The Utah Jazz may have interest in bringing back Jerry Sloan, according to Jody Genessy of Deseret News: “The Utah Jazz have had a preliminary discussion with Sloan about returning to the fold in an unspecified position. Twenty-eight months after resigning from being the Jazz’s head coach, the Hall of Famer is open to considering taking a role with his old organization to help the rebuilding franchise and his successor, Tyrone Corbin. “That’s up to (them). That’s a situation that’s strictly up to Ty or somebody in the Jazz organization,” Sloan told the Deseret News. “If they want me around, fine. If they don’t, (fine). They’d talked to me a little bit about it a little bit earlier.”
With Lionel Hollins unlikely to re-sign with the Memphis Grizzlies, the team has granted him permission to meet with other teams, from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports: “The Grizzlies granted Hollins permission to speak to other teams about vacancies on Sunday, possibly clearing the way for him to discuss a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. So far the Brooklyn Nets have shown no inclination that they want to meet with Hollins to discuss their coaching vacancy. Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw remains high on the Nets’ list. After several days of talks among management, Hollins and his representation, the sides were unable to seriously consider terms of a potential contract because of hurdles that they couldn’t clear with how new management wants the coach to fit into the franchise’s belief systems, sources said.”
Here are further details on why Hollins and the team has hit a snag: “Management wants a coach willing to buy into the analytic movement, using those mechanisms to make roster, lineup and system decisions. Hollins has resented what he considers undue interference by management, and has stood by his track record and success in maintaining productivity with a roster of diverse and difficult personalities. During the Grizzlies’ playoff run, tensions turned to a confrontation when Hollins exploded during a practice session upon finding Hollinger had walked onto the practice court and engaged forward Austin Daye during a shooting drill, multiple sources told Yahoo! Sports. With the team watching – and with a motive to show his players that he was completely in charge on the floor, sources said – Hollins loudly questioned Hollinger about what he was doing, and why he believed it was appropriate for a management official to intrude on what’s considered sacred territory for a coach and team, sources said.”
- Despite what’s been reported, Hollins himself says it’s a shock that the team is allowing him to speak to other teams, from Ronald Tillery of Commercial Appeal: “Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said Monday morning that he was stunned to learn he had been granted permission to talk with other teams after leaving FedExForum last week believing management would begin negotiations to retain him. “I thought everything was good. I was excited when I left (last week)… The next thing I know I’ve been given permission to talk to other teams,” Hollins said in a 28-minute radio interview on First Call with Peter Edmiston on Sports 56 WHBQ/87.7 FM. “People need to know from my perspective that I don’t want to talk to any other teams. I want to be here. I told the media after our exit interviews that if the team offered me a contract that I felt was fair, I’d sign it the next day.”
- Brooklyn Nets have officially asked for permission to speak with Hollins, according to Marc Stein of ESPN:
Brooklyn Nets, according to NBA coaching sources, have today formally requested permission to interview Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins
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Marc Stein
Although Pau Gasol claims he wants Dwight Howard to stay, he won’t try to convince him to stay in Los Angeles, either. Mark Medina has details: “Gasol has said politely within the past two years he’d love to stay with the Lakers, no matter the frustrations he’s met with a reduced role under both Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni. But the Lakers forward said he won’t outwardly plead to Dwight Howard to stay. “I haven’t talked to him,” Gasol said Monday at the Boys & Girls Club in downtown Los Angeles to promote his newly launched self-named foundation. “I think he has to make the decision. It’s a big decision. We’ll see what he ends up deciding. I understand he’s going to take his time and I’m sure he’s going to continue to do that.”
Howard has just 25 days left to avoid Kobe, who is going to try to influence his decision to leave. Dwight has been hanging out in Aspen and wherever he can to avoid Kobe, LOL.
Of course Pau isn’t going to try to influence Howard. If DH stays, then Pau could be traded. Gasol prefers to stay in LA.