Clippers’ Lawrence Frank Named Executive Of The Year
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has been named the NBA’s Executive of the Year for the 2019/20 season, the league announced today in a press release.
Frank received 10 of 29 first-place votes for the award, which is voted on by a panel of team front office executives from around the league. He beat out Sam Presti of the Thunder and Pat Riley of the Heat, who finished second and third, respectively.
The criteria for the Executive of the Year award aren’t clearly defined, so some top vote-getters are recognized for the splashy or savvy roster moves they made within the last year, while others receive votes for an accumulation of the moves made in recent years that helped build their current rosters.
In Frank’s case, it’s safe to say he earned Executive of the Year honors for the job he did landing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the same night last July, instantly turning the Clippers into title contenders. The team also re-signed Patrick Beverley, Ivica Zubac, JaMychal Green, and Rodney McGruder to new deals, and acquired Maurice Harkless and a first-round pick in a four-team deal during the free agent period last summer. Frank later flipped Harkless and a first-rounder to the Knicks for Marcus Morris.
Frank’s roster moves didn’t ultimately result in a deep playoff run for the Clippers, who were upset in the second round by the Nuggets. However, voting for the Executive of the Year award was completed prior to the NBA’s summer restart.
The full voting results for Executive of the Year can be found below. Teams’ heads of basketball operations were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for a second-place vote, and one point for a third-place vote.
- Lawrence Frank, Clippers (61 points)
- Sam Presti, Thunder (41)
- Pat Riley, Heat (39)
- Jon Horst, Bucks (27)
- Masai Ujiri, Raptors (20)
- Zach Kleiman, Grizzlies (16)
- Rob Pelinka, Lakers (14)
- Donn Nelson, Mavericks (8)
- Tim Connelly, Nuggets (7)
- Danny Ainge, Celtics (6)
- Bob Myers, Warriors (5)
- Jeff Weltman, Magic (5)
- David Griffin, Pelicans (5)
- James Jones, Suns (3)
- Ed Stefanski, Pistons (1)
- Dennis Lindsey, Jazz (1)
- Kevin Pritchard, Pacers (1)
- Sean Marks, Nets (1)
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Pau Gasol Talks Recovery, Plans, Barcelona Rumors
Pau Gasol was sidelined for the entire 2019/20 season due to a left foot injury, but has stated repeatedly that he hopes to play professionally for one more season and represent Spain in the Tokyo Olympics before calling it a career. In an interview with Efe (link via Marca.com), Gasol restated that desire and said he expects to determine soon, as he ramps up his workouts, whether or not it will be possible.
“This pandemic, with all the bad it has brought us, is giving me a little more time to recover from my foot injury,” Gasol said, per Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. “The progression is being positive. In the next month or month and a half, my level of demand on the court will be very high, and then I will find out if I can compete again.”
Gasol suffered a stress fracture in his left foot during the fall of 2018. He was able to return to the court later that season, appearing in 18 more games for the Spurs and three for the Bucks, but ongoing issues with the foot have prevented him from playing at all during the last year.
Speaking to Spanish media in June, Gasol said he hoped to play one more season in the NBA or Europe, citing two of his former teams – the Lakers and FC Barcelona – as potentially attractive spots to finish his playing career.
A subsequent report suggested that a return to Barcelona appeared to be in the cards for Gasol, but that story was quickly shot down, and the 40-year-old reiterated this week that there’s nothing to it. Gasol told Efe that he was surprised by how the rumor – and another report suggesting that his brother Marc Gasol was signing with Barcelona – spread without any confirmation from the player or team.
“I do not know if they have come from the same source… but if in the end things do not come out of the player or the club, they are only rumors,” Gasol said, referring to the stories as “fake news.”
The Tokyo Olympics, which were pushed back from 2020 to 2021, are currently scheduled to begin on July 23, with Spain among the eight countries that have qualified so far for the men’s basketball tournament.
Gasol was part of the Spanish squads that earned silver medals in 2008 and 2012 and a bronze in 2016, so if he’s able to play in Tokyo and Spain finishes in the top three, he would claim his fourth Olympic medal.
Goran Dragic Listed As Doubtful For Game 5
Heat point guard Goran Dragic remains doubtful to return for Game 5 of the NBA Finals, according to the first injury report released for Friday’s game (Twitter link via Malika Andrews of ESPN).
Dragic, who is battling a torn left plantar fascia, participated in pregame warmups on Tuesday to test his foot, but was still in too much pain to play. The veteran acknowledged on Monday that he’s not sure whether or not he’ll be able to return at all during the Finals. Down 3-1, the Heat are facing an elimination game on Friday, so that may represent Dragic’s last chance to take the court.
Assuming Dragic is inactive on Friday, the Heat will continue to lean heavily on rookies Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro.
Nunn has averaged 23.7 minutes per game in the Finals after not playing at all during the Heat’s final three games against Boston. Herro has served as Miami’s de facto starting point guard in place of Dragic since Game 1, logging 38.9 MPG in the last three contests.
Rockets Interview Stephen Silas, David Vanterpool
The list of candidates to interview for the Rockets‘ head coaching vacancy continues to grow, with Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston reporting (via Twitter) that the club has met with Mavericks assistant Stephen Silas and Timberwolves assistant David Vanterpool about the position.
An earlier report indicated that Kenny Atkinson has interviewed with the Rockets for their coaching job. Tyronn Lue is also expected to meet with the club at some point this week about the position — it’s not clear whether or not that meeting has already occurred. Rockets assistant John Lucas is said to be an “emerging candidate” for the role, and the club has also secured permission to talk to Wes Unseld Jr.
[RELATED: 2020 NBA Head Coaching Search Tracker]
Silas, who was hired in 1999 as a scout by the franchise known at the time as the Charlotte Hornets, has since served as an assistant on a number of NBA coaching staffs. After spending eight years as an assistant with the Bobcats/Hornets from 2010-18, he moved to Dallas in 2018, where he has spent the last two years as a member of Rick Carlisle‘s staff.
Vanterpool, meanwhile, coached EuroLeague powerhouse CSKA Moscow from 2007-12 before returning stateside and becoming a Trail Blazers assistant. After seven years in Portland, he was hired in 2019 by the Timberwolves as an associate head coach under Ryan Saunders.
Both Silas and Vanterpool have interviewed for head coaching positions in the past, but neither has any head coaching experience. Each of the two veteran assistants reportedly interviewed with the Pacers and Bulls this year, while Vanterpool has also been linked to the Thunder’s opening.
Executives View Heat As Top Destination For Next Available Star
Front office executives around the NBA feel as if the Heat have become the top destination for the next star player seeking a change of scenery, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
The Heat don’t have significant guaranteed money on their books beyond next season and could create a maximum-salary slot in 2021, making them a major player in next year’s free agent period. Additionally, while Miami has surrendered some of its future first-round picks, the club has several young players who could be appealing trade targets in a package for a star who requests a trade in the coming months.
As O’Connor explains, Miami isn’t the only team with salary cap flexibility over the next year or two, but few others can offer all the perks the Heat can. Florida doesn’t impose income taxes on its residents, South Beach has always been a popular destination among NBA players, and this year’s Finals appearance proves that the club is already a legit title contender.
Additionally, the Heat have the roster flexibility necessary to fit virtually any player into their system, O’Connor contends. Bam Adebayo could coexist alongside another big man, while Jimmy Butler could easily share scoring and play-making duties with another impact player in the backcourt or on the wing.
It remains to be seen which star the Heat will ultimately pursue. Giannis Antetokounmpo has long been considered the team’s top target, but if he signs an extension with the Bucks, he won’t be available in free agency in 2021. Victor Oladipo is also said to be on Miami’s radar, but there are still questions surrounding his health, so the club may prefer to wait for his free agency in ’21 rather than giving up assets in an attempt to trade for him this offseason.
O’Connor points out that it may just be a matter of time before certain teams hit a crossroads and need to shake up their rosters. He identifies the Wizards, Rockets, and Sixers as some of the clubs with star players who may fit that bill — it’s safe to say Pat Riley and the Heat will be keeping a close eye on those teams and others as they prepare to go star-hunting.
Rockets Interview Kenny Atkinson For Coaching Job
The Rockets interviewed former Brooklyn head coach Kenny Atkinson for their head coaching opening this week, according to Alykhan Bijani and Kelly Iko of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Atkinson was identified as a possible candidate to coach the Rockets shortly after Mike D’Antoni parted ways with the team. Houston’s interest was later confirmed in a separate report, but the fact that Atkinson has met with the club is new information.
Atkinson, who began his coaching career in France in 2004, later served as an assistant for the Knicks from 2008-12 and for the Hawks from 2012-16 before taking over as the Nets’ head coach. He led a rebuilding Brooklyn club to a 118-190 (.383) record over three-and-a-half seasons, earning a playoff berth in 2019. The Nets let him go in March, less than a week before the NBA went on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tyronn Lue and David Vanterpool are among the other candidates who are reportedly meeting with the Rockets about their head coaching position. Houston assistant John Lucas is said to be an “emerging candidate” for the role, while the team has also been linked to the likes of Jeff Van Gundy, Sam Cassell, and Chris Finch, as our tracker shows.
The timeline for a Rockets hire is unclear.
Kings Hire Alvin Gentry As Associate Head Coach
OCTOBER 7: The Kings’ hiring of Gentry is now official, the team announced in a press release.
“I’m excited to add Alvin’s valuable experience and leadership to the team,” Walton said in a statement. “His veteran coaching perspective will be a great addition and I look forward to working with him again to continue developing our group.”
OCTOBER 6: The Kings have reached agreement with former Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry to make him an associate head coach on Luke Walton’s staff, Marc Stein of the New York Times tweets.
The Sixers were interested in adding Gentry to Doc Rivers’ staff in the same role, Stein adds. Walton and Gentry worked together on Steve Kerr’s staff with the Warriors.
Sacramento’s interest in Gentry was revealed last week. He was Buddy Hield‘s first head coach. Hield’s four-year extension begins next season and he reportedly wasn’t returning Walton’s phone calls.
Gentry was fired in mid-August after the Pelicans played poorly during the restart and failed to make the playoffs. Gentry spent five seasons as the head coach in New Orleans, compiling a 175-225 (.438) record and making the playoffs just once. He’s also been a head coach with the Clippers, Pistons and Suns.
Sacramento had an opening after former Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov left Walton’s staff in July to become the head coach of EuroLeague team Fenerbahce.
Bam Adebayo Active For Game 4; Goran Dragic Out
6:53pm: Dragic participated in pregame warmups but has been declared out for Game 4, Charania tweets. Adebayo will play, Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press tweets.
4:50pm: Dragic will warm up before Game 4 on Tuesday and see how his foot feels, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). If Dragic can tolerate the pain, he’ll attempt to play.
3:39pm: Heat big man Bam Adebayo intends to return for Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night vs. the Lakers, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Adebayo has missed the past two games due to a neck strain, but he has made good progress in the last two days, tweets Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
Getting Adebayo back in the lineup would be a major boost for a Heat team that has been relying on Meyers Leonard and Kelly Olynyk to man the middle for much of the Finals. Olynyk has averaged 20.5 PPG during the last two games, while Leonard was a +13 in Miami’s Game 3 win, but neither player is the sort of dynamic two-way threat that Adebayo is.
While it sounds as if Adebayo will be back in Miami’s lineup on Tuesday night, there has been no update yet on starting point guard Goran Dragic, who is listed as doubtful due to his torn left plantar fascia and acknowledged on Monday that his chances of playing in Game 4 are low.
I wouldn’t expect Dragic to get the green light to play on Tuesday, and his status for the rest of the series remains up in the air, so the Heat will continue to lean on rookie Kendrick Nunn at the point.
Darvin Ham A Finalist For Pacers’ Job, Also Interviewing With Clippers
Bucks assistant Darvin Ham is receiving head coaching interest from multiple teams, according to a report from Malika Andrews of ESPN, who tweets that Ham is a finalist for the Pacers‘ head coaching job. In addition to meeting with Indiana’s top decision-makers in person soon, Ham will also interview for the Clippers‘ head coaching job this week, says Andrews.
Ham and fellow Bucks assistant Charles Lee were previously identified as candidates for the Pacers’ head coaching job, but Andrews’ note that he has advanced beyond the first round of interviews is new. Indiana reportedly talked to at least 20 candidates during the first round of the team’s coaching search, but it’s unclear how significantly the field has been narrowed since then.
Dave Joerger was said last week to be a strong contender for the Pacers’ vacancy. Mike D’Antoni, Chauncey Billups, and many others have also been linked to the job.
As for the Clippers, Tyronn Lue was dubbed the early frontrunner for that job, but Mike Brown has also interviewed and now Ham will too. Los Angeles is said to be conducting a full-fledged search for Doc Rivers‘ replacement, so I imagine more names will be added to the club’s list of candidates in the coming days.
A former NBA forward, Ham has impressed teams with his work as an assistant under Mike Budenholzer, having been a member of the Hawks’ staff from 2013-18 before being hired by Milwaukee in 2018. He also served as a Lakers assistant from 2011-13.
Ham reportedly received head coaching interest from the Bulls and 76ers this summer before those teams went in other directions.
Mike Brown Interviewed For Clippers’ Coaching Job
Warriors associate head coach Mike Brown interviewed in recent days for the Clippers‘ head coaching position, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter).
Brown has served as an NBA coach for more than two decades, holding assistant roles in Washington, San Antonio, and Indiana to start his career. He became the Cavaliers’ head coach in 2005 and led the team to a 305-187 (.620) record over the next five seasons, earning a spot in the 2007 Finals and winning a Coach of the Year award in 2009.
After departing the Cavs in 2010, Brown over as head coach of the Lakers for the lockout season of 2011/12, leading the team to a 41-25 (.621) record. He was let go just five games into the following season when L.A. got off to a 1-4 start, and rejoined the Cavs for a single season in 2013/14.
Since 2016, Brown has been a top assistant on Steve Kerr‘s staff in Golden State. Brown, who has also interviewed this year for the Knicks’ and Pacers’ head coaching jobs, is set to coach the Nigerian national team that will compete in next year’s Olympics in Tokyo.
The Clippers have also met with Tyronn Lue about their open coaching job. According to Wojnarowski, Lue is still in a strong position to be promoted after serving as an assistant on Doc Rivers‘ staff, but the club is conducting a full search for Rivers’ replacement.