Advertisement - scroll for more content
Adrian Wojnarowski: Kaleb Canales is joining the Texas Legends of the G League as associate head coach, sources tell ESPN. Canales returns to the Mavericks organization, where he spent five of his 17 seasons as an NBA assistant and interim head coach. Jordan Sears is the Legends’ new head coach.
Laredo’s Kaleb Canales brought his Assist 13 basketball camp to his hometown were he teaches kids skills beyond the basketball court. “Our foundation is built on serving our community and giving back to the kids you know I think it’s really important one of our messages at camp is to dream to dream big .. we just want to give back” said Canales during his second session at Alexander High School.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Longtime NBA assistant Kaleb Canales has been named the associate head coach for Mexico's national basketball team, sources tell ESPN. Canales will assist Mexico in the upcoming FIBA Americas qualifying tournament for the 2023 World Cup.
Friday, the Indiana Pacers announced two new additions to new head coach Nate Bjorkgren’s coaching staff for the 2020-21 season. Kaleb Canales and Greg Foster were hired as assistant coaches. Additionally, Bill Bayno was retained as assistant coach. Per team policy, the terms of the contracts were not released. Canales holds 12 years of experience as an NBA assistant coach. He spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach of the New York Knicks after five seasons with the Dallas Mavericks in the same role. Canales began his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers and spent nine years serving in various roles within the organization. He joined the Trail Blazers as a video intern in 2004 before becoming an assistant coach in 2008 and eventually serving as interim head coach during the 2011-12 season. Canales became the first Mexican-American head coach in NBA history and was elected into the National Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
Advertisement
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Indiana Pacers are hiring Kaleb Canales as an assistant coach, sources tell ESPN. Canales has had extended recent runs with Knicks (2018-2020), Mavericks (2013-2018) and Blazers (2008-2012). Canales was an interim HC with Portland in 2012.
According to a league source, if the Knicks made an in-season coaching move one of two assistants – Mike Miller or Pat Sullivan – would likely be promoted. Miller coached the Knicks G League affiliate. Coincidentally, assistant coaches Keith Smart and Kaleb Canales all have head coaching experience. Royal Ivey, who has drawn interest around the league over the summer, and Jud Buechler would not be under consideration.
The Knicks had to really sink south for a coaching change to be made by Game 20. Indications are it was far-fetched for a change to be made this early anyway. Was owner James Dolan, who has given Fizdale private reassurances, really going to let president Mills hire a new coach from the outside on a long-term deal with Fizdale still having at least one season fully guaranteed on his pact for 2020-21? Sources indicated the major deterrent to making a change at Thanksgiving was the sketchy alternative of promoting one of the assistants – Jud Buechler, Keith Smart or Kaleb Canales.
Mark Jackson an option for Knicks?
Chris Mannix: Should the Knicks eventually move on from Fizdale, there are in-house options -- Keith Smart has been a head coach, Kaleb Canales was an interim coach in Portland -- but the name to be watched is Mark Jackson. He was a pre-Fiz candidate and a favorite of GM Scott Perry.
Miller joins a staff that includes Keith Smart, Kaleb Canales, Jud Buechler, Pat Sullivan and Royal Ivey. New York prides itself on the player development acumen on the coaching staff. Ivey was a key player development coach in Oklahoma City and remains so in New York. According to SNY sources, several teams with assistant coaching vacancies have expressed interest in Ivey. It is unknown if Ivey interviewed with any teams. New York would need to grant permission for teams to interview Ivey.
Advertisement
The Knicks plan to send their assistants on the road to work with first-year players Allonzo Trier, Mitchell Robinson and young guard Dennis Smith Jr. in the coming days, SNY sources say. Kevin Knox has been working with head coach David Fizdale and assistant Caleb Kanales. There are plans for the young Knicks to convene as a group with coaches in a locale outside of New York for more workouts, sources say.
Ian Begley: David Fizdale says Kristaps Porzingis is in a ‘really good groove’ right now with his rehab workouts. He said Porzingis is starting to get stronger and his movement and mobility looks good. He’s been working with Knicks assistant Kaleb Canales in his on-court work with coaches: pic.twitter.com/jJKDOImNTl
While watching Porzingis work with assistant coach Kaleb Canales, Fizdale said he’s seen little hint of the injury which has kept the Knicks’ franchise player out all season, and praised his ability to maintain a “positive” mindset. “I don’t see a drop. That I don’t see. I haven’t seen him move in a way that makes me go, ‘Uh oh,’ ” Fizdale said before Friday’s game against the Pacers. “I think we’re going about it the right way. His body looks great. He looks strong. He’s defined. It’s just a matter of time, and when we get him, we’ll be happy.”
Ian Begley: David Fizdale said Kristaps Porzingis is likely to stay in New York when the Knicks are in London. He said Porzingis is starting to get strength back & is continuing to shoot pull up threes & dunk in workouts. Knicks assistant Kaleb Canales has been working with Porzingis.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement