NBA rumors

The Phoenix Suns are preparing for Chris Paul to miss Game 5 at the Denver Nuggets, but he could potentially return for Game 6, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Paul suffered a groin injury in Game 2, leading him to miss Games 3 and 4, which the Suns went on to win and holding serve at home.

Detroit Pistons’ owner Tom Gores is set to meet the finalists for the team’s head coach vacancy this week. The Pistons have narrowed down their search to three top candidates.

Gores will hold discussions with Kevin Ollie, Jarron Collins, and Charles Lee. Both Ollie and Collins have extensive NBA playing experience, while Lee has held coaching positions at the NCAA and NBA levels.

Ollie, during his 14-year NBA career, played for 11 different teams. Following his playing days, he took up coaching at the University of Connecticut before transitioning to spearhead the coaching efforts at Overtime Elite.

Collins, on the other hand, played for four teams throughout his 10-year NBA career. He has since spent nine seasons as an assistant coach, working with the Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Pelicans.

After finishing his playing career, Lee began coaching at his alma mater, Bucknell. For the past nine years, he has been an assistant coach under Mike Budenholzer, working with both the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks.

As the week progresses, the Pistons’ management will carefully evaluate each candidate’s merits before making their final decision on the team’s next head coach.

Pistons Owner Tom Gores To Meet With Coach Finalists This Week https://t.co/AbiuGesRfR

— RealGM (@RealGM) May 8, 2023

Ramona Shelburne recently reported that Dillon Brooks is seeking $25 million per year, prompting the Grizzlies to opt for a separation from the player.

The Memphis Grizzlies have decided not to bring back the upcoming unrestricted free agent Dillon Brooks, according to league sources cited by The Athletic.

Following a tumultuous end to the season, the Grizzlies’ decision to move forward without Brooks was communicated to the player during end-of-season meetings with team executives, the sources added. Memphis and Brooks agreed that it is in the best interest of both parties to have a fresh start.

In the 2022-23 season, Dillon Brooks averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. His previous contract was for three years with a total value of $35 million.

Ramona Shelburne just said Dillon Brooks wants $25 million/year and that is why the Grizzlies are parting ways with him

— Cody Mallory (@RealCodyMallory) May 2, 2023

The Memphis Grizzlies have informed Dillon Brooks that they are not interested under any circumstances in a new deal, according to a report by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The Canadian forward was involved in several questionable episodes during the Grizzlies’ first-round series loss to the Lakers.

The reporter reveals that the Front Office tried to extend Brooks’ contract during the season, but without finding an agreement.

The Oregon product holds career averages of 14.5 points and 2.1 assists in 6 seasons in Memphis, with a high of 18.4 points in the 2021/22 season.

The Phoenix Suns eliminated the LA Clippers in five games on Tuesday night. After losing the 2022 Play-In Tournament, LA missed the playoffs.

Ty Lue hopes to coach the Clippers next season despite recent struggles. Lue said, “I do.”

Lue has led the Clippers to 133-103 regular-season and 11-13 playoff records in three seasons. As LA’s head coach, he’s faced with roster instability because to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George’s injuries.

Sources tell ESPN that Ime Udoka is a genuine possibility to replace Nick Nurse after the Toronto Raptors sacked him on Friday.

Nurse, who led the Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2019, visited with club president Masai Ujiri numerous times in recent days before being fired Friday, sources said.

The Toronto Raptors have fired Nick Nurse.
Nurse led the franchise to the title in 2019.

The Washington Wizards bid farewell to Tommy Sheppard, who leaves the position of general manager.

Sheppard was promoted to interim general manager in 2019 after replacing Ernie Grunfeld, having joined the franchise in 2003.

During Sheppard’s tenure, the Wizards traded John Wall and subsequently signed Bradley Beal to a supermax contract. The team reached the playoffs in just one of Sheppard’s four seasons at the helm.

The Detroit Pistons are interviewing assistant Rex Kalamian for the head coaching position of the franchise.

Kalamian, who joined the Pistons’ staff in 2021, has spent nearly three decades on NBA benches. He is also the head coach of the Armenian national team.

The Pistons are interviewing assistant Rex Kalamian for franchise’s head coaching job this week, sources tell ESPN. Kalamian, who arrived on Pistons’ staff in 2021, has spent nearly three decades on front of NBA benches. He’s also the head coach of the Armenian national team.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 17, 2023

Former Notre Dame coach Mike Brey will join Atlanta coach Quin Snyder’s staff next year.

ESPN sources say no role will be decided until after the season.

As @tnoieNDI reported, former Notre Dame coach Mike Brey will join Atlanta coach Quin Snyder’s staff next year. No specific role has been finalized, nor will until after this season, sources tell ESPN. Brey, who has a 30-year history with Snyder, visited with the Hawks in March.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 18, 2023

All-Star forward Paul George is likely to miss the LA Clippers’ entire opening-round Western Conference playoff series against the Phoenix Suns because of his sprained right knee, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Sunday.

George has been progressing on the rehabilitation from the injury he suffered on March 21, but the Clippers are preparing to be without him for the series, which begins Sunday in Phoenix, sources said.

According to sources quoted by Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, the Detroit Pistons asked for permission to speak with Miami Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn.

Also scheduled for interview by the Pistons are Kevin Ollie and Charles Lee.

According to Kevin O’Connor of Fan Duel TV, the Dallas Mavericks originally intended to tank in March.

Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, who both refused to miss any games, opposed the choice.

“Dallas coaches gathered with players in late March to establish a strategy for Markieff Morris and Javale McGee to play more frequently.

When the club waved the white flag, O’Connor claims, “that’s when the tanking was supposed to start, but Luka and Kyrie were upset and both refused to sit.”

The Mavericks were fined $750K by the NBA for "conduct detrimental to the league"—aka tanking.

Here's what I know about Dallas' situation, who's to blame, and what needs to change to save the future of Luka Doncic.

Full episodes of Beyond The Arc every Tuesday on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/URmF0G0N5I

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) April 14, 2023

The NBA on Friday levied a $750,000 punishment on the Mavs for their tanking behavior and remarks during their contest against the Bulls on April 7.

Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison talked about Kyrie Irving: «I think the things that he said along the way about how he feels here, how he feels appreciated, how he feels accepted and allowed to be himself — those are the things that he said kind of consistently. That’s what gives me the optimism that he wants to be here».

Houston has received permission to interview Golden State associate head coach Kenny Atkinson for franchise’s coaching job, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Atkinson helped rebuild Nets into a playoff team and accepted Charlotte job before changing his mind and staying in Golden State a year ago.

Cam Whitmore has decided to leave Villanova to enter the NBA draft.
Whitmore leaves the NCAA after a season in which he averaged 12.5 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Whitmore is a projected top 10 pick.

Villanova University freshman Cam Whitmore – a projected top 10 pick – tells me he is entering the 2023 NBA Draft. Our sitdown: pic.twitter.com/mldqW0mRCi

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 11, 2023

Luka Doncic attempted to ease concerns about his long-term commitment to the Dallas Mavericks after the team’s disappointing season ended with a 138-117 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The Mavs finished 38-44 and 11th in the Western Conference, their first losing season since Doncic’s rookie year in 2017-18. Doncic recently acknowledged that he was more frustrated than he had ever been during his five-year career, pointing to the Mavs’ struggles and issues in his private life. He said that such frustration is “normal” when a team is losing as often as they were, as reported by ESPN.

“I’m happy here, so there’s nothing to worry [about],” Doncic said after sitting out the Mavericks’ 138-117 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

The Mavs finished with the 10th-best lottery odds, an important development with Dallas owing the New York Knicks a top-10-protected pick. The NBA is investigating the Mavs’ “roster decisions and game conduct” against the Bulls, league spokesman Mike Bass said Saturday. Doncic played only 12 minutes and 35 seconds against the Bulls on Friday, then sat out Sunday’s season finale.

“I didn’t like that decision,” Doncic said. “That’s it.”

Mavs governor Mark Cuban said on Wednesday that while he believes Doncic wants to spend his entire career in Dallas, the franchise has “got to earn” that kind of loyalty from the superstar. ESPN reported that Doncic could consider requesting a trade as soon as summer 2024 if significant progress is not made next season.

Doncic expressed the need for the Mavs to have a productive offseason to position themselves to be competitive again. He expressed his desire to re-sign Irving in free agency, which Cuban called the team’s top summer priority.

“Something’s got to change, for sure,” Doncic said. “I mean, last year we went to Western Conference finals. We were having fun. I always talk about the chemistry we had. It was great. But something’s got to change for sure.”

Irving, who declared days after being traded to Dallas that he would not discuss his free agency until the end of the season, declined to participate in the team’s exit interviews with the media. The Mavs were only 5-11 in games Doncic and Irving played together, which is the worst winning percentage for a pair of teammates since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976-77.

“I think it’s a great fit,” Doncic said. “Obviously people are going to say no [and] look at the results we are having, but like I said, chemistry and relationships takes time. I wish he can still be here.”

The Houston Rockets will part ways with head coach Stephen Silas. The Rockets are declining their fourth-year option for Silas, ending his tenure as Houston’s head coach after three seasons.

Silas went 59-177 in three seasons as the Rockets head coach.

Isaiah Roby, a forward, has signed with the New York Knicks. Roby will sign a two-year contract with New York that he will play out this season and continue over into the following one.

Roby participated in 42 games earlier this season with the San Antonio Spurs. In 11.3 minutes a game with the Spurs, the fourth-year forward averaged 4.1 points and 2.5 rebounds.

After being released by the Oklahoma City Thunder over the summer, Roby was picked up by San Antonio off waivers. The 6-foot-8 big had played with the Thunder for the first three years of his career.

The news was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Dallas Mavericks have some fear that Luka Doncic could request a trade as soon as the summer of 2024 if they don’t make significant progress by then. Doncic just finished Year 1 of a five-year, $215 million supermax extension and has a player option for the 2026 offseason. He participated in personnel discussions with the front office for the first time this season and pushed for a major upgrade, which led to their trade for Kyrie Irving. MacMahon wrote that Doncic “appeared relieved” after their loss to the Chicago Bulls, which officially eliminated them from play-in contention. A member of the Mavs’ staff who knows Doncic well said, “Good eyes.”

The news was reported by ESPN.

The Memphis Grizzlies will end their relationship with Kennedy Chandler. The player had signed a four-year deal worth more than $7 million, of which almost 5 were guaranteed with club options in the summer of 2025.

Chandler in his year as a rookie produced 2.2 points average and 1.6 assists in just 8.2’ of average in the 36 races played in NBA. In the G League he played 12 races with 15.3 points and 5.8 assists.

The Memphis Grizzlies are waiving guard Kennedy Chandler, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Surprising release of the rookie 20-year-old who was on long-term deal. Kennedy will receive strong interest on league’s waivers and open market.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2023

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Luka Samanic will sign a new contract with the Utah Jazz through the end of next season.

The croatian forward joined the Jazz on a 10-day deal.

Samanic has put together averages of 7.4 points, 4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 5 games.

The Utah Jazz are signing F Luka Samanic through the 2023-2024 season, a deal including guaranteed money and trigger dates, his agents George Roussakis and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tell ESPN. Samanic, 23, was the 19th overall pock to the Spurs in 2019.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 7, 2023

Despite the Dallas Mavericks struggling since acquiring Kyrie Irving, they still plan to re-sign the star guard, according to Bleacher Report.

Irving will let his future be decided in free agency this summer. The Mavericks, with a 9-16 record since the trade, aim to improve their defense by surrounding Luka Dončić and Irving with versatile wing defenders and rim protectors.

James Wiseman is enjoying a fresh start with the Detroit Pistons after a trade deadline deal away from the Golden State Warriors. Wiseman, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, has struggled to stay on the floor during his three seasons in the league due to a variety of injuries and inconsistencies. He is averaging 13.1 points and 8.4 rebounds over 19 games for the Pistons, which is impressive given that he had only played in 21 games all season for the Warriors prior to the trade. Wiseman is frustrated that the Warriors moved him so early in his career, but is confident that he will continue to improve in the Pistons’ system and not get discouraged if he makes mistakes.

“This is apparently like my rookie year, I can say, because just the amount of games I’ve played,” Wiseman told ESPN prior to Sunday’s game against the Orlando Magic. “Seriously. So, I just got to take it one day at a time. I can’t be so hard on myself about anything, about trying to be good right now, all the instant gratification stuff. Sometimes it comes into my mind, but I got to just look at it for what it is and be real with myself. It’s going to take time. It’s not going to be now. It’s going to be within time, it just takes time within the craft. I just got to keep working. That’s it.”

“It’s a business,” Wiseman said. “I kind of seen that when I got traded. It’s like an experience within itself. I just got to take it one day at a time. I only played like 78 games, me being in the league, so it’s going to take time.”

“Short term just to get better and just to develop,” Wiseman said. “Just watch as much film as possible and just don’t get so down on myself if I make mistakes or if I mess up. It’s part of the journey, it’s going to happen, because I haven’t played in such a long time. It’s going to take time with me just believing in myself and knowing that I can do it. Keep working every day, everything will come together eventually.”