Bobby Jackson is leaving the Kings to join Nick Nurse‘s staff with the Sixers, Marc Stein reports in his latest Substack post. Jackson has been the head coach of the Kings’ G League affiliate in Stockton. Raptors developmental coach Rico Hines is another candidate to join Nurse’s staff in Philadelphia.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- After winning a championship in Lithuania with Zalgiris Kaunas, forward Ignas Brazdeikis will attend the Raptors’ mini-camp this week, Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com reports. The four-day mini-camp begins on Monday. Brazdeikis’ contract with Zalgiris includes a player option and an NBA exit clause, according to Urbonas. Brazdeikis averaged 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in his rookie EuroLeague season. Brazdeikis has appeared in 64 NBA games, most recently with Orlando during the 2021/22 season.
- The Knicks have more incentive under the upcoming CBA rules to exercise their option on Derrick Rose, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic. Since more taxpaying teams may be looking to dump salary ahead of the 2024/25 season, the Knicks could use Rose’s $15.6MM expiring deal, plus Evan Fournier‘s $18.86MM salary (the team holds a ’24/25 option) to help acquire a high-level impact player with more than one year remaining on his deal.
- Connecting with Scottie Barnes and getting more out of Precious Achiuwa are among the major challenges for new Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star writes.
The big question – WHO is the impact that (i) the knicks should go after and (ii) may actually be available?
There is no rush. We just wait and see who is available. I’m a DeRozan guy. Not as expensive as others. And imo a great fit.
Yes I said Fournier, Toppin and draft picks for DeRozan. Do it as soon as possible. They need a elite SF to put them over the top. Maybe a Time machine and get Carmelo of the Knicks past
DeRozan isn’t the answer for the Knicks at all. Outside shooting is the need, something that DeRozan doesn’t offer. They also need a multi-position defender in the starting lineup, as they only have one now (Grimes).
Someone like OG is the better add for the Knicks.
Raptors need a scorer/shooter at the 2. DeRozan is actually a great fit there too. Achiuwa is a solid backup big. Behind Poeltl and Siakam. I think this is the yr OG gets moved.
Why would the Knicks pick up Rose’s option just to trade him? Couldn’t they just absorb the contract of another player if they have the free cap space? I really don’t understand this logic.
Cutting Rose wouldn’t open cap space. It would just bring them from way over the cap to right near the cap. They still wouldn’t be able to use anything but the MLE to sign anyone.
Picking up his option and packaging him with Fournier and their boatload of picks would make an enticing package for a team looking to move off a big, long-term contract and start tanking. Problem is, I’m not sure who exactly fits that bill.
NYK have ZERO incentive to pick up Rose’s option, and I doubt that changes before the deadline. Nobody picks up an guaranteed option at a salary that a guy can’t play to, simply because they may need it later on for matching purposes on a future deal.
NYK already have a good size expiring deal in Fournier (18 mm) for matching purposes. Doubt they’ll need more salary filler than that in any deal, since invariably a deal for a star player will involve other large contracts. In the unlikely event they do, then perhaps they’ll re-sign Rose to a different deal, which would guaranteed only the amount needed for matching.
The Bulls would and should be interested in Rose. Definitely can use him in a DeRozan trade. Rose should retire a Bull…..
CHI can just sign Rose for league minimum this summer if the intent of both is that he retire as a Bull. NYK have to decide on Rose’s option in about 12 days.
I’d be shocked if the NYK had even “kick the tires” interest in DeRozan. But I’d be even more shocked if that interest affects what they do with Rose’s option. They’re declining it.