On the surface, Raptors GM Masai Ujiri may have sounded during his season-ending presser like he was considering a coaching change. However, Michael Grange of Sportsnet believes Ujiri’s comments suggest he has faith in head coach Dwane Casey to adjust his coaching style going forward.
“Yes there is commitment [to Casey],” Ujiri said. “But we are all going to question ourselves. We are all going to seriously question ourselves now, and figure out the best way to do it. Because coach Casey has been a phenomenal part of our success here, you know, and in some ways we owe that to him [the opportunity to continue].
“But I’ve told him that we all have to be accountable. I haven’t slept, and I know he hasn’t slept too, because we’re thinking of ways that we can continue to make these things better, and make the right decisions.”
Ujiri added that the team needs to play a different style and that Casey will be given a chance to make the switch.
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Coach Jeff Hornacek firmly believes Kristaps Porzingis will be on the Knicks next season, as Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News tweets. “There’s no doubt in my mind,” Hornacek said of Porzingis’ place on the team. Porzingis’ brother recently said that the big man wants to remain in New York.
- The Knicks are at the combine in Chicago with an eye on finding players who fit into their system, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. Phil Jackson, who met with several point guard prospects, recently said that the team is “interested in skill players that know how to play together in team form.”
- It would not be smart for the Sixers to sign Kyle Lowry, Dennis Chambers of Basketball Insiders opines. Chambers believes adding Lowry wouldn’t put the team in the championship-contender conversation, but it would push them to mediocrity—a place where Philadelphia sat prior to The Process.
It’s funny to think the Knicks would even consider moving KP.
How do you know that they are considering trading him?
That’s my point. It’s funny to think they’d even consider it, but writers write.
So the Sixers should only compete if they are guaranteed championship contenders? This is a not Ricky Bobby “if you’re not first, you’re last” situation. This is the kind of thought that is common about that team after their ridiculous tanking the last few years. The NBA just needs to fold that franchise and start another team in Philly or elsewhere that will actually try.
“If ya ain’t first, you’re last!”
I honestly doubt the Knicks ever thought of moving KP, I think some writer just came up with that. Obviously, KP wants the Knicks to pick a path and stay on it, stop being Willy Molly
I’d move KP if it were a trade w/the Celtics.
#1 overall pick = Fultz
+ Jaylen Brown
I’d do that trade. But I don’t see the Celtics ever taking a slight loss in a trade.