Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault took a rather unique path toward his new position, starting out as a manager at UConn several years ago, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman writes.
“I’ve been with people that have definitely seen potential in me and definitely believe in me,” Daigneault said, “but they’ve given me these opportunities well before I’ve earned them. They’ve invested rather than rewarded.”
Oklahoma City promoted Daigneault, 35, as the franchise’s new coach this month, making him the second-youngest head coach in the league besides Minnesota’s Ryan Saunders. He first joined the organization in 2014 as head coach of the team’s G League affiliate.
“When Sam called me and offered me the job the other day,” Daigneault said, “I was just so overwhelmed thinking about all the people that have had their fingerprints on my life and career.”
There’s more from the Northwest Division tonight:
- Mike Singer of the Denver Post explores the Nuggets‘ thinking ahead of the draft, with team president Tim Connelly offering his own perspective on the upcoming event. “Collectively teams are probably less certain what might be happening around them, what other teams are thinking, because we’ve lacked those avenues to get together and talk about what this team’s doing, that team’s doing,” Connelly said. “It should make for a fun night. There’s some clarity on the very top of the draft, and then after that, it’ll largely be a free-for-all.”
- The Trail Blazers have expressed interest in Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor (Twitter link). O’Connor added that a potential trade between the teams remains unlikely, however, citing Portland’s lack of potential assets to include in an offer.
- Sarah Todd of the Deseret News examines five prospects the Jazz should consider in Wednesday’s NBA draft. Utah owns the No. 23 pick this year, which could be used on a player such as Tyler Bey (Colorado) or Robert Woodard II (Mississippi State).
The draft will be full of surprises. Been looking forward to it for months :)
I don’t see a Portland trade happening unless NO wants CJ McCollum back. Although that could be interesting in itself
Pelicans get
CJ McCollum
Nassir Little
Blazers get
Jrue Holiday
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
I think the Pelicans could probably do better, but I think they could do a lot worse as well. I know he does fit the timeline of Zion and the rest of the young guys, but at what point did we proclaim that an entire team must be the same age to be winners? The Showtime Lakers were the best of the 80s led by two players 10 years apart in age. The Shaq/Kobe Lakers dominated despite the age difference. Just because something works doesn’t mean something won’t also work.
*doesn’t
The Showtime Lakers won 5 titles.
The Shaq/Kobe Lakers won 3 in a row.
LeBron’s Lakers were lucky just to win one.
In fairness, LeBron has only been there two years. Winning 1 title in two years, is better than most.
Lakers were lucky to win as the number 1 seed that didn’t face any elimination games? Strong logic!
They went 16-5 in the playoffs that’s a pretty dominant run..
How in the world did my simple Portland/New Orleans mock trade become a referendum on the Lakers?
The troll from houston!
That is why!
LAL & GSW are living rent free on the poor troll’s tiny brain!
Lakers just traded for Schroder and will sign Mathews also. If they re up Keef Morris and sign his twin then keep Howard and or gets Cousins; who is gonna dethrone them?
I don’t understand why the Blazers are holding into CJ so much. He was mediocre last year and if it wasn’t for Dame, they would’ve never made the playoffs. He gonna turn 30 next year and he makes 26 millions a year. They should flip him for a Avery Bradely & Kuz or a top 10 pick.