Morning Shootaround

Shootaround (June 30) -- Indiana Pacers set to reportedly hire Chad Buchanan as new GM

Plus, a look at all the latest free agency buzz from last night and more from around the NBA

NBA.com Staff

This morning’s headlines:

* * *

Report: Pacers set to hire Buchanan as new GM — The Indiana Pacers have a potentially busy offseason ahead of themselves as they look to figure out the course of their franchise. After Larry Bird stepped down as team president in late April, then-GM Kevin Pritchard was promoted into Bird’s role. That left a void in the Pacers’ leadership and it seems they have found their new GM to direct them into this offseason and beyond. Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star has more:

Kevin Pritchard has found his replacement for the Indiana Pacers’ open general manager position. Pritchard, recently promoted from the position to team president, will hire longtime executive Chad Buchanan, a league source told IndyStar on Thursday.

When Buchanan is expected to join the Pacers is still unclear. He could be with the Pacers in time for the start of the NBA’s free agency period this weekend, according to a source. Buchanan has spent the past two seasons with the Charlotte Hornets as their assistant general manager under Rich Cho.

By hiring Buchanan, Pritchard will be reunited with an executive he worked with closely during his time in Portland.

…

The Pacers received permission from the Hornets to interview Buchanan in late May after the NBA Draft Combine. Since then, Buchanan, 44, was considered to be Pritchard’s choice as his top deputy in the front office. Buchanan fulfilled his role with Charlotte in terms of collegiate scouting and preparations for the draft through this past week’s annual event.

Pritchard, 49, will continue to make the final decisions in terms of the Pacers’ basketball operations.

…

Buchanan served as the Trail Blazers’ interim general manager during the 2011-12 season. During that time, he oversaw the team’s draft preparations in 2011 as well as the roster and free agent signings. Buchanan completed the 2012 trade that sent Gerald Wallace to the New Jersey Nets for a first-round pick. He also signed Wesley Matthews in free agency, a move that helped the Trail Blazers return to the playoffs in 2014.

Portland eventually choose to hire Neil Olshey as their general manager in 2012. Olshey used the draft pick that Buchanan acquired from New Jersey to draft star guard Damian Lillard.

Buchanan’s tenure in Portland also overlapped with Nate McMillan’s time as the Trail Blazers’ coach. McMillan coached the team from 2005-12, Buchanan was in the front office, first beginning as a scout in 2007.

…

Buchanan’s arrival appears to fit within Pritchard’s desire for continuity.

Buchanan’s first job in professional basketball was working for Pritchard in the newer iteration of the American Basketball Association. In 2002, Buchanan was the assistant coach and assistant director of player personnel for the Kansas City Knights. The team’s general manager and coach was Pritchard. Together, Pritchard and Buchanan helped the Knights win an ABA championship.

* * *

Report: Cavs expected to make offer to Korver; Anthony may be on radar, too — The Cleveland Cavaliers reached The NBA Finals for the third straight season and did so thanks to some timely contributions from Kyle Korver. The guard was acquired via an in-season trade with the Atlanta Hawks and had his moments — but also struggled mightily during The Finals. According to of Cleveland.com, the Cavs will look to bring Korver back next season. And, if Carmelo Anthony is bought out by the New York Knicks, may be interested in Cleveland as well:

The Cavaliers are expected to make Kyle Korver an offer to return to the team when NBA free agency begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, sources told cleveland.com.

The Cavs are entering free agency with Korver and the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony as perhaps their biggest targets, though the salary cap and New York’s reported refusal to buy Anthony out of the two years and $54 million he has remaining on his contract could complicate their hunt.

Free agents can sign new contracts July 6.

Korver, 36, led the NBA in 3-point field-goal percentage last season (45.1 percent) and in 35 games with the Cavs averaged 10.8 points and shot .485 from long range off the bench. He was less productive in the playoffs, shooting 39.1 percent from 3-point range and averaging 5.8 points.

Because Cleveland traded for Korver last season, it can go above the salary cap to re-sign him. The Cavs’ payroll for next season is already $128 million — well above the $99 million salary cap and $119 million luxury-tax threshold — and they may hesitate if a team with cap space offers Korver a big contract. If the Cavs left the five open roster spots they currently have vacant, they would still pay about $30 million in taxes next July.

There are several teams said to be interested in Korver, including the Pelicans and Bucks, but the kind of contract he could land outside of Cleveland remains to be seen. Korver also has expressed a desire to return to the Cavs, who got Korver to the Finals for the first time in his 14-year career.

…

The Knicks parted ways this week with team president Phil Jackson, who had all but driven Anthony from New York. The Knicks are reportedly still interested in ridding themselves of Anthony, but through a trade instead of a buyout. They’ve tried to trade Anthony off and on for two seasons, but can’t find a partner with the $26 million in assets it would take to make such a trade.

Anthony, 33, a 12-time All-Star, “wants to win” and would consider the Cavs or Houston Rockets if he becomes a free agent, a source close to him told cleveland.com.

The most Cleveland could pay Anthony would be the mid-level exception, though he’d be walking away in this hypothetical with a lucrative payout from the Knicks.

The Cavs have also been in discussions with Turkish forward Cedi Osman. The Cavs own his NBA rights and are interested in bringing him to the U.S., but, again, their cap situation is limiting what they could pay him.

***

Report: Spurs, Kings to meet with Iguodala tonight — It appears that 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala is checking out his value in the market as the free agent is expecting to not only speak to the San Antonio Spurs when the free agency period begins, but the Warriors sixth man is reportedly scheduled to chat with the Sacramento Kings.

* * *

Reports: Griffin, Millsap to meet with Suns — From Connie Hawkins and Tom Chambers to Charles Barkley and Amar’e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, the Phoenix Suns have a legacy of some great forwards suiting up for them. Could LA Clippers star Blake Griffin or Atlanta Hawks standout Paul Millsap be the next in that lineage? According to Doug Haller of AZCentral.com, the Suns are planning weekend meetings with both players:

While teams can’t officially set up meetings until Friday, the Suns are expected to visit Clippers star Blake Griffin on Saturday in Los Angeles. In addition, they are expected to meet with Atlanta forward Paul Millsap, a four-time All-Star, on Sunday.

Griffin, 28, recently opted out of his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent, one of the more attractive names on the market.

Free agency starts at 9:01 p.m. Friday. At that time, teams are free to start recruiting and negotiating with free agents. Although both sides can agree to terms, nothing can be finalized until July 7.

…

According to reports, the Clippers plan to make signing Griffin a priority, but the recent trade of All-Star point guard Chris Paul to Houston might make that difficult. The Clippers could offer a maximum contract of five years for $175 million. The Suns could offer a max deal of four years for $130 million.

…

Entering his 12th season, Millsap ranks among the Eastern Conference’s top frontcourt players. Last season, the 6-8 big man averaged 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Hawks would like to re-sign Millsap but perhaps not to a maximum deal. With the salary cap projected at $99 million, the 32-year-old forward is eligible for a max contract of five years for $201 million with the Hawks and four years, $149 million with another team.

Suns coach Earl Watson knows Millsap well. He played with him for three seasons in Utah near the end of his career. Phoenix assistant Tyrone Corbin served as head coach for one of those teams. The Suns also signed Millsap’s younger brother, Elijah, near the end of last season.

ESPN.com’s Ramona Shelburne is also reporting the Suns and Griffin will meet and that he has interest in the team:

Sources told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that Griffin has strong interest in the Suns.

Multiple sources told Shelburne that while the Clippers are focused on retaining him in the wake of the trade of Chris Paul, there’s some question as to whether they would offer the full max of $175 million.

…

Sources told ESPN’s Michael Eaves earlier this week that Griffin may not be ready for the start of the 2017-18 season and could possibly be out until December due to a toe injury that cut short his postseason this year.

A separate source told Shelburne that the Clippers believes Griffin’s toe will be healed and he’ll likely be ready for the start of the season.

Millsap, a four-time All-Star, had a $21.4 million option for next season that he said he planned to opt out of following the Hawks’ first-round exit from the playoffs. Atlanta could offer to re-sign him for a projected five-year deal worth up to $205 million. If another team was interested, it could offer him a four-year contract worth $158.4 million.

* * *

UPDATE, 11:32 a.m. — According to Jody Genessy of The Deseret News and Sam Amick of USA Today, whether or not Gordon Hayward stays with the Jazz may hinge on whether or not the Jazz bring back fellow free-agent and starting point guard George Hill …

Reports: Hayward opts out of deal — In order for the wooing of Utah Jazz star Gordon Hayward to take place, he had to first pass on opting in with the team for 2017-18. That’s precisely what happened yesterday afternoon as Hawyard opted out to become a free agent, setting up a run of free-agent meetings this weekend with the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Jazz.

ESPN.com’s Marc Stein was the first to report the move, and provides additional details on Hayward’s timeline:

All-Star swingman Gordon Hayward formally notified the Utah Jazz on Thursday that he is declining his $16.7 million player option for next season and will become an unrestricted free agent, according to league sources.

Hayward had a Thursday deadline to make the decision. According to league sources, he will visit the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat once free agency starts Saturday at 12:01 a.m. ET before granting a face-to-face recruiting meeting with the Jazz.

ESPN reported earlier this month that the Heat concerned the Jazz as much as Boston in free agency, but the Celtics have since amped up their interest in Hayward, who played for Boston coach Brad Stevens at Butler University.

The Celtics, sources say, have been focused in recent days on trying to secure a free-agent commitment from Hayward and then trying to complete a trade for Indiana’s Paul George, in hopes of potentially assembling another superteam in the Golden State mode by adding those two alongside All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas and former All-Star Al Horford.

But league sources say the Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers all remain in trade pursuit of George, which could enhance Utah’s odds of keeping Hayward.

The Salt Lake Tribune‘s Tony Jones also reports on the opt out here:

Gordon Hayward has done the inevitable.

The Utah Jazz small forward has informed the front office of his intent to opt out of the final year of his contract. As The Tribune first reported, Hayward’s intent all along was to opt out on June 30, the final day to do so.

It’s a completely expected move that clears the way for Hayward to become a free agent. He and his camp have already set up meetings this weekend, as has been previously reported by The Tribune. Hayward will meet with the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, before meeting with the Jazz on Monday.

Sources say Hayward hopes to make his final decision on Tuesday, or Wednesday at the latest.

* * *

UPDATE, 12:08 p.m. — There may not be much of a chance for suitors to land Jrue Holiday as he is reportedly likely to re-sign with the Pelicans quickly, via Marc Stein of ESPN.com …

Reports: Holiday plans to meet with Pelicans first — All-Star big men DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis are two of the most skilled in the NBA at their position. But the New Orleans Pelicans’ duo needs a capable point guard in the years to come. Incumbent (and free-agent) point guard Jrue Holiday would seem to be a good fit for the job and, according to both the Associated Press and Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Holiday will meet with New Orleans before he does so with any other team.

First, here’s the AP’s report on Holiday and the Pelicans:

Guard Jrue Holiday and the New Orleans Pelicans have scheduled a meeting for midnight Friday when NBA free-agency begins, a person familiar with the situation said.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the Pelicans and Holiday, who is an unrestricted free agent, have not publicly disclosed their plans.

The meeting was first reported by Yahoo Sports.

The 27-year-old Holiday has spent the past four seasons with New Orleans since being acquired in a trade with Philadelphia, where he spent his first four seasons. Because Holiday last played for New Orleans, NBA rules allow the Pelicans to offer him a five-year contract, one year more than other teams.

Holiday averaged 15.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 67 games last season.

Re-signing Holiday “is our priority. Make no mistake about it,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said after last season ended.

Holiday is coming off just his first healthy season with the club after missing most of his first two and parts of his third. However, he took leave last fall when his wife, former U.S. Soccer star Lauren Holiday, was diagnosed with a brain tumor while pregnant.

Holiday has avoided questions about his plans for free agency, but the Pelicans made it clear they want him back and hope the support they provided while he was on leave.

And here’s what Wojnarowski had to write about Holiday and the Pelicans, too:

New Orleans guard Jrue Holiday will meet with Pelicans officials at the 12:01 a.m. ET start of free agency on Saturday, league sources told The Vertical.

If Holiday, one of the market’s top unrestricted guards and the Pelicans’ primary summer priority, is unable to reach an agreement on a deal to remain with New Orleans, he intends to take meetings elsewhere in the first 48 hours of free agency, league sources said.

Holiday is a part of a free-agent point guard market that includes New York’s Derrick Rose, Indiana’s Jeff Teague and Utah’s George Hill. Golden State’s Stephen Curry is a free agent, but he’s planning to return to the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

* * *

UPDATE, 2:40 p.m. — Here’s more from ESPN.com’s Chris Haynes on why Andre Iguodala and the Golden State Warriors won’t be meeting to talk contract just yet …

Andre Iguodala doesn’t have plans to meet with the Golden State Warriors during the initial free-agency period, league sources told ESPN’s Chris Haynes.

Iguodala’s decision doesn’t rule out the small forward returning to the Warriors, but it will give other teams the opportunity to swoop in and take away one component of Golden State’s title-winning core.

Teams can begin talking to free agents at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, but no deals can be officially signed until July 7.

ESPN has confirmed a Vertical report that Iguodala plans to meet with other teams.

…

The Warriors are expected to have big money locked up in Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, raising questions about Iguodala’s fit going forward. Sources previously told Haynes that Durant was willing to take less than the max to improve the Warriors’ chances of re-signing Iguodala.

But the reserve stud still likely could get more on the free-agent market, and Minnesota, San Antonio, the LA Clippers, Philadelphia, Orlando, Brooklyn and Utah are among the teams interested in Iguodala, sources said.

According to Zach Lowe and Chris Haynes of ESPN.com, the defending-champion Golden State Warriors do not have a free agency meeting scheduled with one of their standouts, former Finals MVP winner Andre Iguodala …

* * *

Calipari reportedly makes inquiry about Knicks’ vacancy — The New York Knicks parted ways with team president Phil Jackson earlier this week and almost immediately afterward, names to fill his old role began to emerge. According to ESPN.com’s Ian Begley, current Kentucky coach John Calipari reached out to the Knicks about the vacancy, but Calipari later took to Twitter to shoot down such talk. Here’s more from Begley on the names being bandied about for the job:

Kentucky Wildcats coach John Calipari has reached out to the New York Knicks through intermediaries to express interest in the team’s vacant president of operations role, sources said Thursday.

The Knicks, who parted ways with Phil Jackson on Wednesday, do not have interest in Calipari at the moment, sources said.

Calipari, currently in Egypt coaching the U.S. team at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, denied there were any talks, saying on Twitter:

…

One of the most accomplished basketball coaches in NCAA history, Calipari coached the then-New Jersey Nets for parts of three seasons and has been linked to several NBA openings in the past.

…

That said, the Knicks are assembling a list of candidates for the vacant job.

Sources told Shelburne that ex-Cavaliers GM David Griffin has had an initial conversation with the team about a front-office position and is expected to have more talks when the Knicks move to the next level in the process.

Another name mentioned internally as a candidate is Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti, sources said. The Knicks likely would need to offer compensation to the Thunder for Presti, who is currently under contract.

The Knicks are not expected to ask permission to speak with Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri.

In addition, reports linked ex-Knicks president and coach Isiah Thomas to the team’s presidency on Thursday, but Thomas wrote on Twitter that he was not interested in the position.

* * *

UPDATE, 9:32 p.m. — It looks like Blake Griffin’s offseason recruitment could be much shorter than expected. According to Sam Amick of USA TODAY, the All-Star power forward will remain with the Clippers after cancelling moratorium meetings with the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets. This was later confirmed by NBA.com’s David Aldridge.

Griffin is now considered likely to re-sign with the Clippers, the only team he has played for since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2009.

* * *

Marc Stein of ESPN.com is reporting that point guard Jeff Teague appears headed to Minnesota. The veteran floor general, who played for the Indiana Pacers in 2016-17, would slide into the void left behind after the Timberwolves dealt long-time point guard Ricky Rubio to Utah earlier on Friday.

* * *

UPDATE, 11:37 p.m. — With their new star-studded backcourt set, the Rockets are reportedly turning their attention toward solidifying their frontcourt rotation. According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets are set to re-sign their veteran big man to a four-year deal.

Nene proved invaluable in Houston’s postseason run before suffering a season-ending thigh injury during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio. Without him, the Rockets failed to win another game

* * *

UPDATE, 12:20 a.m. — San Antonio’s point guard rotation will reportedly remain intact. ESPN.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that Patty Mills will re-sign with the San Antonio Spurs on a four-year deal, leaving one less question mark for a the seemingly perennial Western Conference contender.

* * *

Tony Snell will bring his perimeter defense and 3-point shooting back to to the Bucks, according to ESPN.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The veteran swingman has reportedly agreed to re-sign with Milwaukee, further cementing their strong perimeter core.

* * *

Stephen Curry isn’t going anywhere. The iconic shooter from the defending champion Warriors is reportedly signing a massive deal to stay with Golden State, long-term. ESPN.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Curry’s deal is for five years.

* * *

Reports: Livingston staying with Warriors — Shaun Livingston, an instrumental part of Golden State’s bench, will reportedly remain with the Warriors. The veteran point guard, according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, has agreed to re-sign with his team for three more years.

The Golden State Warriors have reached an agreement to re-sign backup point guard Shaun Livingston, league sources said.

Sources said terms of the deal are three years and $24 million. It can’t be finalized until the end of the free-agent moratorium on July 7.

Livingston, 31, is a vital component to the Warriors’ championship core, and management made it a priority to bring him back. He averaged 5.1 points and 3.1 assists last season.

As well, Haynes’ report has been confirmed by Monte Poole of CSNBayArea.com, Anthony Slater of The Mercury News and Connor Letorneau of the San Franciso Chronicle.

* * *

Plenty of questions remain for the Bulls, but their interior depth isn’t one of them. Christiano Felicio will reportedly re-sign with Chicago, according to The Vertical’s Shams Charania.

* * *

SOME RANDOM HEADLINES: Mike Dunleavy is expected to be waived by the Atlanta Hawks and enter the free-agent market … Are the Cleveland Cavaliers dangling Kyrie Irving in trades? … Tim Duncan was looking out for other athletes in a recent court case that was settled … David West says some players from the NBA’s past couldn’t play in today’s NBA … Houston Rockets center Clint Capela sees a lot more lob passes in his future … The NBA got high marks again for race and gender hiring … A look at the top-selling NBA merchandise over the last few months … Veteran center Andrew Bogut is feeling good and hoping to get back into the NBA this summer …

Related

Latest