The Pacers have interviewed more than 20 candidates for their head coaching opening and are now scheduling second interviews, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
Appearing on The Jump (video link) on Friday, Windhorst said that former Kings coach Dave Joerger, Bucks assistant Darvin Ham and 76ers assistant Ime Udoka are among the candidates expected to receive second interviews with the Pacers. ESPN analyst Chauncey Billups is also in the mix.
Windhorst doled out a number of other tidbits regarding coaching vacancies:
- The Sixers have focused in on two high-profile candidates, Mike D’Antoni and Tyronn Lue, and that could impact what the Pelicans will do. New Orleans is “very interested” in Clippers assistant Lue, who won a championship in Cleveland with current Pelicans executive David Griffin. However, the Pelicans may have to wait until Philadelphia decides what it wants to do before pursuing Lue in earnest.
- The Thunder appear to be going into rebuild mode and that increases the chances it will hire a first-time head coach. Timberwolves associate head coach David Vanterpool, Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin and perhaps Spurs assistant Will Hardy have emerged as contenders for the job.
- As previously reported, the Rockets are looking seriously at Clippers assistant and former Houston player Sam Cassell and ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy.
Thunder can easily make playoffs next year by trading away six of 15 future Firsts
However they plan to tank for top picks
They already fired Donovan for having his team overachieve, but OKC won’t “easily make the playoffs next year” under any conditions.
The Thunder did not fire Donovan, they offered him a two year extension a couple of months ago. He was the one deciding to leave.
This is a strong statement, given that OKC easily made the playoffs this year.
I doubt they tank with SGA on the roster. They’re trying to get younger by getting rid of veterans with big contracts. They need to clear more cap space to get to a point where they can use their extra picks and space to add an impact player to play alongside SGA
I wonder how JVG would do in Houston. He always seemed to get the best out of his teams. I remember Houston being good even through injuries
Please take the annoying JVG away from my tv!
NO JVG. Can stay with ESPN even though hat when call Rockets games. I will take Sam Cassell. Does not seem like Finch in their for Rockets. As far as La Rue and D’Antoni way it seems one to Pelicans other to 76ers.not sure for Indiana with La Rue. I cannot say for OKC. But to Rockets definitely NOT on JVG cannot stand on ESPN with our games. But will see would love to see Sam get a chance with Houston.
Pacers: hire Mark Jackson
You would think this would be the natural fit. He burned bridges in Oakland and his chances have been few since. If the Knicks or the Pacers don’t give him a look where else would he turn? Maybe a young team like the Pelicans but that would be about it.
D’Antoni is a good fit for 76ers payroll budget
but a bad fit for anything else
Simmons won’t be able to shoot outside and Horford won’t be good again
Westbrook shoots much better in OKC than Rockets
No, he didn’t!