Newsstand

Suns Narrow Down Coaching Search To Nine Candidates

May 18th, 2025 at 2:06pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

2:06 pm: Heat assistant Chris Quinn has also moved onto the second stage of Phoenix’s coaching search, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link).

1:17 pm: The Suns appear to be narrowing down their search for their fourth head coach in as many seasons.

According to veteran NBA insider Chris Haynes (YouTube video link), new Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory has selected eight candidates to advance to the second round of the process. Previous reporting indicated that the Suns had initial conversations with between 15 and 20 candidates.

As Haynes details, that eight-man group consists of Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, Suns assistant David Fizdale, Pelicans assistant James Borrego, Cavaliers assistants Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott, Nets assistant Steve Hetzel, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, and Thunder assistant Dave Bliss.

Among these eight finalists, only Fizdale and Borrego have prior head coaching experience on their resumes.

As Haynes notes, Fizdale previously turned down a head coaching offer from former Suns owner, Robert Sarver, instead accepting an ill-fated gig as the head coach of the Knicks, which lasted just over a year. All told, Fizdale has a cumulative 71-134 regular season record during his stints with the Grizzlies and Knicks. He led Memphis to one playoff berth during his debut season as the team’s head coach.

Borrego was the interim head coach in Orlando for the end of the 2014/15 season, and served as the head coach with Charlotte from 2018-22. He boasts a 148-183 overall regular season record and has yet to lead a team to the playoffs.

Reports earlier this spring indicated that Phoenix would likely be targeting a younger head coach following brief stints with Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer at the helm. As Haynes observes, this group of names is consistent with that aim — 51-year-old Nori and 50-year-old Fizdale are the oldest of the eight candidates, most of whom are in their 30s and early 40s.

The Suns brass is hoping their next coach can “build a program from scratch,” according to Haynes, who says the team is emphasizing discipline, accountability, and a philosophical alignment with majority owner Mat Ishbia and the front office. Phoenix is also prioritizing coaching candidates with defensive backgrounds.

A coach who can effectively work with star players is another important consideration, even if the Suns ultimately move on from Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and/or even Devin Booker in the near future. According to Haynes, the head coaching decision may have an impact on how the team moves forward with its stars, since it’s possible Budenholzer’s replacement will have a preexisting relationship with one or more of those players or will hit it off quickly with them.

The expectation is that the Suns will eventually reduce their coaching candidate pool from eight candidates to three finalists, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link).

Giannis Antetokounmpo To Meet With Bucks Next Week

May 17th, 2025 at 11:14pm CST by Arthur Hill

A meeting has been set up between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks management that could affect the future of the franchise and possibly set off one of the hottest NBA trade sweepstakes in years. According to veteran reporter Chris Haynes (Twitter video link), Bucks officials contacted Antetokounmpo and his representatives Saturday morning, and the parties will get together “mid next week.”

It’s an event that could have huge ramifications across the NBA landscape if the team isn’t able to convince Antetokounmpo that he can compete for more championships in Milwaukee. There has been speculation for weeks that the two-time MVP might ask for a trade, and a report on Monday indicated that he has become open-minded about pursuing opportunities elsewhere.

The Bucks’ challenge of convincing Antetokounmpo that they can field a title-worthy team around him became more difficult after they were ousted in the first round for the third consecutive year and Damian Lillard was lost with a torn left Achilles.

The injury may keep Lillard out of action for all of next season, but his $54.1MM salary will remain on the books and he holds a $58.5MM player option for 2026/27, making it difficult for the front office to acquire any more high-priced talent.

Rumors have been flying about Antetokounmpo’s potential next destination, with a report this week suggesting the Rockets and Spurs are in position to make the best offers for the two-time MVP. That came out before San Antonio moved up to second in Monday night’s draft lottery, creating another valuable trade chip that could be included in any offer. Houston is also awash in young talent and draft assets and may be willing to include All-Star center Alperen Sengun as part of a package to Milwaukee.

The Nets, Heat and Hawks have also been mentioned as possible suitors, while the Pelicans could get involved either directly or as a third team to facilitate a deal because they have the ability to swap picks with Milwaukee in both 2026 and 2027 (top-four protected).

The Thunder are another team with a large collection of draft assets, and they could be motivated to make a play for Antetokounmpo if they fall short of a title after winning 68 games this season.

Antetokounmpo developed into one of the greatest players in franchise history after being selected with the 15th pick in the 2013 draft. He was the cornerstone of the 2021 team that brought Milwaukee its first NBA title in 50 years, but that group has largely been broken up with Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton already being traded away.

Anyone who trades for Antetokounmpo would be getting an all-time great who’s still in his prime without having to worry about re-signing him right away. At age 30, he’s a finalist for MVP honors this year after averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 67 games and shooting 60.1% from the field. He’s under contract for $54.1MM next season and $58.5MM in 2026/27 while possessing a $62.8MM player option for 2027/28.

Al Horford Will Take Time To Decide On NBA Future

May 17th, 2025 at 9:47pm CST by Arthur Hill

Major roster changes are expected for the Celtics this summer, and speculation has already started about whether those changes will include Al Horford‘s retirement, writes Jay King of The Athletic.

Horford, who will turn 39 next month, is headed for free agency after the expiration of the two-year contract he signed in 2023. He has been a fixture with the organization since returning in 2021 and played an important role with last year’s championship team, but he hasn’t decided if he wants to continue his NBA career.

“I’m going to take some time here with my wife and my kids and just (do) that,” Horford said at Saturday’s exit interviews. “It has not even been a day (since Boston’s playoff run ended), so there’s still a lot for me to process and just feeling everything out from last night, that was difficult.”

King notes that Horford has previously said he plans to keep playing as long as he feels good physically and can continue to contribute. A report last week from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Horford wasn’t ready to retire and was hoping for a new contract with the Celtics, but the veteran center sounded less certain after Friday’s Game 6 loss at New York.

“I’m just not ready to talk about that right now,” he told reporters. “I just need some time with my wife and my family, and that’s what I plan on doing these next few weeks.”

There were already rumors that Boston was planning to trim salary this summer to reduce its tax bill, and that strategy became more likely with the loss of Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles that could sideline him for all of next season. The organization projects to be well over the second apron and is facing record-breaking tax penalties if the current roster remains together.

The Celtics have made a few concessions to Horford’s age, like not using him in both ends of back-to-backs, but he remains a vital part of the team’s success. He appeared in 60 games this season, starting 42 and averaging 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per night. He also fits in with the team’s three-point philosophy by shooting 36.3% from beyond the arc.

Horford made $9.5MM this year, so it shouldn’t be expensive to bring him back if he decides to continue playing.

King adds that Horford has also been a tremendous locker room leader, with players such as Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser raving about his influence.

“He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had at any single level,” Hauser said. “What I learned from him the most was just being routined and being efficient with your time. In my first two years, I watched him from afar a lot. And I don’t even know if he knows this, but I took a lot of mental notes about how he operated on a day-to-day basis.

“He’s got five kids at home, he’s gotta be really efficient when he’s here, but he’s always in early getting his pre-court in and getting his rehab in, getting his treatment in, getting his shots up, doing whatever it takes to be prepared on the court but then also knowing he’s gotta be a father at home too for five kids. Now, having a kid, just one, I mean, it’s a lot.

“We would love to have him back, but I’m sure he’s going to take his time and do what’s right for him. Whatever he decides, that’s the right decision.”

Mavs’ Marshall Discusses Losing Doncic, Landing Flagg

May 17th, 2025 at 8:35pm CST by Arthur Hill

Like virtually everyone else in Dallas, Naji Marshall was in disbelief when he heard that the Mavericks had traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers, writes Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal (subscription required). For Marshall, the move meant not only losing the cornerstone of the franchise, but also parting with a close friend and someone who impacted his game during their brief time together.

Marshall arrived in Dallas last summer, signing a three-year, $27MM contract in free agency after spending his first four NBA seasons in New Orleans. He wound up playing just 17 games alongside Doncic before the trade, but he said they quickly formed a connection on the court.

“I mean, I understood that, like, business is business as far as the NBA, but I was hurt, man,” Marshall said during a recent appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast. “Luka’s my dawg, for real. And I love (Anthony Davis). That’s my guy right there. Like, he’s been great with us. You know, he welcomed us with open arms. … But as far as just personally, like, I just was hurt to lose Luka, man.”

Marshall added that Doncic’s welcoming nature became apparent shortly after he joined the Mavericks. He called Doncic a great communicator who knew how to connect with his teammates.

“Luka is just the chillest guy ever, bro. You just feel like his best friend from day one,” Marshall continued. “He’s just a great dude. Never mad, just always happy. And just a Hall of Fame flamethrower when it comes to basketball.”

Marshall also shared his memories of Doncic’s emotional return to Dallas on April 9. After being moved to tears by a pregame tribute video, Doncic proceeded to shred his former team with 45 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals in a 112-97 victory. Marshall, who led the Mavs with 23 points and eight assists in that game, said it was “beautiful” to watch Doncic back in action at American Airlines Center.

“First game home … Luka wanted to be in Dallas. He probably never thought he was gonna leave,” Marshall said. “To see him cry before the game — like, I don’t know what he was feeling, but I could just imagine what that moment felt like for him.”

Another topic during the podcast was the Mavericks’ remarkable lottery luck, which saw them rise from No. 11 to land the top pick and the chance to draft Cooper Flagg. Marshall said he was overcome with excitement while watching the broadcast as envelopes continued to be opened without Dallas’ logo coming up.

Marshall believes Flagg can be an impact player right away as the Mavs try to establish themselves as contenders again following a disastrous season.

“I love his game, honestly,” Marshall said. “Like, for real… He’s a winner. I love how he hoop. … The dog he has. I’m a dog, so that’s what I’m really looking for, and he’s a dog, too. I’m excited, bro. I’m excited to see him grow—become a star in the league.”

Jaylen Brown May Need Surgery For Partially Torn Meniscus

May 17th, 2025 at 4:35pm CST by Arthur Hill

Surgery may be the next step for Jaylen Brown now that the Celtics have been eliminated from the playoffs, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Sources tell Shelburne that the nagging knee pain Brown has been experiencing over the past few weeks is caused by a partially torn right meniscus.

Brown will be evaluated this week to see if surgery or rest is the best course of action, according to Shelburne’s sources, who say he has been receiving pain management injections in the knee since March.

Along with the injections, Brown has been adjusting his style of play to avoid putting undue strain on the knee. He admitted that he doesn’t have his usual explosiveness around the rim, but he still found a way to be effective, averaging 22.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 10 playoff games, which were similar to his numbers from last year’s postseason when he was named MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals.

Brown was asked about the condition of his knee after Boston’s Game 6 loss Friday night in New York.

“I don’t make excuses,” he told reporters. “Obviously, it’s tough the way we went out like tonight, but the way we finished the year, personally, the way I finished the year, persevering through some physical stuff that I was battling through, I’m proud of our group.”

Brown’s future will be one of many intriguing Celtics storylines to watch this summer. The team is expected to cut payroll with Jayson Tatum set to miss most or all of next season with a torn Achilles, and Brown’s super-max contract makes him a potential trade candidate. He’s owed $53.1MM next season and $236.2MM over the next four years.

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown On Loss To Knicks: ‘Feels Like Death’

May 17th, 2025 at 8:21am CST by Rory Maher

The defending champion Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs on Friday, having been blown out by the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, writes Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

“Finishing in May feels weird, it’s definitely not something we were prepared for,” said Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who fouled out before the end of the third quarter after scoring 20 points but with seven turnovers. “Things didn’t go our way this year, and it’s unfortunate.

“But we hold our head up regardless. Losing to the Knicks feels like death. But I was always taught that there’s life after death, so we’ll get ready for whatever’s next in the journey.”

Boston had an unexpectedly poor start to the second-round series, losing the first two games at home after holding 20-point second-half leads in each contest. Things went from bad to worse in Game 4, when the Celtics blew another double-digit second-half lead and perennial All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum sustained a torn Achilles tendon.

While the Celtics had their chances, especially early on in the series, they were thoroughly outplayed in Game 6. Head coach Joe Mazzulla made sure to credit the Knicks for their dominant performance, Windhorst notes.

“We ran into a great team. You have to tip your hat off to the Knicks,” Mazzulla said. “They outplayed us. They played better.”

As Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe writes, the Celtics now face a summer of uncertainty due to Tatum’s injury, their extremely expensive roster, and the restrictions of the NBA’s tax aprons.

Center Kristaps Porzingis, who battled “extreme fatigue” — one of the lingering effects of a mysterious February illness that was never identified — throughout the playoffs, could be on the trading block this offseason, according to Himmselbach. Veteran guard Jrue Holiday could be in the same boat.

Himmelsbach also suggests that big man Al Horford could opt to retire. Windhorst recently reported the impending free agent hopes to re-sign with the Celtics, but that was before Tatum’s injury. Horford will turn 39 years old in early June.

But the team wasn’t thinking about the future in the immediate aftermath of the loss.

“It sucks,” guard Derrick White said. “You’ll never get this season back. You’re never going to have the exact same team again.”

New York, which entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the East, will now face No. 4 Indiana in the team’s first conference final appearance in 25 years.

Fischer: Myles Turner Expected To Re-Sign With Pacers

May 16th, 2025 at 11:58am CST by Rory Maher

Myles Turner will be one of the NBA’s marquee free agents this summer, but it sounds like he probably won’t be going anywhere. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link), there’s a “rising expectation” around the NBA that the veteran center will re-sign with the Pacers.

Turner is finishing his 10th season in Indiana after being selected with the 11th pick of the 2015 draft. The 6’11” big man has helped the Pacers reach the Eastern Conference Finals each of the past two seasons, and those back-to-back deep playoff runs have contributed to the league-wide perception that Indiana will do what it takes to retain him this summer, Fischer writes.

While Turner has been the subject of trade rumors several times during the past decade, Indiana never pulled the trigger on a deal.

With the 29-year-old on an expiring contract this season and not eligible for an extension prior to free agency, there was more speculation leading up to February’s trade deadline that he might be gettable, but the Pacers never appeared to seriously entertain the idea of moving him this year, which suggested they felt good about their odds of negotiating a new deal this offseason.

Turner’s current contract, which he signed in January 2023, was a two-year extension worth $41MM. He has made a strong case over the last two seasons for a raise on that $20.5MM annual salary, having continued to serve as the Pacers’ defensive anchor while providing strong offensive production. In 149 regular season outings since the start of 2023/24, he has averaged 16.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game on .503/.379/.773 shooting.

Rudy Gobert (three years, $109.5MM) and Jarrett Allen (three years, $90.7MM) are among the veteran centers who have signed contract extensions during the 2024/25 season that might come up as comparables for Turner during his upcoming negotiations. Those deals will cover Gobert’s age 33-to-35 seasons and Allen’s age 28-to-30 seasons. Turner will turn 30 next March.

Investing heavily in Turner could create some cap issues for the Pacers, who have historically remained out of luxury tax territory — they haven’t been a taxpayer since 2006 and have paid just under $9MM in total tax penalties since the system was introduced nearly 25 years ago.

Indiana already has $165MM in guaranteed money on its books next season for 10 players, with the luxury tax line projected to come in at $187.9MM. If the Pacers have to pay $30MM+ per year to re-sign Turner and want to stay out of tax territory, they’d have to shed salary elsewhere on the roster. According to Fischer, rival teams are anticipating “roster-consolidation trade conversations” in Indiana.

Luke Adams contributed to this story.

Kevon Looney Hopes To Re-Sign With Warriors

May 15th, 2025 at 4:02pm CST by Rory Maher

Veteran center Kevon Looney has spent his entire 10-year NBA career with Golden State, but he will be a free agent this summer after earning $8MM in 2024/25. If it were up to him, Looney says he would stick with the Warriors, as Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN relays (via Twitter).

“I hope the feeling is mutual,” Looney said. “… They expressed (interest in a reunion) but it’s the NBA. There’s a lot of time until free agency starts. Let’s see what happens.”

The 30th pick of the 2015 draft, Looney has mostly played a part-time role off the bench during his time in Golden State. That was the case again this season, with the 6’9″ big man averaging 4.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 76 regular season contests (15.0 minutes per game).

Looney, who posted a .514 FG% and .566 FT% during the regular season, saw his role reduced in the playoffs, averaging 2.2 PPG and 3.6 RPG in 10.0 MPG across 12 appearances. He made 10 of his 23 field goal attempts (.435%) in the playoffs and .750% of his free throws (6-of-8).

In an appearance on NBA Today (Twitter video link), ESPN’s Bobby Marks said another impending free agent center, Brook Lopez, is worth keeping an eye on for the Warriors.

“Stanford grad, makes his home in Fresno,” Marks said. “What is the number on a Brook Lopez type-contract if you can get him on a one-year flier here to patch up that center position?

“Because the center market is thin. When you look at Myles Turner, you’re probably not going to be able to afford him. The next-best guy out there is Brook Lopez.”

Rockets Open To Trading Alperen Sengun?

May 15th, 2025 at 3:43pm CST by Rory Maher

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday that Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has become “open-minded” about the possibility of leaving Milwaukee for the first time in his career. Subsequent reports indicated that San Antonio and Houston were two teams to monitor if Antetokounmpo requests a trade — he’s under contract through at least 2026/27, with a player option for ’27/28.

Within a story exploring potential fits for Antetokounmpo, Kurt Helin of NBC Sports cites league sources who say that the Rockets would be open to trading All-Star center Alperen Sengun. While Helin doesn’t explicitly say Houston would only consider moving Sengun for a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber, it seems safe to assume that’s the case.

If the Rockets and Bucks were to discuss Antetokounmpo, it’s unclear whether Milwaukee would prefer a package that includes Jalen Green rather than Sengun, Helin writes, adding that forward Jabari Smith Jr. would likely be part of any offer for the two-time MVP. Houston has a surplus of future first-round picks that could be dangled as well.

Sengun’s possible inclusion in an offer for Antetokounmpo makes some sense from a fit perspective, since a core of Amen Thompson, Antetokounmpo, and Sengun would not be ideal for offensive spacing — none of them are effective three-point shooters right now. And while the Rockets reportedly view Thompson as untouchable in trade talks, the same has not been said of Sengun to this point.

A 6’11” big man from Turkey, Sengun averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 49.6% from the floor and 69.2% from the line in 76 regular season appearances for the Rockets this season (31.5 minutes per game). In his first playoff series, a first-round loss to Golden State, the 22-year-old averaged 20.9 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 5.3 APG and 1.9 SPG, converting 45.0% of his field goal attempts and 62.5% of his free throws in seven games (36.6 MPG).

Sengun signed a five-year, $185MM rookie scale extension with Houston last October. That deal, which includes a player option in ’29/30, will kick in starting next season.

William Chisholm Finalizes New Celtics Ownership Group

May 15th, 2025 at 1:19pm CST by Rory Maher

Impending Celtics owner William Chisholm has finalized his new ownership group and has obtained the necessary funds to purchase the team, according to a letter sent to existing shareholders that was obtained by Adam Himmselsbach of The Boston Globe.

The letter confirms much of what was reported a couple weeks ago by Front Office Sports, including that Chisholm had secured enough capital to complete the sale; the buyers will acquire approximately 51% of the franchise this summer at a valuation of $6.1 billion in the first of two transactions; the second transaction will occur in 2028 at a $7.3 billion valuation; and current owner Wyc Grousbeck will continue as CEO and governor through the 2027/28 season.

As Himmelsbach notes, the sale will not become official until it’s approved by the NBA’s Board of Governors in June or July, though that’s viewed as a formality. Chisholm’s exact stake has yet to be clarified, Himmelsbach adds, but he’s required to control at least 15% to be the majority owner.

Chisholm’s winning bid for the Celtics was not fully financed at the time the agreement was reached in March, but obviously that has changed over the past couple months. That also isn’t unusual for such a massive transaction, Himmelsbach writes.

According to the letter, current minority owners who are not joining Chisholm’s group will be required to sell 50% “plus one unit” of their interest in the Celtics while deferring the rest until the second transaction in 2028. They also have the option of selling their all of their shares this summer, according to Himmselbach, who reports that those stakeholders have until May 28 to inform Chisholm’s group of their decision.

Load More Posts