NEWSLETTER
Another head coach vacancy has been filled. The New Orleans Pelicans have decided to hire former-Heat, Magic, and Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy to take over their young team. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pelicans were drawn to his proven ability to coach a youthful team and establish a strong defensive identity.
Story with @wojespn: Stan Van Gundy agrees to multi-year deal to become head coach of New Orleans Pelicans, sources say.https://t.co/TGOpk4FLNG
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) October 21, 2020
My thoughts? Well, as I’ll write with basically every head coach hire that comes across my social media timeline this offseason, Billy Donovan >>>> This Guy. WE STAN BILLY … at least until the season starts.
Anyway, as offseason news like this continues to pile up, it’s time we do a little NBA rumor roundup. Chances are, we’ll have plenty of these over the next couple of months, so let’s get the first out of the way!
• The entire league might as well be on “Giannis Watch” this offseason. As we’ve discussed plenty of times, the Milwaukee Bucks can offer the 2x MVP a max-extension, but no one is sure if he’ll accept it. A disappointing exit in the second round of the playoffs made plenty speculate that Antetokounmpo could be on the ropes about whether or not Milwaukee is the place to be. Everything he has said publicly has made it sound as if he will commit long-term to the Bucks, but teams around the league will have to believe it when they see it. If one thing is for sure, it’s that Antetokounmpo holds all the power.
• ESPN asked their forecast panel what they thought about Antetokounmpo’s situation, and 76.9 percent of the responses said he will wait until next offseason to make an official decision. By doing this, Antetokounmpo can put pressure on the Bucks to fix things immediately. Some have speculated the team could try and trade him, but ESPN reports that the goal would be to reconstruct a championship-caliber roster that convinces him to say. For what it’s worth, I do believe it’s more likely than not that Antetokounmpo resigns with Milwaukee regardless of his extension decision this offseason. Numerous NBA agents around the league also told The Athletic they believe that will be the outcome. With that said, it clearly becomes far more realistic that he jumps ship if he plays out the last season of his current contract, especially if the Bucks fail to make it past the second round yet again.
• Speaking of possible players on the move, Victor Oladipo’s name is all over the internet. We’ve learned rather recently that Oladipo may want a change of scenery as soon as this summer, and if there is any reason for the Pacers organization to believe Oladipo will walk in 2021 free agency, this would be the right time to trade the 2x All-Star. Indiana’s president of basketball operation Kevin Pritchard isn’t giving us a clear idea of what the team will do, though, stating recently that the two sides have a “great relationship.”
Pritchard on Oladipo: "We have a great relationship. He feels good about the team. … We hear a lot of things. Until it comes to me, I don't really worry about that….That's a ways down the line." #Pacers
— J. Michael (@ThisIsJMichael) October 21, 2020
• The more conversations about the Warriors No. 2 pick heat up, the more likely it is we’ll see a big draft-night trade. With a win-now roster already intact, Golden State isn’t necessarily in a position where investing in a 19-year-old potential star is worth it. A trade for a more proven player could be the better option in an increasingly-competitive Western Conference. ESPN had 57.1 percent of their panelists say the Warriors should and will move the No. 2 pick before their forced to select a player on November 18th. The other day we talked more about if the Bulls should be possible suitors. The answer (spoiler alert): No.
• Who’s to say the Bulls can’t make some kind of other fun trade this offseason, though? Plenty of teams around the league might look to move pieces around, and one organization everyone has their eye on is the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite having several high-profile players, the 76ers have failed to look like a legitimate Finals threat for the last couple of seasons. The franchise is hoping new head coach Doc Rivers can change that, but there is also reason to believe they may shake-up certain areas of their roster that haven’t panned out. For some fake trade ideas that could give us an idea of where Philly’s heads at, make sure to check out the latest over at The Athletic.
• Is it false hope? Absolutely. Do I care? Not at all. Anthony Davis hasn’t yet resigned with the Los Angeles Lakers, which means there is still technically a chance he could be elsewhere next season. Unfortunately, though, I shouldn’t hang my hat on technicalities, as all signs point to Davis signing a hefty contract with the Lakers after he turns down his player option in the coming months. While it seems set in stone that Davis will be in LA for at least a couple more seasons, that doesn’t mean his pending contract negotiations aren’t worth watching. As ESPN outlines, there is a world where Davis takes a short-term deal, which means he’ll be back on the market in the midst of his prime. Will the Bulls be an attractive destination by then?
• Arturas Karnisovas’ former team isn’t about to part ways with one of its young stars. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (h/t Hoops Rumors), Michael Porter Jr. will not be on the trade block this offseason. After a successful bubble and impressive run to the Western Conference Finals, it’s more than fair to believe the Nuggets could be on the hunt for a third star to pair with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. In reality, it’s hard to imagine the team is capable of doing that without including Porter Jr. in a package. The Nuggets have been no stranger to the trade market, though, so perhaps that’s also a team to watch as possible Bulls suitors down the road. After all, I’m sure their front office wouldn’t mind working with Karnisovas.
• The Rockets are in the midst of an organizational shuffle. General Manager Daryl Morey and head coach Mike D’Antoni are both now out of the picture, and it’s easy to assume big changes may trickle down into the roster. However (again h/t to Hoops Rumors), team owner Tilman Fertitta reportedly has no plan to blow things up. I’ll believe it when I see guys like Westbrook, Harden, and Gordon all on the court to start next season.
