May 2023 Basketball Wiretap

Connor McCaffery Joins Pacers Staff

May 30, 2023 12:59 AM

Connor McCaffrey, the son of Iowa head coach Fran McCaffrey, is joining the Indiana Pacers staff.

"I've always been under my dad's shadow and tutelage. Now, learning from someone like coach [Rick] Carlisle ... and the assistants they have there, they're all good basketball minds ... I'm just going to try to take everything in," said McCaffrey.

McCaffrey's responsibilities will include running the scout team and help with film study.

McCaffrey played 166 games at Iowa. 

ESPN

Tags: Indiana Pacers, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Hawks Hire Igor Kokoskov As Lead Assistant

May 27, 2023 2:49 AM

The Atlanta Hawks hired Igor Kokoskov to be Quin Snyder's top assistant, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Kokoskov previously worked with Snyder at Missouri and with the Jazz. 

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Jalen Green: Playing With James Harden Could 'Help And Hurt At The Same Time'

May 24, 2023 3:14 PM

The Houston Rockets have been linked with a pursuit of James Harden, which could have an impact on the development of some of their young players such as Jalen Green.

Green recently appeared on Paul George's podcast and the two discussed the possibility of Houston signing Harden. George expressed the opinion that Harden could help him out while also hindering his growth.

“I agree,” Green said. “I think I could play both ways like you said. It could help and hurt at the same time.”

Green averaged 22.1 points in his second season.

“I haven’t really talked to him too much about the rumors and stuff like that,” Green said. “I’m with you on that. That’s all I’m gone say.”

George also weighed in with his opinion.
“Personally, I wouldn’t [add Harden],” George said. “I feel like at this point you’re the king of Houston. They made their decision on who the future is. When you pick a guy with the fourth pick, he’s our guy. So they full-on committed to who the future is.”

DeAntae Prince/Philadelphia Inquirer

Tags: Jalen Green, James Harden, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Clippers GM Michael Winger Interviews For Wizards' President Of Basketball Operations Role

May 18, 2023 1:34 AM

Clippers general manager Michael Winger interviewed for the Washington Wizards' president of basketball operations position, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Winger and Trajan Langdon have interviewed with Wizards owner Ted Leonsis thus far.

The Wizards parted ways with Tommy Sheppard in April. 

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Bob Myers, Warriors Have Had No Substantial Contract Extension Discussions In Months

May 18, 2023 1:28 AM

The Golden State Warriors and Bob Myers have not had any substantial discussions over a contract extension in months, sources told Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

Both sides have exchanged offers and counter offers, though nothing has gained any traction. 

The Athletic adds that the Warriors are reportedly "bracing" for the likelihood that Myers walks away from the team this offseason.

Myers is receiving interest from the private equity sector, as well as from other sports leagues.

Myers is expected to announce his decision within the coming weeks. 

Shams Charania, Anthony Slater/The Athletic

Tags: Golden State Warriors, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Kevin Durant: Nikola Jokic Will Go Down As One Of The All-Time Great Centers Ever

May 12, 2023 11:53 AM

Nikola Jokic became only the third player ever to average a 30-point triple double in a playoff series as the Denver Nuggets closed out the Phoenix Suns in six games. 

Kevin Durant had high praise for Jokic after the game.

“Jokic is an all-time great,” Durant said. “He’s going to go down as one of the all-time great centers to ever touch a basketball.”

Durant, asked if he was surprised by Jokic’s dominance over the course of a best-of-seven series, said he “wasn’t surprised at all” and that “I always knew how great he was.”

“It just means a lot from someone who — the guy is amazing,” Jokic said. “He’s bringing so much attention (from our defense). Just a regular post-up or regular dribble, we were all looking at him. So when someone like that and someone who won it, who was an MVP and scoring champion, best scorer in the NBA says something like that, it means a lot.”

Bennett Durando/Denver Post

Tags: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Judge Blocks New TV, Streaming Deal For Suns And Mercury

May 11, 2023 12:54 AM

A U.S. bankruptcy judge blocked the Phoenix Suns and Mercury's proposed new television and streaming deal on Wednesday, deeming that the team violated the rights of its current partner Diamond Sports Group.

The Suns announced in April that they would move their games off cable and broadcast their games on free over-the-air TV. 

The judge ruled that the team could not move on from its existing contract with the currently bankrupt Diamond Sports Group. U.S. bankruptcy laws protect debtors from having their contracts modified or terminated without consent.

The judge did not award Diamond Sports Group monetary penalties, though he did not rule it out at future hearings. 

ESPN

Tags: Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Raptors To Interview David Adelman This Week

May 7, 2023 5:47 PM

The Toronto Raptors are set to interview Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman this week for their vacant head coach position, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Adelman has been with the Nuggets for the past six seasons.

The Raptors recently interviewed Charles Lee this past week. 

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Toronto Raptors, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Charles Oakley Lawsuit Against MSG Reinstated

May 6, 2023 3:24 PM

A federal appeals court panel reinstated Charles Oakley's lawsuit against MSG that was dismissed by a district judge in 2021.

The lawsuit alleges that MSG security used unnecessary force to eject Oakley from the arena back in 2017.

Oakley will also be able to amend his complaint and add James Dolan as an defendant. Dolan allegedly ordered Oakley be removed from the arena. 

This is the second time that an appeals court reinstated the lawsuit.

Daniel Kaplan/The Athletic

Tags: New York Knicks, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Former Suns GM Lance Blanks Passes Away

May 4, 2023 10:49 PM

Former NBA player and front office executive Lance Blanks passed away on Thursday.

Blanks, who was the former general manager of the Suns, also worked for several other teams including the Clippers, Cavs, and Spurs.

Blanks also played for the Pistons and Timberwolves.

"Lance was a light for all those who knew him. It's been a privilege to have called him one of my closest friends. I'm eternally grateful for all the support he has shown me throughout the years. His legacy will be carried on, not only by his family, but by all those whose lives he touched for the better," said NBA executive Joe Dumars.

ESPN

Tags: NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Diamond Sports Sues Suns, Mercury In Attempt To Block Formation Of New Media Outlet

Daniel Kaplan/The Athletic