Northwest Notes: Nuggets, Jazz, Mitchell, Blazers
When he spoke to reporters last week at his end-of-season media session, Nuggets president Josh Kroenke repeatedly referenced “running it back” as a viable offseason path for the club. However, as Bennett Durando of The Denver Post writes, going that route that doesn’t necessarily mean Denver would bring back everyone who played a rotation role this season.
“When I say running it back, you’re talking about a lot of different variations of what ‘running it back’ could look like,” Kroenke explained. “Is it gonna be the exact same team? I don’t think there’s ever the exact same team of the 13 to 16 guys in there. But are you talking about the same core group of players? Potentially. And that could mean re-signing and bringing back certain guys as well.”
According to Durando, the “core group” Kroenke is referring to is made up of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon. In other words, there’s a scenario in which the team “runs it back” with that trio while making a meaningful change to its rotation. Several league sources have told The Denver Post they expect the Nuggets to trade one of their starters – perhaps Cameron Johnson or Christian Braun – this summer, especially if the team intends to re-sign Peyton Watson.
As Durando points out, if the Nuggets remain out of luxury tax territory for a second straight year in 2026/27, they’d reset the repeater clock and avoid more punitive tax penalties. However, that won’t be easy, given that the team already projects to operate well into tax territory even without a new deal for Watson on the books.
“If we deem running it back the most competitive thing we can do for the roster, that’s probably what we’re going to be doing,” Kroenke said when asked about paying a significant tax bill. “So I don’t want to put words in my dad (Stan Kroenke)’s mouth by any means, but he has owned the team for a very long time. We’ve run it aggressively as we can at different points in time. I think that the joke is always, we love to pay for talent on the floor. So leaning into that assessment that people have put on us at different points in time, if we deem that’s the most competitive thing for us, then that’s what we’re gonna be doing.”
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Substack link) looks ahead to the difficult decisions facing the Nuggets this summer, considering whether it makes sense for the front office to complete a more significant overhaul of the roster around Jokic or just make smaller changes.
- The Jazz upgraded their front line in February by acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr. to complement Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t take another frontcourt player with the No. 2 pick in the draft. As Sarah Todd of The Deseret News writes, Utah fully intends to take a “best player available” approach to that selection rather than drafting for need. “As they say, ‘Need is a bad evaluator,'” president of basketball operations Austin Ainge said. “Because everyone is going to react to the NBA in different ways. It’s unpredictable.”
- Second-year Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell continues to thrive in an increased role this spring, according to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman, who awarded Mitchell a grade of A-plus for his performance in Monday’s series-clinching Game 4 win. Having replaced injured star Jalen Williams in the starting five, Mitchell averaged 22.5 points and 6.0 assists per game in the second round vs. the Lakers. He’s one of the league’s best bargains, with a $2.85MM salary for 2026/27 and a $2.85MM team option for ’27/28.
- In a pair of subscriber-only stories for The Oregonian, Bill Oram argues that Portland’s city council would be making a mistake not to take the threat of relocation more seriously as the Trail Blazers seek public funding for arena renovations. “I think (Portland’s city councilors) think if they vote no they are sticking it to the new ownership group,” one source close to the negotiations told Oram. “But what I don’t think they realize is that if they vote no it gives the new ownership group a window to move the team.”
Grizzlies’ Brandon Clarke Dies At Age 29
Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died, according to an announcement from his agency, Priority Sports (Twitter link).
Clarke, who has spent the past seven seasons in Memphis after being selected with the 21st pick in the 2019 draft, was 29 years old.
“We are all beyond devastated by the passing of Brandon Clarke,” his agency’s statement reads. “He was so loved by all of us here, and everyone whose life he touched. He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family. Our hearts are so broken as we think about his mom, Whitney, his entire family, and all of his friends and teammates. From high school to San Jose State to Gonzaga to the Grizzlies, Brandon impacted everyone who was part of his life.
“Everyone loved BC because he was always there as the most supportive friend you could ever imagine. He was so unique in the joy he brought to all of those in his life. It’s just impossible to put into words how much he’ll be missed. We love you, BC.”
A Canadian power forward who played his college ball at San Jose State and Gonzaga, Clarke was named the WCC Defensive Player of the Year in his final season with the Zags, then made the All-Rookie first team during his first professional season with the Grizzlies. He immediately emerged as a rotation player in Memphis, averaging 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.3 minutes per game across 237 contests (29 starts) in his first four years in the NBA.
However, Clarke’s fourth season came to an early end when he suffered a left Achilles tear in March 2023. That injury kept him sidelined for most of the ’23/24 season as well.
Clarke was back in the Grizzlies’ rotation in 2024/25, averaging 18.9 MPG and matching his career high with 64 appearances, but he once again saw his season come to an end in March when he suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee. The 6’8″ forward underwent an arthroscopic procedure last September to address synovitis in that same knee, and while he was able to briefly return to action in December, he played in just two games before sustaining a calf strain that sidelined him for the rest of ’25/26.
In total, Clarke appeared in 309 regular season games and another 12 playoff contests during his time in Memphis. He and Ja Morant were the Grizzlies’ longest-tenured players.
According to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal, Clarke was also involved in the Memphis community off the court, having launched the Brandon Clarke Foundation in 2025. The non-profit was aimed at supporting local families, mothers, and children, with a focus on literacy and community resources.
Roughly a month-and-a-half ago, Clarke was arrested in Cross County, Arkansas, on charges of trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing in a vehicle exceeding the speed limit, and improper passing. He was released on bond the following day.
Subsequent reporting indicated that over 230 grams of kratom were allegedly found in his possession after he led local deputies on a “miles-long chase” while driving over 100 miles per hour. Kratom, described by the Mayo Clinic as a herbal extract that can act as a stimulant at lower doses and a sedative for pain relief at higher doses, is legal in Tennessee but is considered a Schedule 1 controlled substance in Arkansas.
The Grizzlies and the NBA (Twitter links) have put out statements confirming Clarke’s passing. The Grizzlies referred to Clarke as “an outstanding teammate and an even better person” who had a significant impact on the greater Memphis community, while commissioner Adam Silver called him a “beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.”
We at Hoops Rumors send our sincerest condolences to Clarke’s family and friends.
Steve Kerr To Remain With Warriors On Two-Year Contract
May 12: The Warriors have issued a press release formally confirming their new deal with Kerr (Twitter link).
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue coaching this team,” Kerr said in a statement. “This organization has meant so much to me for the last 12 years – from ownership to our players, our staff and our fans – and it’s an incredible privilege to be a part of something so special. I’m excited to keep competing with this group.”
May 9: Steve Kerr has agreed to a two-year deal to return as Warriors head coach, agents Dan Eveloff and Rick Smith of Priority Sports tell ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link). No details on the new contract have been released, but Charania hears that Kerr, who made $17.5MM this season, will continue to be the NBA’s highest-paid coach (Twitter link).
The agreement comes after prolonged negotiations that began shortly after Golden State was eliminated from the play-in tournament on April 17. Kerr expressed uncertainty after that loss about whether he wanted to continue coaching, and Warriors management had several conditions for him to meet before committing to another deal.
In a full story, Charania, Anthony Slater and Ramona Shelburne report that Kerr had multiple meetings with controlling owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. over the past two weeks. Topics of discussion included changes in offensive philosophy, the makeup of the roster, the long-term direction of the franchise and the contract terms necessary for Kerr to keep coaching.
“It was never going to be about money,” a team source told the authors. “We had to make the best basketball decision.”
Kerr’s intentions to return have “generally known” inside the franchise since the beginning of the week, according to Charania, Slater and Shelburne. Team sources told them that the loose ends were finalized Friday night and Saturday morning.
They note that Kerr began signaling in training camp that he might be entering his final season of coaching. He announced in October that he wouldn’t seek a contract extension and planned to let his deal expire before addressing his future. The season didn’t go as planned, as the Warriors dealt with multiple injuries to rotation players and finished as the 10th seed at 37-45.
There was some speculation after the season ended that a coaching change might be best for everyone involved, and the Warriors engaged in some “light information management” to identify possible successors, according to the authors. However, they add that keeping Kerr was always the preference of Lacob, Dunleavy and Stephen Curry.
There was originally pessimism about Kerr’s prospects of remaining with the team, but the outlook seemed to brighten as the process played out. Even so, Lacob said on Wednesday that the situation remained unpredictable.
Part of Kerr’s motivation to return was his desire to continue his partnership with Curry and Draymond Green, which has produced four NBA titles. Kerr said in a recent interview that he doesn’t want to abandon his players and he still enjoys the day-to-day work of being a head coach.
Hired in 2014 as a first-time head coach, Kerr has posted a 604-353 record and captured championships in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022. He won Coach of the Year honors in 2016 and was named one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history in 2o22.
With Kerr secured for the next two years, the Warriors will now have to address the roster to become serious playoff contenders again. Jimmy Butler will miss a large portion of next season while recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in mid-January, and Moses Moody will also require a lengthy recovery period after a tearing a patellar tendon in late March. Additionally, there are concerns about Curry’s ability to stay healthy after he missed a large part of this season due to runner’s knee.
Kerr’s return likely means that Golden State will be aggressive in trying to add stars so the Kerr-Curry-Green era ends on a high note. The Warriors are among the teams expected to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, and Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James have also been mentioned as possible targets.
Spurs’ Fox, Harper Questionable For Game 5
May 12, 12:35 pm: Harper has joined Fox on the Spurs’ injury report, having been listed as questionable due to left knee soreness, tweets Weiss.
May 11, 8:56 pm: Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox has been listed as questionable for Tuesday’s Game 5 against the Wolves, tweets Jared Weiss of The Athletic
Fox’s injury designation has actually changed over the past few hours. He was initially listed as having left ankle soreness, but San Antonio’s injury report now say it’s soreness in his right ankle.
After signing a four-year max extension last August, Fox appeared in 72 regular season games (31.0 minutes per contest) in his first full season as a Spur, averaging 18.6 points, 6.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals on .486/.332/.760 shooting. The 28-year-old was named to his second All-Star game earlier this year.
Fox has struggled so far in the second-round series with Minnesota, averaging 16.8 PPG, 4.0 APG, 2.5 RPG and 1.8 SPG on .379/.222/.722 shooting through four contests (32.8 MPG). The Western Conference semifinal matchup is currently tied at two games apiece.
If Fox is unable to suit up for the pivotal Game 5, No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper is the most obvious candidate for more ball-handling, play-making and scoring opportunities.
Former Lottery Pick Jan Vesely To Retire
Veteran forward/center Jan Vesely has announced that he intends to retire later this year (Instagram link). Vesely, who is playing for FC Barcelona, said he’ll call it a career when the Liga ACB season comes to an end.
“After many unforgettable years, the time has come to close the chapter of my basketball journey,” Vesely wrote on social media. “From Belgrade to Istanbul and to Barcelona I was privileged with countless battles, outstanding teammates, coaches, most loyal fans, many victories and tough losses, a whirlwind of emotions and a collection of memories that will stay with me forever. I gave everything I had to this game, and it gave me even more in return. I leave with gratitude and pride.
“We still have two more months to fight in the ACB League, and my full focus remains there until the very last game. And as of September, see you from the stands!”
A 6’11” Czech big man, Vesely was the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft after playing for KK Partizan in Serbia from 2008-11. However, he spent just three seasons in the NBA with the Wizards and Nuggets, averaging 3.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game across 162 total appearances (25 starts).
Vesely headed back overseas in 2014 and spent the next eight seasons with Fenerbahce in Turkey before joining Barcelona in 2022.
Although his NBA stint didn’t go as he or the Wizards had hoped, Vesely enjoyed a long and successful career in Europe, making the All-EuroLeague first team in 2016, 2018, and 2019 and earning EuroLeague MVP honors in 2019. He also won a EuroLeague championship with Fenerbahce in 2017 and has claimed four titles in the Turkish Super League and one in Liga ACB.
Vesely, who turned 36 last month, ranks among the EuroLeague’s all-time leaders in several statistical categories, including games played, minutes, points, rebounds, steals, and blocks. Additionally, he represented the Czech Republic at multiple international competitions, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Barcelona has a 21-9 record in ACB play and is battling with UCAM Murcia (22-8), Valencia (21-9), and Baskonia (21-9) for the No. 2 seed behind Real Madrid. There are four games left in the regular season, with the playoffs set to take place in June.
Lakers Rumors: Doncic, Reaves, LeBron, Offseason
Although the Lakers began to believe during a 16-2 run in the second half of the season that their roster was good enough to compete with the Thunder and contend for a title, running back a “mostly similar” group in 2026/27 isn’t viewed as a viable option, team and league sources tell Sam Amick and Dan Woike of The Athletic. Even if Luka Doncic had been available for the second-round series vs. Oklahoma City, the general sense is that the Lakers need more firepower to match up with the NBA’s very best team(s).
“We just don’t have enough good players,” one locker room source told The Athletic.
As Amick and Woike detail, the Lakers told Doncic after they acquired him that they wanted to build a roster around him that looked similar – and ideally better – than the one he had in Dallas during the Mavericks’ 2024 NBA Finals run. That’s still the goal, which means Los Angeles’ front office will be looking to upgrade at the five – ideally by adding an elite lob threat – as well as ensuring the roster features more two-way wings and a secondary play-maker to complement Doncic.
Austin Reaves is the most obvious fit for that latter role, and Doncic has made it clear to the Lakers that he’d like to continue playing with Reaves, according to Amick and Woike, who hear from league sources that the Slovenian star told people within the organization that he’d be opposed to including Reaves in a trade package for Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Still, while Doncic would prefer to play alongside Reaves and another star, acquiring that star without including Reaves would be a challenge, given the Lakers’ relative lack of valuable trade assets.
This past season, LeBron James was that third star alongside the two high-scoring guards, and it’s possible he’ll stick with the Lakers for another year — the two sides have mutual interest in extending their relationship, sources tell The Athletic. While L.A. could open up about $50MM in cap room in the event LeBron departs, that figure assumes Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart pick up their player options rather than seeking raises and doesn’t account for new deals for Luke Kennard or Rui Hachimura, whom the Lakers have interest in retaining.
[RELATED: LeBron James: ‘I Don’t Know What The Future Holds For Me’]
If LeBron and some of those other players return and the Lakers end up operating over the cap, team sources believe there are still avenues for real improvement, Amick and Woike write, with the club expected to be aggressive on the trade market using this year’s No. 25 overall pick and tradable first-rounders in 2031 and 2033.
Here’s more on the Lakers as they prepare for an eventful offseason:
- Although Doncic’s hamstring injury was reported to be a Grade 2 strain following an MRI in Dallas, further evaluation in Spain revealed a “deeper and more severe” injury, according to Amick and Woike. Doncic acknowledged after the Lakers were eliminated that he wasn’t close to returning and that he was still a week or two away from taking contact, per Greg Beacham of The Associated Press. However, The Athletic’s duo says he’s pain-free in his hamstring, adding that the injury shouldn’t have a major impact on the guard’s offseason routine.
- As Beacham relays, Doncic announced on social media on Monday night that he won’t play for the Slovenian national team this summer because he wants to spend time with his daughters as he works toward acquiring joint custody. “Right now, my daughters and my responsibilities as a father are my priority,” he wrote.
- The ability to win and contend will be a “significant factor” for Reaves as he considers his free agent options this summer, league sources tell Amick and Woike. According to The Athletic’s duo, rival executives have predicted that Reaves’ next contract could be worth $40MM annually, though it remains unclear which clubs the Lakers might be bidding against. The Bulls and Nets are the only teams projected to have that kind of cap room, while other teams believed to have interest in Reaves, including the Jazz and Hawks, would need to either shed salary or negotiate a sign-and-trade to make that sort of offer.
- While Amick and Woike say the Lakers are expected to explore possible Antetokounmpo trade scenarios this offseason, Mirjam Swanson of The Los Angeles Times explains why she’s advising against pursuing the two-time MVP.
- Within their larger story on the Lakers’ summer, Amick and Woike also explore the franchise’s decision to move its G League affiliate from Los Angeles to Coachella Valley, noting that not having the NBA and NBAGL teams practice in the same building could make things a bit harder for the basketball operations staff. Multiple G League business operations employees were also laid off as part of the move, per The Athletic, though the Lakers are anticipating an increase in revenue as the G League team relocates to a bigger venue in a new market. That additional revenue will be used, in part, to fund infrastructure upgrades to the Lakers’ personnel, scouting, and medical departments, according to Amick and Woike.
2026 NBA Draft Picks By Team
The Bulls, who pivoted to rebuilding mode after being eliminated in the play-in tournament in three straight years from 2023-25, and the Spurs, who went from 34 wins a year ago to 62 this season, appear headed in opposite directions. But the two organizations do have one thing in common — they’re the only two teams in the NBA who control more than three picks in this year’s draft.
Chicago, which moved up to No. 4 as a result of Sunday’s draft lottery, also controls the 15th, 38th, and 56th picks. San Antonio has just one first-rounder at No. 20, but its other three picks – Nos. 35, 42, and 44 – are in the top half of the second round.
Besides the Spurs and Bulls, nine other teams own more than the typical two picks, and several of those clubs have at least one top-10 selection. The Wizards, Grizzlies, Clippers, Nets, Kings, Hawks, and Mavericks each have three selections, including one in the top nine. The Thunder and Knicks are the other two clubs who control three 2026 picks.
Those 11 teams own a combined 35 picks in June’s draft, while eight others control two apiece and nine more have one each. That means there are just two teams without a pick this year: the Pacers and Trail Blazers. Both teams had protected first-rounders, but Portland sacrificed its lottery-protected pick when it earned a playoff spot, while Indiana had a worst possible outcome in the lottery, as its top-four protected pick fell to No. 5.
To present a clearer picture of which teams are most – and least – stocked with picks for the 2026 NBA draft, we’ve rounded up all 60 selections by team in the space below. Let’s dive in…
Teams with more than two picks:
- Chicago Bulls (4): 4, 15, 38, 56
- San Antonio Spurs (4): 20, 35, 42, 44
- Washington Wizards (3): 1, 51, 60
- Memphis Grizzlies (3): 3, 16, 32
- Los Angeles Clippers (3): 5, 36, 52
- Brooklyn Nets (3): 6, 33, 43
- Sacramento Kings (3): 7, 34, 45
- Atlanta Hawks (3): 8, 23, 57
- Dallas Mavericks (3): 9, 30, 48
- Oklahoma City Thunder (3): 12, 17, 37
- New York Knicks (3): 24, 31, 55
Teams with two picks:
- Golden State Warriors: 11, 54
- Miami Heat: 13, 41
- Charlotte Hornets: 14, 18
- Toronto Raptors: 19, 50
- Denver Nuggets: 26, 49
- Boston Celtics: 27, 40
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 28, 59
- Houston Rockets: 39, 53
Teams with one pick:
- Utah Jazz: 2
- Milwaukee Bucks: 10
- Detroit Pistons: 21
- Philadelphia 76ers: 22
- Los Angeles Lakers: 25
- Cleveland Cavaliers: 29
- Orlando Magic: 46
- Phoenix Suns: 47
- New Orleans Pelicans: 58
Teams with no picks:
- Indiana Pacers
- Portland Trail Blazers
Pistons’ Bickerstaff Calls Free Throw Disparity ‘Unacceptable’
The Pistons dropped a second consecutive game on Monday, falling 112-103 to the Cavaliers to tie their second-round series up at two games apiece as the Central rivals head back to Detroit. Free throw shooting was the difference in Game 4. While Detroit out-shot Cleveland from the floor and from three-point range, the Cavs went 30-of-34 from the line while the Pistons made just 9-of-12 free throws.
“It’s unacceptable. It is,” Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of the free throw disparity, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com. “We didn’t do enough obviously to help ourselves, and I’ll start there. But ever since we came to Cleveland, the whistle has changed. There’s no way that one guy on their team shoots more free throws than our team.”
Bickerstaff’s remark was a reference to Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, who went to the line 15 times on his own and made 13 of those tries. The majority of those attempts came in the third and fourth quarters, as Mitchell matched a playoff record by scoring 39 second-half points after registering just four in the first half.
“We’re not a settle team,” Bickerstaff continued. “We’re not a jump shooting team. We drive the ball, attack the paint. So, what was done out there tonight, it’s frustrating, but we can’t allow that to be the reason why, because we didn’t play well enough and play to the best of our capabilities.
“But again, you look at the foul count, you look at the disparity, and that’s hard to overcome, and you wonder the reason why. It’s interesting since (Cavaliers coach) Kenny (Atkinson) made his comments publicly about us, the whistles changed in this series.”
As Oyefusi observes, through the first two games of the series, the Pistons had earned 55 free throws to 43 for Cleveland, prompting Atkinson to speak about Detroit’s physical defensive play ahead of Game 3. Atkinson said his team would have to find a way to protect the ball and gain separation from defenders if the Pistons were going to “chuck and swipe” and turn it into a “clutch and grab and hold game.”
As Shawn Windsor of The Detroit Free Press writes in a subscriber-only story, Pistons star Cade Cunningham, who attempted just three free throws, said during his post-game media session that the officiating was “not why we lost the game.” Still, Cunningham agreed with Bickerstaff that Detroit wasn’t exactly getting a friendly whistle, telling reporters that the free throw disparity “definitely doesn’t help,” per Oyefusi.
“I realized early on it was going to be one of those type of nights. I got hit on my arm early. I didn’t get a whistle,” Cunningham said. “Everybody didn’t want to look at me after that. I kind of knew what it was.”
LeBron James: ‘I Don’t Know What The Future Holds For Me’
Speaking to reporters after his Lakers were eliminated from the postseason by the defending champion Thunder on Monday night, star forward LeBron James wasn’t ready to discuss his next steps, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN relays.
“I think you guys asked me about (retirement), and I’ve answered questions. I don’t think I’ve come out and been like, ‘Oh, retirement is coming,'” James said. “With my future, I don’t know, honestly. It’s, obviously it’s still fresh from, obviously losing (the series). And I don’t know. I don’t know what the future holds for me.”
James, who turned 41 during the 2025/26 season, became the first NBA player to spend 23 years in the league. And while his season debut was delayed due to sciatica, he continued to perform at a high level upon returning, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 33.2 minutes per game across 60 outings.
While retirement is one possibility for the four-time MVP, a handful of players from both the Lakers and Thunder, including LeBron’s son and teammate Bronny James, observed on Monday that he looks like he still has plenty left in the tank.
“I have no clue,” Bronny said when asked about his father’s future. “I’m not going to lie to you. He looks like he can play another however many years, but he’s been in league for longer than he’s been out of league. It’s insane. I think he should think about it, and whatever he feels happy with, do that.”
Determining whether or not to continue his career is just the first of two major decisions for LeBron. If he wants to keep playing, he’ll also have to figure out which team he’ll do so for.
James has been with the Lakers since 2018 and has shown no desire to leave Los Angeles, but he’s not under contract for the 2026/27 season and L.A. is pivoting toward building its roster around its new centerpiece, Luka Doncic.
Lakers management has expressed repeatedly that it would like to see James finish his career with the organization, but if he decides he wants a change of scenery, there will likely be plenty of teams with interest. There has been speculation about the possibility of him returning to Cleveland for a third stint with the Cavaliers or teaming up with Stephen Curry in Golden State, among other scenarios.
For his part, James said that he wants to “recalibrate with my family and talk with them, and spend some time with them” over the next few weeks as he mulls his decision, per McMenamin.
“I think for me it’s about the process,” LeBron said. “If I can commit to still being in love with the process of showing up to the arena five-and-a-half hours before a game to start preparing for a game, giving everything I got, diving for loose balls and doing everything that you know that it takes to go out and play. Showing up to practices, 11 o’clock practice, I’m there at 8 o’clock preparing my body, preparing my mind, preparing to practice, to put the work in.
“So I think for me, I’ve always been in love with the process … so I think that would be a big factor.”
Warriors Notes: Giannis, 11th Pick, Prospects, Kerr
The Warriors should — and almost certainly will — be among the suitors for Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, but if they’re unable to pull off a deal, it doesn’t mean the pursuit was a failure, argues Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area.
The possibility of trading for Antetokounmpo now carries much more risk than it would’ve several years ago, when the team first viewed the two-time MVP as its “holy grail,” Poole writes. The Warriors’ best current offer — centered around draft picks but not much in the way of young players — could also theoretically be topped by several rival teams, Poole observes.
Still, Poole thinks it’s the right call to trade for the 31-year-old star, assuming he’s open to the idea and Golden State can convince Milwaukee’s front office to get on board. He just doesn’t view that outcome as likely.
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- Assistant general manager Larry Harris expressed optimism before the draft lottery that the Warriors would select a prospect they like if they stayed at the 11th pick, which would up happening, Poole writes in another story. “I’ve heard the noise,” Harris said when asked about the top four prospects being in their own tier. “Certainly, there’s four players that everybody seems to talk about when I look at all the mock drafts and everything. But the way we look at it is we really believe it’s beyond 11. But up to 11, we feel really, really, really good about whatever player lands in our lap.”
- Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area lists five “very different” prospects the Warriors could target at No. 11, including Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg and his college teammate Aday Mara. Johnson also weighs the pros and cons of each prospect, particularly from Golden State’s perspective.
- Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic isn’t surprised that Steve Kerr signed a two-year deal to stay the Warriors’ head coach and views Kerr as the fitting person to guide the rest of Stephen Curry‘s career. While he acknowledges Kerr will have to evolve his way of thinking in some respects, Thompson also believes Kerr has earned an enormous amount of respect and trust over the course of his long career and is definitely the right coach if the Warriors end up acquiring another star player.