Mike D’Antoni‘s inability to advance to the second round of head coaching interviews with the Kings suggests that the team is making it a priority to upgrade its defense, according to Marc Stein, who observes in his latest Substack article that Sacramento ranked 27th in defensive efficiency this season after placing 30th in 2020/21.
According to Stein, former Golden State coach and current ABC/ESPN broadcaster Mark Jackson – reportedly one of three finalists along with Steve Clifford and Mike Brown – impressed Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, and appears to have a legitimate shot of returning to an NBA bench. All three of Sacramento’s finalists are known for their “fondness for defense,” says Stein.
If Jackson isn’t hired by the Kings, he’s expected to be a candidate for the Lakers‘ job, though he may not be high on their wish list, Stein writes, adding that L.A. is expected to take its time with its head coaching search and likely won’t move as quickly as Sacramento’s has.
Here’s more from Stein:
- A number of rival teams expect the Timberwolves to attempt to trade guard D’Angelo Russell this offseason, according to Stein. Russell, who is good friends with Karl-Anthony Towns, will be on an expiring $31.4MM contract in 2022/23 after struggling in Minnesota’s playoff series vs. Memphis.
- Mavericks team officials are expressing plenty of confidence behind the scenes that the team will be able to work out a new deal with free agent point guard Jalen Brunson this summer, says Stein. New York, Detroit, and Indiana have frequently been cited as potential suitors for Brunson.
- If Quin Snyder decides to leave the Jazz this spring, the Hornets would have interest in him for their head coaching position, league sources tell Stein. Charlotte is in the market for a replacement for James Borrego.
Let’s say it’s one year contract with the same pay check
I’ll take Hornets job, then Kings
Lakers job has the highest risk
Idea
Russell and Beasley for Brogdon and Hield
Wolves add picks
That’s actually a pretty good trade idea –
Indy I bet would have interest in that
The Lakers could do a lot worse than MJ
Sounds like the Kings are going to the tire store to get some retreads
Why would you want to hire an Unknown, with Zero Experience ?? So we can spend the Next decade w/o sniffing any Playoffs ?? At least these so Called retreads, have made it to the playoffs, which should be our first goal. Once we at least make it to there, then we can see what needs to be done. College coaches have seldom translated into a winning team at the NBA lvl !! We already had 1 or 2 good coaches, but because of 1 or 2 whiny players, the coaches got sent packing instead of the 1 or 2 whiny players.
Tell that to the Wolves who hired a very good head coach with zero head coaching experience; under a retread they definitely would not have had anywhere near the same level of success. Don’t make excuses for front offices who don’t know how to identify coaching talent and prioritize certain attributes.
Wow, 1 case out of how many failures ??
If it was only 1 case out of how many failures, he would be the only good head coach in the league. Except he’s not.
And how is that unexpected? A majority of front offices do a mixed or worse job, and some are downright terrible. It’s hardly a surprise that a lot of bad hires are made. Still doesn’t change the fact hat good front offices stand a much better chance of making a smart hire.
Finch is coaching on his 10th pro BB team, so is not really a newbie. Interesting to start in smalltown SW Ohio, play in England, and start coaching there.
True. In that sense, “zero experience” was misleading.
There’s simply no place for a selfish guy who gets upset for being benched in favor of a guy having a monster game in elimination game. Get rid of Russell ASAP!
KAT didn’t exactly light it up in the playoffs for the Timberpuppies either.
My thoughts exactly. All I remember from him was talking and flexing 10/20 points up and then losing. He honestly gives me Blake Griffin vibes. Fake big, all the talent and skills in the world but gets beat down by everyone and hasn’t produced a thing in the post season.
You right, he was very good, but not great… but, that goes in line with the RS he had, he was very good, but, clearly below the level he showed the last 5 years, hopefully he will be back to his usual greatness!
My favourite Dlo trade idea
Knicks: DAngelo Russell and a second (Hornets)
TWolves: Julius Randle and Mason Plumblee
Hornets: Kemba Walker
Very realistic
Knicks want a starting point guard and it’s seems they don’t want Julius Randle who just couldn’t handle NY. Minny who are light on forwards, could really do with Randle at the 4 who would offer some physicality, secondary playmaking and another scorer. DAngelo who is also very talented and just struggling a little at the moment. He would do well in NY unlike Randle. He’s played in the city before (for the Nets) and was actually a fan favourite. He helped lead them to the playoffs and he would be a great fit with RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin and Mitchell Robinson.
In order to complete the deal, Charlotte comes in and offers to take back Kemba Walker who would be fantastic coming off the bench for them. They give up a second round pick to NY and give away Mason Plumblee. He ends up in Minny where they can decide to cut him and save 4/5mil or use him as a back up to KAT.
Overall win win win
Other ideas:
-Dlo for Bogdanovic and Hernagomez
-Dlo and pick for Eric Gordon and Christian Wood
– Dlo for KCP and Kuzma
-Dlo and a a first for Ben Simmons
I think these overrate Russell. Some team will have to really want an expiring. Russell can be a takeover guard but he would likely mess with chemistry too.
I would like to see hom on Wizards with Beal lol.
Russell can be takeover guy in the past but this year he’s let KAT and Ant be the main guys and played third option. In NY he’d be less of a takeover guy than Randle and likely play second fiddle to Barrett. It would actually remind me a lot of the Nets team which went to the playoffs. Instead of LeVert it’s Barrett, instead of Jarrett Allen it’s Mitchell Robinson.
As for the other deals.
-Dlo to the Jazz, him and Spida would make a younger backcourt. Both have worked a lot with Chris Brickley and would be somewhat familiar which each other’s game.
-Dlo to Houston? Weird fit but maybe they value adding picks and shipping away players.
-Dlo and Beal would be cool. They need a point guard and Kuzma would be a loss but they have Hachimura/Avidja/Kispert and others.
-last one was for the lols. Dlo back to Brooklyn and with Kyrie and KD… Simmons to play with Ant and Kat would be great for building something for the future
That’s not a “win” for Charlotte. You’ve got Charlotte giving away a 2nd round pick essentially. Why, may I ask? If it was to shed Plumlee, okay. But, you want Charlotte to take on Kemba at 9.2m to shed Plumlee’s 8.5m. Both contracts end after next year, too. I fail to see what Charlotte is getting for their pick.
I also haven’t even touched on the fact that Charlotte already has a crowded backcourt, and no need for a bench player there.
Start Lamelo Ball and Terry Rozier and have Kemba Walker and James Bouknight as your guards off the bench.
How is that crowded?
IT is likely to leave in FA to just not brought back. Cody Martin who plays SG/SF will hit FA also and could be costly to bring back. Behind these 4 guards the only other player on the roster that has played guard is Kelly Oubre who is play off the bench at SF…
They give up Plumblee who sucks and a second round pick to bring back Kemba Walker. Arguably the teams best ever player. He would be great coming off the bench in a sixth man role. So much experience and leadership. Yes last season he didn’t do well with the Knicks but it’s the Knicks… the season before that he put up 19-5-4 for the Celtics.
I don’t think Cody Martin costs much more than 12m per, and I’d sooner see the Hornets pay the younger Martin than take on Kemba again. My gut says the Hornets keep Martin and Bridges, and they try to dump Ourbe.
But that aside, I still don’t understand why the Hornets have to part with a pick in your trade. I won’t argue, Plumlee isn’t great. The thing is, and these were your words, last season Walker didn’t do well with the Knicks. Making a trade, you can’t just say yeah, he stunk for us, but we want a pick because he’ll be great for you! The Knicks agreed to let him shut it down, meaning they clearly don’t care if he’s on the roster. His value is what it is, and it’s not worth a pick.