BNT NBA

The Detroit Pistons have signed general manager Troy Weaver to a contract extension, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

Weaver is in his third season with the team after arriving in June 2020 following 12 years in the Oklahoma City Thunder front office.

The Pistons currently have the worst record in the NBA at 8-25 entering Wednesday.

Detroit has been near the bottom of the standings since Weaver arrived, going 20-52 in 2020-21 and 23-59 last year. The organization's last winning record came in 2015-16, while the last playoff win came in 2008.

Despite the struggles on the court, Weaver has been praised for his ability to flip a roster full of aging players while building a promising young core on the current squad.

After moving on from veterans like Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin, the Pistons have added quality prospects like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren over the past three years.

The few veterans on the current roster, like Bojan Bogdanović and Alec Burks, have been productive, making them potential trade pieces before the Feb. 9 deadline.

Detroit also has a lot of financial flexibility with the second-most cap space in the NBA heading into next year, per Spotrac.

The latest extension gives Weaver a vote of confidence to continue his long-term approach as he tries to build the Pistons into a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta Hawks general manager Landry Fields is replacing Travis Schlenk as the team's president of basketball operations.

Schlenk, who's pivoting to an advisory role, cited personal reasons for his decision:

Throughout this season, Tony and I have had multiple, honest conversations about some of the personal things I've been going through and how I've been feeling, and I appreciate the counsel he has provided me as well as the opportunity he gave me six seasons ago to be a first-time general manager. As we enter a new year, the timing feels right for me to take a step back, reflect and prioritize my family.

The move comes as the Hawks are off to a disappointing 16-15 start that has them seventh in the Eastern Conference. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski referenced what could be Fields' first big piece of business in his new position:

Schlenk has multiple years left on his contract, and will remain in the organization working with owner Tony Ressler, sources said. Fields was promoted to GM in June and will step up and take on a larger role now. Hawks are 16-15 and remain engaged in trade talks on John Collins. https://t.co/6RySqItJgO

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 21, 2022

Fields has had a rapid ascension in the front office. He was only just promoted from assistant general manager to GM in June, and now he'll be running the show.

The 34-year-old is inheriting what appears to be a difficult challenge.

Schlenk did well to accelerate the Hawks' rebuild. Their run to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals doesn't happen without the arrivals of Bogdan Bogdanović and Danilo Gallinari.

The downside of the playoff run was that it significantly raised expectations for the organization and gave the front office the wrong idea about the roster it had.

In the aftermath of the 2021 postseason, John Collins got a five-year, $125 million extension and Kevin Huerter got a four-year, $65 million deal. Huerter has already been shipped out to the Sacramento Kings, and Collins is the source of trade speculation as well.

The Dejounte Murray trade also reflected the increased pressure Schlenk felt to atone for a first-round exit in 2021-22. You give up three first-round draft picks for a player when you think you've found the final piece of the puzzle.

Murray is averaging 20.6 points and 6.1 assists through 26 games, but the trade isn't working out as planned with the team out of the top six in the East. And the front office is now without the kind of assets that could land another difference-maker on the squad.

You also have the reported tension between star guard Trae Young and head coach Nate McMillan. On top of being active prior to the Feb. 9 trade deadline, Fields could plausibly be looking for a new coach before the end of this season.

Even if Wednesday's move was something Schlenk had been considering for some time, he's stepping down at an opportune time for himself.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are counting down the days until Ricky Rubio is cleared from his torn ACL.

Andscape's Marc J. Spears reported on the Hoop Collective podcast the Cavs are "ecstatic about Rubio's return."

"He means much more to that franchise as a leader and as a guard coming off the bench than I think a lot of people know," Spears said at the 40:20 mark.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN added Cleveland is hopeful that a healthy Rubio will allow Darius Garland to play off the ball a little more.

Rubio initially wasn't thrilled to be traded to the Cavaliers ahead of the 2021-22 season but warmed to the franchise as it far exceeded expectations. The 32-year-old played a key role in Cleveland's hot start, and his knee injury was one reason the team couldn't sustain that level in the second half.

In 34 appearances, the 6'2" guard averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 assists and 1.4 steals. He also shot 33.9 percent from beyond the arc, while his 1.7 made threes per game is a career high.

Because of his lengthy layoff, Rubio will likely have an adjustment period as he gets comfortable on the court again. Even if he isn't as good as he was last season, his presence alone could make a difference for the Cavs.

Raul Neto is ostensibly the backup point guard at the moment, yet he's logging just 8.9 minutes per game. Garland and Donovan Mitchell, meanwhile, are each playing at least 36 minutes a night.

Adding another facilitator to the mix will allow head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to ease the burden on his two best guards, so it's easy to see why Rubio's eventual season debut is such a source of excitement.

As details continue to emerge regarding a locker room confrontation among Chicago Bulls players, star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan offered his perspective on the situation.

K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports reported that "multiple teammates directed frustration at Zach LaVine" during a "strong exchange" at halftime of Sunday's 150-136 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that there was an additional confrontation after the loss.

After snapping a four-game losing streak with a 113-103 win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday, DeRozan told reporters he believes the exchange was healthy for the Bulls.

"It'd be a problem if we didn't have any aggressive confrontation. It ain't like nobody threw blows or chairs or anything," DeRozan said. "To have any type of confrontation is just a true sign of a competitor. When you want to win, and things aren't going right, frustration kicks in."

Earlier on Tuesday, The Athletic's Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry reported that LaVine and the Bulls "are not seeing eye to eye." The report also stated, "there's been a palpable feeling across various parts of the franchise of a disconnect over LaVine's situation in Chicago."

The Bulls signed the two-time All-Star to a five-year, $215 million max contract extension over the summer, but the 2022-23 season has not gone the way they'd hoped. Chicago is just 12-18 after Tuesday's win over Miami and sits in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

However, to DeRozan's point, the confrontation on Sunday may benefit the Bulls in the long run. Chicago put forth one of its better offensive performances of the season on Tuesday, with Nikola Vučević (29 points), DeRozan (24) and LaVine (21) all shooting over 50 percent from the field in the victory.

The Bulls will look to carry that winning formula into Wednesday's road matchup against the Atlanta Hawks (16-15).

The Golden State Warriors are struggling in the absence of Stephen Curry, dropping Tuesday's game 132-94 to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

The Warriors didn't put up much of a fight against the Knicks, posting 19 turnovers and 22 fouls. Additionally, the Dubs were outrebounded by the Knicks 47-29.

Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson have led the Warriors in Curry's absence, and that continued on Tuesday night, but the latter's performance was underwhelming as he finished with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and five turnovers in 26 minutes.

Poole, meanwhile, finished with 26 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 29 minutes,

The remainder of Golden State's starting five—Draymond Green, Kevon Looney and Moses Moody—combined for just 20 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.

The Warriors dropped to 15-17 with the loss, and they were ripped by NBA Twitter for a lack of effort against a New York team that is now 18-13 and has found its footing of late:

The Warriors look like a team that has mailed it in. Zero toughness when it starts going the wrong direction, especially on the road.

I get you don't have Curry out there. But the effort is non-existent for large portions of the game.

— Jason Page (@TheBackPage) December 21, 2022

This is a soft defensive effort by the Warriors. Knicks just coming down and going to work

— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) December 21, 2022

Warriors can’t defend. That’s their biggest issue.

— Dekadente (@0xDakedenta) December 21, 2022

I assumed the Warriors issues would get solved prior to the playoffs. Not so sure anymore.

— ChadinPortland 🎙 (@ChadinRipCity) December 21, 2022

Knicks with 100 through 3 quarters vs disgraceful Warriors defense 😳

— Law Murray 💭🚫 (@LawMurrayTheNU) December 21, 2022

The @warriors perimeter defense is nonexistent and has been nonexistent the entire year.

— Cyrus Saatsaz (@SurfJournalist) December 21, 2022

The least the Warriors could do without Steph is show some effort on defense. This is pathetic

— Ollie (@BehanCFC) December 21, 2022

What an embarrassing effort by the Warriors. Getting blown out tonight.

— Ryan (@rvpats1212) December 21, 2022

All of the Warriors efforts are left in Toronto apparently.

— Miggy wants Shai to win MVP ⚡ (@shortnthunder) December 21, 2022

This been a terrible effort by the Warriors.

— Steven (@stevenkat17) December 21, 2022

If the Warriors want to stay in playoff contention with Curry sidelined for at least three weeks, they'll need to sort things out quickly. With teams beginning to hit their stride ahead of the holidays, it's important the reigning champions don't fall too far out of playoff contention.

The Warriors will face the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday before hosting the Memphis Grizzlies on Christmas night.

During the Chicago Bulls' 150-136 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, "multiple teammates directed frustration at Zach LaVine" during a "strong exchange" at halftime, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

Johnson asked Bulls head coach Billy Donovan about the confrontation, and he said "confrontation is healthy" and that players holding each other accountable is a "good thing."

The news comes after The Athletic's Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry reported that LaVine and the Bulls "are not seeing eye-to-eye."

According to Joe Cowley, another confrontation occurred after the game.

The Athletic added in its report that "there's been a palpable feeling across various parts of the franchise of a disconnect over LaVine's situation in Chicago."

At this time last season, things were going well for Chicago as the Bulls were the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. This season, the team is 11th in the conference with an 11-18 record and appears far from contending with the best of the best.

LaVine spoke to The Athletic about the report and the growing frustration within the team:

"I think everybody goes through ups and downs, just like every team does. Obviously if we're not winning games, not everybody's going to be happy. It's not going to look as good as it was before. It's all glitter and show when you're winning games. But when you're losing games and you're trying to do the same things it's turmoil. Everybody has their right to their own opinion. For me, I keep my head down. I work on my game and try to help my team. I help try to lead the team. That's where I stand. I just try to take it day by day and evaluate how we're doing."

LaVine entered the 2022-23 campaign coming off back-to-back All-Star Game selections, but he hasn't lived up to the hype this season, with his numbers down across the board. Through 25 games, he's averaging 21.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 44.3 percent from the floor and 36.5 percent from deep.

After signing a five-year, $215 million max deal over the summer, the 27-year-old was expected to perform far better this year.

The Bulls have had a number of team meetings "to try and work out their issues," according to The Athletic, and that has also included one-on-one meetings between LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, who have experienced an on-court disconnect this year.

Chicago revolves around the play of LaVine and DeRozan, and if they aren't jiving on the court, then the Bulls have little chance of finding success. If the duo can figure out what the issue is quickly, then the Bulls will have a much better chance of becoming a playoff team.

All is not well in the Windy City. Namely, between Zach LaVine and the Chicago Bulls.

Amid the team's surprising 11-18 season, Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic reported Tuesday that "multiple league sources and sources close to the organization say LaVine and the Bulls are not seeing eye to eye. Over the past few weeks, there's been a palpable feeling across various parts of the franchise of a disconnect over LaVine's situation in Chicago."

Charania and Mayberry added the Bulls have held "have held multiple team meetings to try to work out their issues, and that has included one-on-one, face-to-face sitdowns" with LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.

Per that report, LaVine and DeRozan have maintained a strong personal relationship, but on the court a level of "stylistic tension" has been palpable.

LaVine told Sharania and Mayberry:

"There's a certain level of frustration in people trying to figure out what we can do to help right the ship. I think with the players that we have, we try to put it on each other to right the ship. We have those type of guys, those type of mentalities where each of us have been number one options on a team before and then we all come together collectively. It's not going to take one person. It's going to take all of us as a unit. I think that's what guys are trying to figure out how to help the group."

Some of those issues may have carried over from last season. The Bulls were fantastic to start the year and headed into the All-Star break in a tie atop the Eastern Conference at 38-21.

But something shifted down the stretch, and the Bulls limped to an 8-15 record to finish the regular season. That dropped them from the top of the Eastern Conference to the No. 6 seed, and they were promptly dismissed by the Milwaukee Bucks in five games during the opening round of the playoffs.

Like last season, DeRozan has emerged as the team's leading scorer (25.9 PPG). But LaVine has seen a slight dip in just about every statistical category from a season ago, and his 21.8 points per game represents his lowest scoring average since the 2017-18 season, his first with the Bulls.

The Bulls have actually outscored their opponents by 3.6 points per 100 possessions with LaVine off the court, per NBA.com, but have been outscored by 5.3 points per 100 possessions while he's played. That's a concerning trend for a star player.

They also have a negative net rating when DeRozan plays (-0.6), though they've been actively worse (-4.6 net rating) when he sits.

"We've got to get out of the mindset of worrying about scoring and how's it going offensively and realize the ball scores," head coach Billy Donovan told reporters Sunday. "And if the ball's moved and passed whoever scores, scores."

Something is amiss in Chicago. The Bulls have too much talent to struggle to this degree. Unless the team learns how to operate as a unit, it's going to be a long season.

Billionaire Mat Ishbia has reportedly agreed to buy the NBA's Phoenix Suns and WNBA's Phoenix Mercury from suspended governor Robert Sarver for $4 billion, the Suns announced on Tuesday night (via Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium).

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the deal would be completed in the "near future."

Sarver announced his intention to sell the Suns and Mercury in September amid massive public pressure from fans, NBA players and sponsors after an investigation found he used racial slurs, made sexist comments, mistreated employees and presided over a hostile work environment during his ownership tenure.

Commissioned by the NBA, the independent investigation conducted by the Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz law firm found Sarver used the N-word on at least five occasions despite being told by other employees his use of the word was inappropriate. He also made lewd sexual comments toward women, had inappropriate physical conduct with men in the workplace, engaged in inequitable treatment of women and bullied employees.

The NBA suspended Sarver for one year and fined him $10 million for his actions, but those punishments received an overwhelmingly negative reaction. There was almost unilateral agreement that the punishment did not fit the severity of Sarver's transgressions, with LeBron James, Chris Paul and Draymond Green criticizing the NBA for falling short.

behavior. I love this league and I deeply respect our leadership. But this isn’t right. There is no place for misogyny, sexism, and racism in any work place. Don’t matter if you own the team or play for the team. We hold our league up as an example of our values and this aint it.

— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 14, 2022

While the NBA could not force Sarver to sell, it became increasingly apparent the public pressure would not relent. PayPal, the team's jersey sponsor, said it would not renew its deal with the Suns if Sarver remained involved with the franchise after his suspension.

In his press release announcing his intent to sell the Suns and Mercury, Sarver blamed an "unforgiving climate" for his selling the team:

"As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness. I expected that the commissioner's one-year suspension would provide the time for me to focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love.

"But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that that is no longer possible—that whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past."

Ishbia is the chairman and CEO of UWM Holdings, a Michigan-based mortgage lending company. According to Forbes, he has a net worth of $5.1 billion, which has dropped from $9.7 billion in 2021.

Basketball fans may recognize Ishbia's name from his time as a reserve on Michigan State's basketball team from 1999-00 to 2001-02. He was part of the Spartans' national championship roster in 2000.

Ishbia will almost certainly be an instant hit among Suns faithful, who were already disenchanted with Sarver's propensity for penny-pinching even before news of his actions became public. Many fans blame Sarver's frugal ownership style as the main reason the Seven Seconds or Less Suns never won a championship.

The Toronto Raptors could get a major haul if they decide to trade OG Anunoby, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.

"The entire league wants OG Anunoby," Lowe said on The Lowe Post podcast (h/t All Raptors) "Everybody wants OG Anunoby. If he ever gets traded, the price and picks are going to surprise people because it might be on par almost with what the Cavs gave up for Donovan Mitchell. It's going to be a lot if it ever happens."

The Cleveland Cavaliers gave up Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three first-round picks and two pick swaps to acquire Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz this offseason. Mitchell was also a proven commodity, earning three All-Star selections while averaging at least 20 points per game in each of his first five NBA seasons.

There is still plenty of demand for Anunoby, who continues to improve each year in the league.

The 25-year-old is averaging 18.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists this season, while his 2.4 steals per game leads the NBA.

The Raptors have struggled to a 13-18 record this season, including six straight losses, but they are 5.3 points per 100 possessions better with Anunoby on the court, per Basketball Reference.

The 6'7" forward can guard multiple positions and continues to improve on the offensive end, giving him plenty of upside even six years into his career.

Anunoby's name was mentioned as part of potential trade talks with Brooklyn Nets for Kevin Durant, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet, while the Portland Trail Blazers considered shopping the No. 7 pick for him, per Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer.

Toronto held onto the talented player through the offseason, but he could now be expendable as the team falls out of the playoff hunt.

A trade could benefit reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, who would get more touches alongside Pascal Siakam with Anunoby gone. Promising young guard Gary Trent Jr. would also become a permanent part of the starting lineup when healthy.

Anunoby is under team control through at least next season, plus a $19.9 million player option for 2024-25.

New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose sat down with Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic to discuss a host of topics, including adapting to his new role out of the team's rotation, trade rumors and post-career insights such as the possibility of the Chicago Bulls retiring his jersey and a desire to become an NBA governor.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau made the decision to move Miles "Deuce" McBride into the rotation off the bench in favor of the 34-year-old, whose NBA accolades include three All-Star Game appearances and the 2010-11 NBA MVP award.

It's an unusual role for Rose, who has always carved out a niche wherever he's gone despite dealing with significant injuries that curbed his sky-high ceiling when the Bulls selected him No. 1 overall in the 2008 NBA draft out of Memphis.

Still, Rose is taking the decision in stride, even though he made clear that he still wants to play.

"I've learned a simple lesson: Still being here," Rose said in part.

"For one, I'm very appreciative to understand my role. I'm not here for entitlement, I'm not here feeling like I need minutes or anything like that. I'm just here to win and try to help the young guys out. I never thought I'd be in this position. I never thought I'd be playing this many years."

Rose has been out of the rotation for seven games. He played three minutes and 31 seconds at the end of the Knicks' 114-91 road win over the Bulls on Dec. 16 and received thunderous applause from his old home fans when he entered the game and hit a three-pointer.

MVP chants for Derrick Rose as he takes the court in Chicago 👏🌹 pic.twitter.com/aYMMVHSj01

— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) December 17, 2022

DERRICK ROSE DRAINS IT 👌

CHICAGO GOES WILD 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/k2a6xU3yCR

— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) December 17, 2022

Born and raised in Chicago, Rose led the Bulls to their best season (2010-11) since the end of the Michael Jordan era. Chicago finished first in the Eastern Conference behind Rose's MVP season but lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the conference finals.

He's still a legend in Chicago, however, and Charania brought up the possibility of his No. 1 being retired. Rose, who noted that he shies away from the fame, said in part:

"It's kind of awkward, where I feel it will be cool for my family to come to a jersey retirement ceremony like that. But I think about what would I have to say while I'm on the court. It's kind of weird. I'm there, but I think about, 'Damn, I'm going to have to speak to everybody at the celebration.' That's what I think about because I don't always like that moment."

For now, Rose still plays for a Knicks team that has won seven straight to move to 17-13 on the year. He holds a mentorship role for the young guards on the team (McBride, Jalen Brunson, Immanuel Quickley) despite being out of the rotation but noted that he's still prepared to return if his number is called.

"No, I want to play," Rose said. "But at the same time, there's still a lot of basketball left. Thibs (and I) always talk about it—he always says this is the bottom of the mountain, we got a whole mountain to climb. I just got to make sure that I'm always prepared."

Rose's name has popped up in trade rumors and speculation, though, but he noted that the team has kept the lines of communication clear with him.

"The team is keeping communications open with me: When they told me I don't think that they want to move me like that, they know that I have a lot left, and they love my connection and relationship that I have with all of the players on the team," Rose said.

We'll find out if the Knicks decide to move Rose with the Feb. 9 trade deadline approaching, but as far as any post-career moves go, Rose appears interested in joining an ownership team.

"I'm into ownership," Rose said. "I feel like I saved up enough. It's not like I need a loan—I'm good. So I'm waiting. I'm waiting for my time."

For now, the Knicks will look for their eighth straight win when they host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday evening.