The Mavericks are in advanced discussions with former Jazz executive Dennis Lindsey to join the organization as a special assistant to GM Nico Harrison, Marc Stein of the Stein Line reports (via Twitter). Harrison has been seeking an experienced sounding-board voice to join the front office in a consultant’s role, dating to last offseason.
Following their failure to make the playoffs, the Mavericks have a pivotal offseason that includes trying to re-sign Kyrie Irving and finding ways to improve the roster, despite limited trade assets and salary cap issues.
We have more on the Western Conference:
- The Rockets will interview former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka for their head coaching job on Wednesday, Kelly Iko of The Athletic tweets. They interviewed former Hornets head coach James Borrego on Monday for their head coaching job, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets. The Rockets have already interviewed former Lakers head coach Frank Vogel and are expected to interview a number of experienced head coaches and prominent assistant coaches in their search to replace Stephen Silas.
- Russell Westbrook is unlikely to be suspended for Game 2 of the Clippers’ series against the Suns, Chris Haynes of TNT tweets. Westbrook had a verbal altercation with a fan during halftime of Game 1 on Sunday.
- Chet Holmgren missed the entire season due to a Lisfranc injury in his right foot but the Thunder big man is ready to get back on the court, according to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in last year’s draft, says most of the recovery and rehab process is behind him. “I’m pretty much past the rehab part of this journey,” Holmgren said, “and now I’m progressing more into the 5-on-5 stuff and kind of taking away any restrictions that I have to this point.”
- There could be a major change with the Trail Blazers’ guard rotation, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian notes. General manager Joe Cronin must decide whether Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe are part of the team’s long-term plans. Either or both could be traded for the All-Star level talent that Damian Lillard craves. Conversely, Simons and Sharpe could be the backcourt starters if Lillard is dealt and Portland goes into a full rebuild.
- The Timberwolves will look to bounce back from their 29-point loss to top seed Denver when they play Game 2 on Wednesday. They’ll need a huge series from Karl-Anthony Towns to have any chance in the series, as Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic details.
- The matchup against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets could show just how far the Timberwolves are from becoming a true contender and whether the Towns-Rudy Gobert pairing can get them to that point, Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune opines.
There are only a handful or so of non point guard players that could come into the Blazers via trade and make them an instant title contender, none of which are obtainable. KD, Kawhi, LeBron, Embiid, Joker, Giannis, AD, Tatum.
Does Brown make them a title contender or just another middle of the pack WC team? He’s the only really high impact player they could (sign and) trade for, bc Trae Young isn’t a fit. Maybe, KAT if he became available.
Lavine; add Caruso and Portland has:
Lillard
Caruso
Lavine
Grant
Nurkic
Bulls won’t make it with the group they got…
Blazers first have to sign Grant. Then can see who is available to trade for. I think Ben Simmons would do good here. Dame takes all the pressure off. So he can just play and get his confidence back. That’s the move for Blazers. Plus they wouldn’t have to give up everything.
Nobody wants Ben Simmons. Blazers were having trouble scoring if Lillard didn”t do it all.
How is that helpful when there is a team full of non scoring, defense oriented, forwards and guards?
Minny should move Rudy.
If Rudy is supposed to be All-World defensively, why was he just not on Jokic at all times. Let KAT play the rim protector in this series. Would probably screw up the Nuggets plans on how they want to play. The idea that they want to include Rudy in the offense is just really unexplainable. Rudy is there for defense, KAT is there for offense, it really should be just that simple. But of course it is way over thought.