After writing last week that he has heard Quin Snyder‘s name mentioned as a possible Gregg Popovich successor in San Antonio, Marc Stein says in his latest Substack article that he has also heard Snyder suggested as a probable candidate to replace Frank Vogel if and when the Lakers seek a new head coach.
Stein cautions that Snyder won’t necessarily be available this offseason. The details of the Jazz head coach’s contract aren’t publicly known, but his deal is believed to run for at least one more season beyond 2021/22.
However, according to Stein, coaching sources have said Utah has been unsuccessful in its attempts to further extend Snyder, creating the sense that he “might be more gettable than advertised.” There’s a sense that major changes could be in store for the Jazz if they don’t make a deep playoff run this spring — it remains to be seen if Snyder’s job could be among those potential changes.
Here are a few more notes from around the Western Conference:
- With James Wiseman‘s return up in the air following a recent setback, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said on Sunday that head of basketball operations Bob Myers and the front office are “constantly looking at options” for frontcourt help (Twitter link via Kerith Burke of NBC Sports Bay Area). Golden State hasn’t made a change to its 15-man roster since re-signing Gary Payton II to be the team’s 15th man on October 19.
- The NBA has yet to announce anything, but Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic could be facing a fine after a video surfaced showing him grabbing a fan’s phone and tossing it away following Sunday’s game in Indiana.
- Jaxson Hayes‘ shift from center to power forward has allowed him to defend more on the perimeter and become an ancillary shot-blocker and rebounder instead of having to anchor the Pelicans‘ defense, writes Christian Clark of NOLA.com. Hayes, who will be eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason, has played some of his best basketball since adopting his new role. “I feel like playing the four, I’m out guarding more guards and switching one through four instead of playing in my actual drop coverage like the other bigs,” Hayes said. “… I can showcase more of what I can do on the defensive end.”
Change isn’t necessary a bad thing for the Jazz.
Yes they have done well getting to the playoffs regularly but they haven’t done much to build around Donovan and progress further.
Synder may be on the outer, Gobert and Spida still might have tensions between them, they don’t have much in the way of young players knocking on the door to start.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see them trade Gobert and build around Mitchell.
Possible ideas:
Gobert for Hayward, Plumblee, Washington and 2 firsts
Gobert for Randle, Noel, Reddish and a first
Gobert and 3 firsts for Valacuinas, Zion and Temple.
Gobert and a first for John Collins and Okungwu
First deal Hornets get an elite rim protector like they need. Hayward comes back to Utah, Utah likes the look of Washington and grabs a couple firsts.
Second deal Knicks get their centre, with Robinson off contract and Gibson with a team option. They get out of Randles deal, Fouriner and Gobert the French connection. Utah gets back Randle and Reddish and a first.
Third deal, New Orleans give up on Zion and continue forward for a title. MCCollum Ingram Gobert make up their big 3 and they have lots of young players and picks. Utah builds around Spida and Zion, Big V is a great replacement.
Last deal, John Collins links up with his mate Spida. Always talk of Collins possibly being dealt maybe he decides I’ve had enough. Atlanta considers Gobert and a first enough to make the deal happen.
Rudy to GSW for Wiggins, Wiseman and a pick
At this stage of his career, way overpay. A 35 year old on the downside of his career is only worth about a 2nd.
Gobert’s 29 you dummy … But what about Klay being 32 on the downside of his carrer making 40M$…
I’ll pick Rudy with Dray and Steph to win GSW a ring over Klay & Wiseman…
Love Klay but not sure GSW can win again with an overpaid splash bro formula.
Utah has more than one player named Rudy. It is way to soon to that Klay is on the downside of his career. The guy is shaking off rust and learning new players at the end of the season. To soon to count him out.
So, I will see these posts again. Name a legitimate FA big man that the Warriors can lean on through out the playoffs. G-league guys are still working on their games. Do you really want to experiment with them in the playoffs? Kanter, and is ilk, aren’t any better than Bjelica. At least, Bjelica knows the system. If you think any old 7 footer will do, Biendrins is only 35, and that list is pretty long.
Tacko, Zeller, Monroe, WCS, Caboclo and Marc Gasol … Breather role players
It is nice to know that you are thinking about the health of opposing centers.
Lol tacko fall? Bruhhhh
There is no Free Agent center currently on the Market that the Warriors can Sign and rely on or will make a difference.
If they make a move, it might be just to simply get some Insurance on the Roster, in the event that Kevon Looney gets Injured in the next 11 Games or James Wiseman officially gets Ruled out for the rest of the season.
If both of those 2 things happen ( no Looney or Wiseman available for the Playoffs ), they are looking at Bjelica playing 30+Minutes at Center.
FWIW: Luke Adams said the other day that Willie Cauley-Stein is technically Eligible to play in the Playoffs:
Luke Adams • 1 day ago
FYI: Cauley-Stein WAS released after March 1, but he was on a 10-day contract at the time, so he didn’t have to pass through waivers, which means he’s still playoff-eligible.
WCS has already been on the Warriors and knows the system. I don’t see it happening but he is one Candidate that at least has a recent familiarity with Kerr’s system.
However, I just don’t see them Cutting a Lee or JTA to put a new Center signee on the Roster as a ” Break Glass in Case of Emergency ” option.
Good analysis. Pretty rare to see here!
I think it is safe to say the Warriors aren’t going far this year. It is still possible, next year is more realistic. You’ll have a full year of Klay. Wiseman can actually rehab, and get in a full summer league and training camp. Embiid didn’t play his 1st 2 seasons. With the growth of Poole, Kuminga, and Moody, they could move Wiggins in an attempt to find veteran front court help, and a pick for future front court rotation player.
It’s not safe to say, and pinning your hopes on a year from now is bad business. Now is the time to strike.
Klay, Curry, Dray — none of them are going to be better next year. Poole will be…probably? But guys get streaky, and things change quickly in the NBA.
I think Curry knows this is one of his last chances which is why I’m not counting them out. If he wants to win he’ll make it happen. West is wide open they have good a shot as anyone.
Additionally, Kawhi and PG will be back for the Clippers next year and Murray and Porter will be back for the Nuggets.
Huh? I guess you are new to this. Curry wants to win it all every year. But, like last year, not all the pieces are there. You need more than one player. A lot things were working against Klay being at his best. If he he can get healthy, Wiseman will be much better next year. Poole is establishing himself. Kuminga and Moody have played better than expected. They desperately need a front court big man to give Looney and Dray breathers. Not some has been that keeps getting cut. The team will be better when all those pieces are together on day one.
Isaiah Hartenstein is a FA this summer
I love how a Warriors fan is trying to argue against me saying they’re good.
Can’t have fandom without the dumb.
Huh? I didn’t say they weren’t good. It’ll just be extra tough for them to go all the way. I’m looking at how they could improve.
Agreed, the Dubs are not at Optimal strength, but lets see those young Players get some Playoff experience.
While its highly unlikely they can advance deep, you never know what can happen.
Look at last year. The Suns ran the table last year with the help of other Team’s injuries.
-AD injured his groin in Game 3 ( Lakers were ahead 2 games to 1 at the time) and then missed the rest of the First Round series. Suns won the next 3 games.
-Suns advanced to play the Nuggets, who were without Jamal Murray. Suns sweep.
-Then finally the Suns played the Clippers who played without Kawhi Leonard. Suns win and are in the Finals.
They were good but also lucky.
I want to see how Poole and Wiggins respond in the Playoffs, if they are able to step up their Games.
Every team that goes deep in the playoffs has benefitted other teams injuries. The postseason had always been a combination of coaching, matchups and attrition.
If Wiggins and Poole step up is also because of Klay downgrading also …if GSW wants to seriously maximise Curry’s chance to win again, Myers have to move Wiseman asap if injured or Klay’contract if he keeps playing average BB.
That’s something they should consider at the beginning of the season
Or @ TD
The Warrior trade proposals are great, but we are pass the trade deadline. All they can do is pick up a player that gets cut or is already out there with no team, or a foreign player like that did with Bogut a few years ago. The Warriors still have the mid-level exception so they can add payroll. But I think I read the $5.3 million exception almost counts $15 million against the luxury tax.