Sports · Basketball · 2 hrs ago
Western Conference teams share updates on culture, roster decisions and staff
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch says LaMelo Ball is helping lift the team’s mood as Minnesota prepares for the 2026–27 season.
The team reached the Western Conference finals in 2024 and 2025, then made the second round in 2026.
Finch says the Wolves have moved away from the moodiness they sometimes had in recent years, though he wants the team to find a balance.
Spurs guard Jordan McLaughlin said he considered the Hawks, Celtics and Jazz before re-signing with San Antonio this summer.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said general manager Sam Presti makes roster decisions, but he provides input; Oklahoma City traded Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins this offseason.
The Pelicans are listing Jordan Dumars, the son of executive Joe Dumars, as an executive advisor ahead of the season.
These updates touch on team atmosphere, player choices and how clubs make basketball decisions as they prepare for the new season.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said LaMelo Ball has helped improve the team’s locker-room atmosphere.
Finch said the Wolves had moved from moodiness toward giddiness, while noting they still needed to find equilibrium.
Spurs guard Jordan McLaughlin said he considered the Hawks, Celtics and Jazz before returning to San Antonio.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said general manager Sam Presti makes roster decisions, while also seeking input from him.
The Pelicans are listing Jordan Dumars, son of executive vice president Joe Dumars, as an executive advisor for 2026/27.
- Who
- LaMelo Ball, the Timberwolves, Jordan McLaughlin, the Thunder and the Pelicans are among the people and teams discussed.
- What
- The updates cover team culture, McLaughlin’s decision to return to San Antonio, Thunder roster decisions and Jordan Dumars’s role with the Pelicans.
- When
- The comments were made on Monday; the Pelicans’ listing is ahead of the 2026/27 season.
- Where
- The updates concern NBA teams in the Western Conference, including the Timberwolves, Spurs, Thunder and Pelicans.
- Why
- Finch discussed Ball’s effect on the Wolves’ group spirit; McLaughlin explained his return to the Spurs; Daigneault described his role in roster discussions. A reason for the Pelicans’ listing was not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Shamit Dua reported that Jordan Dumars had become part of the Pelicans’ management inner circle, though the team had not officially announced his hiring.
Jordan McLaughlin re-signed with the Spurs on a minimum-salary contract.
Chris Finch discussed LaMelo Ball’s impact on the Timberwolves’ locker-room atmosphere.
Mark Daigneault discussed his involvement in Thunder roster decisions.
The Pelicans formally listed Jordan Dumars as an executive advisor.
- Timberwolves playoff results
- Western Conference finals in 2024 and 2025; second round in 2026
- Jordan McLaughlin
- Re-signed with the Spurs on a minimum-salary contract
- Teams McLaughlin considered
- Hawks, Celtics and Jazz
- Thunder roster decisions
- Sam Presti makes the decisions and consults coach Mark Daigneault
- Jordan Dumars’s Pelicans title
- Executive advisor
- Pelicans season
- 2026/27
What people are saying
He’s always in a great mood
We’ve traded moodiness for giddiness, so we’ve got to kind of get back to some sort of equilibrium.
You hear nothing but good things before coming into the organization, but when you’re in it and you actually see it, they take care of their players
It’s definitely Sam (Presti’s) decision, but I wouldn’t describe it as that I’m totally separated from it.
Posts on X
McLaughlin said he briefly looked at Atlanta, Boston and Utah before accepting the Spurs' offer: "You hear nothing but good things before coming into the organization, but when you're in it and you actually see it, they take care of their players."
Mark Daigneault on the impact Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins had on OKC: “It’s a point of pride because it’s about as mutually beneficial of a situation as you can find. They were guys who came from the back of the draft. They came from two-way contracts. They came all the way
Mark Daigneault was asked how involved he is in trade decisions, particularly the ones OKC made this summer: “It’s definitely Sam (Presti’s) decision, but I wouldn’t describe it as I’m totally separated from it. One of Sam’s gifts as a decision maker is his ability to take
Sources
Related news
Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey sells privately for $14 million
Lonnie Walker IV weighs European return as Besiktas pursues him
Knicks praise Andre Drummond’s communication on the floor
Nikola Jovic says he has reset his mindset and shooting ahead of new NBA season
Harlem Globetrotters receive FIBA Order of Merit
Porzingis to meet Warriors staff as return to play remains uncertain
Kawhi Leonard cleared to play in Raptors’ preseason game
Warriors to assess Kristaps Porzingis after two-week medical absence
Clippers Waive Japanese Guard Yuki Kawamura
Warriors and Brandin Podziemski agree to five-year, $110 million extension
London Lions lose to Portland as European players shine in NBA preseason
