By: Nikki Chasteen, Grace Ducanis
Trades are a part of the business
Before All-Star weekend ended, DeMarcus Cousins, former Sacramento Kings center, was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. In an interview with ESPN’s “The Undefeated,” Cousins said he was blindsided by the trade after speaking with Kings’ owner, who assured him three weeks prior that he would not be traded.
Magic Johnson, the new executive in L.A.
Magic Johnson, a former L.A. Laker himself, settled into his new role this week as president of basketball operations. NBA.com reported in an interview on Spectrum SportsNet, the Lakers’ television network, that Jeanie Buss, Lakers’ owner, apologized to Lakers fans for waiting too long to make decisions regarding the Lakers’ future. Johnson has been a familiar face within the Lakers’ organization since retiring as a Laker in 1991.
Braves sign ex-football player to minor league
The Atlanta Braves have announced that they’re signing ex-NFL cornerback Sanders Commings, 26, to a minor league, according to Yahoo Sports. Previously, Commings played for the Kansas City Chiefs. He has not played baseball since his high school years. Yahoo Sports theorizes that this deal will be compared to Tim Tebow’s career switch from football to baseball.
Hawks suspend player for missing practice after visa complications
The Atlanta Hawks suspended point guard Dennis Schroeder for one game after he missed practices on Feb. 22 and 23 due to a delay with his visa, according to ESPN. Schroeder had returned to Germany following the All-Star game, but ran into trouble when he had go to Berlin to obtain a new visa. For missing practice, the Hawks suspended him from the Feb. 24 game against the Miami Heat, replacing Schroeder with Malcolm Delaney in his first career start.
Patriots tight end ready for 2017 season
ESPN reported that Rob Gronkowoski, the New England Patriots tight end, is ready for the 2017 NFL season after major back surgery in December, which kept him from playing during the rest of the 2016 season. Gronkowoski’s injury, eight games into the season, was the result of a hit during a Nov. 13 game against the Seattle Seahawks. The tight end has had eight surgeries during his NFL career.
