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Kings hire B.J. Armstrong as assistant general manager

The Sacramento Kings announced today that B.J. Armstrong has been named assistant general manager. Armstrong will report to general manager Scott Perry.

“B.J. has an elite understanding of the game, and his basketball IQ, front office insight, and championship experience will be invaluable as we build towards the future,” said general manager Scott Perry. “He’s been a trusted advisor to me and many others in the basketball world for years, and I’m confident his perspective and leadership will make a significant impact on our organization.”

Armstrong brings over 30 years of NBA experience to Sacramento. After playing 11 seasons in the NBA (1989-2000), Armstrong joined the Chicago Bulls front office before departing in 2005. He then joined Wasserman as an agent and represented several NBA players including Derrick Rose, the No. 1 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and the youngest player to ever be named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player.

Armstrong was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1989 and played for them for six seasons, winning three NBA championships (1991, 1992, 1993). He also spent time with the Golden State Warriors (1995-1996), Charlotte Hornets (1996-1997), Orlando Magic (1997-1999), and returned to the Bulls for one final season (1999-2000). Armstrong was named an NBA All-Star in 1994. Over 11 seasons, Armstrong averaged 9.8 points and 3.3 assists per game.

Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson wins 2024-25 NBA Coach of Year award

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson is the recipient of the Red Auerbach Trophy as the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year.

Atkinson, in his first season as the Cavaliers’ head coach and fifth season as an NBA head coach, has been named the NBA Coach of the Year for the first time. He becomes the third head coach to earn the honor with Cleveland, joining Bill Fitch (1975-76) and Mike Brown (2008-09).

Under Atkinson, the Cavaliers (64-18) finished with the second-best record in franchise history and earned the No. 1 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. He tied for the fourth-most victories by a head coach in his first season with a team.

Cleveland joined the 2006-07 Dallas Mavericks as the only two teams to have three separate winning streaks of 12 or more games in a season. The Cavaliers won their first 15 games to match the second-best start to a season in NBA history. They also recorded a team-record 16-game winning streak from Feb. 5 – March 14.

Atkinson led Cleveland to several other single-season franchise highs, including scoring average (NBA-leading 121.9 points per game), scoring differential (9.5 points per game), road victories (30) and three-pointers made (1,303).

Atkinson was named the NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month twice, for games played in October/November and December. He also earned a spot to serve as a head coach in the NBA All-Star Game for the first time.

Thunder Executive Sam Presti wins 2024-25 NBA Basketball Executive of Year award

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti has been named the 2024-25 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year.

Presti has earned the annual honor for the first time. He previously finished second in the voting three times (2009-10, 2019-20 and 2023-24).

Presti assembled a team that went an NBA-leading 68-14 in the 2024-25 regular season, tied for the sixth-best record in league history. Oklahoma City set the NBA record for scoring differential, outscoring opponents by 12.9 points per game.

Last offseason, Presti’s player acquisitions included guard Alex Caruso and center Isaiah Hartenstein. Caruso, a Kia NBA All-Defensive Team selection in each of the previous two seasons, averaged 7.1 points and 1.61 steals per game and helped Oklahoma City lead the NBA in defensive rating (106.6) this season. Hartenstein averaged career highs of 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in his first season with the Thunder.

Presti is in his 18th season with the Thunder franchise after being named general manager in June 2007. Prior to that, he spent seven years with the San Antonio Spurs, rising from video intern to vice president/assistant general manager.

Knicks notes heading into Game 2 against Celtics

On Monday, the Knicks won Game 1 of their second round playoff series on the road in Boston against the Celtics, 108-105.

Jalen Brunson recorded 29 points, five assists, two steals and five made three-pointers. This marked his 22nd playoff game as a Knick with 25+ points, which ranks third in Knicks history and only trails Patrick Ewing (43) and Walt Frazier (29). Brunson also passed Dick Barnett (922) for 9th on the Knicks all time playoff scoring list.

Brunson scored 20 points on 60-percent shooting and four made three-pointers on 100-percent three-point shooting in the second half. This marked his 14th second half in the playoffs as a Knick with 20+ points, which ranks first in Knicks history since the NBA started tracking quarter stats in 1996-97.

OG Anunoby registered 29 points, four rebounds and one steal, marking his fourth career playoff game with 25+ points. Anunoby also set a playoff career high with six made three-pointers.

Anunoby scored 20 points in the second half, marking his second career half in the playoffs with 20+ points.

Mikal Bridges recorded eight points, seven assists, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks, marking his third career playoff game with multiple blocks and multiple steals.

Bridges added two steals in overtime, becoming the first Knick since the NBA started tracking quarter stats in 1996-97 to have multiple steals in a playoff overtime.

The Knicks rallied back from a 20-point deficit against the Celtics, marking their largest playoff comeback since 1969-70.

Jazz sign head coach Will Hardy to contract extension

The Utah Jazz have signed head coach Will Hardy to a multi-year contract extension.

“We are excited to extend Will Hardy’s contract as head coach of the Utah Jazz through 2031. Will is an incredible leader, great communicator – especially with our younger players – and a strong ambassador for this franchise. He has been a tremendous partner to Danny, Justin, and me. There is no one we would rather have leading us to our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship here in Utah,” said Ryan Smith, governor of the Utah Jazz.

Hardy, who will enter his fourth season with the Jazz in 2025-26, became the ninth head coach in Jazz history and the sixth since the franchise’s relocation to Salt Lake City in 1979. He is the first head coach hired since the Smiths purchased the Jazz in December 2020.

“Will’s leadership has been invaluable to our program,” said Danny Ainge, CEO of Jazz Basketball. ”He has established a vision for our players and a strong foundation of core values, competitive habits, and growth mindset. He is one of the brightest young coaches in our league, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him.”

Gregg Popovich transitions from Spurs head coach to president of basketball operations

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that Gregg Popovich will transition from head coach to president of basketball operations. In 29 seasons as the Spurs head coach, Popovich amassed 1,422 regular season wins, which is the most in NBA history. During his tenure, the Spurs captured five NBA championships.

“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” said Popovich. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me.”

After joining the Spurs in the summer of 1988, as an assistant coach on Larry Brown’s staff, Popovich has enjoyed a 37-year career in the NBA as a coach and executive. He spent two seasons, from 1992-94, as an assistant coach for Don Nelson with the Golden State Warriors. His other 35 NBA seasons have all been in San Antonio with the Spurs.

“Coach Pop’s extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs and the game of basketball is profound,” said Spurs Managing Partner Peter J. Holt. “His accolades and awards don’t do justice to the impact he has had on so many people. He is truly one-of-one as a person, leader and coach. Our entire family, alongside fans from across the globe, are grateful for his remarkable 29-year run as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.”

Spurs name Mitch Johnson as new head coach

The San Antonio Spurs have named Mitch Johnson as the team’s new head coach.

Johnson becomes the 19th head coach in San Antonio franchise history. He takes over for Gregg Popovich after the Hall of Famer transitioned into the president of basketball operations role following his 29 seasons as head coach. After Popovich stepped away from the team for health reasons five games into last year, Johnson was appointed the Spurs acting head coach for the remaining 77 games of the 2024-25 season.

“We are thrilled for Mitch Johnson to be our next head coach,” said Spurs Managing Partner Peter J. Holt. “Throughout his decade in the organization we have seen that Mitch has the right values, poise and potential to lead us into the future.”

Entering his 10th season with the Spurs, Johnson started with the organization in 2016 as an assistant coach for the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s G League affiliate, where he helped guide the team to the 2018 G League Championship. He has spent the last six seasons as an assistant coach on Popovich’s staff, including five of those years on the front of the bench after he was promoted in 2020.

Grizzlies name Tuomas Iisalo as new head coach

The Memphis Grizzlies have named Tuomas Iisalo (twa-mas EE-za-low) as head coach.

“I have full confidence in Tuomas serving as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies going forward,” said Grizzlies President and General Manager of Basketball Operations Zachary Z. Kleiman. “Tuomas’ teams at every level have been disciplined, tenacious and connected on both ends of the floor, consistently exceeding expectations. We look forward to the same in Memphis.”

Iisalo was appointed interim head coach on March 28, 2025, and guided the Grizzlies to the NBA Playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference. He originally was hired by Memphis on July 7, 2024, as the lead assistant coach following a decorated coaching career in Europe.

Before coming to Memphis, Iisalo captured the 2023-24 EuroCup championship and EuroCup Coach of the Year award in his first season as head coach of Paris Basketball. The architect of the top offense in competition history, Iisalo led Paris to a 20-1 record and the title in the club’s second EuroCup season.

Kings name Doug Christie as new head coach

The Sacramento Kings have announced that Doug Christie has been named head coach.

“After careful consideration, I am excited to announce Doug Christie as the next head coach of the Sacramento Kings,” said General Manager Scott Perry. “I’ve known Doug a long time and have been impressed with his leadership, presence, and ability to connect deeply with his players. He embodies the core values we believe in — toughness, discipline, professionalism, a defensive mindset, and a selfless, team-oriented approach on offense. Our goal is to support him fully and help set the stage for his long-term success. We’re excited to move forward with Doug as our leader.”

“I am deeply humbled to be named head coach of the Sacramento Kings,” Christie said. “This organization and city have been home for over 20 years. I want to thank the Kings organization and Scott for their support during this process. For me, this opportunity is all about service to the team, the organization, and the city of Sacramento. My family and I couldn’t be more excited for this new chapter.”

Dyson Daniels wins 2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player award

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels is the recipient of the George Mikan Trophy as the 2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player.

Presented annually since the 1985-86 season, the Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award is designed to honor an up-and-coming player who has made a dramatic improvement from the previous season or seasons. Daniels is the second player to earn the honor with the Hawks, joining Alan Henderson (1997-98).

In his third NBA season and first with Atlanta, Daniels averaged career highs of 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.01 steals while shooting career highs of 49.3% from the field and 34.0% from three-point range in 33.8 minutes in 76 games. He became the fifth player to average at least 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals in a season, joining Michael Ray Richardson (1979-80), Magic Johnson (1980-81), Alvin Robertson (three times – 1985-86, 1986-87 and 1988-89) and Michael Jordan (1987-88).

Daniels improved his scoring by +8.3 ppg, rebounds by +2.0 rpg, assists by +1.7 apg and steals by +1.62 spg from last season. He is the third player to have improvements of at least +8.0 ppg, +2.0 rpg, +1.5 apg and +1.5 spg from one season to the next (minimum 50 games played each season), joining Richardson (1978-79 to 1979-80) and Eric Murdock (1991-92 to 1992-93).