Hello and welcome to the Evening News.
As the playoffs continue, we’ll keep you updated every evening. What’s happening today?
Here’s the latest news from around the league:
Coach K returning to USA Basketball
According to Pete Thamel of Sport Illustrated, Mike Krzyzewski will be returning to coach USA Basketball in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
A formal announcement is expected to be made later this week. 
Krzyzewski led USA Basketball to gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. He owns a 62-1 record with the team and had worked diligently with chairman Jerry Colangelo to transition USA Basketball away from an era of disappointment that presided both of their tenures with the team.
Krzyzewski had previously stated that he would not return to coach for 2016 but softened his stance on the matter last weekend. Colangelo said that he would not contact other candidates about the position until Krzyzewski definitively rejected the offer.
The first mini-camp for this Olympic cycle will take place in Las Vegas over the summer. Changes are expected to be made for Krzyzewski’s staff.
Last summer in London, Krzyzewski’s assistants were Jim Boeheim, Nate McMillan, and Mike D’Antoni. Boeheim stated that it’s “probable” that he will return to coach with Krzyzewski.
Mavericks looking to shop pick to save room for Dwight Howard
ESPN’s Chad Ford reports that the Dallas Mavericks plan to shop their first-round pick, the 13th overall, in an effort to save enough cap space to make a legitimate run at Dwight Howard in free agency.
The 13th overall pick has a cap hold $1,655,300. As it stands right now, the Mavericks will have only five players with guaranteed contracts for next season. If O.J. Mayo opts out of his current deal, which is expected, Dallas should have enough money to offer Howard a max contract in free agency. 
Dirk Nowitzki told the media last week that he planned to take a pay cut after next season as a strategy to lure more free agents to Dallas.
Howard has not yet stated his plans for next season. It is widely assumed that he will test the free agent market and entertain offers from interested clubs.
Los Angeles can offer Howard a five-year, $118 million contract. The most any other team can offer him is four years at $87.6 million.
One thing working in the Mavericks’ favor in their pursuit of Howard is that there is no income tax in the state of Texas.
As a result, the disparity between what Howard can earn in Los Angeles and what he could earn in Dallas is not quite as large as it appears.
Meanwhile, recent reports indicate that Howard is highly intrigued by the possibility of playing alongside James Harden in Houston next season. The Rockets, obviously, has the lack of a state income tax working in their favor as well.
Victor Oladipo emerging as GMs favorite draft prospect
ESPN’s Chad Ford also reports that Victor Oladipo is
close to the top of nearly every general managers’ draft board. Despite not being heavily considered for the top pick, many believe Oladipo will hear his name called within the draft’s first five picks. We have him going fourth to Charlotte in our latest mock draft.
“Oladipo is the guy that GMs love in this draft,” wrote Ford. “May be the only one. I’ve talked to 14 or 15 who tell me he’s their favorite player. Almost zero downside and still significant upside. Not sure he’s a fit in Cleveland or Washington — but Orlando and Phoenix both look like strong fits. (Trey) Burke may be a bigger need (for Orlando), but Oladipo might be the better player long-term.”
Oladipo has elite athleticism and defensive skills. Many project him to play like Tony Allen with a much higher offensive ceiling.
