LiAngelo Ball indicators with Pistons

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Welcome to the Yahoo Sports activities 2020 NBA coaching camp tracker. Simply seven weeks after the bubble season got here to a detailed, follow is in session. The preseason will run from Dec. 11-19, and the common season opens three days earlier than Christmas. Right here, we’ll spotlight the newest information forward of the 2020-21 marketing campaign.

NBA to set new commerce and waiver deadline dates

The NBA plans to schedule the 2021 commerce deadline for March 25, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

The league’s 72-game condensed schedule will run from Dec. 22 by way of Could 16, shifting the deadline again greater than a month. In current seasons, the NBA has coincided the commerce deadline with the All-Star break. There’s a break from March 5-10 this season, however the league is not going to host an All-Star Recreation.

In line with Charania, April 9 would be the deadline for gamers to be waived and signed to a roster in time to be eligible for the playoffs. The NBA is holding a play-in event for the ultimate two playoff seeds in every convention from Could 18-21, adopted by the beginning of the primary spherical of the postseason on Could 22.

Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert gave reporters a progress report on teammate Kevin Durant on Thursday, saying the ahead seemed as marketed whereas figuring out collectively in Los Angeles.

“It was good to see Kevin come again from a tricky harm like that,” LeVert mentioned. “I believe that Kevin is true again the place he was and I believe everyone will see that. I’m excited. I’m excited for him, I’m excited for everyone to get him again, as a result of the sport truthfully wasn’t the identical with out him. I do know he’s super-excited to get again to taking part in.”

For extra on LeVert’s evaluation of Durant, try the total report right here.

Anthony Davis finalizing five-year cope with the Lakers

As anticipated, All-Star ahead Anthony Davis is finalizing a brand new five-year, $190 million cope with the Los Angeles Lakers, in keeping with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Throughout his first season with the Lakers, Davis averaged 26.1 factors and 9.3 rebounds whereas serving to lead the Lakers to their first NBA championship since 2010.

For the total report, click on right here.

Almost 9 p.c of NBA gamers examined return constructive COVID-19 outcomes

With the new NBA season weeks away, the league introduced on Wednesday that 8.8 p.c of gamers in a current spherical of league-wide testing returned constructive outcomes for COVID-19.

In a joint assertion with the NBPA, the league introduced that 48 out of 546 gamers examined from Nov. 24-30 had been contaminated with the coronavirus. It marked the primary set of widespread testing within the league because the conclusion of the 2019-20 season.

For extra on the primary spherical of coronavirus testing of the 2020-21 NBA season, learn the total report right here.

Russell Westbrook bought his want.

The Houston Rockets reached a deal to ship Westbrook to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday evening in alternate for John Wall and a future first-round draft choose, the staff introduced.

[Goodwill: Russell Westbrook-John Wall trade indicative of where both players stand in today’s NBA]

Take a look at a whole breakdown of the commerce right here.

Danuel Home Jr. apologizes after COVID-19 bubble ‘mishap’

Houston Rockets ahead Danuel Home Jr. had a, nicely, uncommon and abrupt finish to the 2019-20 season.

Home left the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World early final season after the league decided he spent a number of hours with an unauthorized visitor in his resort room, a transparent violation of the league’s COVID-19 coverage.

On Wednesday, when Home met with the media for the primary time because the incident, the 27-year-old rapidly apologized.

For extra on Home’s apology, click on right here.

Paul George slams his function, Clippers chemistry underneath Doc Rivers

Stories about preparation points and preferential therapy for Kawhi Leonard underneath coach Doc Rivers dogged the Los Angeles Clippers previous to Rivers’ exit. However the complaints had been relegated to experiences and rumors, with gamers largely declining to publicly put their identify on the issues.

On Wednesday, Paul George did put a reputation to it — his and Rivers’ — in a candid takedown of Clippers issues final season on the “All of the Smoke” podcast.

George — who joined Leonard as a first-year Clipper in final season’s roster overhaul that arrange championship expectations — was not completely happy together with his function in Rivers’ offense.

For extra on George’s evaluation of the Clippers’ chemistries points, try the total report right here.

LiAngelo Ball to signal Exhibition 10 cope with Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are signing LiAngelo Ball — the center brother of New Orleans Pelicans level guard Lonzo Ball and Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball — to a one-year non-guaranteed contract, in keeping with The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The contract is an Exhibition 10 deal that may be terminated at any level.

An Exhibition 10 contract is a coaching camp invitation that ensures the signee between $5,000 and $50,000. LiAngelo Ball’s deal will also be despatched to the G League or transformed to a two-way contract.

Ball was a follow participant for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder’s G League affiliate final season. He signed a cope with the OKC Blue in March however by no means appeared in a sport, because the coronavirus pandemic hit shortly after.

Upon leaving UCLA throughout a suspension levied earlier than he ever performed a collegiate sport, Ball performed professionally for Prienai within the Lithuanian Basketball League. The 22-year-old averaged 12.6 factors (on 43/42/63 taking pictures splits) and a pair of.9 rebounds in 21.7 minutes over 14 video games earlier than affected by harm.

LeBron James agrees to extension with Lakers

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have reached an settlement on a two-year, $85 million contract extension that runs by way of the 2022-23 season, his agent Wealthy Paul of Klutch Sports activities advised Yahoo Sports activities.

The 16-time All-Star led the Lakers to the championship in October, capturing Finals MVP honors.

Take a look at the total report from Haynes right here.

NBA opening evening: Kevin Durant vs. Warriors and Lakers-Clippers

The NBA has scheduled a blockbuster opening-night slate for the 2020-21 season.

When the league tips about Dec. 22, the Brooklyn Nets will host the Golden State Warriors earlier than the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers do battle. Each video games can be broadcast on TNT and are clearly topic to unexpected modifications brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

The schedule makers pitted Kevin Durant in opposition to Stephen Curry, Draymond Inexperienced and the Golden State Warriors for the primary time since Durant left the group in 2019 free company. Durant missed all of final season with the Achilles harm he suffered as a member of the Warriors in Recreation 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

For extra on the opening-night schedule, try the entire breakdown right here.

Clippers waive Joakim Noah — is he retiring?

The Los Angeles Clippers waived middle Joakim Noah, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Noah signed with the Clippers for final season’s NBA bubble and made seven appearances within the common season and playoffs.

His agent Invoice Duffy advised Wojnarowski that Noah is “seemingly headed towards retirement.” In that case, Noah will retire after 13 seasons that embody two All-Star bids, three All-Defensive honors, and a 2013-14 marketing campaign that earned him First Workforce All-NBA and Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors as a member of the Chicago Bulls.

Noah has averaged 8.8 factors (49.1 FG%, 70 FT%), 9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 blocks in 27.7 minutes per sport for his profession. He gained back-to-back NCAA championship on the College of Florida.

The Clippers additionally re-signed veteran guard Reggie Jackson on a one-year deal, in keeping with Wojnarowski. Jackson, 29, averaged 11.9 factors and 4.1 assists with the Clippers and Detroit Pistons final season.

Lakers, Clippers, Bucks spotlight reported NBA Christmas Day schedule

With the NBA season slated to tip off simply days earlier than Christmas, the league has put collectively its conventional vacation schedule filled with video games all through Christmas Day, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski experiences.

The five-game slate will function lots of the league’s finest groups and largest stars — from LeBron James to Zion Williamson — whereas offering early seems to be at a few of basketball’s most-anticipated revamped lineups.

Take a look at our full breakdown of the Christmas Day schedule right here.

Kevin Durant says he’s going ‘exhausting’ throughout drills

Brooklyn Nets ahead Kevin Durant ought to be prepared for the 2020-21 season. Durant mentioned Tuesday he’s “gone as exhausting” as he can throughout drills as he makes an attempt to return from an Achilles harm. Durant didn’t wish to say he’s been going one hundred pc, as a result of no 14-year veteran goes one hundred pc in follow drills.

“Each drill I’ve performed, I’ve gone as exhausting as I might. 100%? S—, I’ve been within the league 14 years. Even If I didn’t have an Achilles, I wouldn’t be one hundred pc,” he mentioned.

Durant, 32, is trying to return from a torn Achilles tendon. He suffered the harm throughout Recreation 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals in opposition to the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors went on to win the sequence in six video games.

Durant signed with the Nets following that sequence, however missed the primary 12 months of a four-year most contract with the harm. The previous MVP is anticipated to make his Nets debut at the beginning of the 2020-21 season.

Durant denies recruiting James Harden to Nets

Dealing with questions for the primary time on Tuesday since an ESPN report that he has mentioned with James Harden the opportunity of taking part in collectively on the Nets, Durant denied the report and chastised media.

“I don’t know the place you’re making these tales up that me and James talked about any of this at a exercise,” Durant advised reporters on a convention name, per the Houston Chronicle’s Matt Younger. “I don’t know the place that got here from. James is a good friend of mine, however I let the entrance workplace deal with all of that stuff.”

Take a look at extra on Harden’s reported curiosity in Brooklyn and Durant’s historical past with the media right here.

Two Warriors take a look at constructive for COVID-19, delaying coaching camp

The Golden State Warriors have delayed the beginning of coaching camp on account of a pair of gamers testing constructive for COVID-19, basic supervisor Bob Myers advised reporters on Tuesday. Particular person exercises had been supposed to begin on Tuesday, however will now kick off on Wednesday. Workforce practices are scheduled to begin on Monday.

Myers didn’t disclose which gamers examined constructive, simply because the Washington Wizards did earlier within the day. He additionally didn’t talk about their well being standing. Each participant — together with camp invitations — had been all examined.

For extra on what influence these instances may have on the Warriors and the NBA, learn the total reporter right here.

Doc Rivers on a bubble-free season: ‘I’m very involved’

Doc Rivers could also be the top coach of the Philadelphia 76ers now, however he’s nonetheless the identical Doc. He’s nonetheless giving trustworthy solutions to tough questions, and Tuesday’s information convention was no totally different. With the brand new NBA season beginning on Dec. 22 and COVID-19 instances rising all around the nation, ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth requested Rivers what his considerations are about taking part in the season with out the good thing about a bubble.

He didn’t sugarcoat it: He’s apprehensive.

For extra on Rivers and the NBA’s coronavirus considerations, try the total report right here.

Mo Bamba nonetheless ‘a methods away’ from returning to Magic

Virtually six months after Mo Bamba’s constructive COVID-19 prognosis, Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford mentioned at the beginning of coaching camp there may be nonetheless no telling when the third-year middle can return to motion.

Bamba examined constructive for the coronavirus on June 11. He joined the Magic within the Orlando bubble for the July restart, however his physique failed to reply to the Magic’s conditioning marks. After Bamba performed a complete of 10:47 within the second halves of Orlando’s first two seeding video games, the staff dominated the 22-year-old lottery pick for the season. Bamba then underwent a post-virus analysis by the staff’s medical and coaching workers.

“The medical doctors have dominated out something critical, however it would take a while to clear his system,” Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman advised reporters in September. “That’ll in all probability be measured in months not weeks. That’s actually one thing that isn’t going to be a long-term difficulty. He’s going to have a whole restoration, however we’ll in all probability have to watch his workload as we get by way of that, that’s all.”

Additionally in September, Bamba declared, “I’ll be prepared” for the beginning of the 2020-21 marketing campaign. That doesn’t look like the case, a startling reminder how little is thought about long-term results of the coronavirus.

The Magic are additionally with out rising defensive standout Jonathan Isaac, the previous No. 6 total choose who will miss the whole thing of this coming season with the torn left ACL and meniscus he suffered within the bubble.

Kristaps Porzingis out ‘till not less than January’

As NBA coaching camps launched on Tuesday, Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle offered extra readability on Kristaps Porzingis’ well being standing following surgical procedure in October to restore a lateral meniscus tear in his proper knee, telling reporters that the All-Star large man is not going to be accessible for video games “till not less than January.”

“His rehab has gone with out difficulty,” Carlisle advised reporters throughout his media availability, in keeping with ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “He’s on schedule. If something, we’re having to carry him again proper now. He’s again to doing gentle courtroom work, so issues are going nicely. He is not going to, nonetheless, play till not less than January.”

Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson beforehand advised reporters final month that the staff wouldn’t rush Porzingis’ rehab, suggesting, “He’s going to [return sometime] into the season.

Porzingis suffered the harm 20 minutes into Recreation 1 of the Mavericks’ first-round playoff sequence with the Los Angeles Clippers. He returned to play important minutes in Video games 2 and three earlier than being dominated out for the rest of the sequence. Luka Doncic helped Dallas push the Clippers to 6 video games earlier than a first-round exit.

For extra on Porzingis’ knee harm and what it means for the Mavericks, try the total breakdown.

Unnamed Wizards participant recognized with COVID-19

An unnamed Washington Wizards participant has examined constructive for the coronavirus, coach Scott Brooks advised reporters on Monday. It’s the NBA’s first recognized constructive take a look at since reopening its doorways for 2020-21.

In line with the Washington Submit’s Ava Wallace, the unnamed participant is new to the Wizards roster and has but to hitch the staff in Washington, D.C. The Wizards had been additionally with out the not too long ago re-signed Davis Bertans at the beginning of coaching camp. The Latvian flamethrower’s return has reportedly been delayed by visa points.

John Collins ‘optimistic’ about securing contract extension

Fourth-year Atlanta Hawks large man John Collins advised reporters on Tuesday that he stays “optimistic” about securing a contract extension that’s weighing closely on his thoughts earlier than the Dec. 21 deadline.

“Each time I come into the fitness center, it’s undoubtedly the very first thing on my thoughts,” Collins mentioned. “Clearly, my brokers and the Hawks are working on daily basis to attempt to get to a deal and an settlement, so I’m making an attempt to remain optimistic, keep constructive and develop bonds with my new teammates. And that’s all I can actually do.”

4 members of the NBA’s 2017 draft class — Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, Bam Adebayo and De’Aaron Fox — have signed max contract extensions to their rookie offers, valued between $163 and $196 million by way of 2026, relying on the wage cap and their All-NBA standing. Collins needs to be the fifth.

“Once we’re speaking max numbers and cash, I really feel like I undoubtedly [am in] the dialog to have earned that cash with the Hawks particularly,” Collins advised the Atlanta Journal Structure’s Sarah Okay. Spencer in Could, “however clearly I do know there’s enterprise and we don’t at all times get precisely what we would like.”

Collins averaged 21.6 factors and 10.1 rebounds in 33.2 minutes over 41 video games final season. Nonetheless, the Hawks frontcourt has gotten much more crowded since February. Atlanta traded for 26-year-old middle Clint Capela, drafted large man Onyeka Okongwu and signed stretch ahead Danilo Gallinari in free company.

Miami Warmth reveal newest and remaining ‘Vice’ jerseys

The Miami Warmth and Nike dialed up the pastel with the fourth installment of their “Vice” Metropolis Version alternate jerseys, revealing an eye-popping model of the favored scheme for the 2020-21 marketing campaign.

The Warmth first revealed the throwback jerseys in 2017 as an homage to the favored Eighties tv drama “Miami Vice.” Metropolis Version jerseys usually change from 12 months to 12 months, however the Warmth have continued to place a brand new spin on their alternates as they’ve grown in recognition. Beginning with a darker “VICE Nights” theme in 2017, the staff has cycled by way of brighter “Sundown VICE” and “ViceWave” editions over the past two years.

The most recent version, which the Warmth contend would be the final of the road, known as “ViceVersa,” that includes pink on one aspect, gentle blue on the opposite and mixing right into a violet within the center — a stunningly unique NBA jersey.

“Vice started as a journey — a visit again by way of time to a actuality the place 1988 by no means ended,” Jennifer Alvarez, Miami’s vp of inventive and digital advertising and marketing, mentioned in a launch. “Every marketing campaign has pushed us additional and additional exterior the inventive confines of the Warmth model and every has been massively profitable and a ton of enjoyable to work on. ViceVersa is a graphic microcosm that envisions the Warmth model of the long run.”

Per ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the Warmth have bought greater than 120,000 Metropolis Version jerseys since 2017, “producing 5 instances extra income than equal gross sales from the staff’s three championship seasons mixed.”

Plenty of groups unveiled their alternate jerseys on Tuesday, together with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers. Take a look at our full have a look at all of the Metropolis Version jerseys revealed across the league.

Celtics star Kemba Walker sidelined till January

The Boston Celtics have shelved Kemba Walker till not less than the beginning of January, because the All-Star level guard continues to recuperate from a lingering left knee harm, the staff introduced on Monday morning.

On the recommendation of a number of specialists, Walker acquired a stem-cell injection in October. He started a 12-week strengthening program that has him scheduled to return to on-court motion early this month. Walker’s sport availability can be reevaluated the primary week of January, when the Celtics plan to offer one other replace.

“We’re simply being very cautious with Kemba,” Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge advised Boston radio station 98.5 The Sports activities Hub’s “Toucher and Wealthy Present” on Monday. Ainge added within the interview, “We’re sustaining this strengthening program, which he has been very, very diligent in up to now, and we’re inspired that he’ll have the ability to return at full pace. However we don’t wish to rush this system.”

For extra on Walker’s knee harm and what it means for the Celtics, try the total breakdown right here.



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