We haven’t heard about many candidates linked to the Wizards‘ head coaching job since the team announced Scott Brooks wouldn’t be returning for the 2021/22 season. However, it sounds like Washington’s search is moving forward.
Celtics assistant Scott Morrison told Peter Yannopoulos of RDS (Twitter link) that he has interviewed for the Wizards’ head coaching job. Morrison also interviewed for the open position in Boston before the team decided to hire Ime Udoka. With Udoka likely to bring in some new assistants, Morrison’s future with the C’s is unclear.
Meanwhile, Brian Windhorst of ESPN said on his Hoop Collective podcast that Sam Cassell and Wes Unseld Jr. are considered two of the leading candidates for the Wizards’ job (hat tip to RealGM). Cassell is currently an assistant with the Sixers, while Unseld – who has previously been mentioned as a contender for the Washington job – is a Nuggets assistant.
Here are a few more coaching-related updates and notes from around the NBA:
- Windhorst also said on his latest Hoop Collective podcast that Nets assistant Jacque Vaughn has emerged as a legit contender for the Pelicans‘ head coaching vacancy. “I’m not saying he’s going to get (the) job, because Charles Lee on the Bucks‘ staff is also going to be a strong candidate,” Windhorst said, per RealGM. “The word coming out of Chicago at the draft combine is that Jacque Vaughn, who is close to (Pelicans GM) Trajan Langdon… Jacque Vaughn is going to get a real serious look.” ESPN reported earlier in the week that both Vaughn and Lee were interviewing with New Orleans.
- On that same Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon suggested that former Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle may have felt threatened in Dallas by assistant Jamahl Mosley‘s close relationship with Luka Doncic (hat tip to RealGM). Carlisle’s endorsement of Jason Kidd for the job could be viewed through that lens. “I think Rick understood the perception of how (the endorsement of Kidd) might impact who he didn’t endorse,” MacMahon said, adding of Carlisle and Mosley: “I don’t think those guys will necessarily send each other Christmas cards.”
- Carlisle spoke to other teams with coaching openings before finalizing a deal with the Pacers, but Indiana was where the mutual interest was strongest, says J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star (subscriber-only article). According to Michael, Carlisle and the Pacers didn’t even meet face-to-face, completing their four-year deal over the phone.
I notice there was no mention of Becky Hammon for any of the coaching positions … personally, I’d rather she remain with the SASpurs and take over when Pop retires
Uh she is a finalist for the the Blazers job.
Isn’t Will Hardy considered Pop’s crown prince?
Y’all keep mentioning her name! What did she achieve? Nothing. Spurs missed playoffs back to back so she should get a job? Mark Jackson, Billups, Stotts, Joerger can do better than her!
With the same resume’ and experience, if the name was Bucky Hammon instead of Becky, nobody would be saying they “deserve” a job or was the “heir” to one. I get it, and know this is the “me too” generation, but there are literally tons of coaches with as much or more experience and…
A lot of candidates are probably turning down the job in Washington hoping for a better opportunity elsewhere.
I’m surprised the Pacers didn’t want Mark Jackson. I guess Mark and JVG getting too comfortable doing TV.
With the money they are making and security of announcing booth why would they want the front of coaching again? Both top analysts and can probably do that job till the cows come home
Agreed. It’s not unrealistic to think some guys prefer a media job. What do they have to prove anyway?
The Washington job isn’t that bad really. There have been way worse situations.
Becky Hammon give me a break.
You should be so lucky
Carlisle’comment on Kidd did seem a bit stronger than warranted. A believable suspicion.
Anyway Kidd should be entertaining.
I hope the Wizards give Darvin Ham a look for that head coach position.