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With No. 11 pick, Spurs may like NBA draft prospect Precious Achiuwa

With the 2020 NBA draft just over three weeks away, here’s the San Antonio Express News on a prospect the Spurs may have interest in:

Freshman forward Precious Achiuwa was thrust into the limelight at Memphis last season, after would-be star James Wiseman announced in December he was leaving school to focus on the NBA draft.

The decision could end up paying dividends for both players.

Wiseman, a freakishly talented 7-foot-1 center, is in the mix to be drafted No. 1 overall.

Achiuwa, meanwhile, played well enough in Wiseman’s absence to position himself as a potential lottery pick.

The high-energy 21-year-old is among the players the Spurs are known to be considering with the 11th pick.

Miami Heat face some tough free agency decisions this offseason

The Miami Heat beat all expectations this season, clawing their way in the postseason to the NBA Finals, where they fell in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers. They have some big decisions to make in free agency this summer, in regard not just to their roster for next season, but also with the following offseason in mind. That offseason could feature Giannis Antetokounmpo as a free agent. Here’s the Miami Herald:

The Heat’s current salary-cap breakdown for next season looks like this: Jimmy Butler ($34.4 million), Andre Iguodala ($15 million), Kelly Olynyk ($12.2 million player option), Bam Adebayo ($5.1 million), Tyler Herro ($3.8 million), Duncan Robinson ($1.7 million), Kendrick Nunn ($1.7 million), KZ Okpala ($1.5 million), Chris Silva ($1.5 million), a projected $2.4 million cap hit for the 20th overall pick in the Nov. 18 draft, a $5.2 million waive-and-stretch cap hit for Ryan Anderson that’s still on the books, and a $350,000 waive-and-stretch cap hit for AJ Hammons.

Assuming Olynyk opts in to the final season of his contract and the Heat keeps the player it drafts this year, Miami will have about $85 million committed to 10 players for next season.

That means the Heat can create up to $22 million in cap space, including cap holds, if it renounces the rights to its six impending free agents — Jae Crowder, Goran Dragic, Udonis Haslem, Solomon Hill, Derrick Jones Jr. and Meyers Leonard.

A team that just reached the Finals, and does not have an age problem, has every reason in the world to focus primarily on immediate continued success. So, while possibly targeting Giannis, who may or may not be available two offseasons from now, is something to keep in mind, the main Heat goal right now is to do whatever it takes to get themselves back into the Finals in 2021.

Warriors reportedly impressed with Israeli NBA draft prospect Deni Avdija

Here’s the San Francisco Chronicle relaying positive words on Israeli NBA draft prospect Deni Avdija:

The Golden State Warriors — seeking wing help and possessing the 2020 NBA Draft’s second overall pick — were reportedly “blown away” by international prospect Deni Avdija following a private workout Thursday.

The Athletic’s Ethan Strauss reported that head coach Steve Kerr and other members of the Warriors organization worked out the Israeli Avdija in Atlanta and “were blown away after meeting with him” following the workouts…

The 19-year-old Avdija is a 6-foot-9 wing with strong ball skills and instincts, but is still working on finding his long-range stroke and playing consistent defense. He was named the Israeli League MVP in 2020, and is considered by draft experts to be just outside the consensus top three of LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman and Anthony Edwards.

The 2020 NBA draft has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 18. It’ll be held “virtually” — mostly over the Internet — based out of ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut.

Next NBA season start date still might be as early as late December

Reports over the last few months have suggested that the 2020-21 NBA season may start in January or as early as late December, and that’s still the case. Here’s New York Newsday on it:

Less than two weeks after the NBA season finally came to an end, the league could be looking toward a start to next season as soon as Dec. 22.

The Athletic reported that a source inside the NBA’s Board of Governor’s meeting Friday indicated that a Dec. 22 start with a 72-game schedule is the target. ESPN said that Christmas Day could be the startup date with a schedule of 70 to 72 games.

A league source said that while NBA commissioner Adam Silver has stated that the league would not start before Christmas Day, that day was still on the table and it was discussed with teams at the meeting on Friday.

But the NBA and the team owners are not the only ones who have to agree to this. The NBA players association must OK a plan.

If the season does wind up starting in late December, that means we’ll have a very fast free agency period.

Typically, the top free agents tend to agree to deals very early in free agency, but plenty of other players, including most deep-bench players, soemtimes take weeks or even a month or two to land deals. It sounds like that entire process will be sped up. Which isn’t a problem at all, actually.

New Orleans Pelicans officially hire Stan Van Gundy as head coach

The New Orleans Pelicans have named Stan Van Gundy as the team’s head coach, it was announced today by Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin.

Van Gundy becomes the seventh coach in Pelicans franchise history.

“We are delighted to welcome Stan, his wife Kim and their family to the New Orleans Pelicans,” said Griffin. “Stan’s track record of success as a head coach speaks for itself. His ability to teach while building genuine relationships was one of his many strengths that drew us to him. We feel like we are hiring one of the most accomplished leaders and authentic human beings in the NBA.”

“I am honored and excited to coach this talented group of players in New Orleans,” said Van Gundy. “This opportunity was one that I was really attracted to due in large part to David Griffin’s record of putting together highly competitive, talented teams in a great family atmosphere. When I got into the interview process and had a chance to meet with Mrs. Benson, Dennis Lauscha, Griff, Trajan Langdon, Swin Cash and the Pelicans front office, it became clear how committed and invested they are to winning. My wife Kim and I want to thank Mrs. Benson, along with Griff, Trajan, Swin and the front office for welcoming our family and entrusting me to lead this team. We look forward to working with this great organization and getting involved in the New Orleans community.”

Van Gundy joins New Orleans after spending last season as a game analyst for TNT and studio analyst for NBA TV, and the previous season as an analyst for ESPN. Prior to his television stint, Van Gundy served as the head coach and president of basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons from 2014-18, amassing a record of 152-176 (.463) and leading the franchise to their first playoff berth in 2016 after a six-year drought.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Stan and his family to New Orleans,” said Pelicans Governor Gayle Benson. “Stan’s basketball acumen and record of accomplishment are a tremendous fit for this team right now. We look forward to Stan bringing a level of sustained success for our Pelicans on the court. I also want to commend David Griffin, Trajan Langdon, Swin Cash and the entire front office for the time and effort put into this comprehensive head coaching search.”

A native of Indio, California, Van Gundy has a career regular season record of 523-384 (.577) with Miami (2003-06), Orlando (2007-12) and Detroit, and a career playoff record of 48-43 (.527), qualifying for the postseason in eight of the 12 seasons he has served as a head coach. Van Gundy’s most successful stint came in Orlando, where he helped lead the Magic to five consecutive postseason appearances, highlighted by an Eastern Conference Championship and a trip to the 2009 NBA Finals. During his tenure with the Magic, the team compiled a 259-135 (.657) regular season record, and Van Gundy was selected as head coach of the Eastern Conference for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. From 2007-11, Van Gundy’s Magic teams finished in the top five each season in plus/minus, and top 10 each season in three-point shooting, offensive rating and defensive rating.

Van Gundy began his NBA head coaching career in Miami, where he led the HEAT to a record of 112-73 (.605) over three seasons, and was named head coach of the Eastern Conference All-Star team during the 2004-05 campaign. That season, Miami finished with a 59-23 (.720) regular season record and advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Prior to being named the head coach in Miami, Van Gundy served as an assistant coach with the HEAT from 1995-2003.

A graduate of SUNY Brockport (NY), where he played on the men’s basketball team for his father, Bill, Van Gundy began his coaching career in the college ranks, and served as the head coach at Division III Castleton College (NY) (1983-86), then-Division II University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1988-92) and the University of Wisconsin (1994-95). During his eight years as a collegiate head coach, Van Gundy compiled a record of 135-92 (.595).

New partnership gives Denver Nuggets arena a new name: Ball Arena

Ball Corporation and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment today annnounced a global partnership across three marquee venues in Denver, Los Angeles and London.

The partnership includes naming rights for Ball and KSE’s hometown arena in Denver, Colorado, home to the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and NLL’s Colorado Mammoth, and also home to family entertainment and concerts.

Per Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, “the partnership is a demonstration of both companies’ steadfast commitment to a sustainable future and builds on their long history of working together to support the Denver community.”

Ball and KSE will also partner with the Premier League’s Arsenal F.C., which plays in London’s Emirates Stadium, and the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and their home stadium, SoFi Stadium.

“This is an important moment in sports and entertainment, and we are proud to partner with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to advance sustainability in venues by implementing real-world solutions to the packaging waste crisis,” said John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ball Corporation. “We are committed to making recycling an easy, everyday choice for consumers by providing them with infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, bottles and cups that can be used and back on a store shelf in just 60 days, and enhancing recycling infrastructure in venues. We look forward to continuing to work with KSE to bring about positive change for years to come.”

“It is with great pride that we introduce Ball Arena as the new home of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Mammoth,” said KSE Founder and Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke. “Our goal in selecting a long-term international venues partner was to find a Colorado-based company with global renown to grow side-by-side with our talented young teams. Ball Corporation is an ideal fit for that vision, an innovative leader that shares our commitment to our local community, to environmental sustainability and creating quality jobs in Colorado. We look forward to unveiling Ball Arena and welcoming our fans back home when it is time once again to celebrate live sports and entertainment events responsibly. We ask everyone to continue to stay safe and look after each other so that we can soon enjoy countless amazing memories at Ball Arena.”

“This announcement is an extension of a relationship that began between Ball Corporation and KSE a year ago with the introduction of their infinitely recyclable Ball Aluminum CupTM. That opened the door to this incredible opportunity, that builds on the importance of aluminum packaging and recycling,” said Michael Ceilley, KSE Senior Vice President, Partnership Marketing & Media Sales. “Working together, we believe this partnership will be transformative and help redefine the way arenas and stadiums operate globally. We are also grateful for PepsiCo’s dedication to elevating the fan experience at our arena for over 21 years, and through ongoing official beverage partnerships with the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth and Ball Arena.”

New Pacers coach Nate Bjorkgren says team style will be aggressive, disruptive and fun

The new head coach of the Pacers is saying all the right things from a fan entertainment standpoint. Which sounds great to us as well. Here’s the Indianapolis Star:

The Indiana Pacers didn’t want to stick with the old when it came to their coaching search. They pushed the envelope. Got out of their comfort zone. Thought outside the box.

Amid all the cliches to conjure up, they produced anything but a cliche hire when Indianapolis met Nate Bjorkgren on Tuesday.

“Very disruptive. Very aggressive style,” Bjorkgren said about what his offenses and defenses will look like when next season starts. “We’ll be a fun team to watch. You’re going to see a lot of movement on both sides of the ball. You’re going to see weakside movement on the offensive end. You’re going to see different players handling the ball and pushing it up the floor. We want to look for more possessions. We want to utilize the free throw line getting to the rim. Utilize that 3-point line.”

In other words, these Pacers will look 180 degrees different in how they play compared with how Nate McMillan ran them for four years before he was fired in August.

The Pacers probably won’t be active in free agency this summer. The team’s key players, including Malcolm Brogdon, Victor Oladipo, Jeremy Lamb, T.J. Warren, Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner, are signed at least through 2020-21. Their core, assuming it gets kept together, is pretty set, so coach Bjorkgren is walking into a situation where chemisty does already exist. Expect to see the Pacers in the 2021 NBA playoffs.

Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson says injury rehab is going well

The Grizzlies went 34-39 this season, and an injury to forward Jaren Jackson Jr. was a factor in the squad just falling short in their playoff push. But in good news as per the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Jackson has confirmed that he will be ready for next season:

Jackson also said his rehab is going well following a torn meniscus in his left knee that ended his season. He and Justise Winslow, who suffered a hip injury before the season restarted, have been working out together and both are ready for next season – whenever it starts.

The NBA hasn’t announced when the 2020-21 season will begin, but Jackson said it hasn’t changed his approach. The Grizzlies waited three months to resume this past season after it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and waiting again won’t be a problem.

“It’s like when you put a kid in timeout and when he finally gets out of timeout, he’s just active in breaking more things than before,” Jackson said.

The vast majority of key Grizzlies players are signed at least through next season, so they don’t need to be particularly busy in free agency this offseason. Jackson as a rookie in 2018-19 put up 13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, shooting 50.6% FG. Last season, his rebounding was almost the same, while his scoring raised to 17.4 PPG, on 46.9% shooting. But beyond stats, he’s the most essential Grizzlies player not named Ja Morant. And it’s good to hear he’s ready to roll when next season does tip off.

In order to be great, you have to win, says new Clippers coach Tyronn Lue

The Clippers have themselves a new coach. The team recently made their hiring of Tyronn Lue official. Here’s the OC Register reporting some of his words today:

Seated in the media room Wednesday at the Clippers’ practice facility in Playa Vista, Lue expressed a blend of humility – “it feels good to be wanted,” he said – and confidence during a half-hour introductory Zoom session with reporters off site.

“I want to be one of the greatest coaches,” Lue said. “In order to be great, you have to win. So to me, when you start talking about pressure and all that it means, it just means that you’re in position to win a championship.”

Steve Ballmer, the team’s governor, and Lawrence Frank, its president of basketball operations, also joined the remote session, with Ballmer unequivocal in his desire to see his team figure it out fast: “I think it’s probably fair to say my personality is all about winning and we didn’t get the job done that we expected to get done at the end of the season.”

“I tell you,” Ballmer added. “Ty’s my kind of guy, he wants to move, move, move! Learn new things, absorb, think new thoughts – which I think is essential to be better, to grow.” Ballmer also noted that Lue is “a guy I have come to understand holds himself and others accountable, which is a key part of being good in the sports business.”

And here’s the LA Times:

Lue has never shied away from crediting Rivers as the biggest influence for why he entered coaching, and he called Rivers’ dismissal “tough.” But he also described the ways in which he is not a Rivers clone on the sideline, emphasizing that his style has been influenced by Gregg Popovich, Phil Jackson, Stan Van Gundy and Scott Skiles, among others.

Tactically, where Rivers’ offenses often relied on individual playmakers more than set plays, Lue is expected to run a more controlled offense that will hinge on speed and moving the ball.

“I learned a lot from Doc, but I’ve also learned a lot from a lot of other coaches around the league because I’m always studying, I’m always trying to get better,” Lue said. “I want to be better. So, not just learning from Doc, but I learned from other coaches like [Erik Spoelstra] and Brad Stevens and watching Nick Nurse last year, thinking outside the box of playing box-and-one and triangle-and-two [defenses] and bringing something new to the NBA. And if you stop learning, if you stop being willing to learn from other people then you won’t be successful.”

The Clippers were a disappointment at the Disney NBA bubble, but it was also the first year that Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and company played together, so it’s not the biggest surprise ever that the squad wasn’t able to maximize their overall talent in the postseason. Also, multiple Clippers players wound up having to leave the Disney bubble over the course of the postseason, which also certainly isn’t a positive.

It should be relatively easy for Lue to have the team play better than the vast majority of the league next season. The question is if he can help make them reach that difficult next level.

Pistons have big needs to fill in free agency

The Pistons finished this shortened NBA season with a 20-46 record, which was 13th best in the Eastern conference. The only stars on the roster are former NBA MVP Derrick Rose and power forward Blake Griffin, who had an injury-filled, disappointing season. Here’s the Detroit Free Press with an overview of what Pistons free agency may look like this offseason:

The Pistons are projected to have around $30 million in cap space, depending on the new salary cap. They are among six teams in the league that will have cap space, positioning them to be a major player in the free agency and trade market.

Since general manager Troy Weaver took over in June, the organization has avoided using the term “rebuild.” Despite finishing 20-46 and moving on from Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, the franchise is eyeing a return to playoff relevancy.

It’s tough to project exactly what the Pistons will prioritize. But there are two obvious positional needs on the roster — point guard, and center. Pistons coach Dwane Casey told reporters in June that for the roster to continue to develop, the team needs a starting point guard. Derrick Rose is the only natural point guard on the roster with experience. Considering he has a year left on his deal, it seems likely the Pistons will look to acquire a point guard either through the draft or free agency.

The roster also only has one true center under contract next season in recently signed Justin Patton. There are other players on the roster capable of playing the position, but the Pistons lack depth there. Casey experimented with playing Sekou Doumbouya as a small center during group workouts in September, but said having a traditional center is a necessity.

D-Rose is 32 years old, while Griffin is 31. While Rose is signed just through next season, Griffin reportedly has a player option for almost $39 million in the 2021-22 season. Unless he has a seriously great bounce-back season, Griffin is likely to exercise that option to remain with Detroit.

But no matter how those two players play, the team is clearly in rebuild mode, and that needs to dictate the moves they make in the next few months.