NBA rumors: Latest news on injuries, contracts, more
The Oklahoma City Thunder narrowly picked up a win over the Boston Celtics Sunday, winning 99–96. In off-the-court news, the NBA and NBPA have yet to reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement before Thursday's opt-out deadline.
Check out the latest NBA news and rumors below.
• Carmelo Anthony, the New York Knicks forward and vice president of the NBPA, told ESPN he's "skeptical" of getting a new collective bargaining agreement before Thursday's deadline.
• ESPN's Marc Stein reports that one of the key issues is the control over licensing and player likenesses.
• The Detroit Pistons have resisted trade attempts for forward Stanley Johnson, CSN reports. Johnson has found himself in the dog house this year, and was even sent to the D-League recently.
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• Victor Oladipo had a scary fall in Sunday's game, but he should be OK. Shams Charania of The Vertical reports Oladipo passed concussion tests and that the X-rays on his sprained right wrist were negative.
• Jeremy Lin is approaching a return from his hamstring injury, but won't get his wish to play 40 minutes in his first game back, reports the New York Post. Head coach Kenny Atkinson said he doesn't think that's happening and that the Nets will do the "intelligent thing."
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• J.R. Smith is back from his injury, but Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue told the Akron Beacon-Journal that DeAndre Liggins has earned a spot in the rotation because of his play in Smith's absence.
• Josh McRoberts has struggled this year for the Miami Heat, and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that McRoberts's struggles make it unlikely he'll opt-out of his deal this coming off-season. McRoberts has a deal in place worth a little over $6 million for next year.
