In case you missed any of this past week’s top stories from around the NBA, we have you covered with our Week in Review. Below are some of the most noteworthy stories from the last seven days.
The Bryan Colangelo investigation has concluded, with the Sixers and Colangelo mutually agreeing to part ways. The investigation was conducted by the law firm of Paul/Weiss, who ended up finding that Colangelo’s wife Barbara Bottini was behind the incendiary tweets at issue but that Colangelo was nonetheless culpable by being reckless with his safeguarding of team information. Sixers’ ownership met earlier in the week to discuss Colangelo, with a decision apparently being made to move on from the embattled executive despite no conclusive evidence that Colangelo was aware of his wife’s social media activity. Colangelo released his own statement on the matter, vehemently denying that his conduct was in any way reckless.
With the 2018 NBA Draft nearly upon us, more and more prospects are working out for NBA teams. Some of the potential lottery selections who were reported to have worked out and/or scheduled a workout with lottery teams this week include, but are not limited to:
- Deandre Ayton (Arizona): Suns
- Per Ayton, he will only workout with the Suns and expects to be taken No. 1 overall.
- Marvin Bagley III (Duke): Hawks and Kings, Suns
- Mohamed Bamba (Texas): Hawks, Mavericks and Suns
- Mikal Bridges (Villanova): Bulls, Hornets, Knicks, and Sixers
- Miles Bridges (Michigan State): Knicks, Sixers
- Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke): Bulls, Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Knicks, Magic, and Mavericks
- Jaren Jackson Jr. (Michigan State): Hawks
- Kevin Knox (Kentucky): Bulls, Cavaliers, Knicks, and Magic
- Collin Sexton (Alabama): Knicks
- Lonnie Walker IV (Miami): Bulls and Knicks, Hornets, Sixers
- Robert Williams (Texas A&M): Bulls, Hornets, and Knicks
- Trae Young (Oklahoma): Bulls and Hawks, Knicks, Magic
The Pistons continue to narrow down candidates for their vacant head coaching position, with the finalists now appearing to be former Raptors’ coach Dwane Casey and Spurs’ assistant coach Ime Udoka. Michigan head coach John Beilein was also considered to be a finalist before announcing his intention to stay in the college ranks with the Wolverines. Another report has TNT Analyst and former NBA player Kenny Smith as an additional finalist.
The Pelicans and head coach Alvin Gentry have reached an agreement on a contract extension that will keep Gentry in New Orleans through the 2020/21 season. For his success this season, which included leading the Pelicans to the Western Conference Semifinals and a 48-34 record, Gentry will receive a raise and a guaranteed salary for the next two seasons. His 2020/21 deal will be performance-based.
Before being crowned NBA Champion and named NBA Finals MVP for a second consecutive year, Kevin Durant reiterated that he plans to re-sign with the Warriors this offseason. Durant, who previously indicated he would opt out of his contract in the summer, has Early Bird rights with Golden State, meaning the Warriors can pay him the maximum annual salary in the first year of his new contract next season.
Here are 8 more headlines from the past week:
- Kings guard Iman Shumpert, who was traded to Sacramento as part of the Cavs’ mid-season shake up, has opted in to his contract for next season, which will pay him a little more than $11MM.
- Thunder assistant coach Royal Ivey will accept a similar position on David Fizdale’s coaching staff with the Knicks.
- The NBA will experiment with a new coach’s challenge system during the Las Vegas Summer League this July.
- The Suns will hire Joe Prunty, who spent this season as the Bucks’ interim head coach, as head coach Igor Kokoskov’s new lead assistant.
- Likewise, the Sixers will hire Monty Williams as their new lead assistant coach under Brett Brown. Williams spent this season as the Spurs’ vice president of basketball operations.
- The Raptors interviewed EuroLeague head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius for their open head coaching position.
- Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich and star player Kawhi Leonard are expected to sit down and discuss this season’s issues sometime before the NBA Draft.
- The Warriors, fresh off another NBA Championship, plan on signing head coach Steve Kerr to a contract extension this summer.