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Sam Amick: I think the issue with Minnesota is that they have not been given any indication. There's two things. There's not been any indication that Giannis doesn't want to be there long term, but I don't get the sense that he's giving them the sign that he does want to be there. And that is another thing that as we get closer to draft day, I'm wondering with Giannis and his camp, are they going to step on the scale even more than they have to this point? Because right now, it's kind of a loose framing of like, there's a couple of teams that he would be comfortable with being there long-term. And Miami and Boston definitely appear to be two of them. It's like Minnesota's not off the list, but are they on the list? For them, the stakes are really, really high because if you're talking about putting a guy like Jaden McDaniels in the deal, which he would have to be in it, then we need to know that you're all in, big fella. We need to know that it's Ant and Giannis. And not only that, it's the same thing where you can't have it get reported that you put Jaden on the table, only to have the Bucks just go somewhere else with the deal, and now Jaden, from a human standpoint, just feels kind of less committed to, less connected with his current group, and you might change the vibe in your locker room.
Speaking of Plan Bs, league sources say the Portland Trail Blazers would have serious interest in Brown if the Celtics made him available. The Blazers have been among the suitors for Antetokounmpo since the February trade deadline but appear to be on the outside looking in at the moment. Also, league sources say the Minnesota Timberwolves — whose pursuit of Antetokounmpo also appears to have cooled — have strong interest in the Celtics’ Derrick White.
Jon Krawczynski: All of this from @sam_amick and @eric_nehm from last week still applies with the Wolves and Giannis. It would be incredibly difficult. But Connelly's aggressive mindset means you can't count them out while he's still available.
In reference to Minnesota's interest in White, which The Athletic's Sam Amick first reported Friday morning, trading him for Rudy Gobert would represent a clear salary match. Sources say that Boston, furthermore, has inquired about Gobert before ... most recently at February's trade deadline.
Darren Wolfson: Another player of interest to the Wolves, per multiple league contacts: Bulls guard Josh Giddey. Just not sure how you pry him out of Chicago, and I like his fit with new coach Tiago Splitter. #WolvesBack #Twolves
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Similarly, league sources say the Minnesota Timberwolves — whose Antetokounmpo pursuit also appears to have cooled — have strong interest in the Celtics’ Derrick White.
Q. Have you ever been asked as a in consultant role or even just in conversation about how you would address what they should do next or what they should do first? Kendall Gill: No, I' I've never been asked those questions. Q. What would you tell them? Gill: I would tell them exactly what I just told you. And then I would also tell them that, and I know it's going to take a lot of money. I've discussed this with you guys as well. I know it's going to take a lot of money, but I would definitely try to go back after Ayo Dosunmu as well. And I know that Ayo, from my conversations with him this summer, would be open to it, but it's going to take a lot to get him back. But that's what I would do.
Lou Williams: I’m going to throw some names out there and you give me your guess on where they'll be next year. All right? Sam Amick: Yes, sir. Williams: Let's start with Ja Morant. Amick: Ja Morant, I mean, the only two teams I've heard and I'll pick one of them is New Orleans and Sacramento, so I'll probably push it to New Orleans way. Chandler Parsons: I'm going to throw Minnesota out there just for fun. Chandler Parsons: I'm going to throw Minnesota out there just for fun. Amick: Yeah, that one's in there, too. Good call, Chandler.
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Marc Stein: Wolves assistant Micah Nori is a top candidate for both of the NBA's coaching vacancies, league sources say. Nori is a confirmed Portland finalist alongside Boston's Tyler Lashbrook and among Dallas' top contenders. Tiago Splitter just left the Blazers to take Chicago's job
Marc Stein: Coaches under consideration in Dallas, sources say, include Micah Nori, Houston's Royal Ivey and the experienced Terry Stotts. The emergence of other candidates has not been ruled out as a search for Jason Kidd's successor launched on May 20 progresses. More: tinyurl.com/5xcrpc3j
Jon Krawczynski: But in the last week to 10 days, there have been more and more signs coming out of Dallas that Kyrie is going to stay there; that the Mavericks want Kyrie to play alongside Cooper Flagg; that Kyrie really enjoys being in Dallas; and that he wants to stay there. It did seem like he has found some kind of comfort and tranquility there, so that makes sense. So while I believe that, if the Wolves were going to trade for Kyrie Irving, yes, maybe it would be Julius Randle, a first-round pick, and something else to get Kyrie—versus needing eight different pieces to get Giannis—I just think that is looking more and more unlikely at this point. What exactly the Timberwolves do to address their ball handling is something we’ll have to see. But the Kyrie Irving steam has definitely been reduced by quite a bit, and at this point, I would be very surprised if a Kyrie Irving deal got done.
Among the most interesting outcomes that will affect the rest of the NBA will be how an expansion draft is structured -- the last time was in 2004, and it was for just one team, the Charlotte Bobcats. At that time, teams were able to protect eight players and lose only one. There is also the question of how the league will realign the conferences. Different possibilities are being discussed, including moving one team from the Western Conference to the East -- with Memphis, Minnesota and New Orleans all "competing" to do so.