In Oklahoma City, Joe Mussatto reports the Thunder promoted assistant coach Mark Daigneault to head coach, replacing Billy Donovan. The 35-year-old Daigneault was hired in '14 as G League Oklahoma City Blue head coach, and now becomes the "first person to be a G League head coach and NBA head coach in the same organization." Thunder Exec VP & GM Sam Presti said that promoting from within "might offer stability in an otherwise hectic period" (OKLAHOMAN, 11/12).
A NEW DAY: In N.Y., Mike Tanier noted the Dolphins were “arguably the NFL’s least relevant team from the turn of the 21st century until two Sundays ago,” as they produced “few stars or personalities and fewer memorable moments.” That began to change when QB Tua Tagovailoa “made his highly-anticipated debut as a starter” on Nov. 1. The Dolphins now appear to have “both a franchise quarterback and the type of ‘winning culture’ that inspires NFL insiders to compose refrigerator magnet poetry.” Tanier: “It’s not much, but after 20 years of directionless mediocrity, it’s finally a start” (N.Y. TIMES, 11/11).
ROYALS NOT GIVING SPECIFICS: In K.C., Lynn Worthy notes Royals GM Dayton Moore "did not give specifics on payroll figures or a budget" for '21, though the club "could have as many as nine arbitration-eligible players due for salary increases." Moore said that he and Royals Chair & CEO John Sherman have "talked about the payroll as a three-year projection as opposed to an annual figure." Moore: “I’m not really concerned about what the payroll is. I’m just more concerned about who the players are and do they make sense for our team at this particular time" (K.C. STAR, 11/12).
