The 2017-18 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, with the San Antonio Spurs officially starting their campaign the following day. Will the team have superstar Kawhi Leonard available to play the new and improved Minnesota Timberwolves? Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers have lost Glenn Robinson III for an extended period following surgery. Finally, the Cleveland Cavaliers made a trade to finish fleshing out their roster.

An update on Kawhi Leonard's availability

According to the San Antonio Express-New, head coach Greg Popovich told reporters yesterday that, “he (Leonard) won't be available.” This is due to tendinopathy (disease of a tendon) in his left quad, which he has been rehabbing from.

The Spurs have indicated that this developed at some point last season, with the issue causing Leonard to miss of all training camp and the preseason. Popovich also stated that there is currently no timetable for when he could return.

Paces lose Robinson for extended period

The Indiana Pacers announced yesterday that guard Glenn Robinson III had successfully undergone surgery on his injured left ankle to repair medial and lateral ligaments. They will now be without the 23-year-old for three to four months as he recovers.

The 2017 NBA Slam Dunk Champion was expected to be a big contributor to the team following the departure of Paul George. Last season, he played in a career-high 67 games and started 27 of them.

According to Pro Basketball Reference, he set career highs across the board last season in every statistical category.

Cavs make trade and finalize roster

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Richard Jefferson, Kay Felder, two-second round picks and cash considerations to the Atlanta Hawks.

In return, the Cavaliers received the draft rights to European players Dimitrios Agravanis and Sergey Gladyr.

Sources told Wojnarowski that the Hawks plan to waive both players. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers create two trade exceptions of $2.6 million and $1.4 million. By unloading the contracts of Jefferson and Felder, Cleveland will save $12.8 million in luxury tax.

Wojnarowski reported today that the Cavaliers waived veteran center Kendrick Perkins to reach the 15 man roster limit before the regular season. The 32-year-old was trying to make it back into the league after not playing last season. According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the team may offer Perkins a job on their coaching staff if nobody signs him.
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