Raps Retain Colangelo As President, Seeking GM
TUESDAY, 9:52am: Colangelo will remain with the Raptors as the team's president, the club announced today in a press release. Colangelo will remain somewhat involved in basketball operations and will report directly to MLSE president/CEO Tim Leiweke, but the team is seeking a general manager that will have final authority on basketball decisions. The Raptors expect to hire a new GM within the next 30 days.
"After thorough evaluation and considering all the options, we have concluded that these changes will be in the best interest of the organization," Leiweke said in the release. "By splitting the roles and having both men report directly to me, we are adding depth to the basketball operations group and giving the Toronto Raptors the best chance of competing for championships in the future. The new GM will inherit a great situation in Toronto, as all of my due diligence around the League indicates that we have a fine, young core and a few key moves will make us a playoff contender next season."
Leiweke will also officially take over as MLSE president/CEO on June 3rd, rather than July 1st, according to the release.
MONDAY, 10:45am: Raptors ownership is preparing to make a major financial offer to Ujiri, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
10:04am: Bryan Colangelo will remain with the Raptors' parent organization in a "corporate" non-basketball role as the search continues for a new head of the Raptors organization, sources tell Doug Smith of the Toronto Star (via Twitter). MLSE has been negotiating with Colangelo this weekend to stay on in a signficant capacity while also talking with Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri about assuming full control of the team's basketball operations (Twitter links).
Toronto held an option on Colangelo's contract for the 2013/14 season and today was their deadline to make a determination. The decision to move Colangelo out of the President/GM role could be a sign that they are on the brink of reaching an agreement with Ujiri.
The Raptors hired an outside firm to help them identify the best candidate for the GM role and that process led them to identify Ujiri as their top candidate. While it would appear that Toronto respects Colangelo's experience and business acumen, they are less-than-thrilled with the club's on-court performance in recent years.
Colangelo was expected to deliver a winner by year seven of his tenure but things haven't improved as expected since the Raptors won the Atlantic Division in 2007. Since then, the club has undergone a number of face lifts with the most notable coming in the form of Chris Bosh's departure in the summer of 2010.
Colangelo's decision to take Andrea Bargnani with the No. 1 overall pick in the '06 draft also didn't pan out as hoped. Hindsight is 20/20, but the Raptors passed up the chance to take future All-Stars LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, and Rajon Rondo to take the Italian forward. In fairness to the Raptors, however, the 2006 draft was littered with relative busts at the top of the board including Adam Morrison (No. 3), Tyrus Thomas (No. 4), and Shelden Williams (No. 5).
Scott Skiles Is Frontrunner For Nets Job
Scott Skiles is the frontrunner in the Nets' coaching search, according to Dave D'Alessandro of the Newark Star-Ledger. Skiles has been said to be in the mix for the Nets job since shortly after P.J. Carlesimo's dismissal, but this is the first time it has been indicated that he is at the top of the club's wishlist.
The Nets have been seeking an experienced coach who preaches defense and the former Suns, Bulls, and Bucks head man certainly fits the bill. He's also known for being a strict, no-nonsense coach, an approach that may not jive with star guard Deron Williams.
Other coaches said to be high on the Nets' wishlist include longtime NBA assistant Brian Shaw and Larry Brown. The Nets also made a very public overture to Phil Jackson, but they were quickly shot down by the Zen Master. Yesterday, we also heard Lionel Hollins is on Brooklyn's list.
Southwest Notes: Parsons, Grizzlies, McGrady
Here’s a look at the latest out of the Southwest Division as the Spurs look to go up 2-0 on the Grizzlies tonight..
- Chandler Parsons of the Rockets has switched from agent Mark Bartelstein to Dan Fegan, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Parsons says that he made the change in an effort to “maximize his brand”.
- Former Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace took a lot of flack for trading Pau Gasol to the Lakers five years ago, but no one is complaining now, writes Peter May of Sheridan Hoops. Wallace was widely roasted for making what appeared to be a very one-sided deal, but the emergence of Pau’s brother, Marc Gasol, has vindicated him.
- Tracy McGrady isn’t a key player for the Spurs, but the veteran says that he is “living the dream” as he tries to help them advance beyond the conference finals in a limited role, writes NBA.com’s Fran Blinebury. McGrady spent the bulk of the year in China but hooked on with San Antonio at the end of the season.
Pacific Notes: Lakers, Howard, Warriors, Jackson
Earlier today, we learned that the Clippers aren't going to make a run at Dwight Howard this summer. That doesn't come as a tremendous surprise when looking at the Clips' cap situation and the maneuvering they'd have to do in order to retain both Chris Paul and lure DH over from L.A.'s other team. Speaking of which, do the Lakers have the right plan to keep Howard in purple and gold next season? More on that and other notes out of the Pacific Division..
- Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com wonders if Howard truly understands the Lakers' legacy and fears that the club isn't making the right pitch to him. Shelburne feels that the Lakers need to impress upon him just how much he is wanted there, despite the vocal criticisms he has heard from fans.
- Warriors General Manager Bob Myers confirmed to Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News (via Twitter) that the team has not yet made a decision on coach Mark Jackson's option for 2014/15. However, Myers will talk with Jackson's agent soon. Kawakami recently predicted that Jackson would get a new deal in the next few weeks.
- Myers sounds as though he is willing to stand pat this summer, tweets Marcus Thompson of the San Jose Mercury News. The GM indicated that the Warriors are no longer desperate for a big move.
Bulls Notes: Robinson, Belinelli, Deng
After knocking off the Nets in seven games and stealing game one from the Heat, the Bulls dropped the next four to Miami, ending their playoff run. Now, the Bulls must re-tool and figure out what kind of roster they'll put around the returning Derrick Rose. Here's today's news out of the Windy City..
- Guards Nate Robinson, Marco Belinelli, Richard Hamilton, and Daequan Cook are as good as gone, writes Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Robinson, Belinelli, and Cook are all free agents this summer and the Bulls have no intention of picking up their $5MM option on Rip Hamilton. For his part, the diminutive Robinson wants to stay, but he has made it clear that he is seeking a multi-year deal and the market could give him something that prices him out of Chicago.
- Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com asks if the Bulls should trade Luol Deng this offseason. The idea of trading Deng would have seemed ludicrous just months ago, but the younger Jimmy Butler did quite well in the 28-year-old's place when Deng was out this season.
- HoopsWorld's Joel Brigham asks where the Bulls go from here. In addition to finding a new cast of guards, the Bulls will likely also have to replace Nazr Mohammed. Some possibilities at the five include Samuel Dalembert, who brings solid shot-blocking skills at a potentially low price and Jermaine O’Neal, who had a bounceback year in Phoenix this season.
Draft Notes: Mavericks, Burke, Wizards, Dieng
As we get ready for the 2013 lottery tomorrow night, here's a look at today's draft news..
- The Mavericks need a whole lot of luck on Tuesday's lottery, writes Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram. Dallas owner Mark Cuban was the club's representative in the lottery in 2000 but he won't be in attendance this year as he vowed to never go again.
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld ran down the players who boosted their stock at the Chicago pre-draft combine. Michigan guard Trey Burke didn't necessarily raise his already high stock, but he did solidify things by measuring in at 6'1.25" in shoes.
- J. Michael of CSNWashington.com makes the case that the Wizards, currently in line for the No. 8 pick, should give Gorgui Dieng a closer look. The team didn't request an interview with the Louisville center during last week's draft combine.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Los Angeles Notes: Bryant, Howard, Paul
Here's the latest out of the City of Angels..
- The Clippers won't be among the teams in pursuit of Dwight Howard this summer, sources tell Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com (on Twitter). The Clippers won't make a run at DH for multiple reasons, sources say, and we can assume that a lack of cap space is chief among them. The rumors linking Chris Paul and Howard have been floating for some time, however, and the Hawks are hoping that they can pull off a shocker and land both.
- Kobe Bryant responded via Twitter to an internet rumor that said he would retire this summer following his painful Achilles tendon tear. "Really?? Me. Retire?? Soon, but not yet," the Lakers star said.
- If the Mavs make a play for Paul this summer, owner Mark Cuban will be their biggest weapon in recruiting, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. Of course, Cuban was expected to be a big part of his club's pitch to Deron Williams last summer. Dallas didn't lure Williams back to his home state and some believe that Cuban's decision to skip their pitch meeting had something to do with it.
Knicks Notes: Camby, Carmelo, Woodson
The Knicks' offseason is now underway after the blue-and-orange were downed by the Pacers. Now, the aging Knicks have a whole lot of questions to answer as they look to take another step ahead in 2013/14. Here's the latest out of MSG..
- Marcus Camby's agent told Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter) that his client was healthy enough to play in the playoffs and has been ready to go for some time now. When asked about the big man's future, he said, "He's under contract and there is no question they can use him, so one would expect he'd be back," (link). Camby is set to earn roughly $7.5MM over the next two seasons.
- More from Zwerling, who has four key questions facing the Knicks this summer. One scout told Zwerling that New York will have to target athletic, rebound-minded big men and a few available options include Al-Farouq Aminu, Louis Amundson, Dante Cunningham, and Gani Lawal, who played with Iman Shumpert at Georgia Tech.
- Frank Isola of the New York Daily News (on Twitter) hears that Carmelo Anthony's right knee appears to be fine, two months removed from having fluid drained from it. His shoulder, on the other hand, is another story.
- Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops is scratching his head after some questionable decisions from coach Mike Woodson.
Pacific Notes: Warriors, Jackson, Kings, Lakers
Earlier today, we learned that if the Kings don't keep Keith Smart as their head coach, they're expected to target Warriors assistant Michael Malone. After months of conjecture on the coaching carousel about big names like Phil Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, and Jerry Sloan, Malone now appears to be one of the most wanted men in the NBA. Here's more from the Pacific division..
- Speaking of the Warriors, Tim Kawakami of the Bay Area News Group checked in with co-owner Joe Lacob, who says that it's too early to comment on whether or when the team will pick up Mark Jackson’s option for 2014/15 and/or work out a longer-term deal beyond that. For his part, Kawakami sees the option as a virtual lock, possibly as a prelude to longer-term talks down the road.
- If the Mavs have to look into Plan B options at the point guard position this summer, Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas suggests that Warriors guard Jarrett Jack would be a solid fit.
- Dale Kasler, Ryan Lillis, and Tony Bizjak of the Sacramento Bee provide the specifics on just how much the Maloof family will pocket from the sale of the Kings. Since the Maloofs will hang on to the $30MM non-refundable deposit paid by the Seattle group and will no longer have to contribute to the relocation fee, they ultimately won't earn much less in the Sacramento deal (about $230MM) than they would have in the Seattle deal (about $241MM).
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Central Notes: Pacers, Bucks, Reggie, Jennings
Here's a look at the latest out of the Central as the Pacers look to go up 3-1 over the Knicks tonight..
- Pacers legend Reggie Miller is still interested in a front office posiiton with the team, writes Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star. "It’ll have to be the right situation. We’ll see. I’m not going to broadcast forever. I’ll probably want to do something else in basketball, which will probably be running a team or at least helping run a team," Miller said.
- The Bucks will focus exclusively at the guard position for their 18 allotted pre-draft interrogations, according to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times (Twitter link). With the futures of Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings still up-in-the-air, the Bucks are covering their bases.
- Speaking of the Bucks and Jennings' uncertain future, Derek Page at HoopsWorld went through the top five free agent point guards this off-season, with Jennings as his number two. Jennings is a retricted free agent this summer.
Spencer Lund contributed to this post.