The Thunder‘s head coaching search now includes former Sixers and Nets assistant Will Weaver, sources tell Mitch Lawrence of SiriusXM NBA Radio (Twitter link). Weaver, who coached the Long Island Nets in 2018/19, currently serves as the head coach of the Sydney Kings in Australia’s National Basketball League.
In an episode of his Hoop Collective podcast earlier this month, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst linked Weaver to the Pelicans‘ head coaching search, noting that the veteran coach has a working relationship with New Orleans’ general manager Trajan Langdon. As Windhorst explains, the Pelicans’ decision to send 2019 second-round pick Didi Louzada to Sydney was related to Weaver’s presence there.
Relaying Windhorst’s comments last week, Matt Logue of The Australian wrote that “it is understood” that Weaver will interview for the Thunder’s open head coaching job.
While we wait to see if anything more concrete materializes between Weaver and two of the teams still seeking head coaches, here are a few more Thunder-related items:
- An unrestricted free agent this fall, Danilo Gallinari published a tweet on Tuesday asking, “Where to next?” There’s still a chance Gallinari could return to the Thunder for the 2020/21 season, as Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman writes. However, Oklahoma City is believed to be mulling a rebuild and Gallinari’s Tuesday tweet suggests he’s preparing to play elsewhere next season.
- Elsewhere at The Oklahoman, Mussatto continues to profile coaches who he believes could become candidates for the Thunder’s head coaching vacancy. In recent days, he has taken a closer look at Trail Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts, Bucks assistant Charles Lee, Sixers assistant Ime Udoka, and Dayton head coach Anthony Grant.
- In case you missed it last week, we previewed the Thunder’s major upcoming offseason decisions, including the possibility of a Chris Paul trade.
They’re gonna have a huge downgrade at head coach no matter who takes over for Billy Donovan. It never ceases to amaze me how much praise this team gets even though they’re the worst run franchise in the NBA these days. They drafted 3 of the best players in the entire league 10 years ago, in three consecutive drafts no less, and now all of them play elsewhere. How does anyone consider this team to be anything but a complete joke right now???
HOU takes always the biscuit!
OKC can only get the crumps as the biggest joke in the league!
Oh please.
The only trip Harden and Westbrook will ever have to the finals together already happened.. in OKC.
Yep and Houston has 2 of them..can’t get out of 2nd round
Pretty much what everyone thinks of houston…..except the thunder are going to be tanking on purpose soon. Houston is just 2 ball hogs who can’t win.
Chris can help a contender. Be best to keep him fresh for playoff runs. Then he could be worth getting. Thunder can’t expect much back. Expiring contracts and young players should do it. Maybe a pick. For instance is Sixers nite. It could be a three team with Knicks. I know Knicks would be interested in Harris. He’d be coming home. But I wouldn’t give up 8th pick. Could be #27 or a future pick. Plus expiring contracts (Randle, Portis, Payton, Ellington, or Taj).