Jazz Form One-To-One D-League Affiliation
2:12pm: The teams have entered into a one-to-one affiliation, the Jazz announced. It’s a hybrid partnership in which the Jazz will run the basketball operations while local ownership will have control over the business side.
“Partnering with the Idaho Stampede is another step forward in the growth and expansion of our basketball operations and will provide us with an opportunity to further enhance the development of our young players,” Jazz president Randy Rigby said. “Like the Jazz, the Stampede are a well-established franchise with a strong track record of success, and Boise’s proximity to Salt Lake and large contingent of Jazz fans make this the perfect fit. We look forward to working closely with [Stampede owner] Bill Ilett, [Stampede president and GM] Steve Brandes and the Stampede in our new single-affiliation partnership.”
8:23am: The Jazz will announce a D-League affiliation with the Idaho Stampede today, giving the teams a one-to-one partnership, writes Jody Genessy of the Deseret News. The move has long been in the works, as Gino Pilato of D-League Digest was the first to report back in April that the partnership was a “strong possibility.”
Utah was one of five NBA teams sharing the Bakersfield Jam this year, and the Jazz made just four assignments, as our log shows. That number stands to rise this coming season, since the Jazz won’t have to share the Stampede with any other teams. This won’t be the first time the Jazz and Stampede have worked together, as Genessy notes, but they’ve never had an exclusive partnership before.
The Stampede had a one-to-one affiliation with the Blazers this past season, but Portland bucked the trend and decided to go with a shared affiliate for 2014/15. The Fort Wayne Mad Ants are the only D-League team left without a one-to-one NBA affiliation, so the Blazers and 12 other NBA clubs are all in line to partner with the Mad Ants, unless the D-League quickly adds another team. The NBA and the D-League are reportedly considering a limit on the number of D-League assignments to help alleviate the logjam.
Draft Notes: Wiggins, Exum, Anderson
Andrew Wiggins has auditions for the Sixers and Bucks on his agenda in the next couple of weeks, but the Cavs will work him out closer to the draft, preferring to hire a coach before taking a look at key prospects, reports Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Ford and others have plenty more as draft prospects criss-cross North America to put themselves on display for teams, as we detail below:
- Ford adds the Sixers to the list of teams working out Dante Exum, but it looks like he won’t be headed to any team that doesn’t possess a top-four pick, Ford adds (Twitter links). The Cavs are the only top-four team without a workout on Exum’s docket.
- Kyle Anderson will work out for the Jazz, according to Anderson’s Twitter account (hat tip to Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune).
- Roscoe Smith is auditioning for the Rockets and Warriors, tweets Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv.
- Travel issues prevented Jordan Adams, Markel Brown and Joe Harris from attending today’s workout with the Hornets as planned, prompting the team to add former University of North Carolina shooting guard Leslie McDonald as a substitute. Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer has the details via Twitter.
- The Hornets will also take a look at Cory Jefferson this week, as Boston Globe correspondent Jake Fischer reports, adding that the power forward from Baylor will perform for the Wolves and Wizards, too (Twitter link).
- The Wizards, Pacers and Heat are on Keith Appling‘s workout schedule, Fischer also tweets. Fischer adds the Cavs and Wizards to the teams working out Bryce Cotton (Twitter link).
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Sam Dower and Markel Starks will join Jefferson and Appling in working out for the Wizards today, the team announced. Jamil Wilson will also take part, confirming an earlier report indicating that he was expected to work out for Washington.
- Chaz Williams will show off for the Jazz, Warriors, Bucks and Cavs over the next eight days, sources tell Josh Newman of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
Northwest Notes: Rubio, Hairston, Jazz
Former D-Leaguers P.J. Hairston and Thanasis Antetokounmpo are among the most intriguing players in this year’s class and Jazz VP of Player Personnel Walt Perrin expects to see more of that in the future, writes Aaron Falk of the Salt Lake Tribune. “I would guess if the league raises the age limit that there will be more players that will go that route,” Perrin said. “Everybody’s not made to go to school. Some of them are just players. A lot of them now, with the one-and-done, can get through one year. But I don’t know if they can get through two.” Here’s more out of the Northwest Division..
- At the Adidas Eurocamp, Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio spoke with Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders (video link) about the rumors surrounding Kevin Love and new head coach Flip Saunders.
- Hairston was unable to participate in today’s workout with the Jazz due to back spasms, tweets Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune. Utah will try to bring Hairston in for another workout but that may not be possible with his busy schedule (link).
- Michigan’s Glenn Robinson III was among the remaining five players who did work out for the Jazz today and he said that his agent has given him a draft range of 17-25, tweets Jones. Robinson also said he’d like to reunite with former Wolverines teammate Trey Burke (link).
Northwest Notes: Snyder, Nuggets, Fisher
In his introductory press conference, new Jazz coach Quin Snyder didn’t oversell the team’s goals, writes Brad Rock of the Deseret News. In regards to his team’s chances to contend, Snyder said, “You know, it’s hard to give specifics. I think (it’s) what I mentioned before about building an identity and not skipping stops in the process, and trying to do something that will last, where you can become a playoff team and become a playoff team for a long time.” When asked about the franchise’s ability to attract free agents, Snyder responded, “I mean, in a manner of speaking, I was a free agent.” He also applauded the Jazz ownership’s commitment, the practice facilities, and the tradition of loyalty, saying Utah is “an attractive place,” notes Rock.
More from the Northwest Division:
- One major similarity that the two teams in the NBA Finals share is continuity, writes Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post. Neither the Spurs nor the Heat favor rash decisions or overreacting to adversity and making changes just for the sake of change, notes Dempsey. This is something the Nuggets need to emulate if they want to establish a winning culture, Dempsey opines.
- Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman looks at Derek Fisher‘s career options for the future which include coaching or moving into a front office role with a franchise.
- In a separate article, Mayberry grades Fisher’s final season as a player with the Thunder.
Draft Notes: Jazz, Suns, Payne, Stauskas
Earlier this afternoon, we passed along that the Jazz would be working out P.J. Hairston. Jody Genessy of the Deseret News hears that Cleanthony Early, Glenn Robinson III, Xavier Thames, Kendrick Perry, and C.J. Wilcox will be joining Hairston tomorrow to put their skills on display for Utah (Twitter link). Let’s round up the latest on the draft:
- The Jazz are quite interested in Adreian Payne, notes Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune (on Twitter). Payne’s size and ability to stretch the floor put him in line to be a mid-to-late first-round pick.
- Scott Bordow and Jay Dieffenbach of AZ Central Sports discuss the group that worked out for the Suns yesterday (video link). Like Utah, Phoenix expressed interest in Payne. GM Ryan McDonough told Bordow that he would be open to drafting another stretch four because of how well they fit into the team’s system.
- Michigan shooting guard Nik Stauskas will work out for the Hornets on Wednesday and the Celtics on Friday, tweets Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com.
- C.J. Fair tells Raul Barrigon of HoopsHype that he’s worked out for 14 teams, including the Spurs. Fair is confident that he’ll be a first-round pick, although his name is completely omitted from the latest mock draft by DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony.
Jazz Notes: Gordon, Hairston, Tomic, Snyder
The Jazz worked out Arizona big man Aaron Gordon today, and the team was quite impressed with his performance, relays Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune (on Twitter). In addition to the ability he demonstrated during workouts, Gordon gave a better media interview than any other prospect that Utah has brought in so far, according to Jones (Twitter link). Here’s more on the Jazz:
- P.J. Hairston will work out for Utah on Sunday, tweets Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com. Hairston is projected to be a late first-round selection, according to the latest mock draft from Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.
- Jazz vice president of player personnel Walt Perrin told Jody Genessy of the Deseret News that Utah will have conversations about bringing Ante Tomic in from overseas (Twitter link). Tomic, one of Euroleague’s dominating centers, was a second round pick for the Jazz in 2008.
- Aaron Falk of the Salt Lake Tribune recaps how newly-hired Jazz coach Quin Snyder ended up in Utah. Falk opines that bringing in Synder is perhaps the biggest move that the organization has made during the tenure of team CEO Greg Miller.
Cray Allred contributed to this post.
Western Rumors: Love, Saunders, Thompson
Quin Snyder was just introduced as the new head coach for the Jazz, expressing his excitement to develop the young Utah roster and forge a defensive identity, reports Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune (via Twitter). Here’s more from out west, including another coaching press conference in Minnesota:
- At his first press conference as coach for the Wolves, Flip Saunders said that part of the reason he was the best fit in Minnesota was his ability to be flexible considering the potential roster overhaul that could take place in the event of a Kevin Love trade. “What we did not want to do is bring in a coach who was going to be pigeonholed on a certain style of play with the players we have,” Saunders told reporters including Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune, “and then all of a sudden maybe that changes. [The decision] was made based on what’s best for us as a team, whether we make trades or we don’t.”
- Saunders added that he isn’t interested in taking a competitive step back, an indication that any trade made would have the aim of short-term improvement, not a rebuilding effort.
- Chip Scoggins of The Star Tribune thinks that Saunders made the right decision in taking the Wolves coaching job, but doesn’t think the organization with a track record of instability is any better off.
- Klay Thompson told Russian blogger Mete Aktas that he would like to remain with the Warriors for the long haul, but knows that rumors surrounding him are inevitable (Translation via Diamond Leung of Bay Area News Group). “Your job is never secure in this league unless your name is LeBron James or Steph Curry,” said Thompson. “I hope [staying with Golden State] happens, but it is a fact that you never know what will happen in the NBA.”
- Thompson added that he was shocked by Mark Jackson‘s firing when it happened, but is comfortable moving forward with new coach Steve Kerr.
Draft Notes: Hood, Stokes, Jackson, Anderson
This morning, Hoops Rumors learned (Twitter link) that Duke sharpshooter Rodney Hood will audition for the Celtics, Kings, Hawks, and Hornets in the next few weeks. As previously reported, his future workout schedule will also include the Sixers and he has already worked out for the Bulls, Magic, Nuggets, and Suns. Back in May, Hood told Hoops Rumors that he could go as high as No. 6-12 and it sounds increasingly plausible as he has worked out for most of the top half teams. Here’s the latest draft news..
- Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders explains why he thinks Noah Vonleh would have limited upside as a lottery pick. Duncan thinks Vonleh’s leaping ability has become overrated, and cites poor instincts on both ends of the floor as reason to temper expectations.
- Robby Kalland of Hawks.com checked in with Brian Schroeder of Hardwood Paroxysm to get the goods on first round draft prospect Jusuf Nurkic. Schroeder raves about his size, relative mobility, rebounding, and scoring touch. Currently, the big man is slated to go No. 11 to the Nuggets in DraftExpress‘ mock draft.
- Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders runs down some common mistakes teams make in the draft, highlighting players from this year’s pool that could produce similar letdowns.
Earlier updates:
- Jabari Parker would have no issue with being drafted by the Bucks, his father Sonny and Duke teammate Hood tell Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times.
- The Suns were expected to work out Adreian Payne, Jordan Adams, Markel Brown, Sean Kilpatrick, Daniel Miller, and C.J. Wilcox today, reports azcentral sports.
- Shawn Glover worked out for the Jazz today, reports Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune, and both Payne and David Stockton will work out for Utah tomorrow, Falk tweets. Payne is projected near Utah’s No. 23 overall pick, but neither Glover or Stockton (son of Jazz legend John Stockton) are projected as either first or second round picks.
- A source tells Hoops Rumors (Twitter link) that Clemson small forward K.J. McDaniels will work out for the Thunder tomorrow. McDaniels is projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick and while he figures to be in range, he could be gone by the time OKC picks at No. 21.
- Hoops Rumors has also learned (via Twitter) that Stanford forward Josh Huestis auditioned for the Knicks this week and will be playing in front of the Magic today. The source adds that there aren’t enough days before the draft for Huestis to work out for every team that wants to see him (link).
- In continuing their trend of working out point guards, the Magic will work out Tyler Ennis and Elfrid Payton over the next few days, tweets Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders.
- Hoops Rumors has also learned (via Twitter) that former Tennessee Volunteers big man Jarnell Stokes is one of the 12 players working out for the Jazz today. Stokes is projected to be a first round pick thanks to his tenacious rebounding and high motor.
- A source tells Hoops Rumors (via Twitter) that Cincinnati forward Justin Jackson has worked out for the Bulls with the Mavs, Pacers, Hawks, Hornets, and Suns still on the docket. To learn more about Jackson, a second-round prospect, check out the interview we conducted with him last month as a part of our Prospect Profile series.
- Former UCLA point guard Kyle Anderson will work out for the Thunder tomorrow and the Sixers on Monday, tweets Adam Zagoria of SNY.
Northwest Notes: Snyder, Messina, Saunders
Two new coaches were announced in the Northwest Division today, with NBA veteran coach Flip Saunders selecting himself to lead the Wolves, and well-traveled NBA assistant Quin Snyder coming aboard for the Jazz. Here’s the latest from the division:
- Snyder is expected to pursue Ettore Messina as an assistant for the Jazz bench, sources tell Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Stein tweets that hiring Messina would be a great addition for Utah. Messina, who is parting ways with CSKA Moscow this summer, has drawn speculation as a potential head coaching candidate for other teams, and was once a candidate for Utah‘s vacancy.
- Two Jazz players expressed their support of Snyder’s hiring to Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune. Derrick Favors told Jones he can’t wait to start working with Snyder, and John Lucas III said he has loved the coach’s uptempo system since playing against Snyder’s Mizzou teams as a player for Oklahoma State (Twitter links).
- Gorgui Dieng expressed his support for Saunders as the new Wolves coach to Andy Greder of St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I know he is very tough and is always looking for improvement,” Dieng said, “so I think we are very excited to have him as a head coach.” Greder writes that Saunders worked out with Dieng during his rookie season despite having a front office role.
- Bruce Ely of The Oregonian asks if Robin Lopez is the Blazers‘ solution at center or if they should still explore other options. Lopez led Portland in rebounding 26 times last season and hit double digits in boards 33 times. The Blazers hold a $5.34MM team option on the 26-year-old.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Jazz Hire Quin Snyder As Coach
6:53pm: The team has officially announced the deal. CEO Greg Miller expressed optimism regarding Snyder’s potential at the helm of the Jazz.
“On behalf of the Miller family, I welcome Quin Snyder as the new head coach of the Utah Jazz,” said Miller. “He has an impressive basketball pedigree, including more than a decade of head coaching experience that positions him well to succeed in the Jazz organization. We look forward to Quin’s contributions both on the court and in the community.”
5:42pm: The team will hold a press conference to introduce Snyder as coach tomorrow, a source tells Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
4:41pm: Quin Snyder will be the next head coach of the Jazz, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando (Twitter link). This report has also been confirmed by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). The deal will include three guaranteed years, plus a team option for a fourth, tweets Wojnarowski. Financial terms have not been disclosed. This will be Snyder’s first time as an NBA head coach. He previously served as head coach for Missouri from 1999 to 2006, and complied a career record of 128-96 for the Tigers.
Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey has worked previously with Snyder when Lindsey was assistant GM for the Spurs and Snyder was the coach of San Antonio’s D-League affiliate from 2007 to 2010. Snyder was one of four rumored finalists for the position along with Adrian Griffin, Alvin Gentry, and Jazz assistant coach Brad Jones. Jones is expected to be retained and promoted to assistant head coach, reports Jody Genessy of the Deseret News (Twitter link). Former University of Utah player Alex Jensen will also be promoted from his position as player development coach to become a full-time assistant on Snyder’s staff, writes Genessy in a separate article.
Snyder was a candidate for the Sixers, Bobcats and Suns last summer, and was also a candidate for the Bobcats job back in 2012, when he was also among those in the running for the Magic’s vacancy.