Front office moves
Wizards GM Tommy Shepherd signs multi-year extension and named team president
Shepherd has been with the Wizards for quite some time now, seems like a Wizards lifer and this is probably the right move for him an the team.
Kings fire coach Luke Walton; name Alvin Gentry interim coach
Luke Walton is officially out of the Coach of the Year race--still time, though, for Gentry to get in! I don't know what's wrong the Kings--outside of just being an inept organization for a coupla decades in a row now. This is a weird roster with weird goals and as much as I like Gentry, until they figure out what's up with Marvin Bagley and/or De'Aaron Fox, this team isn't going anywhere.
Signings
Demarcus Cousins signs 1yr deal with the Bucks
The Bucks are probably the one team in the league that aren't afraid of Cousins: if he's good, they'll all love him and if he sucks, they'll all ignore him. His tantrums will likely make no difference in this locker room and that's why this is a great signing. If Cousins can play (big if!) then he'll give them an another scoring element off the bench that should be kinda nice for this squad. Cousins isn't here to be a difference-maker, he's here to make a good team even better.
Waivings
Lakers waive Sekou Doumbouya; sign Chaundee Brown Jr to 2-way contract
Doumbouya in a span of just a few weeks went from cornerstone of the future for the Pistons to nice young bench pickup for the Nets to trade asset dump for the Rockets to one last chance with the Lakers. How bad does this kid not want to play in the NBA? I have no idea who Chaundee Brown is but Doumbouya was a top-10 pick not that long ago and yet it doesn't feel like Brown has big shoes to fill.
Injuries
Michael Porter Jr (Nuggets) could 'miss significant time' after surgery (back nerve issue)
Okay, getting scary now for the Nuggets. They really needed a bust out season from Porter to cover for missing Jamal Murray, but not only is he not busting out but it kinda looks like he's falling apart (right after signing a giant extension!). This is not good for the Nuggets.
Frank Kaminsky (Suns) is out indefinitely (knee)
I've never been a Frank the Tank guy myself, but with Dario Saric probably missing the entire season, the Suns kinda need Kaminsky for minutes. Not a major loss but definitely a dip in the Suns' depth.
Collin Sexton (Cavs) out for season (left knee meniscus surgery)
Well, the Garland-or-Sexton question has been put on hold for now. Sexton seeing that his days were numbered in Cleveland opted for the season-ending surgery just to throw a wrench in the situation. I hope Sexton gets healthy and bounces back next year (though probably not in Cleveland).
OG Anunoby (Raptors) out indefinitely (hip pointer)
Anunoby was off to a nice start and the Raptors will likely be scuffling in his absence. (I'm still so intrigued by the Anunoby-Siakam-Barnes three headed monster that the Raptors can roll with; I really think Toronto can be crazy good when this settles into place)
Evan Mobley (Cavs) with 'no timetable for return' (elbow)
He only missed a few games, already back in the lineup. The Cavs need him badly which begs the question: do they rush him back (short term need) or do they let him properly convalesce (long term need)? Tough call: the Cavs can be pretty good right away pushing Mobley to his limits or they can have a cornerstone to build around for a decade or so if they take it easy on him.
PJ Dozier (Nuggets) possibly out for season (torn ACL)
Added to missing Murray and Porter and this is another serious hit to Denver's depth.
Semi Ojeleye (Bucks) has a 'significant injury and is "going to miss some time"' (?)
You're probably thinking 'no big loss' and, well, the Bucks probably won't miss him much. But considering what a disaster he was on the court with the Celtics for the last few years, I was blown away by his scoring instincts since he put on a Buck uniform. He has looked like a for-real baller this season and if he can come back and get that going again, he can be a nice piece for this team.
Goran Dragic (Raptors) out indefinitely for 'personal reasons'
Since the Rockets have re-activated John Wall (and the Spurs are finally getting playing time for Thaddeus Young), seems like Dragic has made it clear he'd rather not play than shine out for suitors. Look, he thought he was getting bought out or waived or whatever and then he'd just move on to free agency, but the salary caps around the league are kina tight at the moment and I guess the Raptors want something for him. Seems clear Dragic is not gonna play for the Raptors and if he can't get to his team of choice (*cough* Dallas!), then we might not see Dragic in the NBA again. Always one of my favorites--and I think he's a good fit in Toronto!--he and the team clearly do not see eye to eye on his future.
Joe Harris (Nets) out indefinitely after left ankle surgery
The Nets need Joe Harris, even if he has been rather underwhelming this season. They need all the depth they can get, but perhaps it is best to get his injuries out of the way in time for April.
Ja Morant (Grizzlies) "no timetable" for return from knee injury
Yipes! The Grizzlies need every minute of basketball than Ja has in him! I hope he gets back soon.
Jalen Suggs (Magic) to be reevaluated in 2 weeks after thumb injury
Well, the Magic aren't going anywhere this season, they can afford to take their time with Suggs, but I suspect Suggs wants to be out on the floor. Hopefully this doesn't develop into a nagging injury.
Health & Safety Protocols
Nicolas Batum (Clippers), DJ Augustine (Rockets), Lebron James (Lakers), Coby White (Bulls), Bones Hyland (Nuggets), Austin Rivers (Nuggets), Justin Holiday (Pacers)
Have any un-vaccinated players missed game for Covid this season?
Suspensions
Dida Louzada (Pelicans) 25 games (for testing positive for testosterone)
On the one hand I'm surprised that a world class athlete (for that's what Louzada--though I don't know the dude from Adam--must be to be on an NBA roster) needs this kind of stuff. But on the other hand, I supposed he doesn't....meaning I'm surprised he thinks he needs this stuff. World class athlete or not, he's surrounded by even better world class athletes all day long, I guess, and he must feel like he needs an edge. (I suspect he doesn't and taking the juice is a sign of self-doubt more than anything)
Lebron James (Lakers) 1 game (for punching Isaiah Stewart); Isaiah Stewart (Pistons) 2 games (for trying to punch Lebron)
You know in watching this video, Stewart looks pretty dazed here, like he really has no idea what he's doing. Chump move from Lebron and I don't blame Stewart for going ape shit (though undoubtedly that led to numerous rounds of embarrassing apologies to his teammates more than anything else). Lebron is trying to get back in villain mode--which seems the exact opposite of why he went to the Lakers in the first place!--but he needs to act his age and be more respectful of his fellow players. As for Stewart, I wouldn't mess with that dude and I think he's right to have beef--look at that blood, man!
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