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Knicks Meet With Frank Vogel

May 15th, 2016 at 3:21pm CST by Will Joseph

Knicks team president Phil Jackson met last week with former Pacers coach Frank Vogel, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports. Knicks GM Steve Mills was also present in the meeting, Isola adds. Mills contacted Vogel’s agent the day after Vogel was let go, according to Isola.

Vogel, who was recently dismissed by the Pacers, is reportedly the front-runner to take over for Dave Joerger with the Grizzlies and is also under consideration for the head coaching slots of the Rockets and Magic. Vogel is one of three candidates that seem to be in the running for the Knicks coaching job. Interim coach Kurt Rambis remains an option and former Cavs coach David Blatt met with Jackson and Mills last month.

Both Blatt and Rambis have ties to the Knicks’ front office. Rambis is a close ally of Jackson, who wants the Knicks to continue to use the triangle offense, as Isola writes. Blatt and Mills have a deep connection that dates to their days as teammates at Princeton. Blatt was an usher at Mills’ wedding. Vogel spent one season as a scout under Jackson, but the two did not work closely together, Isola writes. Jackson did not attend the annual college scouting combine last week in Chicago, and considering his meeting with Vogel took place in Los Angeles, per Isola, there is a strong chance that could be the reason why.

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Knicks Notes: Hernangomez, Draft, Jackson

May 15th, 2016 at 2:01pm CST by Will Joseph

Knicks draft-and-stash prospect Guillermo “Willy” Hernangomez was an ideal long-term buy because of size (he is 6-foot-11 and 255 pounds) and because he is regarded as strong, agile and a solid rebounder, Brian Lewis of The New York Post details in an analysis piece. The Knicks have a reported four-year, $4.5MM offer in the works for Hernangomez, who turns 22 on May 27th. Kristaps Porzingis is expected to visit with Hernangomez during his offseason European trip, Lewis writes. The two players are former teammates overseas. It would require the mid-level exception or cap space to ink Hernangomez for a deal for more than two years, as Lewis notes.

Here’s more out of New York:

  • The Knicks are trying to obtain a late first round pick or an early second round pick in next month’s draft, 
 
Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv reports.

, citing sources. That makes sense, considering the Knicks have interviewed a Syracuse shooting guard Malachi Richardson, Syracuse point guard Michael Gbinije, Seton Hall point guard Isaiah Whitehead, Villanova small forward Josh Hart, Maryland point guard Melo Trimble and Florida forward Dorian Finney-Smith among others, who are all projected to be late first-rounders, according to Zagoria.
  • Phil Jackson was not in attendance at the combine and if that was because he was interviewing coaching candidates, that’s understandable, but if not, then he missed an important chance to help the Knicks, Ian Begley of ESPN. com relays (ESPN Now link). In addition to missing out on speaking with draft prospects, Jackson also missed an opportunity to speak informally with agents  and executives about the free agent market, Begley adds.
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And-Ones: USA Basketball, Richardson, Murray

May 15th, 2016 at 12:51pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Paring the USA Basketball roster from 20 to 12 players will be difficult and controversial, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe writes. Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Anthony Davis will sit out the Rio Olympics because of injuries but managing director Jerry Colangelo has added young players like Damian Lillard, Andre Drummond, DeMarcus Cousins, Kawhi Leonard, and Kyrie Irving to the mix, complicating the selection process. Colangelo told Washburn and other members of the media that players will be selected based on position need as well as their performance in recent NBA seasons.

In other news around the league:

  • Syracuse freshman forward Malachi Richardson saw his stock rise higher than any other player during the draft combine, ESPN Insider Chad Ford reports. Richardson is one of the few wings in this draft with the size, speed and skills to get his own shot, according to Ford. He also has potential as a long-range shooter and that’s why his draft stock has elevated to the 12-20 range, Ford continues. On the other end of the spectrum, California forward Jaylen Brown made have damaged his chances of going in the top 10 with poor interviews, Ford adds.
  • There’s still very little separation between LSU forward Ben Simmons and Duke small forward Brandon Ingram regarding the No. 1 overall pick, Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com tweets. Some teams are leaning toward Simmons, while others favor Ingram heading into the lottery, Howard-Cooper adds.
  • Kentucky point guard Jamal Murray interviewed with the Timberwolves during the draft combine, Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News tweets. Murray is currently rated No. 6 by Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress and No. 3 on Ford’s Big Board.
  • Iowa State power forward Georges Niang interviewed with the Nets, according to NetsDaily.com (Twitter link). Niang is considered a late second-round prospect.
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Pistons Draft Notes: Jackson, Maker, Ellenson

May 15th, 2016 at 12:00pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Demetrius Jackson and Wade Baldwin head the list of point guards that might be available with the Pistons’ first-round pick, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com reports. They are seeking a backup to Reggie Jackson and could find that player with the No. 18 overall pick, Langlois continues. At 5’9”, Tyler Ulis might be too small for the Pistons’ tastes but the 6’1” Jackson or 6’3” Baldwin would be prime candidates to fill that need, according to Langlois. That duo expressed excitement after interviewing with the Pistons’ brass at the combine, Langlois adds. Selecting a point guard is certainly a strong possibility but they could also deal the pick, according to David Mayo of MLive.com. The Pistons dealt a non-lottery pick to the Rockets at the trade deadline, only to void the deal because of concerns over power forward Donatas Motiejunas‘ back.

In other news regarding the Pistons:

  • Thon Maker interviewed with the Pistons and they may be intrigued enough by the 7-foot power forward to draft him if he slips to the second round, Mayo writes in a separate piece. GM Jeff Bower has said that the team would be willing to select a high-ceiling big man and Maker, who is making a preps-to-pros jump, projects as a range-shooting power forward with ball-handling skills, Mayo continues. Detroit has the No. 49 overall pick in addition to its first-rounder.
  • Power forward Henry Ellenson did not interview with the club but it would be delighted if he dropped out of the lottery and into their lap, Mayo relays in his latest combine story. Ellenson is the type of stretch four the Pistons covet, even though Ellenson shot just 28.8% from long range at Marquette in his only college season, Mayo continues. “I think I’m just a mismatch problem,” he told Mayo. “So whatever that night gives me, I feel comfortable playing all over.”
  • Shooting guards Malik Beasley and Josh Hart, combo guard Malik Newman, power forward Jake Layman and center Stephen Zimmerman and Ulis are among the players the Pistons interviewed at the combine, Mayo tweets.
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Southwest Notes: Duncan, Grizzlies, English

May 15th, 2016 at 11:01am CST by Dana Gauruder

Retirement decisions by Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili will determine the volume of roster moves made by Spurs GM R.C. Buford this offseason, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News opines. Addressing the team’s five burning questions this summer, McDonald believes there’s a good chance that Tony Parker will be the only member of San Antonio’s longtime Big Three to return next season. The Spurs probably won’t overhaul their roster following a 67-win season, but there will be spots to fill if Duncan and Ginobili call it quits, McDonald continues. The Spurs will make runs at top-level free agents Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Mike Conley and possibly Pau Gasol but they will also attempt to infuse the bench with more youth and athleticism, McDonald adds.

In other news around the Southwest Division:

  • The Grizzlies are unlikely to use their first-round pick on a power forward, Chris Herrington of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal opines. Memphis, which holds the No. 17 pick, drafted Jarell Martin last June and the team views him as their future starter at the position, though he underwent a foot procedure after the postseason, Herrington continues. Zach Randolph still has at least one more quality season in him and JaMychal Green can bridge the gap between Randolph and Martin, Herrington adds.
  • Point guard A.J. English will work out for the Pelicans, Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv tweets. It was previously reported that English, who is considered a potential second-round pick, had scheduled workouts with the Pistons, Bucks, Cavaliers, Wizards, Clippers, Mavericks and Lakers.
  • Swingman Justin Anderson and power forward Dwight Powell give the Mavericks two young building blocks, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning-News reports. The organization has big plans for both players after they showed flashes of promise this past season, as president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson told Sefko. “They are two young cornerstone-type pieces,” Nelson said. “Big hearts. Great work ethic. Those two guys are a piece of the fabric. Our hope is that we can keep that young core going.”
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Kings Rumors: Chriss, Joerger, Catanella

May 15th, 2016 at 10:03am CST by Dana Gauruder

Marquese Chriss’ all-around ability makes him a potential target with the Kings’ lottery pick, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes. The 6’9” forward averaged 13.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in his lone college season at Washington. He is ranked No. 12 by DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony and No. 8 by ESPN Insider Chad Ford. Chriss fashions his game after Sacramento’s incumbent small forward. “I try to play like Rudy Gay,” Chriss told Jones. “I feel like he’s very versatile. He can play from the perimeter, he can post people up, he can put the ball on the ground consistently. I’m working on my ballhandling to get more confident with that.”

In other news regarding the Kings:

  • The Kings used their lottery selection last season on a highly-regarded defender in center Willie Cauley-Stein and should select another defensive stalwart in this draft, Jones opines in a separate piece. The Kings’ perimeter defense was embarrassing, with All-Stars to also-rans collecting season and career highs against them, Jones continues. New coach Dave Joerger can make schematic changes that were lacking when George Karl was in charge but the club also needs more players who can carry out those adjustments, Jones adds.
  • Joerger considers the late Flip Saunders, Gregg Popovich, Rick Carlisle and Phil Jackson as his greatest coaching influences in the league, according to Shahbaz Khan of Kings.com. “You try to do what they did and then see if you can take it a little bit further,” Joerger told Khan. “Popovich and Rick Carlisle also let me be around practices and training camps and let me pick their brain. I’m very lucky to have watched those guys work.”
  • New assistant GM Ken Catanella will assist GM Vlade Divac in a variety of areas, as he relayed to Kyle Ramos of Kings.com in a Q&A session. Catanella, the Pistons’ former director of basketball operations before the Kings hired him, will provide insights in player evaluation and scouting, player development, analytics, salary cap management and sports science.
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Community Shootaround: Duncan, Ginobili, Parker

May 14th, 2016 at 9:47pm CST by Arthur Hill

In a league of constant change, one thing we could count on was the San Antonio Spurs.

Tim Duncan was always going to be the Big Fundamental, effortlessly banking in shots while dominating the boards and protecting the paint. Manu Ginobili was the balding Argentinian guard with the quirky game who knew how to keep defenders off balance and drove coach Gregg Popovich crazy with his shot selection, even when they went in. Tony Parker was the speedy French guard who knew how to get into the lane and had endless tricks for making shots over taller defenders.

The Spurs’ Big Three have rewritten the NBA history books in their combined 48 years of service. They helped bring five titles to San Antonio, although only Duncan was there for the first one. They set a league record for the most career wins by three teammates. They made the Spurs a postseason fixture, with a run of playoff appearances that dates back to Duncan’s rookie season. They played the game the right way — sharing the ball, helping on defense, making the extra pass — and became an example that coaches across the world could point to. They were called boring, but the fans in San Antonio never got tired of watching them. They were classy in victory and defeat. They were dependable. They were always there.

But now they may not be.

After 67 regular-season wins, the Spurs saw their playoff run end in shocking fashion Thursday with a one-sided loss to the Thunder in Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinal series. There will be no sixth title coming to San Antonio this year and no dream matchup with the 73-win Warriors. As the younger, more athletic Thunder raced past the Spurs, it felt like not just the end of the series, but the end of an era.

Duncan and Ginobili both said they will wait to make decisions on retirement. Duncan, 40, has a player option for next season worth nearly $6.4MM, including incentives. Ginobili, 38 with another birthday looming in July, has a player option at a little more than $2.9MM. Parker’s situation is more complicated, as he is signed for the next two seasons at $14,445,313 and $15,453,126. He will turn 34 this week and the Spurs may want to start rebuilding if Duncan and Ginobili don’t return. There are already rumblings that San Antonio will make a run at Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley when he hits free agency in July.

That brings us to tonight’s question: Have we seen the last of the Big Three in San Antonio? Do you expect Duncan and Ginobili to end their careers or will they take one more shot at another title? And will the Spurs try to find a taker for Parker and go in a different direction at point guard?

Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the topic. We look forward to what you have to say.

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Central Notes: Thibodeau, Pacers, Jackson

May 14th, 2016 at 7:40pm CST by Arthur Hill

Former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said it was painful to watch the team struggle to a non-playoff season, according to Vincent Goodwill of CSNChicago. Now president and coach of the Timberwolves, Thibodeau discussed the Bulls as he returned to Chicago for this week’s draft combine. “I think Derrick [Rose] after the first couple months, played very well and it was great to see him healthy,” Thibodeau said. “He went through four years that were difficult. I think Jimmy [Butler] continues to improve and get better. Pau [Gasol] was terrific. Doug McDermott had a terrific season and Niko [Mirotic] was inconsistent but he finished strong. There were a lot of pluses and one or two games go a different way and if Joakim [Noah] doesn’t get hurt, this is a terrific team. They need their health. For me, just looking from afar, that’s the biggest thing for this team.” Thibodeau also supported the coach who took his place, Fred Hoiberg, and said he expects the Bulls to become contenders again next season.

There’s more out of the Central Division:

  • The Pacers will hold a workout on Tuesday for Indiana small forward Troy Williams, Maryland point guard Melo Trimble, Oklahoma point guard Isaiah Cousins and others, tweets Jeff Rabjohns of Basketball Times. High schooler Thon Maker will work out for the Pacers on Wednesday, according to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
  • Maryland power forward Robert Carter Jr. had an interview with the Pacers at the draft combine, tweets Scott Agness of VigilantSports.
  • The Bucks will likely be looking for backcourt help in next month’s draft, according to Charles F. Gardner of The Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee enters Tuesday’s draft lottery with the No. 10 pick, along with second-rounders at No. 36 and No. 38. GM John Hammond insists the team will employ the “best-player-available” strategy, but Gardner says it’s obvious the Bucks need better guard play. One possibility could be Notre Dame junior point guard Demetrius Jackson, who interviewed with Milwaukee during the draft combine. “[Bucks coach] Jason Kidd is awesome,” Jackson said. “I do my research before I go in there. I’m naming off some of his accomplishments — nine-time all-NBA defender. At the next level I really want to be an elite NBA defender. It’s cool to meet some of these people you see on TV.”
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Sixers Notes: Colangelo, Long, Draft Plans

May 14th, 2016 at 6:30pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Sixers are trying not to get too attached to any one player until they learn their fate in Tuesday’s draft lottery, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia earned a 26.9% chance at the top overall pick by posting the league’s worst record, but if the ping-pong balls bounce the wrong way, the Sixers could fall as far as fourth. They will get the Lakers’ pick if it drops out of the top three, so there are a lot of variables before the front office can form its draft strategy. Bryan Colangelo, Philly’s new president of basketball operation, said several teams have contacted the Sixers about dealing for one of their first-rounders. “With so much flexibility, we’re a team that everybody wants to talk to, because we’ve got good young developing pieces,” Colangelo said. “We’ve got draft picks, and those assets equal value.” Philadelphia also owns the Heat’s pick at No. 24 and the Thunder’s pick at No. 26.

There’s more pre-draft news out of Philadelphia:

  • Louisiana-Lafayette forward/center Shawn Long will work out Monday for the Sixers, Pompey relays in a separate piece. Memphis forward Dedric Lawson, St. Joseph’s swingman DeAndre’ Bembry, Villanova shooting guard Josh Hart and Seton Hall point guard Isaiah Whitehead will also participate in the Monday session, possibly along with North Carolina State point guard Cat Barber, whose is questionable after suffering a bruised thigh at the draft combine on Thursday.
  • The Sixers are improving their reputation with draft prospects, Pompey writes in another story. Syracuse shooting guard Malachi Richardson, Clemson forward Jaron Blossomgame and Providence point guard Kris Dunn are the latest prospects to say they would enjoy playing for the Sixers, who have won 19, 18 and 10 games over the past three seasons. “I could tell just by meeting everyone they were really into winning,” Richardson said. “It may not show on the court, but they’re definitely building pieces to get things done.”
  • Colangelo plans to put a heavy emphasis on character as he evaluates draft prospects, according to Brian Seltzer of Sixers.com. It’s a term that Colangelo has emphasized since his first day on the job. “Respecting the game of basketball is something that I think leads to success on the court for some individuals,” Colangelo said Friday at the draft combine.
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2015/16 D-League Usage Report: Lakers

May 14th, 2016 at 5:15pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The NBA’s relationship with the D-League continues to grow, and this season a total of 19 NBA teams had one-to-one affiliations with D-League clubs. Those NBA organizations without their own affiliates were required to assign players to D-League clubs associated with other NBA franchises. D-League teams could volunteer to take on the assigned players, and if no volunteers emerged, the players were assigned at random.

This significant change from the 2014/15 season came about after the Pacers purchased the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and turned them into their one-to-one partner for the 2015/16 campaign. Other NBA teams have interest in following suit in the years ahead, and the NBA’s ultimate goal for the D-League is for all 30 NBA franchises to have their own D-League squads. You can view the complete list of D-League affiliates here.

We at Hoops Rumors are recapping the D-League-related activity for the 2015/16 campaign for each team and we’ll continue with the Los Angeles Lakers, whose D-League affiliate is the Los Angeles D-Fenders:

The Lakers made 15 assignments for the 2015/16 season, sending three players to the D-League for a total of 45 days. Listed below are all the assignments and recalls made by Los Angeles for the 2015/16 campaign:

Here is how the Lakers’ players performed while on assignment to the D-League this season:

  • Tarik Black: Black appeared in eight games and averaged 16.9 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 32.1 minutes per outing. His shooting line was .574/.000/.605.
  • Anthony Brown: In seven appearances Brown averaged 14.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 33.6 minutes per outing. His shooting line was .392/.319/.688.
  • Ryan Kelly: Kelly made seven appearances and averaged 27.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 35.8 minutes per outing. His shooting line was .529/.375/.778.
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