Hawks Rumors: Jay Larranaga, Lloyd Pierce Among Targets on Head Coach Shortlist

The Atlanta Hawks have reportedly settled on four primary candidates for their head coaching vacancy, according to Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Boston Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga, Philadelphia 76ers assistant Lloyd Pierce, Portland Trail Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts and Charlotte Hornets assistant Stephen Silas.

Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears of ESPN reported that Pierce already met with general manager Travis Schlenk on Friday and is scheduled to meet with Atlanta majority owner Tony Ressler this week.

They added that "a strong meeting will likely catapult him into a job offer."

Per that report, "As Atlanta moves into a complete rebuild, Pierce's experience with the Philadelphia experiment and his strong background in player development have made a strong impression on Schlenk, league sources said."

Cunningham reported, however, that "a meeting with Ressler has yet to be officially set up and that it's premature to elevate his candidacy above the other three coaches."

Along with serving as an assistant on the Sixers during The Process era, Pierce has also had coaching stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies.

"It's a no-brainer. I would hire Lloyd Pierce yesterday," Sixers head coach Brett Brown said Saturday, per Keith Pompey of Philly.com. "Think about this: If a team came in and said, 'We want to rebuild,' I can't think of a more appropriate program that has gone from where we were to where we are that has a true story to tell."

Larranaga, meanwhile, has also met with the Charlotte Hornets and has a second meeting scheduled for this week, according to Wojnarowski. He served as the head coach of the G League's Erie BayHawks from 2010 to 2012 and has been an assistant on the Celtics under Doc Rivers and Brad Stevens since.

Tibbetts has served as an assistant for the Cleveland Cavaliers (2011 to 2013) and the Blazers (2013 to 2018). He already reportedly met with Ressler, per Cunningham.

Finally, Silas has been an assistant in the NBA since 2000, coaching for the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets (2000 to 2003), Cavaliers (2003 to 2005), Golden State Warriors (2006 to 2011) and Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (2010 to present).