Wizards Fire Ernie Grunfeld
The Wizards have decided to part ways with longtime president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld, league sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link). According to Stein (via Twitter), Grunfeld was informed of the decision today by team owner Ted Leonsis.
The Wizards have confirmed the move in a press release, announcing that senior vice president of basketball operations Tommy Sheppard will assume interim GM duties. The club will launch its search for a permanent head of basketball operations at season’s end, and will consider Sheppard a candidate.
“We did not meet our stated goals of qualifying for the playoffs this season and, despite playing with injuries to several key players, we have a culture of accountability and a responsibility of managing to positive outcomes,” Leonsis said in a statement. “I wish to thank Ernie for his service to the Washington Wizards. He and his family have been great leaders in our community and have worked tirelessly to make us a top NBA franchise.”
Grunfeld, who had been one of the NBA’s longest-tenured top executives, took over as the Wizards’ president of basketball operations back in the summer of 2003. Since then, the team has compiled a record of 568-724 (.440) and made the playoffs eight times. Washington has never advanced beyond the second round of the postseason during that 16-year stretch.
In recent years, the Wizards failed to live up to lofty expectations with a roster that featured All-Star guards John Wall and Bradley Beal. The team finished eighth in the Eastern Conference a year ago and was bounced in the first round of the playoffs before missing the postseason entirely this spring.
Grunfeld has also made some questionable salary-cap decisions in recent years, including long-term, big-money deals for Wall and Ian Mahinmi. Wall’s four-year super-max extension, worth a projected $170MM, will go into effect this summer, so the new head of basketball operations will have to work around that contract.
It remains to be seen which direction the Wizards will go under new management, but with Wall expected to miss most or all of the 2019/20 season due to an Achilles tear, a retooling – or even a full-scale rebuild – appears likely. Beal will be a key player to watch going forward — Grunfeld and Leonsis had stated they were committed to keeping the star guard in D.C., but it’s possible a new general manager will view things differently.
It also makes sense to keep an eye on head coach Scott Brooks, though as Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today notes (via Twitter), Brooks still has two years and $14MM left on his contract. He seems like a good bet to be back for 2019/20 at least.
While no specific names have been cited yet as Grunfeld’s potential long-term replacement, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports (via Twitter) that team ownership has been active in pursuing search films to help with the hiring process. Wojnarowski suggests that it should be an attractive job, given the geography and the resources available.
The Pelicans, the Suns, and perhaps the Timberwolves will be among the other teams competing with the Wizards for general manager candidates this spring. Stein hears from league sources that Sheppard, Grunfeld’s interim replacement, will receive consideration from the Pelicans for their GM opening (Twitter link). New Orleans is also interviewing executives Larry Harris (Warriors), Trajan Langdon (Nets), and Gersson Rosas (Rockets), all of whom could be of interest to Washington.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
And-Ones: Calipari, Trice, Ochefu, Pistons
After receiving some interest from UCLA, Kentucky head coach John Calipari has elected to remain with the Wildcats, and the program made it worth his while to do so, reports Jeff Borzello of ESPN.com. According to Borzello, Calipari – who was already under contract through 2024 – has agreed to an extension that will run through his retirement, and will also feature a lifetime role as an ambassador to the university.
“Where else would I want to coach?” Calipari said on his radio show in confirming the news.
Calipari reportedly received a six-year, $48MM offer from UCLA before electing to extend his agreement with Kentucky, per Seth Davis of The Athletic. The 60-year-old is the highest-paid head coach in the NCAA ranks, earning a reported $9.2MM salary this season.
Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Travis Trice, a veteran G League guard who has been in camp with the Knicks and Bucks in recent years, is headed to Turkey to continue his professional career. After averaging 16.9 PPG, 6.3 APG, and 4.3 RPG in 36 total NBAGL games this season for the Austin Spurs and Wisconsin Herd, Trice has officially signed with Tofas SK, the team announced (via Twitter).
- Former Wizards center Daniel Ochefu, who appeared in 19 games for Washington in 2016/17, has signed with Spanish team CB Breogan, according to an announcement from the club (via Twitter). Ochefu spent most of the 2018/19 season with the Stockton Kings, Sacramento’s G League affiliate, posting 14.8 PPG and 8.9 RPG in 39 games (24.2 MPG).
- The Pistons will enter the offseason looking to fortify their point guard and wing spots, but won’t have much financial flexibility to do so. As such, Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press wonders if attempting to re-sign Ish Smith and Wayne Ellington might make the most sense for the club.
Jamal Crawford Not Contemplating Retirement
Longtime NBA guard Jamal Crawford recently called 2018/19 the “most challenging” year of his career so far, but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to retire at season’s end. Despite a dip in his numbers with the Suns (6.6 PPG on .373/.302/.822 shooting), Crawford is adamant that he’s not considering calling it a career quite yet. Speaking to Gina Mizell of The Athletic, the 39-year-old explained his thinking.
“Oh, no,” Crawford said to Mizell when asked about retirement. “That’s the part I hate — the perception because of how things went this year. You may look at the numbers and (see) I’m only taking six shots a game. I think it’s to be applauded (for me to) say, ‘Hey, when I go in, I’m not going to jack up every shot.’ … This is the most assists I’ve averaged (since 2008/09). I’m truly trying to see others grow. I think we should look at that part of it. I’m passing more than I ever have.”
Crawford’s conversation with Mizell touched on several other topics and, if you’re an Athletic subscriber, it’s worth checking out in full. Here are a few more of the veterans’ noteworthy comments from the Q&A:
On why Crawford referred to this season as the most challenging of his career:
“First off, my family isn’t here. This is the first time we’ve been separated, because I signed so late. I’m playing point guard more than I ever have. It’s not a bad thing; it’s just a different challenge. And then I’m a big rhythm and flow type of player, so I think the minutes (I’m playing) have been challenging to try to somehow still be effective. And then losing. I’ve only missed the playoffs once this decade, and the one time I missed it before this year was the lockout season (in 2011/12).”
On his priorities heading into free agency this summer:
“Fit will be important for me. I’m an acquired taste. I get it. What I bring to the table is an acquired thing. This is the first year since 2002 I haven’t averaged double figures. (I did it) 16 straight years. I’ve won two out of the last five Sixth Man (of the Year) Awards. I think fit is so important for me.”
On the importance of veterans like him in NBA locker rooms:
“Every team needs them, to be honest with you. No disrespect to young players, because when I came in, I was on the youngest team in the league my first two years. But I didn’t start learning to become a pro until I got veterans around me. Charles Oakley. Rick Brunson. Scottie Pippen. All these guys. I think we need more veteran players in locker rooms, because they’ve been through it. If they can tell young guys something that they maybe (don’t have) to experience, that they can learn from, then why not?”
2019 NBA Draft Early Entrants List
The NCAA rule changes related to early entrants for the NBA draft, initially instituted in 2016, remain in effect this year. Those rule changes will allow underclassmen to “test the waters” before officially committing to the 2019 NBA draft.
However, those rules come with a new twist this time around — for the first time, NCAA underclassmen will be permitted to formally hire representation without forgoing their remaining college eligibility. As the NCAA explains in a memo, relayed by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, there are a handful of rules that players must follow throughout the process to maintain their eligibility, but it’s still the first time that prospects will be permitted to be represented by an agent without losing that eligibility.
NCAA underclassmen have until the end of the day on April 21 to declare for the draft, and can withdraw at any time up until May 29 while maintaining their college eligibility. That means that prospects testing the waters can take part in the NBA draft combine from May 14-19 – if invited – and can work out for individual teams starting later this month. Meanwhile, the NBA’s only withdrawal deadline is on June 10 at 4:00pm CT, so international early entrants will have until then to decide whether or not to remain in the draft.
A year ago, the NBA’s initial list of early entrants included a record 236 names, but many of those players eventually withdrew from consideration prior to the May and June deadlines. This year, the final draft list will be set after the early entrant withdrawal deadline for international and other non-NCAA players passes on June 10.
In the meantime, we’ll use this post to keep track of reports and announcements on early entrant prospects and their decisions. We’ll archive them all in a running list here, which will be accessible anytime under “Hoops Rumors Features” on the right sidebar of our desktop site, or in the “Features” page found in our mobile menu.
The players below are listed in alphabetical order. If you have any corrections or omissions, please contact us.
Last updated 6-11-19 (9:10pm CT)
College Underclassmen:
Stayed in draft:
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech (sophomore)
- R.J. Barrett, G/F, Duke (freshman)
- Tyus Battle, G, Syracuse (junior)
- Darius Bazley, F, Princeton HS (OH) (N/A)
- Bol Bol, C, Oregon (freshman)
- Marques Bolden, C, Duke (junior)
- Jordan Bone, G, Tennessee (junior)
- Ky Bowman, G, Boston College (junior)
- Ignas Brazdeikis, F, Michigan (freshman)
- Oshae Brissett, F, Syracuse (sophomore)
- Armoni Brooks, G, Houston (junior)
- Charlie Brown, G, St. Joseph’s (sophomore)
- Moses Brown, C, UCLA (freshman)
- Brandon Clarke, F, Gonzaga (junior)
- Nicolas Claxton, F, Georgia (sophomore)
- Amir Coffey, G, Minnesota (junior)
- Tyler Cook, F, Iowa (junior)
- Jarrett Culver, G/F, Texas Tech (sophomore)
- Aubrey Dawkins, G, UCF (junior)
- Luguentz Dort, G, Arizona State (freshman)
- Jason Draggs, F, Lee College (TX) (freshman)
- Carsen Edwards, G, Purdue (junior)
- Bruno Fernando, F, Maryland (sophomore)
- Daniel Gafford, F/C, Arkansas (sophomore)
- Darius Garland, G, Vanderbilt (freshman)
- Kyle Guy, G, Virginia (junior)
- Rui Hachimura, F, Gonzaga (junior)
- Jaylen Hands, G, UCLA (sophomore)
- Jared Harper, G, Auburn (junior)
- Jaxson Hayes, F/C, Texas (freshman)
- Dewan Hernandez, F, Miami (junior)
- Tyler Herro, G, Kentucky (freshman)
- Amir Hinton, G, Shaw (junior)
- Jaylen Hoard, F, Wake Forest (freshman)
- Daulton Hommes, F, Point Loma Nazarene University (junior)
- Talen Horton-Tucker, G, Iowa State (freshman)
- De’Andre Hunter, F, Virginia (sophomore)
- Ty Jerome, G, Virginia (junior)
- Keldon Johnson, F, Kentucky (freshman)
- Mfiondu Kabengele, C, Florida State (sophomore)
- Louis King, F, Oregon (freshman)
- V.J. King, F, Louisville (junior)
- Sagaba Konate, F, West Virginia (junior)
- Martin Krampelj, F, Creighton (junior)
- Romeo Langford, G, Indiana (freshman)
- Cameron Lard, F, Iowa State (sophomore)
- Dedric Lawson, F, Kansas (junior)
- Jalen Lecque, G, Brewster Academy (NH) (N/A)
- Jacob Ledoux, G, UTPB (junior)
- Nassir Little, F, UNC (freshman)
- Trevor Manuel, F, Olivet (MI) (junior)
- Charles Matthews, G, Michigan (junior)
- Jalen McDaniels, F, San Diego State (sophomore)
- Ja Morant, G, Murray State (sophomore)
- Zach Norvell Jr., G, Gonzaga (sophomore)
- Jaylen Nowell, G, Washington (sophomore)
- Chuma Okeke, F, Auburn (sophomore)
- KZ Okpala, F, Stanford (sophomore)
- Miye Oni, G/F, Yale (junior)
- Lamar Peters, G, Mississippi State (junior)
- Shamorie Ponds, G, St. John’s (junior)
- Jordan Poole, G, Michigan (sophomore)
- Jontay Porter, F, Missouri (sophomore)
- Kevin Porter Jr, G, USC (freshman)
- Brandon Randolph, G, Arizona (sophomore)
- Cam Reddish, F, Duke (freshman)
- Isaiah Reese, G, Canisius (junior)
- Naz Reid, C, LSU (freshman)
- Austin Robinson, G, Kentucky Christian (sophomore)
- Isaiah Roby, F, Nebraska (junior)
- Ayinde Russell, G, Morehouse (junior)
- Samir Sehic, F, Tulane (junior)
- Simisola Shittu, F, Vanderbilt (freshman)
- Justin Simon, G, St. John’s (junior)
- D’Marcus Simonds, G, Georgia State (junior)
- Jalen Sykes, F, St. Clair College (Canada) (junior)
- Rayjon Tucker, G, Little Rock (junior)
- Nick Ward, F, Michigan State (junior)
- P.J. Washington, F, Kentucky (sophomore)
- Tremont Waters, G, LSU (sophomore)
- Coby White, G, UNC (freshman)
- Lindell Wigginton, G, Iowa State (sophomore)
- Kris Wilkes, G, UCLA (sophomore)
- Grant Williams, F, Tennessee (junior)
- Zion Williamson, F, Duke (freshman)
- Kenny Wooten, F, Oregon (sophomore)
Withdrew from draft after testing the draft waters:
- Milan Acquaah, G, California Baptist (sophomore)
- Bryce Aiken, G, Harvard (junior)
- Wajid Aminu, F, North Florida (junior)
- Desmond Bane, G, TCU (junior)
- Charles Bassey, C, Western Kentucky (freshman)
- Troy Baxter Jr., F, Florida Gulf Coast (sophomore)
- Kerry Blackshear Jr., F, Virginia Tech (junior)
- Phil Bledsoe, F, Glenville State (junior)
- DaQuan Bracey, G, Louisiana Tech (junior)
- Keith Braxton, G, St. Francis (PA) (junior)
- Nico Carvacho, C, Colorado State (junior)
- Yoeli Childs, F, BYU (junior)
- R.J. Cole, G, Howard (sophomore)
- Anthony Cowan, G, Maryland (junior)
- Jarron Cumberland, G, Cincinnati (junior)
- Tulio Da Silva, F, Missouri State (junior)
- Caleb Daniels, G, Tulane (sophomore)
- Silvio De Sousa, F, Kansas (sophomore)
- Javin DeLaurier, F, Duke (junior)
- Mamadi Diakite, F, Virginia (forward)
- Alpha Diallo, G, Providence (junior)
- James Dickey, F, UNC Greensboro (junior)
- David DiLeo, F, Central Michigan (junior)
- Davon Dillard, G, Shaw (NC) (junior)
- Devon Dotson, G, Kansas (freshman)
- Aljami Durham, G, Indiana (sophomore)
- C.J. Elleby, F, Washington State (freshman)
- Steven Enoch, C, Louisville (junior)
- Jaylen Fisher, G, TCU (junior)
- Savion Flagg, G, Texas A&M (sophomore)
- Eugene German, G, Northern Illinois (junior)
- TJ Gibbs, G, Notre Dame (junior)
- Quentin Goodin, G, Xavier (junior)
- Tony Goodwin II, G/F, Redemption Christian Academy (N/A)
- Kellan Grady, G, Davidson (sophomore)
- Devonte Green, G, Indiana (junior)
- Quentin Grimes, G, Kansas (freshman)
- Jon Axel Gudmundsson, G, Davidson (junior)
- Jerrick Harding, G, Weber State (junior)
- Kevon Harris, G, Stephen F. Austin (junior)
- Jayce Johnson, C, Utah (junior)
- Markell Johnson, G, North Carolina State (junior)
- Tyrique Jones, F, Xavier (junior)
- Sacha Killeya-Jones, F, North Carolina State (junior)
- Nathan Knight, F, William & Mary (junior)
- Anthony Lamb, F, Vermont (junior)
- A.J. Lawson, G, South Carolina (freshman)
- Tevin Mack, G, Alabama (junior)
- Malik Maitland, G, Bethune-Cookman (junior)
- Jermaine Marrow, G, Hampton (junior)
- Naji Marshall, F, Xavier (sophomore)
- Skylar Mays, G, LSU (junior)
- Davion Mintz, G, Creighton (junior)
- EJ Montgomery, F, Kentucky (freshman)
- Andrew Nembhard, G, Florida (freshman)
- Kouat Noi, F, TCU (sophomore)
- Joel Ntambwe, F, UNLV (freshman)
- Jordan Nwora, F, Louisville (sophomore)
- Devonte Patterson, F, Prairie View A&M (junior)
- Reggie Perry, F, Mississippi State (freshman)
- Filip Petrusev, F, Gonzaga (freshman)
- Jalen Pickett, G, Siena (freshman)
- Cletrell Pope, F, Bethune-Cookman (junior)
- Nik Popovic, F, Boston College (junior)
- Myles Powell, G, Seton Hall (junior)
- Payton Pritchard, G, Oregon (junior)
- Neemias Queta, C, Utah State (freshman)
- Nick Richards, F, Kentucky (sophomore)
- Laquincy Rideau, G, South Florida (junior)
- Kevin Samuel, C, TCU (freshman)
- Paul Scruggs, G, Xavier (sophomore)
- Josh Sharkey, G, Samford (junior)
- Nike Sibande, G, Miami (OH) (sophomore)
- Javonte Smart, G, LSU (freshman)
- Justin Smith, F, Indiana (sophomore)
- Derrik Smits, C, Butler (junior)
- Xavier Sneed, F, Kansas State (junior)
- Lamar Stevens, F, Penn State (junior)
- Marlon Taylor, G, LSU (junior)
- Ethan Thompson, G, Oregon State (sophomore)
- Killian Tillie, F, Gonzaga (junior)
- Donnie Tillman, F, Utah (sophomore)
- Tres Tinkle, F, Oregon State (junior)
- Obi Toppin, F, Dayton (freshman)
- Justin Turner, G, Bowling Green (sophomore)
- Kaleb Wesson, F, Ohio State (sophomore)
- Jimmy Whitt, G, SMU (junior)
- Joe Wieskamp, G, Iowa (freshman)
- Charles Williams Jr., G, Howard (junior)
- Emmitt Williams, F, LSU (freshman)
- Holland Woods, G, Portland State (sophomore)
International Early Entrants:
Stayed in draft:
- Goga Bitadze, C, Georgia (born 1999)
- Yago Mateus Dos Santos, G, Brazil (born 1999)
- Sekou Doumbouya, F, France (born 2000)
- Matas Jogela, G, Lithiuania (born 1998)
- Marcos Louzada Silva, G/F, Brazil (born 1999)
- William McDowell-White, G, Germany (born 1998)
- Adam Mokoka, G, France (born 1998)
- Joshua Obiesie, G, Germany (born 2000)
- David Okeke, F, Italy (born 1998)
- Luka Samanic, F, Croatia (born 2000)
- Deividas Sirvydis, G, Lithuania (born 2000)
- Yovel Zoosman, G/F, Israel (born 1998)
Withdrew from draft after testing the waters:
- Dikembe Andre, C, Brazil (born 1999)
- Darko Bajo, F, Croatia (born 1999)
- Aleksander Balcerowski, C, Poland (born 2000)
- Vrenz Bleijenbergh, F, Belgium (born 2000)
- Adrian Bogucki, C, Poland (born 1999)
- Leandro Bolmaro, G, Argentina (born 2000)
- Ognjen Carapic, G, Montenegro (born 1998)
- Kevin Cham, G, France (born 1998)
- Leo Cizmic, F, Croatia (born 1998)
- Digue Diawara, F, France (born 1998)
- Nenad Dimitrijevic, G, Macedonia (born 1998)
- Felipe Dos Anjos, C, Brazil (born 1998)
- Henri Drell, F, France (born 2000)
- Paul Eboua, F, Cameroon (born 2000)
- Osas Ehigiator, C, Spain (born 1999)
- Biram Faye, F, Senegal (born 2000)
- Ivan Fevrier, F, France (born 1999)
- Aleix Font, G/F, Spain (born 1998)
- Philipp Herkenhoff, F, Germany (born 1999)
- Dalibor Ilic, F, Bosnia (born 2000)
- Panagiotis Kalaitzakis, G/F, Greece (born 1999)
- Mate Kalajzic, G, Croatia (born 1998)
- Lukasz Kolenda, G, Poland (born 1999)
- Andrija Marjanovic, G/F, Serbia (born 1999)
- Gytis Masiulis, F/C, Lithuania (born 1998)
- Jonas Mattisseck, G, Germany (born 2000)
- Nikita Mikhailovskii, G/F, Russia (born 2000)
- Nikola Miskovic, F, Serbia (born 1999)
- Muhaymin Mustafa, G, Turkey (born 1999)
- Abdoulaye N’doye, G, France (born 1998)
- Toni Nakic, G, Croatia (born 1999)
- Tanor Ngom, C, Senegal (born 1998)
- Louis Olinde, G/F, Germany (born 1998)
- Zoran Paunovic, G, Serbia (born 2000)
- Dino Radoncic, F, Montenegro (born 1999)
- Sander Raieste, F, Estonia (born 1999)
- Neal Sako, C, France (born 1998)
- Tadas Sedekerskis, F, Lithuania (born 1998)
- Njegos Sikiras, F, Bosnia (born 1999)
- Borisa Simanic, F, Serbia (born 1998)
- Khadim Sow, C, Senegal (born 1999)
- Filip Stanic, F/C, Germany (born 1998)
- Michael Uchendu, C, Brazil (born 1998)
- Bastien Vautier, C, France (born 1998)
- Arnas Velicka, G, Lithuania (born 1999)
- Warren Woghiren, C, France (born 1998)
- Arturs Zagars, G, Latvia (born 2000)
Southwest Notes: Valanciunas, Spurs, Doncic, Miller
Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas is done for the season after suffering a grade II right ankle sprain during Sunday’s game against the Clippers, the team announced on Monday. While the veteran big man won’t suit up again, he made a strong first impression in Memphis after coming over in a February trade, averaging 19.9 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.2 APG, and 1.6 BPG in his first 19 games (27.7 MPG) with the team.
Of course, as Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian notes, there’s no guarantee Valanciunas will be back with the Grizzlies next season. He has a player option for 2019/20, which means he could opt out and elect to sign elsewhere. Still, in an examination of the free agent market for centers, Herrington makes the case that that’s an unlikely scenario. A more probable outcome would involve Valanciunas opting into his $17.6MM salary for next season, or reaching a deal on a longer-term extension with Memphis.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- It has been a week and a half since the Spurs were said to be nearing a deal with Donatas Motiejunas, and Lithuanian journalist Donatas Urbonas tweets that visa issues are holding up an agreement (hat tip to Sportando). The Spurs have gotten involved to try to push the process along, per Urbonas. That’s an indication that San Antonio still wants to get Motiejunas on its roster before the end of the regular season.
- Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and GM R.C. Buford are two of the longest-tenured high-level executives in the NBA, in part due to their strong relationship with team ownership. As Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News details, with a new generation of the Holt family set to succeed their parents Julianna Hawn Holt and Peter M. Holt on the Spurs’ board of managers, Popovich and Buford are expecting a smooth transition. “We have full confidence in them,” Popovich said of siblings Peter J. Holt and Corrina Holt Richter. “They’re really intelligent, hard-working people who understand the organization. They’ve grown up with it.”
- Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic has missed the team’s last two games with a right leg injury, but head coach Rick Carlisle remains hopeful that Doncic will get back on the court before the end of the season, writes Callie Caplan of The Dallas Morning News.
- Pelicans swingman Darius Miller is dealing with a grade 1 left adductor strain, and isn’t a lock to return to the court this season. The team announced last Friday that Miller will be sidelined for a week or two.
Nets To Extend Contracts Of Atkinson, Staff
The Nets are close to completing contract extensions with head coach Kenny Atkinson and his staff, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
The agreements are expected to be signed in the near future. The news doesn’t come as a surprise, since Atkinson is a prime candidate for Coach of the Year. Brooklyn has a .5oo record with four games remaining and currently holds the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference.
Atkinson was an assistant with the Knicks and Hawks before he getting the head coaching job with the Nets. Atkinson’s current contract runs through next season. He signed a four-year deal worth approximately $10MM when he was hired.
Mavs Were Told Porzingis Incident Involved Extortion
The Mavericks were told that the Kristaps Porzingis situation was a case of extortion rather than a rape allegation before they acquired him from the Knicks, sources told Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News reports.
A woman who lived in the same New York City apartment complex as Porzingis made the accusation to police last week. The alleged incident occurred in February 2018.
Knicks officials made Dallas executives aware of the pending allegation during a conference call to finalize the trade. However, the incident was not described that way. “The word that was used was ‘extortion,'” according to one of Townsend’s sources.
Knicks officials also told the Mavericks they felt Porzingis was truthful in his denials. The Mavericks were further informed that the FBI was investigating, Townsend adds.
A report from Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic also asserts the Mavericks were notified of the FBI investigation of the extortion claim before the trade but didn’t know about a sexual assault allegation.
NBA Players Association executive director Michele Roberts issued a statement supporting Porzingis: “We have been aware of these allegations for some time, have evaluated the accuser’s claims and, based on what is presently before us, stand with Kristaps.”
The woman contacted the Knicks‘ legal department approximately eight months after the alleged incident in an effort to “mediate in private” a payment of $68K. The accuser claimed that Porzingis agreed to co-sign a statement with her that promised her a payment toward her brother’s education. However, Porzingis’ attorney told ESPN that he believes the document is “a forgery.”
An investigation conducted by the same lawyer was sent to the Knicks, the NBA, the Players Association, and later the Mavericks, as well as the FBI, according to Vorkunov.
Riopelle claimed all of those parties agreed the analysis showed Porzingis was the target of an extortion attempt. However, a source told Vorkunov that the NBA has not come to that conclusion but instead decided to let the federal investigation proceed without coming to any judgment.
Porzingis opted to remain with the Mavericks and support them from the bench when they played the Sixers on Monday night. Coach Rick Carlisle said it was “business as usual from a basketball perspective” regarding Porzingis’ status with the club, Michael Lee of The Athletic tweets.
Some of his former Knicks teammates expressed empathy for Porzingis, as Marc Berman of the New York Post details.
Celtics Notes: Tatum, Irving, Grousbeck, Baynes, Horford
Former Celtic Paul Pierce believes Jayson Tatum would reach his All-Star potential if he drove to the basket more often, as he told Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
“For a guy with his athleticism, his skill set and his ball-handling, his height, he should be a guy that gets to the line at least six times a night and makes five out of six,” Pierce said. “That’ll take him from a 16-point scorer to a 20-point scorer, and he’ll be in the conversation for All-Star every year on a winning team.”
Pierce also believes Tatum won’t fully blossom until he’s relied upon as a primary scorer.
“Look at James Harden,” he said. “We didn’t know James Harden was going to be this until he went to Houston. He was the sixth man on OKC. Now he’s a perennial MVP and arguably the best player in the league.”
We have more on the Celtics:
- Kyrie Irving’s decision in free agency could be decided by how the postseason plays out, Bulpett speculates in the same article. While events during the season have seemingly tilted the odds in favor of Irving signing elsewhere, that could change if the team makes a deep run, Bulpett adds.
- Danny Ainge attributed a seemingly critical comment by Irving against the coaching staff as frustration after a loss. Charlotte’s Kemba Walker scored 36 points against Boston in a recent loss and Irving said they should have trapped Walker more often. Ainge’s response came on a radio interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich” and was relayed by Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports Boston. “I did hear (Irving’s comments). It’s not that uncommon,” the GM said. “Guys get frustrated, and maybe that was the first thing that came to his mind is, ‘We should have done something different with Kemba.'”
- Owner Wyc Grousbeck believes the team can flip the switch during the postseason, he told Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. Grousbeck admits the team has underachieved but still believes better days are ahead. “We have not played at an elite level this year,” Grousbeck said. “We have to admit that at the moment. We’re in fifth place in the East. It’d be great to take that step now, or we’ll try to take it next year if we have to. But what I’m seeing, with the playoffs around the corner, I’m going to go into the playoffs with good energy and optimism and seeing what happens.”
- Pairing Al Horford and Aron Baynes can give the Celtics more toughness inside but it would only work against certain lineups, as coach Brad Stevens explains to NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg. “With their size and length, I think we have a different impact at the rim. But when you’re playing a team that’s super small and spread out, that’s tough to guard when you have a more traditional lineup.”
NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 4/1/19
Here are Monday’s assignments and recalls from around the NBA G League:
- The Rockets assigned big man Isaiah Hartenstein to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle tweets. Hartenstein will play in the G League conference finals game against the Santa Cruz Warriors on Tuesday. Hartenstein is averaging 19.5 PPG, 14.7 RPG and 3.8 APG in 26 G League appearances this season.
Timberwolves’ Covington Undergoes Knee Surgery
Timberwolves forward Robert Covington underwent a diagnostic arthroscopic procedure Monday morning with debridement and removal of loose bodies in his right knee, according to a team press release. The surgery was performed at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. No timetable was released regarding the recovery process.
Covington was dealt to Minnesota from Philadelphia in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade in November. In 22 games with the Timberwolves, he averaged 14.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 2.3 SPG. He hasn’t played since New Year’s Eve after being diagnosed with a bone bruise.
Covington has three more years remaining on his contract. He’ll receive approximately $11.3MM next season, $12.1MM in 2020/21 and $13MM in 2021/22.
He has averaged 12.7 PPG and 5.5 RPG in 326 career games.