Greek 19-year-old prospect Nikos Rogkavopoulos is withdrawing from the 2020 NBA Draft.
Rogkavopoulos has appeared in three games for AEK Athens so far this season, including one in the Basketball Champions League.
Fonte: SDNA.
Greek 21-year-old prospect Georgios Kalaitzakis is withdrawing from the 2020 NBA Draft, according to Donatas Urbonas. He will be automatically draft-eligible in 2021.
Kalaitzakis has appeared in two games for Panathinaikos so far this season, including one in the EuroLeague.
He was the 90th-ranked prospect in the ESPN Top 100 for the 2020 draft.
Fonte: Donatas Urbonas.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, some decision-makers within the Knicks organization see Justin Holiday as a player worth pursuing in free agency.
Holiday averaged 8.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 25 minutes per game with the Indiana Pacers last season. He is an unrestricted free agent.
Fonte: SNY.
Senegalese 21-year-old guard Brancou ‘Papi’ Badio is withdrawing from the 2020 NBA Draft, a source told Sportando. He will be automatically draft-eligible in 2021.
After spending the whole 2019-20 season with FC Barcelona’s second team in the LEB Plata, the Spanish third division, Badio has made the jump to the senior team under head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius this year, appearing in four Liga ACB games so far, while also playing for the second team in the LEB Plata.
Reigning NBA Finals MVP LeBron James initially resisted the NBA’s desire to start the 20-21 season on December 22nd, but eventually went along with the greater financial good for the league and players. James and the Los Angeles Lakers won The Finals on October 11th.
“LeBron initially pushed back against this, and subsequently, it’s been explained to me that LeBron changed his position,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “Crossed the aisle, said ‘I’m okay going December 22nd even though I have to change my routines and I’m not happy about the short offseason because it’s the best thing for business.’ But LeBron owes the NBA money right now. He owes them cash. As crazy as that is to say”, Windhorst said referring to James being one of the NBA’s 12 players who has already got his contract front loaded with his 20-21 salary received in full.
Denver Nuggets guard Monte Morris has confirmed he is interested in signing a contract extension with the team.
“I don’t think it’s a secret to anyone,” Morris told The Denver Post. “I would love to get an extension here. I love Denver. I love everything from the organization to the coaches all the way down to equipment, to everyone. Me, personally, hopefully, if it goes that way. I would love to be in Denver for however long.”
Fonte: Denver Post.
The Golden State Warriors are believed to have narrowed down their options at number 2 for the upcoming NBA Draft to either James Wiseman or Anthony Edwards, if both of them were to be available.
“The Warriors are believed to view Edwards as someone who can blossom into a face of a franchise and multi-time All-Star if put in the right situation,” writes Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle. “According to league sources, Golden State would likely take Edwards at No. 2 should Minnesota pass on him at No. 1.”
Fonte: Connor Letourneau.
The Milwaukee Bucks would “love” to have Bogdan Bogdanovic, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN.
Serbian guard is a restricted free agent with the Sacramento Kings and the Bucks would have to acquire him via a sign-and-trade deal, which would hard cap them for the 20-21 season.
Sources say the Bucks have considered scenarios in which they would acquire both Bogdanovic and Harrison Barnes, while it is not clear yet if the Bucks have engaged the Kings in serious discussions on the scenario.
Fonte: Zach Lowe.
19-year-old Belgian guard Joel Ekamba has withdrawn from the 2020 NBA Draft, a source told Sportando.
Ekamba currently plays in the French LNB Espoirs league. He had 14 points, three rebounds and one steal in his debut with AS Monaco’s Espoirs team.
He has played for the Belgian national team at the U16 and U18 levels.
20-year-old Polish center Adrian Bogucki will keep his name in the 2020 NBA Draft, his agent Mateusz Jodlowski of BIG told Sportando.
Bogucki, a 7-foot-1 (215-cm) big man is currently playing in his home country with Anwil Wloclawek, averaging 4.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game.
He played for the Polish national team at the U16, U18, and U20 levels.
The 2020 NBA Draft is scheduled for November 18.
1999-born Italian forward Michele Ebeling is withdrawing from the 2020 NBA Draft, a source told Sportando. He will be automatically draft-eligible in 2021.
Ebeling is currently playing for Kleb Basket Ferrara in Italy’s Serie A2. In the first three games of the league’s preseason tournament, the SuperCup, he averaged 12 points and 3.7 rebounds in 23.7 minutes on the court.
International early-entry candidates can withdraw until 10 days prior to the Draft, which is scheduled for November 18.
The Sacramento Kings announced that Rex Kalamian has been named Assistant Coach.
Kalamian is a longtime NBA coach who returns to the Kings after serving as assistant coach from 2007 to 2009. He spent the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers under head coach Doc Rivers. He has also coached with the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Thunder, and Raptors.
Fonte: Sacramento Kings.
Greg Foster is joining the Indiana Pacers as a new member of Nate Bjorkgren’s coaching staff, per Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Foster, who won an NBA championship with the Lakers in 2001 as a player, has spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks.
Fonte: Marc Stein.
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, many within the Milwaukee Bucks organization remain confident that Giannis Antetokounmpo will sign a five-year supermax extension valued at between $220 million and $250 million (depending on the cap level) before the start of the 2020-21 regular season.
Even if the two-time MVP doesn’t sign an extension, Milwaukee is not expected to trade him during the season, Lowe reports.
Fonte: ESPN.
The Detroit Pistons are interested in moving up in the NBA draft and they are intrigued by LaMelo Ball.
Per ESPN, Currently holding the No. 7 pick in the upcoming 2020 NBA draft, Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver says that “moving up is definitely an option.”
One possible target has been training in the team’s backyard throughout the pandemic: top prospect LaMelo Ball — whose mentor and manager, Jermaine Jackson Sr., is a former Piston and Motown native.
The NBA aims to have arena suites open to fans at a 25-to-50 percent capacity for the 2020-21 season tipoff, based on local regulations, according to Shams Charania.
Charania reports that the NBA wants to allow this amount of fans by following protocols such as masks, social distancing and coronavirus testing.
Fonte: Shams Charania.
John Lucas has agreed to a deal to join new Rockets head coach Stephen Silas on his coaching staff, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon.
Lucas had been in a player development role under Mike D’Antoni.
Fonte: Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Atlanta Hawks will hire Nate McMillan as an assistant coach on the staff of Lloyd Pierce, who is entering his third season with the team, as reported by New York Times’ Marc Stein.
The Indiana Pacers parted ways with McMillan this offseason despite finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Fonte: Marc Stein.
Should the NBA and the NBPA agree to set the start of next season for December 22nd, Shams Charania of The Athletic report, there will be a 25 percent reduction in travel and 14 back-to-back games per team.
The plan is to end the regular season around May 16th, followed by a play-in tournament involving the Nos. 7-10 seeds in each conference with the playoffs then beginning on May 22nd. The Finals would conclude around July 22nd, a day before the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Fonte: Shams Charania.
Daryl Morey is believed to have signed the NBA’s most lucrative contract for a lead basketball decision maker since Phil Jackson’s five-year, $60 million contract with the New York Knicks, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers agreed you a five-year deal last week estimated to be worth more than $10 million per season, according to industry insiders. Some insiders even insist the deal is worth more than Jackson’s, which paid $12 million annually.
Fonte: Marc Stein.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the last team without a head coach during this offseason cycle, reports Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Spurs assistant Will Hardy, Bucks assistant Charles Lee and Thunder assistant Mark Daigneault are among the candidates who have received strong consideration by the Thunder after the vacancy left by Billy Donovan.
Fonte: Marc Stein.
There are concerns that if the 20-21 NBA season does not begin by Christmas, their television parents may want to renegotiate their deals, reports The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The NBA negotiated a nine-year, $24 billion contract with ESPN, ABC and Turner Sports running from the 16-17 through 24-25 in October of 2014.
The New Orleans Pelicans are openly discussing star Jrue Holiday in trade talks, Shams Charania reports.
The reporter adds that several contending teams are interested.
The 30-year-old guard out of UCLA will earn around 25 million next season, and has a player option of about 26 million for 2021/22.
Holiday is one of the most versatile two-way guards in the league, able to play as a first offensive option, but also to run the team. On defense he is willing to defend the most dangerous opponent, regardless of role.
It is therefore not surprising the considerable interest in him.
Last season with the Pelicans Holiday averaged 19.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.
The New Orleans Pelicans are openly discussing star Jrue Holiday in trade talks and several contending teams are pursuing, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 4, 2020
According to Jonathan Wasserman, Patrick Williams is one of the Detroit Pistons’ targets in the upcoming NBA Draft.
The Detroit Pistons are looking at point guards in Haliburton, Killian Hayes and Kira Lewis Jr. But multiple sources tell Bleacher Report that Patrick Williams has become a coveted target for Detroit, and it’s easy to picture the Pistons talking themselves into his upside.
Williams, one of the youngest prospects in the 2020 draft, ended his freshman year at Florida State with 9.2 points (46% FG, 32% 3p, 84% FT), 4 rebounds, 1 steals and 1 block per game.
Fonte: Jonathan Wasserman.
Houston Rockets close to sign John Lucas as assistant coach as reported by Shams Charania.
Lucas will work under the new head coach Stephen Silas.
The Rockets are near agreement on deal with John Lucas to be an assistant coach under Stephen Silas, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 4, 2020
According to Shams Charania, the Philadelphia 76ers and new basketball operations president Daryl Morey are expected to chase Houston Rockets star James Harden, but the Texan team has no plans to trade the guard out of Arizona State.
Last year Harden was the NBA top scorer with 34.3 points per game.
"I'm told Philadelphia is expected to be interested in and pursue James Harden"
Our NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports a Harden move for Houston is currently a non-starter. pic.twitter.com/7JaZH69WLt
— Stadium (@Stadium) November 3, 2020
LaMelo Ball has reportedly struggled in workouts and interviews, and many league sources believe he could fall out of the top three. Some teams may prefer to play it safe, but if a player with Ball’s upside does slip, a bidding war could commence, as reported by The Ringer.
Josh Longstaff is leaving the Milwaukee Bucks to join Billy Donovan’s coaching staff with the Chicago Bulls, Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Longstaff was previously the head coach of the Erie BayHawks in G League, and an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bulls are hiring Bucks assistant Josh Longstaff for Billy Donovan’s coaching staff, sources tell ESPN. For Longstaff, it is an opportunity to elevate to a front-of-the-bench assistant.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 2, 2020
Philadelphia 76ers Managing Partner Josh Harris announced today that the team has named Daryl Morey as President of Basketball Operations. Morey joins the organization after 14 seasons with the Houston Rockets, 13 of which were spent as general manager. With Morey as general manager, Houston compiled a 640-400 (.615) record, the second-best of any NBA team during that span. Among executives with at least 1,000 games of experience, Morey’s record stands as the fifth-best in league history; a top-five that also includes the likes of R.C. Buford and Jerry West.
Between 2007-20, Morey’s teams never had a losing season, winning 50-plus games eight times and qualifying for the postseason on 10 occasions. The Rockets’ eight straight playoff appearances, including multiple trips to the Western Conference Finals, represent the longest streak in the NBA.
In addition, the team announced that General Manager Elton Brand has signed a multi-year contract extension.
“Daryl Morey is one of the very best front-office executives in the NBA and I’m thrilled to welcome him to Philadelphia as the 76ers President of Basketball Operations,” Harris said. “Talent like Daryl rarely becomes available so we moved quickly and aggressively to bring him here. He has an extraordinary track record of success in this league as an innovator, visionary and leader, and I believe he significantly improves our chances of delivering a championship caliber team to our fans. This offseason, we made it our mission to make this organization better and stronger. By hiring a tremendous front-office leader in Daryl and championship coach in Doc, as well as extending Elton, we’re proud of what we’ve assembled. I’m excited for their leadership and look forward to continuing to build a team this city and our fans can be proud of.”
Over the years, Morey played a part in bringing several All-Star-caliber players to Houston through trades and free agency, including James Harden, Kyle Lowry, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook. In 2017-18, Morey earned Executive of the Year honors, while Harden was named MVP, following a franchise best 65-17 regular season.
“Thank you to Josh Harris for the trust he has placed in me to lead the 76ers. I am humbled by the challenge and will work tirelessly to win the hearts of Philadelphia’s legendary fans,” Morey said. “The opportunity to work again with Doc Rivers, Elton Brand, and a stacked roster that is ready to win made this a can’t miss opportunity.”
Prior to joining the Rockets as assistant general manager in 2006, Morey served three years as SVP Operations for the Boston Celtics. Originally from Ohio, Morey is a graduate of Northwestern University and also holds an MBA from MIT where he serves as the co-chair of the school’s annual Sports Analytics Conference.
“I appreciate the confidence Josh Harris and this organization have shown in me with this extension,” Brand said. “From the moment I arrived in Philadelphia, my goal has been to find a way to bring a championship to this city and our fans. I love this city, I love our fans and I will do whatever it takes to help this franchise succeed. This offseason, this organization has added two of the most respected and accomplished leaders in the NBA – Daryl Morey as President of Basketball Operations and Doc Rivers as Head Coach – and I’m excited to work and grow with this group.”
Brand was named general manager on Sept. 20, 2018 and has spent the past two seasons in his current role. Under Brand, the 76ers have compiled a 94-61 (.606) regular-season record and twice qualified for the postseason.
OFFICIAL
We have named Daryl Morey as President of Basketball Operations.
📄: https://t.co/OJsx8Uxsa7 pic.twitter.com/5QLWE5H3cQ
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 2, 2020
Fonte: NBA.com.
Isiaha Mike told Rookie Wire’s Bryan Kalbrosky that he will keep his name in the 2020 NBA draft instead of withdrawing and becoming auto-eligible in 2021.
Mike recently left SMU to sign a deal in Germany with Bundesliga club Chemnitz.
Fonte: Rookie Wire.