Olympic Notes: Bridges, Washington, Quickley, Stewart, Hernangomez
Hornets forward Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington and Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley are no longer with the U.S. Select Team scrimmaging against Team USA’s Olympic roster in Las Vegas, tweets ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. The three players have been removed from the mix due to the coronavirus protocols.
A person with knowledge of the situation told Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press that one of those three players tested positive for COVID-19, while the other two were deemed close contacts and are being held out for precautionary reasons. According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News (via Twitter), Quickley entered the protocols for contact tracing purposes rather than a positive test, which suggests that one of the Hornets forwards was the player who tested positive.
Here’s more on the Olympics:
- The U.S. Select Team is down another player, according to Windhorst, who tweets that Pistons center Isaiah Stewart suffered an ankle injury during a scrimmage and left the game to receive treatment. There’s no indication at this point that Stewart’s injury is a significant one.
- Timberwolves forward Juan Hernangomez, who had been preparing to represent Spain in the Olympics, dislocated his left shoulder during an exhibition game and will miss the Tokyo games, Reynolds writes for The Associated Press. The Wolves put out a statement indicating they’re aware of Hernangomez’s injury, but there’s no timeline yet for his recovery and return to the court.
- Warriors guard Stephen Curry said it was a “hard decision” not to play for Team USA at the Olympics this summer, but he has “no regrets at all” about opting to skip the event, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. “You take everything into account,” said Curry, who has won a pair of FIBA World Cup gold medals but hasn’t played in the Olympics. “I take how I’m feeling physically, mentally, what’s happening around the league, all those things. It’s not one specific reason or a part of it, but just knowing at the end of the day do I want to play or not? And the answer was no at the end of the day. And getting ready for next season (with a) relatively quick turnaround is important to me and I have a plan of how to do that and get ready for when training camp starts.”
Matthew Dellavedova Signs With Australian Team
JULY 9: Dellavedova’s deal with Melbourne United is now official and will cover three years, according to a press release.
JULY 8: Matthew Dellavedova is signing with Melbourne United in Australia’s NBL, ESPN’s Olgun Uluc tweets.
The 30-year-old guard appeared in just 13 games with the Cavaliers this season before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Dellavedova’s season was wrecked by a variety of ailments, including a concussion, whiplash, an emergency appendectomy, and a neck strain.
Dellavedova had two stints with the Cavs. He played his first three seasons there and had a key reserve role on Cleveland’s 2016 championship team. He moved on for 1 1/2 seasons with the Bucks before returning to the Cavs during the 2018/19 campaign.
In 447 career NBA games, Dellavedova averaged 5.5 PPG and 3.7 APG.
The signing will allow Dellavedova to return to his home state of Victoria. Melbourne United is the NBL’s reigning champion.
Dellavedova is slated to play in the Olympics for the Australian national team.
Blazers Finalizing Deal To Hire Scott Brooks As Top Assistant
The Trail Blazers and Scott Brooks are finalizing a deal that will make the former Wizards coach the top assistant on Chauncey Billups‘ new coaching staff in Portland, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
A report earlier this week indicated that Brooks was in the mix along with Vinny Del Negro and Lionel Hollins to become the lead assistant on Portland’s staff. The Blazers had been looking to pair Billups – a first-time head coach – with an experienced lieutenant, and Brooks certainly qualifies.
Brooks, who worked as an assistant for the Nuggets, Kings, and SuperSonics/Thunder early in his coaching career, eventually took over as head coach in Oklahoma City in 2008. He led the team to a 338-207 (.620) regular season record in seven years at the helm, making the NBA Finals in 2012.
After taking a year off, Brooks was hired as the Wizards’ head coach in 2016. During his five-year tenure in D.C., the club went 183-207 (.469) in the regular season and made the playoffs three times, winning one series in 2017. Washington didn’t retain Brooks when his contract expired at the end of the 2020/21 season.
The Blazers figure to continue filling out Billups’ staff in the coming days and weeks.
Top HS Junior Jalen Lewis Signing With Overtime Elite
High school junior Jalen Lewis, who had been considered one of the top prospects in the recruiting class of 2023, is signing with the new Overtime Elite league, according to reports from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Lewis had been receiving interest from Kentucky, Duke, UCLA, and Michigan, among other top college programs, per Givony. However, the 16-year-old will instead become the youngest prospect ever to turn pro in America, according to Charania, who hears from sources that Lewis’ multiyear deal will be worth more than $1MM.
A 6’8″ center and a five-star recruit, Lewis ranked as the No. 2 prospect on ESPN’s big board for the recruiting class of 2023.
“I’d describe Jalen as an absolute difference maker, a rare talent, with a combination of size, athleticism, good hands and ball skills that impact plays on both ends of the court,” Overtime Elite head coach Kevin Ollie said, per Givony. “There are no limitations to what he’ll be able to do in his career and through Overtime Elite, he’ll have the resources in place to help him reach his dreams.”
Overtime Elite, which will begin its first season later this year, is aiming to become a viable option for top high school and international prospects. It has secured commitments from 10 players so far.
Wizards Notes: Nored, Coaching Search, Beal, Workouts
The Wizards recently conducted a second interview with Ronald Nored for their head coaching job, league sources tell Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).
A report last week indicated that Nored was close to leaving his position as a Hornets assistant for a role on Rick Carlisle‘s staff in Indiana. Haynes’ report today suggests Nored may still be in the running for Washington’s top job — presumably, if he isn’t hired by the Wizards, the 31-year-old will pivot to finalizing a deal with the Pacers.
Here’s more on the Wizards:
- Besides Nored, the Wizards’ top head coaching candidates are believed to be Wes Unseld Jr., Charles Lee, Darvin Ham, and Jamahl Mosley (who may be hired by the Magic). Fred Katz of The Athletic takes an in-depth look at those four contenders for the job to assess what they could bring to the organization.
- Before the Wizards finalize their head coaching hire, general manager Tommy Sheppard will meet with Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook to get their feedback on the finalists, writes Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington.
- Within the same NBC Sports Washington story, Beal says he appreciated the five years he spent playing for Scott Brooks. “When I first got the news (Brooks wouldn’t return), it was tough,” Beal said. “Scotty was great. This is my second coach I’ve played for and even when I talked to him afterwards, (I said) how grateful I was towards him. He helped change my game and evolved my game to what it is now.”
- The Wizards are working out a pair of guards today, according to Hughes, who tweets that Arizona State’s Josh Christopher and Illinois’ Ayo Dosunmu are visiting the team. Christopher and Dosunmu rank 33rd and 34th, respectively, on ESPN’s big board for the 2021 draft, so it seems like a long shot that the Wizards would select either with the No. 15 pick.
Nicolò Melli Signs Three-Year Deal With Olimpia Milano
As expected, veteran forward Nicolò Melli has officially reached a deal with Olimipa Milano. The Italian club announced today in a press release that Melli has signed a three-year contract with his former team.
Melli, 30, played for Olimpia Milano from 2010-15 and has spent time with a handful of other European clubs since beginning his pro career in 2007. He made his NBA debut in 2019 with the Pelicans and has since appeared in a total of 105 games (15.3 MPG) for New Orleans and Dallas, averaging 5.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 1.2 APG on .392/.316/.745 shooting.
Melli was involved in the March trade that sent J.J. Redick from the Pelicans to the Mavericks and played a part-time role for Dallas down the stretch. However, the 6’9″ Italian, who is expected to play for Italy in the Olympics later this month, will return to his home country for the 2021/22 season and beyond.
“Nicolò has always been at the center of our thoughts,” Olimpia Milano GM Christos Stavropoulos said in a statement. “He is the right player, in his prime, a player we were looking for as the emblem of the team player on top of having unquestionable skills. To be able to bring him back, after six years and a great career abroad, is reason for us to be extremely proud. This is a happy day for all of us.”
Melli had been eligible for restricted free agency with Dallas. If the Mavs want to retain their matching rights in the event that the forward eventually returns to the NBA, they’ll have to issue a qualifying offer.
Emiliano Carchia of Sportando reported earlier this week that Melli was on track to rejoin Olimpia Milano. Carchia also said the team was close to a deal with veteran shooting guard Troy Daniels, but there has been no official announcement yet on that one.
And-Ones: Teodosic, Bennett, Cunningham, Macon, Brown
Former NBA guard Milos Teodosic has reached a contract extension agreement with Virtus Bologna through the 2022/23 season, according to a team press release. Teodosic played 60 games with the Clippers from 2017-19. He was waived in February of his final season and signed with the Italian club during the summer of 2019.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- Cangrejeros de Santurce in Puerto Rico has terminated Anthony Bennett’s contract and replaced him with Dante Cunningham, Dario Skerletic of Sportando relays. Cunningham had a stint in China after appearing in 715 NBA games from 2009-19. Bennett, the top pick of the 2013 draft, hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2016/17 season.
- Former NBA guard Daryl Macon is expected to sign with Panathinaikos BC, Greek journalist George Zakkas tweets. Macon played for Galatasaray Istanbul and AEK Athens this past season. He began the 2019/20 season on a two-way deal with the Heat and was waived that January. He also played for Dallas.
- Larry Brown has been named the recipient of this year’s Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Basketball Coaches Association announced on Thursday via a league press release. Brown was a head coach for 42 years at the college and pro level, winning the NBA title with the Pistons in 2004 and NCAA championship with Kansas in 1988. He’s the only coach to lead eight different NBA teams to the playoffs.
Central Notes: Love, Cunningham, Pistons’ Top Pick, Grant
Kevin Love was a controversial selection to Team USA and he’s eager to prove he can still be a high-level player for both the country and the Cavaliers, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes. Love appeared in just 25 games this season and hasn’t played in more than 60 games in any of the last five seasons.
“I’m very vocal about that in the public saying I wasn’t where I wanted to be, mostly for my team, my coaching staff and for the Cavs in general. For me to come here, I feel like I have a lot to prove, but I feel that way coming into every season,” Love said. “Obviously it’s been unlucky, unfortunate and there’s been injuries that have happened — you’ve seen this whole year that happened with guys — so for me, when I have something to prove it always blends for better basketball for me. Being around these guys I think it helps elevate my mindset and my game in a big way.”
We have from around the Central Division:
- The Cavaliers are “definitely looking into” the possibility of trading with the Pistons for the No. 1 pick and drafting Cade Cunningham but the cost would be high, Fedor reports in a separate story. It’s speculated that the package Cleveland would have to give up would exceed what the 76ers traded in 2017 for the top pick. Philadelphia took Markelle Fultz after giving up the No. 3 pick and a 2018 first-rounder that had some protections attached. Cleveland might have to give up the No. 3 overall pick, an unprotected future first-rounder, and perhaps a good young player to entice Detroit.
- Along those same lines, The Athletic’s James Edwards III takes a look at eight potential trade scenarios for the Pistons involving the top pick. His hypothetical offers include the Thunder trading the No. 6 pick and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as well as the Raptors dealing the No. 4 pick and OG Anunoby for the No. 1 pick, Mason Plumlee and Cory Joseph.
- Jerami Grant was the final selection for Team USA and the Pistons forward sees his role as providing energy when he plays, Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press tweets. “I’m going to be playing a lot of defense, hitting open shots, being aggressive when I get the opportunity,” he said.
Suns Notes: Kaminsky, Craig, Nader, Bridges, Crowder, Ayton
Torrey Craig, Frank Kaminsky and Abdel Nader could all pick up minutes during the remainder of the Finals in the aftermath of Dario Saric‘s knee injury, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. Saric suffered a torn ACL during the opening quarter of Game 1. Kaminsky played four minutes in Game 1 while Craig received 16 minutes of floor time. “Frank gives us quality size and playmaking ability,” coach Monty Williams said. “He’s smart.”
We have more on the Western Conference champions:
- Mikal Bridges has developed into one of the league’s top 3-and-D wings, Jovan Buha of The Athletic writes. Bridges makes the team’s pick-and-roll offense lethal due to his cutting, screening and spot-up shooting. His ability to guard multiple positions is another underrated aspect of the team’s success, Buha adds. Bridges is eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason.
- Jae Crowder is another one of those top-level role players and ESPN’s Zach Lowe takes an in-depth look at the forward, who is appearing in his second straight Finals. Crowder has played an average of 31.7 MPG in the postseason despite modest offensive numbers. He scored just one point in Game 1 but was on the floor for 33 minutes. “You don’t even know what position Jae is,” Williams said. “But you know this: It becomes really hard to take him off the floor.”
- Williams isn’t sure what Deandre Ayton‘s ceiling is but the coach wants his young center to focus on the present, Mark Medina of USA Today tweets. “It’s important to embrace where he is and embrace the work that he has to do today,” Williams said.
Mosley Emerges As Top Candidate For Magic Head Coaching Job
Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley has emerged as the strong frontrunner for the Magic’s head coaching job, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Negotiations are ongoing between the 42-year-old Mosley and Orlando’s brass, but his reputation in developing players, building relationships and holding them accountable has made him the top choice for the rebuilding Magic, Wojnarowski adds.
Orlando had narrowed its list to Mosley and Wes Unseld Jr., who remains a strong candidate to get the Wizards’ head coaching job. Mosley is also a finalist for that job and was expected to meet with Washington for a second interview on Friday.
Mosley spent the past seven years as an assistant under Rick Carlisle. He also spent four years apiece with the Cavaliers and Nuggets prior to joining Dallas’ staff. He’s currently an assistant coach on the U.S. Select team.
Mosley was expected to leave Dallas after being passed over for the team’s head coaching job in favor of Jason Kidd.