Mavericks Seek Veteran Leader for Front Office; Bryant Replaces Coward in Rising Stars; Wembanyama Hits 40; Rockets Navigate Injuries
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Mavericks
Team governor Patrick Dumont is reviewing a slate of experienced executives to fill Dallas’ head of basketball operations vacancy, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. League insiders told The Athletic’s Christian Clark that the club is determined to hire a proven front-office leader after its experiment with former Nike executive Nico Harrison. Some candidates currently run basketball operations for rival franchises, and interviews with executives employed by other teams are expected.
Sources cited by The Athletic added that head coach Jason Kidd, who has influenced roster moves, is not expected to receive a promotion to a lead personnel role.
Rising Stars Update
The NBA announced that Spurs rookie forward Carter Bryant will join Friday’s Rising Stars game as an injury replacement for Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward, sidelined by right knee soreness.
Wembanyama’s Big Night
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama exploded for 40 points in just 26 minutes during Tuesday’s win over the Lakers. Despite pushing to re-enter the contest, he remained on the bench with San Antonio holding a sizable fourth-quarter lead. “We’ve got to think long term,” Wembanyama told ESPN. He logged more than 33 minutes the following night in a 126-113 victory over the Warriors.
Rockets’ Perspective
Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle writes that Houston profiles as a strong team but not yet an elite title threat, largely because starting point guard Fred VanVleet is out for the season and center Steven Adams has been sidelined since mid-January. “Continuity matters,” forward Kevin Durant said. “When I’m around, expectations go up. Nobody cares about context.” Shankar notes that, even without a championship push, a playoff series win or two would mark important progress for the young roster.
Source: Hoops Rumors
