Damian Lillard Will Evaluate Blazers’ Offseason Movement Before Deciding Next Steps

The Los Angeles Clippers are “going to great lengths” to acquire James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Harden reported to training camp with the Sixers on Tuesday and has participated in practice on Wednesday and Thursday without incident. Sources tell The Athletic that Harden is “taking part because he remains hopeful that a trade to the Clippers is still in the works and believes, for now, that it would be wise to not be a distraction.”

The Clippers are in communication with multiple teams about how to move pick swaps for additional draft capital in hopes of trading for Harden.

The Clippers offered the Sixers an unprotected first-round pick, a pick swap and matching salaries for Harden, sources tell The Athletic.

The Sixers are seeking Terance Mann and multiple first round picks from the Clippers in order to part with Harden.

The Memphis Grizzlies were disappointed after their first-round series loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Multiple Grizzlies expressed that they know they need to be better moving forward, including franchise player Ja Morant.

Morant took ownership of Memphis’ shortcomings, starting with himself.

“I just got to be better with my decision-making. Off-the-court issues affected us as an organization,” Morant said.

When asked a follow-up, Morant reiterated that making better decisions starts with him, as the team’s leader.

“Like I said before, my (takeaways) are off the court and on the court. Just, being disciplined. Off the court, it’s about making better decisions. On the court, it’s about being locked in even more,” Morant said. “Being the leader of the team, it starts with me. However I attack any situation, I know my guys will follow. I just have to be better in that area.”

The Toronto Raptors have looked into the possibility of JJ Redick for their head coaching vacancy, a source has told Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca.

Redick has a fledging career in broadcasting after his retirement in 2021.

Redick has spoken openly about possibly coaching in the future.

Steve Nash, Derek Fisher, Jason Kidd, Mark Jackson, Isiah Thomas and Steve Kerr are among some of the former players who became head coach in the NBA without any prior experience as an assistant coach or as a college head coach.

The Raptors have been linked with a number of current assistant such as Charles Lee, Sam Cassell, Kenny Atkinson, Jordi Fernandez, Adrian Griffin and David Adelman. Other candidates include Becky Hammon, Jerry Stackhouse and Patrick Mutombo.