NBA Rumors: Latest on Kings, Grizzlies and More Coaching Buzz Around the League
The NBA’s coaching carousel continues to spin, with Steve Clifford the latest to find a seat by scoring a three-year deal to coach the downtrodden Charlotte Bobcats.
For those coaches still looking for a job, it’s not time to panic yet. There are still plenty of opportunities available throughout the league and more positions that could potentially become available in the near future.
Let’s take a look at the latest buzz and rumors surrounding some of the coaching voids and the candidates these organizations are exploring to possibly fill them.
Sacramento Kings Have Their Man
Keith Smart’s contract with the Kings is up this offseason and new Kings owner Vivek Ranadive isn’t likely to renegotiate with the coach that went an unremarkable 48-93 in his two seasons at the helm of the franchise.
Mike Malone, the longtime assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, is reportedly the candidate the team will instead go with in 2013.
NBA insider Peter Vecsey reports that Malone is a lock for the job and an official announcement will come soon.
Vecsey went on to report that the 42-year-old would hire his father, Brendan, who notably served as the first head coach of the Toronto Raptors in 1995-96 and filled in as an interim coach in 2004-05 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This fulfills the promise that current Dubs owner Joe Lacob made when he took control of the team last year, as he wanted to see Malone move on to bigger and better things.
While Malone doesn’t have any head coaching experience, he has been apart of a staff since 1995—as an assistant at Providence College—and involved with the NBA since catching on with the Knicks in 2003.
If he’s hired, it’ll be interesting to see if he can get the Kings' robust group of characters and ball-dominant players to work together and outperform low expectations in 2013-14.
Memphis Grizzlies Will Have Competition
Immediately after the Grizzlies were eliminated from the Western Conference finals by the San Antonio Spurs, speculation began on where impending free agent coach Lionel Hollins may end up signing for next season.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers are planning to formally seek permission to interview the 59-year-old within the next few days.
While the team doesn’t have to grant permission, Hollins will be able to speak to these organizations after June 30, when his current deal expires.
The Grizzlies would reportedly like to retain their incumbent coach, according to Stein, but a massive, multi-million dollar offer from the Nets or Clips would throw a wrench into the notoriously cheap club’s plans.
Should that happen, Stein noted that top assistant Dave Joerger would be in line to take over the reins of the franchise.
It would be in the Grizzlies' best interest to try and iron out a contract extension with Hollins as soon as possible, as he has led Memphis from mediocrity to a contender and is the most successful coach in franchise history.
His experience with the roster and ability to get the most from his players—especially on the defensive end—will be critical for Memphis’ chances of making more deep playoff runs in the future.
Patrick Ewing Possibly Joining Michael Jordan’s Bobcats
As mentioned, Clifford is now the sixth head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. He’s going to need to hire and install a supporting staff of assistant coaches around him, which could include NBA legend Patrick Ewing.
According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, there’s a good chance that Clifford tabs the former Knicks superstar to join him in Charlotte, reuniting him with friend, former rival and current team owner Michael Jordan.
Since retiring from the league in the summer of 2002, Ewing has been dedicated to coaching.
He joined the Washington Wizards that fall as an assistant on Doug Collins’ staff, getting a chance to coach M.J.—who was actively playing for the Wizards at the time.
Ewing then moved to Jeff Van Gundy’s Houston Rockets in 2003, joining the staff at the same general time period as Clifford. The two assistants jumped ship to join Stan Van Gundy’s Orlando Magic in 2007, coaching together under him until 2012.
The Hall of Famer would be wise to join his former colleague in Charlotte, as he’ll have a chance to prove himself and possibly get a shot at head coaching in the NBA if he can help turn the Bobcats around.
If not, Ewing should at least have a good time on the bench with a group of familiar friends and co-workers.
