Report: Warriors turn focus to Van Gundy

The Golden State Warriors will interview Stan Van Gundy for their head coaching vacancy, according to ESPN.com.

The Warriors had interest in TNT analyst Steve Kerr, but are turning their attention to Van Gundy because they believe Kerr will take the New York Knicks’ job. Kerr and the Knicks are getting closer to finalizing a deal, according to the New York Daily News.

Warriors owner Joe Lacob is close to Kerr, but is ready to focus on other candidates. Lacob and team management believe Van Gundy is their top candidate, according to Yahoo Sports.

Van Gundy said in a recent radio interview that he has mixed feelings about returning to coaching. He has a 579-371 record (.641) as coach of the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic and Miami Heat over seven seasons. He last coached the Magic two seasons ago.

“Part of me does and part of me doesn’t,” he said. “It would really have to be a great situation for me to get back in. I miss a lot of it. I really do. I miss the competition. I miss the challenge. I miss the camaraderie of it. But I also like the time that I’ve had, so we’ll just have to see what happens. You weigh every situation.

“Names come up on every job, and my name’s been mentioned in a few. But I think the Warrior one comes up because I’m from out there. I went to high school in the Bay Area. I grew up out there. I said several times during my coaching career when we would go play out there that it was always important to me playing out there because I grew up (there).”

The Warriors reportedly also have interest in former Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins and plan to interview him during the NBA draft combine in Chicago later this week. In addition, the team is expected to inquire about Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau.