And-Ones: Love, Celts, Cavs, Blatche, Clips, Grizz
Some thought tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery results could have major Kevin Love implications, though salary cap guru Larry Coon of ESPN doesn’t believe the Timberwolves star can be moved before the draft. According to Coon, such a deal would require cap room that teams will not have before July (Twitter links here).
The Celtics, who pick sixth, are a “sleeper” team in the Love sweepstakes, but owner Wyc Grousbeck says he isn’t hurrying the rebuilding effort, as he tells Baxter Holmes of The Boston Globe. “That KG deal might be once in a lifetime, but I think over the next four or five years, we will get back to being contenders, if not three years,” he said. “I think we can get back there. I think this summer, one way or another, we’ll take positive steps, whether we just draft two players and continue to build, or whether we make a blockbuster deal.”
Here is what else is going on around the Association tonight, as the Heat and Pacers battle it out in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals:
- ESPN’s Chad Ford considers Andrew Wiggins the favorite to land in Cleveland after the Cavaliers won Tuesday night’s lottery (via Twitter). Ford tweeted before the results were in that the Cavs preferred Jabari Parker, however he indicated afterwards (also on Twitter) that he was a corrected by a trusted source in Cleveland.
- The admirable play of Andray Blatche down the stretch and into the postseason for the Nets could set him up for a decent pay day, writes Tim Bontemps of the New York Post. Blatche has said he will opt out of his one-year player option for next season, though Brooklyn controls his Early Bird Rights according to Bontemps.
- Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News provides the transcript of today’s post-television interview session with new Warriors coach Steve Kerr, which is a bit juicier than what we relayed earlier on. Per Kawakami, Kerr covets a big man that can shoot. Meanwhile, Golden State GM Bob Myers also indicated the team will pursue shooting this summer, tweets Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group.
- Speaking before the lottery proceedings, commissioner Adam Silver detailed the process that comes with a forced sale of the Clippers. However, Silver did indicate that he will continue to urge owner Donald Sterling to sell the team on his own, writes Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.
- Though he hasn’t been assured that his role is permanent by Grizzlies owner Robert Pera, GM Chris Wallace said at a Thursday afternoon press conference that he believes Memphis can win the NBA title next season, writes Zack McMillin of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “We’re a very formidable team. We just have to find a way to make that next step. Is it easy? No, but it’s attainable and we’re not going to rest until we hang that championship banner and have this parage this town deserves,” Wallace said.
Draft Notes: Minimum Age, McDermott, Bulls
We’re less than an hour from the 2014 NBA Draft Lottery, where, if you buy into the hype, the fate of a handful of the league’s more unfortunate franchises hangs in the balance. This morning, our Chuck Myron outlined the odds each participant has of landing a top-three pick. Beyond that, the ping pong balls will also dictate the destination for some of the draft’s conditional selections, as listed in our reverse standings.
Let’s take a look at some other NBA draft-related notes leading up to tonight’s festivities in New York City:
- Speaking to the press before the lottery, Adam Silver reiterated his preference to raise the age limit of draft-eligible players from 19 to 20, tweets Tom Moore of Calkins Media. Silver added that the NCAA must be involved in the discussions, citing an improving relationship with NCAA front man Mark Emmert, tweets Tim Bontemps of the New York Post.
- Silver met with seven of the draft’s top players before the lottery tonight and expects this class to be a bit more meaningful to him, tweets Moore. “This class has a special place in my heart. It’ll be my first as commissioner,” Silver said.
- Creighton’s Doug McDermott expected to meet with the Cavaliers in Chicago during last week’s NBA Draft Combine but ultimately did not, writes Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer. The sharpshooter does expect to work out in the near future for Cleveland, who will hold the ninth pick unless they get lucky tonight.
- Although the Bulls will be armed with two first round picks in June’s draft, they are unlikely to use both selections themselves and are a good bet to be active between now and then, writes K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
- Jonathan Givony of Draft Express published his latest mock draft which, although it is bound to change depending tonight’s results, is complete with new and improved formatting and features.
Hoops Rumors Mock Draft 1.0
We’re only a month and a half from the much-anticipated 2014 NBA draft, to be held on June 26th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. We’re also less than two weeks from the May 20th draft lottery, which will determine the fate of a handful of teams that sure seemed to be jockeying for position down the stretch this past season.
The tanking in 2014 was a result of a combination of factors. Many NBA front offices have smartened up, realizing the most effective rebuilding method involves tearing down the foundation and collecting as many draft picks as possible along the way. This draft class is also among the most hyped in recent history. What we’re left with is eight teams potentially holding multiple first round picks and an approaching lottery that should be among the most publicized ever.
With the NBA’s April 27th Early Entry Eligibility Deadline behind us and the Chicago draft combine coming next week, it’s time for the first version of the Hoops Rumors Mock Draft. The picks won’t be locked in until the lottery, but we have made our selections below based on the most likely scenarios, by percentage. As we’ve done in previous years, these picks are based on what we’re hearing around the league, our player evaluations, and what we perceive to be a team’s draft needs.
As always, we welcome your opinion in the comments section.
- Milwaukee Bucks – Andrew Wiggins. There are teams out there that don’t have Wiggins atop their boards. Fortunately for the 19 year old, none of them are likely to have the top pick. Adding the Kansas star gives the new Milwaukee owners another high-ceiling youngster alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo to sell to their fanbase.
- Philadelphia 76ers – Jabari Parker. The Sixers want Wiggins; that much is fairly certain. And depending on the health of Embiid’s back, he will be an enticing selection for Philly, as well. But with Nerlens Noel already in the fold, the Sixers need a traditional scorer on the wing first and foremost and Parker is exactly that.
- Orlando Magic – Joel Embiid. Embiid isn’t an ideal fit in Orlando, but he is simply too talented to slide past No. 3, assuming his back checks out. Perhaps this could result in a trade. Dante Exum sure would look good next to Victor Oladipo. Orlando really could use a wing, but with Wiggins and Parker off the board that will have to wait.
- Utah Jazz – Dante Exum. Parker would be the home run pick for the Jazz should they get lucky on May 20. They need scoring and could have to replace restricted free agent Gordon Hayward. Exum would be a nice consolation, given his ability to create offense for himself and others. Exum and Trey Burke could make for a dynamic backcourt.
- Boston Celtics – Noah Vonleh. It might be premature at this stage, but it sounds like Vonleh is gaining enough steam to end up as a top-five pick. The C’s would undoubtedly prefer Embiid, but he won’t make it to No. 5. Kentucky’s Randle is a safer selection, but he would give Boston more of what it has (albeit an upgraded version thereof). Aaron Gordon might be in consideration as well.
- Los Angeles Lakers – Julius Randle. In typical Laker fashion, a guy who was thought to be a surefire top-five pick drops to Los Angeles at No. 6. Despite being only 19, Randle is NBA-ready, though questions about his upside remain. Will he struggle against NBA length? And will the jumper he was supposed to have at Kentucky resurface? If those answers go the right way, he’s a steal at sixth overall.
- Sacramento Kings – Marcus Smart. What a difference a year makes. Smart could have been the No. 1 overall selection last June. Instead, he endured a rocky return to Stillwater (to say the least). With Isaiah Thomas’ future with the Kings in doubt, Smart would slide right in for him in Sacramento. The Kings would be getting a well-rounded player in Smart, but whether he has any elite NBA skills remains to be seen.
- Detroit Pistons – Aaron Gordon. If the board falls this way, you have to think someone would trade up for Gordon. Still, just 18 years old, he doesn’t really fit in Detroit, which needs more shooters to stretch the floor, but Gordon is just too talented and versatile to slide past eighth. With snipers like Nik Stauskas and Doug McDermott looming, don’t be surprised if a team holding a pick later in the lottery attempts to trade with the Pistons and nab Gordon here.
- Cleveland Cavaliers – Doug McDermott. Gordon is dream scenario for Cleveland, so expect the Cavs to make some noise if he drops anywhere near them. There is some Dario Saric buzz too, but the Cavs want to win now and Saric’s NBA timeline is still unknown. Enter Dougie McBuckets, who is ready to score next season for the playoff-hungry Cavs (but won’t do much for their pitiful perimeter D). Watch out for Jusuf Nurkic and James Young here as well.
- Philadelphia 76ers – Gary Harris. You have to think that the Sixers’ first selection would have a lot of bearing on who they take here, but GM Sam Hinkie has proven to be unpredictable. Michigan State’s Harris provides the type of defense that Parker doesn’t, and his lack of size is tolerable next to Michael Carter-Williams. Hinkie is in it for the long haul in Philly though, so nabbing a Saric-type here isn’t out of the question.
- Denver Nuggets – Nik Stauskas. The Denver backcourt has Ty Lawson and whole lot of question marks a year after failing to replace Andre Iguodala. Harris could fill that void, but with him off the board, Stauskas is the logical pick here. The Michigan sharpshooter is on the rise and, given his quasi-point guard skills, could eventually supplant McDermott as the top shooter off the board.
- Orlando Magic – Dario Saric. Philly or Orlando, as organizations building from the ground up, seem like possible destinations for Saric. Whether they land Embiid or Exum with their first pick, Saric would provide more upside to a roster full of it. The Magic have a need on the wing, making a flier on James Young or a more traditional selection of Rodney Hood remote possibilities.
- Minnesota Timberwolves – Rodney Hood. The Wolves need all the shooting they can get to go with Ricky Rubio. Interior defense is also high on the list, putting Jusuf Nurkic in the mix here. But ultimately the late-season emergence of Gorgui Dieng makes another shooter a more pressing need in Minnesota. This is a bit high for Hood, but with McDermott, Stauskas and Harris all gone, the Wolves are short on options.
- Phoenix Suns – James Young. The Suns have three first rounders and a gigantic hole at small forward, enabling them to shoot for the moon a couple times on a wing player. That is what they’d be doing with Young, who might not even be in the conversation here once teams see his bevy of skills in workouts. Either of a pair of UCLA guys — Kyle Anderson and Zach LaVine — might be options for Phoenix, too. The Suns also have the ammo to make a big trade.
- Atlanta Hawks – Zach LaVine. The Hawks and Suns have somewhat similar needs, so these two picks could easily be flip-flopped. At 15, LaVine brings some much-needed upside to Atlanta, though the UCLA product may not be NBA-ready for a few years. LaVine is skilled and highly athletic, but he’s rail-thin and needs time to develop an NBA body. If he can play point guard, that would just be a bonus next to Jeff Teague.
- Chicago Bulls – P.J. Hairston. This board couldn’t turn out better for Chicago, which adds a much-needed scorer in Hairston at No. 16. Hairston clearly has some off-the-court issues, but there’s probably not a better landing spot for him than with Tom Thibodeau (if he stays) and the Bulls’ rock-solid locker room. Hairston’s outside shooting and toughness would be a perfect addition in Chicago.
- Boston Celtics – Tyler Ennis. This would be a significant drop for Ennis, who many have pegged as a top-10 pick after a near-flawless freshman year at Syracuse. But I see size and athleticism shortcomings that might be exposed in workouts. If Ennis falls, nabbing him 17th would be a coup for Boston if it decides to move on from Rajon Rondo.
- Phoenix Suns – Clint Capela. Assuming they keep them, the Suns are going to grab some size with one of their three first round picks. At 18, the athleticism and upside of Capela is a better fit for the explosive offense of the Suns than the plodding Jusuf Nurkic. Capela is raw, making him the perfect selection for a team like Phoenix with multiple picks.
- Chicago Bulls – Adreian Payne. With Carlos Boozer likely on his way out of Chicago, the Bulls could use some size to go with Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson three picks after snagging Hairston. At 23 years old, Payne doesn’t offer much upside. But he can bang a bit down low and, like Hairston, he can knock down the three-pointer. If they get Derrick Rose back to full strength, the Bulls will need NBA-ready help.
- Toronto Raptors – Shabazz Napier. Most mocks have Napier as a late first-rounder. Then again, most NCAA brackets had his Huskies out long before the Final Four. The Raptors could use some size, but there won’t be much there at No. 20. The draft board leaves them with a plethora of athletic wings who overlap too much with the skill sets of DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross. They’ll opt for the instant offense of Napier instead. Kyle Anderson could also be in play.
- Oklahoma City Thunder – Jusuf Nurkic. The Thunder always have draft-and-stash potential and with two picks in the first round this year that won’t change. Though he lacks athleticism and has conditioning issues, Nurkic gives OKC more young size to go with Steven Adams. They probably won’t ever need big-time minutes from him, though his bulk and touch could get him on the court sooner than you think.
- Memphis Grizzlies – Kyle Anderson. There isn’t a harder prospect to put a finger on than Anderson. It’s hard to say whether he’ll be a fit in Memphis, but that is pretty much the case regarding every possible destination for Anderson and his unique skill set. What is definite is that the Grizzlies need help offensively and Anderson’s versatility and playmaking ability make him worth the risk at No. 22 for Memphis. He has glaring defensive shortcomings, but the Grizz have plenty of guys who specialize on that end already.
- Utah Jazz – Jerami Grant. With Exum in the fold at pick No. 4, the Jazz will be looking to add help on the wing. They’d ideally land a shot maker or a playmaker (Anderson?) here, but Grant’s upside is too high to pass up with those commodities off the board. His position depends on how he develops, but he has the tools to eventually play either the three or four in the NBA. He only stands 6’8″, but has a 7’2″ wingspan and top-shelf athleticism.
- Charlotte Bobcats – T.J. Warren. The Bobcats reside in the heart of ACC country, so they should have gotten a pretty close look at Warren, the conference’s Player of the Year. Warren’s jumper and his ability to defend are both question marks, but his proclivity for getting buckets is not. He doesn’t have the tools to start in the NBA, but his array of offensive moves can provide Charlotte with the depth and scoring potential the team covets at No. 24. Think Draymond Green.
- Houston Rockets – Elfrid Payton. Don’t be surprised if Payton isn’t available here, as his stock is on the rise. He isn’t an ideal fit for a team looking to contend now, but it’s tough to be convinced that Patrick Beverley or Jeremy Lin is the long-term answer at point guard in Houston. Any team willing to ignore the small school stigma will get a long, athletic point guard who can defend and dish the rock in Payton. Jarnell Stokes and C.J. Wilcox are also options here.
- Miami Heat – Cleanthony Early. With the best player in the world at the three, Early doesn’t seem to be an ideal fit in Miami. But his 6’8″ size will further enable Miami to do something it loves: play small. After he torched Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament, it would be shocking to see Early go this late. Such is life for an NBA prospect who is already 23 years old. Early can help now.
- Phoenix Suns – K.J. McDaniels. The Suns already grabbed a small forward in Young at No. 14, but if McDaniels makes it to No. 27 they shouldn’t resist adding another. The Clemson product is a bit undersized to play the three, but he compensates with elite leaping ability and lock-down defense, making him a safe bet to become an effective role player. With three picks, the Suns can afford to gamble that he becomes more.
- Los Angeles Clippers – Mitch McGary. Coming off a breakout performance in the 2013 NCAA tournament, back trouble limited McGary’s sophomore campaign at Michigan to eight games. Rather than face a one-year NCAA suspension, McGary will instead try to work his way back into first-round consideration. At 21 years old, he’s somewhat of a known quantity but might be worth a first-round pick for a Clippers team that should be looking for frontcourt depth.
- Oklahoma City Thunder – C.J. Wilcox. A sniper out of Washington, Wilcox is the type of specialist who often goes at the end of the first round to a contender that’s in need of instant help. Oklahoma City typically tends to be a little more creative than that, but the potential to take even a fraction of the scoring burden off Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook makes Wilcox worthy of consideration at No. 29. Plus, the Thunder took a bit of a gamble on Nurkic at No. 21.
- San Antonio Spurs – Jarnell Stokes. In Stokes, the Spurs will get a big body to go down low next year behind Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter. Think of Stokes as a poor man’s Jared Sullinger. He has size, strength and an ability to finish in the post, but he will struggle against NBA length and could have problems with his weight.
Prospect Profile: Cleanthony Early
As far as mid-major NBA hopefuls go, there haven’t been many that enjoyed a college experience quite like that of Cleanthony Early. Transferring to Wichita State after two years of Division-III ball, Early led the Shockers to the 2013 Final Four, their first appearance since 1965. As an encore, he guided Wichita State to a one-seed this March by way of a spotless 34-0 record.
Early and the undefeated Shockers fell in spectacular fashion to eighth-seeded Kentucky in the second round. In what was an instant classic, Early put on a show in his final college game against an opponent loaded with future NBAers, including a head-to-head matchup with soon-to-be lottery pick Julius Randle. He totaled 31 points on 12 of 17 shooting against the Wildcats, adding seven rebounds for good measure in what was an unforgettable performance that undoubtedly boosted his draft stock.
Even so, Early is already 23 years old, which puts a serious cap on his upside. In a recent chat with his readers, ESPN’s Chad Ford indicates that Early is likely a mid-to-late first round pick, with his age being a potential red flag. Later in the chat, Ford referred to draft prospects turning 23 as “the kiss of death” in the NBA’s analytics world. However, Ford did mention that Early’s tournament performance did, in fact, help him.
Early averaged 16.4 points per game as a senior at Wichita State, though his scoring prowess was perhaps best measured by the 24.5 points he averaged per 40 minutes, as the Shockers played in plenty of lopsided affairs. He was also very efficient, shooting 48.6% from the field, 37.5% from three and knocking down 84% of his free throws. He pulled down just under six rebounds per night for the Shockers.
With his ceiling may be limited, there is plenty to like about the 6’8″ forward. His offensive game is polished, as he boasts the ability to score inside and on the perimeter. He predominantly played power forward in college, though he has an improving three-point shot. Most important, his game is NBA-ready. Early is tough, skilled and physical enough to contribute right away. If he lands in the right spot in the back half of the first round, we could soon see Early playing meaningful minutes in meaningful games for a contender.
As Jonathan Givony of Draft Express points out, there is some position concern with Early, making his ceiling as a role player all but certain. He played power forward in college, but doesn’t have the size or wingspan to do so at the next level. He has some of the requisite skills to play the three, but his ball handling needs to improve, as does the consistency and range of his jumper. He also needs to get better defensively. But the question remains:
How much can he be expected to improve, given his advanced age?
One thing Early has going for him is that he has shown an ability to rapidly progress his skill set, transforming from a Division-III standout to a surefire NBA draft pick in only a few years. That should not go unnoticed, though in today’s NBA when everyone but the elite teams is looking for upside, Early sure has the look of a late first-round pick.
Poll: Which Underdog Will Win In Round One?
With the Mavericks blowing out the Spurs in San Antonio tonight, it looks like the defending champion Heat are the only one of the eight higher seeds that will hold home court advantage in the first two games of the NBA playoffs. And believe it or not, it’s really no surprise.
After all, the top seed in the East, the Pacers, went ice-cold down the stretch and face a Hawks team that is no stranger to postseason play. Meanwhile, the Thunder, owners of the NBA’s second-best record and the two-seed in the West, face a white-hot Grizzlies team that has been playing at an elite level since Marc Gasol‘s mid-January return. And those are just two of the riveting first round matchups.
We still have a long way to go in round one, but with a logjam of great teams out West and a whole lot of uncertainty in the East, this postseason is shaping up to be an unpredictable one. The question is, can teams like Atlanta and Memphis shock the world in round one? Or will they simply put a scare into a superior opponent before bowing out? And if not them, which lower-seeded team is most likely to pull off the upset?
And-Ones: Pacers, Izzo, Donovan, Kings
With a trio of Game Threes on the schedule, let’s take a look at what is going on around the league on Wednesday night:
- With Frank Vogel‘s job reportedly on the line in Indiana, Sean Deveney of Sporting News examines the caveats of the recent NBA trend of hiring younger, cheaper and less experienced head coaches in the mold of the Pacers’ front man. Speaking with several veteran coaches, Deveney writes that policing an NBA locker room is all the more difficult without extensive NBA experience, be it as a coach or a player.
- There has never been more NBA-centric buzz about Tom Izzo, though the Michigan State head coach remains a long shot to leave East Lansing for a gig in the professional ranks. However should the Michigan-born Izzo need to hire an agent, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN tweets that it would likely be Minneapolis-based Gary O’Hagan. Wolfson confirms reports we’ve heard that the Timberwolves would love to land Izzo as their next head coach.
- We know the Wolves are also interested in Florida’s Billy Donovan, who flirted with the NBA seven years ago before eventually backing out. Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, who coached Donovan at Providence, said Wednesday morning on ESPN’s Mike & Mike that Donovan would make an excellent NBA head coach, though Pitino suspects his protege might again get cold feet before making the leap to the next level, writes Adam Zagoria of SNY.
- Heading into an important offseason in Sacramento, Ailene Voison of the Bee puts the microscope on the Kings‘ front office hierarchy, led by first-year general manager Pete D’Alessandro. As Voison opines, D’Alessandro is challenged with employing an effective small- to mid-market approach in the mold of the Spurs and Pacers, something the previous regime in Sacramento failed to do.
Draft Notes: Exum, Wiggins, College Returnees
There has been plenty of talk about the top of June’s draft and that it sure to continue. For instance, the Magic, Jazz, Bucks, in addition to Lakers, are high on Dante Exum, Chad Ford of ESPN.com writes in his latest chat with readers. Ford has linked the Magic to Exum in the past, and he says this time around that the team is indeed looking for a point guard in spite of its experiment with Victor Oladipo at the position. Meanwhile, Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times tweets that the Sixers are targeting Andrew Wiggins with their selection, a report that echoes what we heard a few months ago out of Philadelphia.
However, as Sunday’s Early Entry Eligibility Deadline approaches, we are also sure to hear a lot about the players on the other end of the draft spectrum. Let’s take a look at some of the college players who have chosen not to partake in June’s NBA Draft.
- LSU freshman Jordan Mickey will return to school instead of entering the draft, the Tigers announced (Twitter link). Chad Ford of ESPN.com has Mickey as the 23rd-best prospect for next year and Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress, who’s listed him as the 55th-best prospect for 2014, puts him 36th in his 2015 mock draft.
- Sophomore Alex Poythress and freshman Dakari Johnson will both return to Kentucky next year, the Wildcats announced in separate releases. Poythress kicked the tires on entering the draft a year ago as well before ultimately deciding to return. They will join teammates Willie Cauley-Stein and Marcus Lee in Lexington next year, both of whom also chose to stay in school. Johnson could flirt with the lottery next year, according to Givony, who has Poythress squarely in the second round.
- Notre Dame guard Jerian Grant will not enter the draft, reports Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com. Grant was averaging 19 points per game before withdrawing from school for academic reasons in December. His brother, Syracuse’s Jerami Grant, announced last week that he would enter the draft. Givony has the 6’4″ shooting guard pegged as the 57th pick next June.
Thaddeus Young Could Request Trade?
Depending on what the Sixers do this offseason, forward Thaddeus Young said it is “a possibility” that he asks the team to trade him, writes Tom Moore of PhillyBurbs.com. Young is under contract next season and has a player option for 2015/16, but it would be hard to blame him for not wanting to endure another tank-fest in Philadelphia.
“I think it’s one of those things where everything has to be talked about and put on the table, and everything has to be laid on the line,” Young said.
However, as Moore points out, come June the Sixers are likely to have two top-10 picks in what many pundits consider to be a loaded draft. They also have plenty of cap room and will add Nerlens Noel to the mix next season, so it isn’t out of the question that Young’s excitement level for Philly’s future could receive a significant boost in the short term. He recently said he’s become more optimistic about the team’s potential.
Young averaged a career-high 17.9 points per game in his seventh season in the NBA, but had to wade through a record-tying 26-game losing streak after the Sixers front office dealt Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes at the trade deadline. Turner and Hawes were essentially the only other notable veterans on the roster besides Young. There seems to be some discord in the Philly media regarding whether or not Young is part of the team’s future plans.
Western Notes: Lakers, Faried, Corbin, Wolves
It is certainly no surprise that, after we rounded up the Lakers’ exit interviews earlier tonight, there is already more buzz coming out of Los Angeles. This is the Lakers, after all. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports is reporting that Pau Gasol would consider reuniting with former coach Phil Jackson, now running things with the Knicks. Citing a source, Spears hears that the interest is mutual.
Meanwhile, Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report mentions both Van Gundys, Stan and Jeff, as names that stand out to him should the Lakers part ways with Mike D’Antoni. Within the same story, Ding breaks down the team’s draft lottery odds as well as maps out the complicated status of their draft picks beyond this season. Here is what else is going on in the Western Conference:
- Earlier this month it was Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly that had some kind words to say about Kenneth Faried. On Thursday, it was Brian Shaw’s turn. As Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post writes, the head coach wants and expects to have Faried in a Nuggets uniform next season. Faried was frequently mentioned in trade rumors this season.
- The fate of Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin will hang in the balance just a little longer, according to Steve Luhm of the Salt Lake Tribune, who writes that the team will take a “decompression period” before making a decision on whether or not to bring the coach back. Luhm reports that a decision could come down as soon as this weekend.
- With Rick Adelman’s departure imminent, the Wolves head coaching wish list includes Tom Izzo, Fred Hoiberg and Stan Van Gundy, reports Spears in his final power rankings column.
- It’s a small silver lining in an otherwise ugly season in Minnesota, but ESPN’s Marc Stein tweets that the Wolves can take solace in the fact that they refused to deal rookie Gorgui Dieng at the trade deadline before they knew what they had (Twitter links). The Louisville product was a bright spot in Minnesota down the stretch and figures to be a key contributor in his second season.
Central Notes: Bucks, Monroe, Billups, Pistons
Earlier tonight we broke down the bevy of news coming out of Cleveland. Here is what is going on in the rest of the Central Division on Thursday night:
- Once the dust settles from the Bucks ownership change, many league insiders expect the new regime to make changes in the front office and on the coaching staff in Milwaukee, writes Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. As Kyler notes, general manager John Hammond and assistant GM David Morway are both under contract for two more seasons. Head coach Larry Drew inked a four-year, $10MM pact last summer.
- Soon-to-be restricted free agent Greg Monroe spent what might be his last season with the Pistons keeping his head down and concentrating on his own production, writes Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News.
- Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press suggests the Pistons would probably exercise their $2.5MM team option on Chauncey Billups for next season if the 37-year-old elects not to retire, but it seems questionable that the team would commit to that kind of money to him.
- Several Pistons players conceded that chemistry issues plagued the team all season, with Brandon Jennings admitting that he never would have agreed to come to Detroit last summer had he known how things would turn out, writes David Mayo of MLive.com. Based on player comments, Mayo infers that veteran Josh Smith, the team’s highest paid player, is one of the reasons for the team’s fractured locker room. In a separate piece, Ellis concurs.