The Brooklyn Nets have agreed to hire Juwan Howard as an assistant coach under Jordi Fernandez.
Howard spent five seasons as head coach of Michigan.
Howard was previously an assistant coach with the Miami Heat for five seasons.
The Brooklyn Nets have agreed to hire Juwan Howard as an assistant coach under Jordi Fernandez.
Howard spent five seasons as head coach of Michigan.
Howard was previously an assistant coach with the Miami Heat for five seasons.
When Kevin Durant was diagnosed with a torn Achilles tendon during Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals, he feared he would never return to his superstar form.
"This is career-ending, I'm done," Durant recalled thinking.
"That's what I was thinking," he told ESPN, "because that's all I was hearing, that this s--- is over."
Durant signed with the Brooklyn Nets that offseason, sat out the entire 19-20 season and then reestablished himself as one of the world's best players during the 2021 playoffs.
Durant played 75 games in the regular season this past season and was generally more reliable than his younger co-stars in Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
"My whole being has been committed to playing basketball. I didn't think it was time yet. It's that simple," Durant said. "And when I'm that committed to something, I didn't even think about anything else but, like, when are we starting recovery? As soon as it happened, everybody wanted to cry with me. I did that for a second, crying, because everybody else was crying, and then I'm like, 'When are we doing surgery? When can I start my recovery process?' And that's how it was, man. I'm ready to get back, quick."
Durant's return was not just fueled by his love for the game, but something existential.
"I think all these guys love it," he said. "It just feels like life or death for me since day one growing up. If I wasn't doing this, what the f--- else am I doing? Until the wheels fall off. I can't just not be the best basketball player that I can be every day. That's been the mentality in my head since I was 8 years old.
"I had no other choice but to go back to work. I wasn't going to go back and be like, 'Mom, Dad, Bro, Sis, Godfather -- all my whole family that has been trusting in me and believing in me that I'm living for and I'm pushing this family name for every day -- [and say] 'I'm done, I tore my Achilles.' Like, what the f--- you mean? You're done? You can't be done."
Ja Morant has hired Mike Miller of Lift Sports Management as his new representation. Miller also represents Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr.
Morant was previously represented by Jim Tanner.
Morant signed a five-year, $193 million extension with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2022 offseason and cannot become a free agent until 2028.
Malik Monk would like to stay with the Sacramento Kings. The Sacramento Kings would like to retain Malik Monk. Unfortunately, the Kings may have to fend off some suitors who can make Monk larger offers in free agency.
Sacramento is limited to re-signing Monk using his Early Bird rights, as they are expected to be an over-the-cap team this summer. That means the Kings can offer Monk a contract that caps out at nearly $78 million over four seasons.
Given his skills as a shooter, scorer and playmaker, and Monk's ability to perform at a high level off the bench, the veteran guard is one of the better free agents this summer. Teams that project to have cap space could give Monk an offer that beats what Sacramento can offer.
But Monk said in a perfect world that he'd "definitely" return to the Kings. Monk emphasized that he knows he can always make more money, but he'll be prioritizing fit this summer. Monk added, "I think it's going to play out the right way."
J.J. Redick will interview with the Charlotte Hornets for their head coaching vacancy.
Redick previously interviewed with the Toronto Raptors last offseason for their head coach position.
Redick is currently one of ESPN's lead color analysts along with Doris Burke. Redick also has multiple podcasts.
Cody Williams has declared for the 2024 NBA draft, leaving Colorado after his freshman season.
Williams is a projected lottery pick as one of college basketball's best defenders. Williams is the younger brother of Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Williams averaged 11.9 points, three rebounds and 1.9 assists on 55.2 percent shooting in 24 game for the Buffaloes.
Williams ranks No. 19 on ESPN's list of Top 100 prospects.
The Miami Heat are believed to be in a position to use their asset pool and how appealing they are to All-Stars across the league to acquire one in the near future.
"Miami is always in great position because, especially if it's players with not a lot left on their contract," said Adrian Wojnarowski before Miami's loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 1. "One year or two years. And they tell their team, 'I want a trade to the Heat, and if you don't send me to the Heat, I'm going to become a free agent and go somewhere else. Don't trade me to that team or that team.'
"Teams can still decide to send you where they want to send you, but it's always an advantage for Miami. Players want to be part of that organization. So I think Miami will be in a position again to use the assets they have to get another All-Star level player that maybe connects more on the timeline of Bam Adebayo and his age."
While Wojnarowski didn't specifically mention any names, one player who appears to fit the description is Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell can become a free agent in 2025 and there has been speculation he could seek a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason given his potential reluctance to sign long-term. Mitchell has also been linked with the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.
Last offseason, the Heat had interest in acquiring Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers, but no deal ever materialized before he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Mike Brown would like a long-term contract extension at his market rate with the Sacramento Kings this offseason, sources tell The Athletic.
Brown signed a four-year contract with the Kings in 2022, but Year 4 is a mutual option, which makes the 24-25 season his last guaranteed season.
In the time since Brown signed his contract, the coaching market has been reset by deals signed by Steve Kerr ($17.5 million annually), Gregg Popovich ($16 million), Erik Spoeltra ($15 million) and Monty Williams ($13 million). Brown won't command a salary in that range, but it could approach $10 million per season.
Sources tell The Athletic there's been a wait-and-see approach from ownership on Brown. Vivek Ranadive has not yet approached Brown with an extension offer.
Brown will definitely return for next season, sources add, but the extension conversation could complicate the partnership.
As part of their new media rights negotiations, the NBA is considering a different way of handling games on a local level. Today, consumers must have a cable or streaming package that includes the channel their local team plays on. The NBA is considering a model where individual games, or season-long packages, can be purchased by fans. This would allow fans to avoid paying for content they don't want.
The league is also going to consider ways to redirect fans from social media highlights to streaming full games. There could be direct-purchase links for a game that are made available to fans who click on a highlight from a game in progress.
The WNBA is also a factor in the new media rights deals the NBA is negotiating. Interest in women's basketball is at an all-time high. The league is seeking to capitalize by upgrading the return for the WNBA portion of their television rights. The NBA sees the WNBA as part of their year-long basketball product that is made available to viewers.
The NBA is reportedly seeking contracts as long as 10 years as they negotiate new media rights deals. The league's exclusive negotiating window with Disney/ESPN and Turner/TNT expires on Monday night. That will allow the NBA to begin conversations with streaming services such as Amazon, Apple, YouTube or a potential network partner like NBC.
The NBA will have at least three separate packages of games available, but could create a fourth package. There is also a chance that a streaming service could host playoff games, including conference finals, and potentially even NBA Finals games.