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Brandon Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr. Commit To Team USA

June 5th, 2023 at 8:15pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram and Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. are the latest players to commit to play for Team USA this summer, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets.

That brings the total of players who have reportedly committed to Team USA to eight. USA Basketball plans to finalize the 12-man roster later this month.

Team USA will compete for the FIBA World Cup in the Philippines.

A quartet of guards — the Timberwolves‘ Anthony Edwards, the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton , the Lakers’ Austin Reaves, and Knicks’ Jalen Brunson — have already pledged to play along with Nets forward Mikal Bridges and Bucks forward Bobby Portis.

Ingram averaged 24.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists in an injury-marred season in which he played just 45 games. Jackson averaged 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1.0 steals in 63 regular-season contests en route to being named Defensive Player of the Year. Jackson will provide a much-needed shot blocking presence for the squad, which begins training camp Aug. 3 in Las Vegas.

Another Grizzlies big man, Santi Aldama, is expected to play for Spain in the World Cup.

Team USA will play its first exhibition game Aug. 7 against Puerto Rico and will also make stops in Spain and the United Arab Emirates before its World Cup opener Aug. 26 against New Zealand.

“Unrealistic” For LeBron James To Get Traded To Mavs

June 5th, 2023 at 7:02pm CST by Dana Gauruder

It’s “unrealistic” that the Lakers would consider trading LeBron James to the Mavericks so that he could join forces with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, a source told Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

Irving, who is headed to free agency, reached out to his former Cavaliers teammate about the possibility of playing in Dallas. James has previously expressed his desire to play with Irving in Los Angeles and was believed to be disappointed when the Lakers didn’t acquire him at February’s trade deadline.

However, as Buha details, the Lakers aren’t interested in what the Mavericks might offer from their roster for their aging superstar, who hinted at retirement after the team was eliminated by Denver in the Western Conference Finals. Dallas doesn’t have the young talent outside of Doncic to entice the Lakers if James were to ask for a trade. Even multiple draft picks to sweeten the pot (Dallas owns the No. 10 pick) probably wouldn’t get the job done.

James isn’t using Irving’s interest in playing with him as leverage to try to force the Lakers front office to pursue a sign-and-trade for the free agent guard, according to Buha.

Irving’s recruitment of James suggests that he prefers to sign the Mavericks’ max offer (or something close to it) rather than taking less money from the Lakers, Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News notes.

The Lakers could open up as much as $30-35MM in cap space to sign Irving but he apparently doesn’t want to take a discount. A sign-and-trade scenario would be much more appealing to Irving because he could get a higher salary.

Los Angeles, from all indications, is more focused on retaining some of its top free agents (Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves). Lakers sources reiterated to Buha on Monday they’re not looking to add Irving.

Outside of a trade, the only way James could join the Mavs would be via a buyout of his contract and that seems like an extreme long shot. James has one year remaining on his contract at $46.9MM and then a player option for the 2024/25 season worth $50.65MM.

Tyler Herro Still Feels Soreness In Hand, Finals’ Status In Doubt

June 5th, 2023 at 6:15pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Tyler Herro is still experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired right hand and his status for the Finals remains up in the air. The Heat guard told ESPN sideline reporter Ros Gold-Onwude (Twitter link) that the hand continues to swell up when he’s shooting.

Herro said the soreness occurs when he’s making the follow-through on his shooting motion. He also shared his concerns about returning to action and messing up the team’s rhythm.

Herro participated in all aspects of the team practice prior to Miami’s victory in Game 2 but wants to be sure the timing is right for his return.

Herro hasn’t played since breaking the hand in the first game of the opening round against Milwaukee. He still hasn’t received full medical clearance to suit up, though coach Erik Spoelstra was pleased with the guard’s progress.

Multiple reports indicated that Game 3 on Wednesday in Miami was the target for Herro’s return. However, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel hears through a source familiar with the process that Herro won’t play in the series (Twitter link).

Miami Herald beat reporters Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson also cite a source who claims that the expectation Herro will definitely return in the Finals is overstated.

Josh Hart Plans To Opt Out, Wants To Re-Sign With Knicks

June 5th, 2023 at 5:01pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Knicks wing Josh Hart confirmed he intends to opt out of his contract, but he hopes to re-sign with the club, he told Taylor Rooks of TNT and Bleacher Report (video link).

“We’ll probably decline that (option) and do the free agency thing,” Hart said.

Hart will leave $12.96MM on the table but he’s expected to get a raise in free agency, whether or not he stays in New York.

Hart started 51 games for the Trail Blazers this season before he was dealt to the Knicks at February’s trade deadline. He came off the bench for the Knicks in all but one regular-season game after the trade, averaging 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 25 contests. He appeared in 11 playoff games, including five starts, averaging 10.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

Hart enjoyed his experience with the Knicks and hopes to remain there for years to come.

“I love New York. I love the team. I love the coaching staff and the front office that we have. Obviously, that would be an ideal place for me, to just re-sign there,” he said. “Everything’s perfect off the court and on the court.”

However, Hart’s all-around skills will likely attract other suitors. His next contract could have a first-year salary in the $15-18MM range and it’s not far fetched he could get an even higher salary.

Hart would like to make a commitment in the “first day or two” of free agency. In his previous foray into free agency in 2021, Hart was a restricted free agent with the Pelicans. He signed a three-year, $37.92MM contract with a player option but it took weeks for everything to finalize.

“I kind of actually cried a little bit. It took like three weeks to get it done,” he said. “I was like, ‘Do people want me in the league?’ I don’t think this free agency will go that way.”

Suns To Hire David Fizdale As Assistant Coach

June 5th, 2023 at 3:57pm CST by Rory Maher

The Suns are adding former Grizzlies and Knicks head coach David Fizdale to be an assistant on Frank Vogel‘s coaching staff, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).

According to Wojnarowski, Phoenix made a “significant financial play” to lure Fizdale away from his current position as associate general manager of the Jazz. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, who first reported that Fizdale was a prime candidate to join Vogel in Phoenix, hears that Fizdale tripled his salary and will be making in the range of $1.2-1.5MM annually (Twitter link).

Gambadoro writes that Fizdale was happy with his job in Utah, but enjoyed working with Vogel after spending the 2021/22 season on his staff with the Lakers. Wojnarowski notes that Fizdale also has experience with Suns president of basketball operations and GM James Jones, as they spent several years together in Miami when Jones was a player, winning a couple of championships.

Fizdale, who played college ball at San Diego from 1992-96, became an assistant coach at his alma mater in 1998. He made the transition to the NBA in 2003 and served as an assistant coach for the Warriors, Hawks, and Heat before being hired as the head coach of the Grizzlies in 2016. The 48-year-old had brief head coaching stints in Memphis and New York, compiling a 71-134 record (.346 winning percentage) and making one playoff appearance.

Kenny Atkinson A Finalist For Raptors’ Coaching Job?

June 5th, 2023 at 2:16pm CST by Rory Maher

Kenny Atkinson, who is currently an assistant coach with the Warriors, recently traveled to Toronto for an in-person interview for the Raptors‘ head coaching job, reports Marc Stein at Substack.

A longtime NBA assistant who has spent time with the Knicks, Hawks and Clippers, Atkinson was the head coach of the Nets from 2016-20, accruing a 118-190 record (.383) over parts of four seasons. He has been with the Warriors for the past two seasons.

The Nets improved their win total in each of Atkinson’s first three seasons, making the playoffs in ’18/19. Known as a player development guru, the 55-year-old had a verbal agreement to become Charlotte’s head coach last offseason, but backed out of the arrangement before it was finalized, citing family considerations as a factor in his decision.

Atkinson was a finalist for Milwaukee’s coaching vacancy, which ultimately went to Adrian Griffin, and also interviewed or was expected to interview this spring for the previous openings in Houston and Phoenix.

The Raptors have been very secretive about their search for a new lead coach this offseason after dismissing Nick Nurse. However, they are reportedly in the final stages of interviews and are expected to hire a new coach relatively soon.

According to Stein, since Atkinson interviewed at this juncture, he’s believed to join a group of finalists that includes Virtus Bologna head coach Sergio Scariolo, Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez, and Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic. Sources tell Stein that Scariolo’s second interview was set for “as early as Monday,” though it isn’t clear if he’ll be traveling to Toronto, since his Italian team is about to begin its championship series Friday.

As Stein writes, there’s no real consensus about which coach the Raptors might favor. Some view Scariolo as the frontrunner due to his ties to the organization, having served as an assistant under Nurse for three seasons, but Stein hears Fernandez is also a “name to watch.”

Clippers Promote Redden To GM, Hughes To Senior Vice President

June 5th, 2023 at 1:10pm CST by Rory Maher

1:10pm: The two promotions are now official, the Clippers announced (Twitter link via Greif).

12:36pm: After Michael Winger was hired away by the Wizards to be their new president, the Clippers have decided to promote Trent Redden to take his place as general manager, a league source tells Andrew Greif of The Los Angles Times.

Marc Stein reported at Substack over the weekend that Redden was a “strong candidate” to be promoted.

Redden has been an assistant GM with the Clippers since 2017. He previously worked with the Cavaliers for 11 seasons, winning a title as assistant GM with Cleveland in 2016.

Another assistant GM who joined Los Angeles at the same time, Mark Hughes, will also be receiving a promotion, with a new title of senior vice president as well as assistant GM, reports Greif.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirms the news, adding that both Redden and Hughes will continue to report to president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. Redden has been a key strategist and talent evaluator for the Clippers, while Hughes is known for his leadership and scouting abilities, according to Wojnarowski, who notes both front office members have drawn interest from rival teams in the past.

Hughes has a diverse basketball background. A former international player, Hughes also played and coached in the Continental Basketball Association before becoming an NBA assistant coach with the Magic and Kings.

He then transitioned to a scouting role with the Knicks, later receiving a promotion to director of player personnel. He spent 10 seasons with New York (2007-17).

Nuggets Notes: Malone, Jokic, Strategy, Game 3

June 5th, 2023 at 12:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Nuggets coach Michael Malone was incredulous about the way his team approached Game 2 of the NBA Finals, writes Mike Singer of The Denver Post. With a chance to take control of the series, the Nuggets came out flat Sunday night, allowing Miami to start the game on a 10-2 run.

“We had guys out there that were just whether feeling sorry for themselves for not making shots or thinking they can just turn it on or off. This is not the preseason, this is not the regular season,” Malone said. “This is the NBA Finals. That to me is really, really perplexing, disappointing.”

Malone was particularly upset about “miscommunication, game-plan breakdowns, personnel breakdowns” that enabled the Heat to shoot 17-of-35 from three-point range. He cited slow rotations and called for his players to start making contact with Miami’s shooters as soon as they cross mid-court.

“Those are guys that we are supposed to have a heightened awareness to,” Malone said. “As I mentioned after Game 1, the fact that they got 16 wide-open threes was concerning. They didn’t make them. So we got lucky in Game 1. ”

There’s more from Denver:

Nikola Jokic had 41 points Sunday night, but Miami was able to disrupt the Nuggets’ offense by turning him into more of a scorer than a passer, notes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. Jokic had 10 assists by halftime in Game 1, but only four overall in Game 2. “They just put us in their rhythm,” Jokic said. “And we didn’t want to play that way, and they want to, obviously. But maybe just to play a little bit faster is going to help us.”
Malone explained his decision to not call a timeout on the final possession of the game with his team trailing by three points, per Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. Denver wound up with a step-back three-point shot by Jamal Murray that spun out. “Some nights, yeah, I think we can take the timeout,” Malone said. “Other nights, give our guys the freedom to get out and run. But with how well they were guarding in that quarter and how hard it was for us to generate looks, I felt in that transition we had the best chance to get the look that we wanted.”
Sunday’s game marked the Nuggets’ first home loss of the playoffs and the first time they haven’t held a 2-0 lead in a series, states Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. The team will be facing real adversity for the first time in the postseason as the series resumes Wednesday at Miami. “I think we understand what’s at stake,” Jeff Green said. “They did what they were supposed to do. They came in here, got a split. Now they’re going home, and I think we have to go in there worried about Game 3. We can’t worry about Game 4. We have to worry about Game 3.”

Kyrie Irving Wants Mavericks To Pursue Trade For LeBron James

June 5th, 2023 at 11:05am CST by Arthur Hill

The Lakers may not have interest in a sign-and-trade deal for Kyrie Irving, but sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic that Irving has reached out to LeBron James to see if they can reunite in Dallas (Twitter link).

That report meshes with a story by Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, who hears from league sources that Irving wants the Mavericks to pursue an offseason trade for James to form a new Big Three alongside Luka Doncic.

Sources tell Haynes that Dallas was preparing to make an offer for James before this year’s trade deadline. However, that would not have been possible, as James was ineligible to be traded after signing an extension last summer.

James has dropped hints about wanting to play alongside Irving again, and the Lakers were reportedly strong candidates to acquire him when he considered opting out of his contract last summer and again when he asked the Nets for a trade in February.

L.A.’s asking price for James would surely be exorbitant if the team would consider a trade at all. He has one year remaining on his contract at $46.9MM and then a player option for the 2024/25 season worth $50.65MM.

Haynes points out that penalties imposed by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement will make it extremely difficult for any team to carry three max-salary players. He states that Irving and James would both have to take significant pay cuts to make the arrangement work and suggests that the most viable path for James to get to Dallas would be to demand a buyout with the Lakers, which Haynes admits is extremely unlikely.

James has a good relationship with Doncic, so that wouldn’t be an impediment to a potential deal, Haynes adds. He’s also close with head coach Jason Kidd, who formerly served as a Lakers assistant, as well as assistant coach Jared Dudley, an ex-teammate.

Re-signing Irving remains Dallas’ top priority for the offseason, sources tell Haynes. Even though they missed the playoffs, the Mavs see a bright future for their All-Star backcourt and are determined to keep Irving after giving up two rotation players and three future draft picks to acquire the 31-year-old guard from Brooklyn.

Stephen Silas Agrees To Join Pistons As Assistant Coach

June 5th, 2023 at 10:23am CST by Arthur Hill

Stephen Silas will become the top assistant to Monty Williams with the Pistons, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Silas had served in the same role with the Mavericks, Hornets and Warriors before being hired as the Rockets’ head coach in 2020.

Silas compiled a 59-177 record with Houston, which switched into rebuilding mode when James Harden requested a trade early in Silas’ first season. The Rockets dismissed Silas in April, turning down a team option on the final year of his contract.

Silas had been rumored as a strong candidate to join Joe Mazzulla‘s staff with the Celtics and made an appearance at a first-round playoff game in Boston. Word leaked on Sunday that the Celtics will hire Sam Cassell as an assistant, which may have affected Silas’ decision.

In Detroit, Silas will join a young team similar to the one he left in Houston. The Pistons have been stockpiling young talent, and they hold the No. 5 pick in this year’s draft. Like the Rockets, they are hoping to move out of the rebuilding stage and contend for a play-in spot next season.