Former Suns head coach Earl Watson appears set to return to the sidelines for an NBA team, as Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports (via Twitter) that Watson is finalizing a deal to join the Raptors. Watson – who was pursued by multiple teams, according to Haynes – would be an assistant on Nick Nurse‘s staff. Watson hasn’t coached in the NBA since 2017, but Devin Booker has credited the former Phoenix coach for his accelerated development at the NBA level, Haynes notes.
Here are a few more notes on coaching and front office hires from around the NBA:
- Veteran assistant Popeye Jones, who spent over a decade in the NBA as a player, will leave the Sixers to take a job on Michael Malone‘s staff with the Nuggets, according to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated (Twitter link). Marc Stein first reported (via Twitter) that Jones – a former Nuggets player – was emerging as a strong candidate to be hired by Denver.
- Turkish club Fenerbahce officially announced today that head coach Igor Kokoskov won’t return to the team next season. As previously rumored, the former Suns coach is on track to take a job on Jason Kidd‘s staff with the Mavericks, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPN. In Dallas, Kokoskov will get the opportunity to reunite with Luka Doncic, whom he coached on the Slovenian national team in 2017.
- Speaking of the Mavericks, they’ve hired Nets salary cap strategist Andrew Baker for a senior role in their front office under new president of basketball operations Nico Harrison, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
- Fischer also identifies Nets assistant GM Jeff Peterson and Pelicans assistant GM Bryson Graham as two potential targets for the Celtics as they seek a general manager under new president of basketball operations Brad Stevens.
Path to future for Mavs. One step closer.
Rumors
Mavs want Lowry or Conley
Mavs really want to get rid of Hardaway?
They have to pick one
They will resign THJ and get Goran Dragic. I can see them trading Powell and getting someone like holmes
Agreed to first sentence.
Dragic and Luka are friends
According to Fake rumors, Mavs want Lowry and Conley
Getting Dragic and resigning THJ would be better option. I hope KP would be better used and with a bit of luck they will play in Finals.
I think Fournier and Norman Powell are better options than THJ IMO. Dallas biggest weakness is SF. Finney-smith is an inconsistent shooter and cant guard the driving SF like the Kawhis, LBJs, PG13, ben Simmons, etc. A signing of Evan Fournier, Dragic,and a trade for aaron gordon.I think will be huge for us
I know Evan and Dragic provide little defensive help but there arnt really any strong defenders in this free class… i rather try to outshoot opponents