Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Timberwolves sign Head Coach Chris Finch to contract extension

The Minnesota Timberwolves have signed Head Coach Chris Finch to a multi-year contract extension.

“I’d like to thank Glen, Becky, and the entire organization for their continued support and commitment to me and the team,” said Finch. “I’m proud of the way we’ve been able to establish a great culture here with the Timberwolves and I look forward to continuing to lead this organization and make our fans proud.”

“Chris is a wonderful coach, and an even better person,” said President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly. “We are thrilled that he is being rewarded with a well-earned extension. Under his guidance the team has improved every year, he’s the perfect leader for our organization.”

Finch guided the Timberwolves to a 56-26 record in 2023-24, the second-highest win total in franchise history. Minnesota secured the third seed in the Western Conference, marking the third consecutive year clinching a spot in the NBA Playoffs, the most consecutive seasons making the playoffs since eight straight appearances from 1996-2004.

Medical update on Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis suffered a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 9th. This injury always requires surgical repair. Porzingis had hoped to delay surgery until after both the NBA Finals and Latvia’s Olympic campaign, but the injury doesn’t allow for consistent play at the level required for Olympic competition. Surgery will be performed in the coming days, and further updates will be provided when available.

Pelicans promote Bryson Graham to general manager position

The New Orleans Pelicans announced yesterday that Bryson Graham has been promoted to general manager and Jon Moul has been hired as senior director of cap and strategy.

“Over his 14 NBA seasons, Bryson has built a stellar reputation throughout the NBA,” stated Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “First and foremost, he is recognized for the strength of his character. His work ethic, basketball acumen, leadership ability and eye for talent have contributed immeasurably to our growth as a franchise. I couldn’t be happier to see him assume the role of general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans.

“We are equally thrilled to welcome Jon to our organization and look forward to adding his experience, creativity and knowledge to our front office.”

Graham enters his 15th season with the Pelicans, his first as general manager after serving the previous five seasons as assistant general manager. During his tenure, Graham has served as one of the organization’s key talent evaluators of players at both the professional, collegiate, and international levels, assisting with the team’s year-round preparation for the NBA draft, free agency and trades.

New Cavs head coach will reportedly be Kenny Atkinson

Per the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

The Cavs have their man.

Sources tell cleveland.com that a long, exhaustive search ended on Monday morning with the franchise choosing Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, considered one of the favorites from the beginning, to replace fired J.B. Bickerstaff.

Over the last month-plus, the Cavs conducted numerous interviews with various candidates — over Zoom and in person — and eventually narrowed down their finalists to three: Atkinson, New Orleans associate coach James Borrego and Minnesota’s Micah Nori.

Bulls trade Alex Caruso to Thunder for Josh Giddey

The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired guard Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Josh Giddey, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Caruso (6-5, 186) appeared in 71 games for the Bulls last season, averaging career-highs in points (10.1), rebounds (3.8), steals (1.69) and blocks (1.00) while adding 3.5 assists per game. He shot a career-best 46.8% from the field and 40.8% from three in 28.7 minutes per contest.

The winner of the 2023-24 NBA Hustle Award led the league in deflections per game (3.7) while his steals per game ranked fourth and his loose balls recovered per game (1.0) ranked fifth. Caruso was the only player in the league to tally 130-plus three-point field goals made, 100-plus steals and 70-plus blocks last season, becoming the first player to do so since the 2020-21 season.

A two-time All-Defensive Team member (2022-23 First Team and 2023-24 Second Team), Caruso has appeared in 363 career games with the Bulls and Lakers, with career averages of 6.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.29 steals per contest. The College Station native began his professional career with the Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA G League after his college tenure at Texas A&M.

Giddey appeared in 80 games during the 2023-24 campaign for the Thunder, averaging 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 25.1 minutes per contest. In 210 career games for the Thunder, the Melbourne, Australia native averaged 13.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists.

Report: Malik Monk will stay with Kings

Per ESPN.com:

Free agent guard Malik Monk intends to sign a four-year, $78 million deal — including a player option — to return to the Sacramento Kings, sources told ESPN on Thursday night.

Monk, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year runner-up, had a career-best season, averaging over 15 points and five assists, and he avoids free agency with the maximum deal available to him to stay in Sacramento.

Pistons fire head coach Monty Williams

The Detroit Pistons announced today that Monty Williams will not return next season as the team’s head coach. The decision comes after a thorough review and analysis of the team’s performance during the 2023-24 campaign.

“Decisions like these are difficult to make, and I want to thank Monty for his hard work and dedication,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores. “Coaching has many dynamic challenges that emerge during a season and Monty always handled those with grace. However, after reviewing our performance carefully and assessing our current position as an organization, we will chart a new course moving forward.”

“I have great respect for Monty as a coach and as a person and I am certain he will be successful in his future endeavors,” added Gores. “I sincerely wish him and his family the very best.”

The search process for a new head coach will begin immediately.

“We are unwavering in our commitment to bring a championship-caliber team to Detroit,” said Gores. “We will be diligent and swift in our search for a new head coach to lead our exciting young core of players and will continue our vision towards building a best-in-class front office that will help us achieve sustainable success.”

Lakers interview JJ Reddick for head coaching job

Per the LA Times:

The Lakers hosted former player and current broadcaster JJ Redick on Saturday in their most formal interview with him to date, with multiple members of the organization speaking to the former Duke star about the team’s head-coaching vacancy.

The step is an important one for Redick, who has been a central figure in the team’s coaching search as an external favorite, a presumed frontrunner after initial contact at the NBA draft combine and now as potentially the final candidate to meet with executive vice president and general manager Rob Pelinka, owner Jeanie Buss and other key Lakers figures.

While some inside the organization have said the team doesn’t necessarily need to hire a coach before the NBA draft on June 26-27, there are major decisions that need to be made regarding the roster, including the possibility of trading up to three first-round picks (No. 17 this year and unprotected firsts in 2029 and 2031) on draft night.

The Lakers head coaching job is not the easiest role around. The team roster is good enough to squeeze into the playoffs, but their upside potential feels limited. They’re not a championship contender, but they’re not in a rebuilding model, either. But any job with the Lakers will always be high profile and one of the league’s most desirable places to be.

2024-25 Orlando Magic preseason schedule

The Orlando Magic 2024-25 preseason schedule has been announced.

The Magic will open preseason at New Orleans on Monday, October 7.

After playing at San Antonio on Wednesday, October 9, Orlando will host New Orleans on Friday, October 11, then finish the preseason schedule at home on Friday, October 18 vs. Philadelphia. Both games at Kia Center will tip-off at 7 p.m.