Rewards of the tank:2014 off-season!

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A. Sherrod Blakely: Projected lottery pick Marcus Smart expected to do interviews and physicals but nothing on the court, source tells CSNNE.com. Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Steve Kyler: Word is Adreian Payne played the last three months of the season with full blown Mono... Coming off it now, said to look great on the court. Twitter @stevekylerNBA

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The Chicago Bulls have given the Utah Jazz permission to interview assistant coach Adrian Griffin for the head coaching job, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

Griffin has been an assistant coach in the NBA since 2008 when he joined the staff of the Milwaukee Bucks. He joined the Bulls in 2010. According to Wojnarowski's report, Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey is interested in Griffin because of "Griffin's defensive background with Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau." The Jazz finished No. 18 in total defense last season.

Griffin's name has also surfaced with other NBA head coaching job vacancies. USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt and Sam Amick reported that Griffin is "top candidate" for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Lafe Peavler is a staff sports writer for the Deseret News. Follow him on Twitter @LafePeavler.

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http://saltcityhoops.com/coaching-pr...drian-griffin/

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[QUOTE]One NBA team with a coaching vacancy has already contacted UConn

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Chad Ford: Dante Exum measured 6-6 in shoes, 196 pounds with a 6'9.75 wingspan. That's huge for a NBA PG. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Sean Deveney: For what it is worth, NBA has Dante Exum in with the shooting guards here at #NBACombine. He can play some point but projects as a 2 guard. Twitter @SeanDeveney

Jason Jones: Dante Exum sees himself as a PG: "playing the one is what got me here." Twitter @mr_jasonjones

A. Sherrod Blakely: Dante Exum has already interviewed with Phoenix, Philly and Detroit. Said the #Celtics are also on his docket this week. Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Mark Murphy: Dante Exum has Celtics on his interview list: "I can't wait to talk to them and see how I fit into their system" Twitter @Murf56

Bill Oram: Lakers are among the teams that will interview Dante Exum tonight. Twitter @bill_oram

Scott Howard-Cooper: Dante Exum bats down suggestion he is aiming for the Lakers in the draft, but does not rule out pressuring some teams to not take him. Twitter @SHowardCooper

Josh Robbins: Australian PG Dante Exum said he expects to be interviewed by the Orlando Magic tonight. #NBACombine Twitter @JoshuaBRobbins

Aaron Falk: Dante Exum says he's scheduled to meet with the Jazz on Friday. Twitter @tribjazz

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade: Aussie guard Dante Exum said he thinks he's interviewing with the #Cavs during the combine. Twitter @PDcavsinsider

Chad Ford: Marcus Smart measured 6' 2" in socks, 6' 3.25" in shoes. 6'9.25" wing, 8' 3" standing reach. 227 pounds. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Alex Kennedy: Marcus Smart has met with the Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Sean Deveney: Marcus Smart says he has met w Suns and Rockets, and will meet w more inc Magic, Celtics and Jazz. Twitter @SeanDeveney

Jason Jones: Marcus Smart said his interview with the Kings is tonight. Twitter @mr_jasonjones

Gery Woelfel: Marcus Smart will meet with Bucks officials today. Measured at 6-2 1/2 without shoes. 6-9 wing span. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade: Ok State's Marcus Smart said he will interview with #Cavs today Twitter @PDcavsinsider

Darren Wolfson: #Twolves won't interview Marcus Smart in Chicago, but told they're hoping to get him here for a workout. Hmmm. Just can't see him falling. Twitter @DarrenWolfson

Chad Ford: Tyler Ennis measured 6'1 in socks. 6' 2.5" in shoes. 6' 7.25" wing, 8' 2" standing reach. 181 pounds. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Alex Kennedy: Tyler Ennis says he feels he's the best point guard in this draft class, since he believes he's the complete package. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Alex Kennedy: Tyler Ennis has met with the Charlotte Bobcats, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Ryan Wolstat: Ennis said he will interview with Raptors. Said playing at home would be a dream. Has talked to Cavs Thompson, Bennett, Waiters abt process Twitter @WolstatSun

Chad Ford: Gary Harris measured 6' 2" in socks. 6' 6.75" wingspan. 8' standing reach. 204 pounds. Pretty small for a two guard. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Marc D'Amico: Gary Harris (MSU) tells Celtics.com that he was recruited by Brad Stevens to play at Butler and enjoyed meeting w/ him this week. Twitter @celtics

Chad Ford: Aaron Gordon measured 6' 7.5 in socks, 6' 11" wing, 8' 9" standing reach, 220 pounds. He's right there with Randle. Twitter @chadfordinsider

David Locke: Aaron Gordon is an inch shorter than Blake Griffin with same reach and longer wingspan. Weighs 25 pounds less. Athleticism is close Twitter @Lockedonsports

Chad Ford: Zach LaVine measured 6' 4.25" in socks. 6' 5.75" in shoes. 6' 8.25" wing. 8' 4" standing reach. 180 pounds. Twitter @chadfordinsider

A. Sherrod Blakely: Zach LaVine said the #Celtics were one of the teams he interviewed with yesterday. #Celticstalk Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Chad Ford: Nik Stauskas measured 6' 5.25" in socks. 6' 6.5" in shoes. 6' 7.75" wing. 8' 6" reach. 206 pounds. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Jason Jones: Nic Stauskas has already met with the Kings, too. Twitter @mr_jasonjones

Jason Jones: Stauskas said interview with Kings had basic questions, but at least 10 or 11 people in the room from the team. Twitter @mr_jasonjones

Doug Smith: Michigan PG Nik Stauskas also to meet with Raptors at NBA draft combine. Twitter @SmithRaps

Alex Kennedy: Shabazz Napier has met with the Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Marc D'Amico: Shabazz Napier, who was born in Roxbury, says "it would be crazy" if he actually wound up with his hometown and favorite team, the Celtics. TwitteCeltics, Draft, Workouts, Shabazz Napier

Mark Murphy: P.J. Hairston - UNC scorer who finished last winter in D-League - has workout skedded with Celtics on June 3. Twitter @Murf56

Rick Bonnell: P.J. Hairston tells me the Bobcats have expressed interest in him. Seems like a viable option at No. 24. Twitter @rick_bonnell

Exum and Smart interviews. Don't sleep this summer Trey!

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Sean Deveney: Dante Exum on angling to play for LA: "@Los Angeles Lakers are a great organization, but I am in the draft to go to a place that is the best fit for me" Twitter @SeanDeveney

Scott Howard-Cooper: Dante Exum: "There

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Chad Ford: Julius Randle measured 6' 7.75 in socks, 6-9 in socks. 7' 0" wingspan. 250 pounds. 8' 9.5" standing reach. Solid, but not elite. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Charles F. Gardner: Julius Randle said he never considered skipping the draft combine. Twitter @cf_gardner

A. Sherrod Blakely: Julius Randle said he will interview with the #Celtics today. #Celticstalk Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Josh Robbins: Kentucky PF Julius Randle said he was interviewed by the Orlando Magic last night. Twitter @JoshuaBRobbins

Aaron Falk: Kentucky forward Julius Randle met with the Jazz yesterday. http://t.co/r4S4jbAlVE Twitter @tribjazz

Mary Schmitt Boyer/Jodie Valade: Kentucky's Julius Randle said he had a great interview with the #Cavs at the NBA combine Twitter @PDcavsinsider

Charles F. Gardner: Randle said he is interviewing with #Bucks today. Twitter @cf_gardner

Chad Ford: Noah Vonleh measured 6' 8" in socks, a crazy 7' 4.25" wingspan, 9' 0" standing reach, 247 pounds. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Baxter Holmes: Mass native Noah Vonleh said he has an interview scheduled with the Celtics today. Twitter @BaxterHolmes

Josh Robbins: Indiana big man Noah Vonleh said he has an interview scheduled tonight with the Orlando Magic. Twitter @JoshuaBRobbins

Chad Ford: Glenn Robinson III measured 6.7.5" in socks and 6' 8.75" in shoes. He has a 6' 10" wing and an 8' 4.5" reach. Weighed 211 pounds. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Aaron Falk: Glenn Robinson III also among the 18 players Utah will interview. Twitter @tribjazz

Better not sleep this summer Enes and Favors! Looks like Robinson is in the range for their 2nd round pick

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Exum, No. 4 in our latest mock draft, didn

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The bigger problem is that McDermott

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[QUOTE]The Jazz will have the No. 4 spot in the lottery Tuesday night, meaning they could pick anywhere from one through seven in the June 26 draft and theoretically be in position to select the 6-foot-6 point guard.

Exum said he didn

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[QUOTE]What the Jazz need to start answering is who is each one of these guys relative to a championship-contending team. As I have watched the league

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The Utah Jazz and the Idaho Stampede of the D-League are expected to soon announce an exclusive one-on-one affiliation, according to sources.

This will be the third time the Jazz and Stampede have had a working relationship, going back to the 2006-07 season.

The Boise-based basketball team recently cut ties with the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Jazz were left without a D-League affiliate after the Bakersfield Jam partnered with the Phoenix Suns.

The Jazz declined to comment on their D-League affiliation.

Utah has had five different affiliations with D-League teams since the NBA allowed player assignments in 2005. Those affiliates include: Albuquerque Thunderbirds (2005-06), Idaho Stampede (2006-07, 2011-12), Utah Flash (2007-11), Reno Bighorns (2012-13) and the Bakersfield Jam (2013-14).

Jazz rookies Rudy Gobert and Ian Clark spent time playing with the Jam last season.

Former Jazz shooting guard Kevin Murphy, the 47th pick of the 2012 draft, played for the Stampede earlier this year. He led the D-League in scoring (25.5 points per game), including a career-high 51 points against the Los Angeles D-Fenders in February.

The website DLeagueDigest.com was first to report that a Jazz-Stampede reunion was likely to happen.

EMAIL: jody@desnews.com

TWITTER: DJJazzyJody

This could be big! I imagine Lindsey will use it much like the Spurs do which the Jazz didn't even when they had their own just down the highway a short way. Instead of developing guys at the NBA level you can develop them in Idaho.

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Chad Ford: Julius Randle with a 35.5" max vert. #NBACombine Twitter @chadfordinsider

Charles F. Gardner: Julius Randle and Dante Exum interviewed with Bucks on Thursday and received workout invites. Both said workout skeds TBD post-lottery. Twitter @cf_gardner

Chad Ford: Doug McDermott with a very impressive 36.5" max vert. #NBACombine Twitter @chadfordinsider

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Chad Ford: The picture of Andrew Wiggins vert jump floating around? His agent, Bill Duffy, told me it's a 44 inch vert. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Chad Ford: Biggest winner of the #NBACombine? Andrew Wiggins iconic 44" vert photo. http://t.co/9r84KZ0PeK Twitter @chadfordinsider

Chad Ford: Noah Vonleh with a 37" max vert. #NBACombine Twitter @chadfordinsider

A. Sherrod Blakely: Awesome, totally unexpected moment between Noah Vonleh and former #Celtics great Wayne Embry whose massive hands are smaller than Vonleh. Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Alex Kennedy: Noah Vonleh's hands are 11.75 inches - the second-largest in NBA combine history. He first palmed a basketball at "six or seven years old." Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Alex Kennedy: Noah Vonleh has met with the Magic, 76ers, Bucks, Pistons, Kings, Blazers, Suns and Timberwolves. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

He might be an interesting guy to have working out with he Mailman who had such great hands.

Jody Genessy: To clarify, Chad Ford heard Jabari is 15-20 pounds overweight but would be surprised if that's true. Still, I want deep dish pizza shots! Twitter @DJJazzyJody

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Chad Ford: Dante Exum with a 10.75 sec lane agility drill score. Ran a 3.19 second 3/4 sprint. Both scores top among all 2 guards he's testing with. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Chad Ford: Dante Exum with a 31.5 standing vertical and a 34.5 inch max vert. Good, but not elite. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Scott Howard-Cooper: One new layer: Exum said other teams, during individual interviews, are asking about his determination to get to the Lakers. #NBACombine Twitter @SHowardCooper

Alex Kennedy: Teams that have met with Dante Exum have raved about him. He's doing very well in these interviews. He has a lot of fans around the league. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Josh Robbins: Dante Exum said his interview with the OrlMagic last night went well & the team would like to bring him to CF for a visit Twitter @JoshuaBRobbins

Marc D'Amico: Dante Exum was asked what he thinks about when he hears 'Boston Celtics.' Answer: "I think about the rich tradition." Twitter @celtics

A. Sherrod Blakely: Exum said he was a "big Paul Pierce" fan as a kid. #Celticstalk Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Chad Ford: Marcus Smart with a 36" max vert. Good numbers for him. #NBACombine Twitter @chadfordinsider

Charles F. Gardner: Marcus Smart said he made right decision to return for sophomore year at Oklahoma State. Says he will bring toughness at PG. Twitter @cf_gardner

Vincent Ellis: Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart had met with #pistons Twitter @Vincent_Ellis56

Chad Ford: Aaron Gordon has a 39 inch max vert. Terrific for a player his size. #NBACombine Twitter @chadfordinsider

Chad Ford: Aaron Gordon just jumped so high they had to raise the vertical jump apparatus. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Aaron Falk: Aaron Gordon was a little disappointed with his 39-inch max vert. His personal best is 42. tout.com/m/3n5dkg Twitter @tribjazz

Chad Ford: Aaron Gordon continuing to wow. 3.27 3/4 court sprint and a super quick 10.8 sec lane agility drill. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Marc D'Amico: Aaron Gordon on his meeting with the Celtics: "I got a good vibe from them. They seem to be very family-oriented and very good people." Twitter @celtics

Baxter Holmes: Aaron Gordon met w/ Celtics, said they asked how many pennies are in a million bucks. Said he got it right in 22 seconds. They timed him. Twitter @BaxterHolmes

Josh Robbins: Arizona PF Aaron Gordon has been interviewed by the Orlando Magic at the combine. Twitter @JoshuaBRobbins

Chad Ford: Nik Stauskas with a 35.5" max vert. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Ryan Wolstat: Stauskas had fun meeting with Raptors. Said he loves Masai, meeting was relaxed, good conversation Twitter @WolstatSun

Aaron Falk: Nik Stauskas might be the most entertaining interview here. He said NCAA rules stopped a 3-point contest with Steph Curry. Twitter @tribjazz

Chad Ford: Zach LaVine with the best lane agility score of the day 10.42 seconds. Freak athlete. #NBACombine Twitter @chadfordinsider

Chad Ford: Zach LaVine with a 41.5 inch max vert. No surprise but still a WOW. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Ryan Wolstat: Zach LaVine has impressed in Chicago. Rumoured to be moving up draft boards. Has interviewed with Raptors and 18 other teams, he says Twitter @WolstatSun
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Keith Langlois: Zach LaVine, flashing high-end athleticism here, said he has interviewed with #Pistons. Twitter

Jason Jones: Asked one Kings rep who he liked in the draft, he mentioned UCLA guard Lavine, but said who he likes will be clearer after the lottery Twitter @mr_jasonjones

Chad Ford: Tyler Ennis with a 36 inch max vert. Pretty good actually for all the knocks about his athleticism #NBACombine Twitter @chadfordinsider

Nick Friedell: Also of note: Syracuse PG Tyler Ennis said he spoke to Bulls yesterday. Said he would like to play alongside Derrick Rose. Twitter @NickFriedell

Gery Woelfel: Bucks will meet this afternoon with Syracuse PG Tyler Ennis. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Chad Ford: Gary Harris sitting out athletic testing. Has a minor groin pull. Should be good to go in a week. Twitter @chadfordinsider

AdamZagoria: Michigan State G Gary Harris said he had interviews yesterday with Toronto, Denver, Memphis, Detroit and LA @ESPNAndyKatz Twitter

Chad Ford: James Young measured 6' 5.25" in socks. 6' 7.75" in shoes. 7' 0 wing. 8' 8" standing reach. Great measurements. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Chad Ford: James Young with a 35.5" max vert. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Ryan Wolstat: Kentucky's James Young also had an interview with Raptors. Twitter @WolstatSun

Chad Ford: Markel Brown with a crazy 43.5 inch max vert. Twitter @chadfordinsider

A. Sherrod Blakely: Markel Brown said he'll interview with the #celtics today. #celticstalk Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Chad Ford: Jordan Adams with a terrible 29.5 inch max vert. That's really bad for a guard. Twitter @chadfordinsider

Ryan Wolstat: Jordan Adams will interview with the Raptors today Twitter @WolstatSun

Chad Ford: PJ Hairston with a good 37 inch max vert. Twitter @chadfordinsider

A. Sherrod Blakely: PJ Hairston said he went to the D-League instead of overseas because staying state-side allowed him 2 take on-line courses toward his degree Twitter @SherrodbCSN

Alex Kennedy: Aaron Craft has not interviewed with any NBA teams yet. He said: "I haven't talked to anyone since I've been here." Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Marc D'Amico: OSU's Aaron Craft on the potential of again joining forces w/ Sullinger in BOS: "It would be unreal. We've been through everything together" Twitter @celtics

Some great athletes in this draft anyway.