The Pacers are adding Calbert Cheaney to Nate Bjorkgren‘s coaching staff as an assistant, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). An Indiana native who played his college ball for the Hoosiers, Cheaney spent 13 years in the NBA as a player. He has been an assistant for Atlanta’s G League affiliate for the last two seasons.
Cheaney is the latest addition to a new-look coaching staff that will also feature Kaleb Canales and Greg Foster, in addition to returning Pacers assistant Bill Bayno. Indiana recently issued a press release confirming that all three of those coaches will be part of Bjorkgren’s staff in 2021.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
- The Knicks will likely turn to the trade market or free agency to find their starting point guard for the coming season, sources tell Marc Berman of The New York Post. The team doesn’t view Frank Ntilikina as its starter of the future, may not retain Elfrid Payton, and is still considering the possibility of trading Dennis Smith Jr., according to Berman. New York could draft a point guard in the lottery, but wouldn’t want to rely on that player to become an immediate starter, given the quick turnaround between the draft and the preseason.
- Veteran point guard Rajon Rondo, who is turning down his player option and will become a free agent, is expected to draw interest from the Hawks in addition to the two L.A. teams, tweets Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times. The Lakers, who reached a deal to acquire Dennis Schröder over the weekend, are bracing for the possibility of losing Rondo.
- Josh Robbins of The Athletic considers whether or not it makes sense for the Magic to consider blowing up their roster.
Rondo should move onto coaching.
He’s not modern enough; doesn’t try to be pals. Maybe college ball. But he still has wheels
Dude def has some gas in the tank – he was the 3rd best player on the Lakers at times during the playoffs
Is it possible to “blow up” an Orlando roster that’s already more than halfway to terrible?
Berman is all over the place, but it is a good strategy to consider the short turnaround.
Elfrid Payton was supposedly on the wrong side of the lockerroom, if I recall, in not hating Julius Randle. I wonder if their fates are intertwined now. Anyone who sets a high bar will say Payton is not good enough, but how useful is that high bar if it means dumping incremental improvements?
Berman is all over the place in many senses. I don’t think he knows much. Never did, but Rose & Co. seem to know that being where he ain’t has value.
Rondo and Payton looked like a pretty good tag team in N.O., and that would provide the Knicks with a low $$ commitment way to stabilize the PG position f/b/o the rest of the team. Payton’s salary is 8 mm (vs 1 mm buyout), and overpaying Rondo for 2 years or so doesn’t bother me. A young PG can be put in the mix next year.
Halliburton is ready to step in. I just doubt he’s still there for us. Rumor was Knicks backed out of Randle for Rozier trade last yr. If you can get Westbrook at a reasonable price I do it. Then you can just take a wing at 8. Which there will be plenty of. Berman is all about trashing Knicks. Gets more readers that way. Seems that’s The Post philosophy. The 8th pick in this draft is a solid pick. You don’t need to over think it. I’m feeling good about it. Payton is a solid backup PG. We already have two. So they should let him walk. Knicks should be able to find a PG at 27 if not one at 8. There are a few we could luck out with. Terry, Flynn, Bolmaro, Pritchard, Howard, Winston. I like Flynn a lot. Would be very happy with him at 27.
Best place for Rondo is LA. Clippers
Rondo is Thibs’ kinda guy…would not be surprised to see him with Nix next year, although he would be a much better addition for the Nets than Harden.
I suppose as a mentor he makes sense in Atlanta, but best fit is with the Clippers.