Mark Jackson is out as head coach of the Golden State Warriors who now join the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Detroit Pistons as teams with a vacancy at the top.
Also like the aforementioned teams, the Warriors have a similar wishlist for the position.
According to USA TODAY Sports, TNT analyst Steve Kerr likely has interest in the job.
Kerr is expected to accept or reject the Knicks’ head coaching job by the end of the week, according to reports, but sources close to Kerr tell USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick he may want to speak with the Warriors.
According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, Kerr’s preference is negotiate with Knicks president Phil Jackson, his former coach, but has not ruled out at least discussing the Warriors’ opening with owner Joe Lacob and president Rick Welts, whom he has strong relationships with.
USA TODAY Sports also reported former Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni and former Los Angeles Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy also have interest in replacing Jackson.
Along with Kerr, Stan Van Gundy tops the Warriors’ list of potential candidates, according to Yahoo! Sports. ESPN NBA insider Marc Stein reported Van Gundy may gain an edge if and when Kerr chooses to join the Knicks, but it may take a lot of convincing.
I find it equally tough to picture Kerr turning Phil Jackson down now, as far as Kerr’s dalliance with the Knicks has gone, so look for the Warriors to explore the SVG option hard if (when?) Jackson’s reign is brought to an end.
… Van Gundy would have to be pulled away from the satisfying combination of broadcasting work and focusing on family life.
The team could potentially reach out to the Chicago Bulls for permission to speak with coach Tom Thibodeau and will do the same with Iowa State’s Fred Hoiberg. Hoiberg has been connected to both the Lakers’ and the Timberwolves’ openings, too.
According to San Jose Mercury News columnist Tim Kawakami, Hoiberg could emerge as Warriors management’s top choice simply because of his willingness to accept the position.
Though the team has yet to reach out to any candidates yet, the San Francisco Chronicle predicts other potential replacements could include J.B. Bickerstaff, Kaleb Canales, David Fitzdale, Alvin Gentry, Lionel Hollins and Nate Millan.
