Kevin Garnett, who still has one year and $8MM remaining on his deal with the Wolves, is waiting to see how the hiring of Tom Thibodeau as coach and president of basketball operations will affect his future with the franchise, Marc Stein of ESPN.com relays. “I pride myself on being loyal,” Garnett told Stein. “I think I’ve proven that by coming back home to finish my career. I need to see how the next few weeks turn out to truly understand if everyone has that same loyalty. Then I will know what my future holds.” Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported earlier this week that Garnett intends to hold off on retiring and play in 2016/17.
Talks between team owner Glen Taylor and Grizzlies part-owner Steve Kaplan about a would-be deal for 30% of the Minnesota franchise are ongoing, Stein notes. If a deal between Kaplan and Taylor is struck, it would be with the understanding that Kaplan would eventually succeed Taylor as the Wolves’ controlling owner, with the timing of that change up to Taylor, Stein adds. Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press had reported in early March that talks between the pair had “hit a wall.”
Here’s more from out West:
- Pelicans ownership will meet with GM Dell Demps on Monday to discuss his future with the team, though indications point to the executive returning in 2016/17, as Scott Kushner of The New Orleans Advocate relays.
- Much has been made out of the lack of emotion shown by members of the Rockets‘ bench after James Harden nailed the game-winning shot on Thursday night, but their failure to over-react only illustrates that they understand the Warriors haven’t played their best and are still firmly in control of the series, opines Ray Ratto of CSNBayArea.com.
- The Rockets contend that it wasn’t a lack of investment that caused them to appear stoic, but rather that they were upset with themselves for being in that precarious of a position, Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle notes (Twitter links). “All of us were happy we won the game, but we were upset we put ourselves in position that it took a last-second shot,” Dwight Howard said. “For all those people saying we weren’t happy and excited that James hit the shot, shut up.” GM Daryl Morey also defended his team’s response, tweeting, “Big win to keep series on serve and folks are worried about grading cheer technique and execution when there is still time left on the clock? OK.“