The emergence of Pascal Siakam this season as the probable Most Improved Player and his performance in Game 1 of The Finals triggered a discussion on whether the San Antonio Spurs could have acquired him from the Toronto Raptors for Kawhi Leonard.

The Spurs acquired DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a 2019 first round pick for Leonard and Danny Green.

The Raptors reportedly refused to include Siakam and OG Anunoby in trade talks for Leonard.

"My understanding is they would not trade him," said Tim Bontemps on The Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast.

"No, he was not (available). I don't think so either," said Jackie MacMullan. 

The agent for Mike D'Antoni contends that the offer his client received from the Houston Rockets was considerably smaller than the $5 million that was depicted by Tilman Fertitta.

The final season of his current contract pays $4.5 million.

Warren LeGarie said that the Rockets’ offer would not be worth $5 million in the 20-21 season if the Rockets failed to make the playoffs or D’Antoni was fired during the season.

“I’d like clear up some inaccuracies that were stated about the offer made to Mike,” LeGarie said. “The reported $5 million is really $2.5 million because it comes with contingencies. One, it’s only $5 million if he makes the playoffs and two, if he is coaching the team at the end of the year.

“If they decide to fire Mike in the proverbial change of direction he gets $2.5 million. If there is an injury or a change in the roster construction, of which Mike has no control, he nonetheless would become a victim of it.”

LeGarie also said the $1 million bonus for each round of the playoffs the Rockets reached in that season would begin with the second round.

“We’re not here to criticize the offer,” LeGarie said. “We’re here to choose whether or not to accept it. We chose based on the current market for coaches of his stature as well as what he has done for the Rockets, the offer did not make sense for him, though I’m sure it makes sense for the Rockets. We don’t consider the offer insulting. It’s still real money. But it is our right not to take it.”

Daryl Morey predicted the Houston Rockets' starting five will return next season despite reports that he has been aggressive on the trade market and has made everyone conceivably available. 

“My job is to make the best team possible, give us a chance to win a championship,” Morey said. “My job is to look at every aspect of the organization. How can we improve? Whether that be players, … yeah we’re going to look for better players."

The Rockets have also begun to overhaul their coaching staff.

“Whatever it takes to get over that final hump to get a championship, that’s what we’re going to do. On the coaching front, I … recommended we make some changes. If there’s a trade out there that helps us, great, we’ll do that as well.

“Our starting five this year I would put up there with anyone. If there's a trade out there that helps we'll do that. We're going to keep all of our key people."

The New York Knicks will host RJ Barrett for a workout on June 10th as he looks like the likely selection at No. 3.

Barrett would be excited about joining the Knicks, according to sources.

The Knicks, however, are doing due diligence on other prospects in the top 10 as they could move back. The Knicks view the concept of trading down as a way of acquiring pieces that would fit better around a star they might sign in free agency such as Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving.

The Knicks are considering trading the No. 3 pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Nos. 8 and 10. The Hawks would essentially be on the opposite side of a deal they did last year in which they traded down from No. 3 with the Dallas Mavericks to pick up an additional selection. A deal is unlikely to occur until the draft is underway to know which players are available.

The Knicks have been looking at Cam Reddish, Jarrett Culver, Coby White and Nassir Little.

Mike D'Antoni has ended contract talks with the Houston Rockets without an extension.

D'Antoni plans to complete the final season of his contract in 19-20.

The Rockets were seeking an incentive heavy deal with D'Antoni.

D'Antoni has been head coach of the Rockets since 2016 and won Coach of the Year in 2017.

Houston is currently in flux with Daryl Morey posturing aggressively on the trade market. This is also the second full offseason under relatively new owner Tilman Fertitta.

The Milwaukee Bucks hired Jon Horst in 2017 in a move considered a surprise around the NBA. Justin Zanik had been widely expected to run Milwaukee's front office but Wes Edens was "staunchly opposed" to Jamie Dinan and Marc Lasry wanting to hire Zanik.

The Bucks liked Horst and hiring him would also allow the franchise to save money.

“There wasn’t much of negotiation in hiring Horst,’’ a source familiar with the GM search said. “It was pretty much a ‘Take it or leave it’ offer.’’

Horst was elated at suddenly becoming general manager, but his low salary level upset many front office executives and their agents.

Horst agreed to an annual salary of $500,000.

“That was insulting to every GM in our league,’’ an NBA executive said earlier this week. “It was the lowest salary for a GM in our league – by far. The next lowest (GM) was paid $1 million.’’

According to multiple sources, the likes of R.C. Buford, Daryl Morey, Bob Myers, Sam Presti, Danny Ainge and Donnie Nelson are paid between $8 million and $10 million per season.

Horst is seeking a raise via a contract extension with just one season left on his original three-year deal. The owners of the Bucks are open to working out a new deal.

“If you asked me what would be a fair deal for him (Horst), I’d say around $3 million (a year),’’ an NBA executive said. “That’s about the average salary for a GM and I think he’s regarded as an average GM.

“But knowing those guys (the owners) I don’t think he’s going to get even that.’’

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.

The Houston Rockets and Mike D'Antoni have held discussions this offseason on a contract extensions, but those talks have stalled.

D'Antoni has one season remaining on his deal.

The Rockets have tried to make D'Antoni's next deal incentive heavy, which he has led him to respond that he would be fine with that type of deal if it is also applied retroactively. D'Antoni helped lead the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals in 17-18.

Anthony Davis is "highly unlikely" to stance his stance on requesting a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans.

Davis requested a trade from the Pelicans at the end of January.

Davis and his agent, Rich Paul, met with David Griffin on Wednesday in Los Angeles. The meeting was described as a "respectful, productive sit down."

Griffin has been seeking an opportunity to convince Davis to drop his trade request, particularly after the Pelicans won the lottery.

David Griffin met for breakfast with Anthony Davis on Wednesday to discuss the future of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Griffin laid out his vision for the franchise to Davis. Griffin and Davis will continue a dialogue in the near future.

Davis can become a free agent next offseason and has requested a trade from the Pelicans. Davis is eligible to sign a five-year, $239 million supermax contract extension.

Griffin has yet to engage any teams on trade talks. The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks are prepared to discuss a Davis trade with the Pelicans.