Training has begun for the opening of the NBA season. It should be an exciting year due to many major changes in the league including:
– Chris Paul left the Clippers for the Houston Rockets
– Paul George signed with Oklahoma as did Carmelo Anthony who was traded from NY for Ernes Kanter, Darcy McDermott and a 2nd round draft pick. Anthony, who wanted out of New York, waived his no-trade clause when a deal with Houston could not materialize.
– J J Reddick went from the Clippers to the 76ers
– Jimmy Butler left Chicago for Minnesota
– Dwyane Wade accepted a buyout from the Bulls. Oklahoma is on the move to bring him on board. Cleveland is also interested.
– Kyrie Irving requested a trade from Cleveland and got his wish. He signed with Boston
– Isiah Thomas in the trade with Irving lands in Cleveland. The Cavs said they wanted out because they discovered Thomas’ wonky knee. Also gone are Amir Johnson, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Kelly Olynyk and Jonas Jerebko making Boston begin the job of rebuilding around Irving and Gordon Hayward.
– The Houston Rockets were sold for a reported $2.2 B
– Doc Rivers (L.A.Clippers) and Mike Budenholzer (Atlanta) will no longer combine management duties with coaching
– Former NBA player Anthony Bennett (1st overall pick in 2013 by Cleveland) has signed a non-guaranteed contract with Phoenix. He played for the Turkish team Fenerbahee last season but was waived.
TORONTO RAPTORS:
The Raptors begin training season minus 4 players from last season. P.J. Tucker, DeMarre Carroll, Patrick Patterson and Corey Joseph. Serge Ibaka and newcomer C.J. Miles along with Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRosen and Jonas Valanciunaas represent the experienced players while Norm Powell, Jakob Poetl, Fred VanFleet, Pascal Siakam and Delon Wright will have the chance to step up as they are given more responsibility.
The Raps averaged 50 wins in the last 3 seasons and need to move up to the next level if they want to advance in the post season. Coach Dwane Casey will have to figure out the changes he needs to make to get there. The Raptors predictability has been their downfall when it comes to the post season.
FINES: Teams will face fines for resting players (i.e. resting multiple players on the same night or resting their stars in games that are on TV). Coaches have been doing this when the playoffs are approaching.
