Budenholzer Was First Choice In Toronto?
Mike Budenholzer, who agreed tonight to be the Bucks’ next head coach, was also the Raptors’ top choice, tweets Michael Grange of Rogers Sportsnet. Budenholzer met with Toronto’s front office on Monday, but no job offer was extended, relays ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Assistant coach Nick Nurse appears to be the current front-runner for the Raptors’ job, according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports (Twitter link). Nurse has spent the past five seasons as part of former coach Dwane Casey’s staff.
Lewenberg describes him as a “forward, innovative thinker,” which is an important quality to the Toronto front office (Twitter link). He adds that there’s a good chance someone else will hire Nurse if the Raptors don’t make him their head coach.
Toronto seems very focused on internal candidates, Lewenberg notes, as fellow assistant Rex Kalamian is being considered for the opening, along with Jerry Stackhouse, head coach of Raptors 905 in the G League (Twitter link). Other than Budenholzer, no one from outside the organization has interviewed for the position.
Stay current with all the latest coaching news with our 2018 NBA Head Coaching Search Tracker.
Finalists For NBA Awards Announced
The top three finalists for each of this year’s NBA awards are being released on tonight’s TNT pre-game show. The trophies will be presented June 25 at the league’s official awards show.
Here’s an ongoing list that we will update as the candidates are announced, along with links to our staff’s picks for each honor:
Rookie of the Year
- Donovan Mitchell (Jazz)
- Ben Simmons (Sixers)
- Jayson Tatum (Celtics
Hoops Rumors Analysis: ROY
Most Improved Player
- Clint Capela (Rockets)
- Spencer Dinwiddie (Nets)
- Victor Oladipo (Pacers)
Hoops Rumors Analysis: MIP
Sixth Man of the Year
- Eric Gordon (Rockets)
- Fred VanVleet (Raptors)
- Lou Williams (Clippers)
Hoops Rumors Analysis: Sixth Man
Coach of the Year
- Dwane Casey (Raptors)
- Quin Snyder (Jazz)
- Brad Stevens (Celtics)
Hoops Rumors Analysis: COY
Defensive Player of the Year
- Anthony Davis (Pelicans)
- Rudy Gobert (Jazz)
- Joel Embiid (Sixers)
Hoops Rumors Analysis: DPOY
Most Valuable Player
- Anthony Davis (Pelicans)
- James Harden (Rockets)
- LeBron James (Cavaliers)
Hoops Rumors Analysis: MVP
Shane Battier Gets Permission To Interview With Pistons
Shane Battier has received permission from the Heat to discuss a possible front office job with the Pistons, tweets Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel.
Battier was among several candidates revealed earlier today to be under consideration for positions in Detroit. He currently serves as director of basketball development and analytics in Miami.
Battier is being groomed for a high-level position with the Heat and may even run the organization someday if he stays there, according to the Five Reasons Sports Network (Twitter link). However, team president Pat Riley is expected to remain in place for several more years, and Battier’s connections to Michigan may be enough to lure him to the Pistons.
Bucks To Hire Mike Budenholzer
7:08pm: Darvin Ham, Budenholzer’s top assistant in Atlanta, will accompany him to Milwaukee and may be joined by the rest of the staff, according to David Aldridge of TNT (Twitter link).
6:47pm: Budenholzer will sign a four-year contract, Wojnarowski tweets.
6:17pm: Mike Budenholzer has agreed to become the Bucks’ next coach, writes Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Clues began to emerge over the past two days that Budenholzer was the top choice for the job. He met with team management and ownership yesterday, then had breakfast this morning with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
Budenholzer spent the past five seasons as the head coach of the Hawks before parting ways with the franchise last month. Atlanta launched a rebuilding project this year after four straight playoff appearances and Budenholzer reportedly didn’t want to go through that process. He was 213-197 with the Hawks, including a 24-58 record this season.
He succeeds interim coach Joe Prunty, who took over the team when Jason Kidd was fired in January. Prunty, who compiled a 21-16 mark, was among the coaches who interviewed for the opening, along with Ettore Messina, Steve Clifford, Monty Williams, David Blatt, Becky Hammon and Jay Larranaga. Messina was also considered a finalist and met with Bucks ownership on Tuesday as well.
Budenholzer was among the most popular candidates on the market, getting permission from the Hawks to interview with the Suns and Knicks while he was still their coach. He also had an interview Monday with the Raptors, according to Wojnarowski, but Toronto didn’t make an offer.
The Bucks are the sixth team to fill a vacancy in what has been an active offseason for coaching changes. The Pistons, Raptors, and Magic are still in the market for head coaches. Keep up to date with all the developments with our 2018 NBA Head Coaching Search Tracker.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Suns Notes: Draft, Doncic, Ayton, Jackson
The Suns will conduct plenty of research on Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic and several other prospects before deciding what to do with their No. 1 pick, writes Scott Bordow of The Arizona Republic. When the Phoenix logo was revealed in the final envelope at Tuesday’s lottery, it marked the first time the franchise had ever landed the top selection, and GM Ryan McDonough said the team is committed to getting it right.
“I’ll let you know June 21,” he responded when asked whom the Suns plan to draft. “I know people jump to conclusions about who it’s going to be, but we don’t know yet.”
The Suns will be among the most active teams on draft night, also holding the No. 16 pick, acquired from Miami in the Goran Dragic deal in 2015, along with the 31st and 59th selections in the second round.
There’s more today out of Phoenix:
- A new mock draft released by Michael Scotto of The Athletic has Phoenix taking Doncic first overall. He explains that not only would Doncic provide an ideal complement to Devin Booker in the backcourt, the move will give the Suns the freedom to target a center in free agency. The Rockets’ Clint Capela has been rumored as a possibility, and DeAndre Jordan could also be in play if he opts out of a $24.1MM salary with the Clippers. If neither works out, Phoenix could turn toward DeMarcus Cousins, Brook Lopez or Greg Monroe, who will all be unrestricted.
- Ayton is the more likely choice, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, who tweets that the probability of taking the Arizona center is “100%.” Ayton averaged 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds as a freshman with the Wildcats.
- New coach Igor Kokoskov, who started work Monday, should have five immediate priorities, Bordow writes a separate story. He identifies them as developing a working relationship with Booker, turning T.J. Warren into a sixth man, getting improvement from young forwards Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender if they both remain on the roster, creating a defensive mindset and convincing Josh Jackson to become the team’s defensive stopper. The Suns ranked last in team defense this season, Bordow notes, and drafted Jackson last year because of his potential on that end of the floor.
Weekly Mailbag: 5/7/18 – 5/13/18
We have an opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com.
Is there a market for the traditional big man? What can Greg Monroe/Enes Kanter expect to get paid on the open market? — Ryan O’Neal, via Twitter
There’s a two-part problem for Monroe, Kanter, DeAndre Jordan and any other traditional center who might be thinking of testing the free agent market. Not only are their contributions being de-emphasized as teams try to stretch the floor, but the few franchises that have money to spend this summer won’t be looking for veteran big men. There’s a very good chance that Kanter [$18,622,514 next season] and Jordan [$24,119,025] look at the market and decide to opt in with their current teams. Monroe’s contract is expiring, so he won’t have a choice, but remember that he wasn’t used much in Phoenix and the demand for him was fairly soft once he agreed to a buyout with the Suns.
How does the top of the draft look for the Dallas Mavericks? — Mark Eiserman
The Mavericks are looking for help in the middle and are very fortunate with this year’s draft class. Arizona’s DeAndre Ayton would be the dream pick, but Duke’s Marvin Bagley III, Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr. and Texas’ Mo Bamba could all be future stars. Much depends on the Mavs’ fate in Tuesday’s lottery, where they have a 13.8% chance to get the top pick and a 42.6% shot at landing in the top three. The odds are pretty good that Dallas will emerge from the draft with its center of the future.
Did the Raptors need to make a coaching change after a 59-win season? — J.L., via Twitter
Dwane Casey is one of the most respected coaches in the league and did a phenomenal job during his seven seasons in Toronto, amassing 320 wins and four Atlantic Division titles. However, once coaches reach a certain level of success, they stop being judged on the regular season. The Raptors reached the conference finals just once under Casey and were eliminated in the second round the past two years. It’s a stigma that has been hanging over the organization, and a coaching change is the easiest way to shake things up, whether Casey deserved it or not. If the Raptors had kept Casey and the same roster for next season, is there any reason to think they wouldn’t suffer the same fate again?
Atlantic Notes: Ainge, Hayward, Fizdale, Casey
The Celtics had plenty of doubters heading into the playoffs, including president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, writes Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. Without injured stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, Ainge thought his team’s chances were “50-50” to get past Milwaukee in the first round.
Boston surprised the Bucks and the Sixers on their way to the conference finals, but Ainge said the season could have been considered successful regardless of the outcome. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Terry Rozier have given the team a base of young talent to build on next season.
“I don’t really look at where you get to,” Ainge said. “I just think our guys have played well all year — whether they lost to Philly or lost Game 7 to Milwaukee. I mean, obviously those are good things, because they get to keep playing and they keep gaining experience in playoff games. But, I mean, I’ve just seen a lot of good things out of a lot of our guys this year. It’s been fun to see their development.”
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Hayward participated in Saturday’s walk-through, but coach Brad Stevens again squelched any speculation that he might return, relays NBC Sports Boston. Hayward updated his rehab progress Friday, saying he feels “like an athlete again” in a post on his blog. “He was just out here as we walked through some things earlier,” Stevens told reporters. “Got to be a part of the walk-through which was fun, just to have him back out here. He’s getting better too, but we’re going to figure out how to be the best version of ourselves for the rest of the season without those guys [Hayward and Irving].”
- The tough conditions where David Fizdale grew up prepared him for any challenges he might face as coach of the Knicks, writes Howie Kussoy of The New York Post. Fizdale was raised in the South Central section of Los Angeles, where gang activity was common. Former WNBA star Tina Thompson, a childhood friend, said Fizdale had the character to survive his surroundings. “David was always seen as one of the guys who was always gonna be successful,” she said. “It was clear by his focus, how he went about his business. For the many young men in our area, he was different in that respect.”
- Former Raptors coach Dwane Casey penned a letter thanking fans for welcoming him and his family during his time with the organization. “Coaches know that this is an industry built on change, and we willingly accept that reality,” he wrote. “They say that “Home is not a place … it’s a feeling;” so thank you Toronto for making us feel at home here.”
Heat Notes: Dragic, Haslem, Spoelstra, Lottery
Goran Dragic has retired from international basketball, but he might be persuaded to change his mind for the 2020 Olympics, writes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. After helping Slovenia capture the European championship last summer, Dragic plans a much more relaxed offseason this year.
“The people from the federation have been here in Miami; they tried to persuade me,” Dragic said. ‘We had a good meeting. I said my body at that time, I need to think about myself and my career. I gave to my country everything I had. Now it’s time to end.”
Dragic, who turned 32 last week, is hoping a few months of rest will pay off next season. He played 75 games this year, but his numbers declined across the board in scoring, assists and field goal percentage.
There’s more today out of Miami:
- Udonis Haslem appeared in just 14 games this season, but Dragic says the intangibles he provides makes him worth a roster spot, Jackson adds in the same story. “It’s really tough to explain to people outside what he means to this team,” Dragic said. “Everybody is looking, ‘OK, he’s not playing’ but they don’t know how much he brings to this team, especially with his experience and leadership. A lot of guys in this locker room need leadership like UD, especially Hassan [Whiteside]. I think UD can provide that. He’s there where usually some guys would not be, in the toughest moments, when you need something, he’s there. That’s why everybody loves him.” Haslem, who will turn 38 in June, is headed into free agency and hasn’t decided if he wants to play another season.
- Don’t expect a coaching change in Miami as long as Pat Riley remains the team president, writes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. Erik Spoelstra is closely tied to Riley’s philosophy, Winderman notes, and the current roster probably wouldn’t fit together without him in charge.
- The Heat won’t be involved in Tuesday’s lottery, but the results could affect them for years to come, Winderman points out in a separate piece. The lottery will help determine the balance of power at the top of the East, with the Cavaliers owning the Nets’ unprotected first-rounder and the Lakers’ first pick headed to either the Sixers or Celtics. Those teams could add to their talent base or they could use a high lottery pick as a bargaining chip if the Spurs decide to trade Kawhi Leonard.
Pacific Notes: Bell, West, Suns, Metu
Lingering problems with his ankles this winter led Warriors rookie Jordan Bell to consider sitting out the rest of the season, according to Mark Medina of The San Jose Mercury News. As he rehabbed from a left ankle injury that kept him out for 14 games in January and February, Bell shared his concerns with his high school coach, who responded that he had “time to heal.” Bell sent another text message after rolling his right ankle in late March.
“It was me being mad and irritated and spur of the moment. I was so frustrated. It kept reoccurring,” Bell recalled. “I thought maybe I should let it go fully and let it get back to 100 percent.”
Bell’s ankles are fully healed, but he hasn’t regained the role he had before the injuries. He sat out three of Golden State’s playoff games and averaged just 4.9 minutes a night in the postseason. He may be used more frequently in the conference finals as the Warriors try to match up with the Rockets’ smaller, quicker front line.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- David West and Chris Paul, who starred as teammates in New Orleans a decade ago, will square off for the Western Conference title, notes Logan Murdock of The San Jose Mercury News. They spent seven seasons together before West signed with the Pacers and Paul was traded to the Clippers. “Who knows what that team would’ve done had we stayed together,” West said. “It was a good run. It was really like a starting point for both of us in our careers.”
- The Suns will enter Tuesday night’s lottery with the best chance of winning the top pick, but they’ll have plenty of good options if that doesn’t happen, notes Luke Lapinski of Arizona Sports 98.7. Phoenix has a history of disappointment in the lottery, but Lapinski sees DeAndre Ayton, Luka Doncic and Marvin Bagley III as high-level talents at the top three spots.
- Los Angeles native Chimezie Metu called it a “dream come true” to work out for the Lakers this week, relays Bill Oram of the Orange County Register. Metu, who made the All-Pac 12 first team at USC, is projected as a mid second-rounder and could be on the board when L.A. picks at No. 47. “I’m probably going to have a lot more workouts,” he said, “but this is probably going to be my favorite one or one I’m going to cherish a lot more because of the history.”
Draft Notes: Ponds, Heron, Spellman, Melton
After being passed over for the NBA Draft Combine, Shamorie Ponds of St. John’s is concentrating on team workouts to prove himself, writes Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog. The sophomore guard put up a 21.6/5.0/4.7 line for the Red Storm this season, but wasn’t among the 69 players who received combine invitations.
“For sure, I was most definitely upset,” he said. “I feel I deserved it.”
Ponds worked out today for the Cavaliers and has held a session with the Nets. Cleveland GM Koby Altman spoke with all the participants after the workout, and Ponds said he received positive feedback. “[Altman] said he really likes my game a lot, he really enjoyed watching it,” Ponds added. “There was great energy after the workout.”
Ponds still has workouts remaining with the Jazz, Pistons and Lakers and wants to reschedule sessions with the Knicks and Hawks that he had to cancel because of final exams. He will use the results of those workouts to determine whether to remain in the draft, a decision that has to be made by May 30.
There are more draft-related notes to pass on:
- Today’s workout in Cleveland included three other prominent players in Auburn’s Mustapha Heron, Villanova’s Omari Spellman and USC’s De’Anthony Melton, Zagoria tweets. Heron also worked out Friday for the Nets along with Nevada’s Cody Martin, Georgia’s Kendrick Nunn, North Carolina’s Joel Berry and Stanford’s Reid Travis.
- Michigan State’s Nick Ward had sessions with the Knicks and Thunder during the week and is set to work out for the Pistons this weekend, according to Brendan F. Quinn of the Athletic (Twitter link). Eight other teams have submitted requests to see the sophomore in action.
- The Timberwolves brought in Rodney Bullock of Providence and Jalen McDaniels of San Diego State for a workout on Thursday, relays Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (Twitter link).
- ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz take a look at the best selections for each of the lottery teams if they land in the top three.