Bucks assistant Darvin Ham is the only finalist for the Lakers‘ coaching vacancy without previous head coaching experience, but he apparently has the support of LeBron James, according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. “He’s the guy LeBron wants,” a source from a rival team tells Pincus. Ham, 48, also has the advantage of a previous relationship with the Lakers. After his … [Read more...] about Lakers Notes: Ham, Rivers, Pelinka, Brockington
Nets Notes: Claxton, Brown, Van Gundy, Dinwiddie
The Nets are prepared to match any offer to keep restricted free agent Nic Claxton, according to a report from Heavy.com. A second-round pick in 2019, the 23-year-old center will be on the market this summer after spending three years in Brooklyn. He averaged 8.7 points and 5.6 rebounds this season, mostly in a backup role, and his numbers have improved each year. An Eastern … [Read more...] about Nets Notes: Claxton, Brown, Van Gundy, Dinwiddie
New York Notes: Brunson, Stoudemire, Baldwin, Sotto
The Knicks’ top executive, Leon Rose, needs to go all out this summer to sign free agent Jalen Brunson, Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post opines. The Knicks settled for Kemba Walker last summer instead of engaging in an all-out bidding war for Fred VanVleet. The same mistake can’t be made this time around, in Vaccaro’s view, so Rose must figure out a way to clear more cap space … [Read more...] about New York Notes: Brunson, Stoudemire, Baldwin, Sotto
No Contract Talks Yet For Nets, Kyrie Irving
The Nets have yet to engage in any contract talks with Kyrie Irving, who holds a $36.9MM player option for 2022/23, general manager Sean Marks said in an interview with YES Network (link via Brian Lewis of The New York Post). “It wouldn’t be right for me to comment on what hypothetical could happen, because we don’t know,” Marks said. “We haven’t had those conversations with … [Read more...] about No Contract Talks Yet For Nets, Kyrie Irving
Coach/Exec Notes: Connelly, D’Antoni, Nets, Rockets
In general manager Calvin Booth, the Nuggets have a logical in-house replacement for Tim Connelly should their current president of basketball operations decide he wants to leave Denver to run the Timberwolves‘ front office, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack article. The Wolves are said to be in the market for a big-name basketball executive and are reportedly courting … [Read more...] about Coach/Exec Notes: Connelly, D’Antoni, Nets, Rockets
Knicks Notes: Daniels, Draft Prospects, Pacers, Hardaway
Australian guard/forward Dyson Daniels, who played with the G League Ignite this past season as team’s de facto point guard, is on the Knicks‘ radar with the No. 11 pick, reports Marc Berman of The New York Post. Daniels is a defensive-minded initiator who’s a strong rebounder and passer, and the Knicks have been looking for a lead guard for a long time. “I wanted to show NBA … [Read more...] about Knicks Notes: Daniels, Draft Prospects, Pacers, Hardaway
Magic Win 2022 NBA Draft Lottery; Thunder, Rockets, Kings In Top Four
With Tuesday night’s lottery results now official, the top 14 slots for the 2022 NBA draft have been set. The lottery order is as follows: Orlando Magic Oklahoma City Thunder Houston Rockets Sacramento Kings Detroit Pistons Indiana Pacers Portland Trail Blazers New Orleans Pelicans (from Lakers) San Antonio Spurs Washington Wizards New York Knicks Oklahoma City Thunder (from … [Read more...] about Magic Win 2022 NBA Draft Lottery; Thunder, Rockets, Kings In Top Four
Atlantic Notes: Simmons, Rosas, Jokubaitis, Ainge
In a recent interview with Michael Grady of YES Network (video link), Nets team president Sean Marks once again defended embattled Brooklyn guard Ben Simmons. Simmons, who missed the entire 2021/22 season due to mental health issues and a herniated disc in his lower back, had reportedly aimed to return in the first round of the playoffs, but experienced a setback. “It’s a … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: Simmons, Rosas, Jokubaitis, Ainge
2022 NBA Draft Picks By Team
Not only did the Thunder move up in Tuesday’s draft lottery to claim this year’s No. 2 overall pick, but they’re also one of just three teams with four picks in the 2022 draft. No team’s 2022 selections are more valuable than Oklahoma City’s — in addition to the second overall pick, the Thunder control No. 12, No. 30, and No. 34. The Spurs and Timberwolves also each own four … [Read more...] about 2022 NBA Draft Picks By Team