Vitaly Potapenko and Greg Buckner are among the assistants named to J.B. Bickerstaff’s staff with the Grizzlies, according to a team press release. Potapenko had been the Cavaliers’ assistant director of player development since 2013, while Buckner is a holdover from last season’s staff. As previously announced, Jerry Stackhouse will also be a top assistant for Bickerstaff. Stackhouse, who coached the Raptors’ G League the past two seasons, interviewed for several head coaching jobs. Chad Forcier, an assistant under Frank Vogel with the Magic the last two seasons, has also joined the staff along with Nick Van Exel and Adam Mazarei.
In other developments around the Southwest Division:
- DeMarcus Cousins will most likely stay put with the Pelicans but there are three other Western Conference teams where the big man would be a good fit, HoopsHype tweets. The Mavericks, Lakers and Spurs are the most likely landing spots for Cousins if he leaves New Orleans, HoopsHype adds.
- A draft night trade with the Bulls might make sense for the Mavericks, Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News speculates. Dallas owns the No. 5 pick with Chicago slotted at No. 7. If Michael Porter Jr. and Trae Young go a little higher than anticipated, the Mavs could move down and either Mohamed Bamba, Wendell Carter or Jaren Jackson would still be on the board, Cowlishaw points out.
- Rockets fans should lower their expectations of potentially landing LeBron James or Paul George and simply hope GM Daryl Morey can upgrade a luxury-tax team with precious few young assets, Sean Deveney of Sports Illustrated opines. Giving Chris Paul a max contract will be a tough pill but one they’ll have to swallow to remain a prime contender, Deveney adds.
Cousins and Pop together? Ehhhhh….nah?
What would the Spurs do with Gasol or Aldridge? They would have to trade one I would think?
Agreed on the Pops comment, however by the time Cousins is back, Gasol will be gone. Spurs could still sign him this year though without having to move anyone. A little contract magic and expiring deals.
i think boogie, bron and kawai would be better than paul george.
id like to see pg go to philly
I’d like to see all of them on separate teams.
If Michael Porter goes before the Mavs pick at 5, why exactly would the Bulls want to trade up? I guess if Trae Young goes 3 or 4, it is possible, but highly unlikely. It’s fine for the Mavs to want to trade down, but to do that someone has to want to trade up.
Some people are really sure Houston’s gonna pull it off.
A chronicly injured 19 year old with back problems, and a streaky, no defense diva that’s 6 ft maybe. Bulls will find a way to draft both and trade up to do so. Then for good measure draft Grayson Allen too. Hate this FO.
Drafting Grayson Allen is admission that one hates themself and that counseling isn’t an alternative solution.
DMC is a monster a stud, if Popovich cannot coach him maybe is time for a new HC, he was very easily handled by Gentry & he ain’t that good a coach. Anyway DMC would be too good for this San Antonio, they would need more than him to contend.
Lol you’re crazy if you’d choose dmc over pop.
Ain’t ain’t a word. Nor is your suggestion of replacing Pops in order to bring on/coach Cousins. Ain’t gonna happen.
* compete
What would Chicago throw at Dallas to move up? Would love to get back Denzel Valentine. If not, maybe Nwaba or Vonleh
Well DMC is very fun & entertaining to watch, an MVP level player, Pops ain’t much fun to watch really.
We’ll give you a mulligan on this comment. Going negative on Popovich isn’t high basketball IQ.