Jamal Murray has decided to not play for Team Canada in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Murray cited the necessity to recover from last season’s long NBA title run as the reason.

“When I came into training camp, I wanted to see how my body would respond after a long and demanding season and if I would be physically able to compete at the highest level required for the World Cup,” said Murray.

“In consultation with medical staff and the team, it is clear that additional recovery is required, and I have made the difficult decision to not participate in the tournament. It’s still a dream of mine to represent Canada at the Olympics, and I will support the team every step of the way as they pursue this goal.”

Canada opens Group H play at the World Cup against France. Group H also includes Latvia, who will be without NBA star Kristaps Porzingis, and Lebanon.

The Detroit Pistons have dismissed Monty Williams as their head coach. Williams spent one year with Detroit, going 14-68, including an NBA record 28-game losing streak.

Williams is owed more than $65 million over the next five years. The Pistons gave Williams the then largest contract for a head coach in NBA history when they hired him last offseason. Williams had planned on sitting out last season after he was fired by the Phoenix Suns, but the Pistons’ financial offer was ultimately too lucrative to pass up.

New President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon was said to be undergoing a thorough evaluation of both the coaching staff and the roster before making any decisions. The ultimate decision to move on from Williams was made by Pistons ownership.

Detroit will now have a third coach in as many seasons, after Dwane Casey was re-assigned following the 2022-23 season and Williams was let go after one year. The Pistons also have decisions to make with the roster, including extension discussions with Cade Cunningham and how to use a projected $64 million in cap space this offseason.