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The 2019 offseason is slowly drawing to a close, although plenty could still happen in the weeks leading up to the start of the new campaign. Free agents such as Shaun Livingston and Jamal Crawford have yet to find a team for the upcoming campaign, while big names such as Bradley Beal, Kevin Love and Steven Adams could still complete high profile trades.
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:
The name that bounced around as speculation at the Lakers practice facility (where Team USA practiced this week) was Joakim Noah. The veteran played solidly last season in Memphis...He would fit with their veteran mindset, if LeBron James signed off on bringing Noah in.
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 withdrew Friday, citing a minor left ankle issue. He has twisted the ankle twice in the last several days and decided the best move would be to let it fully heal before going to training camp with the Rockets next month.
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:
The date is ticked: if the diaries do not move by then, Tony Parker will be entitled to a tribute ceremony by the Spurs of San Antonio, his NBA team for 17 seasons , on November 11th.
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.
