NBA rumors

20 October 2020

20/10/2020 19:59

Pacers officially hire Nate Bjorkgren as head coach

Press release from the Indiana Pacers regarding the hiring of Nate Bjorkgren as their new head coach.

The Indiana Pacers announced Tuesday that they have hired Nate Bjorkgren as head coach. Per team policy, the terms of the contract were not released.

Bjorkgren (pronounced BEE-ork-gren) served as assistant coach of the Toronto Raptors during the past two seasons (2018-20), and helped the Raptors win their first NBA Championship during the 2018-19 season. He also served as player development coordinator and assistant coach of the Phoenix Suns for two seasons from 2015-17 before joining the Raptors as an advanced scout during the 2017-18 season.

PHOTOS: Nate Bjorkgren Career Gallery »

“We are very pleased and excited to have Nate as our new coach,” said President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “This was an extensive and thorough search, and when we reached the conclusion, we felt strongly Nate is the right coach for us at the right time. He comes from a winning background, has experienced championship success, is innovative and his communication skills along with his positivity are tremendous. We all look forward to a long, successful partnership in helping the Pacers move forward.”

Prior to his tenure as an NBA assistant, Bjorkgren served as a head coach in the NBA G League for four seasons and compiled a 126-74 record (.630) with the Bakersfield Jam (2014-15), Iowa Energy (2013-14), Santa Cruz Warriors (2012-13), and Dakota Wizards (2011-12). He served as an assistant coach under current Raptors head coach Nick Nurse for Iowa from 2007-11 and helped the Energy win the 2010-11 NBA G League championship.

“I am honored to take on the role as head coach of the Indiana Pacers,” said Bjorkgren. “This is something I have prepared for during my career. I want to thank Kevin, Chad (Buchanan), Kelly (Krauskopf), Larry Bird, Donnie Walsh, and Herb and Steve Simon for this opportunity. I also want to thank Nick Nurse for giving me my first professional coaching job 14 years ago.”

“I’m looking forward to working with this great team to achieve our goal as NBA Champions.”

Bjorkgren is a native of Storm Lake, Iowa. He played basketball collegiately at the University of South Dakota and Buena Vista University in Iowa.

Fonte: Indiana Pacers.

20 October 2020

20 October 2020

20/10/2020 18:45

Indiana Pacers to hire Nate Bjorkgren as head coach

The Indiana Pacers will hire Nate Bjorkgren as head coach for next season.
Bjorkgren comes from the Toronto Raptors where he was Nurse’ assistant coach.
The coach will replace Nate McMillan, fired at the end of the season.

20 October 2020

19 October 2020

19/10/2020 14:55

Raptors looking not to exceed four-year, $80 million deal for VanVleet

One of the Toronto Raptors’ main targets in the next free agency is to re-sign Fred VanVleet. But the former NBA champions will try not to exceed a four-year, $80 million deal for the player.

Per ESPN, If the Raptors sign VanVleet to a larger number due to interest from rival teams, they would presumably need to shed salary in other areas if they end up signing a max player in 2021.

The Raptors are widely expected to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo if he becomes a free agent in 2021.

Fonte: ReaLGM.

19 October 2020

19/10/2020 14:39

Bucks will not look to trade Antetokounmpo if he passes on extension

The Milwaukee Bucks will not try to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo if decides to pass on the extension when free agency begins.
The two-time MVP will become unrestricted free agent in the free agency at the end of the season 2020-2021 if he doesn’t sign a new contract with Milwaukee.

Per ESPN, If Giannis Antetokounmpo passes on an extension with the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason, Tim Bontemps of ESPN reports that “multiple sources have emphatically said Milwaukee will not look to trade [him].”

The Bucks will instead try to improve their roster and bolster their case on why Antetokounmpo should sign long-term with the franchise.

The Bucks could be major players in the trade market if they are willing to increase payroll.

A few teams such as the Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat could be more aggressive in 2020 if Antetokounmpo does sign an extension now.

Fonte: ESPN.

18 October 2020

18/10/2020 20:29

Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers in talks for Derrick Rose?

Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers in talks for Derrick Rose?

Sean Deveny wrote: «Back at the NBA trading deadline, it was no secret that the Lakers had an interest in bringing in some bench help, particularly in the backcourt. While not trade came to pass, there were talks that involved Pistons guard Derrick Rose, who was briefly a teammate of LeBron James in Cleveland».

18 October 2020

18/10/2020 18:47

Stephen Silas, Jeff Van Gundy, and John Lucas are three finalists for Rockets bench

Stephen Silas, Jeff Van Gundy, and John Lucas are the three finalists to be the next head coach of the Houston Rockets as reported by Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston.

Daryl Morey reportedly took a diminished role in the current search.

18 October 2020

18 October 2020

18/10/2020 14:31

Raptors’ Fred VanVleet could reportedly get similar contract to Malcolm Brogdon

Malcolm Brogdon’s contract with the Indiana Pacers is a barometer for what Fred VanVleet could expect to earn this offseason, sources told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. Brogdon signed a four-year, $85 million deal with the Pacers last offseason.

According to Bondy, the Raptors remain the favorites to re-sign VanVleet but they face a tough competition with Detroit, Phoenix and New York reportedly on the hunt.

Fonte: Stefan Bondy.

18 October 2020

17 October 2020

17 October 2020

16 October 2020

16/10/2020 15:46

Preferential treatment Kawhi Leonard got from Clippers “ruffled the feathers of some teammates”

The preferential treatment that Kawhi Leonard received from the Los Angeles Clippers “ruffled the feathers of some teammates,” according to The Athletic.

Per RealGM, Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams reportedly “bristled” when Leonard was allowed to take games off. Leonard played in 57 games last season.
Leonard, who lived in San Diego last year, was also “often” late for team flights.
In addition, Leonard was allowed to control when he was pulled from games.

16 October 2020

16/10/2020 08:56

Daryl Morey on leaving Rockets: It just felt like the right time

Daryl Morey said it was the perfect timing to part ways with the Houston Rockets.

Per ESPN, Morey’s resignation will be effective on Nov. 1, the team announced Thursday, as he will continue to assist owner Tilman Fertitta and the Rockets’ front office in the franchise’s search for a new head coach.
“For me, it was just a great run,” Morey told ESPN on Thursday night in a telephone conversation that also included Fertitta. “Personally, the timing worked for me. My youngest son just graduated from high school, and it was just the right time to see what’s next with family and other potential things in the future. It just felt like the right time.”

Fonte: ESPN.

15 October 2020

15/10/2020 23:19

John Lucas gaining momentum as frontrunner for Houston Rockets

John Lucas may be frontrunner for Rockets head coach job as reported by Marc Stein.

Jeff Van Gundy remains a co-finalist in Houston and was still talking to the Rockets today after their initial interview Wednesday.

But Lucas, league sources say, has at least three key admirers in the organization: James Harden, Russell Westbrook and new Rockets GM Rafael Stone

15 October 2020

15 October 2020

15 October 2020

15 October 2020

15 October 2020

15 October 2020

15 October 2020

15 October 2020

15/10/2020 18:27

Houston Rockets to promote Rafael Stone as GM?

Houston Rockets are planning to promote Executive VP of Basketball Operations Rafael Stone to general manager to replace Daryl Morey.

Eli Witus could become Assistant GM.

15 October 2020

15/10/2020 18:14

Daryl Morey to leave Houston Rockets

Daryl Morey is stepping down Houston Rockets as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

«In the aftermath of Houston’s elimination from the NBA’s restart in Orlando, Florida, Morey approached owner Tilman Fertitta with the idea of leaving the job and the sides quietly worked through an exit agreement to conclude his 13 seasons running the franchise’s basketball operations, sources said» Wojnarowski wrote.

Morey will remain in an advisory role for a short period to assist in the Rockets’ completion of their head-coaching search.

15 October 2020

15/10/2020 17:17

Anthony Davis plans to opt out of deal to re-sign with Lakers

Anthony Davis will opt out of the final year of his deal to become free agent.
But the power forward will re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis has a contract worth $28.7 million for next season.

15 October 2020

15/10/2020 12:28

Dave Joerger reportedly a candidate to join Doc Rivers’ staff in Philadelphia

Dave Joerger is a candidate to join Doc Rivers’ staff in Philadelphia.
Joerger is also a name for the Indiana Pacers head coaching job.
The coach has been at the helm of Grizzlies and Kings in the NBA.

15 October 2020

15/10/2020 08:01

Rockets-Jeff Van Gundy to have second meeting today

The Houston Rockets will have a second meeting with Jeff Van Gundy in the next hours.
The TV analyst will talk to Rockets ownership and management about their head coaching job.

15 October 2020

15/10/2020 07:49

Lakers’ Rajon Rondo expected to opt out of $2.96 million contract for next season

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo will opt out of his $2.96 million contract for next season to become free agent.

Per Basketballnews, Rajon Rondo will opt out of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers to become an unrestricted free agent, BasketballNews.com learned on Thursday.

“He’s definitely opting out,” a league source said. By opting out, he will enter the market as the most experienced point guard available in terms of championship pedigree. Even though he isn’t opting in, Rondo could still re-sign with the Lakers.

14 October 2020