Barstool NBA Notebook: Suns Hire New Coach, David Fizdale, Jamal Crawford Opts Out

This is a new daily series I plan on launching with half the league in the offseason. The NBA offseason tends to be one of the more wild one at the professional level, so this will be your cheat sheet to see what’s going on. This will be everything from coaching changes and interviews, contract deals, trades, etc. We’ll avoid game recaps, but rather focus on the other aspects to the league and game. You’ll be able to find it all right here. If there’s something you want changed with this set up or any ideas, let me know @barstoolreags

Phoenix Suns hire Igor Kokoskov as head coach

The Suns announced yesterday they are signing Jazz assistant coach Igor Kokoskov to be their head coach and he’ll become the first European born full time head coach. This signing came a bit out of nowhere as the Suns kept the coaching search pretty tight-lipped. We knew they talked to Budenholzer and then Kidd and Del Negro, but there were no talks of who was a favorite or who else they were really looking at. They get an experienced NBA assistant coach here who spent time with the Clippers, Pistons, Cavs, Suns, Magic and Jazz. He was also the head coach of the Georgia and Slovenia national team. Now, I’m still not going to buy into the Suns taking Luka Doncic just because he coached the Slovenian national team, but if they do end up with Doncic there is that connection to help a young player. I still think the Suns have to take Ayton if they hold on to the No. 1 pick and build around him and Booker. That could open up a trade possibility for Dragen Bender or Marquesse Chriss as well. Kokoskov is known as a teacher though, which is going to be key for a team that is young and rebuilding.

Billy Donovan returning to the Thunder

Sam Presti held his end of the season conference yesterday and announced that Billy Donovan will be returning to the Thunder. This was one of the decisions I was really keeping an eye on because of the failed expectations this past season. Donovan came to the Thunder from Florida, where he was known as a guy who could connect with players and get a bunch of talent out. We saw him win by getting guys like Horford/Noah/Brewer to blend together at the collegiate level. However, I think he’s been a bit overrated as an NBA coach and hasn’t truly been able to adapt to the game. Now, I’m not saying he sucks or anything like that, but he’s more of a middle-tier type coach instead of the top-5/7 guy that many thought he would be. He needs to continue to work with Westbrook in that communication aspect and really find a way to figure out the Thunder roster. He does still have a couple years left on his contract, but if the Thunder don’t meet expectations next season we could see Donovan back in college.

Jamal Crawford opts out of contract for next season

When a bunch of people are opting in to their player option for next season, Jamal Crawford did the opposite. He decided to decline the $4.5 million he’d get from the Thunder to become an unrestricted free agent. Now, this is unlike most situations because it’s highly unlikely Crawford will get that sort of money in free agency. However, what he does have now is the ability to choose where he wants to play. Crawford is 38 and wants to play for a contender. The Wolves simply aren’t there yet and while he still could return to Minnesota, his options are now open for wherever he wants to go.

Players who have opted in to contracts for next season

Cory Joseph (Pacers), Wes Matthews (Dallas), Jeremy Lin (Nets), Wes Johnson (Clippers)

Luka Doncic won’t work out for NBA teams pre-draft

This isn’t necessarily a surprise or as big of a deal as some will make it out to be. Now, do I think Doncic is the best player in the class? No, I don’t. But, I think he’s in that top tier of talent and also the fact that scouts have enough tape on him that he doesn’t have to work out for teams individually. This isn’t something that will hurt him or anything along those lines. The other main thing here is Doncic is still playing for Real Madrid, whose season runs pretty much up to the draft. Remember last year, Frankie Smokes had to fly back to France to play in the championship game right after the draft.

David Fizdale starting to get traction for the Knicks job

I mentioned the Knicks job yesterday and how I actually think they did a good job of not rushing things. Now, the interview process is over and there are 11 candidates. Again, here’s how I would rank them (this is in order) since I’m a Knicks fan:
Would love: Budenholzer/Fizdale/Stackhouse/Blatt/Larranaga
Fine with: Howard/Borrego
Pretty upset: Jackson/Brown
Would be livid: Woodson/Smith

Now, Shams is reporting that the Knicks are starting to make traction with Fizdale – the former Heat assistant and Grizzlies head coach. I would absolutely love this hire. I think Fizdale caught a bad deal in Memphis when the front office essentially sides with Marc Gasol over Fizdale, which made the coach a free agent. The one thing I love the most about Fizdale is simply how honest he is. He’s going to have to change the culture with the Knicks – as much as one can with Steve Mills and James Dolan around. That can only happen if he’s honest with guys like Kristaps, Frank, etc. If you’re a Knicks fan, let’s hope the job gets done here quickly to bring on Fizdale.