Current Celtics special adviser Jeff Van Gundy, who’s just one win away from claiming his first league title in this year’s Finals, is being eyed as possible assistant coach for recently-extended Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, sources inform longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein (Substack link).
Van Gundy is being considered to replace former Clippers assistant coach Dan Craig, now off to the Bulls. According to Stein, L.A. team president Lawrence Frank is said to have long been an appreciator of Van Gundy’s acumen. Van Gundy last coached in the NBA for the Rockets in 2006/07, while 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 job, 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, should he not get either head coaching vacancy (the Cavaliers also have an opening). Rivers has worked with Cassell as an assistant off and on for nine season.
- ESPN broadcaster JJ 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.