Back in 2014, Jamahl Mosley was appointed as an assistant coach with the Mavericks and stayed with the team for seven years until he accepted the head coaching job with the Orlando Magic in 2021. As a part of Rick Carlisle’s staff, he witnessed legend Dirk Nowtizki’s final campaign just as young Luka Doncic was in his rookie season in Dallas.

In a recent interview on the “HoopsHype” podcast, Mosely talked about many subjets, but most interesting was his take on coaching the Slovenian during his first year with the Texan franchise.

According to the team’s former assistant coach, Nowitzki had a very powerful influence over Doncic, assuming a mentorship role at the end of his Hall of Fame career. Jamahl assured that the rising star was like a sponge around the German, and saw him learn from one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley shared behind the scenes stories with Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Kyrie Irving, Dirk Nowitzki, Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, and what’s next for Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Markelle Fultz on the @hoopshype podcast. https://t.co/2OpVVi5cqC

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 20, 2023

“When he came to Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki mentored him and the way he worked. He showed him what he did inside and out how he did things,” he said of their dynamic. “Luka observes everything, not just on the court, but how you conduct yourself off the court and carry yourself.”

Luka was only 20 years of age when he signed for the Mavericks, after winning the 2018 Euroleague trophy with Real Madrid and earned the tournament’s MVP. Mosley couldn’t help but be in awe of the point guard’s natural understanding of the sport, especially as a playmaker.

“The first time you saw it was in pickup games. We had runs in the summer. Luka came in after winning it all overseas,” he recalled. “He was tired because he was playing nonstop, but he picked up right where he left off. Some of his passes he made you’re seeing now, but it’s always been his natural instinct.”

We’ve always known that Dirk and Luka are very close, just as the Mavs’ Hall of Famer decided to follow his Slovenian friend’s steps during the most recent FIBA World Cup.

“Well, you know, I saw Luka’s also in Japan, so I’m going to see [him] when I go to [the] group [stages] to see Germany play. I’m going to see Luka for sure. He was obviously playing for the Mavericks and one of my favorite players, and so [I] can’t wait to see him and of course so many stars,” Nowitzki said last month.

Mosley describes Doncic as an ‘artist’, and says that his love for the basketball game was contagious for the rest of the team

During the interview, the current Magic coach recalled how inspiring young Luka was due to his joy to play basketball everyday and be around his teammates. Mosley specifically used the word “artist” to describe his abbilities with the ball.

“He loves to play the game and loves being around his teammates. There’s a joy he plays with,” Mosley said of Doncic. “That stood out more than anything. The talent level, he sees things other people can’t see. He’s always creating the game. He’s an artist in that way. He helps other guys be better.”

In the video above, check out some of the best plays between Doncic and Nowitzki during their only campaign sharing the Dallas jersey together.

It is also known that the Slovenian superstar always shared great respect for Mosley, and supported his decision back when he decided to accept the head coaching job in Florida two years ago.

According to the latest NBA rumors, the Indiana Pacers are working to find a trade partner for Buddy Hield after his contract extension talks stalled out. Hield, 30, is entering the final season of the four-year, $94 million contract he signed with the Sacramento Kings in 2019.

“Hield is open to a trade elsewhere, according to rival team sources, but no deal is imminent and there aren’t any current substantive talks with any other team,” reported Shams Charania of Athletic and Stadium.

“The Pacers did offer Hield an extension in recent weeks, but it’s believed their proposal did not make the seven-year guard feel desired, league sources said.”

Per a few NBA betting sites, the Indiana Pacers hold 26th-ranked odds to win next season’s championship in 2024. Check out which sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls.

Lakers: finally have a stable roster

Pacers: Buddy Hield is finally available for trade

Oh the irony pic.twitter.com/uU6QQSPQsN

— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) September 21, 2023

Buddy Hield has been eligible for a renegotiation and extension with the Pacers. Of course, Indiana could still use its leftover cap space to increase his $19.3 million salary for the 2023-24 season in a renegotiation.

Otherwise, a number of teams are expected to express interest in a potential trade for Hield, and those discussions could occur leading up to NBA training camp over the next two weeks.

NBA Rumors: Indiana Pacers expect multiple teams to inquire about trades for Buddy Hield after extension talks fell through

In February 2022, Sacramento traded Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton to the Pacers for Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, Domantas Sabonis, and a 2023 second-round draft pick.

Hield has yet to have a breakout season with Indiana. Last season, the guard made 73 starts in 80 appearances, averaging 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 31 minutes per game. Plus, he shot 45.8% from the floor, 42.5% beyond the arc, and 82.2% at the foul line.

In Indiana’s 119-113 loss to the New York Knicks on Jan. 11, 2023, Hield recorded a season-high 31 points, eight boards, and one steal in 33 minutes as a starter. He finished 11-of-20 (55%) shooting from the field and knocked down seven 3-pointers.

If/when the Pacers trade Buddy Hield, it makes it more likely Indiana signs Aaron Nesmith to an extension. They were really happy with what Nesmith brought to the team last year, and a deal for him won’t break the bank to keep up good wing depth.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 20, 2023

However, Hield is still one of the best shooters in the NBA. The University of Oklahoma product finished second in 3-pointers (288) last season behind only Klay Thompson (301). Hield’s 3-point shooting percentage (42.5%) also ranked ninth overall as well.

If the Pacers are able to trade Hield soon, they will likely sign Aaron Nesmith to an extension. In 73 games last season, Nesmith averaged career highs of 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 24.9 minutes per game.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat are among the teams that could be interested in trading for Hield. In July, the Heat traded wing Max Strus to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team sign-and-trade.

Additionally, ex-Miami guard Gabe Vincent signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Lakers. Considering the Heat could very well end up trading Tyler Herro and other players for Damian Lillard, they might make a move to add Hield. Losing Strus and Vincent was bad enough.

More NBA rumors are on the main page.

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The Los Angeles Clippers are having quite a unique offseason, considering the Western Conference contender is the only NBA team to re-sign all four of their own free agents.

Moussa Diabate, (one year, two-way), Xaiver Moon (one year, Exhibit 10), Mason Plumlee (one year, $5 million), and Russell Westbrook (two years, $8 million) all stayed put.

What other offseason moves have the Clippers made so far?

In June, Los Angeles waived guard Eric Gordon and traded center Balsa Koprivica to the Detroit Pistons for cash. As part of a five-team trade, the Houston Rockets traded Kenyon Martin Jr. and a 2026 second-round draft pick to the Clippers as well.

Additionally, the Atlanta Hawks sent Alpha Kaba to Houston; the Rockets traded Usman Garuba, TyTy Washington Jr., a 2025 second-round draft pick, and a 2028 second-rounder to Atlanta; the Rockets traded Josh Christopher to the Memphis Grizzlies; and Houston dealt Patty Mills, a 2024 second-rounder, a 2029 second-rounder, and a 2030 second-rounder to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Fun NBA roster nerd thing: The Clippers re-signed all four of their own free agents:

Moussa Diabate – 1 year, two-way
Xaiver Moon – 1 year, Exhibit 10
Mason Plumlee – 1 year, $5M
Russell Westbrook – 2 years, $8M

No other team has re-signed all of their own FAs this offseason.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 20, 2023

Furthermore, the Clippers traded a 2027 second-rounder to the Rockets and sent Vanja Marinkovic to Memphis. Plus, the Grizzlies traded Dillon Brooks to Houston, and OKC traded cash to the Hawks.

The Clippers also signed rookie forward Kobe Brown to a four-year, $12.39 million contract. Not to mention, the NBA team inked first-year wing Jordan Miller to a two-way contract.

Last season, Los Angeles finished 44-38 and fifth in the Western Conference standings. However, the Clips lost in five games against the Phoenix Suns during the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

The 2023-24 season will be the Clippers’ 54th season in the NBA, 46th season in Southern California, and 40th season in Los Angeles.

This will also be their final season of sharing Crypto.com Arena with the Los Angeles Lakers. Ahead of 2024-25, the Clips are relocating to Inglewood, California, where they will play their home games at the new Intuit Dome.

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