NBA rumors: Michael Malone on Anthony Edwards: He's proven to be unguardable
June 8, 2024 | 10:29 am EDT Update
Sasha Vezenkov wants out of Sacramento?
After an up-and-down first season in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings, Sasha Vezenkov may not come back to the franchise for his second contract year. According to Eurohoops sources, the 28-year-old forward has informed the team about his intention to leave. It is yet to be decided if he will seek another opportunity somewhere else in the NBA or if he will return to Europe. Last year, he signed a three-year 20-million contract, which is guaranteed for the first two seasons.
Evan Sidery: The Suns have three roster needs they are prioritizing this offseason, per @Gambo987 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-burns-gambo-show/id730683847?i=1000658220474…): – Point guard who can play 20+ MPG – Backup big upgrade over Drew Eubanks – Young, athletic wing
Sirius XM NBA: “You see [Jaylen Brown] don’t take no junk” @JumpShot8 tells @TermineRadio one of the things that stands out with Boston’s star forward #DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/GwsN23IX4l
Shams Charania: Sources: Team USA women’s basketball roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics – no Caitlin Clark: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper.
Hurley reportedly met with the Lakers about the head coaching job on Friday and John Fanta of Fox Sports said the team is offered him a hefty deal, via The Zach Gelb Show: “Can you say no and stomach saying no to nine figures? I have it on good authority the Lakers are offering him at least $100 million guaranteed.”
A $100 million offer for Hurley seems like an astronomical number on paper, but that’s the sort of money Los Angeles would need to shell out if they want to lure the UConn’s coach away from a program he turned into a juggernaut. This lines up with a previous report about the two sides discussing the parameters on a potential deal that seems to have legs at this point of the process. If Hurley accepts the proposed deal, he would instantly become one of the highest-paid coaches in the league despite not having coached at the professional level before. However, he seems to be the type of person who thrives on doubt and would surely relish the opportunity to prove himself in the NBA.
June 8, 2024 | 6:31 am EDT Update
Markieff Morris on Kyrie Irving leaving Brooklyn: 'The Nets didn't want to pay him'
“[The Nets] didn’t want to pay him. So what is he playing for? If you’re not trying to pay him in a contract year with this good team, and everybody else is paid, [Kevin Durant] is paid [with a max extension],” Morris said. “Kyrie did everything that you needed to do. … So just go to another team. And now we’re in the finals.” In retrospect, the trade was terrible for the Nets, who fell to 11th in the East last season and just hired their fourth coach in about four years.
Though Irving has only alluded to feeling “disrespected” by the Nets, his teammate explained it further in an interview with The Post. “It was time for his contract extension, the two sides didn’t meet up, business got involved, and that’s what happened. That’s how it goes,” Markieff Morris, who was traded with Irving from Brooklyn to Dallas last year, said. “I think Kyrie was averaging about 27 [points] at the time. I think we won 18 out of 20 and all of a sudden the business got involved. That’s how it goes sometimes. A guy of Kyrie’s stature, I wouldn’t be standing for that either. Get me up out of there.”
The highlight of Irving’s tenure was the 2021 run to the conference semifinals, where the Nets had homecourt advantage and a 2-0 lead against the Bucks. Then Irving sprained his ankle on Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 3, and the Nets dropped a heartbreaking series. The Bucks won the title. “If Giannis ain’t put his foot under [Irving], they would’ve had a championship,” said Morris, who was playing for the Lakers at the time. “Milwaukee would still be without a championship. “I know so. They were going to get swept. They know that. You can ask anybody on their team,” added Morris, pointing out that former Bucks point guard Jeff Teague said the same on his podcast.
Cuban was asked which qualities about this year’s team stir his enthusiasm. “The nonstop brilliance of Luka,” said Cuban. “I don’t think I fully appreciated watching Dirk. I’m not going to make that mistake again. “And, of course, the Mavs as a team, I love our heart. Our determination. Our character.”
Matas Buzelis is projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2024 NBA draft and is reportedly drawing interest from several teams positioned at the top of the board. One of those teams is the Chicago Bulls. They have reportedly shown an interest in potentially moving up from No. 11 to have the opportunity to take Buzelis, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. They have kept up with him throughout the predraft process and could target him. Sources say Buzelis’ hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, watched him work out privately in Los Angeles early in the pre-draft process. Chicago has shown a willingness to explore moving up in the draft for the right price. The Bulls’ Lithuanian president, Arturas Karnisovas, has extensive knowledge of Buzelis, who is also Lithuanian.
