Damian Lillard wants to win with the Trail Blazers but he’s getting “antsy” with the franchise, according to The Athletic’s Jason Quick. There’s reportedly a sense of urgency from Lillard’s camp for Portland to elevate the team around him so that they can become true contenders.
The hiring of Chauncey Billups as the team’s new head coach is a step in the right direction, as he was endorsed by Lillard for the job. In fact, the front office has repeatedly collected Lillard’s input for major moves, including free-agent signings and trades
Any Ben Simmons-to-Portland for CJ McCollum deal would fall under that arrangement, requiring Lillard’s approval, Quick adds. While Lillard and McCollum have a great relationship, there’s no denying that adding a talent like Simmons would raise Portland’s ceiling considerably.
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- The Celtics may have an interest in McCollum, Quick adds in the same piece. The scribe contends that Marcus Smart would be a “great pairing” with Lillard on the Blazers, though it would take more from Boston to make the salary-matching and compensation work.
- The agreement to make Rick Carlisle the new coach of the Pacers was settled in a phone call, according to J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star. Carlisle inked a four-year deal worth $29 million to return to Indiana, where he was coach from 2003-07 and compiled a 181-147 record. “Familiarity with the organization is a plus for me,” Carlisle told Michael. “When you’re asked to come back to the same place a third time, that’s special.”
- Pacers president Kevin Pritchard did consider blowing up the roster with major changes, but that “was never likely,” Michael added in the same piece. Carlisle did leave the door open on making some moves, though. “It’s always possible that moves could be made before the season, but I think Kevin and I are both very excited about getting the roster healthy and seeing what this team can be.”
- Some members of the Lakers’ organization are surprised that Frank Vogel hasn’t received an extension, as we recently relayed. Vogel, who won a championship with the franchise during last year’s bubble, is entering the final year of his three-year contract with the club. There were rumblings that assistant coach Jason Kidd would eventually take over as coach of the team, though the Hall of Fame point guard recently inked a deal to be the head coach of the Mavericks.
- The Knicks own three of the top-32 selections in this year’s draft, but rival executives don’t expect them to use them all, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv. “I can’t see them carrying three rookies on the roster (next year),” a rival exec said. New York owns the No. 19, No. 21, and No. 32 picks as well as the No. 58 overall selection.
