After spending the past two seasons as a Lakers assistant, Jordan Ott has agreed to join Kenny Atkinson‘s coaching staff with the Cavaliers, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
Ott, who previously worked under Atkinson in Brooklyn, interviewed for Charlotte’s head coaching position this spring. According to Wojnarowski, Ott was a finalist in that process before the Hornets ultimately chose Charles Lee.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype first reported that Ott was expected to land in Cleveland as an assistant if the Cavs decided to hire Atkinson.
Here are a few more notes from around the Eastern Conference:
- Agents and league executives who have spoken to Brian Lewis of The New York Post don’t expect the Nets to opt for an extended rebuilding process that would see them slowly stockpile draft assets and sacrifice their projected 2025 cap room by taking on unwanted multiyear contracts. According to Lewis, the team is considered more likely to hang onto its biggest expiring contracts – including Ben Simmons‘ – and to pursue roster upgrades a year from now when could have upwards of $80MM in cap space.
- Fred Katz of The Athletic takes a wide-ranging look at the Knicks‘ free agent and trade options to add a backup center, suggesting that Precious Achiuwa might be the top free agent candidate to end up in New York, even though he’s not the sort of “conventional” shot blocker and rim protector that head coach Tom Thibodeau would prefer.
- In a pair of stories for MassLive.com, Brian Robb examines what the Derrick White contract extension means for the Celtics going forward – from both a roster and cap perspective – and notes that Boston will have a couple holes to fill on its coaching staff after the Hornets announced that former Blaine Mueller and Jermaine Bucknor are joining Charles Lee in Charlotte. Mueller coached the Maine Celtics last season, while Bucknor was a player development coach in Boston. Another Celtics assistant, Sam Cassell, was “heavily targeted” by rival teams seeking an experienced assistant, but appears likely to remain in Boston, Robb adds.
- The Hawks are being sued by longtime executive and former team president Robert “Bob” Williams, who has accused the team of breach of contract and claims he’s owed a $660K bonus. Rosie Manins of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has the details in a subscriber-only story.
Hawks are simply a mess.
Hawks can’t fly any more. They are tanking by trading Murray for 2 bad picks.
Hawks are crazy like a fox
They are unwillingly tanking due to their lack of leadership in every department, and the fact that the spurs own their next 3 first round picks. Go spurs go!! Dejounte a real one for this
Back in my day we used to call unwillingly tanking “losing”
Kudos to Cassell for sticking with the Celtics, but why aren’t teams offering him a head coaching job? The guy would be better than half the coaches out there right now.
That’s funny !!!!!
A Hawk executive expecting a bonus ??
If they knew they were moving Murray. Which they did. They could have traded down for Castle. He’s perfect next to Young. And would have got more assets. I mean they still can do it …..
Hawks should officially change their name to “The Pigeons”
Next yrs draft is deep. Nets can just retool and be back in 2-3 yrs. Biggest issue is still Ben .
Achiuwa is a backup to Randle. Can play small ball 5. But is no rim protector. Thibs D philosophy is built on a rim protector. Should have went after Wiseman. Even Bamba. They missed out here.
link to youtu.be
The Atlanta Pigeons ……