NBA Roundup: Malone Joins TV Booth, Warriors Secure Horford, Duke Heads to Australia
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Michael Malone returns to NBA spotlight on television
Former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone made his on-air debut Thursday night on TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” less than a year after the Nuggets dismissed him at the tail end of last season. While enjoying his temporary move behind the microphone, the 54-year-old insisted coaching remains his long-term focus. “I’m definitely not done coaching,” Malone said. “Coaching is in my blood. I got that from my father. I’m excited to get back to teaching once again.” Malone guided Denver for nine seasons and captured the 2023 NBA championship before his exit.
Warriors win bidding for Al Horford
Golden State’s two-year, $11.7 million agreement with veteran center Al Horford continues to raise eyebrows around the league. “It broke our hearts,” an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “We wanted him badly, and they got him for $5 million.” Team sources told ESPN’s Anthony Slater that Horford topped the Warriors’ offseason wish list, with Luke Kornet serving as a fallback option until Kornet accepted a richer offer from San Antonio.
Head coach Steve Kerr praised general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. for landing the 39-year-old big man. “Mike’s been looking for a player like him his entire time here,” Kerr said. “Not just a pick-and-pop guy, but a legitimate big who makes life easier for Draymond and Steph.” Horford will sit out Friday’s game, the second night of a back-to-back, as part of a load-management plan for his age-39 season, Windhorst reported.
Draymond Green added that the franchise remains committed to balancing immediate contention with long-term flexibility. “We’re not saying, ‘Give away everything because we don’t care about 10 years from now,’” Green said. “We’ve found a good balance where we can compete and still have flexibility.”
David Duke Jr. signs with Perth Wildcats
Free-agent guard David Duke Jr. has joined the Perth Wildcats of Australia’s National Basketball League, ESPN’s Olgun Uluc reported. The Wildcats moved for Duke after parting with Mason Jones. Duke, 26, appeared in 55 NBA games with Brooklyn and San Antonio, primarily on two-way contracts. He averaged 16.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists last season for the G League’s Austin Spurs. The combo guard becomes the third NBA veteran to head overseas this week, following Spencer Dinwiddie (Bayern Munich) and Jared Butler (Crvena Zvezda).
Source: Hoops Wire
