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Grizzlies may pursue Van Gundy

Alan Draper profile picture
Sports Editor
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The Memphis Grizzlies may make a run at ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy to be their next coach and run their front office, according to ESPN.com.

While Dave Joerger is still the Grizzlies coach, he is expected to take the Minnesota Timberwolves’ job.

It is not clear if Van Gundy wants to take on such a large role. Van Gundy, who coached the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets before going into television, generally does not publicly discuss job openings.

The Grizzlies are in the midst of a shakeup. The team let coach Lionel Hollins go after advancing to the Western Conference finals last year and replaced him with Joerger. Owner Robert Pera ousted CEO Jason Levien assistant general manager Stu Lash last week.

Now it appears Joerger will leave after one season. Assuming he does, Pera has to convince prospective coaching candidates that the job is a stable one. Joerger reportedly met with Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor on Saturday.

Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Alvin Gentry and ESPN analyst George Karl are among the candidates for the Grizzlies’ job if Joerger leaves. Both interviewed for it a year ago.

To land Joerger, the Timberwolves will owe the Grizzlies compensation. The Grizzlies may not ask for much since they reportedly are not interested in retaining him next season. Pera contemplated firing Joerger early in the season when the team got off to a bad start but recovered to finish 50-32. Memphis was ousted in the first round of the playoffs.

Joerger, a Minnesota native, is close to Timberwolves president Flip Saunders.

Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.

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