Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the past week at Hoops Rumors:
Lawrence Frank replaced Doc Rivers as the Clippers’ president of basketball operations. Although Rivers will continue to have a “strong voice” in personnel and basketball matters, and will work closely with Frank, he’ll no longer have the title of president of basketball operations, and will instead focus primarily on coaching. With Rivers stripped of his president title, only Gregg Popovich, Stan Van Gundy, and Tom Thibodeau hold dual roles as head coach and president of basketball ops for their respective clubs.
The Kings have hired Brandon Williams to be their new assistant GM. Sacramento’s new hire most recently served as the Sixers VP of Basketball Administration and GM of Delaware 87ers, the team’s G-League affiliate. Williams previously worked within the NBA league office as Director of Player Development and Associate Vice President of Basketball Operations.
The Nuggets have named Calvin Booth the team’s assistant general manager. Booth, Denver’s new assistant GM, had worked in the Timberwolves front office for the past four seasons and played for seven teams during his 10-year NBA career. Also this offseason, Denver promoted Arturas Karnisovas to general manager and Tim Connelly to team president.
The Timberwolves are working on signing Andrew Wiggins to a five-year, maximum salary extension. These contract talks, however, are in the early stages. Owner Glen Taylor also added that the team plans to extend Karl-Anthony Towns next offseason. Based on projections, a five-year, max extension for Wiggins would net him slightly under $148MM. The Wolves are not offering Wiggins in any potential trades for Kyrie Irving.
Here is the latest from Steve Kyler on the status of potential Kyrie Irving and Carmelo Anthony trades. The Cavaliers are not operating with a sense of urgency and are rather in “fact-finding mode” at this point. Also on the Irving front, the Wolves and Suns have a strong chance to land the disgruntled point guard, but likely only if they relent on including Wiggins and Josh Jackson or Devin Booker, respectively. As for Anthony, the Rockets will likely have to sweeten their offer for the Knicks to agree to a deal. If not, the Knicks appear willing to bring Melo to training camp.
Ten More Stories
- After NBA owners unanimously approved the Pistons‘ move to downtown Detroit, the team will begin playing at Little Caesars Arena in 2017/18.
- Pop star Beyonce Knowles-Carter is reportedly considering buying stake in her hometown Rockets.
- Speaking of Clutch City, former Rockets guard confirms that he requested to be traded before Houston dealt the point guard to the Clippers.
- Recently-signed 76ers guard J.J. Redick revealed that he also had offers from the Rockets and Nets.
- Executives around the NBA are keeping a close eye on DeMarcus Cousins and the Pelicans this season to determine whether he is worthy of pursuing in free agency next offseason.
- The Heat are expected to offer a contract extension to wing Josh Richardson.
- Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari suffered a fractured thumb punching an opponent in an exhibition game with the Italian national team, but he is expected to be ready for Clippers training camp.
- The Hawks have agreed to sign Luke Babbitt to a one-year, $1.9MM deal.
- The Pelicans have signed Ian Clark to a one-year, $1.6MM deal.
- Free agent guard Gerald Henderson may miss the season with a hip injury.