The Mavericks are expected to extend head coach Jason Kidd‘s contract again before the start of next season, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line report (via Substack). Kidd received an extension after last season and general manager Nico Harrison indicated last week that Kidd would remain the team’s head coach next season.
Of course, the Knicks were interested in talking to Kidd about their head coaching vacancy. Although the Mavericks denied the Knicks’ request to speak to their head coach, there has been persistent speculation that Kidd would wind up in New York unless he received an extension.
Here’s more from the Western Conference:
- Jazz big man John Collins picked up his $26.5MM option last week. That probably means he’ll remain on Utah’s roster entering next season, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic, who tweets that there doesn’t seem to be much of a market for Collins, who averaged 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds this past season, but he was limited to 40 games and didn’t return after suffering a left ankle sprain on March 12.
- Jazz lottery pick Ace Bailey didn’t work out for the team amid reports that his preferred destination was Washington. Bailey expressed surprise when Utah drafted him but he claims he never considered not reporting to the club. “Not at all,” Bailey said in a press conference on Sunday, per Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune. “I mean, just blessed to be in this position. Not a lot of people sit in these chairs and have great teammates as I got on (here). So I’m just blessed to be here.”
- No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper, Bailey’s teammate at Rutgers, predicts the Spurs will make the postseason next season, according to ESPN’s Michael C Wright. “That’s going to change really quick,” Harper said of San Antonio’s recent struggles. “We’re going to make the playoffs. I think for the Spurs fans and everyone else, our group is very exciting. There’s a lot to look forward to. The sky’s the limit for this group we’ve got.” Harper could become the team’s third consecutive Rookie of the Year Award winner. “I don’t think I feel no pressure [to win ROY], but I definitely want to keep that going,” Harper said. “That’s definitely a goal of mine.”
Can we stop with the ‘of course’ phrase, getting used too much on here, thanks. Just a kind suggestion, not trying to start something. Great content as always.
Of course.
Why?
Why would Harper win ROY. If Fox is going to play 34 mins. Spurs should have went after Giannis.
Fox situation will be interesting.
He pushed for a move to SA, which is what allowed them to get him rather cheap, but on the condition that they give him a max extension. Now with them getting Harper they might start getting second thoughts.
SA watched the NBA finals and playoffs, watched OKC playing with no PG at all (and they didn’t miss one), and with a lot of size. Other teams have also with a lot of height at guard, play 3-4 players who have wing-forward bodies. Nobody wants shorter players anymore, even if they are hoopers. It seems that these days if you’re 6’3 or lower guard, you either have to be a star, like Donovan, Maxey, Brunson etc., or a 6-th man of the year candidate, like TJ or Pritchard. Otherwise you’re not wanted and will be replaced soon.
Brunson, McBride, TJ and Conley are the only players below 6’4 who played in both conference finals, I believe.
If SA try to negotiate for something lower than than a max, that might piss him and his agent Rich Paul, which they obviously want to avoid. He was not all-NBA so his max will be lower, though.
But if Fox doesn’t play like an all-star every night, they will be looking to boot him out of the door in no time.
First Giannis made zero sense for Spurs. By the time Wemby is truly ready to win, they could not afford to keep both. Plus while fans love to construct super teams they don’t work and when you look at their respective games a team would be unable to maximize both stars.
As to minutes – it’s easy – between the 1 and 2 there are 96 minutes – that’s 32 each for the 3 of them, not considering injuries, days off etc… The playoffs showed that depth is everything and Spurs are building that.
It’s not that they don’t need another piece or 2, but they are taking a patient approach – as OKC did and that’s great news for Spurs fans.
The issue is that vassell makes the most money on the team and he’s taking a lot of mins at the 2