Additionally, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the lookout for a new center following the catastrophic injury to DeMarcus Cousins, and the franchise could make a big splash in the coming weeks. So, with plenty going on around the league, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for August 17th.

Joakim Noah is an option for the Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to finally end their title drought this season, although the team’s plans for the upcoming campaign were hit earlier this week when DeMarcus Cousins was ruled out for the foreseeable future with a serious knee injury.

With Anthony Davis preferring to play at the four, the Lakers are left with just JaVale McGee at center, and the team is expected to bring in a new big ahead of the new campaign. The likes of Dwight Howard have been linked with a move, although NBC Sports is reporting that Joakim Noah is among the most likely options:

Noah is a two-time All-Star who spent the 18-19 season with the Memphis Grizzlies. Appearing from the bench, the 34-year-old averaged 7.1 points per game on 51.6 percent shooting.

P.J. Tucker withdraws from Team USA due to an ankle injury

Team USA has endured a well-documented rocky build-up to its upcoming World Cup campaign, and ESPN is reporting that P.J. Tucker has become the latest talent to withdraw from consideration:

Tucker’s withdrawal leaves head coach Gregg Popovich with just 14 players as he prepares to take his team to Australia this weekend. Team USA will play three exhibition games before heading to China before the end of the month. Popovich will eventually need to narrow his side down to 12 players.

San Antonio Spurs set to retire Tony Parker’s jersey

Tony Parker retired from basketball shortly after the conclusion of the 2018-19 season, and Le Parisien is reporting that the San Antonio Spurs will waste no time in retiring Parker’s number:

Parker was selected 28th overall by the Spurs in the 2001 draft, and alongside Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, the Frenchman formed one of the most successful Big Threes in NBA history.

During his seventeen seasons with the franchise, Parker started more than 1000 times, while helping the Spurs to titles in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.

0 votes