Brandon Jennings takes vacation from Twitter

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on the ever-changing social media world of Knicks guard Brandon Jennings:

Brandon Jennings takes vacation from Twitter

Brandon Jennings wants Knicks fans to cool it on Twitter.

The point guard recently went on a brief hiatus from social media after he became fed up with the influx of bizarre tweets.

Jennings is usually prolific on Twitter, engaging with his fans on a variety of topics, from sneakers to rising rap artists. But he didn’t fire off a single tweet between Feb. 14 and Feb. 19, instead using his All-Star break to spend time with his children and unwind.

“Just needed a break from it. Being a Knicks player, you get all type of weird tweets and stuff,” Jennings said at Knicks practice Wednesday. “So I just wanted to get off social media for a minute. That’s all. Calm it down a little bit.”

Nets trade Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCullough to Wizards

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has acquired forward Bojan Bogdanovic and forward Chris McCullough from Brooklyn in exchange for forward Andrew Nicholson, guard Marcus Thornton and a 2017 protected first round draft pick.

“Bojan is a very good shooter and a talented overall scorer whose versatility gives us an added dimension as we gear up for the stretch run,” said Grunfeld. “He is a proven starter that will provide us an added boost off the bench and allow us to be creative with our lineups.”

Bogdanovic (6-8, 225, name is pronounced BOY-ahn bog-DON-O-vich) has averaged career-highs of 14.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists this season while shooting .357 (99-277) from three-point range in 55 games (54 starts). He holds career averages of 11.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 212 career games (121 starts) while shooting .441 from the field, .366 from three-point range and .847 from the line in three seasons with Brooklyn. The 31st overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft averaged 11.2 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting .433 from the field and a career-best .382 from long distance in 79 games (39 starts) last season.

The 27-year-old sharpshooter has scored in double digits 44 times and tallied 20+ points 12 times this season. He played for the Croatian National Team during the 2016 Summer Olympics, leading all scorers with 25.3 points per game while shooting .506 from the field and .450 from three-point range. Bogdanovic was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 9.0 points and shooting .355 from three-point range in his first season (2014-15). Prior to the NBA, he played 160 games for Fenerbache Ulker of the Turkish Basketball League, averaging 13.7 points and 2.3 rebounds.

McCullough (6-9, 215) holds career averages of 3.9 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting .429 from the field in 11.4 minutes per game. As a rookie in 2015-16, the former 29th overall draft pick averaged 4.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 24 games (four starts). This season, the Syracuse alum has appeared in 14 games with Brooklyn averaging 2.5 points and 1.2 rebounds and has played in 31 games with the Long Island Nets of the D-League where he averaged 18.1 points and 7.7 rebounds to earn 2017 D-League All-Star honors.

“We feel Chris is an intriguing prospect as a first-round pick who was recently named a D-League All-Star,” said Grunfeld. “He has high potential and we look forward to our staff continuing his development.”

Nicholson has appeared in 28 games with Washington this season after signing with the team as a free agent on July 7, 2016, recording averages of 2.5 points and 1.2 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game. Prior to joining the Wizards, Nicholson spent the first four seasons of his NBA career (2012-16) with the Orlando Magic, appearing in 247 games and posting averages of 6.5 points and 3.2 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game. The 27-year-old native of Mississauga, Ontario was originally selected with the 19th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by Orlando after a standout four-year career at St. Bonaventure University, where he earned Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors, as well as All-American Honorable Mention, while leading the Bonnies to their first-ever Atlantic 10 Tournament title in his senior season.

Thornton has appeared in 483 career games with New Orleans, Sacramento, Brooklyn, Boston, Phoenix, Houston and Washington, recording averages of 11.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 23.4 minutes per game. In 33 games this season with Washington, Thornton has averaged 6.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17.4 minutes per game.

“We thank Andrew and Marcus for their professionalism and their contributions to our team,” said Grunfeld. “We wish them both the best moving forward in their careers.”

Ben Simmons health update coming soon

The key piece of the Sixers’ future is center Joel Embiid, and if all goes as planned the other big piece is injured rookie Ben Simmons. Here’s CSN Philly reporting:

Ben Simmons health update coming Thursday

Thursday is significant for the Sixers beyond the trade deadline. It is also the day of Ben Simmons’ CT scan to evaluate how his right foot is healing.

“I feel like tomorrow at some point we’re all going to be able to lay out a more genuine plan for him,” Brett Brown said Wednesday. “I feel like we’re going to be good to go with some greater news and a more advanced detail of his plans after this scan.”

Once all parties involved assess the results, the team will provide an update, which may not be Thursday. Simmons has been sidelined all season after suffering a Jones fracture during the final scrimmage of training camp.

James Harden will need new agent

Here’s the Houston Chronicle reporting on Rockets guard James Harden and how some Laker-related news will affect him:

James Harden will need new agent

Once Rob Pelinka completes the process of going from player agent to Lakers general manager, Rockets guard James Harden will be a max-contract without representation. But he said he has not been barraged by agents trying to recruit him.

“I changed my number so nobody’s calling,” Harden said, at least in part to avoid the pitches sure to come.

“I told him, he’s worked extremely hard. To get an opportunity to be a GM, and the GM of the Los Angeles Lakers, take it. I’ll figure out what I got to do next. But it’s the opportunity of a lifetime and I’m happy for him.”

Miles Plumlee injured, will be re-evaluated in two weeks

Miles Plumlee injured, will be re-evaluated in two weeks

The Charlotte Hornets announced today that center Miles Plumlee underwent a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI), which revealed a second-degree calf strain in his right leg. Plumlee will be out for Charlotte’s game tomorrow at Detroit and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

The 6-11 center was acquired by Charlotte via trade on Feb. 2. He has appeared in five games with the Hornets, averaging 3.2 points on .727 shooting from the field and 3.8 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per contest.

Cavaliers sign Derrick Williams to second 10-day contract

Cavaliers sign Derrick Williams to second 10-day contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Derrick Williams to a second 10-day contract, Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced today. Williams signed his first 10-day contract with the Cavs on February 9th.
Williams (6-8, 245) has appeared in four games for the Cavs this season, averaging 9.8 points on .600 shooting and 3.0 rebounds in 22.9 minutes per game. Prior to joining the Cavs, he played 25 games (11 starts) with Miami this season and averaged 5.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.1 minutes.

Ersan Ilyasova happy for break from basketball

The Sixers resume practice on Wednesday and Ersan Ilyasova will look to be recharged and refocused when he hits the court in Camden. The veteran power forward is determined to find his rhythm after hitting a shooting snag prior to the All-Star break.

“I need it right now, just get away from basketball,” Ilyasova said of the time off following the Sixers’ final game before the break. “Obviously, the last week was kind of up and down. The season is long. Obviously, you have to get your mind out of it. It’s good timing.”

Ilyasova’s plans for the break included traveling to West Palm Beach, Florida, where he owns a home, to spend time with his wife and children who live in Milwaukee. He hoped unwinding with his loved ones would help him move beyond his struggles at the basket.

— CSN Philly

Should Hall of Fame induct Maurice Cheeks?

Here’s the Oklahoman on former NBA guard Maurice Cheeks, whose very successful basketball career has not yet landed him in the Basketball Hall of Fame:

Should Hall of Fame induct Mo Cheeks?

At the end of ESPN’s Around the Horn on Monday, legendary sportswriter Bob Ryan was the winner of the four-man duel for points, earning him the show’s closing words on its “Face Time” segment.

Ryan had something to say about Thunder assistant Maurice Cheeks. Ryan, who’s covered the NBA since the 1960’s, vouched for Cheeks to be inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

At All-Star Weekend, 14 finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame were announced, and Cheeks was not on the list. A player must be retired for four full seasons before being eligible for enshrinement, then can be nominated in his or her fifth year of retirement.

Cheeks retired after the 1992-93 season, and has been eligible for enshrinement since 1998.

Lakers fire PR head John Black

The Lakers made big changes today, putting Magic Johnson in charge of the roster and saying goodbye to Mitch Kupchak, who has been a big part of the front office for a very long time. They also made a big change in their PR department.

The Lakers also announced they have parted ways with John Black who had been the Lakers Vice President of Public Relations for many years. Chief Operating Officer Tim Harris will immediately begin a search for a replacement.

Jeanie Buss added, “We thank John for his many years of service.”

Lakers hire Magic Johnson, fire Mitch Kupchak

Lakers hire Magic Johnson, fire Mitch Kupchak

Los Angeles Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss announced today that the team has named Earvin “Magic” Johnson as President of Basketball Operations.

In addition, General Manager Mitch Kupchak has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately.

Furthermore, Jim Buss will no longer hold his role as Lakers Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations.

“Today I took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Buss demanded and our fans rightly expect,” Jeanie Buss said. “Effective immediately, Earvin Johnson will be in charge of all basketball operations and will report directly to me. Our search for a new General Manager to work with Earvin and Coach Luke Walton is well underway and we hope to announce a new General Manager in short order. Together, Earvin, Luke and our new General Manager will establish the foundation for the next generation of Los Angeles Lakers greatness.”

“It’s a dream come true to return to the Lakers as President of Basketball Operations working closely with Jeanie Buss and the Buss family,” said Earvin “Magic” Johnson. “Since 1979, I’ve been a part of the Laker Nation and I’m passionate about this organization. I will do everything I can to build a winning culture on and off the court. We have a great coach in Luke Walton and good young players. We will work tirelessly to return our Los Angeles Lakers to NBA champions.”

According to the Orange County Register, “Jeanie Buss made the sweeping changes just two days before the NBA’s trade deadline. The Lakers are 19-39 this season, plummeting out of contention after an encouraging 10-10 start under new coach Luke Walton, who got a strong vote of confidence from Jeanie Buss. The Lakers are mired in the worst four-year stretch in franchise history, missing the playoffs in three consecutive years with their three worst records ever. They finished 17-65 last season, a franchise low in the last year of Kobe Bryant’s two-decade run with the franchise.”

Jeanie Buss added, “I took these actions today to achieve one goal: Everyone associated with the Lakers will now be pulling in the same direction, the direction established by Earvin and myself. We are determined to get back to competing to win NBA championships again.”

Regarding Mitch Kupchak, Jeanie Buss stated, “We are grateful for the many contributions Mitch has made to the Lakers over the years and we wish him all the best.”

With regard to fellow owner and brother, Jim Buss, Ms. Buss said, “Jim loves the Lakers. Although he will no longer be responsible for basketball personnel decisions, he is an owner of this team and we share the same goal: returning the Lakers to the level of greatness our father demanded. Our fans deserve no less.”

More from the OC Register: “Though he had initially said in a Spectrum Sports Interview that Jim Buss was in charge, Johnson said in subsequent interviews with CBS and ESPN that he would like to be in charge. Johnson has Hall of Fame credentials as a five-time NBA champion with the Showtime Lakers. But he has no front office experience.”