Dallas Mavericks
Will the Mavericks run afoul of the CBA clause requiring teams to have eight "players on the bench" for each game? The drama remains very much alive.
Dallas was once again down to just eight healthy players for their loss to the 76ers yesterday. That included two-way players Kessler Edwards and Brandon Williams.
The Mavericks have 13 games remaining. Edwards can be active for just two more games and Williams just five more before they hit the two-way games limit.
Essentially, Dallas will need someone to come back once Edwards runs out of games then someone else to come back once Williams runs out of games.
(Kai Jones has 11 games remaining – but he must return from injury first.)
The Mavericks assigned Anthony Davis and Jaden Hardy to their minor-league affiliate, so maybe they'll actually return this season.
Reinforcements must come from within. Dallas is too close to its first-apron hard cap ($51,148 below) to sign even the lowest-paid free agent. A 10-day contract counts $119,972 toward the hard cap.
However, when fewer than 10 days remain in the regular season, 10-day contracts are pro-rated by days remaining. Dallas has enough hard-cap room to sign four days worth.
The Mavericks have two games in the season's final four days – one on the third-to-last day and one on the last day. So, Dallas can either sign one player for its final two games or two players for its final game.
But Dallas must first reach Game 81.
Forfeits
Bobby Marks of ESPN indicated the Mavericks would have to forfeit if they don't have eight healthy players for a game. I've also heard they'd be fined or they'd just suit up and not use injured players.
Marks generally knows his stuff. That he said it gives credence to a forfeit being the penalty.
But I just can't imagine the NBA – an entertainment business – cancelling a televised and ticketed event over this rule.
Paul George
Paul George will miss the rest of the season after receiving injections in his left adductor muscle and left knee, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
It was hard to see any other conclusion. With the 76ers clearly shifting into tanking, there was little point in George continuing to endure so much physical punishment. He put his body through a lot this season.
In our last 15 in 60, we discussed whether George could bounce back next season. Short answer: I think so, but I don't know. He'll turn 35 this spring. It's only getting harder.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have 95% (!) of their payroll sidelined, according to HoopsHype.
What powerful framing. And that's down from 96% over the weekend.
Tis the season, though.
Mikal Bridges-Tom Thibodeau
Mikal Bridges said he talked to Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau about playing the starters less: "Sometimes it’s not fun on the body." Thibodeau denied having that conversation. Bridges and Thibodeau have met since that strange public disagreement, and the Knicks consider the matter resolved, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
I'm guessing Thibodeau just wanted to keep everything in-house. I'd also guess he's keeping his coaching strategy.
Bridges was heard. Now, he can get back to playing every game, 38 minutes per – until he breaks down.
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson will be out until at least March 27/April 3, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
The Knicks are pretty settled into third in the East – 6.0 games behind the second-place Celtics, 4.5 games ahead of the fourth-place Bucks.
As of March 27, New York will have 10 games remaining. As of April 3, New York will have six games remaining. Brunson must play four more to be eligible for All-NBA.
LeBron James
LeBron James is expected to miss at least another week, with the Lakers being very cautious, Shams Charania of ESPN said yesterday.
The Lakers could make noise in the playoffs with a healthy LeBron and Luka Doncic. Los Angeles – No. 5 in the West, one game behind No. 2 – would also benefit from home-court advantage and easier matchups. It could be a tough balance to strike once LeBron gets close.
In a week, the Lakers will have 12 games remaining. LeBron must play seven more to be eligible for All-NBA.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The NBA is investigating the Thunder for sitting their entire starting five (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein) at home against the Trail Blazers on March 7, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Four of those starters (not Holmgren) played the game before. All five played the game after.
For what it's worth, Oklahoma City beat Portland by 18, anyway.
To reiterate our longstanding stance: The big problem is that the Thunder weren't fully incentivized to win that specific regular-season game. They're gearing up for a long postseason run, and resting during a busy stretch could pay off more later. Want the Thunder to play all their starters in every March game? Make March games matter more.
Also, not for nothing: As a one-off, that Thunder-Trail Blazers game was probably more compelling with Oklahoma City sitting its starters and relying completely on less-heralded players.
Kevin Durant
Watch John and Nate discuss which team should trade for Kevin Durant this summer:
-Dan Feldman