Category: NBA News Blog

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Dallas Mavericks coaching staff for head coach Jason Kidd is set

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has finalized his coaching staff.

Igor Kokoskov (EEE-gore KO-kosh-kov) joins the Mavericks after having spent the last year as head coach of the Turkish League’s Fenerbache. Kokoskov led Fenerbache to a 20-16 EuroLeague record. The team fell to CSKA Moscow in the EuroLeague playoffs. In Turkish League play, the team tallied a 22-8 record before losing to EuroLeague champion Anadolu Efes in the league finals.

Kokoskov, who owns the distinction of being the first non-American to be a full-time NBA assistant coach, has more than two decades of NBA coaching experience. He joined the L.A. Clippers as an assistant in 2000 before spending five years (2003-08) in Detroit, where he won the 2004 NBA championship. He also served assistant coaching stints with Phoenix, Cleveland, Orlando and Utah before being named head coach of the Suns, a post he held for the 2018-19 season. Prior to returning to Europe, Kokoskov spent the 2019-20 season in Sacramento. The University of Missouri hired Kokoskov to their full-time coaching staff in 1999 as he became the first European to hold that position in NCAA Division I men’s basketball.

The Serbia native is the head coach of the Serbian National Team. He also coached the national teams of Georgia and Slovenia, coaching Mavericks All-Star Luka Dončić and leading the team to the 2017 EuroBasket title.

Sean Sweeney previously worked with Kidd in Milwaukee and Brooklyn. He most recently spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Pistons and the prior four as an assistant with Milwaukee. Sweeney’s NBA career began with the Nets, where he started as video coordinator before being named assistant coach in advance of the 2013-14 season.

Earlier in his career, Sweeney was the video coordinator for the University of Northern Iowa and the director of basketball operations at the University of Evansville. He also held assistant coaching positions at the Anoka Ramsey Community College (Cambridge, MN) and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. The Saint Paul, Minnesota, native played one season at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay before transferring to the University of St. Thomas (Saint Paul) where he was a three-year starter and earned all-conference honors as a senior in 2005-06.

Jared Dudley transitions to an assistant coaching role following a 14-season NBA career. Dudley spent the last two seasons of his playing career with the L.A. Lakers, winning the 2020 NBA title.

Over his career, Dudley played for Charlotte (2007-08), Phoenix (2008-13, 2016-18), the L.A. Clippers (2013-14), Milwaukee (2014-15), Washington (2015-16), Brooklyn (2018-19) and the Lakers (2019-21). Dudley, who grew up in San Diego, owns career averages of 7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 22.3 minutes in 904 games (286 starts). He was selected 22nd overall by the Bobcats in the 2007 NBA Draft.

Dudley was a four-year starter at Boston College and averaged 15.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals in 36.4 minutes over 130 games for the Eagles. As a senior, he was the ACC Player of the Year, Second Team All-America and All-ACC First Team. Dudley garnered Big East Most Improved Player and All-Big East First Team honors following his sophomore season after being selected to the Big East All-Freshman Team a season earlier.

Greg St. Jean (j-EE-n) comes to Dallas after spending two seasons as a player development coach and advance scout with the L.A. Lakers, helping the organization to the 2020 NBA championship alongside Kidd.

St. Jean was an assistant coach for St. John’s University for four seasons. Prior to his time with the Red Storm, St. Jean spent two years with the Kings as an assistant player development coach and two summers with the Nets. St. Jean recently coached the Mavericks summer league team in Las Vegas.

The Bay Area native was a three-year team captain at Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT). His father Garry St. Jean was head coach of the Kings (1992-97) and the general manager of the Golden State Warriors (1998-2004).

Kristi Toliver began her NBA coaching career with the Washington Wizards, where she spent two seasons (2018-20) while concurrently playing for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. Toliver, a 12-year WNBA veteran, has played more than 350 games (275+ starts) with Washington, the Chicago Sky and the Los Angeles Sparks. This season, she’s averaging 9.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 18 games (all starts) with the Sparks.

Toliver, who hails from Harrisonburg, Virginia, won two WNBA championships with L.A. (2016) and Washington (2019). She’s garnered several league honors and is a three-time WNBA All-Star (2013, 2018, 2019), 2012 Second Team All-WNBA and the 2012 WNBA Most Improved Player.

Toliver also played professionally in Europe during the WNBA offseason, including stints with Raanana Hertzeliya (Israel), MKB Euroleasing Sopron (Hungary), Samsun Canik Belediyesi (Turkey) and Dynamo Moscow and UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia). She’s been part of six Russian League championships with Dynamo (2013, 2014) and UMMC (2015-18). Toliver was a standout for the University of Maryland, winning the NCAA championship in 2006. Among her many accolades, Toliver finished her career as the 2009 ACC Player of the Year.

Darrell Armstrong, God Shammgod and Peter Patton complete Kidd’s coaching staff. Armstrong will begin his 13th season with the Mavericks, while Shammgod and Patton begin their sixth and fourth seasons, respectively, with the organization.

Timberwolves announce new additions to coaching staff

The Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday announced additions to the coaching staff, including Joe Boylan (Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development), Nate Bubes (Quality Control Coach), Chris Hines (Player Development Associate), Ashlee McGee (Video/Player Development Associate), Alex Stepheson (Video/Player Development Associate), Elston Turner (Assistant Coach) and Addison Walters (Video Associate).

“We are thrilled to welcome Joe, Nate, Ashlee, Alex and Elston into the Timberwolves organization, as well as advance Chris and Addison to these new opportunities,” said Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas. “The experience and skill set each one brings to the staff will emphasize the steps we are taking to reach our goals for our players and program as a whole. Each is talented in their field and are passionate in assisting Coach Finch in executing the vision for the Timberwolves going forward.”

“Starting with the coaching staff announcement earlier this summer, we have put an emphasis on staff development and rewarding the hard work and dedication our staff make to the organization,” said Timberwolves Head Coach Chris Finch. “We are now excited to support Chris and Addison in their new roles as they transition from the Iowa Wolves to Minnesota, as well as Ashlee as she takes her experience with the Lynx and applies it to the Timberwolves. I look forward to working with Elston as he joins our coaching staff, as well as Joe, Nate and Alex as they all contribute to shaping our players and supporting the goals we have laid out for the organization.”

Boylan joins the Timberwolves after spending three seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, serving as their director of player development for two of those seasons. Prior to joining the Pelicans, he served as a player development coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, as well as the associate head coach of their then G League affiliate, the Iowa Energy. Before joining the Grizzlies organization, Boylan was an assistant coach for the Grand Rapids Drive in the G League during the 2014-15 season. He also spent three seasons with the Golden State Warriors from 2011-14, serving first as the video coordinator, then as video coordinator/player development and finally as assistant coach/player development. Boylan also spent time with the Boston Celtics and the G League’s Maine Red Claws.

Bubes comes to the Timberwolves by way of the Pelicans, where he served as the assistant video coordinator starting in 2019. Prior to his time with New Orleans, he was the coordinator of strategy and analytics for Brigham Young University men’s basketball program. Bubes had his start in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers when he served as the team’s video intern in 2018. A graduate of Boston College, Bubes served as the men’s basketball graduate assistant from 2016-2018 after being the program’s student manager from 2012-2016.

Hines has been elevated into his new role after serving as an assistant head coach for the Timberwolves G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves since 2019. Prior to joining the Timberwolves organization, he spent three seasons with the Guangdong Southern Tigers (China) as an assistant coach and director of player development. He also served as the director of basketball operations and player development for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers beginning in 2015. Hines played briefly for the Iowa Energy during the 2014-15 season and played one season collegiately at Drake University after graduating from the University of Utah in 2012.

McGee joins the Timberwolves after spending two seasons as the Minnesota Lynx video coordinator. She will serve a dual role where she will continue working for the Lynx during the WNBA season and join the Timberwolves during the NBA season. Prior to her time with the Lynx, McGee served as an advance scout for the Los Angeles Sparks in 2018. She also served as an assistant women’s basketball coach for both James Madison University and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prior to her time in Milwaukee, McGee served as both a graduate assistant and an assistant coach at Tennessee State University. A graduate of Austin Peay State University and member of the women’s basketball program, she led the Governors to back-to-back appearances in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

Stepheson joins the Timberwolves after a 10-year professional playing career that included stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, Grizzlies and overseas with Panionios (Greece) and Guangzhou Long Lions of the CBA. In 2015, he was acquired by the Iowa Energy and went on to earn All-NBA D-League First Team honors. Stepheson played collegiately for the University of North Carolina before transferring to USC.

Turner comes to Minnesota with more than two decades of NBA coaching experience, including his last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets as well as a prior four-year stint with the organization from 2007-11. Turner’s coaching career includes stops in Sacramento, Memphis and Portland. The Tennessee native was selected 43rd overall in the 1981 NBA Draft and appeared in over 500 games across eight seasons. Turner played professionally for Dallas, Denver and Chicago throughout his NBA career. Turner hails from the University of Mississippi, where he led Ole Miss to its first ever NCAA Tournament in his senior year.

Walters joins the Timberwolves after spending one season with the Iowa Wolves as a basketball operations associate. The San Francisco native attended Stetson University and Cal State Bakersfield where she was a member of the women’s basketball program at each. Walters was named the ASUN Newcomer of the Week in 2018.

Detroit Pistons hire George David as Assistant General Manager

The Detroit Pistons announced today that George David has been named Assistant General Manager.

David rejoins the Pistons after spending six years at Wasserman Media Group as Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations. The Farmington, MI native worked closely with numerous high-profile NBA players represented by Wasserman.

“I’m excited to return to the Detroit Pistons and help Tom Gores, Arn Tellem and Troy Weaver in the restoring effort of the franchise,” said David. “Detroit has always been home for me and I know how passionate the city and region is about their sports teams. Troy’s vision for building the roster aligns with the core values of Detroit Basketball and I look forward to playing a role in the continued rise of the organization.”

David previously served as Assistant General Manager with Detroit from 2012-14, after promotions from Director of Player Personnel (2007-12) and as Director of Scouting (2002-2007). While a member of Joe Dumars’ basketball operations staff, the club enjoyed one of its most successful runs in franchise history, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals six consecutive years, two NBA Finals and the 2004 NBA Championship. David was first hired within the organization as video coordinator during the 1996-97 season.

“We are pleased to have George David make his return to the Pistons organization”, said Pistons General Manager Troy Weaver. “George has seen success at a championship level and understands exactly what we are restoring in Detroit. His knowledge of the franchise and accumulated experience around all facets of the NBA will be invaluable as we continue to move forward.”

David graduated from Indiana University after working as a student assistant for legendary coach Bob Knight from 1992-96.

Nuggets re-sign Austin Rivers

The Denver Nuggets have re-signed guard Austin Rivers to a multiyear contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Rivers, 6-4, 200, appeared in 15 games (five starts) for Denver last season, averaging 8.7 points, 2.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 26.9 minutes while shooting 41.8% from the field. He also appeared in 10 playoff games (nine starts) and averaged 9.2 points, 2.1 assists and 1.7 rebounds, shooting 41.5% from three in 30.5 minutes per game. He scored 21 points and connected on five three-pointers in a pivotal Game 3 win at Portland that helped Denver earn a third-consecutive first round playoff victory. Rivers originally signed a 10-day contract with the Nuggets on April 20, 2021 and then signed for the remainder of the season on April 30, 2021.

The 10-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 9.1 points, 2.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds while shooting 41.8% from the field and 35.0% from long distance in 588 career games (156 starts) with Denver, New Orleans, L.A. Clippers, Washington, Houston and New York.

Rivers was drafted 10th overall by New Orleans in 2012 after spending one season at Duke University. In his lone collegiate season he averaged a team-high 15.5 points on 43.3% shooting in 34 games, becoming the third freshman ever to lead Duke in scoring.

In G League, South Bay Lakers name Miles Simon as new head coach

The South Bay Lakers have named Miles Simon as head coach, it was announced today by team President/CEO Joey Buss and General Manager Nick Mazzella. Simon will be the ninth head coach in franchise history and will continue to serve as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Simon joins the South Bay organization after spending four seasons as an assistant coach with Los Angeles, having been a member of the 2020 NBA Championship staff under Head Coach Frank Vogel. Simon has twice led the charge for the Lakers summer league teams, leading the team to a championship game berth for the second consecutive summer in 2018, after taking home the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League title as an assistant on the staff. Since joining the Lakers, Simon has at times been responsible for the pre-draft workout process and has assisted with the offseason development programs for current Lakers players.

“We are extremely excited to have Miles lead the South Bay Lakers as our new head coach,” Buss said. “His vast experience as a coach and player will be invaluable to the organization as we look to establish a winning culture in our pursuit of a championship.”

“I couldn’t be happier to continue my career with the Lakers organization as South Bay’s head coach. It is an honor to lead such a successful franchise and I look forward to working with our team both on and off the court,” Simon said “South Bay has a strong track record of developing NBA talent and I can’t wait to build upon our history as one of the top teams in the NBA G League. After winning the NBA world championship in 2020 with the Lakers, I expect to bring that pedigree to South Bay as well. I want to thank Jeanie, Rob, Kurt, Frank, Joey and Nick for the opportunity and I can’t wait to get to work.”

Simon first joined the Lakers organization after serving as head coach of the 2017 USA Junior National Select Team for the Nike Hoops Summit, leading the USA to a victory over the World Select Team. Simon won gold medals as an assistant for the 2016 USA Men’s U17 World Championship Team, as well as the 2015 USA Men’s U16 National Team. In addition to his work with USA Basketball, Simon has also served as a college basketball analyst for ESPN.

“Miles has been an integral member of the Lakers organization for many years, both as an assistant coach on a championship team and as the leader of our summer league rosters,” said Mazzella. “His ability to develop players will be vital to our franchise and we know that he will build a winning and positive atmosphere around our organization.”

The Arizona alumnus was the 1997 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player after leading the Wildcats to a National Championship as a junior. Upon graduation, Simon played one season for the Orlando Magic before spending time overseas and in the CBA. After his playing career, Simon spent three seasons (2005-08) as an assistant coach at Arizona on Lute Olson’s staff.

Sixers sign guard Grant Riller to two-way contract

The Philadelphia 76ers have signed guard Grant Riller to a two-way contract.

Riller spent the 2020-21 season playing on a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets and for their G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm.

With the Swarm, Riller played and started in 11 of the team’s 15 games, and averaged 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, shooting .490 from the floor, .462 from three-point range (second in G League) and .867 from the foul line. He scored a season-high 28 points (10-15 FG, 6-8 3FG) on February 26 against Raptors 905.

Riller totaled 20-plus points in three of his 11 G League games, and scored in double figures seven times.

He also made seven appearances at the NBA level with the Hornets, averaging 2.6 points per game in limited minutes.

Riller was selected by the Hornets with the No. 56 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of the College of Charleston. In four collegiate seasons, he posted career averages of 18.7 points, 3.3 boards and 2.8 assists while holding a career field-goal percentage of .519.

Per NBA rules, teams are allowed to have a maximum of two players signed to two-way contracts, in addition to players under standard NBA contracts.

A two-way player for the 76ers will provide services to the team’s G League affiliate – the Delaware Blue Coats – but is not allowed to be active for more than 50 NBA games.

Riller will wear No. 5 with Philadelphia.

Three-team NBA trade sends Lauri Markkanen to Cavs, Larry Nance Jr. to Trail Blazers

As part of a three-team NBA trade, the Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired forward Lauri Markkanen (LAU-ree MARK-a-nin) in a sign and trade agreement from the Chicago Bulls, Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

In the deal, Cleveland traded forward Larry Nance Jr. to the Portland Trail Blazers and a protected 2023 second round pick (via Denver) to Chicago. The Bulls also received forward Derrick Jones Jr. from Portland and the Trail Blazers’ lottery-protected 2022 first round pick as part of the trade.

“We are extremely fortunate as an organization to be in a position to acquire another young and talented player with the skill-set of Lauri Markkanen,” said Altman. “He has the proven ability to play multiple positions and stretch the floor from the perimeter and, at 24-years-old, we believe his best basketball is in front of him. We are committed to establishing a winning culture in Cleveland that can be sustained over time and Lauri helps elevate that description. I also want to thank Larry for his outstanding and impactful contributions to our team, both on and off the court. His selfless acts of kindness and support for small businesses in Northeast Ohio during a global pandemic says a lot about his character. He remained steadfast in his commitment to helping others in their time of need and it was an inspiration to us all. Larry truly embraced the community, its fans and his teammates and he will be missed. The Cavaliers have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Larry as a person and a player, and we wish him and his family all the best in Portland.”

Markkanen (7-0, 238) played in 51 games (26 starts) for the Bulls last season, averaging 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 25.8 minutes per contest. He also shot career highs in field goal percentage (.480) and three-point percentage (.402), while going .826 from the foul line. Markkanen connected on 119 three-pointers in 2020-21, his fourth consecutive season with over 100 triples. He also became just the fourth player in Bulls franchise history to shoot a perfect 7-of-7 from beyond the arc, accomplishing that feat against Philadelphia on March 11, 2021.

A native of Finland, Markkanen was originally drafted out of the University of Arizona by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Traded on draft night to Chicago, he spent his entire four-year NBA career with the Bulls, averaging 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds in 29.5 minutes over 221 games (195 starts). Markkanen was an All-NBA Rookie First Team selection in 2018 and leaves the Bulls ranked sixth all-time in franchise history in three-pointers made with 493.

“Larry is a talented and versatile player that impacts winning on both ends of the floor,” said Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey. “We welcome him and his family to Portland and look forward to his contributions on the court and in our community.”

Originally selected by the L.A. Lakers with the 27th overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, Nance (6-7, 245) holds career averages of 8.3 points (52.9% FG, 33.3% 3-PT, 68.75 FT), 6.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.26 steals and 24.2 minutes in 350 games (123 starts) with the Lakers and Cleveland. A native of Akron, Ohio, Nance played collegiately for four seasons at Wyoming.

Grizzlies waive Rajon Rondo, who may return to Lakers

The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team waived guard Rajon Rondo.

Rondo was acquired by Grizzlies from the Los Angeles Clippers on Aug. 16.

Per ESPN.com, “Rondo will likely sign with the Lakers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, upon clearing waivers after a contract buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. Rondo, 35, was traded from the LA Clippers to the Grizzlies earlier this month as a part of the Eric Bledsoe deal, but he reached an agreement on the final year of his contract worth $8.3 million to go back on the market.”

Rockets re-sign guard Armoni Brooks

The Houston Rockets have re-signed guard Armoni Brooks.

Brooks (6-3, 195) began last season with the Rockets G League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley, before signing a two-way contract with Houston on April 3. He appeared in 20 games with five starts for the Rockets while averaging 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 26.0 minutes per game.

The University of Houston product has the most 3-pointers made (60) through the first 20 games of a career in NBA history; the previous record was 48. Brooks scored 10+ points in each of the final seven games of 2020-21 (18.4 ppg) after doing so four times his first 13 games played (7.2 ppg).

Mavericks waive guard Nate Hinton

The Dallas Mavericks have waived guard Nate Hinton.

Hinton (6-5, 210) went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft after two seasons at the University of Houston and signed with Dallas as a two-way player on Dec. 1, 2020. He played in 21 games for the Mavericks last season.

Most recently, Hinton played for the Mavericks at the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League in Las Vegas where he averaged 7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals in five games (all starts).