The Laketown Squadron, the Pelicans’ NBA G League club, have named Brandon Demas as their head coach, the G League team tweets.
Demas has worked in the Pelicans organization over the past 14 seasons. Most recently, he was an assistant coach with the NBA team for two seasons following two seasons as the team’s two-way coach (2022-24). Before joining the coaching staff, Demas served as a player development coach/video assistant for three seasons (2019-22) after beginning his career with the organization as a team attendant (2012-19).
Rod Walker of NOLA.com describes in a subscriber-only article how Demas rose from being a ball boy to becoming a head coach. Demas gives some credit to Jose Alvaradowho was traded to the champion Knicks in February.
“Jose did a lot for me on this journey, and I’m proud of him as well,” Demas said. “I consider him family. We are both the same breed. We are both underdogs, and we don’t pass the eye test. But at the end of the day, we get the job done.”
Here’s more from the Southwest Division:
- The Grizzlies are seeking to trade up from their No. 16 overall pick in the draft and virtually anyone on the roster outside of their young core is available at the right price, according to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points. Among the players available is center Saints Aldamawho underwent a right knee procedure in March and appeared in only 43 games this past season. Aldama is entering the second year of a three-year, $52.5MM contract that includes a club option.
- The Grizzlies are hiring Mike Curtis as their new head of player health and performance, Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal tweets. Curtis spent six seasons with the Grizzlies from 2002-08 as their strength and conditioning coach. Curtis has been working in the college ranks for Virginia.
- The Mavericks could be looking for the best available wing or frontcourt prospect at the No. 9 spot, according to Jake Rogers of DallasHoopsJournal.com. That’s due to the anticipation that top guards prospects like Keaton Wagler, Mikel Brown and Darius Acuff will be off the board by the time Dallas makes its selection.
- De’Aaron Fox seems like a prime trade candidate, given the Spurs’ backcourt situation. However, it doesn’t have to happen this offseason. Get the details here.
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