Latest news with #KennyAtkinson
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ty Jerome reportedly agrees to 3-year, $28 million deal with Grizzlies
Ty Jerome celebrates during the first round of the playoffs against the Miami Heat at Rocket Arena on April 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by) Ty Jerome has agreed to a three-year, $28 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, taking a sought-after scoring and playmaking guard off the market early in the NBA's 2025 free agency period. Jerome, who turns 28 on July 8, is coming off a breakout season in Cleveland, where he averaged 12.5 points on pristine 52/44/87 shooting splits in 19.9 minutes per game across 70 appearances for a Cavaliers team that lit up scoreboards all season long en route to 64 wins and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. All of those numbers represented a quantum leap for a player who bounced around from Phoenix to Oklahoma City to Golden State to Cleveland during his first five NBA seasons, rarely lingering long in the rotation before an ankle injury that required surgical repair cost him nearly all of the 2023-24 campaign. Advertisement 'You're climbing an uphill battle,' Jerome told Chris Fedor of 'You're lost. You feel forgotten.' Jerome issued one hell of a reminder last season, marking himself as one of the NBA's top reserves and most improved players — and a free-agent-to-be in line for a significant payday. The Virginia product's combination of high-efficiency shooting and complementary playmaking fit perfectly in head coach Kenny Atkinson's uptempo, ball- and player-movement-heavy offensive system, leading to one of the most productive seasons for any reserve in the NBA. Only six other players who logged at least 1,000 minutes posted a true shooting percentage north of .600 while dishing assists as frequently and committing turnovers as rarely as Jerome did: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyrese Haliburton, Jimmy Butler, Jalen Brunson and Tyler Herro. Advertisement That's not to say that Jerome's necessarily ready to start waltzing onto All-Star and All-NBA teams. It's worth noting that he'd never logged 1,000 minutes himself before last season, owing to a combination of injuries, inability to crack rotations and the defensive shortcomings that became more pronounced in Cleveland's second-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers — all of which are the sorts of things that might give a would-be suitor pause before making a significant offer in free agency. Even after that pause, though, Jerome's still a 6-foot-5 guard who's a threat to knock down 3-pointers both off the catch and off the dribble; an excellent in-between player with an elite floater and a strong midrange pull-up game; a high-level pick-and-roll facilitator with a career assist-to-turnover ratio just south of 3-to-1; and a quick processor with good vision and anticipation who can contribute on and off the ball. Advertisement Those attributes make Jerome the kind of player who, when healthy, can energize and optimize any backcourt. Combine them with the kind of commitment and attitude that allowed him to persevere through inconsistency and injury and come out on the other side, and you've got someone worth betting on. 'He's such a great dude,' former Warriors teammate and two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry said of Jerome. 'He's such a great teammate and locker room guy. He's a competitor. He's a dog. Doesn't have any of the attributes that would jump off the page. But he's a hooper with the ultimate confidence in himself.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
RUMOR: Multiple teams trying to raid Jason Kidd's Mavericks coaching staff
The post RUMOR: Multiple teams trying to raid Jason Kidd's Mavericks coaching staff appeared first on ClutchPoints. Despite being on the New York Knicks' radar, head coach Jason Kidd knows he will remain with the Dallas Mavericks for the 2025-26 NBA campaign. He cannot say the same about his staff, however. Multiple teams are taking a hard look at the Mavs' bench this offseason, threatening to bring about more change in a franchise that is still adjusting after trading Luka Doncic. Advertisement Kidd surely wants to maintain some continuity, but he could see as many as three assistants walk out the door for another job in the near future, per NBA correspondent Marc Stein. Memphis Grizzlies HC Tuomas Iisalo is considering Jared Dudley to be his top guy on a squad that has already significantly altered its identity following Sunday's Desmond Bane blockbuster. Reigning Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson also has the 14-year NBA player in mind for the same role on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sean Sweeney, who is currently Kidd's No. 1, is in the running to join Mitch Johnson's staff with the San Antonio Spurs. He first worked under Kidd on the Brooklyn Nets more than a decade ago, so navigating his possible departure could be challenging. Additionally, Stein reports that the Orlando Magic are pursuing Mavericks player development coach God Shammgod, who spent a few years working with head coach Jamahl Mosley while the two were both assistants in Dallas. If fans turn off their natural biases, they could see why each assistant would consider making a move. Will the Mavericks have to pivot? Dudley can climb the coaching ranks by joining either Iisalo or Atkinson. Aiding the Grizzlies in a successful transitional phase or helping the Cavs finally break through in the playoffs would each look mighty impressive on a future job application. Sweeney can take one step closer to a HC position himself if he enjoys a momentous run with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. And Shammgod can gamble on the Magic becoming a long-term force in the Eastern Conference by reconnecting with his old friend. Advertisement Dallas has a talented roster and a potential generational talent on the way, but it is not necessarily an immediate launching pad to prosperity. Anthony Davis weathered injury troubles as soon as he arrived in town, and Kyrie Irving is recovering from a torn ACL. Therefore, the squad's competitive standing for next season is mired in uncertainty. Moreover, the residual effects of the Luka Doncic saga could incentivize employees to remove themselves from the organization if a favorable opportunity presents itself. Based on their own recent actions, it seems like the Mavericks are anticipating changes to their coaching staff. Jason Kidd is welcoming in longtime assistant Jay Triano, who operated as an associate head coach with the Sacramento Kings last season. His experience may prove especially vital if Sweeney departs. More modifications may be required. Fortunately, the Mavs know exactly who they are taking with the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft on June 25, so they should have enough spare time to search for new assistants if necessary. Related: Mavericks' Kyrie Irving shoots back at Tracy McGrady's handles comment Related: Kyrie Irving drops words of wisdom at basketball camp
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phoenix Suns hiring Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott, according to report
The Cavs are losing a piece on their coaching staff. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Phoenix Suns are hiring Cavaliers assistant coach Jordan Ott to be their next head coach. Ott and fellow Cavs assistant Johnnie Bryant were reportedly finalists for the job. Advertisement Bryant and Ott were hired by the Cavs last summer. They held key roles during the 2024-25 season under first-year Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson. The Cavs went 64-18 in the regular season, earning the Eastern Conference's No. 1 playoff seed before falling 4-1 in the second round to the Indiana Pacers, who will meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals starting June 5. Atkinson became NBA Coach of the Year. Ott is a longtime Atkinson lieutenant. During Atkinson's previous NBA head coaching job with Brooklyn, Ott was a Nets assistant. The Suns fired coach Mike Budenholzer in April after just one season. Advertisement Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@ On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich . This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New Suns head coach will be Cavs assistant Jordan Ott, Shams reports
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Suns hire Cavs' Jordan Ott as new head coach
The post Suns hire Cavs' Jordan Ott as new head coach appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Phoenix Suns have agreed to hire Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Jordan Ott as their new head coach, first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. Advertisement Ott was a key part of Kenny Atkinson's staff this past season in Cleveland and contributed to the Cavs winning 64 games as one of the leading voices on their bench next to Atkinson, who was named the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year. Johnnie Bryant, another Cavs assistant, was also a finalist for the Suns head coaching vacancy. Both Bryant and Ott met with owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein, and general manager Brian Gregory in Michigan on Tuesday for the final time before Phoenix decided who they wanted to hire. Superstar guard Devin Booker was also involved in the search that led to an agreement with Otto to become the Suns' new head coach. Before joining the Cavaliers for the 2024-25 season, Ott spent two years with the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant on Darvin Ham's staff. He previously served as an assistant for the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2022, as well as the video coordinator for the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2016. Advertisement Ott, who originally graduated from Penn State, received his master's degree in athletic administration from Michigan State, continuing Ishbia's lineage of hiring fellow Spartan alumni. The Suns owner recently hired Gregory, who also attended Michigan State, as the team's newest general manager with James Jones moving into a senior advisor role with the franchise. The new Suns head coach has been heavily regarded around the league for his devotion to player development and relationships with his team. As he takes over the role left behind by Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after the Suns missed the playoffs, Ott will be responsible for flipping the script in Phoenix and creating a new, positive atmosphere. However, the immediate future of this organization is unknown due to the uncertainty surrounding Kevin Durant. After appearing in serious trade conversations against his will before the trade deadline in February, the Suns are expected to part ways with Durant this offseason. Where Durant ends up remains a mystery, as the bigger question for Phoenix revolves around what value and assets they can get in return for the two-time Finals MVP in trade talks. Advertisement The Suns finished the 2024-25 season with a 36-46 record, their worst since the 2019-20 season. Related: Kings rumors: Sacramento eyeing Suns guard in free agency Related: NBA rumors: Spurs teased as Kevin Durant trade destination before draft
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cavaliers Could Make Big Trade This Offseason
Cavaliers Could Make Big Trade This Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cleveland Cavaliers were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference this year. They won 64 games during the regular season under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, who won the 2024-25 Coach of the Year Award. Advertisement The Cavaliers swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2025 playoffs. It appeared Cleveland was primed to compete for the championship for the first time in the second post-LeBron James era. However, the Indiana Pacers humbled the Cavaliers in the conference semifinals, winning that series in five quick games. Indiana won Games 1, 2 and 5 in Cleveland, sending Cavaliers fans who went to those games home sad. The Cavaliers haven't advanced past the second round of the playoffs since acquiring Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in 2022. Some around the NBA believe Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman has to make a big trade this offseason for Atkinson's group to take the next step. Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson may have a new point guard next Richard-Imagn Images According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland 'might be available under the right circumstances.' Garland has spent his entire career in Cleveland. He was the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Advertisement Garland, 25, will make $39.4 million next season. He struggled against the Pacers in the conference semifinals, averaging only 14.0 points while shooting just 34.2% from the field and 16.7% from beyond the arc. Garland appeared in 75 games for the Cavaliers this season. He averaged 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists while shooting 47.2% from the floor, 40.1% from 3 and 87.8% from the free-throw line. Garland is listed at 6-1, 192 pounds, while Mitchell is listed at 6-3, 215 pounds. That's a small backcourt in today's NBA, which is why some believe Garland should be traded for a bigger guard this summer. Related: Four-Team NBA Trade Idea Sends Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell To Mavericks This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
