Hoops Rumors

After being limited to 19 games in 2021/22 — his rookie season — due to a right foot stress fracture he sustained in college, Pistons forward Isaiah Livers now realizes he may have done more harm than good with his strenuous workout regimen last offseason. He appeared in just 52 games during his sophomore campaign in ’22/23, having dealt with multiple injuries. As Omari Sankofa … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Livers, Bridges, C. Johnson, Brunson, Celtics

Wizards forward Danilo Gallinari, who was acquired from Boston as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade, says he’s looking forward to competing against the Celtics next season, according to Daniel Donabedian of Clutch Points. “I can’t wait to play against Boston,” Gallinari said on the Italian A Cresta Alta podcast. “When the schedule will be unveiled, I’ll put an X on the games … [Read more...] about Gallinari Looking For Revenge After Trade

Speaking to Malika Andrews of ESPN on NBA Today (YouTube link), Celtics guard Derrick White discussed his changing role, the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, and being open to a contract extension, among other topics. “You’re eligible for an extension at the end of September,” Andrews said. “You’re gonna have a what, three week window to negotiate that. Do you want to get a deal … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: White, Watford, Giles, Nets, Sixers

Despite Sixers reserve big man Montrezl Harrell tearing the ACL and medial meniscus in his right knee this summer, Philadelphia reportedly intends to keep him rostered, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Though Pompey notes that Harrell, who inked a one-year, $2.9MM minimum contract to return to the Sixers, most likely will not recuperate in time to play for the … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: Harrell, Nets, Hart, Brown

In a fascinating profile, Eric Koreen of The Athletic details Darko Rajakovic‘s journey to becoming the Raptors‘ new head coach. Rajakovic got his NBA start thanks to his relationship with Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti, first in the then-D-League and later with Oklahoma City. Presti met Rajakovic in Europe as a young executive with the Spurs, … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: Rajakovic, Randle, R. Williams

With Derrick White the undisputed starting point man with the Celtics, The Athletic’s Jared Weiss breaks down how a pick-and-roll partnership between White and Kristaps Porzingis can unlock the team’s full offensive potential. … [Read more...] about White-Porzingis Combo Could Lift Offensive Potential

After letting go of Jeff Van Gundy last month, fellow analyst Mark Jackson has also been removed from ESPN/ABC, sources tell Andrew Marchand of The New York Post (Twitter link). Jackson confirmed the news in an interview with Peter Vecsey, Marchand adds (via Twitter). As Marchand writes in a full story, the new top NBA broadcast team at ESPN/ABC will be comprised of longtime … [Read more...] about And-Ones: D. Rivers, M. Jackson, Bahamas, Shooting Tech, Contracts

Despite offloading 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and key reserve forward Grant Williams in separate summer trades, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla intends to employ similar defensive principles in 2023/24, writes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Himmelsbach adds that newly-acquired big man Kristaps Porzingis has always been a solid defender around the rim, … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: Mazzulla, Bridges, Thibodeau, Rajaković