Head-coaching interviews are underway
The Nets’ coaching search has gone from prospective to in-progress.
Interim coach Jacque Vaughn officially interviewed for the job, and left ownership “impressed” according to The Athletic. The Post confirmed the initial support, but sources wouldn’t say how many other candidates had spoken with ownership.
Spurs icon Gregg Popovich is the first option if GM Sean Marks — like Vaughn, a Popovich protégé — can pry the 71-year-old out of San Antonio. Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue has a pre-existing relationship with Kyrie Irving and is reportedly also a top candidate for Philadelphia, New Orleans and possibly Houston if Mike D’Antoni is let go.
But The Post has reported Vaughn is going to get every opportunity to claim the permanent job. And The Athletic reported even if the Nets go in another direction, they still want to keep the 45year-old in the fold in “some capacity.” That would certainly be easier in the unlikely event that Marks can lure the five-time champion Popovich to Brooklyn.
Vaughn — who has been a Spurs player, assistant and scout — was brought to Brooklyn as an assistant. He took over when the Nets parted ways with Kenny Atkinson in March, going 7-3 — including 5-3 in the restart to guide the Nets to a seventh-place finish in the East and playoff matchup versus Toronto.
Ownership meeting with Vaughn is noteworthy. That could be owner Joe Tsai, or Oliver Weisberg, the alternate governor of the Nets and vice chairman of BSE Global. But when previous owner Mikhail Prokhorov hired Lionel Hollins, Atkinson’s predecessor, the two never met in person.
Tsai — who signed Irving and Kevin Durant, and has committed to paying luxury tax if needed to forge a contender — could be more involved.
It’s unclear if Marks has requested permission to speak with Popovich. But that might be moot anyway. With Popovich essentially considering him family, Marks would know of his mentor’s willingness to move before any such conversation ever needed to take place with Spurs CEO R.C. Buford or ownership.
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