Last week, the Magic decided to fire coach Jacque Vaughn midway through his third season at the helm. Orlando has shown only mild improvement under Vaughn, going from a league-worst 20-62 record in his first season to a 15-37 mark under Vaughn in 2014/15. Vaughn goes out with a total winning percentage of .269, the second lowest for anyone who’s ever coached 200 or more regular season games. Our look back at the week that was..
- The Magic will consider Scott Skiles, Mark Jackson and Michael Malone to take over the head coaching job. George Karl would also be interested in coaching the Magic. Several league sources told Chris Mannix of SI.com that they think Orlando might pursue Tom Thibodeau if he shakes free from the Bulls at season’s end.
- The Kings, meanwhile, have serious interest in Karl, but pushback from center DeMarcus Cousins and minority owners seem to be a roadblock at this time.
- The Hawks are trying to convince Ray Allen to consider signing with them when and if he decides to play in the NBA this season. However, the Cavs are still in the lead for the 39-year-old.
- Amar’e Stoudemire will think about taking a buyout. The Knicks have yet to discuss a buyout with him, however. If he does wind up as a free agent, the Mavs are said to be the favorites to land him.
- The Raptors are “sniffing around” for an upgrade at power forward and league officials have mentioned David West, Taj Gibson, and Kenneth Faried as possibilities.
- The Thunder signed Nick Collison to a multiyear veteran extension worth $7.5MM over two seasons.
- Blake Griffin is expected to miss four to six weeks due to a staph infection in his right elbow.
- The Nets have been seeking trade partners for Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson, and Deron Williams, but they are looking for assets, not just a salary dump. GM Billy King insists that he won’t make a deal just for the sake of making a deal.
- The “prevailing thought” around the league has been that Tim Duncan will retire when his contract expires after the season, but Gregg Popovich isn’t so sure.
- Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird said he’s taking a win-now approach and left the door open to Paul George returning to play this season.
- The Mavericks and Wizards were said to be “among the possibilities” for Kevin Martin, though a report from Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN indicated that the Wizards have not discussed him yet.
- Lakers forward Ed Davis intends to opt out of his contract for next season.
- Every team with which Chad Ford of ESPN.com has spoken has Jahlil Okafor atop its draft board.
- The Nuggets have discussed dealing Wilson Chandler but would prefer to trade Arron Afflalo instead.
- Kevin Garnett isn’t seeking a buyout.
- Knicks president Phil Jackson opened up about the idea of the triangle keeping free agents away and more.
- The Nets and Grizzlies are among the teams interested in signing Andray Blatche.
- The Timberwolves plan to “push hard” to sign former 35th overall pick Nemanja Bjelica this summer.
- The Warriors are willing to pay the luxury tax in 2015/16.
- Boston is unlikely to find a trade for Tayshaun Prince before the deadline.
- The Nuggets are nearing a deal with 6’11” forward Joffrey Lauvergne. The 23-year-old Frenchman was originally selected by the Grizzlies with the No. 55 overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft.
- Nuggets GM Tim Connelly admitted that his team is “very, very aggressive” as it seeks changes to the roster. Team president Josh Kroenke hinted that it’s a matter of when, not if, Denver will make a move.
- The Clippers signed Dahntay Jones for the rest of the season.
- Former Clippers point guard Jordan Farmar joined up with Turkey’s Darussafaka Dogus.
- The Hornets waived Jannero Pargo in order ink Elliot Williams to a 10-day contract.
- The Warriors signed James McAdoo to a second 10-day deal.
- The Timberwolves will sign Lorenzo Brown to a second 10-day deal.
- The Pelicans signed Toney Douglas to a 10-day contract.
- The Pistons agreed to sign John Lucas III to a second 10-day contract.
- The Spurs signed Reggie Williams to a second 10-day contract.
- Sixth-year NBA veteran Austin Daye is expected to sign with the D-League.
- The Sixers signed Tim Frazier to a 10-day contract.
- Pacers draft-and-stash prospect Stanko Barac is finally seeking an NBA deal.
- Former Pistons and Suns power forward Tony Mitchell will play for Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rico.
- The Heat will re-sign Tyler Johnson for the remainder of the season.
- The Bucks signed Jorge Gutierrez to a second 10-day contract.