Doc Rivers did not expect the firing by the Los Angeles Clippers after seven seasons together.
Per LA Times, While the Los Angeles Clippers announced the departure of Doc Rivers as a “mutual decision,” Rivers was surprised the franchise wanted to move on.
Rivers had at least some support internally despite blowing a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs.
Rivers became head coach of the Clippers in 2013.
Fonte: Doc Rivers.
The Rockets do have interest in Rivers, a person with knowledge of the team’s thinking said, as reported by Jonathan Feigen.
Rockets expecting and likely still plan to begin requesting permission to speak with candidates or scheduling meetings by Wednesday or Thursday.
Fonte: houstonchronicle.com.
The Philadelphia 76ers and the New Orleans Pelicans have reached out to Doc Rivers for their head coaching vacancies after the coach parted ways with the Clippers.
Pelicans and 76ers are on the market for a head coach.
New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers have already reached out to former Clippers head coach Doc Rivers in regards to their head coach openings, sources told @TheUndefeated.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) September 28, 2020
Doc Rivers leaves Los Angeles Clippers as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.
Rivers has been coaching the Clippers since 2013.
Coach Doc Rivers is out with the Clippers, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 28, 2020
Victor Oladipo is looking to move on from the Indiana Pacers, sources tell Jared Weiss of The Athletic.
Oladipo and the Pacers briefly discussed an extension before the start of the 19-20 season and will be a free agent in 2021.
Ty Lue will interview with the Philadelphia 76ers for their head coach position on Tuesday, as reported by Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Lue must wonder if it’s worth interviewing for a #Sixers job that is D’Antoni’s to turn down | Pompey https://t.co/F3AMSWcvCR via @phillyinquirer
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) September 27, 2020
Mike D’Antoni is considered the favorite for the job and has met with ownership and Elton Brand.
Gordon Hayward is expected to opt in of his contract with the Boston Celtics for next season.
The forward has a contract worth $34.1MM for the 2020-2021 season.
Per ESPN, The Celtics head into the offseason with a group that, for the most part, should return. Hayward has a hefty player option for next season that he will likely pick up. All of the other core members of Boston’s rotation will be under contract for at least next season.
Jerami Grant is expected to opt out of his $9.3MM deal with the Denver Nuggets to become free agent.
Per Denver Post, Grant is due $9.3 million next season if he decides to opt into the final year of his current contract, according to hoopshype.com’s salary database. A league source suggested Grant could command anywhere from $14 million to $16 million annually over several years.
A little more than $44 million in salary obligations will come off Denver’s books this offseason with the contracts for Paul Millsap ($30.3 million) and Mason Plumlee ($14.0 million) both expiring. There should be room to give Grant a raise, but maybe not enough to keep all three with Jamal Murray’s five-year, $170 million contract also kicking in.
Fonte: Denver Post.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond is likely to exercise his player option for next season worth $28.7 million, sources told Chris Fedor of cleveland.com.
Drummond is not currently attending the Cavs’ voluntary workouts, though he remains engaged with the team.
Fonte: Chris Fedor.
According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mike D’Antoni is ‘the guy the [76ers] ownership group wants’ for their head coaching job.
Another candidate is Tyronn Lue who’s scheduled to interview for the job on Tuesday, Pompey reports.
Fonte: Keith Pompey.
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis has been listed as questionable for Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals with a sprained left ankle.
Former Pelicans suffered the ankle injury during the second half of Game 4 win over the Nuggets. Lakers coach Frank Vogel told the media on Friday he expects Davis to play in Game 5.
Former New Orleans Pelicans general manager Dell Demps has agreed to join the Utah Jazz as an assistant coach, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Demps is making a transition to coaching by joining the Jazz coaching staff. He is reuniting with Quin Snyder as they worked together in the then-called NBA D-League in Austin from 2007 until 2010.
Fonte: Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Philadelphia 76ers could pursue James Harden either via trade or in free agency in 2022, according to John Clark of NBC Philadelphia.
The 76ers are pursuing Mike D’Antoni as head coach, who decided not to explore talks with the Houston Rockets on a new contract. D’Antoni is considered the front runner for Philly’s job, according to different sources.
“I’m hearing one of the reasons along with coaching that Sixers have a lot of interest in Mike D’Antoni is feeling with some in organization that he could help lure James Harden to Philly”, Clark writes.
Fonte: John Clark.
Juancho Hernangomez will miss the next two weeks of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ voluntary workouts due to filming Adam Sandler’s latest movie.
“He’s chomping at the bit to be here. He didn’t realize when he signed up for the movie that we were going to have the bubble,” said Gersson Rosas.
Hustle, the Netflix-produced film, revolves around an overseas scout searching for talent.
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo aggravated a wrist injury at the end of Game 4 in which he was in visible pain.
Sources tell Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press that Adebayo is fine and will play in Game 5 on Friday. Adebayo will receive treatment for the injury between now and Game 5, scheduled for later today.
Fonte: Tim Reynolds.
The Atlanta Hawks are hiring Landry Fields as an assistant GM, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Fields, 32, was the general manager of the Austin Spurs in the NBA G League. The Stanford alum played five years in the NBA with the Knicks and Raptors.
Fonte: Adrian Wojnarowski.
According to Shams Charania, Billy Donovan’s deal with the Chicago Bulls is for four years, $24M-plus.
Terms on Billy Donovan's Chicago Bulls head coaching deal: Four years and $24 million-plus, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 24, 2020
New Sacramento Kings GM Monte McNair confirmed Luke Walton as head coach for next season.
Per ESPN, “I’ve got to know him the last few days; we’ve had some good conversations,” McNair said. “I’ve heard great things. So far I think we’ve had a great rapport. Luke’s going to be our coach next year. I’m really excited to work with him. I think we’re aligned with our vision and we’re gonna start implementing it.”
Walton is the team’s 10th coach since the Kings last made the playoffs in Rick Adelman’s final season in 2005-06. Sacramento went 31-41 in Walton’s first season at the helm.
Fonte: ESPN.
Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said that Nate Bjorkgren has been interviewed by Indiana Pacers for their coach openings.
Bjorkgren is Nurse’s assistant coach in Toronto.
Toronto assistant coach Nate Bjorkgren has interviewed for the Indiana Pacers job, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse confirms on @SiriusXMNBA
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) September 23, 2020
Romeo Langford of the Boston Celtics underwent wrist surgery.
The player, who appeared in only 32 games this season, will miss the remainder of the season.
#NEBHInjuryReport Romeo Langford this morning underwent successful surgery to repair the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist.
He will miss the remainder of the 2019-20 NBA season. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 22, 2020
The Chicago Bulls have hired Billy Donovan as the team’s head coach. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.
Donovan, 55, comes to the Bulls having spent the last five seasons manning the sidelines for the Oklahoma City Thunder. While in OKC, his teams amassed a record of 243-157 (.608) and made five consecutive trips to the playoffs. His winning percentage ranks 16th (min. 100 games) in NBA history, and trails only Nick Nurse (.721), Steve Kerr (.709) and Gregg Popovich (.675) among active coaches. He is also one of only four active first-time head coaches in the league (along with Rick Carlisle, Kerr and Erik Spoelstra) to lead their teams to the playoffs in each of their first five seasons as a head coach.
“We are very pleased to welcome Billy and his family to the Chicago Bulls. The success that he has sustained over the course of his coaching career puts him on a different level,” said Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President – Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas. “We feel his ability to help his players reach their potential, both individually and collectively, will mesh well with our roster. Whether as a player or as a coach, he has won everywhere his career has taken him, and we hope that will continue here in Chicago.”
In 2015-16, his first season with the Thunder, he guided the team to a record of 55-27 (.671), as it claimed the Northwest Division title and advanced to the Western Conference Finals. Donovan’s 55 wins put him in select company, as he became just the third first-year head coach over the previous 15 seasons to win 55 or more games in his first season. On April 5, 2017 at Memphis, the Thunder defeated the Grizzlies 103-100 for Donovan’s 100th career victory in the NBA. With the win, he became the first NBA head coach to win 100 or more games in his first two seasons after coming straight from the collegiate level. He claimed his 200th career coaching win on Oct. 27, 2019 versus Golden State.
“I want to thank Jerry, Michael, Arturas and Marc for the opportunity to coach the Chicago Bulls. I also want to thank them for the time and effort they put into this hiring process. I’m excited to partner with Arturas as we work together on behalf of this historic franchise,” said Billy Donovan.
Prior to his arrival in Oklahoma City, Donovan enjoyed a storied 19-year stint as the head coach at the University of Florida. While in Gainesville, he coached his teams to an overall record of 467-186 (.715). His term with the Gators was highlighted by back-to-back National Championships in 2006, and again in 2007. The consecutive titles marked the first time a men’s program won two straight basketball championships since Duke in 1991 and 1992. He also led the Gators to the Final Four in 2000 (losing in the NCAA Championship Game) and 2014, while making 14 trips to the NCAA Tournament, and two appearances in the NIT.
The Gators enjoyed sustained success under Donovan, as his teams posted 16 straight seasons with 20 or more wins, three campaigns with 30 or more wins, 17 consecutive trips to the postseason and six SEC Championships. In 2014-15, at the age of 49 years old, he became the second-youngest coach in NCAA history (Bobby Knight, 48-years old) to post 500 wins. Before arriving in Gainesville, Donovan’s first experience as a head coach came in 1994 at Marshall University. In two seasons with the Thundering Herd, he posted a record of 35-20 (.636).
Donovan has also enjoyed success with USA Basketball. From 2012-14, he served as the head coach of USAB’s U18 and U19 National Teams. Over that time, his squads compiled a record of 19-0 and claimed three gold medals during national team competition.
A native of Rockville Centre, New York, Donovan played four seasons at Providence (1983-87). His senior season, he averaged 20.6 ppg and helped lead the Friars to the 1987 Final Four. For his efforts, he earned Southeast Regional Most Outstanding Player honors, and also was named to the 1987 All-Big East first team, the 1987 Big East All-Tournament team and was an honorable mention All-American. He was drafted by the Utah Jazz in the third round (68th overall) of the 1987 NBA Draft and played a total of 44 games with the New York Knicks in 1987-88. In 1999, he was inducted into the Providence College Hall of Fame.
Donovan and his wife, Christine, have four children: Billy, Hasbrouck, Bryan and Connor.
Fonte: Chicago Bulls.
In an interview with USA Today’s Mark Medina, New Orleans Pelicans veteran guard JJ Redick has said that he wants to play through the 2022-23 season.
“I realized this year I want to keep playing as long as possible. My goal is to play four more years. Year 18. That’s my goal. I’ll play to 39. Then my offseason, I’ll turn 40 and then I can walk away at that point. That’s my goal. We’ll see. The body has to hold up. But we’ll see”, Redick said.
Fonte: Mark Medina.
Hosted by Bob Costas in the conference CITIZEN by CNN, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said that his best guess is that the 2020-21 NBA season will begin in January 2021 at the earliest and that a start for Christmas Day is best case however unlikely.
Silver has added that the NBA goal is to play in home arenas, in front of fans, “a standard season”.
Nick Nurse signs a multi-year contract extension with the Toronto Raptors last week as reported by The Athletic .
Nurse will earn approximately $8 million per season and will be amongst the highest paid coaches in the NBA.
The Atlanta Hawks will try to sign John Collins to contract extension when the free agency begins.
Per RealGM, “When that window does open up, we’ll certainly have conversations with John’s representatives,” said Travis Schlenk.
Collins averaged 21.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 33.2 minutes per game in 19-20, which was his third NBA season.
Collins will be a restricted free agent in 2021 if he’s unable to reach agreement with the Hawks.
Fonte: RealGM.
Will Barton will not return for the series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Denver Nuggets player has yet to debut in Orlando’s bubble.
Per The Athletic, Nuggets swingman Will Barton (knee) is unlikely to return during the Western Conference Finals series against the Lakers, sources said. Barton, who has not played during the NBA’s restarted season, is continuing to rehabilitate a knee injury.
Fonte: The Athletic.
Ty Lue, Billy Donovan and Mike D’Antoni are the three main candidates for 76ers head coaching job.
Per The Athletic, s 76ers GM Elton Brand leads head coaching search, the franchise expects to bring shortlist of candidates — including Mike D’Antoni, Billy Donovan, Ty Lue — to Philadelphia area for next round of interviews.
The Utah Jazz are open to buying into the second round of the upcoming draft, sources told Tony Jones of The Athletic.
The team, which currently has the 23rd pick in the first round, does not have a second round pick.
Gordon Hayward told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols that he will not leave the Bubble for the birth of his fourth child.
He was originally supposed to leave the Bubble, but he changed plans since he just got a bunch of unexpected time with his family due to his injury.
Fonte: Rachel Nichols.
Golden State assistant Mike Brown is another candidate interviewing for the Indiana Pacers coaching job, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Brown worked for the Pacers as an assistant coach (2003-05). He has seven years of experience as head coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, and won the Coach of the Year award in 2009.
Fonte: Adrian Wojnarowski.