Thunder Notes: SGA, Caruso, Holmgren, Mitchell
The league’s two-time Most Valuable Player was disappointed by his performance in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 24 points and 12 assists in 51 minutes during the Thunder‘s double overtime loss to the Spurs but he shot only 7-of-23 from the floor and committed four turnovers, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon notes.
“We just got to be better — me, in particular,” he said. “I have to be better, especially against a team of this caliber. Nothing more than that.”
San Antonio focused its defense on containing SGA. They often double-teamed Gilgeous-Alexander while Victor Wembanyama sagged off spot-up shooters to protect the rim.
“I know what my teammates are capable of, what we’re capable of as a team when we bring it,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s just unfortunate that I wasn’t able to bring my best game tonight, but that’s how it goes sometimes. Sometimes, you’re your best version, sometimes you’re not. You’ve got to roll with the punches, don’t get discouraged and stay true to who you are.”
Here’s more on the Thunder:
- Alex Caruso was the beneficiary of San Antonio’s strategy, erupting for 31 points. Caruso says his intensity ramps up in the playoffs. “I think that’s probably why I play better this time of year, because winning is of the utmost importance and it carries a lot more weight in the playoffs than it does during the season,” Caruso said, per Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic. “It’s one of those things where you’re just trying to make whatever the play is and trying to win the game.”
- Chet Holmgren struggled throughout the season against the Spurs and that didn’t change in Game 1, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman writes. In five games against the Spurs, Holmgren is averaging 10 points per contest on 37% shooting. That includes his eight-point output in Game 1, with both of his field goals coming on three-pointers. How can they get him more involved? “It’s a good question,” coach Mark Daigneault said. “I think the general attacks in the offense will benefit everybody, put everybody in advantages, including him. The playoffs to this point have been a lot of that for him. He’s been very effective, and I think it’s been downstream of us running good offense. It’s not like we’re pushing buttons for him, it’s more like an identity thing that is feeding everybody and he’s been in the middle of that. I think if we play better collectively, he’ll be more involved and we’ll be able to get more cracks offensively.”
- Ajay Mitchell averaged 22.5 points per game against the Lakers in the conference semifinals but only took five shots in Game 1 while scoring four points. The 2024 second-round pick contributed in other ways with five assists, four rebounds and two steals. “There was part of me that truly believed I was a first-round pick,” Mitchell said to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears. “But there was another part of me that was like, ‘Don’t forget where you come from.’ For me to even play in the NBA and get drafted was like a dream as a little kid. Being able to do it, I will never take it for granted. It was a little mixed [emotions]. I definitely wanted to show people I was worth a first-round pick. I am just really happy to be a part of this organization with an opportunity to get better. That was the main goal for me.”
Spurs Optimistic De’Aaron Fox Will Return For Game 2
5:25 pm: Fox is officially listed as questionable, The Oklahoman’s Justin Martinez tweets.
12:13 am: The Spurs were playing without All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox in Monday’s thrilling Game 1 victory at Oklahoma City, but the team is optimistic he’ll be available for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, sources tell Marc J. Spears of Andscape (Twitter link).
San Antonio pulled off a double-overtime upset over the defending champion Thunder on Monday. Dylan Harper, last year’s second overall pick, started in place of Fox and had a stellar game, finishing with 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and seven steals in 47 minutes.
According to the NBA (Twitter link), Harper became just the second rookie to record at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals in a playoff game since 1973/74, when steals became an official statistic. He joined three-time MVP and five-time champion Magic Johnson, who accomplished the feat in 1980.
As impressive as Harper was, his performance was overshadowed by a spectacular showing from Victor Wembanyama, who had 41 points, 24 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in 49 minutes. The 22-year-old center joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in league history to have 40-plus points and 20-plus rebounds in their conference finals debuts (Twitter link via the NBA).
Wembanyama, who was a game-high plus-16 in the seven-point win, admitted afterward that he was motivated by the pregame ceremony awarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander his second straight MVP trophy.
“I want to get that trophy,” said Wembanyama, who finished third in MVP voting (Twitter link via Dan Woike of The Athletic).
The French star said he was understandably tired after setting a new career high in minutes, tweets Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. However, a few minutes before that he said the Spurs would have time to recuperate in the offseason if they reach their ultimate goal.
“We’ll rest in July,” Wembanyama said, per Orsborn (Twitter link).
Latest On Sixers’ Search For New Head Of Basketball Ops
After his colleague Marc Stein reported that Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey and Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U’Ren were among the possible targets for the Sixers‘ front office vacancy, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) confirms both are expected to interview with Bob Myers this week regarding the position.
Fischer adds another name to Myers’ planned list of interviewees: Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd, who was a finalist for the Bulls’ top basketball operations job, which ultimately went to Bryson Graham.
According to Fischer, Gansey and Lloyd are both considered future top basketball executives. They’re currently second in command with their respective organizations.
Lloyd began his career with the Bulls in 1999 as a media coordinator and worked his way up to the scouting staff and then senior manager of basketball operations. He became assistant GM in Orlando in 2012 before joining Minnesota in 2022 as senior VP of basketball operations. He was promoted to be the Wolves’ GM two years ago.
While Stein mentioned that 76ers consultant Neil Olshey has been linked to the job, Fischer hears from sources that Olshey isn’t pursuing the position, though he could remain with the team in an advisory capacity. Olshey, a longtime Clippers and Trail Blazers executive, was fired by Portland in 2021 following a workplace misconduct investigation.
Fischer also confirms the Hawks aren’t going to grant the Sixers permission to speak to GM Onsi Saleh and reiterates that 76ers assistant GM Jameer Nelson has many supporters in the organization, whether or not he’s part of the search process.
According to Fischer, rival teams have interest in hiring 76ers VP of player personnel Prosper Karangwa following Daryl Morey‘s dismissal last week.
Thunder executive Vince Rozman, Wizards VP of player personnel Travis Schlenk and Clippers GM Trent Redden have also been linked to Philadephia’s search.
Trail Blazers Reportedly Lay Off About 70 Employees
The Trail Blazers have laid off approximately 70 employees from their business operations department, according to Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report (via Twitter).
Longtime Blazers.com reporter Casey Holdahl confirmed he was among the employees let go (Twitter link).
President of business operations Dewayne Hankins released a statement regarding the decision, as Joe Freeman of The Oregonian relays (All Twitter links).
“Today, as part of our plans to position the organization for the future, we made the difficult decision to restructure several areas of the business,” Hankins said. “These changes impacted talented people who have helped shape the Trail Blazers over many years. We are deeply grateful for their contributions, their leadership and the care they showed every day for our team, our fans and the Portland community.
“Our focus now is supporting those affected through the transition and positioning the organization for long-term success.”
It’s the first of what could be many major changes under new majority owner Tom Dundon, who addressed some of the accusations of cheapness that have followed him last week in a podcast appearance. Dundon, who also owns the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, claimed he was willing to spend on the players, but suggested the business side wasn’t being run to his satisfaction.
“I just don’t want to waste money. I want to invest it,” Dundon said. “I’ll have many masseuses. I’ll have the best food. We’re going to take care of the players, because it helps you win. It’s part of the deal. Some of the stuff about how we’re going to run the business; Portland spends $100MM more a year on their business than the Hurricanes do, not including players.
“The Hurricanes, since I bought the team, have the first or second-best record in the league. So, I’m just not going to waste $100MM, just because somebody wants to write an article calling me cheap. I’m just not going to do it. And so, it’s hard because I don’t think about a budget when it comes to the playing team and how to make sure we win. Some of the stuff that was blamed on money is actually not 100% true.”
Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. Staying In NBA Draft
After helping Michigan win the NCAA title last month, sophomore big man Morez Johnson Jr. will keep his name in the 2026 NBA draft, his agents at CAA Basketball tell Jeff Borzello of ESPN.
“I am excited to chase my lifelong dream of playing in the NBA,” Johnson said. “Every stop along my journey has prepared me for this moment, and I’m extremely grateful.”
As Borzello writes, Johnson has been rising up NBA draft boards after last week’s combine, where he measured 6’9″ and 251 pounds, with a 7’3.5″ wingspan and an 8’11” standing reach. He also performed well in shooting drills, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, who has the 20-year-old going 17th overall in his latest mock draft.
For what it’s worth, Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports also has the Thunder selecting Johnson 17th overall, though he writes that there’s been a lot of speculation about Oklahoma City potentially looking to trade the pick for future selections. Johnson is considered a strong, versatile defender, per O’Connor.
Johnson, an Illinois native, spent his freshman season with the Illini but wasn’t a major factor in the team’s offense. He averaged 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 17.6 minutes per game across 30 appearances in 2024/25.
The forward/center was more productive offensively for the Wolverines in ’25/26, averaging 13.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG and 1.1 BPG in 25.6 MPG. He appeared in all 40 games for Michigan while showing drastic improvement at the free throw line (61.8% as a freshman vs. 78.2% as a sophomore).
Coaching Rumors: Splitter, Blazers, Bulls, Bickerstaff, More
After reporting a couple weeks ago that Tiago Splitter was unlikely to be hired as the Trail Blazers‘ head coach, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) has walked back that report to some extent.
As Fischer explains, there was initially pessimism that Portland would promote Splitter to the permanent job after he spent the majority of 2025/26 as the Blazers’ interim head coach. However, he heard “whispers” on Monday that the possibility can’t be ruled out.
Splitter, who was hired as an assistant last June, took over the top coaching post when Chauncey Billups was arrested on federal charges and placed on unpaid leave after the first game of the regular season. Splitter did an admirable job, leading the team to a 42-39 record and earning Portland’s first playoff spot in five years.
In addition to his success with the Blazers, the former NBA big man also earned “real respect” around the league for the way he handled himself and guided the team during an unprecedented situation, Fischer writes. As such, he’s still believed to be a candidate for the full-time job “on some level.”
For what it’s worth, Kurt Helin of NBC Sports says the “buzz in league circles” is new majority owner Tom Dundon isn’t a “big fan” of Splitter.
Other candidates for Portland’s head coaching vacancy include assistant coaches Micah Nori (Timberwolves), Jared Dudley (Nuggets), Steve Hetzel (Nets) and Greg St. Jean (Lakers), Fischer notes.
Here are several other coaching rumors from around the NBA:
- K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network continues to hear Sean Sweeney (Spurs), James Borrego (who spent ’25/26 as the Pelicans’ interim coach), Nori, and current Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr. are among the candidates to replace Billy Donovan as Chicago’s head coach (Twitter link). According to Fischer, all four of those coaches are expected to interview for the job, as is Thunder assistant Dave Bliss. Fischer has also been told the Bulls plan to request permission to interview Splitter, but it’s unclear if Portland will grant that request since Splitter is technically still under contract through next season.
- Like Hunter Patterson of The Athletic, Fischer says the Pistons remain fully committed to head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, whom the team just signed to a contract extension after advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Bickerstaff’s extension is worth at least $10MM per year, according to Fischer, who confirms Taylor Jenkins received an eight-figure salary as well when he was hired by the Bucks. Jenkins reportedly received a six-year deal.
- Fischer, who previously reported that the Hawks were expected to discuss an extension with Quin Snyder, hears from sources that a new deal between the two sides is now considered imminent. General manager Onsi Saleh praised Snyder after Atlanta was eliminated from the playoffs. As with Bickerstaff and Jenkins, Snyder’s new contract is expected to be around eight figures, Fischer adds.
Bulls Hire Stephen Mervis, Acie Law To Front Office
The Bulls have officially hired Stephen Mervis and Acie Law IV to their front office, announcing the news in a press release. Mervis’ title is senior vice president of basketball operations, while Law is the new VP of player personnel.
Both moves were reported last week.
According to the team, Mervis will “primarily be responsible for salary cap strategy and analytics.” Law, a former NBA guard, will largely focus on the draft and scouting, but he’ll be involved in all aspects of player personnel as well.
Mervis has spent the past 12 years with the Magic after getting his NBA start as an intern with the Pacers. He steadily worked his way up Orlando’s organization, with his most recent title being assistant general manager.
Law was the 11th pick in the 2007 draft and spent four season in the NBA before continuing his career in Europe. He became a scout for Sacramento in 2018, spending four years with the Kings, then joined the Thunder’s front office from 2022-25. He spent last season as Brooklyn’s director of player personnel.
Mervis and Law are the first major hires under new head of basketball operations Bryson Graham, a longtime Pelicans employee who spent last season in Atlanta’s front office.
Billy Donovan Considered Frontrunner In Magic’s Coaching Search
The Magic have begun to speak to head coaching candidates as they look for a replacement for Jamahl Mosley, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
While Fischer cautions that things can change quickly in the NBA, coaching insiders around the league consider Billy Donovan the frontrunner for the job, with an “excellent shot” at being hired. Donovan spent the last six years as head coach of the Bulls before parting ways with Chicago last month.
Sources tell Fischer that Donovan has been talking to Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman about the position and will have an in-person interview “in the near future.”
Donovan nearly became Orlando’s head coach back in June 2007. He and the Magic reached an agreement on a five-year contract but Donovan wavered on the decision and ultimately backed out of the deal in order to return to the University of Florida. The Magic hired Stan Van Gundy instead.
Tom Thibodeau has been mentioned as a possible candidate in Orlando, but Fischer hears the Magic have yet to talk to him and he hasn’t been part of the interview process. Thibodeau is a coaching free agent after being fired by New York last summer.
Clippers assistant Jeff Van Gundy, on the other hand, is among the coaches on Orlando’s radar, report Fischer and his colleague Marc Stein. Van Gundy was head coach of the Knicks and Rockets from 1995-2007.
Although the Magic are said to be looking for an experienced candidate, they’re expected to interview Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney, according to Fischer, who says the 41-year-old is also a “prime candidate” to replace Donovan in Chicago.
Schlenk, Redden Among Execs Linked To Sixers Job
Wizards VP of player personnel Travis Schlenk and Clippers general manager Trent Redden are among the NBA executives who have been linked to the Sixers‘ search for a new head of basketball operations, league sources tell Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports.
O’Connor also confirms the 76ers have targeted Hawks GM Onsi Saleh, but reiterates that Atlanta is viewed as unlikely to allow Saleh to speak to Philadelphia, as first reported by Marc Stein.
Formerly an assistant GM in Golden State under Bob Myers, Schlenk was hired as Atlanta’s GM in 2017 and was promoted to president of basketball ops in 2019. He was moved to an advisory role by the Hawks in December 2022, then was hired by Washington in June 2023.
Redden, a longtime Cavaliers executive, joined the Clippers as an assistant GM in 2017. The 42-year-old was promoted to GM in 2023 and has been linked to previous top front office vacancies.
The Sixers fired former president of basketball operations Daryl Morey last week after they were swept in the second round of the playoffs by New York. The search process is being led by former Warriors president Myers, who is now president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.
Stein previously linked Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey, Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U’Ren, Sixers consultant Neil Olshey and Thunder executive Vince Rozman, a former Sixers employee, to Philadelphia’s front office vacancy, while noting that assistant GM Jameer Nelson could be in line for an expanded role.
A few days ago, Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer listed 10 potential candidates for the position. In addition to Rozman, Olshey, Schlenk, U’Ren and Saleh, Mizell mentioned current 76ers GM Elton Brand, NBPA executive director Andre Iguodala, Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd, Pistons senior VP Dennis Lindsey, and Celtics assistant GM Dave Lewin as some other names to watch.
Morey’s successor in Philadelphia is expected to run the front office on a day-to-day basis and will have “a lot of authority,” though Myers acknowledged last week that he’ll be involved with the Sixers’ “high-level decision making.”
Draft Rumors: Wizards, Jazz, Mara, Bucks, Nets, Kings, Suns
While AJ Dybantsa has emerged as the “presumptive favorite” to be selected No. 1 overall in next month’s draft and is the first player off the board in the latest mock draft from ESPN, Jeremy Woo reiterates that rival teams don’t view the BYU forward as a lock to be taken by the Wizards with the top pick.
As Woo writes, there’s a consensus top four in the 2026 draft, with Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson joining Dybantsa in that group. However, there isn’t a consensus No. 1. Peterson goes No. 2 to the Jazz in Woo’s mock, followed by Boozer at No. 3 (Grizzlies) and Wilson at No. 4 (Bulls).
Team sources tell Woo that Peterson “came across as quiet but serious” in interviews at last week’s combine and “handled that part of the process well.” Peterson faced questions about the cramping issues that plagued his freshman season at Kansas, Woo writes, and NBA clubs are still waiting for his medicals.
There was plenty of chatter about the Jazz potentially moving up to No. 1 at the combine, according to Woo, who says any talk on that front is speculative at this time. Like Sarah Todd of The Deseret News, Woo suggests the Jazz are far more likely to stay at No. 2 and take the best player available rather than trade up.
Here are some more rumors on the upcoming draft:
- Michigan center Aday Mara, one of the stars of the NCAA tournament as the Wolverines won their first championship since 1989, is selected by the Hawks with the eighth pick in Woo’s mock. Atlanta is expected to consider several guard prospects at that spot, but the Spanish big man is rising up draft boards and is considered a lock to be selected in the lottery, Woo reports.
- Milwaukee only controls the 10th pick in the 2026 draft, but rival teams tell Woo that the Bucks have been acting as though they’ll end up with multiple selections. As Woo notes, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported last week that the Bucks are listening to trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo, with ESPN’s Tim Bontemps citing a growing belief around the league that the two-time MVP will be moved before the draft.
- Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports has also updated his mock draft, and although he has Brooklyn taking Illinois guard Keaton Wagler at No. 6, he hears from league sources that the Nets have been connected to Mara and Tennessee forward Nate Ament. Woo has also heard the Nets aren’t considered a lock to take a guard, and suggests Brooklyn will consider moving up or down in the draft. For what’s worth, Woo and O’Connor both have Ament going 10th overall to the Bucks.
- The Kings, who control the seventh pick, are “widely believed” to be targeting Arkansas guard Darius Acuff, according to ESPN and Yahoo Sports. As O’Connor writes, there are several connections between Acuff and Sacramento’s front office, plus the Kings need a point guard.
- Phoenix currently only has one pick (47th overall), but league sources tell O’Connor the Suns will explore the possibility of acquiring a first-round selection.