Blazers Notes: Silas, Crabbe, Draft
The Blazers were granted permission Sunday to talk to Hornets assistant coach Stephen Silas about being the top assistant to Portland coach Terry Stotts, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. The Blazers have plenty of competition for Silas’ services. Silas will meet with Golden State coach Steve Kerr Monday in Oklahoma City to discuss the top assistant position with the Warriors. Silas also has a growing candidacy to become the Rockets next head coach.
Here’s more out of Portland:
- Allen Crabbe has emerged as one of the most appealing restricted free agents in the league and is sure to receive contract offers exceeding $10MM per year, Haven Kaplan-Miner of RealGM writes. The combination of elite shooting and impressive on-ball defense makes Crabbe stand out, Kaplan-Miner adds. Crabbe’s midrange game, in particular, developed and that opened up the floor for his teammates this year and created the biggest problems for opposing defenses, Kaplan-Miner surmises.
- The Blazers need to target a rim protector in the draft and preferably one who can add some scoring, NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper opines (transcribed by John Canzano of The Oregonian). “It’s not about how many points he’ll score for you, but how many points he’ll save for you,” Cooper said, referring to the Blazers’ need for a big man.
Knicks Notes: Jackson, Hornacek, Rambis
Knicks president Phil Jackson‘s decision to hire Jeff Hornacek caught former interim coach Kurt Rambis by surprise, Ian Begley of ESPN.com reports. It was largely expected that Rambis would have a role with the organization earlier this month, but his future with the Knicks is less clear now, Begley writes. Hornacek has to decide whether to retain assistants Jim Cleamons, Rasheed Hazzard, Josh Longstaff and Brian Keefe, as Begley notes. Keefe and Longstaff, in particular, are respected by many players for their hard work and selfless approach, according to Begley.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- The move to hire Hornacek is Jackson’s final opportunity to correct the decision he made of bringing in Derek Fisher as Jackson’s first coach, Sean Deveney of The Sporting News opines. The hiring was a surprising one because Hornacek has no direct connection to Jackson, has never been involved with Jackson’s triangle offense and was at no point regarded as a front-runner for the job, Deveney writes. The extent of control that Jackson will allow Hornacek will be critical, Deveney adds.
- Eddie Johnson, who has the unique perspective of having been a former teammate of Hornacek and as the Suns’ TV analyst while Hornacek coached in Phoenix, believes Hornacek will utilize the pick-and-roll more often with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, Al Iannazzone of Newsday writes.
- Tyler Johnson, a restricted free agent this summer, would be a solid addition for the Knicks because he would fit into the triangle offense, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes in a list of free agent point guards that the Knicks may eye.
Hoops Links: Westbrook, DeRozan, Jackson
Every Sunday, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Then you should send it to us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown …
- Raptors Rapture has an under-the-radar free agent the Raptors may want to consider.
- The Runner Sports explains why DeMar DeRozan may be pressing.
- The Runner Sports also believes Phil Jackson may need to step down as Knicks president.
- Crossover Report details why the Eastern Conference playoffs have lacked excitement.
- The Hardwood Nation wonders what is going on with the Magic.
- Shaw Sports discusses what has happened in the playoffs to this point.
- The Jump Ball chronicles Russell Westbrook‘s rebounding prowess.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Knicks Meet With Frank Vogel
Knicks team president Phil Jackson met last week with former Pacers coach Frank Vogel, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports. Knicks GM Steve Mills was also present in the meeting, Isola adds. Mills contacted Vogel’s agent the day after Vogel was let go, according to Isola.
Vogel, who was recently dismissed by the Pacers, is reportedly the front-runner to take over for Dave Joerger with the Grizzlies and is also under consideration for the head coaching slots of the Rockets and Magic. Vogel is one of three candidates that seem to be in the running for the Knicks coaching job. Interim coach Kurt Rambis remains an option and former Cavs coach David Blatt met with Jackson and Mills last month.
Both Blatt and Rambis have ties to the Knicks’ front office. Rambis is a close ally of Jackson, who wants the Knicks to continue to use the triangle offense, as Isola writes. Blatt and Mills have a deep connection that dates to their days as teammates at Princeton. Blatt was an usher at Mills’ wedding. Vogel spent one season as a scout under Jackson, but the two did not work closely together, Isola writes. Jackson did not attend the annual college scouting combine last week in Chicago, and considering his meeting with Vogel took place in Los Angeles, per Isola, there is a strong chance that could be the reason why.
Knicks Notes: Hernangomez, Draft, Jackson
Knicks draft-and-stash prospect Guillermo “Willy” Hernangomez was an ideal long-term buy because of size (he is 6-foot-11 and 255 pounds) and because he is regarded as strong, agile and a solid rebounder, Brian Lewis of The New York Post details in an analysis piece. The Knicks have a reported four-year, $4.5MM offer in the works for Hernangomez, who turns 22 on May 27th. Kristaps Porzingis is expected to visit with Hernangomez during his offseason European trip, Lewis writes. The two players are former teammates overseas. It would require the mid-level exception or cap space to ink Hernangomez for a deal for more than two years, as Lewis notes.
Here’s more out of New York:
- The Knicks are trying to obtain a late first round pick or an early second round pick in next month’s draft, Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv reports. , citing sources. That makes sense, considering the Knicks have interviewed a Syracuse shooting guard Malachi Richardson, Syracuse point guard Michael Gbinije, Seton Hall point guard Isaiah Whitehead, Villanova small forward Josh Hart, Maryland point guard Melo Trimble and Florida forward Dorian Finney-Smith among others, who are all projected to be late first-rounders, according to Zagoria.
- Phil Jackson was not in attendance at the combine and if that was because he was interviewing coaching candidates, that’s understandable, but if not, then he missed an important chance to help the Knicks, Ian Begley of ESPN. com relays (ESPN Now link). In addition to missing out on speaking with draft prospects, Jackson also missed an opportunity to speak informally with agents and executives about the free agent market, Begley adds.
Hoops Links: DeRozan, Sixers, Kings
Every Sunday, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Then you should send it to us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown …
- The Sports Quotient discusses the possible limitations of basketball analytics.
- Raptors Rapture wonders how much longer DeMar DeRozan will be in Toronto.
- The Runner Sports breaks down the Knicks’ coaching search.
- Blazer’s Edge explains how the Blazers can beat the Warriors.
- Silver Screen and Roll wants the Lakers to target Harrison Barnes this summer.
- Liberty Ballers runs down the Sixers’ hiring of Ned Cohen.
- The Dream Shake recaps Jason Terry‘s season with the Rockets.
- Sactown Royalty discusses the top choices for the Kings’ coaching vacancy.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Lakers Notes: Clarkson, Scott, Walton
Jordan Clarkson, who is set to be a restricted free agent this summer, strongly wants to re-sign with the Lakers after the team hired Luke Walton as coach, Jovan Buha of ESPN.com relays. “It really impacts it a lot,” Clarkson told Buha. “That style of play fits me, as well as the other guys. I definitely want to stay here in L.A. and be here. I said in my exit interview, I don’t want to be that guy who bounces around from team to team. I want to be here in L.A. — a place where I can call home — and leave a legacy. The hiring makes it even better.” Clarkson made $845,059 this year, and L.A. must make a $3.2MM qualifying offer to retain the right to match competing bids through the Gilbert Arenas Provision.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- Byron Scott‘s one regret from his time leading the Lakers is that he wished he played his veterans more minutes, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News writes. It’s interesting that Scott said that, considering he was often criticized for the way he handled his younger players, as Medina adds. Scott dismissed the idea that he was too much of a disciplinarian to his younger players, per Medina, and instead said their inexperience hindered their development. Scott was 38-126 as the Lakers’ coach.
- Clarkson isn’t the only one on the Lakers gushing about Walton. Julius Randle believes his versatility can improve under the new coach because Walton worked extensively with Warriors star Draymond Green, helping to make Green more dynamic, Medina writes in a separate piece.
Pacers Notes: Vogel, Hill, Conley
Pacers executive Larry Bird went into the All-Star break thinking about letting go of former coach Frank Vogel, who was ultimately dismissed after the Pacers’ playoff run, Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star details. The Pacers went 250-181 in parts of six seasons under Vogel, but Bird wanted the team to score more and play at a faster pace, Buckner writes. Bird also believed the players may have tuned Vogel out over the course of the season and that the team never had a true identity, Buckner adds.
Here’s more on the Pacers:
- The decision to decline to pick up the fourth-year option on former first-round pick Solomon Hill will likely come back to haunt the Pacers, considering he will likely earn more money elsewhere and fit well with the Pacers’ small-ball style that Bird wants to see more of, Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post writes. Hill was to make about $2.306MM on the option, which covered the fourth season of his rookie scale contract.
- The Pacers must address their need for a point guard this summer and signing free agent Mike Conley would be the most logical addition the team could make, Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star argues. The team must prioritize Conley because the other options in free agency would be Deron Williams and Rajon Rondo, two players with histories of coaching baggage, Doyel adds.
- The Pacers may regret parting ways with Vogel because his consistent success and his work with Roy Hibbert proved his ability to develop players, Chris Mannix of The Vertical opines.
Hoops Links: Wolves, Love, Thomas
Every Sunday, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Then you should send it to us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown …
- The Sports Quotient explains why Karl-Anthony Towns is the future of the NBA.
- Circa Sports examines Kevin Love‘s ability to perform well on both ends at center.
- Crossover Report details how Isaiah Thomas paved the way for Tyler Ulis.
- Denver Stiffs reviews Will Barton‘s season.
- Posting and Toasting wants the Knicks to interview Becky Hammon.
- Orlando Pinstriped Post discusses how January derailed the Magic.
- Bullets Forever breaks down the pros and cons of acquiring DeMarcus Cousins.
- Welcome to Loud City profiles Dion Waiters.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Kings Notes: Coaching Search, Rondo, Cousins
Ex-Rockets coach Kevin McHale continues to be the most often discussed name by those inside the Kings organization, reports James Ham of CSN California. At 58, however, McHale is coming off a rough season in Houston, where he was fired after only 11 games and it’s still unclear how interested he is in returning to the bench, Ham cautions. McHale is one of several names Hoops Rumors has listed in our primer for the Kings’ coaching search.
Here’s more on the Kings:
- Hornets coach Steve Clifford confirmed that Patrick Ewing will interview for the Kings’ coaching job, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel relays (on Twitter). It was reported Saturday that Ewing would interview with Sacramento.
- The Kings would be smart to let Rajon Rondo walk via free agency if they cannot bring him back on a short and manageable contract, Bobby Marks of The Vertical writes. Heading into the summer, the Kings need to establish an identity, have defined roles for players and develop mental toughness, Marks adds.
- The Kings’ front office must also determine whether DeMarcus Cousins is a player who can be the focal point of a playoff contender at this point of his career, writes Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders. Cousins is one of the league’s top big men, but the franchise has not seen any success with him as its star player, Davis adds. The organization’s dysfunction over the years is not all Cousins’ fault, but as the face of the team, he likely deserves some of the blame, Davis surmises.