Lillard, Robinson and Leonard picked up by Portland
Portland has exercised the third year options on Damian Lillard, Thomas Robinson and Meyers Leonard. The players will now be with Portland through the 2014-2015 season. Lillard is coming off a Rookie of the Year award after leading all first year players with 19 points per game and 6.5 assists per game. He will make $3.2 million this season and $3.34 million in the 2014-2015 campaign. Robinson is set to make $3.53 million this year and $4.24 next year. Leornard will receive $3.32 million $3.08 million in his third season.
George Karl to join ESPN
Last year’s Coach of the Year with the Denver Nuggets will be joining ESPN as a studio analysis. Karl won Coach of the Year only one month before the team let him go. He will be featured on SportsCenter, NBA Coast 2 Coast and NBA Tonight making his debut on the 11 p.m. ET edition of SportsCenter on Saturday, October 5. This isn’t his first time in the studio, serving as an analyst during the 2003-2004 NBA season.
Drake to become the Raptors Global Ambassador
Raptors and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment have announced a partnership with Drake, the hip-hop artist will become a “global ambassador” for the team working as a consultant and business partner. Drake has been a lifelong Raptors fan as he was born and raised in Toronto. He’s held Raptors season tickets in the past and is often spotted wearing the team’s gear and hanging out with players on the roster.
Toronto to host 2016 NBA All-Star weekend
The NBA announced today the city of Toronto will receive the 2016 NBA All-Star weekend. Last week it was leaked the city would be awarded the event, marking the first time it’s been held outside of the USA. The 2016 season will mark the team’s 20th anniversary. The 2014 All-Star game will be held in New Orleans and the 2015 game will be hosted by New York.
Knicks have picked up the option on Mike Woodson’s contract
The Knicks have picked up the option on Mike Woodson’s contract for the 2014-15 season, president and general manager Steve Mills announced today. 
Woodson is entering his second full season after being named interim head coach on Mar. 14, 2012, led the franchise to a 54-28 (.659) mark last season and the franchise’s first Atlantic Division crown since 1993-94. He finished third in media balloting for the 2012-13 NBA Coach of the Year award and was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for April. His .679 (72-34) winning percentage is second-best in franchise history.
Sunday, September 29
NBA Finals going back to 2-2-1-1-1 format
The NBA Finals will return to the 2-2-1-1-1 format pending owners’ approval. The news was broke by Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald and it was revealed the Competition Committee voted unanimously to make the change. The current format for the Finals is 2-3-2 but that could change by as early as next year if approved next month.
Trivia Answer: The offending party was Patrick Beverly of the Houston Rockets.