Front office moves
Blazers fire Neil Olshey (GM & President of Basketball Operations); name Joe Cronin interim GM
Perhaps I should be more doubtful, but the charges against Olshey make him seem insensitive and clumsy, but if that's the problem, then why is an investigation needed? I dunno, if you want the guy gone because he's an annoying asshole then just say that and fire him. Just the way we do things now, I guess. As for Cronin, I don't know the guy and have no sense of whether he'll matriculate to the full position (but if you think this guy is gonna trade Damian Lillard, I'd say you're crazy).
Injuries
Bam Adebayo (Heat) out indefinitely after thumb surgery
The Heat need Adebayo if they've got any hopes of getting back to the championship this year.
Brook Lopez (Bucks) out indefinitely after back surgery
Seems like now that the Bucks have gotten back into playing shape, they're taking the chance to give Lopez some extended time off to keep him fresh for later.
TJ McConnell (Pacers) out indefinitely after wrist surgery
I love McConnell, the Pacers miss him.
Solomon Hill (Hawks) out for the season with right hamstring tear
I was dubious at best on Hill last season and I'm a little surprised they brought him back, which is my way of saying, I don't think they're gonna miss Hill at all. The Hawks have a deep bench already and two rookies that have yet to get any playing time.
Khem Birch (Raptors) still out "for the foreseeable future" with knee injury
The Raptors have a deep rotation that can withstand injuries. On the other hand, they use such a deep rotation because they're trying to suck up every ounce of what every player can give them. So, though, they are deep, every injury chips away at their strength.
CJ McCollum (Blazers) out indefinitely with collapsed lung
Yipes! This started as a rib contusion that then became a collapsed lung. And in these days of scary respiratory viruses and such, let's hope this doesn't become something more serious. (Also, how does this interfere with potential trades? And is it Lillard or McCollum that gets traded?)
Health & Safety Protocols
Austin Rivers (Nuggets), Bones Hyland (Nuggets), Bol Bol (Nuggets), Javonte Green (Bulls), Jalen McDaniels (Hornets), LaMelo Ball (Hornets), Mason Plumlee (Hornets), Terry Rozier (Hornets), DeMar DeRozan (Bulls), Ish Smith (Hornets), Ja Morant (Grizzlies), Matt Thomas (Bulls),
If only we had a vaccine that could prevent people from getting this virus....Oh wait, we do! Oh wait....we don't.
Signings
Wesley Matthews (Bucks) signs 1-year contract
Uh, I dunno, man, Matthews was washed a few years back, not sure he's really giving much of anything to the Bucks right now. But he is a solid standup veteran dude and you need to fill out your roster with guys like that, but I'd be pretty shocked if Matthews had even a meaningful moment all season long.
Gary Clark Jr (Pelicans) signs 1-year contract
Not exactly what you'd call a wily veteran, but he has played 130 career games in the NBA (with the Rockets, Sixers, Nuggets and Magic), so while he may not make the difference for the Pelicans this season, at least he's reliable enough to be at practice and show up on time and such.
Davon Reed (Nuggets) signs 10-day contract
With all their Covid troubles--on top of injury troubles!--I'm kinda surprised Reed is the only 10-day guy they've picked up lately.
Waivings
Georgios Kalaitzakis (Bucks)
The 60th pick in the 2021 draft, he played in 9 NBA games before being moved aside for a wily veteran. The buzz at the time was that picking the Greek national was some kind of favor to Giannis and he was never really in the Bucks' plans, which seems to have turned out to be the case. Georgios, we hardly knew ye.
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