NBA rumors: Latest news from the start of 2015 preseason
The NBA preseason is about to hit full swing and the start of the regular season is exactly three weeks away. With the 2015-16 campaign on the horizon, teams and players are preparing for the long haul ahead.
Check out the latest NBA news and rumors below.
• Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will have surgery after dislocating his right shoulder in a preseason game Saturday against the Orlando Magic, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports. Kidd-Gilchrist is expected to miss six months.
• ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith defended himself after Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant said Smith was “lying” when he reported that the small forward was considering leaving OKC to test free agency after the 2015-16 season. Smith said on ESPN’s First Take that Durant should not make an enemy out of him.
• Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose is expected to rejoin the team on Wednesday morning, said head coach Fred Hoiberg. Rose sustained an orbital fracture during practice and underwent surgery to repair his left eye socket. He will wear a mask in his return.
• New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthonyanswered with a resounding “hell no” when asked if he would consider asking for a trade this year, adding “I already came this far,” reports Ian Begley of ESPN.
• Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker is progressing nicely after ACL surgery, but said he will not play in the team’s preseason opener against the Bulls on Tuesday night.
• Journeyman Rasual Butler has a “great shot” to make the San Antonio Spurs final roster, head coach Gregg Popovich told reporters.
• Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Brown will have an MRI on his right shoulder after taking a hard bump on a screen, reports Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News.
