NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on Knicks' Draft Trade, Pelicans' Coaching Search, More

The Los Angeles Lakers have hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy after defeating the Miami Heat in six games, giving LeBron James his fourth NBA championship.

While there's plenty of conversation about what's next for the Lakers as Anthony Davis ponders his future, the NBA offseason is also fast approaching for the other 29 teams who did not contend for this year's title. 

One squad that has to make some quick decisions is the New York Knicks, who hold the No. 8 pick in the NBA draft (scheduled for Nov. 18). In New Orleans, the Pelicans are seeking someone new at the helm after they parted ways with head coach Alvin Gentry. After falling from grace this season with injuries to major players, the Golden State Warriors need to figure out how to get it done in 2020-21. 

Here's the latest news for each of those three teams as the draft—and the new season—inches closer. 

Knicks Considering A Trade at No. 8

Jim Mone/Associated Press

When the time comes for the New York Knicks to select their latest addition to the talent pool, the team might hold off.

The New York Post's Marc Berman reported Monday that the team is "seriously mulling" a trade down from No. 8 to picks 12-15 if their top prospects, James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball, are not available when their turn comes. 

Sacramento, New Orleans, Boston and Orlando hold the picks that the Knicks are reportedly interested in, drafting after Washington, Phoenix and San Antonio get a go at the board.

Berman reported that the Magic are interested in guard Dennis Smith Jr., so a possible swap with the Magic's No. 15 selection could also include the former Dallas Maverick.

The Knicks' reasoning, according to one source who spoke with Berman, is that picking later will "put less pressure" on whoever they would have selected at No. 8 in what is considered a disappointing draft class.

"You take someone at 8, you expect a home run," the source said. "I don't know if they think there's a home-run guy there. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't make that pick."

Berman reported that the Knicks, who went 21-45 in 2020 and finished 12th in the Eastern Conference, are looking at 19-year-old guard Tyrese Maxey, who enters the draft having played one year of basketball at Kentucky. The 6'3", 198-pound Texas native appeared in 31 games for the Wildcats last season, averaging 14 points per game with 3.2 assists and 4.3 rebounds.

Former Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne, who coached Maxey last spring before the Knicks hired him in August, pushed for his former player in an earlier interview with the New York Post.

"I think he'd be a good fit for any team," Payne said before he was hired by the Knicks. "In the next couple of years, he's going to be one of those guys you look back on and people say: 'Wow, I knew he was good, I didn't know he was that good.'"

Stan Van Gundy to NOLA?

Steve Dipaola/Associated Press

The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly down to four finalists in their search to replace former coach Alvin Gentry, who was fired after the Pelicans went 30-42 and had just two wins in the bubble. In addition to Clippers assistant coach Ty Lue, who will meet with the team this week, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Stan Van Gundy met with the Pelicans on Tuesday.

Van Gundy, whose brother Jeff is being considered alongside Lue for vacancies in the Houston Rockets and Clippers organizations, previously served as president and coach for the Detroit Pistons before he was released in 2018. After bringing the Orlando Magic to the 2008-09 NBA Finals, Stan Van Gundy brought the Pistons to the playoffs in 2016. 

The 61-year-old, who entered the league as an assistant coach with the Miami Heat in 1995, is 523-384 in the regular season and 48-43 in the playoffs.

Stan Van Gundy would take over a roster with potential, boasting Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram alongside Jrue Holiday and JJ Redick, and with Van Gundy's history of bringing franchises to pivotal moments, he is a strong candidate for a Pelicans franchise eager for change. 

What Golden State is Missing

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Sure, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are due to return from injuries that helped contribute to the Golden State Warriors' pitiful 15-50 record in 2020, but multiple NBA executives don't believe that will be enough to get them past the dominating Los Angeles Lakers, who added Anthony Davis to play alongside LeBron James ahead of last season.

Per The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor:

"Just in the past week, multiple executives from different teams have texted me to say that the Warriors had better find a big in order to get by the Lakers. It's a fair concern, but maybe nothing will change. Maybe teams will continue to emphasize small ball, signing more guards and wings to get perimeter skill and shooting on the floor. After all, teams can choose only from the pool of players available, and there really aren't all that many big guys who check lots of boxes on both ends of the floor."

Warriors coach Steve Kerr has acknowledged the Warriors' lack of a strong presence up front and will be looking to add a counter for Davis—who added 25 points, 10 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game in the Finals alongside LeBron—at some point in the upcoming draft or in free agency.

With the Warriors holding the second overall pick, they're in a near-perfect position to ditch their small-ball approach and fill their needs by way of James Wiseman or Obi Toppin.