Storyline: Carmelo Anthony Trade?
673 rumors in this storyline
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Mark Berman: #Rockets announce they’ve completed the trade sending Carmelo Anthony to the Bulls. pic.twitter.com/wehqlWxBVM
Jonathan Feigen: Once the Carmelo Anthony trade can be complete, the Rockets will receive the rights to Tadijia Dragicevic. The Bulls will receive the rights to Marko Todorovic. Adjust your fantasy teams accordingly.
Tim Bontemps: Mike D’Antoni is frustrated about how Houston’s roster crunch because the league office wasn’t open today to process the Carmelo Anthony trade cost James Nunnally his roster spot. “It’s not right,” D’Antoni said.
Jonathan Feigen: Bulls made about $900,000 in the deal. Trade involves an exchange of draft rights of international players.
Bobby Marks: The cost for Chicago in taking back the Anthony contract is $675K: ($1,068,458 in salary- $393,342 in reimbursement from the NBA) The cash received from Houston will pay for (and then some) the Anthony salary. The Rockets had up to $2.1M to send in a trade.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Carmelo Anthony will not play a game for the Bulls, but it is possible that franchise holds off on waiving him until the trade deadline, league sources tell ESPN. Bulls could include him in a one-for-one trade, but can’t aggregate his contract in another deal.
KC Johnson: Like the MCW deal, Bulls expected to send heavily protected 2nd round pick that won’t convey to the Rockets. Anthony will fall into open roster spot briefly before being waived and Bulls receive cash.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The NBA office will not execute the trade today because it’s a holiday, league sources tell ESPN. To clear the way for Kenneth Faried to sign and play tonight in Philadelphia, Rockets had to waive to James Nunnally. Trade call on ‘Melo will likely be Tuesday.
Bobby Marks: The big winner of Carmelo Anthony traded to Chicago is the Atlanta Hawks. If Anthony is waived by the Bulls, Atlanta will receive a set-off of any additional salary that Anthony would sign for. The Hawks owed Anthony $25.5M as part of his buyout this summer.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Houston Rockets have agreed to trade Carmelo Anthony and cash to the Chicago Bulls, league sources tell ESPN.
KC Johnson: Carmelo Anthony is unlikely to remain member of Bulls, per source.
Jonathan Feigen: Rockets will waive James Nunnally today to open the roster spot for Kenneth Faried. Were unable to deal Carmelo Anthony in time to open the roster spot, source said. Chance to bring Nunnally back once the spot opens, but that has not been determined, per source.
Albert Nahmad: Kenneth Faried is set to clear waivers at 5:00 pm EST today. If the Rockets want to sign him before tonight’s game, they’ll need to first clear a roster spot. If they can’t find a Carmelo Anthony trade in that span of time, they’ll just terminate James Nunnally’s 10-day contract.
Bobby Marks: Some finances re: Carmelo Anthony Salary owed by Houston: $214K (league picks up $881K balance) Houston tax savings w/trade: $2.647M Distribution lost per team by helping Houston: $60K Cash remaining to send: $2.1M
The Rockets are aggressively working to find a trade for the exiled Carmelo Anthony before Monday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline to clear a roster spot for Faried, league sources said.
Thunder coach Billy Donovan, whose team will play at the Garden on Monday afternoon, could never find a way to turn Anthony productive alongside Russell Westbrook and Paul George. Still, Donovan went to bat for his former player. “I think he can contribute. I think it’s based on what role teams need to fill and how can he help the team in that role,” Donovan said. “Every team may need something different. I don’t think you can necessarily put him in a role that’s going to be the same for every team. But he’s a smart enough guy, he’s a bright enough guy. I think winning is important enough to him.”
He never accepted his limitations and still viewed himself as an All-Star. At his next stop, he’ll have to come to grips with being a specialist. “I think for him, he’s obviously been an incredible isolation player and he’s been an incredible player in the mid-post,” Donovan said. “And I think with a lot of the analytic stuff, people look at that and say the game has passed him by because of the way he plays. … But the one thing about it, he’s been elite and great in the midrange for most of his career. He’s got a skillset that can certainly help some teams.”
Carmelo Anthony’s NBA career might not be over after all. According to two sources with knowledge of Anthony’s situation, the exiled 10-time All-Star who remains on the Houston Rockets roster has multiple options available and is expected to pick one before the Feb. 7 trade deadline. There is no clarity as to whether he would be traded in these scenarios or waived and subsequently signed, but there are strong signs that he will play in the NBA again.
The Lakers, who have a full roster and would have to waive someone to sign him if he was waived, continue to be tied to Anthony more than any other team. But according to a Lakers source, the fact that the roster is full is not a small obstacle. Not only is it unclear how they would clear the roster spot to add Anthony, or if there’s a possible trade to be made there with the Rockets, but a source close to James said Anthony’s conditioning and the overall state of his game are considered key factors here in terms of convincing the Lakers to add the player who had the worst season of his career with the Thunder and wasn’t any better with the Rockets.
The Wizards maintain they have no plans to pursue Anthony despite being mentioned last week as a potential destination for the former All-Star who grew up largely in Baltimore, Md.
The teams most often mentioned as potential landing spots for Anthony — Philadelphia and LeBron James’s Lakers — have resisted the idea thus far. Charlotte has likewise passed to date, despite rumbles that the Hornets would naturally consider him given Anthony’s long association through with the Hornets’ owner Michael Jordan through Jordan Brand.
Alykhan Bijani: Zhou Qi getting waived has nothing to do with Carmelo Anthony and his situation, per source. #Rockets still working on finding a solution on Melo, including possible trades or outright waiving him.
LeBron wants 'Melo in Los Angeles?
LeBron James would like to get Carmelo Anthony to Los Angeles with him on the Lakers, a league source told The Athletic. Anthony, 34, is estranged from the Houston Rockets – still on their payroll for the league-minimum $2.4 million but gone from the team after the two sides decided he was not a fit after just 10 games. He can’t be traded until at least Dec. 15, and sources said there had been no request made by James to Lakers president Magic Johnson or general manager Rob Pelinka to make a deal for his friend. Nor would there be.
But James and his camp still believe Anthony can play, that there could be a place for him as a contributor on a Lakers’ team that is young and continues to battle injuries. Brandon Ingram is the latest casualty. His sprained left ankle will keep him for at least the next two games.
In the coming days, it will become clear if any market still exists for Anthony, whether it’s L.A. or elsewhere. Multiple league executives questioned it to The Athletic. “Not really, no,” said one rival exec, granted anonymity to discuss the Lakers’ situation. “If LeBron really wants him, it might not matter. Magic should fight him on it. I know I would.”
Bobby Marks: Carmelo Anthony like most free agents signed this summer have a Dec. 15 trade restriction. Still a month away for Anthony to be moved in a deal.
Bobby Marks: The rules of CBA prohibits Atlanta and Oklahoma City from claiming, signing or trading for Carmelo Anthony. Atlanta is on the list because Anthony had his contract amended back in July.
Bobby Marks: Carmelo Anthony will not be waived until all conditions are met with the trade (reporting and passing a physical, except for Anthony). However, all three teams/players had a six day head start to get the ball rolling on the above conditions.
Royce Young: Something to note even though Thunder and Melo are going separate ways, OKC has deep appreciation for his professionalism/communication with them throughout the process.
Zach Lowe: The two sides haggled over protections on that pick, sources say. OKC pushed for top-20 protected, but ATL got friendlier protections (lottery protected) in the end — likely by rerouting Muscala to a third team instead of OKC.
David Aldridge: Sixers got involved with deal after Nemanja Bjelica pulled out of verbal agreement to sign with Philly. It left a need for another big/floor stretcher which @Mike Muscala (@PL_MBB !) can help fill. Career 38 percent shooter from three with Hawks.
Royce Young: Also of note: The Thunder created a $10.8 million trade exception in the Carmelo Anthony deal.
Keith Pompey: Multiple league sources said the three-team trade is not expected to be completed in the coming days. One of the sources said that’s because the #Sixers are working on another move.
The Hawks will have to waive Antonius Cleveland to make the deal work. Trade might not be made official for several days.
Oklahoma City was able to accomplish two things by trading Carmelo Anthony to Atlanta, improve the roster while saving $73M this season. The Thunder will now see their projected luxury tax bill drop from $150M to $88.8M, a savings of $62M.
In addition, Oklahoma City will save an additional $11M in salary savings with the Dennis Schroder $15.5M contract and the $1.5M cap hit of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. The Thunder now have a payroll of $148.7M, down from $159.6M.
As part of a three-team deal, the Oklahoma City Thunder have reached an agreement to trade forward Carmelo Anthony and a top-14 protected 2022 first-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks for guard Dennis Schroder, two people with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
The Hawks plan to waive Anthony, who will then become a free agent after he clears waivers. Atlanta has the ability to absorb Anthony’s contract, but the price for taking him off Oklahoma City’s roster was a first-round draft pick – a good move for Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk who is rebuilding the roster.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to trade Carmelo Anthony and a protected 2022 first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for point guard Dennis Schroder and Mike Muscala, league sources tell ESPN.
Royce Young: The pick the Thunder are sending the Hawks is 2022 lottery protected first rounder (1-14). If it doesn’t convey, it’ll become two second rounders.
Shams Charania: Sources: As part of multi-team Carmelo Anthony/Dennis Schröder deal, Atlanta’s Mike Muscala will go to Philadelphia, 76ers’ Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot will be traded to Oklahoma City and 76ers’ Justin Anderson to Atlanta.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Oklahoma City has agreed to trade Carmelo Anthony and a protected 2022 first-round pick to Atlanta for point guard Dennis Schroder and Mike Muscala, league sources tell ESPN. Anthony will be waived, and he will join team of his choice. Rockets are frontrunner.
Chris Vivlamore: It’s a three team trade. Muscala will got to Philly. Justin Anderson will come to Hawks. Carmelo will be bought out. Won’t be a Hawk. Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot will got to OKC.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Anthony will get his entire $27.9M in the buyout and waiver with Hawks. It could take a few days to work thru logistics on trade. ‘Melo met with Rockets and Heat in Las Vegas. Again, Rockets are the frontrunner.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Tremendous save for OKC: Thunder get massive salary and luxury tax savings — nearly $100M — w/o stretching Anthony’s $28M. That deal would’ve left $9M-plus on books next three years, so Schroder $15.5M per year becomes bargain — and an asset that could stay or be traded again.
Anthony and the Thunder are working in conjunction to part ways. The Thunder has until Aug. 31 to waive Anthony and stretch the $27.9 million he’s owed in the final season of his contract over three years.
Oklahoma City has until then to seek a trade with Anthony, and the Thunder is engaging in talks with teams. Anthony is waiving his no-trade clause, with the understanding that if he’s not sent to a team he approves, it’ll buy him out and make him a free agent.
In advance of an inevitable – if not imminent – parting, the Oklahoma City Thunder granted Carmelo Anthony permission to meet with prospective teams, including the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat, league sources told ESPN. Anthony and his representatives met with Rockets and Heat officials at the site of the NBA Summer League in recent days, league sources told ESPN.
The Thunder are working on trade scenarios where Anthony, 34, would be moved as an expiring contract and be waived, becoming a free agent once his $27.9 million 2017-18 salary clears waivers. Oklahoma City needs Anthony’s permission to waive his no-trade clause, which he has done to facilitate his exit, league sources said.
Thunder are working on trade scenarios where Anthony, 34, would be moved as an expiring contract and be waived, becoming a free agent once his $28M clears waivers. OKC needs the Anthony’s permission to waive no-trade clause, which he has done to facilitate his exit, sources said.
Tim Reynolds: Sources: Sam Presti has been in meetings “all day,” trying to bring some sort of resolution to the Carmelo Anthony saga. (And that should surprise no one, but it makes me wonder if the finish line is in sight.)
The Thunder could waive and stretch Anthony’s $27.9 million salary — saving the franchise $107 million in salary and tax — within the next 7-10 days should they be able unable to find a trade, league sources said. The Rockets will be a premium consideration for Anthony — along with the Miami Heat, league sources said.
Albert Nahmad: Lakers, Rockets and Heat are expected to have interest in Carmelo Anthony, per @Adrian Wojnarowski. All have roughly same amount to offer – anywhere from $2.4M minimum salary to around $5M, which in turn could be the range of a potential buyout with OKC if he were to have mutual interest.
Oklahoma City can use the stretch provision on Anthony’s $27.9 million contract to eliminate a staggering $107 million off the team’s 2018-19 payroll and tax bill, but the Thunder first plan to pursue trade possibilities with teams looking to acquire a massive expire deal to salary cap space in July 2019 free agency.
The stretch provision would slash $90 million in tax, dropping the Thunder’s bill from $150 million to $60 million. The stretch provision spreads Anthony’s salary annually onto the Thunder’s cap for $9.3 million over three years.
Thunder, Carmelo Anthony to part ways this summer
The massive financial implications of Anthony opting into his $27.9 million contract for the 2018-19 season — coupled with a mutual understanding that his scaled back role isn’t what he had signed up for to play with Oklahoma City — have dictated that the two sides will part ways sometime this summer, league sources told ESPN.
As the Oklahoma City Thunder navigate an historic $310 million payroll and luxury tax bill, the franchise’s front office is working through scenarios that will culminate in the inevitable this summer: An ending to the brief Carmelo Anthony partnership, which could deliver the Thunder over $100 million in cost savings.
Steve Kyler: Some Draft Scuttle from@New York – The Houston Rockets apparently are exploring a trade that would get them a mid-lottery pick. Rockets apparently tried to get players in for workouts yesterday and today.
What might be more pressing is the issue with Anthony. While the Thunder want to keep George long-term, they’d very much like to find a way to rid themselves of Anthony, who could not find a role with the team and did not inspire confidence with his unwillingness to sacrifice, highlighted by his insistence that he would not come off the bench.
Anthony, whom the Knicks traded away in September, has an opt-out for next season worth $28 million. Anthony, 33, said money may not be a deciding factor because he’s already made a ton in his career. “I’m going to reiterate one thing because it’s important,’’ Presti said Wednesday in a press conference. “His comments at the end of the year are not reflective of his approach this year. He put both feet into that. He has to decide if he wants to do another year of trying to be a stretch player.”
Eric Pincus: “Then I’ve had other people who have suggested that he’ll opt in and then accept a trade, because he has that no-trade clause. So Sam Presti would then have to find a trade for that $28 million, which is not an easy thing to do, because you have to match salaries.”
It doesn’t matter now, but Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni says he would have been fine with coaching Carmelo Anthony in Houston. “Oh yeah. We all get a little bit, hopefully, better at what we do. And it’s a whole different situation and we know that James (Harden) and Chris (Paul) are good friends (of Carmelo’s) so it’s a whole different thing,” D’Antoni said Monday. “Actually after New York, we went to USA Baskteball and we won a gold medal again so it’s not like it’s anything new.” Anthony and D’Antoni weren’t exactly on the same page at the end of D’Antoni’s Knicks tenure. D’Antoni acknowledged in an ESPN The Magazine story that he quit in 2012 after Anthony told the team it needed to choose between he and D’Antoni. Anthony’s preferred trade destination over the summer was Houston, but he ended up being dealt to Oklahoma City.
Carmelo Anthony: Thank you to All My Fans who supported me through Thick and Thin. And those who continued to support The Knicks regardless of the outcome. Thank You to Jim Dolan and the Knicks organization and all the hardworking people that don’t get the credit they deserve. And most importantly, Thank you to the City of New York for allowing me to represent OUR city. 7eace be with you
Carmelo Anthony: New York equipped me to make it in any other place in the world. It taught me how to Be Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable. Saying Goodbye is the hardest thing to do. I never thought I would, especially to you. No one will ever take your place. It’s hard to find someone like you, so know you will always be missed. You helped me laugh. You dried my tears. Because of you, I have no fears. You came into my life and I was blessed. It’s time to raise my hand and say goodbye. It’s not the end, because like I’ve always said, NYC ‘til the end.
The New York Knickerbockers announced today that the team has acquired center Enes Kanter, forward Doug McDermott and Chicago’s 2018 second-round draft pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for forward Carmelo Anthony. “This is a deal we feel works for both this franchise and Carmelo. We thank him for his seven seasons in a Knicks uniform and all that he accomplished off the court for the City of New York by using his platform to address social issues,” President Steve Mills said. “We will continue to focus on this team looking forward towards the immediate and long-term future. As we have said recently, this is a new beginning for the New York Knicks.”
The team did not speak directly with Anthony before agreeing Saturday to a trade that would send center Enes Kanter, forward Doug McDermott and the Chicago Bulls’ 2018 second-round pick to the New York Knicks in exchange for the 10-time All-Star. Anthony moving to power forward, handling the ball less, becoming the third option — all of which seem like inevitabilities — is a natural understanding. That’s the Thunder’s hope, at least.
But Anthony picked Oklahoma City knowing the circumstances. He’s aware that reigning MVP Russell Westbrook, someone who actually might like shooting more than he does, still presides over the team. He just so happens to know four-time All-Star Paul George. He and Westbrook played an integral role in convincing Anthony to come join them in Oklahoma. He knows the deal, and he waived a no-trade clause to come to OKC en lieu of the big names already present, en lieu of the small market.
Fred Katz: VIDEO: Carmelo Anthony has officially landed in Oklahoma City.
Fred Katz: Saw some wondering: The Thunder did not add protections to the Chicago second-rounder they sent to the Knicks. Pick remains unprotected.
“Carmelo was a mentor to me,” Porzingis said. “He was a big brother from day one. I texted him to tell him I appreciated that I was able to learn from him. Having him around was important for me. I respect him a lot. I also told him that if he doesn’t bring his Rolls Royce with him, I’ll take care of it.”
The New York Knicks sought Tristan Thompson in a potential trade for Carmelo Anthony with the Cavaliers and were rebuffed, two sources told cleveland.com. The Knicks wanted Thompson, 26, a center who like James is represented by Rich Paul. The Cavs told them no. Thompson is under contract for three more seasons, beginning at $16.4 million this year. Cleveland was willing to do a deal that would’ve cleared some contracts off the books, such as sending Iman Shumpert ($11 million this year) and others.
As Paul George sat back in his dining room chair on Saturday afternoon, a gray Nike shirt on his back and the Carmelo Anthony trade on his mind, he pondered what it all meant for an Oklahoma City Thunder team that has recovered so nicely from the loss of Kevin Durant last summer. “This feels like a championship team,” George told USA TODAY Sports. “I’m in a good place. I know Russ (Westbrook) is in a good place. Melo is motivated more than ever…You put us three together, who all have something to prove still, (and) we’re going to be a special team.”
Kristaps Porzingis has volunteered to care for Carmelo Anthony’s Rolls Royce should Anthony decide not to bring his luxury automobile to Oklahoma City. As for the franchise Carmelo is leaving behind, Porzingis is confident that the Knicks are in good hands as well. “I am ready for the challenge,” Porzingis told the Daily News in his first interview since returning to the United States on Saturday. “I’ve been preparing myself for this moment.”
“Well Russ and Melo, they’ve had a relationship far longer and way before me and Melo had a relationship,” George said. “Those two have been on USA teams, and then when I got the chance to play with Melo on the USA team. I expressed (and) he expressed how much we wanted to play alongside each other in an NBA uniform. And then when we both were presented this opportunity this summer, and knowing Melo wanted to opt out and wanted to move on, we’ve connected. We talked, and he expressed again – ‘Hey, I would love to come join you guys and be a part of what you guys have got going there.’ And then from there, it’s a no-brainer. We run with it, and it came to life.”
Carmelo Anthony would not have reported to training camp on Monday had the Knicks not agreed to a deal to swap him to Oklahoma City for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-rounder on Saturday, I have been informed.
“I’m happy for him. It doesn’t change my views to who we are as a team,” Draymond Green told The Undefeated. “But I’m happy for him, definitely. I don’t hate OKC. They hate me. I don’t hate them. I don’t care. You’re adding a guy who can give you 20 [points] a night. It is definitely going to make you better. I think it definitely helps them.”
With President Donald Trump’s tweet and the Golden State Warriors’ first practice on his mind, Stephen Curry didn’t learn that Carmelo Anthony was joining Russell Westbrook, Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder via trade until hours after it was agreed upon Saturday. “I heard [the trade] happened right before practice, but I was out on the court. My phone was blowing up, anyways, for other reasons. I learned about it right as I was coming out here to talk to the media,” Curry said after practice at the Warriors’ training facility on Saturday afternoon.
“I don’t even know about this trade,” Curry said. “I just heard about this trade 10 seconds ago. So, they got Kanter and … I guess I am happy [for Anthony] because I know he wanted to get out and be in a situation where he felt like what he was doing on the court was actually productive. It’s going to be wild to see that trio of guys together. It’s just crazy how the West is getting stronger and stronger. It should be another tough matchup when we play them.”
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim says Phil Jackson “chased” Carmelo Anthony out of New York and that the forward’s addition automatically makes the Oklahoma City Thunder a threat to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA’s Western Conference. “They’ve got two top-10 players [in Russell Westbrook and Paul George] and Carmelo, who’s No. 60 or whatever they got him rated,” Boeheim, who coached Anthony to the 2003 NCAA championship, told SNY.tv by phone on Saturday. “I think he’s still a top player, and I think Russell and Paul George make it easier for him to be able to do what he does.”
Asked if he thinks Anthony regrets not making the Knicks a championship contender after arriving in 2011, Boeheim said he did. “Yeah, he loved New York,” he said. “He wanted to come to New York, he wanted to get it done in New York. And he did everything he could to do it, and I don’t think he ever wanted to leave New York. “I think Phil Jackson chased him out, and didn’t leave him a good alternative. But I think both organizations came out of this good.”
Boeheim told ZAGSBLOG last week he believes Jackson hurt the Knicks’ bargaining position by making it known he wanted to trade Anthony. “I think he did, but I think these guys [Knicks president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry] salvaged it,” Boeheim said Saturday. “Everybody knew they had to make a move by Monday. They just couldn’t go to training camp in this circumstance so I think they pulled off a good trade.”
Thunder general manager Sam Presti and Knicks GM Scott Perry had been talking on and off about a possible deal for weeks. Talks intensified in the 24 hours before Saturday’s agreement, league sources said. As training camp loomed next week, Perry increasingly wanted no part of the circus that awaited his franchise with media day and Anthony’s arrival both on Monday. Around the organization and Anthony, there was a belief that the unresolved saga would become a suffocating daily issue. Perry started to feel the urgency of making a deal on Friday, and engaged Oklahoma City in more serious dialogue, league sources said.
Once Anthony expanded his list of teams to include Cleveland and Oklahoma City within the past 10 days, Perry had more flexibility to move Anthony. Perry remained in contact with Portland Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey, who had the most versatile array of assets for New York and motivation to make the deal — but, ultimately, Anthony would not accept a trade to the Pacific Northwest. Anthony was intrigued with a potential partnership with Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic, and the stability and track record of the front office and coaching staff in Portland, but did not want to make such a dramatic geographic shift, league sources said.
New York had been willing to do an Anthony deal with his preferred choice, Houston, that included Eric Gordon and Trevor Ariza, but the Rockets consistently rejected that idea, league sources said. Houston had become the focus of Anthony’s trade request after the Rockets acquired All-Star guard Chris Paul, a close friend, in late June. But Houston needed a deal to include forward Ryan Anderson, who has three years and $60 million left on his contract.
Cleveland’s package included Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye, and would’ve needed to be supplemented with minimum veterans, league sources said. Cleveland would never have considered including its 2018 first-round pick via Brooklyn, league sources said. New York had been pursuing a future first-round pick from Oklahoma City, but the Thunder were unable to acquire one as part of a larger deal for New York, according to league sources.
February 17, 2019 | 7:51 am EST Update
On Doncic, Conley remembered watching him play with Real Madrid and pointed out: “He seems like he’s better in the NBA then he was when I watched him overseas. And overseas he was unbelievable”.
His Real Madrid days are in the past, but Luka Doncic follows his former team in the ACB and EuroLeague whenever his schedule with the Dallas Mavericks permits. These days he’s in Charlotte taking part in various events of the NBA All-Star Game Weekend, but still reiterated: “I always follow EuroLeague and ACB when I have time”. Asked to pick out four teams for the 2019 EuroLeague Final Four, the 19-year-old Slovenian said: “Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, CSKA and Olympiacos”.
The NBA and FIBA plan to launch a professional basketball league in Africa called the Basketball Africa League featuring 12 teams from the continent. The league is scheduled for launch in January of 2020 and will be the NBA’s first collaboration to run a pro sports league outside of North America, and former President Barack Obama, an avid basketball fan, is expected to have a hands-on role.
“The Basketball Africa League is an important next step in our continued development of the game of basketball in Africa,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver in a statement. “Combined with our other programs on the continent, we are committed to using basketball as an economic engine to create new opportunities in sports, media and technology across Africa.”
The NBA 2K League will have $1.2 million in its prize pool for the 2019 season, up $200,000 from the inaugural season last year. Players will receive a base salary of $33,000 for a six-month commitment, with up to $38,000 for players retained from the 2018 season. Meanwhile, the prize pool will be spread out over four tournaments and the league playoffs, with $120,000 up for grabs in the season-opening “THE TIPOFF” tournament. “THE TURN” and “THE TICKET” tournaments each will have $180,000 available in prize money, while the league playoffs will be worth $720,000.
It appears Lonzo Ball found a place to spend some of his time away from the court in recent weeks. Ball and Lance Stephenson dropped a new song titled ‘Swerve’ heading into the All-Star weekend. And, unlike some of Ball’s recent works, it’s a surprisingly good song. The song is based, more or less, on swerving other girls for the ones both Stephenson and Ball have now. While the beat is nice, Ball’s flow, one of his best attributes as a music artist, is highlighted in this song. Unlike his recent song with manager DMo titled ‘Geturmerch,’ this song is much better with strong verses from Stephenson and Ball both.
