NBA RUMORS AND NEWS

Chicago Tribune "As if the Bulls haven’t experienced enough upheaval of late, Jim Boylen played Jabari Parker a season-low 4 minutes, 10 seconds in the Bulls’ 97-91 loss to the Magic Thursday night at Mexico City Arena. And the Bulls’ high-profile, hometown free-agent signing’s..." December 16

Pro Basketball Talk "Was Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry just using his moon landing comments to sell his shoes? That’s what it seemed like to me, but I suppose we’ll never know for sure. Meanwhile, Curry has gone on his little PR tour in the wake of his boneheaded “joke”..." December 16

The Score "Lonzo Ball captured his first triple-double of the season and the third of his career in the Los Angeles Lakers' 128-100 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday evening. To do it alongside LeBron James - someone he patterns his game after - made the moment even more..." December 16

USA Today "The Philadelphia 76ers got some good news ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. As Sixers Wire’s Cameron Fields revealed, Jimmy Butler will return from injury and jump back into the starting lineup. As Keith Pompey of the Philly Inquirer revealed, there..." December 16

Sporting News "Lakers star LeBron James gave high praise to Lonzo Ball after the two became the first Los Angeles teammates to post triple-doubles in the same NBA game since 1982.  James and Ball reached the feat in the Lakers' 128-100 victory over the Hornets, and the four-time MVP..." December 16

Philly.com "There are few things that are certain in the NBA, but Markelle Fultz and the 76ers being better off without each other is one of them. The 2017 first-overall pick needs a fresh start on a team that will make him the starting point guard. The change of scenery could also help him..." December 16

New York Post "Despite a 9-21 record through 30 games, first-year Knicks coach David Fizdale hasn’t found the need to stage a practice after a back-to-back set — a traditional NBA no-no. However, his comeback-kid Knicks have never fallen by 56 points. If they had, it wouldn’t be..." December 16

Yardbarker "The Lakers refused to break up their young core to acquire Trevor Ariza from the Suns because they’re saving their assets for a run at Anthony Davis, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski said today on ESPN (Hat tip to Real GM). Davis will be eligible for a Designated Veteran Extension..." December 16

Pro Basketball Talk "The Toronto Raptors are making their case to Kawhi Leonard this season — Toronto is 23-8, in first place in the East by 2.5 games, and look like a real threat to make the NBA Finals. Leonard, averaging 26.2 points and 8.2 rebounds a game, is a guy who has returned to the MVP..." December 16

Complex "Michael Jordan's Charlotte Hornets play the LeBron James-led Lakers today, so the GOAT conversation is inevitable.  In an interview ahead of the game, this generation's greatest revealed what it was like to meet the almost-consensus pick for best to ever do it for the..." December 16

Hoops Rumors "Brandon Goodwin will return to the Nuggets on a two-way contract, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. " December 16

Indianapolis Star "Pacers center Myles Turner was fined $15,000 by the NBA after giving the middle finger to 76ers fans during Indiana's 113-101 win in Philadelphia on Friday night. After the game, the Pacers big man tweeted an apology: " December 16

The Score "Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Lonzo Ball finished with triple-doubles in their 128-100 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. It's the first time teammates have accomplished this feat in the same game since Jason Kidd and Vince Carter in 2007 with the New Jersey..." December 16

Real GM Basketball "The Los Angeles Lakers figure to remain active leading to the trade deadline, but it will be the types of deals that don't mortgage their future. "Here's the line they have to walk: they're not going to give away picks and their top young players in some deal that..." December 15

Hoops Rumors "It took two attempts but the Suns struck a deal to part with veteran swingman Trevor Ariza, dealing him to the Wizards for Kelly Oubre and Austin Rivers. However, after a three-team deal cratered on Friday, Suns re-engaged the Lakers in trade talks, per ESPN’s Adrian..." December 15

247 Sports "Trevor Ariza was nearly dealt to the Washington Wizards on Friday before a mixup with the names of the players involved in the deal nixed the transaction. However, the Wizards were far from the most prominent team involved in the still-ongoing Ariza sweepstakes. The Los Angeles Lakers had..." December 15

Hoops Rumors "After a hectic Friday night in which a three-team deal was scrapped, the Suns have agreed to deal Trevor Ariza to the Wizards in exchange for Kelly Oubre and Austin Rivers, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 reports (Twitter link). This version of an Ariza trade included three..." December 15

Sporting News "Kevin Durant warned his Warriors teammates they cannot be so inconsistent or the team will pay the price when the NBA playoffs come around. The Warriors were cruising on the road Friday against the Kings, leading by 16 before a huge 26-point swing left them trailing by 10 with..." December 15

The Score "If you fail once, try and try again. After Friday night's three-way trade fell apart due to miscommunication, the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns were still trying to strike a deal centered on Trevor Ariza Saturday morning, league sources told ESPN's Adrian..." December 15

ESPN "Trevor Ariza began Friday as a member of the Phoenix Suns. He ended Friday as a member of the Phoenix Suns. But for a few brief hours, it looked as though the 15th-year forward was going to be on the move. A deal that would've sent him to the Washington Wizards was completed, then fell..." December 15

Silver Screen And Roll "The Los Angeles Lakers lost the bidding war for Trevor Ariza to the Washington Wizards on Friday, or so they thought. Due to a confusion of which “Brooks” the Phoenix Suns were getting from the Memphis Grizzlies in the deal — no, seriously, that’s what happened..." December 15

Larry Brown Sports "Chicago Bulls coach Jim Boylen, under siege from his players, has leaned on mentor Gregg Popovich for support. Boylen served as an assistant under Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs from 2013 to 2015 and has clearly used him as a coaching influence. The two apparently still speak, as..." December 15

Hoops Rumors "For about an hour on Friday night, the Grizzlies appeared poised to finalize a three-team trade with the Suns and Wizards. The proposed deal would have sent Trevor Ariza to Washington and Austin Rivers to Phoenix, and would have allowed Memphis to acquire Kelly Oubre for Wayne Selden, two..." December 15

SI "Erik Spoelstra understands the question. He’s heard it before. The Heat are 11-16. They have one of the NBA’s top-10 payrolls—a whopping $130 million, all in. They lack a true superstar. The draft pick situation isn’t great. What exactly is Miami..." December 15

The Score "The end of the Denver Nuggets' victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday was highlighted by a brief argument between Russell Westbrook and Jamal Murray. Westbrook shoved Murray while the two were lining up for a jump ball, leading to words being exchanged. Both were..." December 15

Complex "Kendall Jenner and Ben Simmons are a thing, again. After a short break to make out with Bella and Gigi Hadid’s little brother Anwar, Jenner too her rightful place sitting court side at Simmons’ 76ers games at the beginning of the basketball season. Some Philadelphia fans..." December 15

Sporting News "76ers center Joel Embiid was hampered by fatigue in the second half of the Sixers' 113-101 loss Friday to the Pacers, according to Philadelphia coach Brett Brown, who acknowledged the center has "a lot on his shoulders." Embiid scored 28 points off 9-of-15 shooting and..." December 15

TMZ "Charles Barkley says Steph Curry is NOT the best player in the NBA ... and, in fact, he tells TMZ Sports the Warriors superstar ain't even IN THE TOP FOUR!!!! We got The Round Mound of Rebound leaving Matsuhisa this week when he revealed the man some say is the greatest shooter in..." December 15

Pro Basketball Talk "On draft night, the Suns traded the No. 16 pick and the Heat’s unprotected 2021 first-round pick to the 76ers for No. 10 pick Mikal Bridges. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went to the Clippers with the No. 11 pick (via the Hornets). Phoenix is now an NBA-worst 5-24 and lacks even a..." December 15

Sportsnet "Standing in a track suit with his left thumb encased in a massive cast, Toronto Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas was asked to gauge his disappointment at having his thumb dislocated, the surgery that followed and the prospect of a recovery that could stretch to..." December 15

Complex "Rumors recently began circulating that Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could be up for trading in the near future with his one-year contract set to expire. On Thursday, LeBron James was asked about the rumors during an interview, and his response was, to put it lightly,..." December 15

Sporting News "Russell Westbrook said the fourth-quarter scuffle Friday between the Thunder and the Nuggets started because Jamal Murray was in his way.  Seven-time All-Star Westbrook attempted to move ahead of a jump-ball situation with 35.7 seconds left in the game after Paul George changed..." December 15

Clutch Points "Philadelphia sports fans are known for being some of the most passionate fans in all of sports. To some players, this really bothers them. Tonight, this was the case with Indiana Pacers’ center Myles Turner. Joel Embiid had 30 points in the first half of the game against the..." December 15

Pro Basketball Talk "Anthony Davis repeatedly entered and exited the visitors’ locker room after the Pelicans win over the Pistons on Sunday. At a time most players go from their locker to the shower and back then leave, Davis was busy. He visited with people in the hall. He breezed back by his locker then..." December 15

NBA.com "An MRI taken this evening on Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley III revealed a left knee bone bruise. The rookie out of Duke left the game during second quarter action against the Golden State Warriors and did not return. He will be reevaluated in 10 to 14 days and an update will be..." December 15

Pro Basketball Talk "Kevin Durant doesn’t know what Kevin Durant is going to do next summer. It is entirely possible he chooses to remain a Golden State Warrior, on a team that has dominated the West since his arrival and remains the clear favorite to win it all again (despite some stumbles early in..." December 14

Sportsnaut "After seeing the Los Angeles Lakers attempt a unique defensive strategy trying to guard James Harden during his 51-point performance, Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni had a funny reaction. When asked by reporters about the Lakers players putting their hands behind their..." December 14

SI "The Bulls have engaged in trade talks with "several teams" regarding forward Jabari Parker, according to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson. Parker signed a two-year $40 million contract with Chicago in July with a team option for the second year.  Chicago..." December 14

Bleacher Report "Controversy has surrounded Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz throughout his young career, and it apparently isn't confined to the court. On Friday, Candace Buckner of the Washington Post published a profile on Fultz that featured comments from several sources close to the..." December 14

Hot New Hip Hop "Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz was recently diagnosed with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, aka TOS, which will keep him on the sidelines for several more weeks. Though Fultz hasn't played in nearly a month and is currently rehabbing in Los Angeles,..." December 14

The Score "NBA fans finally have a spread on a matchup that has evoked much debate over the past several days. All they need now is a time machine. The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook's Jeff Sherman says that the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers would be 12.5-point underdogs against the current Golden..." December 14

TSN "Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard and guard Kyle Lowry are listed as questionable for the team's game Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Leonard, who is battling a hip injury, has missed the team's first two games on their west coast road trip, big wins over..." December 14

USA Today "These are the Boston Celtics we expected this season. Winners of seven consecutive games, Kyrie Irving swishing near-impossible 3-pointers, Marcus Smart doing a bit of everything, Marcus Morris putting together a career year and a deep bench contributing where necessary. Where have..." December 14

Complex "Paul George's enigmatic offensive game is proving difficult for Thunder head coach Billy Donovan to wrap his head around. "At times he's like, 'Stop—just let me get it,'" Donovan told ESPN's Royce Young for his Friday feature on the Thunder's..." December 14

Black Sports Online "Derrick Rose was sued by a woman for $21 million. She claimed that Rose and his associates gang-raped her. Rose vehemently denied the accusation and instead of settling out of court, he decided to fight it. In 2016 a jury ruled in favor of Rose. His..." December 14

The Score "Four-and-a-half years removed from his No. 2 overall selection in the 2014 draft, Jabari Parker's fresh start with the Chicago Bulls after four injury-riddled seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks isn't going too well. Sources told ESPN's Malika Andrews that Parker would not..." December 14

Pro Basketball Talk "Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has come up in trade discussions with the Suns (for Trevor Ariza) and Rockets. But this isn’t necessarily driven by Los Angeles, Phoenix or Houston. Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times: While sources confirmed that..." December 14

Yardbarker "It wasn’t easy for Knicks coach David Fizdale to part with Ron Baker, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Baker was waived Thursday to open a roster spot so that Allonzo Trier‘s two-way contract could be converted to a standard NBA deal. “This was the hardest..." December 14

ESPN "The Los Angeles Lakers found themselves so frustrated by the officiating in the second half of Thursday's 126-111 loss to the Houston Rockets that several players, LeBron James and Lonzo Ball among them, purposely held their hands behind their backs on a series of defensive possessions to..." December 14

New York Post "It would be kind to describe Joakim Noah’s time in New York as tumultuous. Now newly with the Memphis Grizzlies, the big man has opened up about what he thinks went wrong with the Knicks, and at least some of it has to do with enjoying the New York City night light a bit too..." December 14