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 from around the league:
Brian Shaw a serious target for Brooklyn and Los Angeles
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein and Chris Broussard, the Brooklyn Nets have made Indiana assistant Brian Shaw a top target in their coaching search.
Shaw has been pursued by several teams since the end of the regular season. He had been refusing to talk to other teams until the Pacers’ season had ended. Now that the Indiana has been eliminated, a number of teams have already requested permission to interview Shaw. 
Shaw played for seven teams in his NBA career, which started in 1988 and ended in 2003.
He is revered to be one of the league’s best assistant coaches. He spent seven seasons as an assistant under Phil Jackson with the Lakers and was nearly chosen to replace Jackson in Los Angeles in 2011. He has been with the Pacers for the past two years and has been partially credited for the rapid developments of Paul George, Roy Hibbert, and Lance Stephenson.
The Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly reached out to Shaw and are considering him along with Lionel Hollins, Byron Scott, and others for the position. The Detroit News reported yesterday that Shaw would hold out for the Clippers job.
If Shaw does end up going to Los Angeles, the Nets have several other options to consider. Yesterday, after hearing word that the Grizzlies and Hollins had stalled with contract negotiations over “major philosophical differences,” the Nets formally requested permission to speak with Hollins.
Brooklyn is reportedly also considering Jeff Van Gundy, among other candidates, for the job. Sources indicate that the Nets are in no rush to find a replacement for P.J. Carlesimo.
Hawks may face tampering charge for mentioning Howard and Paul in letter
Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Atlanta Hawks may have violated the NBA’s anti-tampering policy when they mentioned Dwight Howard and Chris Paul’s names in a letter the team sent out to prospective ticket buyers.
Because Howard and Paul are both under contract through June 30, other teams around the league are not allowed to speak about them publicly.
The letter, obtained by the AJC, opened: “The buzz around our offseason is more than heating up. With massive cap space, 4 draft picks, and free agency rapidly approaching, we sit in the best position in the NBA. Player interest is skyrocketing as the possibilities of landing Chris Paul & Dwight Howard become more and more of a reality.”
The letter linked to an ESPN report that said Chris Paul was unhappy with the Clippers organization.
The NBA declined to comment on the situation. If history plays a role, the Hawks will probably get fined for their letter. In 2010, Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon was fined $25,000 for talking about LeBron James’ impending free agency to the AJC. Mark Cuban was fined $100,000 in that same week for saying “anybody” would be interested in signing James in an interview.
Our sources in Atlanta said the letter was written by a low-level employee and was e-mailed to several hundred season ticket holders and potential customers, but not to the team’s entire season-ticket holder distribution list.
J.R. Smith expected to opt out, re-sign with Knicks
Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com reports that J.R. Smith will decline his player option for $2.9 million next season and will become an unrestricted free agent, according to a source. 
Smith, however, is expected to re-sign with the Knicks. The team can offer him $4.9 million using the Early Bird exception, with standard raises in the contract annually for up to four years.
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year would likely sign for more than $4.9 million on the open market. Regardless, he has grown very comfortable in New York playing under Mike Woodson and alongside Carmelo Anthony and is willing to sacrifice some dollars for ensured happiness on a playoff team.
For more on the Knicks’ situation with Smith, read Moke Hamilton’s extensive breakdown here.
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So the Brooklyn Nets will get the leftovers? They actually have more to offer and the team has more flexibility than people think. There is no evidence that Brian Shaw is anything other than a serious candidate. He has yet to be contacted by Billy King. All we know about the Brooklyn short list is which candidates have had the most Research done.
It is now written that Shaw is the lead choice for Clippers, however the Nets players have stated they want someone experienced (refer to Jerry Stackhouse remarks). Larry Brown has been added to the Nets list of contacts, but if Lionel Hollins can explain some of his actions in Memphis, he will likely be the Nets choice.
Regarding JR Smith, the Moke Hamilton article says he would receive 5.58 M in 1st year, or 24.8 M over 4 years, not the 4.9 M that you cite. Doesn’t mean JR won’t go elsewhere as he is also quoted, if the money difference is big enough. Jared Zwerling is a Shill for the Knicks.