Current Celtics special adviser Jeff Van Gundy, who’s just one win away from claiming his first NBA championship, is being eyed as a possible assistant coach for recently extended Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, sources tell longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein (Substack link).
Van Gundy is being considered to replace former Clippers assistant coach Dan Craig, who is headed to the Bulls. According to Stein, L.A. team president Lawrence Frank has long been an appreciator of Van Gundy’s acumen. Van Gundy last coached in the NBA for the Rockets in 2006/07, though he has been serving on USA Basketball’s staff since 2017.
Here’s more from Stein:
- Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell, one of the remaining contenders for the Lakers’ head coaching vacancy, had been viewed as a possibility to reunite with Doc Rivers on the Bucks this offseason. Now, with ex-Los Angeles head coach Darvin Ham back in Milwaukee, it is considered more likely that Cassell with remain in Boston, assuming he doesn’t get a head coaching job (the Cavaliers also have an opening). Rivers has worked with Cassell as an assistant off and on for nine seasons.
- ESPN broadcaster J.J. Redick and Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego are still seen as the leading contenders to land the Lakers‘ head coaching gig, sources inform Stein. He adds that the Cavaliers, meanwhile, seem to be honing in on Borrego and Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson.
There’s also reports that he could stay in Boston as a replacement Assistant coach
If he goes to the Clippers, they need to also hire Mark Jackson so the both of them can give in game analysis and commentary to Lue. It would only be the right thing to do.
It’s absolutely ridiculous that Sam Cassell hasn’t gotten a HC gig somewhere yet. If LA was smart they’d hire him, though if I was Cassell I don’t know if I’d go to that pressure cooker.
I too have no doubt that Cassell would make a fine head coach …. but he’s not into analytics and more importantly, he doesn’t have his own podcast.
I’m happy/content with Nurse as the sixers coach. But I was hoping Sam would get the job. I loved him as an assistant. Not sure why he keeps getting passed over.
It’s possible he just doesn’t handle interviews all that well. From what I remember of him as a player, he was more of an actions-over-words type.
Eon, right !! That could very well be. And on the other hand that’s why Doc Rivers keeps getting jobs. He is a GREAT interview. Makes no sense because when the rubber hits the road it’s all about success on the court.
A great interview and then spends his entire tenure sticking his foot in his mouth, lol. Death, Taxes, Doc sucking in the playoffs, Doc running his mouth.
LA is an embarrassment since Dr. Buss passed.
astrosrule, may I ask what makes you think Cassell is the man for the job? What are the qualifications that Sam has that stick out to you? Why are you so confident in him as a head coach?
I’m not disagreeing with you, I’m just curious as to why you made your strong statement.
He’s atleast coached in the nba on some level and been apart of four championships, winning cultures real soon. Commands respect from the players and seems like a leader of men. Can’t really say any of that for JJ.
Sam has never put his hat out there like that. He prefers to be in the shadows.
Juice, that makes sense.
If L.A was smart they wouldn’t be play in gangsters.
Lakers should just make it officially name LeFlop as Coach
It’s about time Sam Cassell gets an opportunity, I just dont think the Lakers is a good place to start because of LeBron’s history with coaches
I’m extremely happy for JVG getting a ring for a championship. I’m just disappointed it’s with Boston.