D’Antoni, McMillan Won’t Coach In 2016 Olympics
THURSDAY, 2:43pm: Like D'Antoni, 2012 Team USA assistant Nate McMillan also won't return to Mike Krzyzewski's staff for the 2016 games in Rio, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
When we first heard word that Coach K would be returning to coach Team USA for the '16 Olympics, Pete Thamel of SI.com noted that Jim Boeheim had said he was likely to remain on the coaching staff, but that not all of Krzyzewski's assistants would be back. With D'Antoni and McMillan out of the mix, the team figures to be in need of at least a couple new coaches.
WEDNESDAY, 6:04pm: Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni will not return to his role as assistant coach of the United States men's basketball team for the 2016 Summer Olympics, according to the New York Post's Marc Berman.
D'Antoni chose to discontinue his role due to the four-year commitment, and how much of a strain it takes on his family life. He'd been with the team since 2006.
Poll: Who Will Be The Number One Pick?
The Cavaliers won last night’s lottery, their second time doing so in three years. Who will they take with the first pick?
Odds & Ends: Copeland, Kings, Harden
A few random notes from around the NBA.
- Knicks rookie forward Chris Copeland had a few breakout moments in the NBA playoffs, and he's more than interested in making more memories in New York, telling ESPNNewYork.com's Jared Zwerling that it's "very possible" he stays with the team next season.
- According to the Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones, Kings assistant coach Bobby Jackson would love to return to the team next season, but has no contract yet.
- James Harden is spending his offseason recruiting free agents to join him with the Rockets next season, writes Hoopsworld.com's Alex Kennedy.
Draft Notes: Cavs, Wizards, Trail Blazers, Raptors
A few notes about last night's lottery and next month's draft.
- According to a tweet from the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Schmitt Boyer, Nerlens Noel's college coach John Calipari says Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant spent more time scouting his star center than any other NBA general manager.
- The Wizards are interested in drafting based on talent as opposed to a positional need, according to a tweet from CSNWashington.com's J. Michael. Head coach Randy Wittman and general manager Ernie Grunfeld are in agreement that using both second-round picks isn't wise.
- Sean Meagher from OregonLive.com has a poll up asking what the Trail Blazers should do with the 10th overall pick.
- Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun writes that it's probably for the best that the Raptors won't have a pick in next month's draft, being that they have enough young players as it is. Toronto traded their first-round pick to the Rockets in exchange for Kyle Lowry last year. They would've been able to keep the pick only if it ended up as a top-three selection.
Latest On Suns Coaching Search
The Suns just hired a new, young general manager, and now they're onto finding a new coach. The latest has the Rockets granting Phoenix permission to interview their assistant coach, J.B. Bickerstaff, according to a tweet from Yahoo! NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski.
The team has also asked to speak with Lakers assistant Steve Clifford. Los Angeles has granted permission for the interview. Clifford has also interviewed with the Bobcats on Tuesday and the Bucks last Monday, according to InsideSoCal.com's Mark Medina.
Central Notes: Cavaliers, Pistons, Draft
A few notes from around the NBA's Central Division.
- The Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto believes the Cavaliers are leaning towards taking Nerlens Noel if they land the first overall pick in Tuesday's upcoming lottery. Cleveland has four draft picks in June's draft but if they can't corral a defensive big man, are still interested in Greg Oden, who's currently rehabbing from a third microfracture surgery and remains an unrestricted free agent.
- Mlive.com's David Mayo takes a look at why the Pistons might be better suited landing with a pick somewhere in the seven or eight range, as opposed to first overall, due to the difference in salary from one to eight, and the amount of money they'd be able to save without giving up much in skill.
- Providence guard Ricky Ledo is no longer expected to work out in New Jersey this week, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. But according Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press to Ledo has plans to work out for the Pistons.
Odds & Ends: Clippers, Knicks, Suns
A few random notes from around the league.
- According to a string of tweets from ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Clippers owner Donald Sterling attended Game 1 between the Spurs and Grizzlies in an effort to scout Lionel Hollins for the possible head coaching job opening up with his team. (Hollins and Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro are both on the final years of their respective contracts.) Stein also tweets that the Clippers have not asked to speak with Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer.
- Newsday's Al Iannazzone goes in depth on the Knicks offseason plans, zoning in on what type of players the team should target in free agency.
- The Suns enter the lottery with the probability of landing a high first round pick, but not number one, according to AZCentral.com's Paul Coro. He projects they target height if they land with a pick between four and seven.
Howard Showing Interest In Rockets, Mavericks
Dwight Howard is strongly considering signing with his third team this summer, and the Rockets are the prime candidate, writes CBSSports.com's Ken Berger. Even though the Lakers are strong front-runners to re-sign the All-Star center and make him their next franchise player–they can offer the most guaranteed money and a fifth year of service.
However, Howard is reportedly showing more interest in Houston's young team. They have more room to grow and improve than Los Angeles, and from a purely basketball standpoint they most likely represent his best chance at winning an NBA championship in the immediate future.
The Mavericks are another team that intrigues Howard, and they should be able to carve enough cap space to sign him if the 27-year-old is willing to sign a four-year deal.
Poll: Will The Kings Ever Move To Seattle?
Earlier today the NBA’s Board of Governors voted against moving the Kings to Seattle. But this process is far from over, even if the Kings play their games in Sacramento next season. Do you think the team will ever move to the Seattle?
Western Notes: Allen, Warriors, Suns
A few notes from around the NBA's Western Conference.
- NBA.com's Jeff Caplan writes about Grizzlies guard Tony Allen—who's an unrestricted free agent this summer—and the path it took for him to sign with Memphis as a free agent in 2010.
- The Suns prepare for the NBA draft lottery at the end of May, writes NBA.com's Aaron Seidlitz. It could be a huge day for them, especially as they go forward with a new, young general manager.
- Also related to the Suns, the team's new general manager Ryan McDonough interviewed Lindsey Hunter in Chicago today for the team's head coach position, according to Yahoo! NBA writer Adrian Wojnarowski. The Suns are also looking at several other candidates, including Quin Snyder and Jeff Hornacek.
- Carl Steward of MercuryNews.com writes that Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson need to find their stroke in Game 6 against the Spurs or they'll most likely be eliminated. The article also touches on Jarrett Jack, who's stepped up when those two haven't played well, and enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.