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The NBA’s pre-bubble transaction window opened officially on Tuesday, allowing teams to add or drop players from their roster before the league’s attempted restart in Orlando. Some teams may be in the market for substitute options as players decide to opt out of the NBA’s restart, like Portland Trail Blazers forward Trevor Ariza announced on Monday. Let’s check in on news around the league:
- Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon has tested positive for the coronavirus, he announced in a statement on Wednesday. Brogdon said he is “doing well, feeling well, and progressing well.” He plans to join his teammates in Orlando when he has recovered.
- Avery Bradley will not suit up for the Los Angeles Lakers when the season restarts, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Bradley has chosen to forgo play in Orlando due to his focus on his family’s well-being:
At forefront of Bradley’s decision to remain w/ his family is the well-being of the oldest of his 3 children. His 6-year old son has a history of struggling to recover from respiratory illnesses and would’ve been unlikely to be medically cleared to enter bubble with his family. https://t.co/yputDg2VJp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2020
- J.R. Smith is a “leading candidate” to replace Bradley on the Lakers, per Wojnarowski. Smith and Lakers star LeBron James won a championship together in 2016.
- Free agent guard Tyler Johnson has signed with the Brooklyn Nets, according to Wojnarowski. Brooklyn tendered a four-year, $50 million offer sheet to Johnson in 2016 that was matched by the Heat.
- The San Antonio Spurs are signing Tyler Zeller for the rest of the season, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Zeller’s deal includes a non-guaranteed second year in 2020-21.
The NBA’s pre-bubble transaction window is set to expire on June 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET.