Western Notes: Love, Suns, Parsons
Timberwolves president and coach Flip Saunders doesn’t think Kevin Love has any right to be frustrated with the team’s lack of success, writes Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Sanders said, “Just like I told Kevin Garnett, he didn’t have a right to be frustrated. Why does any player have a right to be frustrated? You’re either part of the problem or part of the solution. Should the team be frustrated? Yeah, the team can be frustrated. But I don’t think any one individual should be frustrated.”
More from out west:
- Tami Abdollah of the Associated Press examines the sale of the Clippers and Shelly Sterling’s future role with the franchise.
- The Suns are interested in trading for Love, reports Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). Spears notes the team’s most attractive trade assets are Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic, and draft picks. The Suns have three first-rounders in this year’s deep draft. Spears’ sources also tell him that it will take a max contract to sign Bledsoe.
- The Rockets haven’t decided if they will pick up Chandler Parsons option for next season yet, but Parsons wants to remain in Houston, tweets Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston. Parsons told Berman, “I want to be here. I love Houston. It’s a great situation for me.”
Jazz Hire Quin Snyder As Coach
6:53pm: The team has officially announced the deal. CEO Greg Miller expressed optimism regarding Snyder’s potential at the helm of the Jazz.
“On behalf of the Miller family, I welcome Quin Snyder as the new head coach of the Utah Jazz,” said Miller. “He has an impressive basketball pedigree, including more than a decade of head coaching experience that positions him well to succeed in the Jazz organization. We look forward to Quin’s contributions both on the court and in the community.”
5:42pm: The team will hold a press conference to introduce Snyder as coach tomorrow, a source tells Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
4:41pm: Quin Snyder will be the next head coach of the Jazz, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (Twitter link). This report has also been confirmed by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). The deal will include three guaranteed years, plus a team option for a fourth, tweets Wojnarowski. Financial terms have not been disclosed. This will be Snyder’s first time as an NBA head coach. He previously served as head coach for Missouri from 1999 to 2006, and complied a career record of 128-96 for the Tigers.
Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey has worked previously with Snyder when Lindsey was assistant GM for the Spurs and Snyder was the coach of San Antonio’s D-League affiliate from 2007 to 2010. Snyder was one of four rumored finalists for the position along with Adrian Griffin, Alvin Gentry, and Jazz assistant coach Brad Jones. Jones is expected to be retained and promoted to assistant head coach, reports Jody Genessy of the Deseret News (Twitter link). Former University of Utah player Alex Jensen will also be promoted from his position as player development coach to become a full-time assistant on Snyder’s staff, writes Genessy in a separate article.
Snyder was a candidate for the Sixers, Bobcats and Suns last summer, and was also a candidate for the Bobcats job back in 2012, when he was also among those in the running for the Magic’s vacancy.
And-Ones: Hairston, Embiid, Draft
P.J. Hairston‘s journey to the NBA is a unique one, and may open the door for others to take a similar path in the future, writes Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald. On leaving North Carolina to play in the NBA D-League, Hairston said, “It wasn’t my choice to play in the D-League. I ended up there, and I wanted to be able to graduate, so I was in the D-League and took all of my courses. For some guys, it’s there for them if they want to. Some guys want to stay in college and graduate. It’s up to that person.”
More from around the league:
- With the NBA moving toward smaller lineups, the traditional center position is changing, but Joel Embiid might be able to reverse the trend, writes Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post.
- Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com proposes five tweaks for the NBA Draft lottery that could improve the process.
- With the Thunder falling short of the NBA Finals again, Bradford Doolittle and Amin Elhassan of ESPN.com (Insider subscription required) look at the roster moves the team might make this summer, as well as opine on the team’s ideal rotation.
- Steve Ballmer’s $2 billion offer for the Clippers is nearly four times the record sale for an NBA team, and has experts puzzled over how the former Microsoft chief plans to make any money on the deal, write Charles Fleming, Walter Hamilton, and Andrea Chang of The Los Angeles Times.
- Roscoe Smith will have pre-draft workouts this week with the Jazz, Bulls, and Suns, reports Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv (Twitter link). Smith is projected as a second-round pick in this June’s draft.
Eastern Notes: Cavs, LeBron, Hornets
Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio (hat tip to Henry Green of Fox Sports Ohio) doesn’t think the Cavaliers will hire a new head coach prior to the NBA Draft. Amico also believes that GM David Griffin is looking to hire an offensive minded coach and that the team will select Joel Embiid with the first-overall pick in the draft.
More from the east:
- There is no good reason for LeBron James to opt out of his contract with the Heat this summer, opines Mitch Lawrence of The New York Daily News. Lawrence believes the success of Miami will make it easier for James to continue to recruit free agents and would allow him the best opportunity to continue to win championships.
- The Hornets haven’t been successful in the draft, writes Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. Despite having eight lottery picks in the past eight years, including three in the top five, they have yet to draft a player good enough to build a team around or to become an NBA All-Star, opines Bonnell.
- The Hawks want Kyle Anderson back for a second workout, reports Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv (Twitter link). Atlanta currently owns the 15th overall pick in June’s draft.
- Pistons forward Luigi Datome believes he can improve enough this offseason to become a regular part of the team’s rotation next season, writes Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press. In 34 games this season, Datome averaged 2.4 PPG and 1.4 RPG.
Atlantic Notes: Love, Sixers, Knicks
Kevin Love was in Boston this weekend, as Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune details. Love wasn’t officially there to meet with the Celtics, but the team has shown interest in possibly acquiring the player if the Timberwolves decide to trade him. Of his visit, Love said, “I’m here to just check out the city and see what it’s like.” When asked about the possibility of playing for Boston, Love said, “I’m sorry man. I can’t do nothing. I can’t.” He was referring to his inability or unwillingness to talk publicly about the purpose of his visit, Zgoda notes.
More from the Atlantic Division:
- The Knicks currently have no picks in this June’s NBA Draft, but Phil Jackson may attempt to buy a second round pick, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Two teams that Jackson might try to swing a deal with are the Bucks and the Sixers, notes Pompey. Philadelphia has five second-rounders and Milwaukee has three.
- Tom Moore of Calkins Media examines the different draft scenarios for the Sixers based on what the Cavs and Bucks do picking ahead of them.
- Marc Berman of The New York Post thinks that Carmelo Anthony should put the team first and opt in this summer. This would allow the ‘Melo a chance to make a better educated guess as to the direction the Knicks franchise will take under Jackson, as well as demonstrate his willingness to be a team player and a leader, opines Berman.
Latest On Derek Fisher
Derek Fisher doesn’t plan on taking long to decide his next step and will discuss the matter with his family before making any decision, writes Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. Fisher said, “Obviously, there are a number of people that are going to be impacted by the decision I do make whether I continue to play or [if] I decide to do something else within the game. Whatever it is, there is a lot at stake. I’m not going to rush. I’m not going to be emotional. Right now there is a lot of emotion. As soon as possible, I’m going to try to take the best next steps.”
More on Fisher:
- Fisher says he hasn’t had any contact with Phil Jackson or any other NBA executives in terms of coaching jobs, tweets Spears.
- With the Thunder having been eliminated from the playoffs, the focus will now turn to whether or not Fisher will become the next coach of the Knicks. Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv looks at where Jackson might turn if Fisher turns the team down. According to Zagoria, the next two candidates on the list may be Tyronn Lue and Bill Cartwright.
- The Lakers may have some interest in Fisher for their head coaching vacancy, writes Mitch Lawrence of The New York Daily News. The interest is primarily because of Fisher’s close relationship with Kobe Bryant, notes Lawrence. On the Lakers potential interest, Fisher said, “I’ve obviously heard things and been asked questions. But I’ve had to control the external noise. I’ve learned through experience to hold those things at bay. Over the next couple of days I will continue with that. There’s a right way to wrap this season up and show it the proper respect it deserves.”
- He realizes the Knicks are waiting to meet with him about their coaching vacancy but Fisher hasn’t confirmed if he will interview with the team, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Fisher said, “I’ll try to [do] that as soon as possible for all parties involved and can make the decisions that need to be made. Interview is a strong word at this point. I haven’t had any direct conversations with any executives — Phil Jackson, the Lakers. I think interview is a strong word. There’ll be conversations at some point. This is still pretty raw and fresh — at least for the next day or two.” According to Berman, Jackson confirmed he “definitely’’ will speak with Fisher, but added there are “lots of unknowns” on whether Fisher will take the job, primarily referring to Fisher’s young children in Los Angeles.
And-Ones: Hansen, Blazers, Aldridge, Love
Despite losing one his biggest and wealthiest partners in Steve Ballmer to the Clippers, Chris Hansen remains committed to bringing a team to Seattle, according to an article by The Associated Press. Hansen said that environmental reviews on a proposed arena are nearing completion and “we will soon be in a strong position to attract a franchise to Seattle“, the article notes.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Jeff Kramer of SB Nation looks at why it would be a good move for LaMarcus Aldridge to sign a contract extension with the Trail Blazers.
- The Trail Blazers face a difficult decision in regards to free agent guard Mo Williams, writes Roger Gregory of The Oregonian. Williams decided to opt out of the second year of his deal and become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
- The staff at Basketball Insiders (video link) debate the best landing spot for Kevin Love, should the Timberwolves decide to trade him.
- According to Phil Jackson, the Knicks intend to approach other teams in an effort to buy a draft pick, tweets Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv.
- Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report looks at what the $2 Billion sale of the Clippers means for the Lakers.
Draft Notes: Robinson III, Gordon, Williams
The 2014 NBA Draft is less than a month away. Here are the latest notes:
- The Timberwolves will be holding pre-draft workouts for Keith Appling, Nedim Buza, Jabari Brown, Jerami Grant, Dwight Powell and Scottie Wilbekin, the team tweeted.
- Aaron Gordon tweeted that he’d be returning to Boston in a “couple of weeks” for a pre-draft workout with the Celtics. The forward out of Arizona is a projected lottery pick and Boston holds the sixth and 17th overall picks in June’s draft.
- Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders runs down the worst first-overall draft choices in NBA history.
- Kendall Williams participated in a pre-draft workout for the Suns today, reports Zac Walberer of NBA.com. The point guard out of New Mexico is projected as a possible late second round draft pick.
- Glenn Robinson III has workouts scheduled for next week with the Rockets and Suns, reports Mark Snyder of The Detroit Free Press. Robinson is projected as a late first round selection.
- HoopsHype released their latest Mock Draft.
- Noah Vonleh, Elfrid Payton, Tyler Ennis and Marcus Smart are scheduled to work out for the Kings next week, reports Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter links).
- Ronald Roberts worked out for the Sixers today, tweets Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. The power forward out of St. Joe’s is a projected second rounder in this year’s draft.
- Chaz Williams is scheduled to work out for the Raptors next Wednesday, reports Josh Newman of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
Eastern Notes: Anthony, Bucks, Magic
Marc Berman of The New York Post notes that Carmelo Anthony has until June 23rd to decide if he will opt out of his contract with the Knicks and become an unrestricted free agent. Most NBA players have until June 30th to decide. It was reported earlier that Anthony is considering opting in and putting off free agency until next summer.
More from the east:
- Marc Lasry, the co-owner of the Bucks said that he and his partner Wes Edens hope to break ground on a new arena some time next summer, writes Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Lasry was quoted as saying, “We’d like to have a shovel in the ground some time between June and September of next year.“
- The Magic could have as much as $22.7MM in available salary cap space to use this summer in free agency, but it would be a “shock” if the team pursued Lance Stephenson as a free agent, writes Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. The team is looking for second-tier players in free agency, which would also make the pursuit of Kyle Lowry and Luol Deng unlikely, notes Robbins.
- Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv wonders what the Knicks will do if Derek Fisher declines Phil Jackson‘s overtures to become their head coach.
Pacific Notes: Thompson, Clippers, Kings
Warriors GM Bob Myers said that Klay Thompson is a “top-5 shooting who will be paid a lot of money in the future“, tweets Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group. Thompson has one more year remaining on his rookie deal, and has also been mentioned to possibly be included in trade discussions with the Timberwolves involving Kevin Love.
More from out of the Pacific Division:
- Jon Krawczynski of USA Today examines the Clippers worth and the factors that may have contributed to Steve Ballmer’s $2 Billion dollar bid for the team.
- The huge price that Steve Ballmer is willing to pay for the Clippers doesn’t make a lot of sense for someone who is such an astute businessman, writes Paul Newberry of USA Today. Newberry also believes that Ballmer will eventually try and move the team to Seattle.
- The Kings own the eighth overall pick in this June’s NBA Draft. Steven Wilson of NBA.com rounds up who the various mock drafts have Sacramento selecting.