Day: April 20, 2024

The Chicago Bulls fell short of the playoffs for a second consecutive season, and the sixth time in the last seven years. That has Bulls VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas admitting his team needs to make some changes.

“Any season that doesn’t end deep in playoffs requires total examination. We’re not here for play-in. We have to make changes,” Karnisovas said. “While I can be happy with individual growth, I won’t be happy until we bring championship to city of Chicago.”

Putting it even more bluntly, Karnisovas said “We can’t roll with the same team and expect different results.”

The Bulls front office leader said it’s up to him to give head coach Billy Donovan a better team. Karnisovas would like to re-sign DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Williams, but avoided answering how the team will handle Lonzo Ball.

Ball hasn’t played since January 14, 2022 due to multiple knee surgeries. The veteran point guard is heading into the final season of his contract, assuming he picks up his $21.4 million player option for next season.

There is increased doubt that LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will be available at the start of the first-round against the Dallas Mavericks. Leonard has been out since the beginning of April with inflammation in his right knee. That’s the knee Leonard has had surgically repaired in the past.

LA head coach Ty Lue said his star forward has been doing shooting drills and will shoot more today. However, Leonard has yet to go through a contact practice since the knee issue flared up.

The Clippers open the first round on Sunday afternoon. LA will host Dallas in a highly anticipated matchup. Both teams are considered potential contenders to make it to the Western Conference Finals, if not the NBA Finals.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier III is considered week-to-week with a neck injury. Rozier missed the last four games of the regular season and both of Miami’s Play-In Tournament games due to the injury.

While a serious injury, the veteran guard’s career isn’t assumed to be in danger from the neck issue. However, there is no timetable for when Rozier might be able to play.

The Heat acquired Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets in late-January in exchange for Kyle Lowry and a future first-round pick. Rozier averaged 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 31 games with Miami.

After beating the Chicago Bulls on Friday, the Heat advanced to the playoffs as the 8-seed in the Eastern Conference. Miami opens their series at the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon.

DeMar DeRozan was frustrated by the Chicago Bulls loss in the Play-In Tournament. In his three years in Chicago, DeRozan’s Bulls have made the playoffs just once, getting eliminated by the Milwaukee Bucks in five games in 2022.

In each of the last two seasons, the Bulls have been eliminated by the Miami Heat in the Play-In Tournament. That’s not something DeRozan wants to repeat. And it seems likely to factor into the veteran forward’s upcoming free agency.

“My stance on wanting to be here is still the same but I just want to win,” DeRozan said.

DeRozan also seems to know he doesn’t have a lot of years left to accomplish his goal of competing for a title.

“Next time I play a game will be my 16th season,” DeRozan said. “You realize the window closes for you personally. I ain’t trying to play 25 years.”

Memphis Grizzlies forward Yuta Watanabe took to Instagram Live to share his plans for next season. Watanabe said he’s leaving the NBA to return home to play in his native Japan.

Watanabe said there are many factors in his decision, including it being best for his mental health. There were no indications of what team he intends to play for. Watanabe is also expected to play for Japan at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The 6-foot-9 forward has a $2.6 million player option with the Grizzlies for next season, which it appears that he’ll decline. Watanabe was acquired by Memphis from the Phoenix Suns in a trade deadline deal. In total, Watanabe has appeared in 213 regular season NBA games over six seasons with the Grizzlies, Suns, Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets.

The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to hire Onsi Saleh as assistant general manager.

Saleh had been VP of Basketball Strategy and Team Counsel with the Golden State Warriors. Before joining the Warriors in 2021, Saleh spent five seasons with the San Antonio Spurs.

Landry Fields runs the front office of the Hawks.

Host Danny Leroux and Seth Partnow of The Athletic preview the NBA playoffs.

They break down which series they are most excited for, which are the toughest to call, key match-ups and much more.

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The Washington Wizards have parted ways with a number of staff members, but have so far retained interim head coach Brian Keefe and assistant coach David Vanterpool.

The Wizards are beginning a formal search for their next head coach, but Keefe remains a candidate for the job.

Michael Winger inherited Wes Unseld Jr. as head coach when he assumed control of the front office during the 2023 offseason.