Loyalty is one thing, but money is another. According to reports, the Raptors are prepared to triple his salary. Hard to turn that down.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke is aggressively pursuing Ujiri to become the Raptors’ general manager and plans to present an offer that will pay him nearly $3 million annually over the course of a multiyear contract, league sources said.

Ujiri’s contract with the Nuggets expires on June 30 and it’s possible an agreement can be struck that will allow him to leave sooner.

Ujiri is one of the NBA’s lowest-paid general managers, making below $1 million a year.

Brooklyn’s billionaire owner has spent a lot of money on the roster (and the relocation obviously) and he expecting that to translate into immediate success on the court. While the Nets are improved, they still have a ways to go. According to P.J., the organization’s goal of winning a title in the next year or so are unrealistic. He’s right.

“When you have a job in this league that you have a chance to win every night, that’s very special, and Brooklyn is one of those jobs.  Having said that, the expectations to win a championship in two years, that’s a heavy load for anybody, not just for Brooklyn. I don’t know if that’s realistic the way the roster is right now.  I would not say that team could not win a championship. We thought we could this year if things broke a little better for us.”

The Clippers reportedly have interest in Nate McMillan. A defensive minded McMillan would probably be a very good fit for what the Clipps are tying to do. But does this mean Chis Paul will be the one to conduct the interview? Just kidding…

As the Clippers look for a replacement for just-let-go coach Vinny Del Negro, former Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan has emerged as a potential candidate, according to several NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the situation.

McMillan is one of about five candidates the Clippers’ front office is seriously considering and will present to owner Donald Sterling, one NBA executive said.

The Brooklyn Nets continue to search for a new head coach following their decision to part ways with P.J. Carlesimo, a quest that reportedly led them to Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.

According to Jackie MacMullan of ESPNBoston.com, the Nets reached out to Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, requesting to speak with Rivers about their head coaching vacancy:

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge denied the Brooklyn Nets permission to speak to Doc Rivers about their vacant coaching position, team and league sources confirmed to ESPNBoston.com.

Rivers has three years and $21 million remaining on his contract. The Nets did not retain interim coach P.J. Carlesimo after getting knocked out of the playoffs earlier this month.

“Doc has told me he’s coming back,” Ainge said bluntly. “I talk to him almost every day about our team and what we are going to do moving forward.”

Reaching out to Ainge was a bold move by the Nets and it’s something they likely wouldn’t have done unless they believed there was at least a chance of Boston saying yes. While they were rebuffed, their active interest is intriguing.

Had the Celtics granted the Nets permission to speak with Rivers, it would have been beyond telling.

Boston’s current direction is unclear. Both Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett’s futures are still up in the air. They’re expected to be back, however, something Rivers’ return could signify.

Doc has been one of the Celtics’ greatest advocates. He’s grown attached to the likes of Pierce, Garnett and even Rajon Rondo. If he didn’t want to return to Boston, one would expect it’s because he didn’t want to coach through another rebuild, thereby suggesting that Pierce and Garnett’s departures were imminent.

Ainge’s refusal implies just the opposite. With Brooklyn being rebuffed in their attempt to court Rivers, his return is all but guaranteed, just as Ainge maintains. And if he’s coming back, it seems the Celtics are ready to give it one more go at a championship with its current core.

Of course, this may not prove entirely true. When Rivers signed the contract he is currently under in 2011, he indicated he would perhaps be willing to guide the Celtics through a rebuild.

“Well, I don’t think anyone is looking forward to [rebuilding],” Rivers said, “but I’m willing to do that. I’ve had a group that has been very loyal to me, and I think it would have been very easy to just run and go somewhere else and chase something else. … I just don’t think that’s the right thing to do. Coaches talk about loyalty and team, and I just thought it was time to show it.”

With Rivers potentially on board for any rebuild, Ainge’s decision to turn the Nets away may then not be related to Garnett or Pierce’s future at all. It is, however, indicative of the loyalty Rivers spoke of two years ago.

Photo credit: Sports Illustrated.

Boston is in the midst of yet another pivotal offseason, one that will see the team’s dynamic questioned and scrutinized to no end. Rivers’ presence is then huge. He provides some stability, some continuity. He’s easily one of the most respected sideline-meanders in the league and could be used as a building block himself.

If Rivers had to even think about his future with the team, a complete restoration is not out of the equation. Boston could have privately made him privy to their intentions. Knowing that the Celtics’ core was about to be blown up, he may have needed that time to think.

Or it could have just been the loss to the New York Knicks. We just don’t know.

I myself believe that Rivers coming back is an indication of Boston’s decision to give it yet another go with its current collections of players. Toss in Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck admitting that he wants both Pierce and Garnett back and there don’t seem to be as many changes as originally projected on the horizon.

The situation with the Celtics is so complex, though. I could also see it going the other way.

Whichever way it inevitably goes, it’s evident Rivers will be along for the ride. Which is great news for the city of Boston. Not so much if you hail from Brooklyn.

Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.

Vogel had just about everyone questioning his decision making (except Charles Barkley, who doesn’t always like to acknowledge when he’s wrong) including Steve Kerr and Reggie Miller during the telecast. Removing Hibbert at that juncture of the game appeared to be the exact opposite of what mad sense.

Vogel’s decision was a head-scratcher to say the least, but it appears as if he is aware of that now. Hindsight is 20/20 and it sounds like he knows he made a mistake.

As we found out after the game, he made the move because he didn’t want Chris Bosh to pull Hibbert away from the basket by spreading the floor. So you take him out of the game all together? Sounds contradictory. To make it worse, Vogel just saw LeBron score rather easily on the prior possession. In my opinion, this loss is squarely on Vogel’s shoulders.

Following the game, he made the following statement regarding how he managed Hibbert, according to TNT’s Rachel Nichols: ”I would say we’ll probably have him in next time.”

Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan are tight. Really tight. Jackson has already sang his praises over that of Kobe Bryant.

And why wouldn’t he? Jordan and Jackson won six championships together. His Airness is the greatest of all-time. Jackson wouldn’t trade him for anyone. Or so we thought.

Speaking with Time (via Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated), Jackson conceded that if he had the opportunity to start an NBA franchise, he wouldn’t build around Jordan; he’d assemble a roster around Bill Russell.

“In my estimation, the guy that has to be there would be Bill Russell,” Jackson explained. “He has won 11 championships as a player. That’s really the idea of what excellence is, when you win championships.”

If Jackson were to use crowning achievements as his sole barometer, then Russell has a strong case. Not only did he win 11 championships—the same amount Jackson has won as a coach—but he was named to 12 All-Star teams and is a five-time MVP. That said, Jordan was a five-time MVP as well and earned 14 All-Star Selections.

Those championships appear to make all the difference to Jackson, who also won two as a player. He’s addicted to them. Russell has more, so he would go will Russell. It’s simple logic. But it’s a methodology Jackson wouldn’t stand behind every time.

Phil was also asked who he would choose between Jordan and Kobe. His answer wasn’t as definitive.

“I would flip a coin,” he said. “Whichever one came up heads or tails, I’d take that person. They were that good.”

Kudos to Kobe, for being put in the same class as Jordan by the man that coached both of them to multiple titles. That’s quite an accomplishment. Jackson’s somewhat cavalier approach when it comes to Jordan is a bit vexing, though.

Photo credit: Jeff Haynes AFP/Getty.

Assuming that championships are Jackson’s be-all, end-all of franchise pillars—like he himself says, why choose Kobe over Jordan? Because Kobe almost has six rings? Because he could eventually finish with six rings?

I have my doubt about the latter. So does Jackson. He’s doesn’t exactly have high hopes for Kobe moving forward, as he looks to procure a sixth ring.

“He’s going to be hard-pressed,” Jackson said. “He’s at an age where I think Michael Jordan won a couple more, but he hadn’t suffered the type of injury that Kobe went through at the end of the year this year. Devastating. Achilles tendon is a very difficult injury to survive and come back at the same level. Not too many people do it. If anybody can, Kobe will.”

Fair enough. But a coin toss? Between Jordan and Kobe? Really?

Actually, yes. I kind of see where Jackson is coming from.

Jordan was far more efficient than Kobe will ever be, but they’re both such fierce competitors that it would be impossible to go wrong with either of them. If I had to pick, I’d probably go with Jordan. Not only was he more efficient, but he was the better defender and it didn’t take him as long to develop as a leader.

Still, I can see Jackson’s dilemma when it comes to these two. His decision with regard to Russell is what’s truly troubling..

Centers aren’t the most sound of building blocks in today’s NBA. Teams are increasingly going small and spacing the floor. Guards and Forwards have become more important.

Also, Russell played in the ’50s and ’60s, when the game was drastically different. Someone who was 6’9″, like he was, could play the 5. Today, though? Elite towers are bigger. I’m not so sure he would then represent a championship-caliber pillar. Not as effective a one as Jordan. Or even Kobe.

Then again, for Jackson, it was all about championships. About rings. And 11 beats six, every time.

Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.

Stephen Curry and his band of supposed misfits shocked the NBA sphere when they upset the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs and pushed the San Antonio Spurs to six games in the second. They now have our attention. And Dwight Howard’s too, apparently.

According to Mark Medina of the Press-Telegram, Golden State is among Howard’s top-five free-agency destinations:

A source familiar with Howard’s thinking says he plans to test free agency and has considered the Lakers, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Golden State.

Nothing remains binding, though. The source added Howard’s main concern involves “what team he feels has the best chance to win championships, has the best team and system around him.” The source also stressed Howard has not and will not ask the Lakers to make any moves on his behalf.

Talk about a twist. The Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers aren’t new to this soap opera. They’ve been the teams in play since before Dwight even left the Orlando Magic. The Warriors, though? Absolutely not.

Golden State pursued Howard way back when, but talk of him absconding to California via the Warriors subsided when it became clear he wasn’t going to sign with them. Now, more than a year later, they’ve become a preference of his. Because you know, that’s how Dwight’s mind works. He’s indecisive. We know this.

His decision to consider the Warriors this time around isn’t necessarily a bad one, though. Stephen Curry is the elite point guard he’s never had and Mark Jackson likes to preach defense and speak in hyperbole. And he also likes to think the Warriors are an elite defensive unit, even though they’re not. Howard could help him actualize such exaggerated sentiments.

Toss in the potent stylings of Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson, and Golden State has the shooters/star-potential that should entice Howard. And it has. But is it a realistic landing spot? Eh.

Assuming Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins, Carl Landry and Brandon Rush exercise their player options, the Warriors have nearly $75 million committed in payroll next season. To be honest, we’re not actually doing much assuming. Jefferson, Biedrins and Rush are sure to exercise their options. Landry is expected to opt out, in which case the Warriors would have about $71 million on their financial docket.

Unless Howard is planning on signing for the veteran’s minimum or an exception, the Warriors then have to execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers, which the Warriors can do, because they’re below the “apron” if Landry opts out. They might even be below it if he opts in. The “apron” in question was at $74.3 million this year and is expected to increase. So a trade is a possibility.

The two most notable trade chips? Andrew Bogut and David Lee. That’s why I excluded them previously. Howard can’t look at either of them and say “I want to play with them,” because at least one would have to go. Our question then becomes: Do the Lakers want either of them?

Lee is an All-Star and would allow Pau Gasol to man the center position where he is most effective. He is also on the wrong side of 30 and still recovering from a torn hip flexor he played through during the playoffs. He’s owed more than $44 million over the next three years, which will eat into Los Angeles’ available cap in the summer of 2014.

Bogut’s contract is more conducive with the Lakers’ plans. He will be a free agent after next season and won’t impede the Lakers’ pursuit of LeBron James and any other free agent they please. Bogut, while a defensive stud, is injury prone. Those damn ankles of his have been a headache for the better part of his career. Neither he nor Lee alone would be enough to satiate the Lakers’ appetite.

Would the Warriors be willing to give up one of their young pieces in any deal, say a Thompson or Barnes? It’s tough to say. I mean, this is Dwight freaking Howard, but at the same time, the Warriors have a good thing going. Barnes and Thompson are considered future stars. They’re also part of the reason why Golden State is appealing to Dwight. Giving either one of them up would be beyond tormenting.

Barring anything incredibly crazy, and potentially bone-headed on the Lakers’ behalf, the Warriors are a long shot to land Howard. Which is hardly crippling. They gave up on that dream awhile ago. His interest alone is a victory. It shows how far they’ve come.

And no decision of Dwight’s can take that away from them.

Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.

Here’s a look at all three teams, via USA Today.

2012-13 ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM

Position Player, Team (1st Team Votes) Points

Forward LeBron James, Miami (119) 595

Forward Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City (102) 555

Center Tim Duncan, San Antonio (45) 392

Guard Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (91) 521

Guard Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers (97) 537

2012-13 ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM

Position Player, Team (1st Team Votes) Points

Forward Carmelo Anthony, New York (24) 397

Forward Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers 132

Center Marc Gasol, Memphis (38) 295

Guard Tony Parker, San Antonio (16) 273

Guard Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City (20) 306

2012-13 ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM

Position Player, Team (1st Team Votes) Points

Forward David Lee, Golden State 79

Forward Paul George, Indiana 73

Center Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers (17) 203

Guard Dwyane Wade, Miami (3) 145

Guard James Harden, Houston (5) 253

Mark Cuban has already stated that the Mavericks will be much better next year. That will obviously have to come by way of roster moves. He is apparently eyeing Dwight Howard (who isn’t). Cuban is prepared to move Dallas’ 13th pick in order to work his magic to be able to nab the free agent big man. But in order to peek Dwight’s interested, he’ll have to do much more than just that.

Multiple sources have told ESPN.com’s Chad Ford the Mavs are likely to shop the pick in hopes of creating the cap space necessary to make a run at Dwight Howard in free agency.

The 13th overall pick has a cap hold of $1,655,300.

Carmelo Anthony was chastised for shooting just 40.6 percent from the field during the New York Knicks’ playoff run, yet it turns out he struggled for a good reason.

According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, an MRI revealed that New York’s superstar—who was visibly playing through pain—suffered a small left shoulder tear. Both he and the Knicks are hopeful he won’t need surgery.

An MRI reveals that Carmelo Anthony is suffering from a small left shoulder tear, Daily News has learned. Knicks hopeful no surgery needed

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) May 23, 2013

The plan, according to a Knicks source, is to give Carmelo’s shoulder 3 to 4 weeks to heal on its own. If not, then surgery is probable

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) May 23, 2013

What is it exactly that Carmelo is dealing with? A partially torn labrum. How serious is that? Kurt Heilin of NBC Sports’ ProBasketballTalk breaks it down for us:

he labrum is a type of cartilage found in the shoulder join and helps keep the ball in the socket of the shoulder. The tear can make it feel as if the shoulder is coming out of its socket, something Anthony reported, according to Isola.

Small tears in the labrum can heal with rest and treatment, however if surgery is needed that is at least three months before he could resume basketball activities and maybe as many as five (and both the doctors and Knicks would want to bring him along slowly).

Heilin’s timetable is accurate. Should Anthony need surgery, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com reports that the average recovery time for an athlete after such a procedure is four months.

Dr. Neil Roth, an orthopedic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital, says surgery to repair a shoulder tear could sideline an athlete for 4 months.

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 23, 2013

So, I think it’s safe to say I speak for everyone in New York when I say: Hoooooly Sheeeeet.

The Knicks cannot afford to be without Anthony. At all. He’s their only superstar, and I’m including Amar’e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler and even J.R. Smith in that assessment as well.

Going on 29, Anthony isn’t a kid anymore. Any injury is serious, especially one that would require surgery. And most definitely one that has the potential to impact the mechanics of his jump shot or how he plays in the post.

Hopefully, the Knicks (and ‘Melo) get lucky, and he won’t need surgery. Hopefully, it heals on its own. If it doesn’t, the Knicks need to get Anthony under that knife ASAP.

Three weeks from now puts us in the middle of June. Should we believe the three-to-five month recovery period we’ve been provided with, the earliest Carmelo could return is the middle of September, and the latest he could return is the middle of November.

What’s all the fuss about, though? The worst-case scenario has him coming back in the middle of November. That’s practically the start of the season. Isn’t that good enough?

Er…

You want ‘Melo to go through training camp. He and Stoudemire haven’t been able to get through an entire offseason together without one of them getting injured since Anthony came to New York. You want him to have that time to re-adjust to his teammates and regain his form. What you don’t want is him returning midway through the first month of year, cold as all hell (okay, bad example).

New York can’t afford to be without his production. Not when Chandler doesn’t score, Stoudemire is as fragile as a vase and Smith is Smith (and still a free agent).

Speaking of production, though, could we all take a minute to recognize that Anthony averaged 28.8 points per game for the playoffs with a torn labrum? And that he went 14-of-29 from the field against the Indiana Pacers in Game 6? And that he’s one of the only reasons the Knicks didn’t lose earlier in the NBA playoffs?

Seriously, all this talk that ‘Melo being a cancer who will never win a championship is now absurd. Truthfully, it was absurd before, but now it’s even more so. The dude’s a fighter. And he did what he could. Even the most equally disgruntled, often unreasonable and self-loathing New Yorkers, need to appreciate that.

They also need to pray that Carmelo doesn’t need surgery. That’s all there’s left to do at this point.

Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.

Aside from the coaching staff, it will be interesting to see what the actual roster will look like in 2016. Kobe has already said he’s out and will Wade still be Wade by then? Either way, I’m sure the squad will be loaded.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski will be returning as the head coach of USA Basketball for the 2016 Olympics, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation. A formal announcement is expected in the next 48 hours.

The Chosen One saw Hibbert’s block on ‘Melo. He understood how impressive it was and what it meant. Everyone did. ‘Melo and his New York Knicks had the momentum. Hibbert’s block swayed that momentum back in the Indiana Pacers’ favor. It’s not a stretch to say that his block prevented a Game 7 and saved Indy’s season.

Naturally, with the Miami Heat squaring off against the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, that block has once again come to the forefront of discussion. Hibbert has already de-posterized Anthony, and his next victim could be LeBron.

Or not.

LeBron was spotted practicing floaters in anticipation of this matchup. Hibbert is tall, he can block shots and LeBron knows it. This wasn’t a coincidence.

“I just dust it off when I need it,” he said (via Joseph Goodman of The Miami Herald).

Against Hibbert—who is averaging 2.6 blocks per game during the playoffs—he’s going to need it. He won’t be able to attack the rim willy-nilly like he’s used to. There could be consequences. Again, he could just ask ‘Melo.

Yet, LeBron has no plans to become Hibbert’s next shot-blocking victim. None at at all. And that’s not because he intends to stop driving. He was seen dusting off his floater because, well, he has to. But that doesn’t mean he’ll stop attacking. In fact, he conceded to just the opposite.

When asked if he would hesitate to go up against Hibbert at the rim because of what Hibbert can do slash what happened to ‘Melo, LeBron was confused.

“Me?” he asked incredulously (via Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News). “Me?”

LeBron was then reassured the reporters were indeed making reference to him.

“Nah,” he said simply.

So there you have it. No explanation needed. LeBron says it won’t be an issue, so it won’t be an issue.

That I’m only half kidding attests to how much faith we should have in ‘Bron. He’s that amazing. But he didn’t leave it at “nah.” When pressed further, he broke it down for everyone to better understand.

“If I think I can finish over the top than I’m going to go for it,” LeBron explained. “Once you get in the air you want to think, score first, pass second, and see where it takes you.”

“But I do protect myself though,” he added. “I had a nasty fall when I was in junior high school, broke my wrist. So I’m very protective of how I take off.”

First off, whoa. LeBron broke his wrist in junior high school and was still selected with the first overall pick in 2003? Those Cleveland Cavaliers sure took a helluva risk (kidding).

Really, LeBron is just the most confident player in the NBA (save for maybe Kobe Bryant). He knows he’s the best, so he’s not going to change his entire play style to accommodate Hibbert. If he has to, he will. Otherwise, he’s going to keep attacking.

Knowing how ridiculously explosive he is I’d hazard he’ll keep successfully dunking as well. It’s Hibbert who will be the one that needs to watch out, because there (likely) won’t be any Carmelo-ing against LeBron.

Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.