NBA notebook: Is Mike D'Antoni ready to coach again?

Several of the NBA’s stars are in Tokyo playing for national pride, and the next wave of stars is set to hear their names called in tonight’s NBA Draft.

Let’s take a closer look at those stories and a few other notable developments in this week’s NBA notebook.

Can Team USA bounce back from opening Olympic loss?

Team USA basketball has been a dominant force on the world stage for decades, and there is no excuse for the U.S. to not be an overwhelming favorite against all other countries.

Unfortunately, the Americans entered the Olympics on rocky footing, with two exhibition losses ahead of the main event, and debuted with a disappointing loss against France.

With a team that has Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Khris Middleton, and more, offensive incompetence is unacceptable. The Americans bounced back in their second game, but have dropped to just a -250 favorite to win gold.

Let’s hope the France game is a motivator for Team USA and that the Americans exhibit the kind of dominance we’ve come to expect.

Top picks feel locked in for NBA Draft

Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, and Jalen Suggs is the presumed order at the top of tonight's NBA Draft. Below those four, there is much uncertainty.

Beyond the hope, excitement, and draft-day outfits, the the NBA Draft is just fun. In hockey and baseball, draft picks can take years to develop, and football doesn’t often see rookies take a team from bad to good or good to great, but NBA rookies can make an impact immediately.

There are fewer rounds, fewer roster spots to fill, and each pick is more valuable than any other sport. It is the best draft there is, and this year’s deep class is sure to make it a good one. Enjoy the show.

Will Mike D’Antoni coach next season?

The former Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets head coach took a job with his former player, Steve Nash, as the Brooklyn Nets assistant coach last season, but has left the organization.

Known for his questionable commitment to defensive basketball but dynamic offensive creativity, quarterbacked by playmaking scoring guards such as Nash and James Harden, the departure could be a step toward a return to a head coaching role.

The Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans both have openings, and the Wizards look like an intriguing possibility, as D’Antoni has history with Russell Westbrook and could enjoy a guard-centric roster, led by Westbrook and Beal. Don’t be surprised if he becomes a serious candidate in the coming weeks and months.

Grizzlies and Pelicans make a deal

The New Orleans Pelicans were ineffective in an attempt to pair Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams with young superstar Zion Williamson, and the veterans were at risk of being traded away.

Fast forward to this past week, and a big trade took place between the Memphis Grizzlies and Pelicans. It sent one of the league’s best rebounders, Jonas Valanciunas, to New Orleans, in exchange for Bledsoe and Adams.

Valenciunas is an upgrade at center, and with his knack for rebounding, should give Williamson more room to navigate in the paint and overpower smaller defenders. Whether the change results in better outcomes for the Pelicans remains to be seen, but this trade is a clear effort by the Pelicans to give Williamson a better opportunity to succeed.