Category: NBA

A call came from Luka Doncic a couple of times, at first making Marcus Smart think it wasn’t true and then eventually making him believe that Doncic was a Lakers salesman and that he wanted Smart to be a part of what they were building here in Los Angeles.

It wasn’t like they had a strong “relationship,” but Smart said he and Doncic have “a mutual understanding and respect for each other” from meeting on the court in past seasons.

So, when the calls came while Smart was training while trying to figure out his next move after he had agreed to a contract buyout from the Washington Wizards, he was swayed by Doncic to join the Lakers after clearing waivers.

Smart, who signed a two-year deal for $11 million with the Lakers, with a player option for the second season, smiled as he told the stories during his introductory news conference Tuesday about talking to Doncic and being persuaded to join him and LeBron James.

“It first came, my agent, I’m working out, and I get a call from my agent saying, you know, ‘Hey Luka reached out.’ And I’m like ‘yeah whatever’ you know?’ Like all right,” Smart said at the Lakers’ practice facility. “And then another day, same thing — Luka reached out again and now it’s real. It’s no longer what-ifs. It’s real and it’s something we need to talk about. And that was a great feeling, like I said, and that’s kind of what kind of got things going for me to be here and I’m excited to be here.”

The Lakers were in need of a point-of-attack perimeter defender such as Smart, especially with Dorian Finney-Smith going to Houston.

Read more:Newest Laker Deandre Ayton is ready to prove the doubters wrong

Smart was the NBA’s defensive player of the year in 2022 when he played for the Boston Celtics and has been on the NBA’s All-Defensive first team three times.

Knowing that Doncic and James are “two greats with [the] greatest basketball IQs that I’ve ever seen in this era” made it easy for Smart to become their teammates.

“And when you get a guy like Luka, calling, referencing, checking on you, trying to see where you at to see if you want to come and join something special that he’s trying to cook up over here,” Smart said. “And for him to say that he can really use my help, that meant a lot. Played against Luka a lot. Been on a lot of opposing ends of Luka magic. And to be able to come out and be on his side at this time, it means a lot.”

Doncic has a decision to make with the Lakers.

On Aug. 2, Doncic and the Lakers can talk about a contract extension.

He can sign a four-year deal for $224 million or a three-year deal for $161 million with a player option in 2028, which would then allow Doncic to sign a max deal in 2028 that would give him 35% of the salary cap for that season.

Meanwhile, Smart was asked what kind of recruiter is Doncic.

“It’s the same. He’s a competitor. He’s just the same way. He has that competitive nature when he’s talking,” Smart said. “He’s intrigued and that’s it. He didn’t really have to say much. Luka, his name, his ability, what he has done, [speaks] for himself. And for me, like I said, I’ve been on the other end of Luka magic. So to be able to come and join and see it and witness it on the other side is something that I was like, ‘why not give it a shot?’”

Smart, 31, played in only 54 games the last two seasons, injuries costing him time that he spent both with the Memphis Grizzlies and Wizards. In the 34 games he played between both teams, Smart averaged 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and shot 34.8% from three-point range.

“Yeah, I’m very motivated. You know, the last two years, for me, was in my eyes, a disappointment,” Smart said. “Injuries kind of stopped me and held me back. But like I told my wife and my family, you know, everything happens for a reason. And it’s funny that 12 years ago, I could have been here [with the Lakers] and now it’s full circle and I’m here. And like I said, everything happens for a reason. And I just look at those reasons was for me to be here, to not play for people to look at me and say, ‘you know what, maybe he isn’t the same?’ And now that allows me to be in a place where I’m supposed to be.”

Smart was at his best with the Celtics, where he spent nine years and reached the playoffs every year, including reaching the NBA Finals in 2022.

Over the course of his 11 seasons in the NBA, Smart averaged 10.6 points per game, 3.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

The Lakers were 50-32 last season, but lost in the first round of the playoffs.

But he knows the Lakers are about winning championships and the chance to play with Doncic and James in high-stakes basketball games played a part in his decision as well.

“It’s at the top,” Smart said. “I mean, the main goal, the reason you go out and you compete the way you compete is to try to win championships and what better place to be able to do that than here, where the show starts and where the show ends. So, that was definitely a big part of it, being able to get back on that stage, being able to get to a team that definitely could use me and I know I can make an impact and I can help as well and that was a perfect fit here.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Warriors star Steph Curry explains loyalty to Drake amid Kendrick Lamar feud originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

When Kendrick Lamar’s award-winning “They Not Like Us” song broke out after Team USA’s win over Serbia in the Olympic semifinals last summer, nearly the entire arena sang along to the catchy diss track.

But not Steph Curry.

The Warriors’ superstar was caught in a viral video unenthused by the song choice while his teammates, including NBA megastar LeBron James, said he “loved it” while others jammed out.

“Damn with this song,” Curry said in the video. “It’s not the only song in America.”

Some speculated it had something to do with Curry’s close relationship with hip-hop icon Drake, whom Lamar dissed during a heated music feud last year, or if it was simply just Curry being agitated by how often and overplayed the song had become.

Almost exactly one year later, Curry explained his viral reaction to the song in that moment during a recent interview with Complex’s Speedy Morman.

“It was both,” Curry admitted. “Everywhere we went, that’s all I heard. And the fact that they knew who I was with. You can’t do anything about what the DJ’s playing. But I got sick of it at a certain point.

“It was funny that the cameras caught me because that was from the soul.”

The loyalty goes both ways, too, as Drake has Curry’s No. 30 tattooed on his arm with a halo.

Curry and Drake go way back, supporting each other’s professional careers but also having a real family-type bond as the rapper and Curry’s wife, Ayesha, both are from Toronto.

Well, now the Warriors’ Chase Center in-arena crew knows which song not to play during home games.

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Jonathan Kuminga reportedly not accepting Warriors' offers, in no rush for deal originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors still haven’t made a move this offseason, and that won’t change until the Jonathan Kuminga situation is resolved.

New reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania indicates that might not happen anytime soon.

“The Warriors’ entire offseason has been essentially on pause for one player, and that’s restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga,” Charania said Thursday on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” “They have wanted to figure out his situation before making their other offseason moves. I saw Jonathan Kuminga this morning at a workout in Miami. He’s in good spirits. He had a good workout.

“He did tell me, though, that he is in absolutely no rush on doing a deal with the Warriors right now, and he is not accepting their current offers. He added that he wanted to continue to explore options with his agent, Aaron Turner, whether that’s continuing conversations with the Warriors, but also sign-and-trade options that are available to him in the marketplace.”

Twenty-four days into the offseason, it has been a staring contest between both sides.

Kuminga, who was selected No. 7 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, is seeking a situation where he can be a consistent contributor and the future of a franchise that backs and believes in him. That hasn’t been the case for Kuminga in Golden State over the last four years.

The Warriors aren’t moved by the offers they have received thus far, as the Kings and Phoenix Suns have been the strongest pursuers to land the athletic young wing.

“I’m told the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings are two teams that have made concrete offers with the Warriors over the last week or so,” Charania added. “They’re two of the more aggressive teams with Kuminga. They’re also offering him an opportunity for significant minutes and a starting-caliber role in their lineup — and those are two things he wants more than anything.

“The Warriors do not want anything that is being offered to them in sign-and-trades, and on the other hand, with Jonathan Kuminga, he is not ready to move forward with taking any of the Warriors’ current offers. He’s not in a hurry to do a deal there yet.”

The standoff continues.

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Niang shares hilariously self-aware take on replacing Porzingis in Boston originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Georges Niang knows the drill, it appears.

The veteran forward was part of a three-team trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks and Niang to the Boston Celtics in early July. The deal was primarily a cost-cutting move for the Celtics, who saved more than $22 million in cap space by replacing Porzingis’ $30.7 million salary with Niang’s $8.2 million expiring contract.

That’s a positive development in Boston’s quest to get under the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax. But with all due respect to Niang, the trade doesn’t exactly get the Celtics closer to Banner 19. And as a Massachusetts native who grew up in Methuen as a Celtics fan, he’s well aware of how his addition is being received.

“I’m a Boston kid — I then get traded for Porzingis,” Niang told co-hosts Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller on The OGs podcast. “You know how tough Boston fans are. They don’t give a s— if I’m from Boston or not.

“They’re like, ‘You just took our unicorn and replaced it with a minivan. Get the f— out of here!’ I’m like public enemy No. 1. They’re like, ‘What is this? This ain’t shiny, man, this got scratches on it, man.'”

There’s a reason why Porzingis is nicknamed “The Unicorn” and Niang goes by “The Minivan.” The former is a highly-skilled, 7-foot-2 big man who’s an elite 3-point shooter and rim protector, while the latter is a wider-bodied, 6-foot-7 forward who’s more of a “glue guy” role player than game-changer.

To Niang’s credit, he understands that talent discrepancy and is determined to make an impact however he can on a Celtics team that’s in “reset” mode after losing Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles.

“Now I’m kind of in the mode of like, OK, obviously JT is out, but Boston has done a really good job, if you’ve looked at it when guys miss games, (they still win),” Niang continued. “It’s their culture, it’s who they are.

“So it’s like, ‘OK Georges, now what can you do to maximize what you have to help them win games?’ Because you don’t wanna be in Boston losing, that’s for sure.

“That’s kind of how I’ve transitioned my mindset. It’s like, ‘OK, what can I do this summer? Can I come in in the best shape that I’m in, and also mentor and kind of teach (the younger players), and also learn, because they’ve won championships, and kind of dial that all into one and focus every day on like, ‘How can I win the day, and then win games?'”

Whether Niang actually gets that opportunity is unclear. The Celtics are currently just barely over the second apron and could further cut costs by dealing Niang or Anfernee Simons to another team, either before the 2025-26 season or ahead of the NBA trade deadline in February.

If Niang is on the Opening Day roster, however, he’ll be fully prepared for whatever reception C’s fans give him at TD Garden.

Lainn Wilson ready to lead Santa Cruz Warriors after ‘surreal' NBA Summer League originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Attendance was estimated at just under 8,400 fans. The feeling more closely resembled a packed house at Chase Center, especially for the man leading the Warriors on the sidelines to open the California Classic. 

After spending the last four seasons as the Warriors’ head video coordinator, Steve Kerr, Mike Dunleavy and others felt the best next move for Lainn Wilson was leading their G League affiliate in Santa Cruz. NBA Summer League served as the perfect slate of exhibitions for the first-time head coach, as was earning a comeback win against the Los Angeles Lakers in his first game. Warriors players doused Wilson with water in the locker room to celebrate the win, and he still was taking in all his emotions at the podium. 

“Pretty surreal,” Wilson admitted. “It doesn’t really hit you until you’re out there. The crowd out there was much larger than I expected it to be. To collectively feel that energy in the building, there’s nothing more fun. 

“There’s a lot of work that goes into it, but to me, this is why we play the games. This is why we compete. When you’re out there, there’s a lot of life and energy.” 

His path is nothing like Kerr, Jason Kidd, Tyronn Lue, so on and so forth. The majority of NBA head coaches had professional playing careers. Not Wilson. The 33-year-old never even played past high school in Augusta, Ga. 

Wilson had a dream that could have been torched by numerous road blocks and barriers. Instead, he has done everything in the coaching world the past 15 years that has led to patrolling the sidelines of Chase Center, UNLV’s campus for summer league and now Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz.

The young coach on the rise began his ascension at the University of Georgia, where Wilson spent four seasons as a student manager for the men’s basketball team and then two more as a graduate assistant. Wilson then did all the dirty work, literally, for the Grand Rapids Drive, the former D League team of the Detroit Pistons. He has been a D League video intern and assistant coach in the NBA’s minor leagues, and was an assistant video coordinator for the Philadelphia 76ers before joining the Warriors ahead of their 2021-22 championship season. 

Each role prepared him for the next. Roaming the sidelines as the main person in charge this summer gave Wilson a new appreciation, and has him ready to fill Nicholas Kerr’s shoes in Santa Cruz. 

“At least for me, I’d say a lot,” Wilson said to NBC Sports Bay Area. “I basically got a little bit of a runway into running a team. It’s a lot of the logistics stuff that I haven’t been in charge of before, like planning out practices. Now it gives me something to work off of where I can now say, ‘I liked this, I didn’t like that.’ And then obviously getting feedback from players and the staff as far as what they thought worked and didn’t.

“It just kind of gives me a strong framework to go off of for the Santa Cruz season.” 

The Warriors under Wilson went 5-3 this summer, 2-1 at the California Classic and 3-2 in Las Vegas. He’s happy with how they understood concepts better each day, gelling more as a team while trying to keep things as simple as possible. Like his players, Wilson felt more comfortable with each practice and game. 

Adjustments and lessons were made in real time. Wilson and the Warriors were hit with a delay of game when his players took too long to be back on the court after halftime of the California Classic finale. Full timeouts are shorter in summer league, and he even received his first technical foul out of frustration during the first game in Las Vegas. 

“I think the guys could tell I was a little more comfortable and a little more at ease as it went on, just because I was starting to understand the flow of things and how I wanted to do it,” Wilson said. “By the end of it I thought I was in a pretty comfortable spot of what to expect, staying locked in on the game.” 

Length of games are shorter in summer league. Players have 10 fouls until their day is over. Everything feels rushed from a coaching and practice standpoint. The part Wilson found to be the hardest might come as a surprise. 

“To me, it’s the messaging,” Wilson said.

The Warriors had 19 players on their summer league team, with 18 healthy enough to play. An NBA roster holds 15 players, and a good chunk stay in their warmup gear all game long. All but four players were rookies without any NBA game experience. Each tried to make a big impression, either on the Warriors or the rest of the league. 

Not everybody received an equal opportunity. That’s life, that’s basketball. Those decisions didn’t always come from Wilson either. 

Many of them came from the front office regarding who is in the game plan for a particular summer league game. 

“It’s different to be in a spot where you’re telling a group of guys going into every game, ‘Hey, you’re not playing.’ As an assistant, you’re not really having those kinds of talks,” Wilson continued. “It’s just the consistency of everything. You’re just always having to constantly think of the dynamic of being consistent and keeping guys in the fold so there’s no major surprises. Even though they’re being told they’re not playing, I do think they appreciate the fact that you’re at least straight up without leaving stuff to the imagination.” 

Wilson’s way of thinking there sounds like a direct correlation of learning from Kerr. The four-time NBA champion as a head coach is a master communicator and delegator. Kerr is quick to give credit to others, oftentimes praising Wilson’s help the past few seasons in player development, video preparation and especially his use of analytics. 

His usage and importance went beyond his Golden State title. Kerr wants his players and staff to feel empowered, and Wilson gives him ample credit in getting him to where he is today.

“Steve has always been great, especially after I first started out here,” Wilson said. “My role always expanded, even within the video part of it. He let me do scouts, walkthroughs with the team, player development stuff. So I was kind of just doing a little bit of everything, and just getting a lot of tremendous experience. 

“I never would have thought just even speaking in front of the team about something would be in the works, especially being in a video role. But this team’s always been great about giving these opportunities.” 

A drive that spanned about 100 miles from his Augusta home to the Georgia campus started Wilson’s coaching journey 15 years ago. Off campus, his basketball classroom has only grown, with summer league on the sidelines having Wilson ready for Santa Cruz and getting him one step closer to being the next video room standout to hold the title of NBA head coach.

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Warriors practicing patience in offseason as rest of Western Conference reloads originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga’s representation are sharing a cell in Restricted Free Agent jail. Conversation is sparse, according to league sources. No knowing when they can begin the remodel they hope will allow them to compete in the NBA’s wicked Western Conference.

Golden State’s priority targets, center Al Horford and guard De’Anthony Melton, remain available and that’s unlikely to change. There is internal belief that the Kuminga impasse, once resolved, will result in a satisfying conclusion. Three weeks in, though, nothing.

Meanwhile, most of the West has been furiously re-arming for the war that begins in October. Here is how the West, in order of 2024-25 seeding, looks as of the morning of July 22:

Oklahoma City Thunder

They began last season with the youngest roster in the league, achieved the No. 1 overall seed and finished with an NBA championship. With no significant additions necessary, general manager Sam Presti secured the future with contract extensions for core players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Status quo in OKC, which is plenty good.

Houston Rockets

It was quite a feat to earn the No. 2 seed in the West with a starting lineup that includes Dillon “All Fury, No Fire” Brooks, and the Rockets knew it. So, they replaced him with legendary scorer Kevin Durant. They re-signed Steven Adams and signed free agents Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith. This team has nine players with wingspans of at least 7 feet. They’re better.

Los Angeles Lakers

Despite a seismic midseason shift, swapping Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić, the Lakers snagged the No. 3 seed without legitimate perimeter defense or a productive center. They addressed those needs by signing Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton off the buyout market. Luka will be much more settled. If LeBron’s body holds up at age 41, they could be slightly better.

Denver Nuggets

They entered the playoffs with interim coach David Adelman, with three games on his resumé. With Nikola Jokić getting scant help, they gave OKC a seven-game war in the conference semifinals. Swapping Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson is a win. Adding depth in Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas are wins. They should be better.

Los Angeles Clippers

After folding in the postseason, the response is to retool with a roster built to win it all five or six years ago. Seriously, though, they’ve added outside shooting (Brook Lopez, Bradley Beal for Norm Powell), general production (John Collins) and, in Chris Paul, an assistant coach who can provide quality bench minutes in the postseason. Yeah, they’re better.

Minnesota Timberwolves

After reaching the conference finals (aided by Stephen Curry’s hamstring misfortune), the Wolves whimpered against OKC. Julius Randle and Naz Reid return with new contracts, but there are no free agents or no trades. Having lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker, they’re going to need bumps from Terrence Shannon and Rob Dillingham. Status quo, top-four potential.

Golden State Warriors

With their intraconference foes circling like a hyperactive shiver of sharks, they’ve lost Kevon Looney and are staying patient on the deck of a boat they hope to remodel into a yacht. Forecast TBD.

Memphis Grizzlies

They re-signed Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama. Ja Morant still is on board. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ty Jerome are solid pickups, but they’re going to miss the elite shooting of Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard. They’re asking a lot of youngsters Jalen Wells and Cedric Coward. Cast changes don’t always mean improvement. Expect a dip.

Sacramento Kings

Ahh, the Kangz. Picked up options on Keon Ellis and Isaac Jones. New faces in the front office are bobbing about the league for help, and adding Dennis Schröder at the point is an adventure. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan can score. Domantas Sabonis rebounds and generates offense. They’re going to miss Trey Lyles. Fighting for a play-in berth.

Dallas Mavericks

Here comes Cooper Flagg, all of 18 but primed to make an impact for the Mavs. Out goes Spencer Dinwiddie, in comes D’Angelo Russell, now reduced to a floor spacer. Kyrie Irving is re-signed but expected to continue rehab deep into the season. They’ll be interesting if Davis stays healthy (roll of the dice), they’ll be a strong play-in candidate.

Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker picked up a phat extension, but Durant and Beal were replaced by Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, the only benefit being youth and enough financial flexibility for upstart governor Mat Ishbia and his new front office to recover. Last season was a disaster, an unexpected gap year, but this season’s gap year is fully anticipated.

Portland Trail Blazers

After a 13-28 first half, they rode a top-five defense to a 23-18 mark in the second half. Adding elite defender Jrue Holiday should push that momentum into next season. First-round pick Yang Hansen, at 7-foot-1, looks more playable than anticipated. With even a middling offense, opponents will have to sweat to earn what once was an easy W. They’re better.

San Antonio Spurs

Rookie Dylan Harper is nice, and Luke Kornet is a productive backup big man. But the return of Victor Wembanyama, second-year Stephon Castle and a full season with De’Aaron Fox lifts the Spurs from popular nightly upset pick to a squad ready to take your lunch. With good health, the play-in tournament is this team’s floor.

New Orleans Pelicans

Big makeover the last six months, with Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum departing for the likes of Jordan Poole, Kevon Looney and Saddiq Bey. The new front office has tasked coach Willie Green with turning a variety pack into a winner. If Zion Williamson stays healthy (roll of the dice) and Dejounte Murray returns (more dice) … nah, the play-in tournament will be a triumph.

Utah Jazz

Remember when Danny Ainge lived to rob fellow general managers? Well, as CEO, he’s playing a befuddling game of “What’s My Vision?” Good luck, Ace Bailey. Represent well at the 2026 draft lottery.

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The Clippers had a need for a playmaker and ballhandler, and they were able to find that “natural fit” with Chris Paul.

Paul spent six seasons with the Clippers, a time when he had plenty of success leading them to relevancy and now he’s back to play his 21st season, which might be his last.

Paul, 40, a 12-time All-Star, agreed to a contract that will pay him $3.6 million next season.

“Chris was a natural fit,” Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, said over Zoom on Tuesday. “His roots with the organization are deep and meaningful. He obviously played a tremendous role in the upward trajectory of the franchise. He wanted to return to the Clippers and we wanted it the same, as long as it made sense with our current roster — and it does.”

Paul has spent his entire 20-year career as a starter in the NBA, playing in all 82 games last season with the San Antonio Spurs. He averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 28 minutes per game while shooting 42.7% from the field.

Over the course of playing in 1,354 regular-season games, Paul has started in 1,314.

Read more:Clippers to land Bradley Beal after Suns buy out his contract

Frank said Paul will “slot into our roster as a reserve point guard,” a role the two of them discussed.

“So, we don’t take that lightly when you’re taking on a different role,” Frank said. “And so there were a lot of conversations. You put everything on the table and get everyone comfortable with it. But the fact that Chris wanted to come back, wanted to be at home, wanted to be with the Clippers, we obviously know what his skill set is, but we also wanted to make sure the role made perfect sense from both people’s perspective.

“And so I thought it was a very, very thorough process in terms of how we went about it, just to make sure that everyone knows exactly what we’re signing up for and we feel really, really good about it.”

Playing time also could be tricky at the guard spot with Paul now on board.

James Harden, who averaged 35.3 minutes per game last season, and Bradley Beal are the likely starters in the backcourt for Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. Then there is Kris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Paul who could be in the rotation.

“We know that ballhandling was a little bit of an issue for us last year and we wanted to get … Chris was the best guy for the job as long as everyone understood exactly what the role was and we can all embrace it,” Frank said. “And so, we’ve been very, very honest and direct and we feel great that Chris is back.”

Frank said Harden played a big role in the team acquiring Beal. Frank was asked if Harden talked to Paul about returning to the Clippers. Harden and Paul played two seasons together in Houston, from 2017 to 2019, and there were reports that their relationship was strained.

Frank said, “They did.” when asked if Harden and Paul had talked.

“And when talking to James, talking to Kawhi [Leonard] — and we talked about what the role would be — both guys said CP would be the best guy for this role,” Frank said.

Paul and Beal have both worn No. 3 their entire careers. But Frank said Beal will let Paul wear No. 3 and decide later what his new number will be.

“So, it’s awesome that Brad made such a great gesture like that,” Frank said. “And so Chris will be No. 3.”

During his six seasons with the Clippers, from 2011 until 2017, Paul helped the franchise reach new heights. He joined Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan to form “Lob City.”

But it sounds as if this will be Paul’s last season in the NBA and it’ll be with the Clippers and it’ll allow him to play in front of his family that lives in the Los Angeles area.

“Well, I think there’s the nostalgic aspect,” Frank said. “But I think the No. 1 question that we always say, is how can he help impact winning? … And yeah, look, there’s the heartstrings part of it, of someone who was such a significant part of the Clippers’ rise to be able to bring it back. Whether this is his last year or not, that’s obviously Chris’ story in terms of what he feels and what he wants. But I think No. 1 is his ability to help impact winning.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Terry Stotts reportedly staying with Warriors, won't join Knicks coaching staff originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors assistant coach Terry Stotts reportedly is staying in the Bay.

As new Knicks coach Mike Brown attempts to fill his coaching staff in New York, Stotts “doesn’t plan on going anywhere” and will return to Golden State for the 2025-26 NBA season, SNY’s Ian Begley reported Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Stotts, 67, joined Steve Kerr on the front bench last season after the Warriors coach’s former top assistant, Kenny Atkinson, accepted the Cleveland Cavaliers’ head-coaching job. Stotts brought over a decade of head-coaching experience with him to Golden State and helped provide structure to the offense.

With a team led by Steph Curry, Stotts didn’t have to tweak too much. Still, he helped the Warriors reach the NBA playoffs in his first season alongside Kerr, in addition to defensive-minded assistant and former player Jerry Stackhouse.

The Warriors finished the 2024-25 season ranked No. 15 in offensive rating (115.09) and will look to improve upon that standing next season with Stotts back in the mix.

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