The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Tuesday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Oct. 30.

James helped the Cavaliers to a 3-0 week behind averages of 21.0 points, 10.0 assists (third in the East) and 8.3 rebounds. He opened the season on Oct. 25 with a triple-double, recording 19 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in a 117-88 victory over the New York Knicks. On Oct. 28, in a rematch of the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals against the Toronto Raptors, James tallied 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in a 94-91 win.

Westbrook led the Thunder to a 3-0 week behind a league-leading 38.7 points and 11.7 assists to go with 12.3 rebounds (tied for fourth in the West). On Oct. 28, he posted 51 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in a 113-110 overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns – the NBA’s first triple-double with 50 points since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975. He added another triple-double on Oct. 30, finishing with 33 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds in a 113-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook is the first player to record two triple-doubles in the first three games of the season since Magic Johnson in the 1982-83 season. He is also the first player in NBA history to tally at least 100 points, 30 rebounds and 30 assists through his team’s first three games.

Kevin Garnett announced he will join Inside The NBA. Garnett will do special remote spots with the program.

“This is my next chapter,” Garnett said in the short video. “The NBA on TNT has a special spot just for me. They’re giving me my own space. You might not like what I say. I promise you this — I’m gonna keep it 100 percent real.”

Garnett is also talking to teams, including the Cavaliers and Bucks, about a "coaching consultant" role.

Garnett announced his retirement in September.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are not actively exploring the trade market of Iman Shumpert.

With J.R. Smith signed on a multi-year deal, the Cavaliers could conceivably part with Shumpert. When the Cavaliers acquired Shumpert and Smith from the New York Knicks in 2015, it was Shumpert who was expected to play the bigger role.

The Cavaliers will only trade Shumpert for a piece they feel improves the team.

Shumpert has three seasons and $30 million remaining on his deal.

Tristan Thompson was considered by some to be a surprise pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the No. 4 selection in 2011 ahead of Jonas Valanciunas. 

Valanciunas didn't come to the NBA until the 12-13 season.

"It's only a surprise if you didn't watch the workouts," Thompson said following Thursday's practice before heading to Toronto. "If you ask ownership and coach (Byron) Scott and CG (Former GM Chris Grant) and even Griff (General Manager David Griffin), if you watched the workouts, there's some other guys in that workout that probably shouldn't have went in the pick they went, but, we won't get into that. It was not a surprise."

Thompson and Valanciunas will always be linked by their draft class.

"In the draft you always have a special bond and connection, especially if you have one that goes right after you, so it's kind of always, I guess everybody thinks you're competing," Thompson said. "But me and him both have a good relationship off the court, so we just push each other and try to get the best."

The Cleveland Cavaliers received their 2016 championship rings before their 117-88 win over the New York Knicks on opening night.

The approximately 6.5-carat rings the owners, players, coaches and front-office members received were encrusted with more than 400 diamonds plus a one-carat diamond that adorns the top of the Larry O'Brien Trophy that appears across the ring face.

The interior side of the ring features a line of seven gemstones to represent the seven games that comprised the 2016 Finals. Three white diamonds depict the Warriors' wins, and four garnets represent the Cavaliers', symbolizing the first time in NBA history a team overcame a 3-1 series deficit to win the title.

Dan Gilbert said he and LeBron James have come a long way in the six years since the 2010 offseason.

James decided to signed with the Miami Heat in free agency and Gilbert responded with a scathing letter published on the Cleveland Cavaliers' website that was only removed in the hours before James returned to the franchise.

"I think everybody learns every day in the decisions they make and the things they do," Gilbert said. "It was just a whole different feeling from Day 1 [when James came back in 2014]. Keep in mind that we just had one bad night in five years that we were here with LeBron -- remember the first two [years James played in Cleveland], Gordon Gund ran and owned the team.

"But we never had a bad day until the way it ended. And as bad as it was, it was one day, it was one night and everybody is a grown man and obviously we focused on the job here. And sometimes things happen for a reason, right? You just never know it at the time."

Gilbert said he and James will meet in the coming weeks to discuss the direction of the Cavs' franchise.

"We go deep and talk about stuff and figure out where we need to go as a partnership," Gilbert said of his meetings with James, which often also include James' representative, Rich Paul, as well as Cavs minority owners Jeff Cohen and Nate Forbes. "It's really a partnership when you think about it."

James said the partnership extends to off-court projects as well.

"We both have two common goals in mind, and that's to continue to build this city, continue to put things up, create jobs and have a winning franchise," James said after shootaround Tuesday before the Cavs' season opener against the New York Knicks. "And for me as a player, make me impact not only in the community but on this team. And he's doing the same."

After paying $54 million in luxury taxes last season on top of a payroll that was already north of $100 million, Gilbert said his ownership is committed to spending big money to keep the Cavs in contention.

"Not even a thought," Gilbert said. "Let's picture this: A little cash in the bank or a championship ring -- what would you take? Not even close. I think it was my grandfather who told me that anybody that dies with money in the bank is a failure. Where are you going to take it? So you might as well invest it in the right things and try to positively impact the world as much as you can. So that's what we believe."

The Cavs' current roster will cost ownership about $130 million with an escalating repeater tax that could add another $100 million-plus to the total bill.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will waive Dahntay Jones as DeAndre Liggins will make their regular season roster.

Jones was signed at the end of the 15-16 season and gave the Cavs a veteran bench presence.

Cleveland has yet to make a decision on Mo Williams.

LeBron James was asked about his thoughts about the MVP race as it is considered fairly wide open entering the season.

Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Michael Jordan (five) and Bill Russell (five) have won more MVPs than James' four.

“Well, I’ve never set into a season saying I want to win MVP,” James said. “I’ve always thought of the season saying I want to be MVP for my team and it’s resulted in me getting four of them. So I’ve been available, for the most part, every night and I’ve been available on both sides of the floor. I’ve been healthy.

“So the simple fact that I’ve been able to win four has been an honor, and it’s been a tribute to what I’ve been able to accomplish in my career, but more importantly being able to be on the floor with my teammates. So, it will be great if I’m able to accomplish another one by doing what I need to do to help this team win. Because we got to win to get one. No matter how great your individual numbers are or your play is, your team has to be successful, and I’ve been able to be a part of some successful teams so far.”

James averaged 36.1 minutes per game two seasons ago and 35.6 last year - setting a career low each time. 

James was asked if his reduced minutes could impact his MVP candidacy.

"No, because Steph played 31 minutes a game and he won the MVP," said James.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard John Holland.

Holland appeared in three preseason games for the Cavs, averaging 10.7 points and 1.3 steals in 18.8 minutes.

The Cavaliers roster now stands at 16.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are attempting to trade away Mo Williams or face a luxury tax hit as they've been unable to agree upon a buyout.

Williams is owed $2.2 million for this season and he did not report to training camp. Williams spent much of the offseason trying to decide if he would retire and ultimately underwent surgery on Oct. 12th.

If the Cavs waive Williams now to create a roster spot, Williams would receive his full salary and the Cavs would have to pay the full tax amount. 

The Cavs have the option of suspending Williams and not paying him, his first paycheck is not due until Nov. 15. But team suspensions do not affect the salary cap and they would still be taxed on the full salary.