Week in Review

Week In Review 6/5/16-6/11/16

Here’s all the notable news and events from around the NBA this past week…

Miscellaneous News

  • Raptors center Bismack Biyombo declined his $2.9MM option for next season and will become an unrestricted free agent.
  • The Raptors agreed to a new three-year extension with head coach Dwane Casey.
  • Jeremy Lin will opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
  • Ex-NBA center and former Sixers assistant Sean Rooks passed away at the age of 46.
  • The 76ers filled some vacancies on their coaching staff by promoting Kevin Young and John Bryant, a pair of coaches from their D-League affiliate.
  • The Pelicans hired former Hawks general manager Danny Ferry in a special advisor role.
  • Former NBA player Jason Maxiell inked a deal to play ball in the Philippines with Tropang TNT.
  • Jazz combo guard Alec Burks underwent successful surgery on Wednesday to clean out debris in his left knee and ankle.
  • Nets power forward Thomas Robinson intends to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.

NBA Draft News

Workouts

Week In Review 5/29/16-6/4/16

Here’s all the notable news and events from around the NBA this past week…

Miscellaneous News


NBA Draft News

Workouts

Week In Review 5/22/16-5/28/16

Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard and Warriors forward Draymond Green were the leading vote-getters for the NBA’s All-Defensive teams for the 2015/16 season, with Leonard earning first-team votes from all 130 respondents. Leonard and Green were joined on the NBA All-Defensive first team by center DeAndre Jordan, along with guards Chris Paul and Avery Bradley.

The league also announced its three All-NBA teams for the 2015/16 season, with unanimous MVP Stephen Curry also leading the way in first-team nods (129) and overall points (645). After Curry, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook were the leading vote-getters, followed by Leonard. Jordan also earned a spot on the All-NBA first team.

Here’s more from the week that was:


NBA Draft News

Withdrawals

Workouts

  • Wade Baldwin: Worked out for the Nuggets and Suns.
  • DeAndre’ Bembry: Worked out for the Suns.
  • Ben Bentil: Worked out for the Pacers and Nuggets.
  • Jaron Blossomgame: Worked out for the Suns.
  • Joel Bolomboy: Worked out for the Hawks and Bucks.
  • Isaiah Briscoe: Worked out for the Hawks and Wolves.
  • Malcolm Brogdon: Worked out for the Clippers and Suns.
  • Michael Bryson: Worked out for the Suns.
  • Kyle Collinsworth: Worked out for the Wolves.
  • Stacy Davis: Worked out for the Suns.
  • Majok Deng: Worked out for the Wolves.
  • Cheick Diallo: Worked out for the Hawks.
  • Tyler Dorsey: Worked out for the Jazz.
  • A.J. English: Worked out for the Clippers.
  • Kay Felder: Worked out for the Pacers.
  • Yogi Ferrell: Worked out for the Jazz
  • Dorian Finney-Smith: Worked out for Jazz, Suns and Wolves.
  • Anthony Gill: Worked out for the Nuggets
  • Josh Hart: Worked out for the Hawks.
  • Nigel Hayes: Worked out for the  Jazz
  • Danuel House: Worked out for the Clippers.
  • Demetrius Jackson: Worked out for the Suns.
  • Venky Jois: Worked out for the Kings.
  • Damion Lee: Worked out for the Suns.
  • Shawn Long: Worked out for the Bucks.
  • Thon Maker: Worked out for the Jazz.
  • Armani Moore: Worked out for the Pacers.
  • Malik Newman: Worked out for the Knicks.
  • Retin Obasohan: Worked out for the Suns. 
  • Gary Payton II: Worked out for the Hawks and Clippers.
  • Marshall Plumlee: Worked out for the Clippers.
  • Taurean Prince: Worked out for the Suns.
  • Jalen Reynolds: Worked out for the Jazz
  • Diamond Stone: Worked out for the Hawks.
  • Rasheed Sulaimon: Worked out for the Pacers.
  • Caleb Swanigan: Worked out for the Pacers.
  • Mike Tobey: Worked out for the Kings and Jazz.
  • Jarrod Uthoff: Worked out for the Suns.
  • Fred VanVleet: Worked out for the Wolves.
  • Gavin Ware: Worked out for the Jazz
  • James Webb III: Worked out for the Suns.

Miscellaneous News

Week In Review 5/15/16-5/21/16

The Sixers landed the top overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft lottery, having had a 25% chance of the ping-pong balls dropping in their favor. Philadelphia will have its choice of the consensus top-two of former LSU combo forward Ben Simmons and former Duke small forward Brandon Ingram. While snagging the top pick in June is certainly a boon, the excitement of the night should be tempered by the fact that no team with the No. 1 overall pick has won the NBA title within two years of making that pick since the Spurs took home the championship in 1999 after drafting Tim Duncan in 1997. Also notable from the lottery results is that the Lakers will retain their 2016 first-rounder, with Philadelphia being set to take it if the pick fell out of the top three.

Here’s more from the week that was:


NBA Draft News

Withdrawals

Workouts


Miscellaneous News

  • Karl-Anthony Towns was officially named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year for the 2015/16 season in a unanimous vote.
  • The Magic hired Frank Vogel as head coach.
  • The Knicks formally offered their head coaching slot to Jeff Hornacek.
  • The Pacers hired Nate McMillan as their new head coach.
  • The Blazers signed coach Terry Stotts to a three-year contract extension.
  • Celtics center Kelly Olynyk underwent successful surgery to repair damage to his right shoulder.
  • The Suns hired Trail Blazers assistant Jay Triano as associate head coach.
  • Seth Curry and James Anderson  both reportedly opted out of their contracts with the Kings for next season.
  • The NBA announced the selections to the 2015/16 All-Rookie teams.

Week In Review 5/8/16-5/14/16

Warriors point guard Stephen Curry won the MVP award by a unanimous vote. He’s the first-ever unanimous winner. Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James each fell one vote shy of winning MVP unanimously in 2000 and 2013, respectively. Curry collected 130 first-place votes from writers and broadcasters as well as the fan vote, according to the league. Kawhi Leonard finished second in the voting, followed closely by LeBron James. Thunder stars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant were fourth and fifth, respectively. The balloting system awarded 10 points for a first-place vote, seven points for a second-place vote, five points for a third-place vote, three points for a fourth-place vote and one point for a fifth-place vote.

Here’s a look back at more of the notable events from around the NBA this past week…


NBA Draft News

  • Kansas junior combo guard Wayne Selden was unable to participate in draft combine workouts this week after undergoing surgery to repair a small meniscus tear in his right knee. He was replaced by Miami senior shooting guard Sheldon McClellan.

Withdrawals

Workouts


Miscellaneous News

  • The Grizzlies parted ways with head coach Dave Joerger.
  • Scott Skiles resigned as coach of the Magic.
  • Spurs GM R.C. Buford won the Executive of the Year award.
  • The Kings signed Dave Joerger to a four-year, $16MM deal to be their new head coach.
  • Hornets point guard Kemba Walker underwent surgery Monday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
  • Mavs point guard Devin Harris underwent successful surgery to repair damage to his left big toe and left thumb.
  • The Kings dismissed assistant coaches Chad Iske and John Welch.

Week In Review 5/1/16-5/7/16

The Pacers dismissed head coach Frank Vogel this week. “I’ve decided that it’s time for a new voice around here,” team executive Larry Bird said. “… This is one of the toughest things I’ve done.”  Bird reiterated that he wants more scoring and that his expectations for the Pacers this season were higher than most. It appeared a philosophical difference had emerged earlier this season when Bird spoke of his desire for more of an up-tempo attack and Vogel’s fondness for a traditional lineup with two big men. Bird noted that he started thinking about making a coaching change around the All-Star break but felt Vogel deserved a chance to finish the season. Vogel tried to talk Bird out of parting ways with him the morning that his dismissal took place, Bird said, conceding that he didn’t meet with Vogel face-to-face, only speaking to him on the phone.

The Pacers went 250-181 in parts of six seasons under Vogel, who inherited the head coaching job, his first in the NBA, when the Pacers fired Jim O’Brien in January 2011. That record doesn’t include Vogel’s 31-30 postseason mark. Indiana made back-to-back conference finals under Vogel’s watch in 2013 and 2014.

Here’s a look back at more of the notable events from around the NBA this past week…


NBA Draft News

  • The NBA released the complete list of players who have been invited to the annual scouting combine, which will be held in Chicago from May 11th-15th.

Withdrawals

Workouts


Miscellaneous News

  • The Nets hired Jacque Vaughn to be the team’s top assistant coach on Kenny Atkinson’s staff.
  • John Wall underwent procedures on both knees, but he’s expected to be ready for the start of next season.
  • The Jazz signed coach Quin Snyder to a contract extension that carries through the 2020/21 season.
  • The Grizzlies named Matt Woodley as the head coach of their D-League affiliate in Iowa.

Week In Review 4/24/16-4/30/16

The Lakers fired head coach Byron Scott on Sunday. Scott just completed a 17-65 season and had a 38-126 record in two years on the Lakers’ bench. The move was a joint decision by GM Mitch Kupchak and executive Jim Buss and reportedly doesn’t signal a shakeup in the front office. Primary owner Jeanie Buss was reportedly an advocate for Scott behind the scenes, but it appears she allowed the basketball department to make its own call. “We would like to thank Byron for his hard work, dedication and loyalty over the last two years, but have decided it is in the best interest of the organization to make a change at this time,” Kupchak said in the team’s official statement.

To replace Scott, Los Angeles hired Warriors assistant Luke Walton as their new head coach.  Walton will begin his new duties at the conclusion of the Warriors season. Los Angeles formally interviewed Walton on Thursday in Oakland. “We’re excited to bring Luke back to Los Angeles, where we feel he’s going to start an outstanding coaching career,” Kupchak said in the team’s official statement. “He’s one of the brightest young coaching minds in the game and we feel fortunate that he’ll be leading the on-court future of our team.

Here’s a look back at more of the notable events from around the NBA this past week…


NBA Draft News

Underclassmen Entering

Workouts

  • NC State power forward Abdul Malik-Abu has a predraft workout scheduled with the Timberwolves on May 7th.

You can keep track of all the early entrants for the 2016 NBA Draft here.


Miscellaneous News

  • The Wizards officially announced the hiring of Scott Brooks as the team’s new head coach.
  • Deron Williams reportedly plans to turn down his player option worth more than $5.621MM and hit free agency this summer to seek a multiyear contract.
  • Warriors combo forward Kevon Looney underwent a left hip arthroscopy to repair a torn labrum. Looney will begin rehabilitation from the surgery immediately and is expected to be out a minimum of four to six months before returning to basketball activity.
  • The Kings officially named Ken Catanella as their assistant GM.

Awards

Week In Review 4/17/16-4/23/16

The Timberwolves officially hired Tom Thibodeau as head coach and president of basketball operations and Spurs assistant GM Scott Layden as their new GM. The pact will pay Thibodeau approximately $8MM per season over five years, while Layden is reportedly set to earn $2MM annually. Thibodeau had plenty of on-court success in his five seasons with the Bulls, who had given the longtime assistant his first NBA head coaching job. He went 255-139 in the regular season, winning the 2010 Coach of the Year award, though he was just 23-28 in the playoffs. Chicago parted ways with Thibodeau last May.

We are extremely excited to welcome Tom Thibodeau back to the Timberwolves,” team owner Glen Taylor said. “Through this process we quickly identified Tom as the best leader to shape our talented team and help them realize their full potential. Tom’s resume speaks for itself. He is a proven winner, leader, and one of the most well-respected NBA head coaches over the last decade. His teams have annually been among the league leaders in defense and we are excited about the approach and mentality he will bring to that side of the ball. The future of the Minnesota Timberwolves has never been brighter and we are very pleased to have Tom as our basketball operations leader moving forward.

Here’s a look back at more of the notable events from around the NBA this past week…


NBA Draft News

Underclassmen Entering

Underclassmen Withdrawing

You can keep track of all the early entrants for the 2016 NBA Draft here.


Miscellaneous News

  • The Nets hired Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach.
  • The Wizards reached an agreement in principle with Scott Brooks that would make him the team’s new head coach.
  • The Suns removed the interim tag from Earl Watson‘s title and formally named him head coach.
  • The Nets named Ronald Nored as head coach of the team’s new NBA D-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.
  • The Nuggets announced a number of title changes for their front office personnel. Denver named Jared Jeffries as the team’s director of pro personnel, Tommy Balcetis was named director of analytics, Scott Howard was named director of college scouting and Steve Hess will now hold the title of director of performance/assistant coach and head strength and conditioning coach.
  • Brandon Bass will reportedly turn down his $3.135MM player option for next season and become a free agent this summer.
  • Quincy Acy has reportedly decided to turn down his minimum-salary player option for next season and hit free agency this summer.
  • Seth Curry reportedly intends to decline his player option worth $1,015,696 for 2016/17 and become a restricted free agent this summer.

Awards

Week In Review 4/10/16-4/16/16

The end of the regular season brought with it a number of coaches being fired or dismissed from their posts. The Wolves dismissed interim coach Sam Mitchell, the Wizards fired Randy Wittman and the Kings parted ways with George Karl. The fates of Nets interim coach Tony Brown and Rockets interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff have yet to be decided, though neither is reportedly a strong candidate to be retained by his respective franchise. The Suns still need to make a decision regarding Earl Watson, though the interim coach is reportedly the front-runner as the team commences its search. Here’s a look back at more of the notable events from around the NBA this past week…


NBA Draft News

Underclassmen Entering

You can keep track of all the early entrants for the 2016 NBA Draft here.


Signings


Miscellaneous News

  • The Sixers officially named Bryan Colangelo president of basketball operations. In addition, Jerry Colangelo is no longer the chairman of basketball operations but will remain as a special adviser to the team.
  • The Suns bought out the local ownership of the Bakersfield Jam, their D-League affiliate, and are moving the team to Prescott Valley, Arizona, for next season.
  • The Clippers are reportedly exploring the idea of starting a D-League affiliate in Bakersfield, California, for next season.
  • The Bucks reached a 30-year lease agreement with the Wisconsin Center District, the agency that will own the basketball team’s future arena.

Week In Review 4/3/16-4/9/16

Sam Hinkie resigned from his post as Sixers GM this past week and the team is reportedly set to ink Bryan Colangelo as his replacement. Hinkie became the Sixers’ GM in May of 2013 after a stint as the Rockets executive vice president. The executive’s rebuilding through bottoming-out plan has been met with much scrutiny and derision around the league and Philadelphia had an overall record of 47-195 during Hinkie’s reign.

In his 13-page resignation letter to the team’s ownership group, Hinkie wrote, “There has been much criticism of our approach. There will be more. A competitive league like the NBA necessitates a zig while our competitors comfortably zag. We often chose not to defend ourselves against much of the criticism, largely in an effort to stay true to the ideal of having the longest view in the room. Given all the changes to our organization, I no longer have the confidence that I can make good decisions on behalf of investors in the Sixers — you. So I should step down. And I have.

The team was reportedly surprised by the sudden resignation and in their official statement relayed, “This evening, Sam Hinkie notified the organization that he has elected to step down as President of Basketball Operations and General Manager. While we are disappointed in Sam’s decision, we would like to sincerely thank him for his contributions over the past three seasons. There is no question that Sam’s work has put us in a very strong position to take advantage of numerous opportunities for an exciting future.

Here’s a look back at more of the notable events from around the NBA this past week…


NBA Draft News

Underclassmen Entering

You can keep track of all the early entrants for the 2016 NBA Draft here.


Signings

You can stay up to date on all the 10-day deals handed out with our 10-day contract tracker.


Waivers


Miscellaneous News

  • Former Hawks center Pero Antic filed a civil rights suit against the New York Police Department in connection with an incident from April 2015 outside a New York nightclub.
  • Nets assistant GM Frank Zanin resigned from his post.
  • Mike Conley is expected to miss the rest of the regular season and the playoffs because of his sore left Achilles tendon.
  • Suns point guard Brandon Knight was shut down for the remainder of the season because of a sports hernia.
  • Michigan State senior shooting guard Denzel Valentine reportedly signed with the Wasserman Media Group and agent B.J. Armstrong.
  • The Bulls hired Horace Grant as special advisor to team president and chief operating officer Michael Reinsdorf.

D-League News

  • The Jazz will reportedly relocate their D-League affiliate from Boise, Idaho to Salt Lake City next season.

You can stay up to date on all the D-League assignments and recalls for the season here.