The Minnesota Timberwolves have hired Gianluca Pascucci as Assistant General Manager. With the Wolves, Pascucci will lead the team’s pro personnel efforts at all levels, including the NBA, G League and international, and be fully involved with all player personnel matters. 

“I’m excited to bring Gianluca Pascucci to the Timberwolves as our assistant general manager,” said Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas. “I’ve seen firsthand his drive, passion and knowledge of the game. Gianluca offers a diverse perspective from his time as an executive overseas and his experience on multiple professional platforms. He will bring a global perspective on how we will build our team and his experience with developmental programs will be a big asset as we look to fully maximize the Iowa Wolves as a natural extension of the Timberwolves. He will be a phenomenal asset to our franchise and another great partner as we build a world-class organization.”

Pascucci had been director of global scouting for the Brooklyn Nets since 2016. There he helped turn around a 21-win team in 2015-16 to a 42-40 regular season record and the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs this past season.  

“Thank you to Gersson and Glen Taylor for this opportunity to help them build a winning culture with the Timberwolves,” Pascucci said. “I’m looking forward to getting to work as we build the best roster and best basketball staff we possibly can.”

Before joining the Nets, Pascucci spent the previous four years as vice president of player personnel for the Houston Rockets. During his time in Houston, he also served as general manager of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the NBA G League affiliate of the Rockets. This marked Pascucci’s second stint in Houston, as he previously served as the team’s international scout for six seasons (2002-08). 

Prior to rejoining the Rockets, Pascucci spent four years in Italy with Olimpia Milano (2008-12), helping to lead the team to three appearances in the Lega Serie A finals. His most recent role with Olimpia Milano was as general manager and CEO. Pascucci also has more than 12 years of international coaching experience, including serving as an assistant coach with Scavolini Pesaro’s senior team in the Italian A-1 League and Euroleague. The Pesaro, Italy native also spent four years as the team’s scout.

Kyrie Irving has been linked with the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks throughout the season, but there has been more speculation of late that he will also consider the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.

Irving has reportedly been recruited by Kobe Bryant to the Lakers. Bryant's former agent, Rob Pelinka, currently runs the Lakers.

"It's between Brooklyn and the Lakers," said Ric Bucher. "I was told in the last 24 hours Kobe has been recruiting Kyrie in particular, to get him to the Lakers. Everything I've heard I would still expect Kyrie is going to go to Brooklyn... He just bought a place in South Orange."

"It's between Brooklyn and the Lakers... I was told in the last 24 hours Kobe has been recruiting Kyrie in particular, to get him to the Lakers. Everything I've heard I would still expect Kyrie is going to go to Brooklyn... He just bought a place in South Orange." — @RicBucher pic.twitter.com/HICrTPushl

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) May 28, 2019

The Brooklyn Nets have named Andy Birdsong as assistant general manager.

“Andy is an accomplished basketball executive who brings a wealth of experience in talent evaluation and roster construction to our front office team,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “The knowledge he has garnered from his time as a member of such exemplary organizations as the Spurs and the Hawks will greatly benefit our group. We are excited to welcome Andy, his wife, Megan, and his son, Ace, to Brooklyn.” 

Birdsong comes to Brooklyn from the San Antonio Spurs, where he served as director of pro player personnel, as well as general manager of the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs. After beginning his career in San Antonio in 2011 as a basketball operations intern, Birdsong joined the Atlanta Hawks in 2012 as manager of basketball operations.  Following three seasons in Atlanta, Birdsong returned to the Spurs in 2015 as director of basketball operations and was promoted to his most recent position in 2016. The Wayzata, Minn., native earned his bachelor’s degree from Bethel University and his master’s degree in sports administration and management from Florida State University, where he also served as a graduate assistant for the men’s basketball program.

Addressing rumors of the Brooklyn Nets potentially pairing D'Angelo Russell and Kyrie Irving in their backcourt next season, Kevin Boyle said that both players would thrive due to their versatility on and off the ball.

Boyle coached both Irving and Russell in high school.

“I 1,000 percent think that could work. D’Angelo knows Kyrie, likes him, respects him. That could work with both sides. Kyrie could help D’Angelo to that top-10, top-15 level. I could see that blending together nicely. Not everybody fits with everybody. I don’t know why in Boston the things didn’t fit [for Irving], but it could fit there. They could play together, because both are guys who can score, get their shot own shot, yet both are outstanding passers and spray the ball around," said Boyle.

Boyle added that Irving would be more apt to share the ball due to his respect for Russell.

“They’d be good together because they both don’t mind the other guy handling the ball. They don’t have to dominate the ball all the time. People accuse Kyrie of that, but when he has players with a similar skill-set, similar knowledge to make plays, he’s more apt to share. D’Angelo is one of those guys.”

There is "mutual interest" between the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving, according to Anthony Puccio of SNY.tv.

Irving has been monitoring the Nets' development this season and is considering signing with the team, according to sources.

The Nets are also said to be interested in signing Irving even if they re-sign D'Angelo Russell, who is a restricted free agent. The team would ideally like to pair two max free agents together, but are open to pairing Irving and Russell in their backcourt.

Irving and Russell reportedly have a good relationship, with both players having played for Kevin Boyle in high school.

The Philadelphia 76ers can offer Tobias Harris up to a five-year, $188 million contract in free agency.

Harris is also expected to receive interest from the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets. The most those teams can offer is a four-year, $141 million max contract.

The Sixers traded Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, and four draft picks — including a protected 2020 first-rounder and the unprotected 2021 Miami Heat first-rounder in a package for Harris.

Pascal Siakam, De'Aaron Fox and D'Angelo Russell have been named the three finalists for the 2018-19 Most Improved Player award.

Siakam is widely expected to win the award.

Fox had a breakout second season while Russell became an injury replacement All-Star.

Brian Windhorst and Jackie MacMullan separately suggested there is a possibility of Kyrie Irving signing with the Los Angeles Lakers to reunite with LeBron James.

Irving requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017 at least in part because he no longer wanted to play with James.

"As time passes here, I would have said this was impossible for many months," said Brian Windhorst. "But as time passes here and the possibility exists that Jason Kidd could be hired as the Lakers' coach, I think the possibility of Kyrie and LeBron reuniting is.. you know that door which was deadbolted has been un-deadbolted and is now cracked open.

"Definitely, no question. No question about that," replied Jackie MacMullan.

"Might even be opening more by the day. I just think it's on Kyrie's radar. It's on Kyrie's board. He has had discussions with people about playing for the Lakers. But as you said it's pretty difficult to read him.

"I asked him point-blank, Brian. I asked him this very question," said MacMullan.

"I said, 'you know what everybody's saying, Kyrie, they're saying now you're going to go back with LeBron'.

"And he looked at me and he laughed. I said 'Is that a yes or a no?'

"And he laughed again and he put his arm around me and then he left. So determine that what you may. That was three weeks ago. Three or four weeks ago. So everything is in play with him right now."

Irving has also been linked with the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, while re-signing with the Boston Celtics remains a distinct possibility as well.

The Chicago Bulls have agreed to hire Chris Fleming as the top assistant coach on the staff of Jim Boylen.

Fleming was assistant coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

The Bulls signed Boylen to a contract extension this offseason.

Kyrie Irving will strongly consider the Brooklyn Nets this offseason, according to "some plugged-in to the NBA."

One source says Irving actually prefers the Nets over the New York Knicks.

Irving was traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Boston Celtics during the 2017 offseason and he has had a sometimes tumultuous tenure with the team.