The Cavaliers have hired Jawad Williams as an assistant coach on Kenny Atkinson’s staff, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reports. Cleveland’s interest in Williams was reported earlier this week.
Williams has been an assistant and director of player development with the Kings for two seasons. The Cavaliers need to retool their staff after the departures of Bryan Tibaldi (Providence College), DeMarre Carroll (Suns), Chris Darnell (Kings) and Jordan Ott — the Suns’ new head coach.
We have more from the Central Division:
- The Pistons’ biggest need appears to be a stretch four. Should they pursue Naz Reid or Bobby Portis if they become free agents, as expected? It’s a tricky call, Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press notes. They could offer the $14.1MM non-taxpayer midlevel exception but that’s not a significant difference from what that duo already pulls in. The only way the Pistons could offer more would be to renounce their rights to key free agents Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schroder.
- ESPN’s NBA Insiders take a hard look at the Bucks’ dilemma regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo. They explore three trade packages that could help the Bucks continue to build around their superstar. If he asks out, the ESPN crew explores five potential packages they could receive from suitors such as the Rockets, Raptors, Pistons, Warriors and Spurs.
- The Bucks don’t have a first-round selection in next week’s draft. The Athletic’s Eric Nehm takes a stab at the players they could potentially drafted with the second-rounder they possess (No. 47 overall).
- In his offseason preview of the Cavaliers, Spotrac contributor Keith Smith believes they should be willing to pay a big tax bill and run it back with the same core group, while listening to offers for Jarrett Allen. He notes they’re good enough to make a deep playoff run next season with better health.