Here are some of the biggest stories from the last week at Hoops Rumors:
The Celtics won Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery. One day after winning the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Boston took home the top pick in next month’s draft. The Lakers moved up to No. 2, which ensures that they’ll keep this year’s pick, as well as their 2019 first-round selection. The Sixers grabbed the third overall pick, exercising their right to swap with the Kings. The Suns fell to No. 4.
The NBA announced the All-NBA teams for 2017. Notably, Paul George and Gordon Hayward were not among the 15 players named to this year’s All-NBA squads. This means that neither George nor Hayward will be eligible to receive the Designated Veteran Extension from their teams this offseason, thus drastically lowering the price the Pacers or Jazz could offer their respective stars. Russell Westbrook, James Harden, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis were named to the All-NBA First Team.
The Pelicans will retain head coach Alvin Gentry and GM Dell Demps. Team owner Tom Benson announced this week that Gentry and Demps will keep their jobs entering the 2017/18 season. Gentry has coached the team for the past two seasons, compiling a 64-100 record. Beginning next season with a frontcourt of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, the expectations will be high, likely meaning that neither Gentry nor Demps would be able to survive another sub-.500 season.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban admitted the team tanked down the stretch. Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, Cuban said the Mavs “did everything possible to lose games” and improve their draft position after being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. These comments came just a few months after Cuban stated that his team had no interest in tanking.
Marcin Gortat may seek a trade from the Wizards this offseason. The big man claims that he has been underappreciated and sacrificed more than any of his teammates. Gortat still has two seasons and more than $26MM left on his current deal with the Wizards.
10 More Stories
- Kawhi Leonard re-injures ankle: missed Game 2 and will miss Game 3
- Celtics to prioritize Gordon Hayward in free agency
- Mavericks interested in Jrue Holiday
- Latest on Hawks‘ front office search
- NBA reveals award finalists
- Cavaliers attempt to retain GM David Griffin; Magic in hot pursuit
- Lonzo Ball may only work out for Lakers
- Hawks offered four first-round picks for Paul George
- Lakers confident they can sign Paul George?
- Several teams evaluating potential trades for D’Angelo Russell