The Miami Heat have confirmed Erik Spoelstra signed a contract extension in the offseason.

Spoelstra became head coach of the Heat in 08-09.

"I would like to thank the Arisons and Pat for their continued confidence in me and my staff and [I am] humbled in their trust in me as head coach," Spoelstra said Friday in a statement released by the Heat.

"It has been an incredible 22 years being part of the Miami Heat family and we will look to continue our goal of winning NBA championships."

Fred Hoiberg has downplayed a report that he's on the hot seat as the Chicago Bulls struggle.

“Someone just mentioned something to me about that. You know, I don’t know anything about it, so I’m not going to comment on it," Hoiberg said.

"I’ve got a job to do, which is to try and put this team in a position to go out and win basketball games. Like probably 24 other coaches, I’m trying to find a way for us to go out and play consistent basketball on a nightly basis. We’ve taken some steps at times the last few games, as far as getting back to how we were playing earlier in the year to where I thought we were as good as anyone in the league as far as getting up and down the floor. We gotta find that, we gotta get back to it. So again, my job right now is to do the best job I can as far as putting the game plan together to give us a chance to win the game, and throw it all out there."

Hoiberg replaced Tom Thibodeau in 2015.

Nikola Pekovic acknowledged this week that he's "more prepared for ending my career than returning" to the NBA.

Minnesota is expected to pursue a medical retirement for Pekovic after Jan 31st. Pekovic has had persistent ankle issues.

Pekovic has one year left on the five-year, $60 million deal he signed during the 2013 offseason.

Pekovic has been running Partizan Belgrade while away from the Wolves.

The Phoenix Suns could move Brandon Knight between now and the Feb. 23rd trade deadline.

Knight has been the odd man out in the Suns' backcourt 

Knight agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal with the Suns in the 2015 offseason after he was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks.

Knight is averaging 13.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 23.5 minutes per game this season. Knight averaged 19.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 36.0 minutes per game last season.

Fred Hoiberg is under earlier-than-expected pressure with the Chicago Bulls' disappointing December play.

While John Paxson and Gar Forman haven't escaped questioning as well, the Bulls are increasingly assessing the coaching fit.

Hoiberg so far has been best protected by the fact he's owed a significant amount of money on his five-year, $25 million contract.

The Bulls are concerned with how the players have responded to Hoiberg.

The Houston Rockets have interest in trading for Kosta Koufos of the Sacramento Kings.

The Rockets would like to add a big man with Clint Capela out for several weeks due to injury.

Houston also decided against adding Donatas Motiejunas after his prolonged restricted free agency.

Koufos has a player option in which he can become a free agent in 2018.

The Chicago Bulls have waived R.J. Hunter.

During his time with the Bulls, Hunter (6-5, 185) appeared in three games and grabbed one rebound in nine total minutes.

Hunter signed with the Bulls on Oct. 27, 2016.

Chicago’s roster now stands at 14.

The Los Angeles Lakers brought Donatas Motiejunas in for a workout following the injury to Larry Nance Jr., but they didn't immediately sign him.

Motiejunas is an unrestricted free agent after a prolonged contract stalemate with the Houston Rockets.

The Lakers have Timofey Mozgov, Julius Randle, Thomas Robinson, Tariq Black and Ivica Zubac on their depth chart at the big positions.

The San Antonio Spurs have waived Nico Laprovittola.

Laprovittola, who was in his first season with the Spurs, was signed as a free agent on Sept. 26, 2016. He saw action in 18 games for the Spurs, averaging 3.3 points and 1.6 assists in 9.7 minutes.

Laprovittola played for Lietuvos Rytas last season.

The Dallas Mavericks are signing Pierre Jackson to a partially guaranteed two-year deal.

Jackson had been averaging 29.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 35.7 minutes per game this season for the Texas Legends of the D-League.

Jackson was an early second round pick in 2013 out of Baylor by the Philadelphia 76ers with his draft rights going to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Jrue Holiday trade.