June 2024 Basketball Wiretap

Mike Brown, Kings Agree To Three-Year, $30M Extension Through 26-27

May 31, 2024 11:56 PM

Mike Brown and the Sacramento Kings have agreed to a contract extension through the 26-27 season worth $30 million over three years.

Brown was set to enter the final guaranteed season of his contract with the Kings and extension talks broke off last week.

Brown won NBA Coach of the Year in 2023, leading the Kings to the third seed in the Western Conference after the franchise had missed the playoffs in 18 straight seasons.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Pelicans Defer First Round Pick From Lakers To 2025

May 31, 2024 9:36 PM

The New Orleans Pelicans will defer the first round pick they are owed from the Los Angeles Lakers from the 2024 draft to the 2025 edition. The Lakers own the 17th overall pick in what is widely considered a down draft, whereas the 2025 draft is expected to be strong. There are also a number of potential scenarios where the Lakers end up sending the Pelicans a higher pick in 2025.

The Lakers traded three future first round picks to the Pelicans in 2019 as part of the Anthony Davis trade.

David Griffin informed Rob Pelinka of his decision on Friday, one day ahead of the deadline.

The Pelicans own the No. 21 pick in the draft.

Adrian Wojnarowski, Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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Cavaliers Clear To Interview Johnnie Bryant, Chris Quinn

May 31, 2024 6:24 PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been granted permission to interview two more head-coaching candidates in the franchise's ongoing search, including New York Knicks associate head coach Johnnie Bryant and Miami Heat top assistant Chris Quinn, sources told ESPN on Friday.

The Cavaliers are searching for a new head coach to replace J.B. Bickerstaff.

Bryant previously worked with Donovan Mitchell as an assistant coach with the Utah Jazz.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kristaps Porzingis 'Getting Better' Ahead Of Finals

May 31, 2024 6:20 PM

Kristaps Porzingis participated in parts of Friday's practice -- the Boston Celtics' first since advancing to the NBA Finals earlier this week -- and coach Joe Mazzulla said he's pleased with the center's recovery from a right calf strain.

"He's getting better," Mazzulla said at the team's facility. "He's out there shooting. Went through a couple of drills in practice. So, progressing well and kind of confident where he's at right now."

espn.com

Tags: Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Injury

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Pistons Part Ways With Troy Weaver As GM

May 31, 2024 6:18 PM

Troy Weaver is out as general manager of the Detroit Pistons amid a retooled front office led by Trajan Langdon, according to multiple reports Friday.

Detroit has had the NBA's worst record the past two seasons and won just 23% of its games over four years with Weaver in charge of basketball operations.

Weaver joined the Pistons after an extended tenure in the front office of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Detroit Pistons, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Thunder Could Pursue Isaiah Hartenstein In Free Agency

May 31, 2024 1:53 PM

The Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as the team rival executives believe could be the most likely team to sign Isaiah Hartenstein away from the New York Knicks.

Hartenstein doesn't have the type of ability off the dribble and perimeter shooting that the Thunder have valued, but he is good as a dribble-handoff screener and as a passer. Hartenstein can play alongside other bigs and he also would help the Thunder tremendously as a rebounder.

Hartenstein nearly signed with the Orlando Magic before joining the Knicks, but that no longer is an obvious fit despite their cap space.

The Detroit Pistons have also been previously linked to Hartenstein. 

Jake Fischer/Yahoo Sports

Tags: Isaiah Hartenstein, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Cavaliers Not Motivated To Trade Any Members Of Core Four

May 31, 2024 1:45 PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers do not appear motivated to listen to trade inquiries at this point for any member of their core four of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

There has been an expectation that the Cavaliers could trade either Mitchell or Garland this offseason. If Mitchell declines Cleveland's extension offer, he becomes an instant trade candidate. If Mitchell signs the extension, there are reports that Garland's representation at Klutch Sports could work to facilitate a trade.

Allen is also a trade candidate as the big man tandem with Mobley hasn't produced the type of results they were expecting due to spacing issues.

Allen has two seasons and $40 million remaining on his contract and figures to have multiple trade suitors interested in him if he becomes available. 

Jake Fischer/Yahoo Sports

Tags: Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Nets Hire Steve Hetzel, Juwan Howard, Deividas Dulkys, Connor Griffin, Travis Bader As Assistants

May 31, 2024 1:40 PM

The Brooklyn Nets have named Steve Hetzel, Juwan Howard, Deividas Dulkys, Connor Griffin and Travis Bader as assistant coaches on Jordi Fernandez’s staff. They join Jay Hernandez, Adam Caporn, Ryan Forehan-Kelly and Corey Vinson on Brooklyn’s bench.

Hetzel comes to Brooklyn from Portland, where he was an assistant coach on the Trail Blazers’ staff for the past three seasons (2021-24). He previously served as an assistant coach for three seasons (2018-21) with the Orlando Magic following a four-year stint (2014-18) as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Hornets. Hetzel was also the head coach of the Canton Charge in the NBA G League for one season (2013-14) while Fernandez served as his lead assistant coach. 

Howard joins the Nets’ staff after serving as the head coach of his alma mater, the University of Michigan, for the past five seasons (2019-24). While at the helm in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines compiled an 87-72 record, which included trips to the Sweet 16 (2022) and Elite Eight (2021) in the NCAA Tournament and a regular season Big Ten Conference championship. At the conclusion of the 2020-21 season, Howard earned National Coach of the Year honors. Before his stint leading Michigan, Howard spent six seasons (2013-19) as an assistant coach with the Miami Heat. 

Dulkys joins Brooklyn’s bench after spending the last two seasons (2022-24) as an assistant and player development coach for the Sacramento Kings. 

Griffin arrives in Brooklyn after three seasons (2021-24) with the Denver Nuggets. He spent the last two seasons (2022-24) as head video coordinator/player development while assisting a postseason run in 2023 that resulted in the Nuggets’ first NBA championship. Griffin originally joined Denver ahead of the 2021-22 season as an assistant video coordinator. 

Bader begins his fifth season as part of the Nets organization and his first as an assistant coach. He spent the last two seasons (2022-24) as the team’s head video coordinator following a two-year stint (2020-22) as a video seasonal assistant. 

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Brooklyn Nets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Zaccharie Risacher Moves To Hawks At No. 1 In Latest ESPN Mock Draft

May 31, 2024 11:04 AM

ESPN has moved Zaccharie Risacher to the Atlanta Hawks with the No. 1 pick in their latest mock draft.

Every team drafting in the top-5 has interest in Risacher, who is not expected to fall out of the top-2.

During the playoffs, Risacher averaged 15.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, shooting 67% from the field and 38% on 3-pointers.

The direction of the Hawks remains unclear as Trae Young and Dejounte Murray are trade candidates and while they will definitively retool their roster, it remains to be seen if their ownership will embrace a rebuild. A further complication of any desire to rebuild stems from their decision to trade away control of their next three drafts to the San Antonio Spurs as part of the Murray deal in 2022.

Jonathan Givony, Jeremy Woo/ESPN

Tags: Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Mock Drafts

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Dunc'd On: DAL/MIN Game 5; Zaccharie Risacher Scouting Report

May 31, 2024 10:04 AM

Luka Doncic gives new meaning to the term “coming out aggressive” and sends the Wolves into the Minnesota night. We revisit how he and the Mavs were able to rebuild their team and make their 3rd NBA Finals appearance.

We then start our draft scouting with wing prospect Zaccharie Risacher of France, who is in contention to be the number one overall pick.

Four more episodes with Nate & Danny per week are available exclusively on Dunc’d On Prime, plus it’s the only place to hear John Hollinger & Nate as well! DuncdOn.SupportingCast.FM

Plus, subscribe on YouTube to see our hilarious faces and, more importantly, see the key moments from the pod each week.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: NBA

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Timberwolves Willing To Pay Tax To Keep Team Together

Jon Krawczynski and Shams Charania/The Athletic

Glen Taylor To Meet With Tim Connelly To Discuss Future

Jon Krawczynski and Shams Charania/The Athletic

Drew Gordon Passes Away In Car Accident

Marc J. Spears/Andscape

Luka Doncic Receives Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP

Joe Vardon/The Athletic

Warriors Looking To Hire Big-Name Assistant Coach, Had Conversations With Darvin Ham

Anthony Slater/The Athletic

Kings Offer Mike Brown Three-Year, $21M Extension

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Lakers Prefer To Avoid Trading Austin Reaves

Jovan Buha/The Athletic

Dereck Lively II Cleared To Play Game 5

RealGM Staff Report

Warriors Could Pursue Trade For Jimmy Butler, Likely Wouldn't Be Interested In Brandon Ingram

Anthony Slater/The Athletic

Klay Thompson, Warriors Haven't Made Progress On Extension

Anthony Slater/The Athletic

Lakers 'Nowhere Close' To Decision On Coach Amid Growing Expectation J.J. Redick Will Be Hired

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Several Notable NCAA Players Withdraw From 2024 NBA Draft

RealGM Staff Report

Dereck Lively II Questionable For Game 5

Brad Townsend/Dallas Morning News

Kristaps Porzingis 'Ramping' Up Intensity, No Update For Game 1 Of NBA Finals

NBC Sports Boston

James Borrego Has Second Interview With Lakers

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Caleb Love Withdraws From 2024 NBA Draft, Returns To Arizona For Final NCAA Season

Jeff Borzello/ESPN

Cavaliers To Begin Head Coach Interviews With Kenny Atkinson, James Borrego

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Wizards Remove Interim Tag, Hire Brian Keefe As Head Coach

RealGM Staff Report

Sixers, Two Other Teams Interested In Acquiring, Extending Jimmy Butler

Anthony Chiang/Miami Herald

Clippers 'Determined' To Retain Paul George, James Harden

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN