The Brooklyn Nets are in the middle of a search for a new head coach. It will be the third head coach in one year for the team. They are trying to grab a big name that will hopefully set the team up for success for years to come. They were first turned down by Phil Jackson and they are now being turned down by the Boston Celtics after the team denied the Nets permission to interview Doc Rivers.
Brooklyn wants to hire a coach with a strong track record of success after they released interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo when the season ended with a first round playoff loss to the Chicago Bulls. They had hoped to land Jackson as the coach was rumored to be making a return to the league. However, Jackson turned them down for what will likely be a front office role with another team. Then came Rivers, who reportedly could be leaving Boston sooner rather than later. That opportunity is now gone.
Jackie MacMullan of ESPN Boston reports that Celtics president Danny Ainge has denied the team permission to speak to Rivers about a head coaching job. Ainge refused to comment on the Nets' interest in the Boston coach, but would only say that the team expects to retain Rivers for years.
"Doc has told me he's coming back. I talk to him almost every day about our team and what we are going to do moving forward," Ainge said.
Rivers had remained coy on his future in Boston. He danced around the topic after the Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs, but has now confirmed that he will return to Boston for next season. When he comes back though, it is likely the team will look much different as both Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are likely to leave.
Denying the Nets permission to speak to Rivers makes a lot of sense, considering both teams play in the Eastern Conference. He is still under contract for three more years with Boston and remains one of the highest paid coaches in the league along with San Antonio's Gregg Popovich.
That did not stop Brooklyn from at least showing interest. They are likely to now focus on Lionel Hollins after the Memphis Grizzlies' playoff run is over. Hollins contract is up in June and while Memphis has said the intend to offer an extension, Brooklyn will still make a go at him.