NBA News Roundup: Atlanta Hawks dismiss Nate McMillan, Russell Westbrook's potential LA Clippers debut date revealed, and more
Amid their disappointing season, the Atlanta Hawks have fired coach Nate McMillan
In other news, nine-time NBA All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook could reportedly make his debut for the LA Clippers on Friday. On that note, here's the latest news from around the NBA as of Feb. 22, 2023:
Hawks fire coach Nate McMillan
The Atlanta Hawks announced on Tuesday that they have fired coach Nate McMillan.
McMillan started out as an assistant coach with Atlanta in the 2020-21 season and was later promoted to head coach midseason. He accumulated a record of 99-80 with them, but the Hawks (29-30, eighth in the East) have disappointed this season despite their offseason acquisition of star guard Dejounte Murray.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hawks will now conduct a wide-ranging coaching search. Their search could include interviews with highly regarded assistant coaches looking for their first head coaching gigs.
They could also interview established former coaches like Quin Snyder and Kenny Atkinson. Wojnarowski added that the Hawks will be prioritizing “player development, accountability and getting (their) offense and defense into (the) league's top 10” during their search.
ESPN Sources: The Hawks are planning a wide-ranging search, but one candidate expected to be at the top of the list: Former Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder. Others expected to be considered include Bucks assistant Charles Lee, Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson.
The Hawks are starting a search for a new head coach immediately, sources tell ESPN. Among the top characteristics in the search: player development, accountability and getting Hawks offense and defense into league's Top 10.
Until then, assistant coach Joe Prunty will serve as Atlanta’s interim head coach.
Russell Westbrook could make LA Clippers debut on Friday
Earlier this week, Russell Westbrook agreed a deal with the LA Clippers following his buyout from the Utah Jazz.
According to multiple sources who spoke with The Associated Press, the former MVP could make his Clippers debut as early as Friday (Feb. 24). That comes as Westbrook is expected to clear waivers on Wednesday (Feb. 22).
Russell Westbrook could make his debut with the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday once he clears waivers, two people with knowledge of the matter said Tuesday.
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The Clippers (33-28, fourth in the West) face off against Sacramento (32-25, third in the West) at home on Friday.
The game will mark the team's first game following the All-Star break. If Westbrook is unable to suit up by then, his next opportunity to make his Clippers debut will be on Sunday. That will be a road game against Denver (41-18, first in the West).
Westbrook averaged 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game on 41.7% shooting in 52 games with the Lakers this season. He has not appeared in a single game for the Jazz following his trade to Utah.
Nets sign coach Jacque Vaughn to multi-year contract extension
The Brooklyn Nets announced on Tuesday that they're signing coach Jacque Vaughn to a multi-year contract extension. The deal will run through the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Jacque Vaughn had shed the interim label earlier this season with a team option on next year — and now gets extended for multiple years past the 2023-2024 season, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/YE3Txda9xF
Vaughn started off the season as an assistant coach with the Nets but was quickly promoted to interim head coach on Nov. 1 and full time eight days later. That came after Brooklyn fired Steve Nash following their disappointing 2-5 start.
Vaughn has since led the Nets to a 32-19 record. He has done so while navigating the team through multiple injuries and roster turnover. Brooklyn recently traded away stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving ahead of the trade deadline, but Vaughn has remained a stable presence for the team.
Nets general manager Sean Marks raved about Vaughn's impact on the Nets in his statement on the coach's extension:
"Jacque has made an immediate and immeasurable impact on our entire organization since assuming the role of head coach earlier this season. On the court, he's clearly demonstrated his leadership through his ability to connect and communicate at a very high level while displaying tremendous instincts for the game.
"As a person, they don't come any better than Jacque. His character is impeccable, and there is not a better representative for our team and our borough. We are thrilled to have Jacque lead the Nets for years to come."
Lonzo Ball shut down for the season
Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball hasn’t played in a single game this season, as he has been recovering from a knee injury.
His timeline to return has been continuously pushed back in the last few months due to setbacks in his rehab. Following these setbacks, Ball has now been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Breaking: The Bulls announced that Lonzo Ball will not return this season as he continues to experience performance limiting discomfort during participation in high level basketball-related activities. https://t.co/SawUpTnajf
Chicago Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas relayed the news via a team statement:
“Despite making significant increases in strength and function over the past several months, Bulls guard Lonzo Ball continues to experience performance-limiting discomfort during participation in high-level basketball-related activities.
"Considering the required time period to achieve the necessary level of fitness to return to play and the current stage of the NBA season, Ball will not return this season. The focus for Ball will continue to be on the resolution of his discomfort and a full return for the 2023-24 season."
Ball last appeared on Jan. 14, 2022. He averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.9 blocks and 3.1 3-pointers per game in 35 games last season.
He did so while shooting 42.3% and 42.3% from the deep. It remains to be seen if the 25-year-old two-way guard will be ready to return by the start of the next season.
Wizards waive Will Barton
The Washington Wizards have waived 11-year veteran wing Will Barton, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Barton was acquired from Denver in the offseason. However, he struggled to make a sizeable impact off the bench. That led Barton to negotiate a buyout from the team.
Washington Wizards guard Will Barton has completed a contract buyout ahead of the March 1 deadline to become eligible to join a playoff roster on a new team, sources tell ESPN. Barton will become a free agent once he clears waivers.
In 40 games for Washington, Barton averaged 7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on just 38.7% shooting. The 32-year-old will now be eligible for the playoffs if he can latch on to a playoff team before the Mar. 1 deadline.