NBA rumors and buzz for Wednesday, Feb. 25
Last week's trade deadline provided a slew of last-minute moves as contenders bolstered their rosters for playoff runs and several teams made moves to set themselves up for the future. The rumors season isn't over, however, as players can still sign with teams until the end of the month and be eligible to play in the postseason. Here is the latest buzz around the Association:
• Bulls' Derrick Rose to undergo right knee surgery for torn meniscus
Rose has a tear in the meniscus in his right knee, which is the same injury that ended his season in November 2013. The Bulls said a timetable will be announced after the surgery. Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix reports two sources close to Rose have not ruled out a return this season.
• Report: Free agent Nate Robinson interested in signing with Bulls
After being bought out by the Celtics last month following a trade from the Nuggets, Robinson has not signed with a team. Sam Amick of USA Today reports Robinson is interested in joining the Bulls to fill in for Rose at point guard. Robinson played for the Bulls during the 2012-13 season, leading them to a first-round victory over the Nets as Rose recovered from a torn ACL.
• Rajon Rondo benched after argument with Rick Carlisle
The Bulls are not the only team with point guard issues, however, as Rondo and Carlisle got into a shouting match during the third quarter of the Mavericks' Tuesday game against the Raptors. Rondo did not play in the final 20 minutes of the game as Devin Harris and JJ Barea led Dallas to a comeback victory.
• LeBron James breaks Scottie Pippen's record for career assists by a forward
After an 11-assist game against the Pistons on Tuesday, James has 6,142 career assists, seven more than Pippen's old record. James is now No. 22 on the league's all-time scoring list and No. 26 in career assists.
• 76ers claim Thomas Robinson off waivers
After the Nuggets agreed to buy out Robinson's contract, it was reported that the Nets wanted to sign him, but the 76ers claimed him off waivers instead. The move pushes Philadelphia past the salary floor. If the 76ers finished the season below the minimum, the difference would have been paid out evenly to the rest of the roster.
• Lakers point guard Ronnie Price out for season after elbow surgery
The Lakers announced that Price had surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow, ESPN's Baxter Holmes reports. In 40 games this season, including 20 starts, Price averaged 5.1 points, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals.
• LeBron James unhappy his 10-year-old son is being recruited by colleges
James' son has several highlight tapes on the internet, but the Cavaliers star is against colleges recruiting his son right now, Lindsey Foltin of Fox Sports Ohio reports. "It's pretty crazy," James said. "It should be a violation. You shouldn't be recruiting 10-year-old kids."
