If you missed any of this past week’s biggest headlines from around the NBA, we’ve got you covered with our Week in Review. Here are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days:
The Lakers failed to reach an agreement with Tyronn Lue, throwing their coaching search into turmoil. Negotiations between the two parties broke down, reportedly because the Lakers only offered Lue a three-year deal. Lue also wanted to pick his coaching staff. Subsequently, the Lakers conducted interviews with former Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff and former Pacers and Magic coach Frank Vogel.
Warriors superstar forward Kevin Durant suffered a calf strain during Game 5 against the Rockets. The Warriors managed to win Game 6 in Houston and wrap up their series with the Rockets without Durant. It’s unknown how many more games Durant will miss during Golden State’s drive for a third consecutive title. Durant’s injury shouldn’t have an impact on his free agent status.
The Grizzlies interviewed Jarron Collins for their head coaching position. The Warriors assistant is just the second known candidate to be interviewed for the job. The Grizzlies previously spoke to Jazz assistant Alex Jensen. Bickerstaff was let go after the season but the front office isn’t in any rush to make a hire.
The Jazz plan to make a run at Sixers free agent forward Tobias Harris. The Jazz know they have to upgrade the roster to become serious playoff contenders. The addition of Harris would be a major boost to their underwhelming offense. According to the report, Harris will consider Utah if Philadelphia doesn’t offer him a full maximum-salary, five-year contract.
LeBron James confirmed that Magic Johnson didn’t give him advance notice he was stepping down from his post. James revealed on his HBO show that he had no idea Johnson was going to leave his post as the Lakers’ president. James said he was going through pre-game stretching exercises when he heard the news. He was disappointed that Johnson didn’t give him a call or send a text before telling the media he was resigning.
Here are 10 more headlines worth passing along this week for the NBA:
- Warriors owner Joe Lacob vows to do whatever is necessary to re-sign Klay Thompson, who will be a free agent after the season.
- Hornets guard Tony Parker doesn’t plan to announce a decision on whether he’ll continue playing until next month.
- Veteran center Marc Gasol isn’t sure what his future is with the Raptors. Gasol has a $25.6MM player option should he decide to stay in Toronto.
- Thunder power forward Patrick Patterson decided to exercise his $5.7MM player option for next season. The creates even more salary-cap issues for the tax-paying club.
- Bucks reserve center Pau Gasol underwent foot surgery and will be out for the remainder of the playoffs.
- The Raptors seem to be making progress in their quest to re-sign Kawhi Leonard.
- The Warriors are hopeful both DeMarcus Cousins and Damian Jones will return this postseason.
- Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta vows to make roster upgrades after his team was eliminated by the Warriors on Friday.
- The Jazz promoted GM Dennis Lindsey to executive vice president of basketball operations and assistant GM Justin Zanik to the GM post.
- Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis is unlikely to back off his trade demand despite recent developments.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
What about the Kurt Rambis, who was a TOTAL FLOP as head coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves, serves as an advisor to Ms. Buss in the Laker’s search for a new head coach and manages to screw that up also ??