Attention is focused on the playoffs but NBA rumors are still flying, with front-office changes looming for Toronto and Detroit pursuing a familiar face.
A slew of upset possibilities has created a fascinating second round of the playoffs, with the Heat, 76ers and Lakers (all lower-seeded) currently holding leads in their series. But while the playoffs push on, the rest of the league is already focused on the offseason, identifying free-agent targets and filling front-office openings. Here are the latest NBA rumors on that front.
NBA rumors: Wizards are preparing a push for Masai Ujiri
Pretty much every offseason since he joined the Raptors, we have seen rumors about one team or another preparing a big push to try and steal Masai Ujiri. To this point, no one has been successful but it sounds like the Wizards might be ready to try. They fired GM Tommy Sheppard at the end of the regular season and another anonymous executive told Heavy's Steve Bulpett that Masai is high on their list of potential replacements.
"Masai (Ujiri) is really, really frustrated. He's frustrated with VanVleet also, because he hasn't shown him any indication that he wants to stay. So I think he's really down about that situation. Maybe it's because everything's still so fresh, but there's a lot they have to get done there. It didn't surprise anyone that Nick moved on. I don't know what they're going to do, but I've been hearing that Washington is coming after Masai again."
We still haven't heard anything specific to indicate that Masai is looking for a new gig, but with several big roster changes looing and a head coach opening, perhaps he'd consider a fresh start somewhere else.
NBA rumors: Becky Hammon, J.J. Redick in the running for Raptors head coach opening
Whether it's Masai Ujiri or a new GM making the final decision, the Raptors are looking for a head coach to replace Nick Nurse, who was fired at the end of this season. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that retired NBA role player and current podcaster and analyst J.J. Redick has already interviewed for the job.
According to Sportsnet's Michael Grange, current Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon is also a serious candidate:
My understanding is the net of possible candidates to replace former head coach Nick Nurse remains quite wide; there is no shortlist as of yet. Hammon is one of several candidates the Raptors plan to interview or have already. And while the intention remains to have the 10th head coach in franchise history in place by the draft on June 23rd, there's no need to make a move now.
Hammon spent eight seasons as an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs and had interviewed for several NBA head coaching openings over the past few years. She left the NBA for the WNBA, taking over the Aces this season and leading them to a WNBA title.
NBA rumors: Pistons might try to re-sign Jerami Grant
Three years ago, the Pistons signed Jerami Grant to a three-year, $60 million contract and watched him blossom into a borderline star. However, as the team continued to struggle they ultimately explored trading him and sent him to the Trail Blazers last summer for a first-round pick. Now, with that three-year deal ended, the Pistons are reportedly interested in re-signing Grant, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic:
Grant arguably is the most realistic unrestricted target on the market for Detroit, and a reunion makes a ton of sense. For starters, the team has more talent on its roster than when he was the leading scorer a season ago. Secondly, the Pistons very much need a player with his skill set. General manager Troy Weaver said during his end-of-season press conference that Detroit needs another defensive wing who "preferably" can shoot.
The Trail Blazers are also reportedly interested in re-signing Grant and it's not clear how interested he would be in returning to the Pistons after they traded him. He would be an excellent fit in Detroit and while they are a young team on the rise, it's not clear their immediate future is brighter than the Blazers. If he wants to compete in playoff games or maybe even play for a title, Portland or another suitor are probably a better choice than Detroit.
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