As Mavericks president Masai Ujiri keeps insisting that Kyrie Irving can share the floor with rookie Cooper Flagg, rival executives are watching how a torn-left-ACL recovery meets a rapidly changing Dallas timeline. Across the league, the Clippers’ Kawhi Leona
The Dallas Mavericks have been talking about Kyrie Irving like he’s part of the team’s next blueprint—then quickly, the rest of the league started asking whether the pieces truly fit.
Masai Ujiri. hired as Mavericks president and alternate governor. has been clear in public about what Dallas is building around: Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg’s development. In multiple media availabilities since taking the role, Ujiri has said pairing Kyrie Irving is part of the endeavor. He described the challenge in direct terms. saying “Kevin Durant once told me that there’s only one Kyrie walking around in the world. ” before adding. “Yeah. I think we have to figure out a way how Kyrie fits with our program. I’ve had those conversations with Kyrie. I think Kyrie will fit. There’s a huge curiosity in our minds to see how Kyrie fits playing with Cooper Flagg. He’s just that kind of like an incredible talent and player. I think we owe this organization that.”.
Dallas isn’t operating in a vacuum. The league’s uncertainty isn’t about talent—it’s about timing. Rival executives have wondered how long Irving can coexist with Flagg when the two players are on different career timelines. Irving, a nine-time All-Star, is coming off a torn left ACL and he has just turned 34.
There’s also the question every team has to answer after a major injury: what Irving looks like when it’s time to play again. and how he fits with a new structure. Irving is owed $39.49 million for the 2026-27 season and has a $42.42 million player option for the 2027-28 season. and his situation now sits alongside the pressure of a younger core built around a 19-year-old phenom.
Mike Schmitz. now Mavericks general manager. echoed Ujiri’s thinking and lauded the Flagg-Irving pairing on paper as Dallas looks ahead to the upcoming season. Schmitz said. “That’s something you dream of. ” and then framed it this way: “Having a magician with the ball like that who can pass. dribble. shoot. and someone with the connective qualities of Cooper. It’s a match made in Heaven.”.
While Irving and Flagg become the storyline, Dallas also has the kind of draft position that turns talk into leverage. The Mavericks will have a top-10 pick in the draft in consecutive years for the first time since 2017 and 2018. Schmitz said that gave him confidence Dallas can use its pick to land a “rotation-level player.”.
Dallas may even get help finding that talent. League sources say the Mavericks have expressed interest in adding Philadelphia’s Prosper Karangwa to their front office. and Toronto director of global scouting. Patrick Englebrecht. is also a candidate to reunite with Ujiri in Dallas after they worked together since the 2013-14 season.
Kawhi Leonard’s future: three questions hanging over the Clippers
If Dallas is trying to make two timelines coexist, the Los Angeles Clippers are dealing with a different kind of uncertainty—one that has nothing to do with talent and everything to do with process.
Inside league circles, there are three questions driving the noise around the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard.
First: when and what will be the result of the league’s Aspiration investigation involving Kawhi Leonard. president Lawrence Frank. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. and others. Second: after one of the best seasons of Leonard’s career. will the Clippers get an extension done with him. or will they gauge his trade-market value?. Third: what will the Clippers do with their No. 5 overall draft pick?.
The investigation’s outcome remains unknown. But during the Play-In Tournament, Leonard made his stance clear on the pressure it has created—proclaiming, “I think that we’re going to be in the clear, like I’ve told you before, so I’m not stressing it.”
While the investigation sits in the background, the Clippers didn’t freeze. They got younger with a major trade, dealing James Harden for Darius Garland. They also acquired draft assets by trading Ivica Zubac for a haul that ultimately produced the fifth pick in this year’s draft. a 2029 unprotected Pacers first rounder. and a 2028 Mavericks second rounder. along with Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson.
That youth-movement direction is why Leonard’s next decision matters so much to rival executives. They’re monitoring him closely as the seven-time All-Star turns 35 in June.
Several executives have put Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo neck-and-neck for the best player to try to acquire on the trade market if Leonard becomes available.
If Leonard signs an extension, the next question becomes whether the Clippers would flip the fifth pick as part of a larger package to acquire a star who’s ready to contribute more readily.
And if the Clippers keep the fifth pick, the prevailing belief among rival executives—at the NBA Draft Combine and since—is that Keaton Wagler is the top candidate to be selected. More intel is expected to follow in the coming weeks.
The Hawks want size and answers at pick eight
Across town, the Atlanta Hawks’ path is more straightforward—at least on paper.
After the NBA Draft Lottery. Atlanta landed the eighth pick in the draft through the New Orleans Pelicans via the Derik Queen trade. Rival executives project the Hawks to select either a point guard or Michigan 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara. The point guard group includes Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., Darius Acuff, and Kingston Flemings. Mara, meanwhile, is seen as the size option.
Atlanta’s summer priorities also come with a timeline. The Hawks want to re-sign veteran guard CJ McCollum in free agency, but league sources say the 13-year veteran turns 35 in September, and the Hawks could use depth at point guard.
Coach Quin Snyder has had success with Rudy Gobert, whose physique is described as similar to Mara’s, and Snyder’s work with Utah’s Jazz is tied to Gobert’s defensive dominance—winning three of his four Defensive Player of the Year awards while under Snyder’s guidance.
The Hawks also are expected to need frontcourt rim protection, and Mara would fit that profile.
Snyder’s own contract situation is part of the chessboard. He and the Hawks are expected to have extension discussions. First reported by HoopsHype on April 12, Snyder is entering the final year of his contract going into the 2026-27 season. Hawks executive Onsi Saleh and Snyder have developed a notably strong synergy while working together.
On the staff side, Snyder’s assistant coaching bench will need reshaping: Butler has plucked Ronald Nored to be their head coach, and there’s also an expected addition of former Hawks coaching associate Conner Varney, as previously reported by HoopsHype.
A possible name to monitor for Atlanta is Steve Klei, the College Park Skyhawks G League head coach. League sources also said assistant coach Bryan Bailey interviewed for the head coaching position with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Bailey has been an assistant coach for Snyder with the Hawks and the Utah Jazz and has also worked under Jazz coach Will Hardy.
Kings: Darius Acuff Jr. is a clear obsession—if he’s still there
The Sacramento Kings’ draft interest has a face, a résumé, and a numbers line.
League sources say the Kings are enamored with Arkansas star guard Darius Acuff Jr. The key question is whether Acuff Jr. will still be on the board by the seventh overall pick.
At the combine. Acuff measured well with a nearly 6-foot-7 wingspan after executives questioned his defensive potential as they look toward the NBA level. Acuff was SEC Player of the Year and led the conference in points per game (23.5), assists (6.4), and minutes (35.1). He also shot 44 percent beyond the arc.
There’s also a family tie to explain why the Kings might be comfortable making him a priority. Sacramento’s general manager, Scott Perry, coached Darius Acuff Sr. at Eastern Kentucky, and Sacramento is searching for a long-term floor general.
If Acuff Jr. is off the board, other guards such as Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown Jr., and Kingston Flemings could be available.
Bulls coaching search: a rebuild measured in interviews
Chicago’s coaching search is already turning into a talent audit—of candidates and of what the next era should prioritize.
Under the Bulls’ new EVP of basketball operations. Bryson Graham. a cluster of lead assistant coaches who are viewed as candidates for first-time NBA head coaching roles have emerged. Those names include San Antonio’s Sean Sweeney. Minnesota’s Micah Nori. Oklahoma City’s Dave Bliss. and Charlotte’s Lamar Skeeter.
The Bulls will also interview Miami Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn, league sources told HoopsHype. Quinn has a strong background in player development and has worked as an assistant coach on Erik Spoelstra’s staff since 2014.
Cleveland Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant is another potential candidate being considered for Chicago’s head coaching position. Bryant was a finalist for Phoenix’s head coaching job before Jordan Ott was ultimately hired.
Others with NBA head coaching experience have been linked to the Bulls due to organizational ties. Wes Unseld Jr. and James Borrego are among the names. Unseld Jr. has been an assistant coach for Billy Donovan in Chicago for the past two seasons after a three-year stint as Washington’s head coach. Borrego spent two different stints with Graham in New Orleans.
Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter is also in the mix for Chicago. The reporting says Splitter has remained in contact with Portland throughout the team’s head coaching search and is among Portland’s finalists to be their permanent head coach.
With the current pool of candidates, there’s a strong chance Chicago hires a first-time head coach tasked with an emphasis on player development as the organization begins to rebuild.
Portland’s search: cost cuts and cautious optimism
In Portland, the question isn’t only who can coach—it’s whether the job is affordable enough for the people Portland wants.
New Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon has cut costs since arriving. Portland is projected to have the lowest-paying head coach in the league by the end of the team’s search. League talk suggests that led some of the NBA’s top assistant coaches and some college head coaches to decline Portland’s interest.
Yet others have still valued the chance to interview for one of the 30 NBA head coaching jobs.
Tiago Splitter remains central. He’s stayed in contact with Portland throughout the head coaching process and is expected to be among the team’s finalists.
Portland previously interviewed Denver’s Jared Dudley and Houston’s Ben Sullivan. The team also interviewed Hawks assistant coach Bryan Bailey for the Portland job. and league sources said Portland called the Cleveland Cavaliers for permission to speak with assistant coach Omar Cook early in the process. believed to be for a possible assistant coaching position.
Other reported candidates included Terry Stotts, Jeff Van Gundy, Micah Nori, Mike Williams, Greg St. Jean, Jerry Stackhouse, and Tyler Lashbrook.
There’s also the lingering Jason Kidd connection. League circles have quietly connected Kidd to Portland. but the report points to a crucial gap: Portland’s current price range for a head coach is well below Kidd’s remaining contract with the Mavericks. which is for four years and $40 million. according to ESPN.
The piece also notes Kidd’s expressed desire to make front office personnel decisions before Dallas hired Masai Ujiri and Portland general manager Joe Cronin signed a multi-year contract extension in April of 2025.
The memory from Portland’s last coaching search in 2021 is Damian Lillard’s quote to Yahoo Sports: “Jason Kidd is the guy I want.”
So even if the fit isn’t clear right now, the story has enough weight to keep watching.
Pelicans: Jamahl Mosley building his staff in New Orleans
New Orleans has moved on from its coaching change. After head coach Jamahl Mosley is officially in the fold, he has started shaping his assistant coaching staff.
League sources say Mosley’s staff is expected to include Pelicans holdovers Greg Monroe, Jodie Meeks, Mike Hopkins, and Will Bynum.
Two Orlando Magic staff members from Mosley’s past are also described as strong candidates to join him in New Orleans: Dale Osbourne and Bret Brielmaier.
Osbourne was in charge of Orlando’s defense and also worked as an assistant coach on Terry Stotts’ staff in Portland. Brielmaier has been a long roster connector across organizations—Long Island Nets G League head coach. assistant coach with Brooklyn for Kenny Atkinson and Jacque Vaughn. and assistant coach with Cleveland for Mike Brown. David Blatt. and Ty Lue.
76ers: what happens after Daryl Morey and where Josh Harris puts power
Philadelphia’s offseason is built around an executive pivot.
After the Philadelphia 76ers and Daryl Morey parted ways, managing partner Josh Harris tasked HBSE president Bob Myers with finding a new leader of basketball operations.
External candidates have emerged, including Cleveland’s Mike Gansey, Minnesota’s Matt Lloyd, and Phoenix Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren.
Internally, 76ers assistant general manager Jameer Nelson has positioned himself to remain with the organization and be in the mix for a possible promotion, league sources told HoopsHype.
Nelson is described as the safest option among current 76ers executives, but it’s unclear what happens to the rest of the staff.
Prosper Karangwa is drawing attention beyond Philadelphia. League sources say Karangwa has drawn interest from the Lakers and Mavericks.
The report also says two other figures tied closely to Myers won’t be part of the search. Onsi Saleh—despite strong ties to Myers from their time together in Golden State—won’t be part of the process. The Hawks declined to let the 76ers interview Saleh after losing Bryson Graham to the Bulls. Andre Iguodala. who won four NBA championships and has a close relationship with Myers. also didn’t end up being part of the process when many around the league speculated he’d be a potential candidate.
Whoever is hired will have to work with head coach Nick Nurse, who was retained. Nurse has two years left on his contract, league sources told HoopsHype.
Even after a new basketball operations leader is hired, the report says Myers is expected to be involved in all major transactional decisions for the 76ers moving forward. The search for a new basketball operations leader is expected to continue to the next stage sometime next week.
Lakers: a familiar list of front office interest
Los Angeles has also been weighing front office possibilities.
League sources say the Lakers have expressed interest in several candidates for their front office openings. including Timberwolves assistant general manager Steve Senior. 76ers assistant general manager Prosper Karangwa. Heat vice president of player personnel Eric Amsler. and Jazz vice president of player personnel Bart Taylor.
Senior passed on an offer from the Lakers and decided to remain with the Timberwolves.
Karangwa’s interest is described as active: with the 76ers and Daryl Morey parting ways, the report says he has received interest from the Lakers and Mavericks.
Amsler has been with the Heat for 22 years, including winning three NBA championships in seven appearances. Taylor was previously the G League Executive of the Year with Utah’s Salt Lake City Stars.
Utah Jazz: Shane Fenske to run the Salt Lake City Stars
The Utah Jazz will name Shane Fenske as general manager of their G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, league sources told HoopsHype. Fenske is also Utah’s assistant general manager.
Previously, the Yale graduate worked for the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers.
The names, the picks, the investigations—one shared theme
All of these moves—Irving’s recovery timeline. Leonard’s investigation and trade-and-extension debate. the Hawks’ need for a fit around their draft position. the Kings’ question of whether Acuff Jr. survives to No. 7. the Bulls and Blazers searching for coaching answers. and the 76ers and Lakers scrambling through personnel—share the same pressure point: time.
Teams aren’t just waiting for basketball outcomes. They’re racing to lock in the people and plans that will define the next few seasons. And across the league, the dominoes are already falling—quietly at first, then all at once.
NBA Kyrie Irving Cooper Flagg Masai Ujiri Kawhi Leonard Clippers Aspiration investigation draft combine Mavericks 76ers Lakers Hawks Kings Bulls Trail Blazers Pelicans Jamahl Mosley Nick Nurse