2021-22 NBA (Week 13)

Waivings

Jay Huff (Lakers), Willie Cauley-Stein (Mavs), Devon Dotson (Bulls) waived

In all three cases, seems like the teams just had someone they liked better waiting. 

Signings

Zylan Cheatam (Jazz), Xavier Moon (Clippers), Dakota Mathias (Grizzlies), Stanley Johnson (Lakers),  each signed to a 10-day contract

Welcome back to the league, fellas. (Tip: Pocket the per diem, get you breakfast and lunch from the hotel's continental breakfast)  

Marquese Chriss (Mavs) signed to 2-year contract

When Chriss was drafted top ten back in the day, I thought he had 'bust' written all over him. A few years larer, he's still hanging around the league because the league needs athletes and, well, he's an athlete. Is he actually better than Willie Cauley-Stein? Well, maybe.  

Sekou Doumbouya (Lakers), Lindell Wigginton (Bucks), Malcolm Hill (Bulls), Kyle Guy (Heat), each signed to a 2-way contract

Doumbouya back again! We'll see if he sticks this time.  

Trades

Pistons get Bol Bol; Nuggets get Rodney McGruder and a 2022 2nd rd pick

Ohhh! Last week's trade between the Nuggets and the Pistons was rejected when Bol failed his physical. But, no worries, Woj tweeted that Bol was off to the Celtics in a deal that would net the Nuggets Bryn Forbes--but, hold on....that trade never happened. (What? A Woj whiff?) Then Bol got foot surgery, so, I dunno, man, sounds like the Pistons didn't want the damaged goods and seems like the Celtics didn't either. 

Knicks get Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill, Nets 2022 2nd rd pick; Hawks get Kevin Knox, Knicks 1st rd pick (top 18 protected in 2022)

The hot take was that the Knicks got the better end of the day--and they may have--but I don't think it's as clear as all that. This trade was seven days ago and I haven't seen any proof that Reddish or Hill have joined the team (wtf?). Also, Reddish has been AWOL most of the season, so are we sure that he was in any different situation with the Hawks than Knox was with the Knicks? It's easy to say Knox sucks, but I don't know, all we know is Thibs won't play him (and he routinely plays dudes that suck, so....what does that tell us?). Reddish still feels like the better prospect at this point, but both dudes needed a change of scenery and, so far, uhh, the scenery kinda looks the same for both of them. Curious to see how this plays out.  

Injuries

Damien Lillard (Blazers) out indefinitely after abdominal surgery

This would seemingly take him out of the trade talk for this season, right? The Blazers are beat, just don't have the right mix, Lillard hasn't been having a great year anyway, but a season-ending surgery would put the kibosh on needless rumors (and the worthwhile rumors, too). 

Kevin Durant (Nets) out 6-8 weeks with left MCL sprain

Ouch! KD was having a great season, the Nets relied on him a lot (probably too much) and though they have Kyrie back for the road games, they're kinda flying naked with Vegas-Elvis Harden out there. Oh well, the Nets are still good enough and the East is probably still weak enough to not phase the Nets too much.  

Bol Bol (Nuggets?) out indefinitely after left foot surgery

Two days Woj tweeted that Bol was going to the Celtics in a 3-way deal with the Spurs (for Bryn Forbes)...but I have not heard that since. Bol, you may recall, was a 1st round talent that fell to the 2nd round on Draft Day because of injury concerns; so is he still cheap enough to merit interest from a team like the Celtics, that need all the young talent they can get? Or is this surgery proof that he's snakebit and never gonna play in the NBA? I dunno, but Woj never gets it wrong, so now I don't know what's going on. Seems like he's gonna stay with the Nuggets, who have clearly been looking for some veteran minutes off the bench and don't feel like Bol is ready to give them reliable minutes; but, then again, the Nuggets have a tough coach (Mike Malone), who isn't gonna throw a young guy in there--meaning: this is not an indication that Bol sucks or that he's too injury-prone for the Nuggets to want to keep. Merely that they have short term needs (like a Rodney McGruder or Bryn Forbes) that Bol just isn't gonna do for them. Couple more weeks for the buzzards to circle (or to realize the carcass ain't worth it). 

Front office moves

Wolves name Marquisse Watts as Chief Experience Officer

Hadn't noticed any NBA teams doing the 'experience' thing. It's a popular move in the MLS to put someone in charge of actually monitoring the fan experience (seems like the WNBA could really maximize efficiency with this). Are the Wolves the first team to make this move? (Looks like the Nets and the Jazz have this position, not sure about anyone else) Is this a thing that will catch on in the NBA? (Maybe for the small market teams, but I doubt the bluebloods will feel its necessary)

Jose Calderon (Cavs) named special advisor

Hmmm....is he a Rajon Rondo whisperer? Or is he rehabbing Ricky Rubio? If he's actually working with the team, wouldn't they just call him 'coach'? 

Health & Safety Protocols

Hassan Whiteside (Jazz), Killian Tillie (Grizzlies), JaMychal Green (Nuggets), Jordan McLaughlin (Wolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Kings), Desmond Bane (Grizzlies), Kyle Anderson (Grizzlies), Sekou Doumbouya (Lakers), Luka Garza (Pistons)

I have yet to notice a single fine for being unvaccinated. Did the NBA give up on that or no?