NBA rumors

31 August 2020

31/08/2020 22:30

Spurs’ Buford says team works under the assumption of Popovich returning as head coach

Gregg Popovich has been linked to the Brooklyn Nets’ head coaching vacancy for the past few weeks and there hasn’t been an outright statement refuting the possibility he would consider leaving the San Antonio Spurs.

When asked about the future of Popovich by CNBC’s Jabari Young, R.C. Buford said the Spurs are “under the assumption” Popovich is returning.

“I don’t know if he’s told Brian (Wright) any differently,” Buford said. “Pop’s shown nothing other than how we’re going to build our team for next year.”

Fonte: Jabari Young.

31 August 2020

31/08/2020 22:09

Mavs’ JJ Barea “frustrated” for lack of playing time, doesn’t rule out playing in Spain

In an interview with El Nuevo Dia, Dallas Mavericks veteran guard JJ Barea has expressed his frustration for the lack of playing time in the playoffs, adding that he doesn’t see a future with Dallas as a player with the Mavericks considering him, instead, as a future assistant coach.

Barea has dismissed the idea of a retirement: “I want to play in the NBA, I haven’t thought much about other options. There will be, but I’m used to this life. Spain? It’s always an option, it was my plan B before the NBA many years ago”.

Fonte: El Nuevo Dia.

31 August 2020

31 August 2020

31 August 2020

30 August 2020

30/08/2020 22:25

NBA quietly swapped out ‘Black Lives Matter’ T-Shirts on ball boys/girls

During the NBA’s seeding games, every ball boy and ball girl wore black “Black Lives Matter” t-shirts, but a few players began noticing those ball boys and ball girls suddenly wearing blue NBA logo t-shirts when the playoffs started.

Some owners never wanted “Black Lives Matter” painted on the court or on T-shirts worn by league employees in arenas, sources told Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports.

Fonte: Chris Haynes.

30 August 2020

30/08/2020 22:09

Carmelo Anthony reportedly on Knicks radar since March

Carmelo Anthony has been on the New York Knicks’ radar since Leon Rose took over as president in March, league sources told Marc Berman of the New York Post. Rose was Anthony’s agent while at Creative Artists Agency.

League sources believed that Anthony wanted to end his career with the Knicks when the season was paused due to the pandemic, though sentiments may have changed due to the Blazers’ play inside the bubble. Following their season-ending loss to the Lakers, Anthony has stated that he wants to remain in Portland.

Fonte: Marc Berman.

30 August 2020

30 August 2020

29 August 2020

29/08/2020 11:46

Jason Kidd and John Lucas reportedly interested in Sixers coaching job

According to Philly Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, other two NBA coaches are interested in the Philadelphia 76ers coaching job, vacant since the firing of Brett Brown.

The names are the ones of Jason Kidd, currently an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers and already a coach with Brooklyn and Milwaukee, and John Lucas, currently the Houston Rockets player development coach and former head coach of Spurs, Cavs and the Sixers themselves from 1994 to 1996.

29 August 2020

29/08/2020 08:42

Barack Obama advised LeBron James, Chris Paul to keep playing

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James led a small group of players who turned to former US President Barack Obama late Wednesday evening on how to move forward hours after the players decided to strike as a protest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

Obama spoke to James, Chris Paul and a few other players, reportedly advising them to continue playing and to utilize the opportunity to contextualize action they want in order to play.

Fonte: Shams Charania.

29 August 2020

29/08/2020 08:37

Nets reportedly pessimistic about hiring Tyronn Lue

Members within the Brooklyn Nets’ organization are pessimistic over potentially hiring Ty Lue as their next coach, sources told Ian Begley of SNY. While the source doesn’t mention any specific reason for the organization’s pessimism, it records that former Cavs coach is seeking $7 million per season.

Nets are still rumoured to have interest in Gregg Popovich, and interim coach Jacque Vaughn will also be a candidate to get the role on a permanent basis.

29 August 2020

29/08/2020 00:06

Mavs’ Kristaps Porzingis out for series vs. Clippers

The Mavericks announce Kristaps Porzingis has been dealing with a meniscus tear in his right knee since Game 1 of the playoffs. “Further treatment options are being explored,” but regardless they say KP won’t play in the rest of this series.

 

 

28 August 2020

26 August 2020

26/08/2020 20:42

Hawks, Knicks, Suns expected to pursue Davis Bertans

The Washington Wizards have made re-signing Davis Bertans a priority in free agency, but they’re expected to have competition from rival teams: the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns are expected to pursue Bertans, according to NBC Sports’ Chase Hughes.

Washington will be able to go over the cap to re-sign Bertans by owning his Bird rights. League sources expects Bertans to sign for $15 million to $20 million per season.

Fonte: Chase Hughes.

26 August 2020

26/08/2020 20:36

LaMelo Ball reportedly finalising an endorsement deal with Puma

Projected top NBA pick LaMelo Ball is finalizing an endorsement deal with Puma, sources tell The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

LaMelo will be the first Ball brother to sign shoe endorsement with company outside Big Baller Brand. Puma already has endorsement deals with several NBA players, between those: DeMarcus Cousins, Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma, Michael Porter jr and Marcus Smart.

26 August 2020

26/08/2020 20:03

Russell Westbrook upgraded to questionable for Rockets’ Game 5

Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook’s status for Wednesday’s pivotal Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder was upgraded to questionable.

Westbrook has not played in the series against his former team due to a strained right quadriceps. He was listed as out in the league’s 11 a.m. official injury report but was upgraded early Wednesday afternoon.

Sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that a decision would be made about Westbrook’s availability after he tests his quadriceps on the court before Game 5.

26 August 2020

26/08/2020 19:38

NBA still hopeful of beginning 2020-21 season by late December, January

The NBA’s Board of Governors held a call with the league office on Friday with discussions on the start of the season ranging from December to March. Sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski there remains a consensus hope to start the season sometime in late December or January.

The biggest motivator for the NBA and NBPA to delay the start of next season is to eventually get fans safely back into arenas for games. Adam Silver says game-night receipts account for approximately 40% of the league’s revenues. The financial realities of the league’s revenues cratering out without fans in arenas would have dramatic impact on teams, especially smaller-market franchises.

Fonte: Adrian Wojnarowski.

26 August 2020

26/08/2020 18:02

Indiana Pacers target Mike D’Antoni to replace Nate McMillan

Indiana Pacers target Mike D’Antoni to replace Nate McMillan.

Indiana also plans to search pool of those they’d consider ‘program builders’ over long-term.

24 August 2020

24 August 2020

24 August 2020

24 August 2020

24/08/2020 16:59

Udoka, Lue, Joerger and Jay Wright reportedly candidates for Sixers coaching job

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, 76ers assistant Ime Udoka, Clippers assistant Ty Lue, Villanova’s Jay Wright and former Grizzlies and Kings coach Dave Joerger are the first four potential candidates to succeed Brett Brown as Philadelphia 76ers head coach.

Brown has served as Sixers coach for the last seven seasons and is expected to leave the job in the upcoming days

Fonte: Shams Charania.

24 August 2020

24 August 2020

24/08/2020 16:07

Pistons, Knicks and Suns to reportedly chase Fred VanVleet in free agency

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet will be undoubtedly one of the marquee names of the upcoming NBA free agency: according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Detroit, New York and Phoenix are expected to emerge as suitors for Raptors guard besides Toronto.

VanVleet averaged 21.3 points and 7.8 assists per game in the series sweep over Brooklyn.

Fonte: Shams Charania.

24 August 2020

24/08/2020 15:01

Sixers reportedly would have offered Butler a max without any additional free agent meetings

The Philadelphia 76ers were ready to offer Jimmy Butler a max contract last summer if he agreed to not meet with any other teams, league sources told Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports.

Butler, who was reportedly “lukewarm” on re-signing with the Sixers, did not agree to the stipulation before signing with the Heat. Former Bulls forward rubbed Sixers teammates and Brett Brown the wrong way with his outspoken leadership style during his time in Philadelphia.

Fonte: Chris Haynes.

24 August 2020

24/08/2020 14:40

Raptors’ Kyle Lowry exits Game 4 win over Nets with foot injury

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry will get an MRI on the arch of his left foot after playing only nine minutes in Game 4 on Sunday. Raptors coach Nick Nurse said the team is looking at the arch and not the ankle after previously saying that Lowry left the game because of a “turned left ankle.”

Nurse wasn’t sure about Lowry’s status. The Raptors were 12-2 in games without Lowry this season, but Nurse didn’t want to look at that being the norm moving forward. Toronto will be back playing on Thursday for game 1 of their series vs the Boston Celtics.

Fonte: ESPN.

24 August 2020

24/08/2020 13:58

Gregg Popovich reportedly linked to Nets’ head coaching vacancy

The Brooklyn Nets will begin their head coaching search now that they’ve been eliminated from the 2020 playoffs. According to ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan Nets’ GM Sean Marks is seriously considering Jacque Vaughn for the job on a permanent basis.

Brooklyn stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, however, are reportedly interested in a higher profile head coach such as Tyronn Lue or Gregg Popovich, according to sources. MacMullan indicates that both Lue and Popovich are among the candidates who have been linked to the opening.

Fonte: Jackie MacMullan.

24 August 2020

24/08/2020 01:25

76ers to part ways with Brett Brown?

The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to part ways with coach Brett Brown despite two years remaining on his contract, per Yahoo Sports.

Within coaching circles, the anticipation is the Sixers will part ways with head coach Brett Brown in the coming days, league sources told Yahoo Sports. His contract runs through the 2021-22 season.

Brown, who was chosen as the coach of “The Process” seven years ago, never grabbed full command of the locker room during his tenure, sources said.

“I’m not the GM. I don’t make the decisions,” Joel Embiid said Sunday when asked about the future of his coach. “All I know is that we have a great organization and a bunch of great people.”

23 August 2020