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.
Jeff Van Gundy met with Houston Rockets ownership and management today on the franchise's coaching job and conversations with the team will continue on Thursday, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 15, 2020
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.
The LA Clippers interviewed their assistant coach Sam Cassell for the franchise’s head coaching job on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Cassell spent six seasons on Doc Rivers’ staff.
Fonte: Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Dallas Mavericks are expected to make a strong push for Giannis Antetokounmpoo when he will become free agent in 2021 if he doesn’t sign a supermax extension with the Bucks in the next free agency.
Per RealGM, “The Dallas Mavericks are gonna be at the head of the line in pursuing Giannis. They want to have a 3rd star,” said Brian Windhorst on The Jump.
The Mavericks would offer Antetokounmpo the opportunity to team up with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.
“They want to keep their books clear for 2021,” added Windhorst. “I wouldn’t expect them to add any major free agents this year. They’re going to wait.”
NBA season may restart on Martin Luther King jr day, January 18, 2021.
John Hollinger — the former Grizzlies executive — wrote this for The Athletic about the Jan. 18 date.
For starters, I’ve heard people in the league talking about a potential MLK date for a while, even as the “official” word was targeting December.
Logistically, this seems about the limit of how far they want to push the date back. Going any later moves the bulk of the playoffs deeper into summer and perhaps even into competing with the NFL, like it did this year. Plus, there’s an accordion effect on the following season as well – at some point, the league needs to get back to something closer to its normal schedule.
New Sacramento Kings GM has decided to reshape the front office of the franchise.
McNair is hiring former Hawks Wes Wilcox as assistant GM, former 76ers Phil Jabour as VP of player personnel and former Thunder Paul Johnson as Director of Basketball Operations.
New Kings GM Monte McNair is reshaping his front office, hiring former Hawks GM Wes Wilcox as assistant GM, Philadelphia’s Phil Jabour as VP of Player Personnel and OKC’s Paul Johnson as Director of Basketball Operations, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 14, 2020
Chris Finch is considered the front runner for Indiana Pacers head coaching job.
The Pelicans assistant has interviewed for the Pacers.
Indiana will also interview Heat assistants Chris Quinn and Dan Craig and has talked to Chauncey Billups and Dave Joerger.
Sources: Chris Finch is considered the frontrunner to be the next Pacers head coach. Finch has been with the Pelicans since 2017.
Heat assistants Chris Quinn and Dan Craig will interview with Indiana next.
Chauncey Billups and Dave Joerger previously had convos with Indiana.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) October 13, 2020
The New Orleans Pelicans are meeting with Stan Van Gundy today, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Van Gundy is emerging as one of four expected finalists for the franchise’s coaching job.
Another candidate is Tyronn Lue who’s expected to meet with the Pelicans officials this week, per Wojnarowski.
Fonte: Adrian Wojnarowski.
Ty Lue is the hottest name for Houston Rockets head coaching job following the meeting the two sides had on Monday.
Per ESPN, The Rockets are competing with the Clippers for Lue and could try to extend an offer before Los Angeles has completed its search process, but that isn’t expected to happen before Houston meets with former coach Jeff Van Gundy this week, sources said.
Both Lue and Van Gundy are prominent parts of the Rockets’ and Clippers’ coaching searches — and Lue has been the Clippers’ frontrunner since Doc Rivers was dismissed on September 28, sources said.
Fonte: ESPN.
According to The Athletic’s Jared Weiss, Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter is likely to opt-out of his contract for next season and test the market.
Kanter has a player option for next season at around 5 million dollars, but he’s happy in Boston and may even be willing to take on a more diminished role to stay, The Athletic reports.
Fonte: Jared Weiss.
In a longform piece on the Lakers title, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne confirmed that LeBron James came close to leave the NBA bubble after the Milwaukee Bucks protest during Game 5 of their first round matchup against the Orlando Magic.
Shelburne writes that “when the Milwaukee Bucks staged an impromptu walkout of their game against the Orlando Magic in response to the Jacob Blake shooting, James spoke with friends and advisers late into the night. He supported the Bucks and the cause, but the lack of planning and strategy was frustrating; those close to him say now that James was very close to walking away from the season that night. What changed everything was when he and Paul got on the phone with former President Barack Obama. His words late that night drew on that experience: Get something for this, push the NBA, push the owners, push society to do more”.
Fonte: Ramona Shelburne.
The New York Knicks are interested in trading down in the NBA draft unless players like James Wiseman or LaMelo Ball are available with the 8th call.
Per NY Post, According to two league sources, the Knicks are seriously mulling trading back in the Nov. 18 draft unless big man James Wiseman or point guard LaMelo Ball fall back to the eighth spot.
It’s become increasingly clear the Knicks’ top priority, Ball, is unlikely to slide. Wiseman, the athletic 7-foot-1 center from Memphis, has seen some mock-draft fluctuations.
One source senses the Knicks have Ball and Wiseman as two players they absolutely “love,” and haven’t been as smitten yet with any other prospect in a consensus weak draft.
According to an NBA source, Orlando has shown interest in Dennis Smith Jr., so a bigger deal could work with the Magic if they swap the No. 8 and No. 15 slots.
Fonte: NY Post.
Mike Brown was interviewed by the Los Angeles Clippers for their head coach opening.
Brown, associate head coach for the Warriors, made a strong impression in Clippers front office.
Another candidate for the role is Ty Lue who will be also interviewed by the Rockets.
Latest buzz in NBA coaching circles: Golden State's Mike Brown made a strong impression on the Clippers in his interview and is an emerging candidate with LA.
Ty Lue, scheduled to meet with Houston early next week, was widely billed as the early favorite to succeed Doc Rivers
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 10, 2020
Here’s the latest from the injury reports ahead of Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Anthony Davis (right heel contusion): probable
Goran Dragic (torn plantar fascia in his left foot): doubtful
Sydney Kings head coach Will Weaver has emerged as a candidate for the head coaching position with the New Orleans Pelicans, reports ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
Weaver has been an assistant coach in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets before becoming head coach of the Long Island Nets of the G League.
Fonte: Brian Windhorst.
P.J. Tucker still hopes to sign a contract extension with the Houston Rockets, reports Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
According to Iko, both the Rockets and Tucker would like the partnership to extend beyond the 2020-21 season when he enters the final season of his contract worth $7.97M.
Fonte: Kelly Iko.
Jae Crowder will be a free agent this offseason and hopes to re-sign with the Miami Heat, as reported by Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.
“Hopefully we can work something out,” Crowder said. “It’s enjoyable because we’re winning. Last two teams standing. It’s been a great, great organization to be a part of.”
Fonte: Barry Jackson.
Pau Gasol, in an interview with Efe (via Marca), said that in the next month, month and a half will decide whether to play one more season or retire.
“This pandemic, with all the bad it has brought us, _is giving me a little more time to recover from my foot injury. The progression is being positive. In the next month or month and a half, my level of demand on the court will be very high , and there I will find out if I can compete again, “he says.
Gasol, who is out since March 2018 when he fractured his foot, dreams to play one more season and end his career in Tokyo.
Pau denied the rumors about Barcelona for him and his brother, Marc.
“I am surprised by the impact of such news which are fake news” Pau Gasol added.
Fonte: Marca.
Houston Rockets interview Wes Unseld Jr., Stephen Silas and David Vanterpool.
NBA sources: #Rockets process to find their next coach includes @nuggets ass’t Wes Unseld Jr,who has interviewed.Rockets also met with @dallasmavs ass’t Stephen Silas, @Timberwolves assoc HC David Vanterpool & sources confirm former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson has also interviewed
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) October 7, 2020
The Miami Heat hope to have Goran Dragic back for Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
The Slovenian point guard is listed as doubtful for the game.
Fonte: Twitter Malika Andrews.
The Sacramento Kings announced today that Alvin Gentry has been named Associate Head Coach. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“I’m excited to add Alvin’s valuable experience and leadership to the team,” said Walton. “His veteran coaching perspective will be a great addition and I look forward to working with him again to continue developing our group.”
Gentry brings more than 35 years of coaching experience to the Sacramento bench. He most recently served as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, where he guided the team to 48 wins during the 2018-19 regular season – the third most in team history – and a trip to the NBA Playoffs, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals for only the second time in franchise history.
Prior to New Orleans, Gentry was the Associate Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors, helping lead the team to the 2015 NBA Championship. Alvin has also previously served as head coach for the Miami Heat (1995), Detroit Pistons (1997-2000), Los Angeles Clippers (2000-2003) and Phoenix Suns (2008-2013). In 1,105 games, Gentry has garnered a career record of 510-595 (.462).
With Gentry at the helm of the Suns, he guided Phoenix to the 2010 Western Conference Finals following a 54-28 regular season record – the fourth best in Phoenix franchise history – and led the NBA in scoring with 110.2 points per game.
The Shelby, North Carolina native was a point guard at Appalachian State, where he earned a degree in management (1977) prior to his coaching career
Kings Name Alvin Gentry Associate Head Coach » https://t.co/O385eFuhya pic.twitter.com/CLs0mAR6bN
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 7, 2020
Fonte: NBA.com.
Jonathon Simmons is signing with the Liaoning Flying Leopards, Anthony Slater reports.
Recently, Simmons was in the mini-camp organized by the Golden State Warriors.
According to the reporter, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said that Simmons still does have “NBA years” ahead of him.
Last year the swingman out of Houston played just 5 games for the Santa Cruz Warriors in G League, averaging 19.6 points, 5 rebounds and 1.4 steals.
Source: Jonathon Simmons, who participated (and impressed) in the Warriors’ recent bubble minicamp, is signing in China with the Liaoning Flying Leopards. Steve Kerr said he believes Simmons still does have “NBA years” ahead of him.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 7, 2020
Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic warmed up before Game 4 in an attempt to return to action, but decided he was be unable to play as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The thought was Dragic would play if he could tolerate the pain with his torn plantar fascia in his foot.
Fonte: Shams Charania.
The NBPA expects free agency to begin on or around December 1st with the draft currently scheduled for November 18th, as confirmed by Executive Director Michele Roberts to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
“We can’t go much beyond” early December, Roberts told Charania. “We had a projected BRI, which I think teams appropriately planned for. I don’t think we can deviate much from where we projected the cap to be ($115 million, latest projection). It may not reflect what people think is the likely BRI, but since I’m of the view this game is not dead and it will rebound, we can do some things with the cap to allow for a free market and not completely destroy what the teams were expecting the cap to be as they were planning ahead. Frankly, I think that’s going to be one of the easier negotiations, figuring out a cap.”
Fonte: Shams Charania.
Alvin Gentry agrees to a deal with Sacramento Kings to become associate coach under Luke Walton as reported by ESPN.
Gentry arrives in California after five-seasos with Pelicans with 175-225 record.
Gentry’s 175 victories with the Pelicans are the second most in Hornets/Pelicans franchise history, trailing the total of Byron Scott.
Miami Heat All-Star forward Bam Adebayo is planning to return for Game 4 against the Lakers tonight, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Adebayo missed Game 2 and 3 with a neck strain.
Fonte: Adrian Wojnarowski.
Golden State assistant Mike Brown had interview with the LA Clippers in the recent days while Bucks assistant Darvin Ham is set to interview with the Clippers this week, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Malika Andrews.
Darvin Ham is also a finalist for the Pacers head coaching job, Malika Andrews reports.
Fonte: Adrian Wojnarowski.
Ty Lue has been interviewed by Clippers and Pelicans about their coaching openings.
Lue will also be interviewed by the Rockets this week after the talk was postponed from last weekend.
Tyronn Lue has completed sitdowns with the Clippers and the Pelicans about their coaching openings … and Lue's interview for the Rockets' coaching vacancy, league sources say, will now take place this week after it was moved from the weekend
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 6, 2020
The New York Knicks are more likely to pursue a trade for Victor Oladipo than Chris Paul, sources told Marc Berman of the New York Post.
“While Rose, the Knicks rookie president, has Paul on his trade radar, putting together a package for younger Pacers’ guard Victor Oladipo is expected to be a higher priority, according to NBA officials,” wrote Berman. Knicks GM Scott Perry drafted Oladipo during his time with the Magic.
Fonte: Marc Berman.
New York Knicks targets Fred VanVleet for the free-agency.
VanVleet will be free agent this summer after expiry of his 2 year / $18,000,000 contract with Toronto Raptors inked in 2018.
Fonte: hoopshype.com.