Jonah Bolden Likely To Join Sixers Next Season
Jonah Bolden, the Sixers’ second-round pick (36th overall), from the 2017 NBA Draft is likely to join the team next season, president Bryan Colangelo told reporters, including Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Sixers did not have the roster flexibility to carry Bolden this season, so he signed a three-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League. Bolden’s deal contains an NBA-out clause that would enable him to join Philadelphia next season.
In 29 games this season, the 6’10” big man averaged 6.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.6 APG while shooting 31.9% from beyond the arc.
“He can rebound the ball very well instinctively,” Colangelo said of the Australian forward. “Can handle it in transition, make good decisions. You don’t want to put him in that situation every day, but he’s a grab-and-go guy that can move the basketball.”
Colangelo also praised Bolden’s athleticism and believes the 2017 second-rounder has the tools to be a modern-day NBA big man.
Northwest Notes: Anthony, Leonard, McCollum, Favors
After a disappointing first season with the Thunder, Carmelo Anthony‘s future with the organization is unclear. He wields a $28MM option he figures to utilize, which would extend his Thunder tenure for one more season. However, Oklahoma City could pursue some sort of buyout with Anthony, which may put his NBA future in doubt.
Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman writes that one option for Anthony — if he leaves the Thunder this summer — is a career in China. The 33-year-old has already said he will not accept a bench role next season and it may be hard for him to secure a job with consistent playing time and scoring opportunities. Carlson writes that Anthony, if he goes to China, would automatically become the best player on any team he joins and be the focal point.
Carlson specifically points out the success that Stephon Marbury enjoyed in the China Basketball Association, becoming a sports legend in the country who was honored with a statue. Despite his struggles, Anthony still played in more games (78) than he has since the 2005/06 season while averaging 16.2 PPG. In contrast, Marbury averaged 3.8 PPG in his final NBA season. Nonetheless, if Anthony’s Thunder career is over, he will have options.
Check out more Northwest Division notes:
- If the Trail Blazers can enter the hypothetical Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes, the team should offer C.J. McCollum in trade talks for the Spurs superstar, John Canzano of The Oregonian opines.
- During an appearance on ESPN’s First Take this week, McCollum discussed the possibility of either him or teammate Damian Lillard being traded by the Trail Blazers this summer, per Sean Meagher of The Oregonian. “If you trade one of us, it’s lateral movement,” McCollum said.
- Jazz big man Derrick Favors spoke about his time in Utah in the past tense while cleaning out his locker this week but he wasn’t necessarily shutting the door on a return this summer, Mike Sorensen of the Deseret News writes. Favors will have plenty of suitors in free agency and he is ready for the experience. “We’ll see how it goes,” he said. “There will be a lot of things to think about this summer, but I can wait for that.”
Atlantic Notes: Larkin, Tatum, Lin, Eisley
Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said the team is operating under the impression that injured guard Shane Larkin will be unavailable for the entire Eastern Conference finals, per ESPN’s Chris Forsberg (Twitter link).
Larkin missed Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Sixers with a left shoulder sprain. He was expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future. However, Larkin said to NBC Sports that he still hopes to play in the upcoming series.
“I’m not ruling anything out,” Larkin said. “It’s still fresh, it’s still sore. I can’t really do much. It’s frustrating but you have to stay positive. It’s just an unfortunate thing.”
With injuries to Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart, Larkin saw an increased workload in the first round of the postseason and rotational minutes in the second round against the Sixers. The 25-year-old averaged just 14.4 minutes in 54 regular season games, posting 4.3 PPG. With Smart back in the fold, he and Terry Rozier figure to see an increased workload against the Cavs.
Check out more Atlantic Division notes below:
- With the drama in San Antonio involving Kawhi Leonard, there have been reports and speculation that if he is traded, the Celtics may be a strong possibility. The team has several young players to offer in a deal and Boston is always seeking upgrades. ESPN’s Zach Lowe writes that the Celtics are unlikely to deal Jayson Tatum straight-up for Leonard unless Boston gets a clean bill of health and long-term commitment from Leonard.
- Most of the Nets roster got together for a workout in Los Angeles, Brian Lewis of the New York Post relays. The only players from this year’s team absent from the group workout included Nik Stauskas, Allen Crabbe, and Jahlil Okafor.
- Among current Knicks assistant coaches, Howard Eisley is being “strongly considered” for David Fizdale‘s coaching staff, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley. One source tells Begley it’s even “highly likely” that Eisley is retained. However, no final decision has been made as Grizzlies assistant Keith Smart — who the Knicks recently got permission to interview — and Nick Van Exel remain strong possibilities to join Fizdale.
Pistons Notes: Van Gundy, Jackson, Coaching Search, Izzo
Stan Van Gundy and the Pistons parted ways this week, putting the organization in the market for a head coach. As for Van Gundy, he still had one year left on his contract with the Pistons. However, that does not put him out of running for other coaching opportunities, per Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
“If the right situation came along, I wouldn’t dismiss it,” Van Gundy said. “I’m not going out on the terms I would like.”
Ellis notes that there no restrictions on Van Gundy pursuing other opportunities as a head coach, even though there’s still one year left on his Pistons contract. Van Gundy has an extensive coaching resume, which includes stints with the Heat, Magic, and Pistons. Van Gundy led the 2009 Magic to the NBA Finals but lost to the Lakers. During his stint with the Pistons, the team only made the postseason once, which prompted Detroit to explore making changes.
Check out more Pistons notes down below:
- Reggie Jackson has not been healthy the past two seasons, missing 30 games last season and 37 games this season due to injury. In an interview with Rod Beard of the Detroit News, Jackson expressed regret for not being able to help his team and former head coach by being healthy and effective on the court. “Being injured the past few years, I wish I could have done more and been healthy more to help us win games and to secure our future as a whole and (Van Gundy’s) future,” Jackson said. “I wish we could have been better the past few years and not have to get to this point.”
- Michigan State president John Engler said that Tom Izzo, the school’s basketball head coach, will remain a Spartan for life and will not pursue the Pistons’ head coaching vacancy, tweets David Jesse of the Detroit Free Press.
- Keith Langlois of Pistons.com breaks down the upcoming NBA calendar and how it will impact the Pistons’ search for a head coach.
Knicks Notes: Kanter, O’Quinn, Defense, Noah
Enes Kanter‘s future with the Knicks is up in the air as the center wields an $18.6MM player option for the 2018/19 season. Kanter has said throughout the year that he loves playing in the Big Apple and hopes to remain with the Knicks beyond the current season. Knicks general manager Steve Mills shares the same sentiment, as he said to MSG Network (via ESPN’s Ian Begley).
“Enes wants to be here in New York,” Mills said.
Kanter enjoyed a productive first season in New York, averaging a double-double of 14.1 PPG and 11.0 RPG in 71 games. New York acquired Kanter in the trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the Thunder. In an otherwise forgettable season, Kanter’s performance was a bright spot and Mills indicates that it’s ultimately his option on whether or not he will call New York home in 2018/19.
“Really, it’s his [decision],” Mills said. “He has to choose to opt in.”
Check out more Knicks news and notes below:
- Kyle O’Quinn may have played his last game with the Knicks, as he has his own player option decision to make. As Marc Berman of the New York Post reports, O’Quinn recently switched agents, going from ASM Sports to Mark Bartelstein — who also represents Kanter. O’Quinn praised the hiring of David Fizdale, stating he’s made a solid impression as a coach around the league.
- The Knicks have been a poor defensive team in recent years, which was on full display this season. Fizdale said in his introductory press conference that defense will be emphasized under his leadership. That mindset will be necessary if the Knicks wants to compete again, Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes.
- As we relayed earlier, despite his congratulatory remarks to Fizdale, embattled Knicks center Joakim Noah remains unlikely to regain a role with the club.
Jazz Notes: Exum, Favors, Harden, Offseason
Dante Exum was drafted in 2014 as the fifth overall pick and is still a work in progress. Given that Exum missed his entire sophomore campaign with a torn ACL, he essentially lost a year-and-a-half of development. Coming off his best season as he enters restricted free agency, it would be a “major upset” if Exum does not return to Utah, Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune opines.
Exum, 22, averaged a career-best 8.1 PPG and 3.1 APG for the Jazz during the season. However, he still has not developed a consistent jumper, his midrange game is virtually nonexistent, and he was dominated at times during the postseason, Jones writes. While there is more development needed, Exum and Jazz seem to have a mutual interest in him returning next season.
“In fact, it will be a major upset if Exum isn’t wearing a Jazz uniform next season,” Jones writes. “Utah covets his size and athleticism. The front office, led by general manager Dennis Lindsey, maintained through the postseason they would be patient with Exum and his development.”
Check out more Jazz notes below:
- Eight-year NBA veteran Derrick Favors will hit unrestricted free agency this summer coming off a season in which he posted solid totals of 12.3 PPG and 7.2 RPG in 77 games, Frank Urbina of HoopsHype looks at four possible destinations for Favors, including the Wizards, Bucks, Warriors, and a return to Utah.
- After the Rockets completed their postseason series win over the Jazz, James Harden spoke highly of the team and believes there are even brighter days ahead, Eric Woodyard of The Deseret News writes. “Unbelievable,” Harden said. “Especially when nobody expected them to be in the situation they’re in right now. The sky is the limit for them.”
- In a separate story, Brad Rock of The Deseret News writes about the end of Utah’s season, with Jae Crowder — who was acquired at the deadline from the Cavaliers — suggesting that this year was just the start of good things to come. “I think it’s the beginning of an era,” Crowder said.
- Brad Rock of the Deseret News writes in a separate story that the Jazz cannot stand pat this summer, arguing that the team’s ability to keep improving will be limited without a few roster changes.
Spurs Not Fielding Offers For Leonard, Hope To Mend Relationship
Despite a tumultuous regular season, highlighted by a persistent quadriceps injury, the Spurs are brushing off trade interest in Kawhi Leonard and hope to repair the relationship between both sides, Ken Berger of Bleacher Report writes in an in-depth feature.
Leonard appeared in just nine games this season as he dealt with a right quadriceps injury. He was absent from the team during the first round of the postseason, where the Spurs lost to the Warriors in five games. With Leonard set to hit unrestricted free agency after next season, it seems plausible for San Antonio to consider shopping its superstar — after a troublesome season — to get something of value in return.
Berger quotes several executives who believe Leonard wants out of San Antonio and that the Spurs would be smart to deal him now. The team also does not like the idea of its best player seeking outside medical help, which he did for most of the season in an effort to return. However, Berger also points to the last offseason when LaMarcus Aldridge, after a disappointing season, wanted out of San Antonio. Berger reported that Aldridge even reached out to former teammate Damian Lillard about possibly returning to Portland.
Head coach Gregg Popovich took control and mended the situation; Aldridge ended up signing an extension and enjoyed his best season with the Spurs.
“You can never say done because everybody thought that the Aldridge thing was over and that there was no chance to salvage that,” a person with knowledge of the situation said. “Pop went in and smoothed it over. You can’t underestimate the power of the Pop in these situations.”
Leonard, 26, remains an elite player with a third-place Most Valuable Player finish and two Defensive Player of the Year awards on his resume. It’s possible the Spurs change direction but for now, the team wants to repair the rift.
Pelicans Notes: Rondo, Mirotic, Cousins, Benson, Gentry
At 32 years old, Rajon Rondo is not a building block for an organization, but he’s an experienced and valuable veteran who plays well on the game’s biggest stage. Although Rondo’s future with the Pelicans is uncertain as he heads for unrestricted free agency this summer, the point guard spoke highly of the team in his exit press conference, William Guillory of The Times-Picayune writes.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Rondo said. “I love this group of guys. It’s a group of good guys. I love playing for coach (Alvin) Gentry. We’ll see how it goes. … This group of guys is special. I think we obviously went up against the defending champs. We played extremely well and we’ve got a lot to learn from. You play a team like that, you’ve got no option but to get better.”
During the first two rounds of the postseason, Rondo averaged 10.3 PPG and 12.2 APG for the Pelicans, living up to the “Playoff Rondo” moniker he has earned during his career. Rondo was solid during the regular season as well, posting totals of 8.3 PPG and 8.2 APG. During his press conference with reporters, general manager Dell Demps said that re-signing Rondo will be a critical part of the offseason, given his leadership abilities, tweets Scott Kushner of The Advocate.
Check out more Pelicans notes down below:
- Nikola Mirotic joined the Pelicans in a midseason trade from the Bulls and played well, averaging 14.6 PPG and 8.2 RPG in 30 games for New Orleans. He is only under contract for one more season, but hopes to remain with the Pelicans long-term, per William Guillory of The Times-Picayune. “No doubt,” Mirotic said. “This has been like a family to me and I’m looking forward. This is the place I want to be.”
- In their respective pressers, Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry and general manager Dell Demps both said they want to re-sign DeMarcus Cousins, who is recovering from a torn Achilles and will hit unrestricted free agency, tweets Scott Kushner of The Advocate. “In a perfect world we would like to have (Cousins) back,” Demps said.
- Gentry’s option for 2018/19 was picked up by the Pelicans after the team defeated the Trail Blazers in the first round of the postseason. The head coach expressed his own desire to remain in New Orleans going forward, and advocated for new owner Gayle Benson, who took over after the death of her husband, Tom Benson. “Mrs. Benson is going to make this thing a success,” Gentry said (per Scott Kushner of The Advocate). “She’s 100% committed to doing everything we possibly can to making this a championship team. As long as that’s the case, I love being here.”
Pacific Notes: Kokoskov, Suns, Ball, Buss
Igor Kokoskov is set to become the Suns‘ next head coach and it is just the latest chapter in his legacy which has been defined by breaking barriers, NBA.com’s Cody Cunningham writes.
A car accident ended Kokoskov’s playing career, but it allowed him to move into a coaching role. Soon after, he became the youngest coach in Yugoslavian basketball history. Not long after that, Kokoskov became the first non-American assistant coach to win an NBA championship as part of the 2004 Pistons.
Since then, Kokoskov enjoyed a successful run under his mentor Alvin Gentry — the former Suns coach and current Pelicans coach — during his first stint in Phoenix. Kokoskov went on to enjoy international coaching success, most prominently leading Slovenia to a first-place finish at FIBA EuroBasket 2017. He will be the first non-American head coach in NBA history and it’s something Gentry feels he’s ready for.
“He’s had some great head coaching experience internationally,” Gentry told 98.7 FM’s Arizona Sports Station. “I think he’s very much ready to be a head coach. I think he understands the game, (he’s) got great personal relationships with the players … he’s got great temperament. I think he would be a great choice.”
Check out more Pacific Division notes below:
- While the hiring of Kokoskov has led to speculation that the Suns are eyeing Slovenian prospect Luka Doncic with their lottery pick, GM Ryan McDonough dismissed the idea that Phoenix is locked in on Doncic. “It’s an easy assumption to make, but we’re going to draft whoever we think the best player is,” McDonough said, according to Scott Bordow of The Arizona Republic. “If we do get the No. 1 pick, Doncic will certainly be in that mix. But [Deandre] Ayton and a few other guys will, as well.”
- LaVar Ball, the father of Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball, is back in the United States after younger sons LiAngelo and LaMelo wrapped up their first professional season in Lithuania. The elder Ball has been quiet since returning but if history is any indicator, it’s only a matter of time before he’s making headlines again, Martin Rogers of USA TODAY Sports writes.
- The Lakers‘ season ended early once again this season and now the team prepares for free agency and the draft. Assistant general manager, Jesse Buss, the youngest of all the Buss siblings, will be an important factor in the team’s draft plans, as Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report writes.
- As we noted yesterday, there are indications that the Clippers and Doc Rivers have agreed to an extension to keep him in his role as the team’s head coach.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Jay Larranaga Interviews Again With Hornets
Celtics assistant coach Jay Larranaga was away from the team on Sunday as he was in Florida interviewing with the Hornets for the team’s head coaching vacancy, tweets Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. This is Larranaga’s second interview with Charlotte.
Hornets president Michael Jordan was part of the interview, as we relayed yesterday. In addition to Larranaga, Spurs assistant James Borrego is among those reportedly receiving strong consideration for the position.
The Hornets are seeking a replacement for Steve Clifford, who was relieved of his duties last month.
Larranaga enjoyed a lengthy international career as a player before transitioning into coaching after his retirement in 2009. Before joining the Celtics’ coaching staff in 2012, Larranaga was the head coach of the G League’s Erie BayHawks. This is not Larranaga’s first attempt at a head coaching gig as he was considered for jobs with the Celtics, Sixers, and Grizzlies in recent years. This spring, he interviewed with the Knicks and Hawks about their head coaching openings.
Keep up with all the latest coaching developments with our 2018 NBA Head Coaching Search Tracker.