The Bulls made it official and formally announced the hiring of Fred Hoiberg as the team’s new head coach. Hoiberg replaces the recently fired Tom Thibodeau on the bench in Chicago. The former Iowa State coach’s deal is for five years, and $25MM. “In Fred, we feel that we’ve got a guy who has a terrific package of skills: a winning coach, a natural leader and a great communicator,” Bulls GM Gar Forman said in the team’s statement. “He is a guy that has played in the league, has been an executive in the league and has had unparalleled success coaching at Iowa State—winning multiple Big 12 Championships, consistently having nationally ranked teams and NCAA Tournament teams. There is no question that we think he’s the right fit and that he will maximize the potential of this team.”
Here’s a look back at the rest of the week that was…
2015 NBA Draft News/Rumors
- The Knicks, who own the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft, are reportedly “enamored” with Kentucky forward Trey Lyles.
- Bosnian swingman Nedim Buza, an early draft entrant from overseas, is in talks about a potential deal with Telenet BC Oostende of Belgium.
- Jazz draft-and-stash prospect Ante Tomic is still reportedly waffling on whether or not to leave FC Barcelona for the NBA.
- You can keep up with all of the scheduled and completed player workouts and interviews here.
Coaching News/Rumors
- The Pelicans hired Alvin Gentry as their new head coach. Gentry’s four year deal is worth a total of $13.75MM, and that includes a team option of $4MM for the final season.
- The Nuggets interviewed Mike D’Antoni, Wizards assistant Don Newman, and former Kings coach Michael Malone for their vacant head coach position. There are reports that Mike Woodson could be in line for an interview as well.
- The Thunder reached an agreement with former Pelicans coach Monty Williams that made him the top assistant on new head coach Billy Donovan‘s staff.
- The Pelicans and Celtics assistant coach Darren Erman reportedly have an agreement in principle for Erman to join Gentry‘s coaching staff in New Orleans.
- The Suns hired Earl Watson as an assistant coach.
News/Rumors
- The Pistons’ Cartier Martin is reportedly picking up his minimum-salary option for next season.
- Andrei Kirilenko is reportedly leaning toward retiring this summer.
- The Grizzlies are considering bringing in oft-injured former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden for a free agent camp next month.
- Longtime NBA front office executive Joel Litvin is stepping down from his post as the NBA’s president of league operations and will assume a role as a consultant, effective September 1st.
- Michael Jenkins, who was in training camp with the Thunder prior to the 2014/15 season, signed a two-year, $1MM deal with the Turkish club Turk Telekom.
- Rockets coach Kevin McHale indicated that Houston wants to sign draft-and-stash point guard Sergio Llull this summer.
- Kevin Durant‘s preference if he were to leave the Thunder when he hits free agency next summer, according to an associate of his, would be to go to his native Washington, D.C. to play for the Wizards.
- Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson is planning to opt out of his $2.85MM player option for the upcoming season.
- Former first-round pick Royce White is closing on a commitment to join the Clippers for the July Summer League.
- The Pistons announced the hire of prominent NBA agent Arn Tellem as the vice chairman of Palace Sports and Entertainment.