The Golden State Warriors, like the Los Angeles Lakers, appear determined to cast a wide net in search for their next head coach. Golden State's list of candidates reportedly includes Steve Kerr, Stan Van Gundy, Tom Thibodeau, Mike D'Antoni and Kevin Ollie.
The Warriors were quick to fire Mark Jackson after the playoffs loss, but they are in no rush to hire a replacement.
"We're going to take our time in this process," Warriors owner Joe Lacob said, via the San Francisco Chronicle. "We're going to interview a number of people. We have a very good idea of what we're interested in. But, to be sure and to do the appropriate job in looking for a coach, we will interview multiple people and make sure we're doing the right thing."
Multiple reports, including one from The Chronicle, indicate Kerr and Van Gundy are the top choices to succeed Jackson. Kerr reportedly is interested in the Golden State job but is leaning toward coaching the New York Knicks.
Van Gundy acknowledged the Warriors contacted his representatives, but while he didn't rule out returning to coaching, he said further talks were needed with his former hometown team.
The coaching search isn't just limited to Kerr and Van Gundy.
"The Warriors are expected to contact the Chicago Bulls to explore the availability of their head coach, defensive whiz Tom Thibodeau," Rusty Simmons of The Chronicle wrote on Thursday. "... They're also believed to be considering the merits of former NBA head coaches Lionel Hollins, Mike D'Antoni, George Karl and Jerry Sloan, and college head coaches Fred Hoiberg and Kevin Ollie, and are waiting for assistants David Fizdale, Alvin Genty and Nate McMillan, the latter two former head coaches, to complete playoff runs."
