546 tested players were positive for COVID-19

Brandon King

From Scott Polacek of B/R: Amid a rise in COVID-19 cases across the United States, the NBA and its players association announced that 48 of the 546 players who were tested from Nov. 24-30 returned positive tests. Those who tested positive are isolating until they are cleared following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. It is notable the NBA said it is working with the CDC for guidance on how long players can isolate given Tuesday’s announcement. According to Jonathan Lemire of the Associated Press, the CDC shortened its recommendation for quarantining following…

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NBA unveils schedule through Christmas

Brandon King

From Jasmyn Winbush and Sam Quinn of cbssports.com: The 2020-21 NBA season will tip off with a doubleheader on Dec. 22, featuring the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriorsin the first game and the champion Los Angeles Lakers and crosstown rival Los Angeles Clippers continuing their rivalry to close out opening night.  From there, the Wednesday night slate will feature two potential playoff previews. The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics will kick off the evening, and then Chris Paul will make his Phoenix Suns debut in a battle with the Dallas Mavericks.  The league released their Christmas Day schedule as well. The day will…

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Sydney signs former NBA first rounder Jaren Martin

Brandon King

From nbl.com.au: The Sydney Kings have announced the signing of former NBA first-round pick Jarell Martin. Martin joins the Club after four years in the Association with the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic. At 6’10, the 26-year-old Baton Rouge native most recently played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in NBA G-League and with the Schenzhen Leopards of the CBA. Having already spent time with Martin during his tenure as the Director of Basketball Operations with the Memphis Grizzlies, Sydney Kings CEO Chris Pongrass was pleased to be welcoming the…

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NBA releases Christmas Day schedule

Brandon King

Christmas Day is one of the biggest days for the NBA, which likely played a role in the league trying to get the upcoming season started when it shall. Tuesday, the league released the docket of games for the sun’s birthday. Here are the slate of games: Pelicans @ Heat (12pm ET) Warriors @ Bucks (2:30pm ET) Nets @ Celtics (5pm ET) Mavericks @ Lakers (8pm ET) Clippers @ Nuggets (10:30pm ET)

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KD denies that he spoke with James Harden about trade to the Nets

Staff

from ShannaMcCarriston of cbssports.com: Kevin Durant says any talk that he spoke to James Harden about joining the Brooklyn Nets is false. On Tuesday, K.D. denied reports of any involvement from his end, saying he has no clue how the rumors began. K.D. says which players they get is not up to him, but the front office (via ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth): “They’re making these stories up. … I don’t know where that came from. James is a friend of mine, but I let the front office handle all of that stuff. I was just so focused…

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Kemba Walker to miss the start of season with knee issue

Staff

From nba.com: The Boston Celtics will start the 2020-21 season without one of their top players in the mix. Guard Kemba Walker, an All-Star last season, will be out until at least early January as he works to strengthen his troublesome left knee. Per the team, Walker consulted with multiple specialists in early October and received a stem cell injection in his left knee. Afterward, he was put on a 12-week strengthening program. He is expected to return to on-court activities in early December, but his status for game availability…

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Warriors delay start of individual workout, two players test positive for COVID-19

Brandon King

From nba.com: The Golden State Warriors will delay the start of individual workouts after two players tested positive for COVID-19, general manager Bob Myers announced on Tuesday. The team’s individual player workouts will instead begin on Wednesday, with group player workouts beginning next week. The league stated in a health-and-safety protocol guide that was distributed to teams last week that any player who tests positive, even if asymptomatic, must wait 10 days and then be monitored in individual workouts for an additional two days. To return to work, both players must go…

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Bam Adebayo and Heat agree on five-year extension

Staff

From the AP’s Tim Reynolds: MIAMI (AP) — Bam Adebayo came to the NBA with the goal of providing for his mother and changing her life. His first contract took care of that. And the way he sees it, his next contract sets his family up for generations. Adebayo and the Miami Heat agreed on a five-year extension that will be worth at least $163 million, the team and Adebayo’s agent Alex Saratsis said Tuesday. It will be the richest contract in terms of total value in Heat history. “This is…

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