Eastern Notes: Pacers, Wall, Watson, Musselman
The Pacers have called a "major" press conference for tomorrow morning, leading Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com and HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy to speculate that Paul George will be named the league's Most Improved Player (Twitter links). While we wait to find out exactly what the presser is about, here's more from around the Eastern Conference:
- John Wall is eligible for an extension to his rookie-scale contract this summer, and has repeatedly expressed his belief that he's worthy of a max. J. Michael of CSNWashington.com wrote last month that "all the signals" indicate the Wizards would be open to such a deal. Now, Michael thinks Wall's recent comments suggest he'd be willing to take less if it meant greater flexibility for the team to pursue free agents.
- C.J. Watson told Stefan Bondy he'd love to return to the Nets next season, though Bondy doesn't believe that will happen (Twitter link). Watson has a player option for the minimum salary next season, but if he opts out, the most the taxpaying Nets could offer would be 120% of the minimum under Non-Bird rights.
- Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio thinks former Kings and Warriors coach Eric Musselman would make sense for the Cavs, and points out that Musselman once offered Cleveland GM and fellow University of San Diego product Chris Grant a job on his staff in Golden State.
Nate McMillan Front-Runner To Coach Pistons?
7:53pm: McMillan also tells The Plain Dealer that the Cavs have not spoken to him about their opening.
7:35pm: McMillan tells Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune that neither he nor agent Lonnie Cooper has had contact with an NBA team about its coaching position (Twitter link).
6:55pm: Sources tell Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News that Nate McMillan has emerged as the frontrunner for the Pistons head coaching vacancy. The Pistons are seeking a proven coach, and it seems McMillan, whose record in 478-452 with the Blazers and Sonics, fits the bill for them. Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News heard last week that McMillan was a potential candidate.
McMillan has apparently expressed interest in the Cavs head coaching job as well, and he's been expected to interview for the Sixers opening. McMillan said in March that he's "definitely looking to get back into coaching" and expressed interest in coaching the Kings if they moved to Seattle and parted ways with Keith Smart. McMillan's name came up when the Nets and Lakers changed coaches in the middle of this past season. He interviewed with the Bobcats last summer.
The 48-year-old former point guard last coached in the NBA with the Blazers, who fired him at the trade deadline in March 2012. He's coached parts of 12 seasons in the NBA, but has only once taken a team past the first round of the playoffs, with the Sonics in 2004/05. He was an assistant coach on Team USA's Olympic squads in 2008 and 2012, both of which won gold medals.
Eastern Notes: Cavs, Nets, Pistons, Knicks
After a dominant performance in Game One of their series against the Bulls, the Nets are in action again tonight as they try to take a 2-0 lead before the series heads to Chicago. As we look forward to that game, let's check in on a number of Monday items out of the Eastern Conference….
- As the Cavaliers search for a new head coach, owner Dan Gilbert had dinner with Mike Brown last night, as first reported by Cleveland's WKYC. According to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard, the meeting was a positive one, though Brown hasn't been offered the job. The two sides agreed to deliberate and talk again later this week, perhaps as soon as today, reports Broussard.
- While the Cavs also reached out to Phil Jackson, that's viewed merely as due diligence, according to Broussard, who says Jackson is more interested in a front office role. Steve Kerr says the some thing of Jackson, telling Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he's not sure whether the Zen Master is physically up to the challenge of diving back into coaching.
- While Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov would like to see his team add another star, Brooklyn's current cap situation won't make it easy to do so, writes Tim Bontemps of the New York Post.
- In a pair of tweets, Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press hints that Detroit isn't exactly a prime destination for free agents, and that the Pistons are more likely to try to use their cap space on trades this summer.
- In a column for the Detroit News, Terry Foster expands on the same point Ellis is making, pointing out that even though owner Tom Gores may be ready to spend, that doesn't mean free agents will begin flocking to the Pistons.
- Head coach Mike Woodson is happy that the Knicks' roster-building approach last offseason involved bringing aboard a handful of aging, but productive, veterans, as he tells Marc Berman of the New York Post. "We were able to do all these things thanks to ownership allowing us and field these guys who would be serious about winning a title," Woodson said. "I’m happy with the guys we chose, absolutely."
Cavs Rumors: Brown, Gilbert, Assistants
A majority of Hoops Rumors readers don't believe Phil Jackson will consider coaching the Cavs, even though a source tells Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio that Jackson would "absolutely" listen if the team called. While the Zen Master is far and away the biggest name associated with the team's search, there are plenty of other candidates, and there's news on several of them this morning:
- The team has had informal conversations with former coach Mike Brown about a reunion, writes Bob Finnan of The News-Herald, who passes along a report from WKYC-TV in Cleveland that Brown and owner Dan Gilbert will meet Sunday.
- A source tells Finnan that Brown would be the top choice for the Hawks if they decide to make a coaching change. That's no surprise, given the ties between Brown and Atlanta GM Danny Ferry.
- The Cavs aren't expected to discuss the opening with any college coaches, and the hiring process will move swiftly, according to Finnan.
- Finnan adds Melvin Hunt of the Nuggets and Michael Curry of the Sixers to the list of assistant coaches who may receive interviews, which already included Michael Malone (Warriors), Brian Shaw (Pacers) and David Fizdale (Heat).
- The Cavs will indeed interview Shaw, just as they did when they hired Byron Scott in 2010, reports Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer.
- Flip Saunders, Nate McMillan and Avery Johnson have all either directly or indirectly expressed interest in the position, Pluto also writes.
- The Cavs have a chance to make an impression on Kyrie Irving with their coaching hire, so that means much is riding on the team's decision, opines fellow Plain Dealer scribe Bud Shaw.
Poll: Will Phil Jackson Consider The Cavs?
Starting today, 16 teams will begin their quest to win 16 games and capture the 2013 NBA Championship. Not among those 16 clubs are the Cavs, who canned coach Byron Scott after he led the club to just 64 wins across three seasons at the helm. Who do they turn to to help turn their fortunes around? We already heard one prominent name in Stan Van Gundy say that he’s not interested in the job and it may prove difficult for the Cavs to bring in a high-profile name.
That doesn’t mean they won’t try, however, and they’re going to make a serious run after the biggest name of them all – Phil Jackson. Earlier today, Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio spoke with a source close to the legendary coach who said that he would “absolutely” listen if the Cavs come calling. The news that the Cavs would make a run at the Zen Master wasn’t a surprise, but the notion that the interest could be reciprocated is. After all, Jackson has had the pleasure of coaching in two of the league’s biggest markets and taking the reins of teams that already were stockpiled with talent. The source close to Jackson downplayed the notion that he would want to go to a big market team that’s close to winning a title, but it’s fair to be skeptical of that notion. After all, as one of the greatest coaches of all-time, Jackson can have the pick of his litter and wait for the perfect opportunity to arise.
On the other hand, the Cavs aren’t a talent-starved bunch in the mold of, say, the Bobcats, and a core of Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, and Dion Waiters could go a long way with a quality big man alongside them. The odds are obviously against the Cavs actually landing Jackson as their next coach, so the question isn’t whether he’ll come to Cleveland. We want to know if the eleven-time championship winning coach will give serious thought to taking the job.
Will Phil Jackson Consider The Cavs?
-
No 62% (421)
-
Yes 38% (255)
Total votes: 676
Phil Jackson Would Consider Coaching Cavs
The Cavs are reportedly expected to reach out to Phil Jackson to fill their coaching vacancy, and a source close to the Zen Master tells Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio that Jackson would "absolutely" listen if the team called to discuss the job. The same source confirmed another report that Jackson is interested in a return to the NBA, and though it seemed he was more interested in a front-office role than coaching, it appears Jackson still wants to be on the sidelines.
Amico's source downplayed the notion that Jackson would prefer to go to a large-market team that's close to winning a championship, pointing to the deep store of young talent in Cleveland. It also sounds like a return to the Lakers is unlikely, since Jackson soured on the situation there after the team passed him over in favor of Mike D'Antoni earlier this season, according to Amico's report. The Nets have been linked to Jackson in recent weeks, though they have interim coach P.J. Carlesimo in place as they begin the playoffs this weekend.
If the Cavs can't land Jackson, the team has plenty of other high-profile targets. There's apparently mutual interest between the Cavs and Mike Brown, who seemed as recently as yesterday to be the leading candidate. GM Chris Grant and company are also intrigued by Scott Skiles and Stan Van Gundy, though it looks like Van Gundy wouldn't want the job. Amico yesterday mentioned current NBA assistant coaches Michael Malone, Brian Shaw and David Fizdale in connection with the Cavs opening as well.
Odds & Ends: LeBron, Kings, Draft, Wiggins
Here's today's look around the Association as we get set for the 2013 playoffs to get underway, starting with the Knicks and Celtics at 2pm central..
- If the Cavs really want to make a run at bringing LeBron James back to Cleveland in the 2014 offseason, it will be interesting to see how they replace coach Byron Scott, writes Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. If John Calipari somehow winds up as the Cavaliers' choice, then it might be time to at least consider how deep the James-Calipari connections run.
- Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times is displeased with how commissioner David Stern has handled the Seattle-Sacramento battle over the Kings. Brewer opines that it's frustrating to see Stern continue to defend the Sacramento offer while inferring that it does not fully match the Chris Hansen deal.
- The latest mock draft from HoopsWorld still has Nerlens Noel going No. 1 but has some changes elsewhere in the lottery. Victor Oladipo is at No. 3 in the latest mock while Georgetown's Otto Porter is projected to go No. 6.
- Despite rumblings to the contrary, Canadian high school standout Andrew Wiggins says that he won't be announcing his college choice anytime soon, writes Michael Grange of Sportsnet. Wiggins is universally projected to be the top pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Odds & Ends: Magic, Noel, Stan Van Gundy, Curry
The future of the Kings was far from the only issue on the table at the NBA's Board of Governors meeting this week. USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt rounds up the other issues that owners discussed, including human growth hormone testing for players, the effect of widespread reliance on three-pointers, and the possibility of a joint bid for the 2015 All-Star Game between New York and Brooklyn. Here's more from the Association on the eve of the playoffs:
- Magic GM Rob Hennigan has demonstrated a reluctance to pick up players with question marks surrounding their health, but Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel hears they wouldn't hesitate to draft top prospect Nerlens Noel, who tore his left ACL in February.
- Schmitz also hears Stan Van Gundy has no interest in becoming the next coach of the Cavaliers, Sixers or Pistons, the three teams with current coaching vacancies. The former Magic coach has been linked to the openings in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
- Sixers assistant coach Michael Curry will interview for the head job in Philly, but a source tells John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer that interest from other teams will be high.
- Jamaal Tinsley started 32 games in place of the injured Mo Williams for the Jazz this season, and the 35-year-old Tinsley is convinced he has plenty left, telling Bill Oram of The Salt Lake Tribune he "realistically" thinks he can play for another three or four years in the league (Twitter link).
- A report earlier this season suggested Omri Casspi was thinking about returning to play in his native Israel, but he tells Walla Sport that as long as he receives an offer from an NBA club, he won't play overseas next season (translation via HoopsHype).
- Mike Dunlap is rumored to be in danger of losing his job with the Bobcats, but the team is in no hurry to make its decision about him, preferring to listen to exit interviews and watch the coaching market develop first, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
- Warriors GM Bob Myers told Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group that he had every confidence Stephen Curry would remain healthy when he signed the point guard to his four-year, $44MM extension last fall.
Cavs Notes: Brown, Gilbert, Jackson, Coaches
Let's round up a few notes related to one of three NBA teams that's currently in the market for a new coach….
- Gilbert was widely considered the driving force behind Brown's firing in 2010, but he wouldn't stop GM Chris Grant from re-hiring Brown if that's what Grant wants to do, sources tell Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal. Still, Lloyd hears Brown isn't the only candidate the team will consider.
- Echoing an earlier report, the team is expected to reach out to Phil Jackson, according to Lloyd, though Jackson would likely have more interest in a team closer to winning a title. The Cavs also have interest in Stan Van Gundy and Scott Skiles, Lloyd adds.
Earlier updates:
- According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio, the Cavaliers have someone in mind for their head coaching vacancy, and could make a hire "within two weeks" (Twitter link). Based on reports so far, it seems Cleveland's top candidate is former coach Mike Brown.
- Besides parting ways with head coach Byron Scott, the Cavs have also released assistants Paul Pressey and Joe Prunty, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via Twitter).
- Before he discussed the Kings saga with reporters today in New York, commissioner David Stern revealed that the Board of Governors had approved majority owner Dan Gilbert's purchase of a larger stake in the Cavaliers. Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports that Gilbert bought the shares of David Katzman, who had been the team's second-largest shareholder (Twitter links).
Mutual Interest Between Mike Brown, Cavs?
FRIDAY, 11:30am: The Cavs may move quickly to court Brown, in an effort to get ahead of other teams that may have interest in hiring him, a source tells Boyer.
THURSDAY, 8:33pm: Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer says that although Brown hasn't been contacted by the Cavs, he would listen if they called:
"If anybody calls, you have to listen…. I'm not rushing to get back to [coaching]. Whether it's the Cavs situation or anybody else, it has to feel right for both sides…. If they call, I wouldn't hang up the phone. I'd definitely listen to what anybody has to say. But then you have to decide if it's the right situation for myself, my family and the organization.''
3:54pm: Former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown could be a top candidate for the newly-vacated head coaching job in Cleveland, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio. ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst reports the same thing, writing that there appears to be mutual interest between Brown and the Cavs for a potential reunion.
Although he notes that there are plenty of other contenders, Amico points out that Brown is moving back to the Cleveland era, is the sort of defensive-minded coach the Cavs are seeking, and is still a favorite of GM Chris Grant. According to Windhorst, the decision may end up depending on Brown, since the ex-Lakers coach has told those close to him that he's unsure whether he's interested in returning to coaching yet. Brown still has two years and $8MM remaining on his Lakers contract, so he doesn't necessarily need to return to the NBA next season.
Windhorst reports that the Cavaliers are expected to contact several possible candidates in the coming days, with Amico listing a few specific names that may interest the club. Among them are current assistants David Fizdale (Heat), Brian Shaw (Pacers), and Michael Malone (Warriors).
Byron Scott was fired by the Cavs earlier today after three seasons with the team.