With the end of the first round nearing in the playoffs, HoopsHype has gathered the latest intel on candidates for Atlanta’s president of basketball operations opening, coaching candidates for the Phoenix Suns, updates on the front office and coaching staff for the Pelicans and Kings, and an NBA Draft update.
Atlanta Hawks
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Following Atlanta’s decision to fire Landry Fields, promote Onsi Saleh as general manager, and conduct a search for a President of Basketball Operations, several candidates have emerged for the job, with Trae Young extension talks and other roster decisions looming this offseason.
Bob Myers and Tim Connelly are atop Atlanta’s wish list, league sources told HoopsHype. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves hope to sign Connelly to an extension this offseason. Myers is enjoying his role at ESPN, and many around the league believe it would take a significant salary and, more importantly, the perfect fit for him to return as an executive.
In addition, other candidates for Atlanta’s president position include Orlando Magic Senior Advisor of Basketball Operations John Hammond and NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and others potentially, league sources told HoopsHype.
The Stein Line also reported Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand as a candidate for Atlanta.
While those are some candidates who could join the Hawks, there’s more intel on another front office member expected to leave the organization.
In addition to Fields’ departure with one more season remaining on his contract, according to league sources who spoke with HoopsHype, former Hawks Vice President of Basketball Operations Grant Liffman departed from the organization as Chris Haynes first reported, and Hawks executive advisor Chris Emens is not expected to remain with Atlanta, league sources told HoopsHype.
Phoenix Suns
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As Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia considers the future of executive James Jones, whose contract expires in a couple of months, there’s a coaching search underway.
In the past few weeks, there’s been a strong belief that the Suns will now target a young, first-time NBA head coach to fill their vacancy, league sources told HoopsHype.
Cleveland’s Jordan Ott and Oklahoma City’s Dave Bliss, two current assistant coaches on playoff teams who swept their first-round opponents, are expected to draw consideration for Phoenix’s head coaching vacancy, league sources told HoopsHype.
Ott was one of two finalists for the Charlotte Hornets head coaching position last offseason, which eventually went to Charles Lee. Currently, Ott works with Cleveland Cavaliers Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley.
Bliss is Oklahoma City’s lead assistant coach and defensive coordinator. Sam Presti brought Bliss back to the organization in 2018 after his original stint with the Thunder from 2010-2015. During 2015-18, Bliss was a New York Knicks assistant coach. Bliss was also the 2008 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year at Georgia and valedictorian of his Wausau West High School class.
As previously reported on HoopsHype, other first-time NBA head coaching candidates for Phoenix are expected to include Cleveland Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant, Houston Rockets assistant coaches Royal Ivey and Ben Sullivan, Miami Heat associate head coach Chris Quinn, Dallas Mavericks assistants Sean Sweeney and Jared Dudley, etc.
New Orleans Pelicans
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Following the additions of Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver for the New Orleans Pelicans and the departures of Swin Cash, Gar Forman, Todd Quinter, and Chico Averbuck, more staff decisions are coming.
The prevailing expectation is that Willie Green will remain Pelicans head coach, league sources told HoopsHype. Green was in the war room with the New Orleans Saints during the NFL Draft. HoopsHype previously reported on April 16th that Green was expected to be retained.
Pelicans general manager Bryson Graham is also expected to be retained by the organization, league sources told HoopsHype. Graham has played a big role in the team’s recent success with drafting core players and has been with the organization since the 2010-11 season.
Conversely, the Pelicans will not retain coaching advisor Mike D’Antoni, league sources told HoopsHype. D’Antoni has been with the Pelicans in that role since 2021.
Sacramento Kings
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After hiring Scott Perry as general manager a little over a week ago, the Sacramento Kings have agreed to a multi-year deal with Doug Christie to remain the team’s head coach, league sources confirmed to HoopsHype. ESPN broke the news.
“I’ve watched him this year from afar in terms of his ability to have a presence on the court,” Perry said at his introductory press conference. “I think he’s made a connection with players. We’ve had a few conversations up to this point.”
After taking over for Mike Brown, Christie became interim head coach and finished 27-24 during the regular season before losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the Play-In Tournament.
Previously, Christie was a four-time All-Defensive Team selection with the Kings as a player while missing only four combined regular-season games during those four years from 2000 to 2004.
In addition, Kings Vice President of Player Development Paul Johnson is also expected to remain in Sacramento, HoopsHype has learned.
Johnson has held that role in Sacramento since the 2021-22 season and was also the former G League Executive of the Year for the Kings in 2023. Previously, Johnson was with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
NBA Draft
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Isaac Nogues Gonzaléz, the second-youngest G League player ever named to an All-Defensive Team, will remain in the 2025 NBA Draft after turning down a multi-year offer to play for Club Joventut Badalona (ACB), agent Michael Naiditch told HoopsHype.
The 6-foot-5 Spanish point guard spent this season with the Rip City Remix, the G League affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers, and led the G League in assist ratio (50.0). The assist ratio is the number of assists a player averages per 100 possessions used.
As a comparison, the top qualified NBA player in that category in the 2024-25 regular season was Chris Paul (45.0).
Fun fact: Clint Capela was the youngest D-League player named to an All-Defensive Team during the 2014-15 season, per HoopsHype’s Alberto De Roa.
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