After previously reporting that James Borrego was viewed as the frontrunner for the Cavaliers‘ head coaching job, Marc Stein says (via Twitter) he heard multiple times on Friday that Kenny Atkinson‘s candidacy for the job is “gaining steam.”
Atkinson was identified early in the Cavs’ search process as the potential frontrunner, but multiple reporters – including Stein and Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com – have said in recent weeks that Borrego appeared to have the edge. Those two former head coaches have been linked to the job most frequently and it certainly seems like one of them will end up being hired, but that’s not a lock. According to Stein, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori also remains in the mix for Cleveland.
If the Cavaliers wrap up their search and make a decision soon, it will have an impact on their division rivals in Detroit. Both Borrego and Nori are expected to interview for the Pistons‘ head coaching vacancy.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- The Bulls‘ acquisition of Josh Giddey signals that the team isn’t sold on the idea of a Lonzo Ball comeback, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, who adds that director of player development and shooting coach Peter Patton has an “important project on his hands” in Chicago’s new lead guard, a career 31.0% three-point shooter. In his own look at the trade, Jon Greenberg of The Athletic contends that it’s “inexcusable” for the Bulls to make this kind of deal without acquiring any draft picks.
- USC guard Isaiah Collier visited the Sixers this week for a pre-draft workout, a source tells Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports (Twitter link). Once considered a possible top pick in this year’s draft, Collier has slipped to No. 23 on ESPN’s big board, so he could be available for Philadelphia at No. 16.
- Yongxi Cui (China), David Jones (Memphis), Spencer Jones (Stanford), Ajay Mitchell (UCSB), and Antonio Reeves (Kentucky) were among the players to work out for the Knicks on Friday, tweets Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Bondy adds (via Twitter) that Arizona’s Keshad Johnson worked out for New York earlier this month.
- The Hawks are hiring Ben Peterson away from the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and will make him their VP of player health and performance, sources tell Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). Pelissero’s report on Peterson, who was said to be “well-regarded” in San Francisco, has been confirmed by Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link).
I really like McClain for sixers just not sure he fits with Maxey.
I’d say it’s inexcusable that OKC didn’t acquire draft picks on top of Caruso, right?
I mean, Giddey is clearly the better player & just 21!!!
Going to disagree with you there. Caruso is the better player, and to me it isn’t close. But to each his own.
Caruso is 100% the better player, but Giddeys potential ceiling is higher. We will see if he reaches it
Caruso will help OKC in the playoffs. OKC has plenty of picks to get who they want. I think Ball should play like 20 minutes a night for the first half of the season to help him build strength. Giddey may become a star if he has the ball. But what about white now?
I think White and Giddey complement each other well. Giddey can be the primary playmaker bc white can shoot offball; white can also be their primary guard defender along with ayo. And white can take over the offense in spurts while Giddey rests, which is ideal for white, he can playmake for stretches but isn’t the ideal lead playmaker
For that to succeed, the Bulls need a center who can execute pick ‘n roll and actually make enough 3s that someone has to guard him.