The Sacramento Kings hired Scott Perry three months ago and proceeded to have their best run of player acquisition (on paper, at least) in a decade. Perry came in after working with Rob Hennigan in OKC and Orlando. The Magic didn’t fare too well under their watch, but Perry led strong NBA draft work for Sacramento and helped bring in veterans who have Kings fans feeling good about the future.
In major shocker, Knicks display competence
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The Knicks, in desperate want of competence in the front office, liked what they saw. Being the Knicks GM is Perry’s dream job. As such, the Kings let him interview and he got the job. According to Woj, the Kings and Knicks are now just working out compensation.
It’s too late to fix this summer for Perry: Tim Hardaway Jr. and his $71 million contract are definitely walking through that door. But as a first act, it appears the Carmelo Anthony trade talks have been paused as the new front office assesses everything. Odds are Melo still gets traded — especially if he’s already decided to waive the no-trade for certain teams — but it should be deliberative and based on the best return for New York.
Patience, competence, hope: What a change for the New York Knicks!
Ricky O’Donnell has a rundown on the basketball recruits you need to know this coming high school season. If you need a little more hype, watch this damn Zion Williamson chasedown block. SHEESH.
Tim Cato on why Dennis Smith is the perfect prospect for the Mavericks right now. Speaking of Smith, this is by far the best missed dunk of Summer League.
Dave Zirin on how Dan Gilbert is promising to pay local taxpayers back for an expensive retrofit of The Q using playoff revenues through 2023. Meanwhile, LeBron James could absolutely derail that plan in 12 months’ time. Hmm ....
The Spurs renounced Jonathan Simmons to make him an unrestricted free agent. It sounds like San Antonio still wants to keep him, though. It’s kind of interesting that both Simmons and Tony Allen are floating out there on the market. What happened to our obsession with gritty wing defenders?
FIBA qualifying for the World Cup and Olympics will now be held during November, February, and June/July. This is terrible and could ruin global basketball’s progress.
The Pacers reportedly offered Paul George for Klay Thompson. Inventive!
Football player and bro personality J.J. Watt attempted to mock Big Baller Brand but found himself roasted alive instead. Welp!
You will be unsurprised to learn that Hassan Whiteside is a big fan of the dancing hot dog filter.
It’s true: The Gasols’ youngest brother looks eerily like Mike Conley.
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