NBA News Roundup, Sunday, May 12th: Lakers set to appoint new head coach, D'Angelo Russell free-agency update and more

The NBA playoffs are currently the talk of the basketball world, although there is no shortage of other stories emerging from around the league.

The 2019 draft is just weeks away, and teams will be hoping to strike gold by drafting either Zion Williamson or Ja Morant. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis continues to be linked with a blockbuster trade, and a host of stars including Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Kemba Walker are about to hit free agency.

So, with plenty going on around the NBA, here are the biggest news stories and rumors you need to know for May 12th.

Utah Jazz linked with D'Angelo Russell

D'Angelo Russell will enter restricted free agency this summer

Following an impressive season, D'Angelo Russell will hit free agency this summer, and Bleacher Report's Dan Favale suggests the Utah Jazz could be the frontrunners if the point guard decides to leave Brooklyn:

Carving out the cap space necessary to make a run at Russell is neither difficult nor without collateral damage. Waiving Derrick Favors and Raul Neto does the trick—and then some. They could also hope Russell costs noticeably less than the max and elect to waive Korver ($3.4 million partial guarantee) instead of Favors.

If any team can justify footing a puffed-up price tag, it's the Jazz. They're on the fringes of the championship-contender discussion, don't have a single bad contract on the books, and Mitchell's next deal won't take effect until 2021-22. Russell is a high-variance gamble they can afford to make.

After being drafted by the Lakers in 2015, Russell struggled to live up to lofty expectations. Yet, since joining the Nets two years ago, the 23-year-old guard has established himself as an All-Star, also helping Brooklyn to a postseason appearance this season.

During the 18/19 season, Russell averaged 21 points, 7.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game -- also shooting a career-high percentage (43.4) from the field.

Frank Vogel to become new Lakers head coach

The Los Angeles Lakers have been searching for a new full-time head coach since Luke Walton left the team last month, and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Frank Vogul has agreed to sign a three-year deal:

Vogel met with Lakers management Thursday and talks escalated quickly toward an offer Saturday to end the franchise's tumultuous coaching process with his hiring, sources said. The Lakers completed the deal Saturday afternoon with Vogel's agent, Lonnie Cooper, who also represents LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers. Jason Kidd has also agreed to a deal to become a prominent assistant coach on Vogel's staff, league sources said.

Wojnarowski's report also notes that Vogel was the third coach to be offered the job, with Monty Williams and Ty Lue both rejecting earlier offers. Vogel has previously spent time as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic.

Patrick Patterson exercises $5.7M option for 19/20 season

Oklahoma City Thunder v Utah Jazz - Game Three

Following the conclusion of the 18/19 season, Patrick Patterson spoke of his happiness in Oklahoma City, and Shams Charania of The Athletic is reporting that the 30-year-old has opted into the final year of his contract:

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Patrick Patterson has exercised his $5.7M player option for the 2019-20 season, league sources tell The Athletic

Following a successful spell with the Toronto Raptors, Patterson joined the Thunder in the summer of 2017. Patterson was expected to add depth and scoring to Billy Donovan's bench, although his minutes were reduced during his second season, and he did not feature at all during OKC's 4-1 series defeat to the Trail Blazers.

Despite opting into the final year of his deal, Patterson could still be traded as Sam Presti looks to improve a roster that has failed to win a playoff series since 2016.