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FILE - This Tuesday, July 7, 2015, file photo, shows Boston Celtics summer league head coach Jay Larranaga directing his team during the first half of an NBA summer league basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
FILE - This Tuesday, July 7, 2015, file photo, shows Boston Celtics summer league head coach Jay Larranaga directing his team during the first half of an NBA summer league basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)Rick Bowmer/Associated Press

Hornets Head Coach Rumors: Celtics Assistant Jay Larranaga a Top Candidate

Kyle NewportMay 4, 2018

As the Charlotte Hornets continue to sort through candidates, Boston Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga finds himself in the mix.

Per theย Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell, Larranaga has "emerged as a strong candidate" for the Hornets' vacancy.

Charlotteย parted waysย with coach Steve Clifford last month after he led the team to just two postseason appearances in five years. The team posted back-to-back 36-46 records and missed the playoffs in each of his final two seasons.

Larranaga does not have prior head-coaching experience in the NBA. He did, however, spend two seasons coaching the D-League'sย Erie BayHawks. He has spent the past six seasons serving as an assistant coach in Boston.

Theย 43-year-oldย has been linked to several openings thus far this offseason. He interviewedย for the New York Knicks job, according toย Newsday'sย Al Iannazzone, and ESPN'sย Chris Forsbergย tweeted on Thursday that Larranaga has also met with the Atlanta Hawks.

Like Bonnell, Forsberg noted the assistant made a good impression in Charlotte.

Hornets managing partner Curtis Polk made it clear toย Bonnellย that the organization is looking for a coach who strives in player development.

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