Jackson tools to rebuild Knicks

Had Phil Jackson been discussing his six championships with Chicago, nobody would argue. It was bad enough to make anyone wonder if Jackson, whose 11 championships are the most of any NBA coach, was cut out for the job of executive. With the No. 4 pick in the draft and another $25 million or so to spend in free agency, the Knicks are in position to be offseason winners.


Van Gundy says Pistons not optimistic about keeping Monroe (Yahoo Sports):

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Stan Van Gundy concedes the Detroit Pistons are ''not entirely optimistic'' about bringing Greg Monroe back this offseason.


76ers seek cornerstone player with No. 3 pick in NBA draft (Yahoo Sports):

The Philadelphia 76ers have scanned the scouting reports, conducted their interviews and watched all the film. No doubt, team president Sam Hinkie has checked for the smallest of hairline fractures, a tweak or a tear to an ACL, even a hangnail - any nick or knock - that would make that player more appetizing to the franchise. Under Hinkie's watch, the 76ers have made a habit on draft night of acquiring players who make news their first season more for their X-rays than exciting plays as part of a long-term plan to lose games and stockpile young talent.


Pollack, last original employee of NBA's 1st season, dies (Yahoo Sports):

Harvey Pollack, the last original employee of the NBA's inaugural season to still be working in the league, has died. Pollack worked for the Philadelphia 76ers at the time of his death, spending the past 28 years as the team's director of statistical information. In 1946, Pollack began his career with the Philadelphia Warriors of the Basketball Association of America, which later merged with the National Basketball League to form the National Basketball Association, as the team's assistant publicity director.


Cavs pick up 2016 option for Mozgov, other decisions ahead (Yahoo Sports):

There was never a doubt the Cavs would bring back the 7-foot-1 center, acquired in a January trade from Denver in exchange for two first-round draft picks. Mozgov transformed the Cavs on defense, giving them a rim-protecting big man after Anderson Varejao was lost for the season with an Achilles injury. Coach David Blatt credited the arrival of Mozgov along with guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert from New York in helping turn around the season for the Cavs, who were 19-20 in mid-January.


Karl-Anthony Towns says there is 'no promise' from T-Wolves (Yahoo Sports):

Karl-Anthony Towns has heard his name connected to the Timberwolves for the upcoming NBA draft for more than a month now, with the Kentucky big man seemingly destined to land in Minnesota on Thursday night. The Wolves have the first pick for the first time in franchise history, the product of a miserable 16-66 season and some lottery luck that finally fell in their favor. The Wolves spent all last week hosting the top prospects in the class at their shiny new practice facility, including Duke center Jahlil Okafor, Ohio State point guard D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay, a point guard who spent last season playing in China.


AP source: Magic trade Ridnour for Grizzlies' Timma rights (Yahoo Sports):
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A person familiar with the deal says The Orlando Magic have agreed to send reserve point guard Luke Ridnour to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the rights to forward Janis Timma.
Nets' Young opts out; GM King says he wants to keep him (Yahoo Sports):

Thaddeus Young has informed the Brooklyn Nets he will become a free agent, and general manager Billy King says they want to keep the forward and center Brook Lopez. Young told the Nets on Monday, bypassing the $10.2 million he would have made next season in the final year of his contract. King says the Nets were expecting the decision.