Lakers brace for Harden, Westbrook and small-ball Rockets

The Atlanta Hawks began the interview process to hire a president of basketball operations. The Hawks started the process by interviewing Philadelphia 76ers front office executive Elton Brand.

Atlanta also met with former Denver Nuggets executive Calvin Booth and former Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair. Both Booth and McNair were fired recently from their respective teams.

The Hawks are also expected to consider former professional player Travis Hansen for the role. In addition, Atlanta is considering former Hawk Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who is currently the president of the G League.

The Orlando Magic enter an offseason with substantial cap space and future draft capital that could allow them to build out their roster around Paolo Banchero.

While the Magic could theoretically add a guard that can stretch the floor be dynamic with the ball, they would only want to do in a way that doesn’t compromise their defense.

“[The front office] wants two-way guys who add to what we already have in terms of our defensive identity, length and versatility,” Banchero said in a profile by Ben Golliver of the Washington Post. “Shooting is a big part of what we need to improve on, whether we go and get somebody or try to develop guys. I don’t know which way they’re going to approach that. And having a guy who can set the table and be reliable. We have a lot of talented guys who can make shots and make plays: me, Franz [Wagner] and Jalen Suggs. I would rather be more of an offensive hub than the point guard, if that makes sense.”

Banchero averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in the regular season, but he increased that production in the playoffs by posting 27.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.