Headlines
Larry Bird Mum on Bynum’s Long-Term Future
(Andrew) Bynum, who USA Today reported has agreed to a $1 million deal for the rest of the season, will return to Indianapolis early next week but will not be ready to play for several weeks. He was not made available for comment Saturday by the Pacers or his agent.
“I ain’t worrying about next year and I haven’t all year,” Bird said, when asked responding to a question about whether the Bynum addition was for the long term. “We’re in the now and we’re going to do whatever we can to go as far as we possibly can. We know there’s going to be some tough competition but if we get a chance to improve our team, we’re going to try to do that.”
Free-agent guard Jameer Nelson has agreed to a one-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, league sources told The Vertical.
Nelson entered free agency Wednesday, when the Denver Nuggets waived him to create roster space to sign Richard Jefferson and allow second-year guard Jamal Murray to assume the starting point-guard role.
Source: Shams Charania of The Vertical
Bobby Portis has apologized to his Bulls teammates for getting into a fight that left Nikola Mirotic with facial fractures and a concussion. “He didn’t address us today, but he did address the team before so that was taken care of,” Bulls swingman Justin Holiday said after Friday’s practice.
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg acknowledged that Portis’ apology took place during a team meeting but did not want to go into specific details about his message. “I’ll keep that between the team,” Hoiberg said, “as far as exactly what was said in that meeting.”
Source: Nick Friedell of ESPN
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid said he has not been cleared to play back-to-back games and does not expect to be in the lineup Saturday at Toronto.
Embiid was in the starting lineup for the home opener Friday night against the Boston Celtics, scoring 11 points to go along with 14 rebounds in 28 minutes as Philadelphia lost 102-92. Asked after Friday’s game if he was OK with not playing Saturday night, Embiid replied, “Um I’m not OK with it but we have a plan in place and we have to follow it.”
Source: ESPN
