Joe Boylan

Southwest Notes: Ingram, Grizzlies, Barnes, Spurs

The Hawks were considered a possible trade suitor for Brandon Ingram this offseason, but they ended up not having much interest in giving the forward his next contract or surrendering either Clint Capela or Onyeka Okongwu in a trade with the Pelicans, league sources tell William Guillory of The Athletic.

As a result, the Pelicans and Hawks instead made a deal involving Dejounte Murray that didn’t include Ingram or either of Atlanta’ centers. Now it’s unclear whether New Orleans will be able to find a trade partner for Ingram, who will be on an expiring contract in 2024/25.

According to Guillory, both the Pelicans and Ingram would prefer not to go into training camp without an extension, since it may become a distraction. That could mean New Orleans will be looking to complete a trade by late September, but it also doesn’t sound like a new contract for the former All-Star is out of the question. Guillory cites “some optimism within the building” that Ingram and the Pelicans could work out an extension below the max that leaves both sides happy.

Here’s more from around the Southwest:

  • The Grizzlies have officially announced Taylor Jenkins‘ new-look coaching staff for the 2024/25 season (Twitter link). Anthony Carter and Patrick St. Andrews are the only returning assistants, though one newcomer (Jason March) had been coaching the Memphis Hustle, while another (Erik Schmidt) was the Grizzlies’ head video coordinator. Joe Boylan (formerly of the Timberwolves), Patrick Mutombo (from the Bucks), Tuomas Iisalo (Paris Basketball), and Noah LaRoche are the other additions. Former assistants Blake Ahearn, Brad Jones, Scoonie Penn, Sonia Raman, and Vitaly Potapenko have all been replaced, writes Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.
  • LJ Ellis of SpursTalk shares his thoughts on the Spurs‘ impending acquisition of Harrison Barnes, explains why he likes the fit and why he expects the veteran forward to be a starter in San Antonio. As Ellis notes, more minor roster moves will be necessary to open up enough cap room to accommodate Barnes’ incoming salary, so he’s reluctant to give his final assessment of the deal until it’s clear what those moves will be.
  • As Mike Finger of The San Antonio Express-News points out (via Twitter), the Spurs wouldn’t have been in position to add both Barnes and Chris Paul if they had kept the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, which carried a cap hit of $6.26MM.

Pelicans Hire Jeff Bzdelik As Assistant Coach

Veteran assistant coach Jeff Bzdelik has officially joined the Pelicans‘ coaching staff as an assistant, the club announced today in a press release. Bzdelik will be one of two associate head coaches under Alvin Gentry, handling defensive responsibilities while fellow associate head coach Chris Finch focuses on offense.

A former head coach for the Nuggets and a handful of college programs, including Colorado and Wake Forest, Bzdelik had been the Rockets’ associate head coach since 2016. He briefly retired following the 2017/18 season, but after Houston got off to a slow start in 2018/19, the team lured him out of retirement and got him back on the bench alongside Mike D’Antoni.

Following a disappointing second-round exit this spring, the Rockets let Bzdelik’s contract expire without pushing to lock him up to a new deal. He subsequently engaged in negotiations with New Orleans, with a report back in July indicating that the two sides were close to a deal.

The Pelicans have also hired former Suns assistant Jamelle McMillan in an assistant role, promoting Joe Boylan to assistant coach/director of player development and Michael Ruffin to assistant coach/player development.

Pacific Notes: Kobe, Ellis, Kings, Boylan

Let's round up a few overnight links from out of the Pacific Division….

  • Asked if he'd be willing to take a significant pay cut next season to help the Lakers create as much cap space as possible, Kobe Bryant wasn't overly enthusiastic about the idea, telling Serena Winters of Lakers Nation that he still intends to negotiate the best deal possible.
  • Although the Kings talked to Monta Ellis, it never escalated to the point where the two sides were close on a deal, says Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee, pointing out that other roster moves would now be necessary to accommodate Ellis (all four Twitter links).
  • Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee makes the case for why the Kings should avoid signing Ellis.
  • The Lakers have been linked to Josh PowellSasha Vujacic and Lamar Odom, but Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register doesn't expect those ex-Lakers to follow Jordan Farmar back to the team (Twitter link).
  • After their success with a late-summer signing of Matt Barnes in 2012, the Clippers are again taking a patient approach with the back end of their roster, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
  • Joe Boylan will join the Warriors coaching staff, as the team notes in a press release that also confirms the hiring of new assistant coach Brian Scalabrine.

Chuck Myron contributed to this post.