Good morning. Let’s basketball.
Good morning, Melodrama II is coming to an NBA team near you
That and much more in Monday’s NBA newsletter.
MELODRAMA II: Carmelo Anthony will opt out and become a free agent. Everyone put on their La La-issued 3-D glasses!
As Mark Deeks writes, Melo doesn’t owe New York anything. Tom Thibodeau, meanwhile, is leading the Bulls’ pursuit.
RUDY GO HOME: Rudy Gay, however, will not opt out. He’ll stay in Sacramento at least one more year.
LET’S TALK ABOUT KLAY: One rumor has Klay Thompson going to the Lakers. Wherever he lands, Eddie Maisonet is pretty sure Klay is NOT a max player.
SPELLCHECK TO CHICAGO? Reports suggest the Bulls are one of the teams trying to nab Arron Afflalo from Orlando.
LEBRON EVERYWHERE: Zach Lowe surveys the scene for teams that can contend immediately and easily fit LeBron onto their cap sheets. Even the Hawks!
ISAIAH AUSTIN: The Baylor big man, once considered a potential lottery pick, will not play in the NBA after pre-draft genetic tests discovered that he suffers from Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that can lead to heart issues.
The good news is that Isaiah’s condition was discovered in genetic screening; treatment should extend his life for decades. Unfortunately, it means he’ll never play in the NBA.
THE GORDONS: Interesting piece from Marc Spears on Aaron Gordon learning from his brother Drew Gordon’s missteps. Drew went undrafted out of New Mexico after transferring from UCLA.
THINGS THAT HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO: Back on Friday, the Cavaliers hired David Blatt to an incentive-laden deal that could end up paying the coach $20 million over four years. Coaches have gotten more expensive.
SEE YOU AT CHRISTMAS? Joel Embiid is expected to be out 4-6 months while recovering from foot surgery. I am guessing he will not play in the 2014-15 season.
FREE RONDO: There’s a rumor that if the Celtics don’t land Kevin Love, they’ll land Rajon Rondo.
REMEMBERING EDDIE GRIFFIN: Jonathan Abrams with a wonderfully written but sad piece on Eddie Griffin, who we lost seven years ago.
P.J. TUCKER: After plenty of criticism of my decision to make P.J. Tucker the No. 55 free agent came out of Phoenix, I explained why he’s so low.
INTERESTING DATA: NBA Finals viewership is the second youngest among premiere sporting events, behind the World Cup.
PAU UP: The Mavericks will pursue Pau Gasol. Smart move.
NOT PLAYING: Rodney Hood talks about how the season he sat after transferring to Duke helped him immensely.
INCREDIBLE STORY: A brilliant piece of writing and reporting from N.R. Kleinfield of the New York Times on a rookie firefighter’s first blaze.
Happy Monday. See you next time.
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