NBA rumors

The Cleveland Cavaliers are not interested in trading Jarrett Allen for Brandon Ingram, according to a report from Sam Amico. In fact, the franchise appears to be unwilling to trade their long man unless he demands a trade. The Cavs’ plan for the future is to continue to build around Donovan Mitchell, who is expected to sign a max contract extension, Garland, Allen and Mobley, who is expected to sign a rookie max contract extension.

Sasha Vezenkov, despite frustrations over limited playing time in his first NBA season with the Sacramento Kings, has no intention of leaving the NBA. This was reported by insider Sean Cunningham.

Several sources close to the player denied reports of his desire to leave, calling them ‘misleading’. Vezenkov will abide by his contract with the Kings.

Inside sources indicate that Sacramento intends to keep Vezenkov, even though there is a market for him. Whether he will play for the Kings or for another team that will offer him a more significant role in the rotation remains to be seen.

While Sasha Vezenkov remains frustrated with the lack of playing time in his first NBA season with the Sacramento Kings, I’m told by several sources that there is no truth to the report of his desire to leave the NBA. One source close to Vezenkov called the report “off base” and…

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) June 13, 2024

UConn released a statement from Dan Hurley last night after the resounding ‘no’ to the Los Angeles Lakers.

«I am humbled by this entire experience. At the end of the day, I am extremely proud of the championship culture we have built at Connecticut. We met as a team before today’s workout and our focus right now is getting better this summer and connecting as a team as we continue to pursue championships».

A statement from UConn Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dan Hurley: pic.twitter.com/16e77ykbVp

— UConn Men’s Basketball (@UConnMBB) June 10, 2024

Darvin Ham is back in Milwaukee.

Ham, who has spent the past two seasons as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, is joining the Bucks as Doc Rivers top assistant coach.

Darvin Ham is joining the Milwaukee Bucks as the top assistant coach to Doc Rivers, sources tell ESPN. Ham returns to the franchise after spending two years as the Lakers head coach. He had been highly sought-after among teams this spring. pic.twitter.com/k0yZeVKo1t

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2024

The rumors on the NBA market do not seem to stop now that the offseason is upon us: According to a report by Sam Amico, the San Antonio Spurs are very interested in acquiring Darius Garland via trade. The front office’s intention would be to pair Victor Wembanyama with a talented guard capable of setting up on his own but also playing alongside the long Frenchman.

Garland averaged 18 points and 6.5 assists per game last season and is due to make $36.7 million next year.

J.J. Redick is still a “viable candidate” to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, sources told Jovan Buha of The Athletic. This despite news that the Lakers are “eager to close” Dan Hurley on Friday.

Redick was rumored to be the front runner for the position earlier in the week. Mike Krzyzewski has been unofficially advising the Lakers throughout the coaching search.

The Los Angeles Lakers have identified Dan Hurley as the leading candidate for the bench, and are ready to extend him a huge offer to leave Connecticut.

The news was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Lakers for now have had only preliminary contacts with Hurley, but the parties plan to intensify negotiations in the coming days.

The coach, coming off two consecutive NCAA titles at the helm of the Huskies, has reportedly made no secret of his ambition to coach in the NBA and has expressed to the Lakers his desire to explore all aspects of the project that will be proposed to him.

Hurley reportedly convinced the Lakers thanks to his outstanding tactical acumen and unquestioned skills in player development.

LeBron James is said to be impressed by the sophisticated offensive plays set up by Hurley and his staff.

Wojnarowski paints a scenario that could be ideal for The Chosen One.

Assuming James returns to L.A. in free agency, the possibility of using the 55th overall pick in this month’s NBA draft on USC freshman guard Bronny James makes Hurley an even more intriguing candidate. If that happens, James gets a chance to play with his son and the benefit of Hurley and his staff becoming responsible for Bronny’s pro development.

The Lakers also spoke with Sam Cassell -assistant coach of the Boston Celtics- and David Adelman -assistant coach of the Denver Nuggets- in the course of their search.

The NBA is nearing completion of a combined 11-year, $76 billion set of deals with Disney, NBC and Amazon. The deals average out to $6.9 billion per season for the NBA, which is more than 2.5 times higher than its existing deals. The NFL recently doubled its feeds under its last deal to around $10 billion per year.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have expressed interest in Patrick Williams, currently with the Chicago Bulls.

During contract extension negotiations last offseason, the Bulls had offered Williams a contract in excess of $16 million annually.

Sources report that the Thunder, with ample salary cap space, could sign Williams outright, but the Bulls could match the offer.

Source: The Athletic, 4 June 2024.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have reached an agreement with President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly to remain with the team for the upcoming season. Connelly has agreed to delay an opt-out clause in his contract until after next season, ensuring his continued presence in Minnesota.

This decision is crucial for the Timberwolves, who had one of their most successful seasons, reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years. Connelly, instrumental in building the team, will continue to work with head coach Chris Finch to maintain competitiveness.

Despite uncertainties regarding team ownership, Connelly’s commitment allows the Timberwolves to focus on the draft and free agency, aiming to build on this year’s successes.

Source: Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, June 4, 2024.

The Los Angeles Lakers are focusing on JJ Redick as the leading candidate for their next head coach, according to The Athletic.

While no final decision has been made and the Lakers still have steps remaining in their head-coaching search process, indications strongly point to Redick being the preferred choice at this stage.

Over the past few weeks, the Lakers’ search has zeroed in on two main candidates: JJ Redick and Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego.

Redick had a face-to-face meeting with the Lakers three weeks ago, and Borrego recently impressed team officials during a second in-person interview last week.

The Boston Celtics are considering adding Jeff Van Gundy to Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff as an assistant for the upcoming season, according to league sources cited by Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Currently, Van Gundy serves as a senior consultant for the team’s basketball operations. The Celtics face the departure of their top assistant, Charles Lee, who is set to join the Hornets this offseason.

Last summer, Van Gundy declined an offer to join Jason Kidd’s coaching staff.

Source: Marc Stein/The Stein Line

The Sacramento Kings have made a three-year, $21 million contract offer to coach Mike Brown, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Thursday night. The offer includes bonuses that could push the total value of the deal to $27 million. However, Brown is seeking a contract that will pay him at least $10 million per season.

Negotiations are currently at a standstill, six days after ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported a gap in the talks. Brown, 54, has one guaranteed year remaining on his current contract and is seeking an extension that would make him among the highest-paid NBA coaches. Brown has a 94-70 record in two seasons with the Kings and broke the franchise’s 16-season playoff drought.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are beginning the selection process for a new head coach by obtaining permission to interview two top candidates: Kenny Atkinson, an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, and James Borrego, an assistant with the New Orleans Pelicans.

According to ESPN reports, the Cavaliers plan to get permission to talk to other assistants, but Atkinson and Borrego are considered among the best, due to their head coaching experience and expertise in player development.

The team is looking for a replacement for J.B. Bickerstaff, after reaching the Eastern semifinals this year.

Source: Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN

The Los Angeles Clippers and Ty Lue have agreed to a multi-year extension that will make the former point guard one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.

The news was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.

Lue has a record of 184 wins in 318 games in four seasons at the helm of the Clippers.

The team, set to play in the brand new Intuit Dome from next season, is determined to keep the two expiring superstars, James Harden and Paul George.

The Philadelphia 76ers aim to pursue a familiar path this offseason: adding another All-Star alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

According to league sources, the team is looking to strengthen with a high-level wing player to complement the Embiid-Maxey duo. After trading James Harden, the 76ers now have up to $60 million in cap space. Possible targets include Paul George and OG Anunoby, who could be offered max contracts.

Additionally, Klay Thompson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are options for “one-plus-one” contracts (one guaranteed year plus a second-year option). The management’s strategy is to spend and sacrifice draft capital to compete for the title next season.

Source: Yahoo

The Detroit Pistons are set to hire New Orleans Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon as the franchise’s new president of basketball operations.

The sides are working on a deal expected to be completed soon, sources told ESPN. Pistons owner Tom Gores is giving Langdon sweeping power to make changes to the organization and set a course for the franchise’s future after a league-worst 14 victories last season.

Langdon has a strong draft and player personnel record from his time with the Pelicans and the Nets.

Source: ESPN

Malik Monk, 26, could secure up to $25 million annually in the upcoming free agency. Several teams in need of additional shot creation and playmaking ability are expected to pursue Monk aggressively. The Magic, Pistons, Thunder, and Sixers are among the potential fits. Monk is regarded as one of the most promising players available on the market.

Malik Monk could earn up to $25 million annually in free agency.

Monk, who is still only 26 years old, is set to be aggressively pursued by teams in need of additional shot creation and playmaking ability.

Keep an eye on the Magic, Pistons, Thunder and Sixers as potential fits. pic.twitter.com/qdn9CSsYYL

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 21, 2024

The Brooklyn Nets have built Jordi Fernandez’s staff. There is an agreement with Connor Griffin, former Denver Nuggets, and Deividas Dulkys, Sacramento Kings.

Outgoing Trevor Hendry who was at the Nets from the Kenny Atkinson era.

Sources: The Brooklyn Nets will add Connor Griffin (Nuggets) and Deividas Dulkys (Kings) as assistant coaches to Jordi Fernandez’s staff. Adam Caporn, Ryan Forehan-Kelly and Corey Vinson will be retained. Trevor Hendry leaves after being with the Nets since the Kenny Atkinson era pic.twitter.com/0DZYbo6PNK

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) May 21, 2024

Tom Thibodeau wishes to remain with the New York Knicks for a long time. “My agent will take care of that,” Thibodeau said about the contract renewal. “The Knicks have been great to me. This is where I want to be.”

Thibodeau has one year left on the five-year contract he signed with New York before the 2020-21 season. Sources expect the Knicks will do everything possible to extend his contract this summer, likely with a deal of around $10 million per season.

Source: Stefan Bondy, New York Post

The Atlanta Hawks will put centre Clint Capela on the market in the off-season. The Hawks have Onyeka Okongwu who will start a four-year extension next season and could select long man Alex Sarr with the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Capela has one year left on his contract, with a salary of $22.3 million for the 2024-25 season. He recently turned 30, making him one of the oldest players on the Hawks’ roster.

Source: Marc Stein/The Stein Line

The Chicago Bulls have added Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig as top assistants to Billy Donovan’s staff, according to ESPN. Donovan is revamping his team after the departure of Chris Fleming and Josh Longstaff’s acceptance of a new role with the Charlotte Hornets.

Unseld, former Washington Wizards coach, spent two and a half seasons with the team before his dismissal in January and six years contributing to the Denver Nuggets’ success under Michael Malone. He also had stints with the Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, and previously with the Wizards.

Craig, a former LA Clippers assistant, worked for four seasons with Ty Lue and four with Erik Spoelstra at the Miami Heat. He began his career in the Heat’s video room and coached their G League team, Sioux Falls.