Around the NBA: Offseason update

No blockbusters to report, but there has still been plenty of action around the NBA.

The NBA has become a year-round hub of basketball entertainment. Even in the offseason, a week does not pass by without the occurrence of noteworthy news (or drama). Over the last 24 hours, for example, we have had both news and drama.

News: JJ Redick has announced his retirement from basketball. After four memorable years at Duke and 15 seasons of NBA hoops, Redick is calling it a career. One of the most prominent college hoopers of the last few decades, Redick’s legacy is bolstered by a pro career in which he showed persistent improvement.

Now, for the drama. Unsurprisingly, yet dramatically nonetheless, Ben Simmons has no intention of making an appearance at the Philadelphia 76ers training camp next week.

Simmons stands to lose substantial amounts of money if the Sixers do not move him during this hiatus. Philly naturally would rather see him moved and have new pieces in place but have less to lose in the short-term than Simmons. An All-NBA defender and All-Star playmaker, Simmons has been knocked hard recently for his lack of offensive development and questionable playoff play. However, he is still a massively talented hooper. This story will continue to develop over the coming weeks.

On to “in case you missed it” news. The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten older yet more experienced and debatably more talented this offseason. They have lost the likes of Dennis Schröder and Montrezl Harrell but have picked up Russell Westbrook and LeBron James’ buddy, Carmelo Anthony. The moves certainly make the team more interesting. But, whether or not it is enough to dethrone the reigning Western Conference Champion Phoenix Suns will be something we must watch in real-time.

Out in the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets employed a similar strategy. The signing of Paul Millsap and the return of LaMarcus Aldridge means more All-Stars (albeit from a while ago). The Aldridge signing came at the expense of The Basketball Movement favorite Alize Johnson. Given his showing as a rebounder and high-motor guy, Johnson quickly found a new home with the Chicago Bulls. (Kill ‘em, Ze)

For better or worse, there is not much other “big” news circulating around the NBA at the moment. Klay Thompson has been reported to have made good rehab progress. The Golden State Warriors need to get their pieces together in a hurry before their stars move past their primes.

The LA Clippers have taken steps towards constructing their new arena within the next several years to further their move out from under the Lakers’ shadow.

New developments? As you may have gathered, writer Wil Harrington is an NBA fan through and through. So stay tuned to The Basketball Movement blog year-round if you even have a passing interest in pro hoops. If there are happenings around the NBA, we will cover it. See you soon!