Former Bulls and current Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau is reportedly eyeing to pry unrestricted free agent Joakim Noah away from Chicago when NBA enters offseason this summer. The rumor also coincides with reports of Noah’s purported disillusionment with front office’s inability to turn Bulls’ seemingly declining fortunes in the league.
San Antonio Spurs’ aging roster is in need of young talents with rumors suggesting a possible acquisition of either Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel via trade agreement with Philadelphia 76ers. Meanwhile, Lakers could possibly enter into trade talks with the Sixers over Okafor after figuring out what to do with their overall second pick in the draft.
Phoenix Suns has just hired rookie head coach Earl Watson for about $2.5 million per year for a three-year deal, making him the lowest paid coach in NBA today. The team seems consistent in its habit of hiring inexperienced coaches and staff with low pay under Robert Sarver's executive stewardship of the franchise which has experienced its worst record performance in years including a six-year playoff drought under him.
Now that the NBA draft is just around the corner, there is a general expectation among NBA analysts that the 18-year-old Croatian-born Dragan Bender would end up getting drafted by Boston Celtics with their No. 3 overall pick. Already, some pundits are already comparing Bender as the next Kristaps Porzingis.
Philadelphia 76ers are likely to choose Australian-born LSU star player Ben Simmons over Duke’s Brandon Ingram after winning the first overall pick in the NBA draft lottery last Tuesday. After getting the top 2 overall pick, LA Lakers would likely get second pick favorite Ingram to their young roster under Luke Walton’s leadership.
If luck does his bidding, LSU star player Ben Simmons would want to play for the highly marketable west coast franchise, the Los Angeles Lakers, to sign in to a $10-million sponsorship (plus a number of perks) offer by German footwear giant Adidas. Simmons, represented by Rich Paul’s Klutch Sports Group, prefers Adidas’ juicier deal over Nike’s $7-million (with less incentives) offer.
Zhou Qi is one of China’s most remarkable hardcourt figures today. With an imposing height and incredibly huge wingspan, Zhou looks a draftable prospect for the NBA although the question remains whether the same level of impact the way Yao Ming did.
Boston Celtics President Danny Ainge is reportedly trying to move up in the NBA draft.
