NBA rumors

15 November 2020

15/11/2020 14:01

Brooklyn Nets had discussions with Houston Rockets about acquiring James Harden

According to Sports Illustrated’s Farbod Esnaashari, the Brooklyn Nets have reached out to the Houston Rockets to discuss a trade that would bring James Harden to the Nets alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Brooklyn GM Sean Marks Marks would have offered Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Taurean Prince and Jarrett Allen.

Harden still has a 3-year contract with the Rockets, for about 132 million.

15 November 2020

15/11/2020 11:12

Heat guard Dragic on his free agency: “It’s a lot of options here”

Heat guard Goran Dragic addressed, in an interview with Shams Charania, his upcoming free agency plans, saying that he’s keeping his options open for now.

“I know Miami wants to bring me back. I’m hoping we can finish this championship run next season, but I know this is part of the business. It’s a lot of options here and we’ll see. I’m open to all suggestions, and from there on, we’re gonna see which one is the best possibility for me and for my family. So, yeah, Miami’s up there,” said Dragic to Charania.

Fonte: Shams Charania.

15 November 2020

15/11/2020 10:26

Kosta Koufos reportedly looking for a NBA comeback

Former Ohio State center and 11-year NBA veteran Kosta Koufos is looking to return to the NBA after a year overseas, league sources tell cleveland.com.

Koufos signed a two-year deal with EuroLeague powerhouse CSKA Moscow in July 2019, becoming the highest-paid American player in Europe, but averaged just 3.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per game before the COVID-19 pandemic

Fonte: Cleveland.com.

15 November 2020

15/11/2020 09:04

Knicks “all-in” on Russell Westbrook if asking price is cheap

New York Knicks GM Leon Rose is “all in” on trading for Russell Westbrook should Westbrook come for cheap, sources told Marc Berman of the New York Post.

The Knicks will not give up any of their future assets in a Westbrook trade, and they have the cap space available to take on Westbrook’s remaining three-year, $130 million contract.

Fonte: Marc Berman.

15 November 2020

15/11/2020 09:00

Pelicans’ Chris Finch to join Raptors coaching staff

The Toronto Raptors are finalizing a deal to add Chris Finch to Nick Nurse’s coaching staff, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Pelicans’ assistant coach has also worked in the NBA for Houston and Denver. The 51-year-old was also the head coach of the Great Britain Men’s National Basketball Team from 2006 to 2013, including the London Olympic Games.

Finch and Nurse coached against each other in the British Basketball League in the early 2000s.

 

Fonte: Adrian Wojnarowski.

15 November 2020

14 November 2020

14 November 2020

14/11/2020 11:01

NBA teams reportedly frustrated with the league for lack of communication on 2020-21 decisions

The NBA league office has left basketball decision-makers out of the loop on how things will work this season, leading to widespread frustration around the league for this lack of communication, according to multiple executives whose voices have been reported by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. Training camp will begin in just 18 days while free agency opens in one week.

“I’d love to be able to tell you something, but I don’t know anything,” one Western Conference executive told ESPN. “I find out everything from the media.” The league expedited the start of the season in order to preserve between $500 million and $1 billion in revenue. “We know it’s hard, and they’re working on a lot of details,” one team president said. “They are listening to a lot of feedback from all of us. But at times we feel like we’re in the dark and that can get frustrating.”

Fonte: Tim Bontemps.

14 November 2020

14/11/2020 10:16

Giannis Antetokounmpo says he does not care about money, but winning

In an interview with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, NBA MVP Giannis Antetokoumpo has spoken at length about his future, approaching an offseason where he has to decide whether to sign a contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks or enter free agency in 2021.

“There are a lot of rumors, everyone has opinions. But at the end of the day, I will do what is best for my family. I do not see why I could not be in Milwaukee for several years: as long as Milwaukee and I are on the same page when it comes to being one of the best teams in the league and winning championships, that’s fine. When it changes, it will not be good. It’s easy, I want to be a winner. I do not care about the money. My family is fine and I can take care of my children and grandchildren so that’s not the most important thing right now, it’s winning. As long as we can win and create a winning culture, it will be good”, Antetokounmpo said.

Fonte: Aftonbladet.

14 November 2020

14/11/2020 10:00

Knicks reportedly interested in Celtics forward Gordon Hayward

The New York Knicks are interested in Boston Celtics’ Gordon Hayward, according to Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer. NY is believed to be very active in the upcoming NBA free agency as they’re looking for ways to improve their roster after the arrival of coach Tom Thibodeau.

Hayward has a $34.1 million player option for next season, but could be looking for a new long-term deal by opting out of his contract. The Knicks would still have cap space to offer Hayward a contract even if they are intended to acquire Rockets star Russell Westbrook as well.

 

Fonte: Kevin O'Connor.

14 November 2020

14 November 2020

14/11/2020 09:39

Bucks reportedly interested in trade for Robert Covington, PJ Tucker

The Milwaukee Bucks have interest in Robert Covington and P.J. Tucker of the Houston Rockets, as reported by Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.

While the Rockets acquired Covington during the 2019-20 season with a package that included Clint Capela and their 2020 first round pick, Tucker has been seeking an extension with the team and has been reportedly frustrated that a deal hasn’t been reached.

Fonte: Kevin O'Connor.

13 November 2020

13 November 2020

13 November 2020

13/11/2020 10:49

Rockets to name Will Weaver assistant coach

Will Weaver will be Stephen Silas’ assistant coach in Houston.
Weaver was finalist for OKC head coaching job after being the coach of the Kings in Australian NBL.

13 November 2020

13/11/2020 10:27

Nico Mannion had workout with Lakers

Nico Mannion had a workout with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers have the 28th pick in the next NBA Draft.

13 November 2020

13/11/2020 07:54

Spurs to replace Tim Duncan with Mitch Johnson

Mitch Johnson will replace Tim Duncan as assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs.
Duncan decided to leave his role as assistant coach after one season.

Per ESPN, Johnson was named an assistant coach with the Spurs last year after three seasons as an assistant coach for the Austin Spurs, the team’s G League affiliate, whom he helped guide to the 2018 championship.

13 November 2020

13/11/2020 07:48

LaMelo Ball had private workout with Warriors, Hornets and Pistons

LaMelo Ball had private workout in front of head coaches and executives for the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons on Thursday in Southern California, sources told ESPN.

Those three teams own the Nos. 2, 3 and 7 picks, respectively, in next week’s NBA draft.

It was the second private workout Ball granted. On Wednesday, he conducted shooting, ballhandling and conditioning drills for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who own the top pick in the draft.

Fonte: ESPN.

12 November 2020

12/11/2020 22:20

Celtics reportedly trying to trade for Jrue Holiday

The Boston Celtics are trying to put together the necessary assets in order to trade for Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.

The Celtics have three first-round picks in next week’s NBA Draft and, according to O’Connor, they’re trying to move up into the lottery to reroute that pick to the Pelicans.

Fonte: The Ringer.

12 November 2020

12 November 2020

12/11/2020 17:37

Tampa Bay to become Raptors’ home if they can’t play in Canada?

Tampa Bay will be Toronto Raptors’ home if they can’t play in Canada due to coronavirus pandemic.

Per Sportsnet.ca, The Raptors’ preference is clear: “If we can get it done in Toronto, we’d do it tomorrow,” said one team executive.
But getting it done is outside their control, requiring sign off from three levels of government.
In the meantime, the Tampa Bay area has emerged from several potential destinations as the most likely temporary home for Canada’s only NBA team should it come to that, according to both Raptors and NBA sources.

Fonte: Sportsnet.ca.

12 November 2020

12 November 2020

12/11/2020 17:26

Hornets to be suitor for Rockets guard Russell Westbrook

The Charlotte Hornets are interested in Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook wants to leave the Houston Rockets and the Hornets are expected to be one of the suitors of the former NBA MVP.

12 November 2020

12/11/2020 08:18

Russell Westbrook wants of Houston, Harden is “locked in” for the season

Russell Westbrook wants to leave the Houston Rockets after only one season.
The former MVP doesn’t like the direction the franchise is heading and will try to leave Houston.

James Harden doesn’t have the same idea as Westbrook and, for the moment, remains committed to the Rockets and is “locked in” for the season.

11 November 2020

11 November 2020

11/11/2020 23:32

Tim Duncan will not return as Spurs assistant coach

Tim Duncan will not return as assistant coach of Gregg Popovich.
Duncan has been assistant coach of the Spurs for one season.

San Antonio’s internal belief was always a one-year stint on the bench for Duncan, who is expected to return to his previous post-retirement role in which he made frequent appearances at the team’s practice facility to provide various Spurs with player development assistance.

11 November 2020

11/11/2020 17:35

Atlanta Hawks emerging as a possible destination for Pelicans’ Jrue Holiday

The Atlanta Hawks have emerged as a potential trade destination for New Orleans Pelicans’ guard Jrue Holiday in multi-team trade scenarios that would involve Atlanta’s No. 6 pick in next week’s draft, league sources tells Marc Stein of the New York Times.

Stein also added that the Pelicans guard is widely expected to decline his $27 million option for 2021-22 and become a free agent after this season.

Fonte: Marc Stein.

11 November 2020

11/11/2020 16:18

Oklahoma City Thunder to promote assistant Mark Daigneault to head coach

The Oklahoma City Thunder are promoting assistant Mark Daigneault to become the franchise’s next head coach, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Thunder were the lone NBA team remaining without a head coach.

Daigneault comes off a season in which he served as Billy Donovan’s assistant with the Thunder. It was his first full NBA experience, after a five-year run as coach of the G-League Thunder franchise, the Oklahoma Blue, which Daigneault led to three division titles. The 35-year-old coach also worked as Billy Donovan assistant at the Florida Gators from 2010 to 2014.

Fonte: Adrian Wojnarowski.

11 November 2020

11/11/2020 16:09

Minnesota reportedly chasing a second lottery pick in the 2020 NBA Draft

The Timberwolves are attempting to acquire a second lottery pick, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer. Minnesota is already in possession of the first overall pick.

They have had talks with the Atlanta Hawks for the 6th pick, with a possible deal including guard Jarrett Culver and the 17th pick. The New Orleans Pelicans and the Boston Celtics are said to be interested as well in Atlanta’s 6th pick, O’Connor reports.

Fonte: Kevin O'Connor.

11 November 2020

11/11/2020 15:28

Rockets could be willing to trade Russell Westbrook, with Clippers and Knicks reportedly interested

According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Houston Rockets could be open to trade Russell Westbrook in the near future, with the Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks being two teams potentially interested in the former MVP.

At the same time, James Harden and Russell Westbrook have expressed concerns about uncertainty of Rockets’ immediate future, sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Adrian Wojnarowski. Neither of the two All Stars have so far made requests for a trade, and Harden in particular remains engaged with front office in personnel discussions.