- The Blazers are planning to improve from within rather than making aggressive moves for high-priced veterans that could cost them major resources, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian reports. “We’re heavily invested in a lot of our young guys, so development will continue to be a focus,” GM Joe Cronin said. “We’re not going to win at an extremely high level until some of those guys are ready. But at the same time, it’s our job to give them the best environment to thrive in. And often that’s with additional help. I think this year there were some flaws in the roster, especially in some missing skill sets and just in general imbalance, where it made it complicated for those guys to reach their highest potential.”
- Jontay Porter‘s ban from the NBA for gambling-related violations has taken a toll on his brother, Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., Bennett Durando of the Denver Post tweets. “It has not been easy for him,” coach Michael Malone said. “That’s why I give him credit, because he’s carrying so much in his heart and in his mind.”
- Thunder big man and two-way player Olivier Sarr suffered a left Achilles tendon rupture during the G League Finals on Monday night, according to a team press release. In 15 games this season with the Thunder, Sarr averaged 2.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 6.5 minutes. Sarr also saw action in 18 games with the Blue and averaged 14.0 points, 13.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 28.2 minutes.
- Bismack Biyombo fainted during a game in early March. The Thunder center revealed to Joel Lorenzi of The Oklahoman that he was dehydrated due to fasting. Biyombo has fasted at various times throughout his career for religious reasons.
Former NBA guard JJ Redick will be interviewed by the Hornets for their head coaching position, The Athletic’s Shams Charania tweets.
Redick is currently a podcaster and analyst for ESPN. This isn’t the first time he has been a head coaching candidate. The Raptors interviewed him for their head coaching job last May.
Redick scored over 12,000 points in his NBA career. He retired after the 2020/21 season.
He joins a lengthy list of candidates for the opening.
Former Vanderbilt and G League coach Jerry Stackhouse, Lakers assistant Jordan Ott, Houston’s Royal Ivey, Denver’s David Adelman, Boston’s Charles Lee, the Clippers’ Jay Larranaga, Phoenix’s Kevin Young and Kings G League coach Lindsey Harding have also been identified as candidates.
Jordi Fernandez was also on the Hornets’ list before he was hired as the Nets’ head coach.
Steve Clifford announced prior to the end of the season that he’d be stepping down. He’s reportedly transitioning to a consulting role in Charlotte.