The Cavaliers have hired Jawad Williams as an assistant coach on Kenny Atkinson‘s staff, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com . 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, says Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press . They could offer the $14.1MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception, but that may not be enough to attract either player’s attention. The only way the Pistons could offer more would be to renounce their rights to key free agents like Malik Beasley , Tim Hardaway Jr. , and Dennis Schröder .
- 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. The ESPN crew also explores five potential packages they could receive from suitors such as the Rockets, Raptors, Pistons, Warriors and Spurs if Giannis asks out.
- The Bucks don’t have a first-round selection in next week’s draft. The Athletic’s Eric Nehm takes a look at some of the players they target with the second-rounder they possess (No. 47 overall).
- Within his Cavaliers offseason preview, Spotrac contributor Keith Smith says he 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 that Cleveland is good enough to make a deeper playoff run next season with better health luck.