Despite some rumors linking him to Brooklyn in recent weeks, Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy suggested this week in a conversation with Jason Dumas of KRON4 News (Twitter link) that he intends to remain with the 2020 NBA champs.
“I am a Los Angeles Laker. What’s next for me is waiting for (Lakers head coach) Frank Vogel to pick up the phone and… give me what my next directives are,” Handy said.
There’s more out of the Pacific Division:
- New Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue is apparently strongly considering former Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson and current Heat assistant Dan Craig as additions for his bench, per Marc Stein of the New York Times (Twitter link). Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times tweets that Atkinson, renowned for his ability to develop young players, could be a fit considering that owner Steve Ballmer is hoping his new coaching staff does just that.
- Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic assesses the prospects of a 2020/21 Suns squad if the team essentially maintains its 2019/20 roster and rely on internal player growth. Backup center Aron Baynes is the only rotation player entering unrestricted free agency this offseason.
- As the Warriors look to build at the edges of their roster, Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area takes a look at two potential swingman bench fits: sharpshooting Bucks guard Pat Connaughton and hyper-athletic Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr.
Atkinson & Craig would actually be 2 good hires for that coaching staff.
Atkinson is head-coach material. I still can’t fathom why Sean Marks fired him …….. not unless, KD/Kyrie did the firing.
Lue wanting to some of that HEAT magic ……… motion offense and switching defense. I doubt that the HEAT give up Dan Craig that easy, Ballmer’s brinks truck aside.
If KD/KL was behind the Atkinson firing— I don’t think Marks was— that does not bode well for where KL/PG awaits, not to mention the older Clipper group. It’s an older contending team; I suspect the execs are just using trendy language. Probably Lue was a promotion within, while Craig smelled like success.
Agree with Rewane… “they can’t be serious”… but if they are, call it a victory for branding, as the Clippers position against the Lakers, the traditional leader in LA, mature now with Lebron.
Contending for championships and developing young players pretty much never occur together. What promising young player Clippers have beside Shamet, who is already pretty developed as a 3 point specialist, anyway.
Kabengele could end up being really good, in my opinion
Any free agent signed by the Warriors won’t be getting more than the mini-MLE which is just under $6M, since their $17M TPE can’t be used to sign FA’s (only acquire players in trades). How good of a player are they going to get for that little? Perhaps someone who thinks that he will be joining a legitimate contender.
You’re rockets are unlikely to use any of their exceptions unless they can salary dump Gordon
I read that Rockets owner wears $19 suits
I am not rich. I wear $190 suits
19 dollar suits? Yeah, I also heard he wears shoes that cost 50 cents and drives a 200 dollar car.
They will be joining a legit contender unlike Rockets who will probably not make the playoff next year.
Whatever. Houston will still be better than Golden State.
So what? Is that all it takes to make you happy? Just be the 2nd worst team in the league, just better than GSW & you are happy? Oh boy you do have issues! Why do you care so much about GSW? No one else does, so you know!
Pat Connaugton is good player with bad stats
4m is enough
Phil Handy is the oldest looking 49 year old I have ever seen.
GS could use a defensive wing, a guard that can guard PGs and can play next to Steph Curry, and a big that can defend pick and roll, probably could use another shooter at the 2/3 spots or possibly a big that can shoot as well
Those pieces are definitely out there in their price range