NBA Notes: Michael Malone, Warriors, Al Horford, David Duke Jr

NBA Media

Former Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has traded his clipboard for a camera. At least for now.

Malone, who was dismissed by the Nuggets incredibly late last season, made his debut in a broadcasting role on Inside the NBA Thursday night. But he made it clear that his time on the sidelines isn’t done.

“I’m definitely not done coaching,” Malone said. “Coaching is in my blood. I got that from my father. I’m excited to get back to teaching once again.”

Malone, 54, spent nine seasons with Denver, helping guide the franchise to its 2023 NBA championship.

Warriors

The Al Horford signing is still being talked about around the league, and not just in the Bay Area.

Horford’s two-year, $11.7 million deal with Golden State has other front offices envious.

“It broke our hearts,” one Eastern Conference executive told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “We wanted him badly, and they got him for $5 million.”

Team sources told ESPN’s Anthony Slater that Horford was Golden State’s top target this summer, with Luke Kornet as a backup option. Kornet eventually signed a richer deal in San Antonio, clearing the path for the Warriors to land Horford with their taxpayer mid-level exception.

“Mike’s been looking for a player like him his entire time here,” Steve Kerr said of GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. “Not just a pick-and-pop guy, but a legitimate big who makes life easier for Draymond and Steph. It’s really hard to find those guys.”

Horford will rest Friday on the second night of a back-to-back as part of a load management plan for his age-39 season, Windhorst noted.

Slater also reports that the Warriors are sticking with their “balance” philosophy — chasing wins now while protecting the future.

“We’re not saying, ‘Give away everything because we don’t care about 10 years from now,’” Draymond Green said. “We’ve found a good balance where we can compete and still have flexibility.”

International

Another NBA name is heading overseas.

Free agent guard David Duke Jr. has officially signed with the Perth Wildcats of Australia’s NBL, ESPN’s Olgun Uluc reported.

The Wildcats were searching for a replacement after parting ways with Mason Jones, and Duke became the answer.

The 26-year-old guard spent parts of the past four seasons with the Nets and Spurs, appearing in 55 games mostly on two-way contracts.

Duke averaged 16.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists for the Austin Spurs in the G League last season and has shown steady growth as a combo guard.

He becomes the third NBA veteran to head overseas this week, joining Spencer Dinwiddie (Bayern Munich) and Jared Butler (Crvena Zvezda).