Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Charlotte Hornets reportedly targeting James Wiseman in NBA Draft

The 2020 NBA draft is three weeks from Wednesday. Here’s the Charlotte Observer with a report on a player the Hornets hope to land:

The Hornets are highly interested in selecting former Memphis center James Wiseman in the Nov. 18 draft, two NBA sources with knowledge of the situation told The Observer.

Those sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to represent their teams publicly. Both sources work for teams with top-10 draft picks.

Those sources said they believe the Hornets — who hold the third overall pick — would consider trading up if it would secure Wiseman, who played just three college games at Memphis before opting out of his freshman season and turning pro.

One of those sources said he views Georgia guard Anthony Edwards as the Hornets’ backup plan if Wiseman isn’t available to Charlotte.

Wiseman is an intriguing player and a top prospect who could go as high as first overall.

Warriors add Shaun Livingston to Community Foundation Board

The Warriors Community Foundation has named Shaun Livingston to the Foundation’s Board, it was announced today. In this role, Livingston will be part of the Foundation’s Grants Committee, working to expand the portfolio of non-profits that the Board serves in Alameda and San Francisco Counties. Additionally, he will assist the Foundation in furthering educational equity and producing measurable improvements in the well-being and educational attainment of students in the San Francisco and Oakland Unified School Districts.

“Shaun’s experience as a former player will add an incredible amount of perspective and insight to the Warriors Community Foundation,” said Warriors Community Foundation President of the Board Nicole Lacob. “He is an exceptional ambassador for the Bay Area community, as evidenced by his contributions during his NBA playing career and ongoing participation in the community. We are thrilled to have him on our team.”

Livingston, a 14-year NBA veteran, was recently named Director of Player Affairs and Engagement with the Warriors in September reporting directly to President of Basketball Operations / General Manager Bob Myers. In this role, Livingston provides player counsel and career advice while helping to guide team programs toward player needs and development. A 14-year NBA veteran, Livingston spent five seasons as a player with the Warriors from 2014-19, helping the franchise to five consecutive NBA Finals appearances and three NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018).

The Warriors Community Foundation recently announced its annual grant recipients for 2020-21, a $1.825 million total contribution to Bay Area non-profits, which marks the highest single-season contribution in Foundation history. The $1.825 million contribution adds to the over $24 million awarded to Bay Area non-profits since the Foundation’s inception in 2012.

Warriors Community Foundation Board Members include: Nicole Lacob, President of the Board; Marty Glick, Secretary; Bob Myers; Brandon Schneider; David Kelly; Dianne Taube; Ebony Beckwith; Greg Adams; Jason Chang; Jeff Miller; Jessica Dodson; Joe Lacob; Karen Miller; Kathy Scially; Molly Lacob and Rick Welts.

Clippers reportedly close to hiring Kenny Atkinson, Larry Drew and Dan Craig as assistant coaches

New Clippers head coach is reportedly close to filling out his staff of assistants. Here’s the Los Angeles Times:

Tyronn Lue’s first coaching staff with the Clippers is taking shape, with the team nearing agreements with several key assistants.

Miami assistant Dan Craig, former Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson and Larry Drew, a former head coach who most recently served on Lue’s Cleveland staff, have committed to join the Clippers as assistants, though their hiring is not yet official because deals have not been finalized, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.

Additionally Chauncey Billups, a former All-Star guard and close friend of Lue who most recently worked as a television analyst for the team, is considering whether to join.

Sixers have issues to solve heading into next NBA season

The Sixers’ story remains the same right now as it did heading into last season: a talented roster with flawed chemistry and some work to do should they aim to advance far in the playoffs. Here’s the Philly Voice:

While Doc Rivers brings credibility to the coach’s chair and front office changes should help out a beleaguered front office, they still have the same fundamental problems that caused them to unravel last season. The Al Horford problem is still waiting to be solved, and while Tobias Harris played his best basketball under Rivers in L.A., he did so in an ecosystem where he was the focal point, surrounded by excellent spacing he’ll likely never see here.

Another critical factor — the further we get into the careers of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, the less likely it seems either player is poised for a leap from talented All-Star to a title-winning leader. Embiid regressed on several fronts last season, openly unhappy with how the team had changed around him, and while Simmons’ defensive progress is hard to argue, his offensive shortcomings continue to hang over the team, with no significant change in sight.

New head coach Rivers has some compelling challenges ahead of him.

Heat assistant coach Dan Craig will reportedly take job with Clippers

The new Clippers coaching staff is starting to come together, as new head coach Tyronn Lue picks his assistants. Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

For the second time in as many offseasons, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will be altering his coaching staff, with an NBA source confirming Monday to the South Florida Sun Sentinel that assistant Dan Craig will be joining Tyronn Lue’s coaching staff with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Craig, 38, who had filled in for Spoelstra when the Heat coach left in recent seasons for the births of his two sons, has spent the past 17 seasons with the Heat, including the past four alongside Spoelstra on the Heat bench.

Among the leading candidates for Craig’s spot are former Heat video coordinator Eric Glass, who coached the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, this past season, and former Heat guard Anthony Carter, who was listed as a Heat player development coach the past two seasons.

The Heat and Clippers are two of the NBA’s top teams. The Heat were eliminated by the Lakers in the NBA Finals, while the Clippers were a playoff disappointment but possess one of the league’s best rosters. A coaching job with either squad is a good one these days.

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).