Community Shootaround: D’Angelo Russell’s Nets Future
With the Nets‘ season over following a first-round postseason loss to the Sixers, the focus turns towards Brooklyn’s summer plans. Among the most watched storylines this offseason will be what D’Angelo Russell‘s future holds.
Just 23 years old, Russell is coming off his best season as an NBA talent. A serious candidate for Most Improved Player, Russell set career-highs across every major category, including games played (81 games), PPG (21.1) and APG (7.0).
“He’s obviously one of our more talented players,” general manager Sean Marks said in his exit press conference, per the New York Post. “You said we’ll have decisions. D’Angelo is going to have decisions, too. That is a little bit of the nature of this business. But at the end of the day, our job is to continue to put talent on the floor for Brooklyn.”
There are several directions in which this offseason can go. Brooklyn could just lock up one of its youngest, most dynamic players immediately and avoid a drawn-out discussion on what should be done. Or, the Nets could let Russell explore the market, using their right of first refusal to ultimately match any offer sheet he signs, if they so choose.
Before joining the Nets, Russell had just come off two mostly disappointing, if not controversial, years with the Lakers. In the two seasons since, Russell has become a leader in the Nets’ locker room and been praised around the organization for his maturity and development. Additionally, the Nets figure to be major players for some of the premier free agents on the market this summer — and pairing them with Russell is an enticing possibility.
Lakers Schedule Second Interview For Tyronn Lue
APRIL 23: Lue will have his second interview with the Lakers on Wednesday, per Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. As noted below, this meeting will involve Buss in addition to Pelinka.
The team’s second interview with Williams is expected to happen later in the week.
APRIL 20: As the Lakers progress with their search for a new head coach, Tyronn Lue will be among those brought in for a second interview, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin report (Twitter link).
Lue, who led the Cavaliers to a world championship three years ago, interviewed with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka on Friday. As Wojnarowski and McMenamin note, that meeting was held with the purpose of both sides getting to know one another, and setting up a second interview with owner Jeanie Buss.
Los Angeles met with Sixers’ assistant coach Monty Williams earlier in the week and is also expected to receive a second interview. As we relayed on Friday, the Lakers will also meet with Heat assistant coach Juwan Howard.
Jayson Tatum On Trade Rumors: “I Must Be Doing Something Well”
After Friday’s win over the Pacers, the Celtics have a commanding 3-0 series lead and seem poised to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. As the Celtics aim for an NBA championship, the possibilities of the upcoming offseason loom large.
Youngster Jayson Tatum, in his second season with the Celtics, has been mentioned as a potential centerpiece for an Anthony Davis trade this summer. It’s obvious why the Pelicans would want an athletic 21-year-old who set career-bests in PPG (15.7), RPG (6.0), APG, (2.1) and MPG (31.1).
Sopan Deb of the New York Times writes that Tatum does not take the rumors personally and actually views them as a positive based on his abilities.
“Trade rumors don’t bother me,” Tatum said.“They’re talking about trading me for guys like Anthony Davis. So, I mean, I must be doing something pretty well.”
Tatum will not need to worry about being traded for the next few months, at least. After all, the Pelicans named David Griffin the new executive vice president of basketball operations and it remains to be seen how he handles Davis’ likely departure. If and when that time comes, Tatum said he will suit up for whichever team’s roster he’s on.
“I love the game of basketball,” Tatum said. “Being traded is part of the game. I’ll play for whomever. It’s something I can’t control.”
Udonis Haslem Remains Undecided On Retirement
After watching his longtime teammate Dwyane Wade enjoy a farewell tour in his final NBA season, Udonis Haslem remains undecided on retirement, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes.
If Haslem decides to play next year, it will be his 17th NBA season — all with the Heat. The 38-year-old has settled into a mentor role over the last three seasons, appearing in just 40 games in that stretch. Despite his limited minutes, head coach Erik Spoelstra said he would “love to have” Haslem back.
For Haslem, the decision will be up to his family, who he said want to see him receive a similar farewell to Wade.
“Me and my wife have talked about, me and my family have talked about it,” Haslem said. “Although nothing on the scale of what Dwyane has done for his ‘One Last Dance,’ a lot of people feel like I should take the time to be celebrated at some point. Even though personally as the person I am, I’m kind of like whatever.
“But I feel like the Haslem family as a whole deserves the opportunity to celebrate when my career does come to an end. So that has some effect on the decision that we make, and my wife is adamant about me letting people celebrate me at some point.”
Haslem turns 39 years old in June and would presumably return on a veteran’s minimum salary if he re-signs with Miami. The offseason has not even officially started, so the Miami native does not need to make a decision anytime. But his leadership in recent years would make for a valuable addition, according to Spoelstra.
“His leadership is something that everybody and every franchise in the league is looking to add to their team,” he said. “We have it in-house, built-in.”
Devin Robinson Arrested; Wizards Announce He Will Not Return
Following an alleged physical confrontation outside a nightclub early Saturday morning, Wizards two-way player Devin Robinson was arrested, per Fred Katz of The Athletic (Twitter link).
The Wizards issued a stern statement addressing the arrest, adding that Robinson will not return for the team next season.
“We are aware of the incident this morning involving Devin and are disappointed in his actions,” the statement reads. “We will not extend him a qualifying offer for the 2019/20 season.”
Robinson, 24, appeared in just seven games for Washington in the regular season, averaging 6.7 PPG and 2.9 RPG. He also appeared in one game in 2017/18, while seeing most of his playing time in the G League.
In 22 NBAGL contests with the Capital City Go-Go this season, Robinson averaged 19.9 PPG and 8.2 RPG.
Knicks Notes: Jordan, Ewing, Williamson, Fizdale, Coaching Staff
The Knicks acquired veteran center DeAndre Jordan as part of the Kristaps Porzingis blockbuster in February. Jordan was viewed as a potential buyout candidate; a veteran player likely interested in latching on with a contending team. However, he finished out the season in New York.
Head coach David Fizdale said this week that the Knicks offered Jordan a buyout, but he wanted to remain with the team, tweets Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. Jordan, 30, appeared in 19 games with the Knicks, averaging 10.9 PPG and 11.4 RPG — solid totals in line with his career production.
In addition to his production, Jordan served as a mentor for a young team, particularly to promising big man Mitchell Robinson. As the Knicks prepare for an active offseason, Jordan remains a possibility to re-sign with the team.
Check out more Knicks notes down below:
- Knicks legend Patrick Ewing will represent the team at the NBA draft lottery next month and the team is hopeful he will be a good luck charm, ESPN’s Ian Begley writes. “Patrick is a huge part of our team’s history and we’re thrilled to have number 33 represent the franchise at this year’s draft lottery,” Knicks president Steve Mills said.
- While the Knicks will hope for the best at the lottery, particularly the chance to draft Duke’s Zion Williamson, the team is prepared for any outcome, Forbes’ Adam Zagoria writes. “At the end of the day, I’m really prepared for whoever we get,” Fizdale said on The Michael Kay Show.
- It’s unclear how different the Knicks’ roster will be next season but Fizdale is also not looking to change the coaching staff, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. “No, I like these guys,’’ Fizdale said. “These guys are good. They know their stuff. They know their craft. We got some really knowledgeable guys.”
- Speaking of next season, both Berman of The Post and Newsday’s Steve Popper examined the Knicks’ roster and who may or may not be back for the 2019/20 season.
Mike Budenholzer Named Coach Of The Year By NBCA
Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer has been elected the 2019 Coach of the Year by the National Basketball Coaches Association, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
The award is voted on by all 30 NBA head coaches and does not permit any coach to vote for himself. Per Wojnarowski, the Nets‘ Kenny Atkinson, Nuggets‘ Michael Malone, Pacers‘ Nate McMillan, Spurs‘ Gregg Popovich, and others were among those to receive votes.
This award, introduced in 2017, isn’t the NBA’s official Coach of the Year award, which is voted on by media members and is represented by the Red Auerbach Trophy. That award will be presented at the league’s awards show in June. The Coaches Association’s version of Coach of the Year is voted on by the NBA’s 30 head coaches.
In his first season at the helm in Milwaukee, Budenholzer led the team to an NBA-best 60-win regular season.
Budenholzer, 49, spent five seasons as the Hawks’ head coach, leading the team to a 60-win season in 2014/15. Atlanta’s strong regular season earned Budenholzer the Red Auerbach Trophy as the NBA’s Coach of the Year in 2015.
After a 24-win season in Atlanta last season, Budenholzer and the Hawks parted ways, paving the road for him to join the Bucks.
Andre Roberson Unlikely To Return This Season
After a series of setbacks due to injury, and the regular season nearing its conclusion, it seems unlikely the Thunder will get Andre Roberson back this year, Erik Horne of The Oklahoman writes.
Aside from limited stretches in practice, Roberson has not done much physical activity recently. With Oklahoma City preparing for the postseason, the timetable to get the defensive specialist back healthy has all but dwindled.
“I always hate throwing things out there that could potentially clarify something to be, ‘That’s it,’ but he’s not even doing anything in practice,” head coach Billy Donovan said earlier this week. “He is running. I’ve got nothing medically from anybody that says, ‘Hey listen this guy is nearing or approaching being able to play.'”
Roberson, 27, has not played in a game this season as he has attempted to return from knee surgery. He originally ruptured his patella tendon in Jan. 2018 and since then has undergone arthroscopic surgery to alleviate pressure and suffered a pair of setbacks, including a small avulsion fracture in his knee in late November.
While his defensive prowess has been missed, the Thunder clinched a playoff spot behind an MVP-caliber season from Paul George and another statistically dominant year from Russell Westbrook.
Since the Thunder signed Roberson to a three-year, $30MM pact in July 2017, he has appeared in just 39 games.
Pacific Notes: McGee, Front Office, Beverley, Cauley-Stein, Suns
While the Lakers are out of the playoff picture, and LeBron James will not play again this season, several players on the roster have incentive to finish the year strong. As Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times writes, JaVale McGee, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and Mike Muscala are set for unrestricted free agency this summer.
Without the postseason as a motivating factor, the next pay check for those players is a strong consideration. Head coach Luke Walton commended those players’ efforts to close out the season.
“I think they’ve done a nice job of staying focused on the team. And that is a big thing, a real thing,” Walton said. “Guys should be concerned about their futures. You have to take care of that as players. But when you take care of your team and play with that type of attitude, the other teams in the league see that. That’s what they want.”
Particularly, Walton praised McGee, stating that the NBA champion “looks good right now,” and adding that his contributions recently have been “meaningful numbers.”
Check out more Pacific Division notes:
- Mark Heisler of the Orange County Register opines that the Lakers‘ front office needs to be cognizant of its missteps this past season. Unable to pair James with another elite talent, this summer will be another chance to do so and the team will need to be smart with its approach.
- As the Clippers prepare for the postseason, the team hopes to get Patrick Beverley back on the court and healthy, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times writes. “So, it’s an injury of concern, but nothing that I think is that serious,” head coach Doc Rivers said. “He will play in the playoffs. I’ll say that.”
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Willie Cauley-Stein is set for restricted free agency this summer and the Kings will need to decide whether or not to retain his services. Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee examines Cauley-Stein’s value and why Sacramento will face a tough decision.
- Matt John of Basketball Insiders looks at how the Suns can accelerate their rebuild. Phoenix has a solid star piece in Devin Booker but will need to maximize acquisitions via free agency and the draft.
Lonzo Ball Says He’s In Charge Of Hiring Agent, Business Decisions
After a recent report that his father is exploring finding a new agent, Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball has confirmed he is taking the lead on his career moves, Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times reports.
As we relayed on Friday, Ball, 21, parted ways with longtime agent Harrison Gaines. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that the split between Ball and Gaines was a mutual decision, unrelated to the recent lawsuit filed against Big Baller Brand co-founder Alan Foster.
“Harrison Gaines has been a trusted advisor and close friend for many years,” Ball said in a statement to ESPN. “He guided my NBA career with integrity and always had my best interests at heart.”
Per a report from Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Ball was contacted by several agents to gauge his interest but most steered clear once his father, LaVar Ball, seemed to remain a focal point. Among LaVar’s inquiries included seeing if any agents could have the power to put his three sons – Lonzo, LiAngelo Ball, and LaMelo Ball – on the same NBA team.
However, as Ganguli writes, Ball confirmed that “he alone will make his business decisions” and responded to the notion that his father is involved with a clear “no.”
Ball has not suited up since January 19 due to an ankle ailment, shortening his second consecutive campaign due to injury. However, 2019 remains a noteworthy year for Ball, who was at the forefront of the Anthony Davis trade rumors and is now also in the market for a new shoe deal.