The Bulls, Knicks, Warriors and Thunder won their first round series, but fell short of reaching the NBA's Final Four. Each team faces a pivotal offseason with many decisions to consider. Read More. Written by Daniel Leroux on May 21, 2013
The event gives front offices the opportunity to evaluate D-League players with the possibility of offering Summer League or training camp invites. Read More.
Tyus Jones, the No. 2 overall recruit for 2014 and an excellent point guard, was selected by Paul Biancardi, Adam Finkelstein and John Stovall. Read More.
Stan Van Gundy appeared on The David Baumann Radio Show on Tuesday morning in Orlando and confirmed he will not coach next season.
“As you get down the road more and the longer you are out, the harder it is to get back in and that was certainly a difficult part of the decision process for me because it’s certainly something that I miss and don’t want to close the door on for the rest of my life, but, it is not right now anyway, in the best interest of my family, so it won’t be next year,” said Van Gundy.
Van Gundy has not interviewed with any teams, though he has been contacted.
The Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks are two teams known to have interest in Van Gundy.
“I sort of laugh a little bit on jobs I supposedly interviewed for. I don’t know who those sources are. I certainly have had inquiries from people, but no job offers and I have not interviewed anywhere.”
Van Gundy was also asked about an ESPN report indicating Dwight Howard's frustration with Mike D'Antoni.
“When Dwight has a private meeting with Mitch Kupchak, I don’t know who the source would be… other than Mitch Kupchak," said Van Gundy. "My guess is Mitch is not the source and Dwight is not the source.
“I know through my own history and even some things written about what I was supposedly doing this Spring, that quite honestly, I think a lot of times these writers just sit down, make up a story, claim there’s a source and put it out there. I hate to say that, but there’s no other explanation.”
The Houston Rockets have emerged as an attractive free agent possibility for Dwight Howard, according to sources.
Howard became familiar with the area after spending part of two summers ago working with Hakeem Olajuwon.
Howard is also intrigued by the possibility of playing with James Harden.
Howard will engage in the free agency process and is expected to hear pitches from the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks and the Rockets.
Larry Drew will interview for the Milwaukee Bucks' head coaching vacancy on Monday and is receiving interest from a second team.
The Bucks called Danny Ferry about speaking with Drew, who is still under contract with the Atlanta Hawks until June 30, and they were granted permission.
“I’ve moved on from the situation,” Drew said. “We had a very professional talk just trying to get things in order since I’m still under contract.”
While Drew is prepared to part ways with the Hawks, the door is not completely closed on him returning as coach.
“There is not a sadness,” Drew said. “This is a business. We left open that this could evolve back. If it doesn’t, I have to move on. That’s how this business works. I knew that. Nine years is a good run. There is a business side to this profession."
Ettore Messina has emerged as a serious candidate to become the next head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.
Messina was born in Italy and is the current coach of CSKA Moscow. Messina is a four-time Euroleague championship coach and two-time Euroleague coach of the year.
Messina was part of the Los Angeles Lakers' coaching staff during the 11-12 NBA season.
Messina left the NBA to take a $1 million-plus a year job with CSKA.
Danny Ferry recently scouted CSKA at last weekend's Euroleague Final Four.
Stan Van Gundy and Quin Snyder are also candidates.
The Atlanta Hawks are pursuing Stan Van Gundy for their head coach vacancy.
Danny Ferry and Van Gundy have been in contact, but have yet to meet in person about the opportunity.
The Hawks also plan on pursuing Dwight Howard and there is a growing belief that a reunion would be of interest.
Sources say Van Gundy holds Ferry in high regard.
The Hawks have not made a final decision on Larry Drew, but it is assumed he won't be back unless they are unable to secure a deal with any of their top targets.
Mike Budenholzer and Quin Snyder are considered the leading candidates to replace Larry Drew as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, according to a source.
The Hawks have yet to formally decide on the future of Drew.
Budenholzer is currently an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, where Danny Ferry had multiple stints in the front office.
Snyder also worked with Ferry in the Spurs' organization and they were teammates together at Duke in the eighties.
The Atlanta Hawks have let Kyle Korver know that they want to re-sign him in free agency this offseason, and the interest in staying together is mutual.
“They said they would like to work something out, so we’ll talk in July,” Korver said. “I really enjoyed my year here in Atlanta. I enjoyed the team. I enjoyed the organization. I believe (general manager) Danny Ferry is going to do some great things here. I think he has a great opportunity to bring in guys who are going to play fun basketball.
“You know the vision he has. You know the kind of basketball that he likes to watch, and I think he’s going to bring in those types of guys, and I like the same basketball that he likes. So, I’m very open to coming back here.”
Korver, obtained in last offseason's trade with the Chicago Bulls, will become an unrestricted free agent July 1.