The Memphis Grizzlies fired coach Lionel Hollins on Monday. Hollins, along with Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw, is reportedly drawing interest from the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets, whose former coach George Karl is now linked to Memphis.
It seems to be the theme this offseason: fire a winning coach. Hollins joined Karl, the 2013 NBA Coach of the Year, on the unemployed list after Memphis declined to renew his contract. Hollins confirmed his departure from the Grizzlies on Monday, according to the Associated Press.
Hollins isn't expected to stay on the market for long. The Clippers scheduled Hollins for an interview on Wednesday, according to SB Nation. ESPN reported last week that Shaw and Karl are the frontrunners for the Clippers' coaching vacancy, but both coaches are also drawing interest from other teams and could land elsewhere.
Shaw is widely considered as the best coach available -- the Brooklyn Nets, Clippers and Nuggets are all pursuing his services. Karl, who hasn't had a losing season since 1988, is expected to interview soon with Memphis.
In all likelihood, Hollins will find a job with whichever team doesn't fetch the services of Shaw or Karl. The Clippers main concern is selecting a coach that'd entice soon-to-be free agent Chris Paul into staying. If Paul is to re-sign with Los Angeles, he'll want a championship-caliber coach who can help the Clippers to an NBA Finals appearance.
Is that Karl? He's lost in the first round of the playoffs nine of the last 10 years, and he has only one NBA Finals appearance.
Is it Shaw? It could be. He excels at player development and he's won championships as both a player and an assistant coach under Phil Jackson.
If the Clips get Shaw, the Nets could shift their efforts toward Hollins. He's the best fit for the Nets in that case, SI.com reports. His ability to pull a team together and instill a grind-it-out culture was proven in Memphis. With Brooklyn's young and talented roster, a unified direction might be just what they need to push them past the first round of the playoffs.
Hollins had been with the Grizzlies franchise for 10 of its 12 seasons. He was hired as the head coach in January 2009, helping the Grizzlies to a 214-201 overall record and going 18-17 in the playoffs. Memphis made it to the Western Conference finals before being swept by the San Antonio Spurs.
RECAP:
Nuggets: Shaw, Hollins
Clippers: Shaw, Karl, Hollins
Grizzlies: Karl
Nets: Shaw, Hollins, Kidd
