NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on Free Agency Moves, Coaching Changes and More
The 2013 NBA offseason hasn’t even truly begun—that won’t happen until after the Finals in June—but there has already been tons of movement in front offices around the league, coaches getting hired and fired at a rapid rate, plus rumors as to what big-name players and franchises have planned in free agency.
With so much actively going on around the league, a handful of marquee superstars to become available and plenty of fuel to fuel the rumor mill for the next month or so, this looks to be one of the more intriguing summers in recent history.
Let’s take a look at what could be on the horizon in Thursday’s rumor roundup.
Milwaukee Bucks May Want Ellis Over Jennings
The Bucks backcourt has been the subject of much speculation, as the three key players currently under contract—Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings and J.J. Redick—could all be off the roster by next summer.
After being swept by the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs and going into a full-blown tailspin shortly after acquiring Redick at the trade deadline, it’s clear that things need to change as early as this coming offseason.
Many expected the Bucks to build around Jennings—who can be tenured a $4.3 million qualifying offer for the 2013-14 season—and Redick—a free agent this summer looking for a new deal.
However, ESPN’s Marc Stein found that the Bucks may in fact want to keep Ellis—who was initially expected to and may still decline his $11 million player option for next season—and pair him with Redick instead.
This may be due to the fact that Jennings hasn’t been the best fit with the team (-13 points per 100 possessions, per 82Games) and Ellis performed better in limited time at the point guard spot.
Regardless of what happens, the Bucks are still a number of pieces away from actually contending and need somehow hope they can unearth a diamond from the rough in the upcoming draft.
DeMarcus Cousins Drawing Interest
The Sacramento Kings are going through some major changes with a new ownership group and new management coming in. If they decide to get a fresh start and part ways with the controversial DeMarcus Cousins, there could be quite a few teams ready to snap him up.
According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, the young center would pique the interest of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Bobcats—if he were made available.
Cousins is set to hit restricted free agency next summer and has had his fair share of run-ins with coaches during his initial three years in the league. His attitude and actions have been questionable and he’s clearly not a player you want to rebuild a franchise around at this juncture.
However, more established teams that feel they are a big man away from making a leap would love to add a 6’11”, 270-pound behemoth in the low post that has developed into a double-double machine.
Don’t be surprised if a number of lottery picks and other pieces get offered up to Sacramento if they decide to trade away their petulant but talented star.
Cavs’ Mike Brown Poaching Suns Top Assistant
Mike Brown was re-hired for his second stint as the coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers over a month ago, but he’s still putting together a supporting staff of assistants around him.
According to Stein, one of those likely to join Brown’s bench is Igor Kokoskov, the assistant who was most recently with the Phoenix Suns. Kokoskov also has experience with the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons and Georgia’s national team.
The Serbian national has been in the NBA since 2000, when the Clips brought him up from the college ranks.
Now Kokoskov is going to get another high-profile gig with an up-and-coming team in Cleveland. He’s an offensive specialist that will help Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and the rest of this young team make strides on that end of the floor.
Expect the Cavs to make the official announcement when the entirety of Brown's staff is assembled, according to The News-Herald’s Bob Finnan.
