Latest On Knicks Coaching Situation
Late last night, Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com reported that Phil Jackson is in no rush in his coaching search and wants to speak with Derek Fisher before making a hire. Fisher, of course, is currently preoccupied with the Spurs as his Thunder get set to square off in the Western Conference finals.
Meanwhile, Stein and Shelburne now add that sources say Jackson has not ruled out a sit-down with Knicks fan favorite Mark Jackson, who has rejoined ESPN as a broadcaster after his dismissal by the Warriors. It has been said that the Zen Master would prefer a young coach whom he could groom but Jackson comes with an impressive resume from his time in Golden State and has fans within the Knicks organization. Marc Berman of the New York Post first reported that the Knicks prez would consider the former Warriors coach.
Former NBA head coach Kurt Rambis and current D-League developmental coach Luke Walton are on Jackson’s short list as well, but sources say Rambis and Walton are more likely regarded as potential assistants. Bill Cartwright, another one of Jackson’s former players with head coaching experience, got an interview to be on Steve Kerr‘s hypothesized Knicks staff and Rambis and Walton would probably be looked at in the same light.
Magic To Partner With Erie BayHawks
MAY 19TH: The deal is now official, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.
MAY 9TH: An official announcement of the new arrangement will be made the week of May 19th, reports Gino Pilato of D-League Digest.
APRIL 15TH: The Erie BayHawks will serve as the Magic’s D-League affiliate in a one-to-one relationship next season, sources tell Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. The Knicks announced this spring that they’re ending their hybrid partnership with the BayHawks after the season and starting a D-League expansion team that will serve as their affiliate. Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reported in February that the Magic had been in talks with an existing D-League team about forming a one-to-one relationship, and Zillgitt reveals it was indeed the BayHawks.
The Magic are one of six teams sharing the Fort Wayne Mad Ants this season, and they haven’t made a D-League assignment in 2013/14, even though their roster is full of young, developing players. GM Rob Hennigan and company apparently want to make better use of the D-League, despite the approximately 1,000-mile distance between Orlando and Erie, Pennsylvania that will make it tough for the club to liberally shuttle players back and forth as many teams with closer affiliates do. Still, it’s only about half the distance separating the Heat from their one-to-one affiliate in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
There were 14 NBA teams this season with a one-to-one D-League affiliation. The Pistons will also join that list next season, while the Blazers are ending their relationship with the Idaho Stampede and will share an affiliate in 2014/15. I wouldn’t be surprised to see another team strike a direct partnership with the Stampede before next season. The number of teams with one-to-one affiliates has grown in the past few years, and the D-League hopes someday to have a club lined up with each NBA team.
The hybrid partnership means the Magic will run the basketball operations for the BayHawks, while Erie’s owners will take care of the business end of the club. There are seven NBA franchises that have similar arrangements with a D-League team this season, while other NBA clubs own their affiliates outright.
Knicks Want To Wait For Derek Fisher
Knicks president Phil Jackson continues to send out signals that he’s in no rush to hire a coach until he can seriously discuss the position with Thunder guard Derek Fisher, sources close to the process tell Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein of ESPN.com.
Fisher’s interest in coaching remains a matter of debate and for his part, he’s trying deflect all questions about his future, whether it be as a coach or a front office executive, until after the playoffs. Fisher, like previous frontrunner Steve Kerr, would be a coaching neophyte with strong ties and familiarity to Jackson.
Sources say that in addition to Fisher, the Knicks still have interest in Nuggets coach Brian Shaw but do not currently plan to ask the Nuggets’ permission to speak with him. Because teams can only offer cash or draft picks as compensation for coaches, sources say New York fears it likely can’t meet the Nuggets’ demands.
Latest On Kevin Love
10:22pm: Knicks president Phil Jackson has been plotting to acquire Love via trade, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. The Knicks’ interest in Love for next summer has been known, but they could try and get him sooner if he’s made available.
4:58pm: The Celtics have emerged as an increasingly intriguing destination for Timberwolves All-Star forward Kevin Love, league sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. The Celtics’ draft position coming out of Tuesday night’s lottery could have a big impact on the feasibility of a deal with Minnesota.
If the C’s get their projected No. 5 slot, that could be a big asset in landing Love. If they move up and get a top three spot, that would make the decision harder for GM Danny Ainge. Love’s representatives with Excel Sports are pushing Timberwolves president Flip Saunders to find a trade acceptable to them before the beginning of summer free agency in July – preferably by the June 26 NBA draft, league sources say. As we learned earlier, Love has let the T’Wolves know that he won’t be signing an extension with them.
The Rockets are planning an aggressive pursuit for Love and the Warriors, Lakers, and Suns were mentioned as landing spots in Wojnarowski’s report from earlier. The Rockets are also in the mix since Kevin McHale has ties to Love.
And-Ones: Jackson, Pistons, Izzo, Lakers
The playoffs haven’t been pretty for the Pacers so far, but they clawed their way to the Eastern Conference Finals and today they reminded the Heat that they’re ready to give them another tough fight. The Pacers took Game 1 107-96 behind 24 points and seven assists from Paul George and 19 points and seven boards from David West. Here’s tonight’s look around the NBA..
- Former Warriors coach Mark Jackson told Shams Charania of RealGM (on Twitter) that he’s yet to hear from an NBA team about a coaching job. He went on to say that he’s “relaxing and enjoying life.”
- Despite a report to the contrary, the Pistons never offered the head coaching job to Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, writes Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News. Michigan coach John Beilein was also on the list, but didn’t get much further. Of course, Stan Van Gundy wound up signing on as coach and president of basketball operations.
- With the Lakers season in the books, Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com looks at MarShon Brooks‘ time in L.A. Ever since breaking into the league as a promising rookie for the Nets, Brooks has played for three different teams in two seasons. While Kent Bazemore, the other asset coming over in the Steve Blake deal, hit it off with the Lakers, Brooks never found his groove.
Hoops Links: Stauskas, Payne, Van Gundy
On this date in 1998, Michael Jordan was named the 1998 NBA Most Valuable Player, earning his fifth MVP honor, tied for the second-most league MVP awards with the legendary Bill Russell. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the all-time leader as he was named NBA MVP a record six times.
Got a great basketball blog post that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Send it to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s look around the basketball blogosphere…
- Six Championship Drive delivers a scouting report on Michigan guard Nik Stauskas.
- Legion Report looks at draft sleepers, including Michigan State’s Adreian Payne.
- Impact Sports likes Stan Van Gundy for the Pistons’ job.
- The Daily Dribble previewed the conference finals.
- Raptors HQ finished out their end-of-season grades for Toronto.
- Nets Daily doesn’t see any flexibility for Brooklyn this summer.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Atlantic Notes: Celtics, Knicks, JVG, Love
The Nets don’t have a ton of wiggle room this offseason, so they’ll have to explore some unorthodox ideas if they want to make a major overhaul. Last week, it was reported that Brooklyn is open to the idea of moving star guard Deron Williams. Williams just finished a hugely disappointing season, his fourth with Brooklyn and the second on his five-year, $99MM contract, so they might not find the kind of return they’re hoping for. More out of the Atlantic..
- The Celtics are slated to come away with the No. 5 pick in Tuesday night’s lottery, but the ping pong balls haven’t always equaled success for them, writes Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. Seventeen years ago, Boston brass gathered in Secaucus, N.J., with the best chance of landing the consensus No. 1 overall pick, Tim Duncan. The Celtics instead finished with two of the top six picks and selected Colorado guard Chauncey Billups third and Kentucky swingman Ron Mercer sixth.
- Earlier today on ESPN Radio, Jeff Van Gundy reiterated that he would be happy to speak with Phil Jackson if he comes calling, writes Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com. “If Phil Jackson ever wanted to talk basketball with me, which, listen, who knows if that’s true, but if he ever did, of course I would take the time, because I’m sure I could benefit from the conversation,” the former Knicks coach said.
- The good news for Knicks fans is that Kevin Love wants out of Minnesota. The bad news is that the Knicks are going to have a whole lot of competing suitors for him, Begley writes. On top of that, Love is sick of losing and wants to contend immediately. The Knicks, as currently constructed, wouldn’t fit the bill.
Hoops Rumors Originals
Here’s our look back at the original reporting and analysis from the Hoops Rumors staff this week..
- I interviewed Virginia standout Joe Harris, who wants teams to know he’s more than a three-point shooter.
- The offseason ahead could be a pivot point for the Hawks, but it doesn’t have to be, Chuck Myron writes.
- A chance at more minutes could lure Marvin Williams away from the Jazz, Ryan Raroque writes.
- The Warriors have to show front office savvy and patience if they want to take the next step, writes Chuck.
- Chuck explained the maximum salary and its benefits.
- If you missed out on this week’s chat, check out the transcript here.
Wolves Mull Love Trade, Eye Mitchell For Coach
3:05pm: The Rockets are also planning an aggressive pursuit of Love, according to Wojnarowski (on Twitter). Kevin McHale has a strong bond with the UCLA product.
10:35am: Love has made it clear to the Wolves that he intends to become an unrestricted free agent after next season and has no interest in a contract extension this summer to stay in Minnesota, write Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. The article also notes that Love has stated his willingness to accept a deal to the Bulls and Warriors. Sources have told ESPN.com that the Warriors have emerged as a top contender for Love should Minnesota relent and decide to trade him. Golden State doesn’t have a stash of draft picks to offer the Wolves like Phoenix or Boston could offer, but the Warriors could assemble a trade package featuring forwards Harrison Barnes and David Lee, according to the article.
8:56am: It appears that the Timberwolves will seriously consider trading Kevin Love, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. “For the first time, [Wolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders] sounds like looking at deals for [Love] is an option,” a rival executive told Wojnarowski. Love has an early termination option in his contract that he can exercise next summer. This is putting pressure on the Wolves front office to improve the team enough to convince Love to stay, or trade him for assets instead of risking losing him for nothing. This also comes on the heels of the reports that Minnesota was looking at power forwards in the upcoming draft.
The article also notes that the Celtics, Warriors, Lakers, and Suns are all strong candidates to partner with in a trade for Love if the Wolves decide to move him. Boston and Los Angeles plan to make high-lottery picks in the 2014 NBA Draft available in offers for Love, sources told Wojnarowski.
No team is likely to trade for Love without an assurance that he’ll commit to a five-year, $100 million maximum contract extension, notes Wojnarowski. Despite a belief that Love prefers Los Angeles or New York as potential destinations, he’s open to deals in other markets where he can be part of an immediate contender, the article says.
Wojnarowski is also reporting that Sam Mitchell has emerged as a serious candidate for the franchise’s head coaching job. Mitchell reportedly left a good impression with Saunders in a recent meeting. Mitchell has a strong history with Minnesota, where he had two stops as a player, and Mitchell played for Saunders during his second stint.
The Wolves have also contacted several top college coaches, including Florida’s Billy Donovan, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, and Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg, Wojnarowski notes, but those coaches weren’t inclined to seriously consider the position. The general belief that the Wolves will have to trade Love has made coaches leery of the franchise’s future, according to the article.
Week In Review: 5/12/14 – 5/18/14
Steve Kerr was supposed to be a slam dunk for the Knicks, but the Warriors got in the way. Golden State shocked the world when they signed the former Phil Jackson pupil to a five-year, $25MM deal. It had been reported that the Warriors had moved on from him because he was believed to be too far along in his negotiations with New York, but that apparently wasn’t the case. Here’s more from the week that was..
- The Pistons hired Stan Van Gundy as head coach and president of basketball operations. It’s a five-year, $35MM deal for the former Magic coach, who seemed to be close to a deal with the Warriors at one point. Ultimately, the Warriors wouldn’t give him control of the roster while Detroit did.
- Kevin Love wants out. The Wolves are mulling the idea of trading him and also considering Sam Mitchell as a head coaching candidate.
- The Hawks are after Omer Asik as the Rockets shop the big man and Jeremy Lin. Houston reportedly wants to move the duo to make room for Carmelo Anthony.
- Phil Jackson reportedly told Raymond Felton to expect a trade. The Knicks are expected to pursue Steve Blake.
- The Cavs fired coach Mike Brown and removed the interim tag from GM David Griffin‘s title.
- The Knicks are going back to the drawing board with an eye on younger coaches. Jeff Van Gundy indicated he’d consider the role but he doesn’t fit the profile.
- The Nets won’t rule out trading away former All-Star point guard Deron Williams.
- The Blazers signed Terry Stotts to a multiyear contract extension.
- The Cavs are still looking for a coach and have interest in John Calipari.
- Andray Blatche says he’ll turn down his player option for next season but adds that he’d nonetheless like to re-sign with the Nets.
- Paul Pierce is intrigued by the Clippers.
- The sale of the Bucks to Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry has been approved.
- The Wizards want to keep Trevor Ariza.
- The Pistons may or may not be unlikely to re-sign Greg Monroe, depending on who you ask.
- The T’Wolves like Shaun Livingston.
- Many believe that the league wants Magic Johnson to buy the Clippers.
- The Bulls appear to have Mavs guard Devin Harris in their sights.
- NBA teams have been in touch with University of Connecticut coach Kevin Ollie and one is close to interviewing him.
- The Rockets are the leaders among many NBA teams interested in Spanish league shooting guard Zoran Dragic.
- The Jazz, Cavs, Warriors, and Wolves have shown interest in Lionel Hollins.
- The Jazz are eyeing John Stockton for their coaching vacancy as well.
- The Bulls will allow the Jazz to interview assistant coach Adrian Griffin for their head coaching vacancy.